With all the House deadlined bills dispatched and the Senate bills slowly rolling in, this week was atypical yet welcomed. I only had two bills to present to committee and the three committees on which I sit had very light schedules. I finalized the presentations on my bills, updated my bill roster, double-checked my calendar and took advantage of the extra time to work on that part of my job I enjoy the most - constituent work.

Constituent work I receive via e-mail is answered immediately with a return e-mail acknowledging that I received it and informing the sender how I intend to proceed. Those inquiries that are able to be delegated to my aide, Tyler, or our legislative staff are assigned accordingly.

I set up a tickler file and date the document for future follow up. Sometimes an answer is known and constituent satisfaction instantaneous. Many times this is the case and all I needed to do was help them navigate through the maze of bureaucratic agencies and programs.

However, many times the problem will require multiple steps to resolve or a significant amount of research. If I received the request on e-mail, the request stays on my computer until resolved. I see these files every day and will sometimes nag various agencies in an attempt to motivate them to quickly address the concern. Naturally, and just like private industry, most agencies respond very quickly while others require several reminders and urgings.

One request was from a 13-year-old Durango Boy Scout who thought that the voting age should be dropped to 16 years of age. I decided not to simply write a letter but set up a telephone interview so we could discuss this worthy suggestion.

This young scout, Kevin, was loaded with great input and we discussed the issue in-depth. We resolved that, while Kevin was indeed a bright and involved young citizen, many 16-year-olds were indeed not ready to accept this responsibility. I asked Kevin if he had any influence with his parents decision making process and he assured me he did. We left it that he would get involved with his parents and help them determine how they were going to vote. Kevin promises be an informed voter.

Another situation was not so simple and enjoyable. A long time friend in Cortez appears to have been treated unethically by an education loan company. While her children attend a private occupational school out of state, the company she obtained loans from are soliciting students from Colorado. I am hopeful that this fact will place the loan company under Colorado's scrutiny. It seems that this company has steadfastly ignored my friend and constituent's pleas to correct an error they made but is now causing her much financial distress. I am working with the Private Occupational Schools Division of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education on this and hope to have positive results soon.

While reviewing my tickler file I came upon an old request that I was not able to resolve. A Durango couple asked last year to have their address removed from their drivers license. I found out over a long, drawn out discussion with the Department of Revenue that our statutes don't allow this. Coincidentally, a bill is moving through the legislature that revises much of the drivers license regulations. I am working with our legal staff to see how we can make this work for those who wish to have their names removed but understand that law enforcement still needs that information on the state records for emergencies, etc.

Doing your work in Denver is without a doubt the most enjoyable part of this job. Solving problems, correcting wrongs and obtaining help for those in need, far and away offsets any of the other unpleasantness this job may entail. Have I told you "thank you" lately for allowing me to serve you? Well then, "thank you" and please stay in touch.