Saturday morning found mild temperatures, a slightly overcast sky, little wind and the promise of spring, embodied in the sprouting of both crocuses and Kroeger’s greenhouse in Durango.

So what were 26 locals doing in a stuffy meeting room in the courthouse that same bright morning?

Well, "It’s About Kids" – a movement both locally and statewide to advocate for children’s issues. It is a project of the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

Our own rising legislative star, Rep. Mark Larson and I updated these concerned constituents on legislation that effects children:

• HB 1351 increases the state tax credit for child-care expenses that families may claim on their federal income tax, and increases the child tax credit from $200 to $300 per child. This bill is headed for the Senate.

• HB 1023 is also en route to the Senate. This bill will make children’s immunizations more available.

• HB 1026 contains funding for Family Resource Centers. It passed through a major choke point, House Appropriations, and is on the House floor for debate.

• SB 71 is being debated in the House. This is the bill to manage the expected $2.8 billion tobacco settlement. It looks as if the present value of the settlement will be put in trust and programs will be funded from the interest generated.

Importantly for children, 10 percent of these funds will go into the Colorado Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). This plan is designed for the children of working people who are not covered by employer insurance.

For about $15 a month, these children (under 18) receive check-ups, immunizations, prescriptions, hospital services, glasses and hearing aids, mental health care and medical office visits.

If you know of any child not so covered, have his or her parent or guardian call 1(800)359-1991. Or call me at home at (970)259-1942.

The Colorado Children’s Campaign publishes a report of key indicators on the well-being or problem areas for our young folks. See the accompanying box for a look at how we are doing in fulfilling our most important responsibility.

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Colorado lost an estimated $2.1 billion in income as a result of our lackluster and fragmented tourism promotional campaign.

HB 1224 will create the "Colorado Tourism Office," locate same in the governor’s office and devote $6,574,445 to the cause.

This amount is far less than other states that admittedly have far less to offer. But we are back in the hunt. The bill is nearing final Senate approval.

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