Signage denoting the entrance to CUSG’s offices on the first floor of the UMC. Oct. 15, 2021 (Henry Larson/CU Independent
The University of Colorado Student Government Executive Branch members Grace Covney, Alex Radz, Tyler Rowan, Emma Martinez and Ava Giordano visited the U.S. Capitol this week to advocate for resolutions passed on special order on Thursday. The resolutions introduced in the legislative council were drafted in response to potential changes in federal administration.
“This is intended to be used as a strong message that CUSG advocates for these different things,” Petra Deffenbaugh, legislative council treasurer, said.
One resolution is in opposition to bill H.R.899, which was introduced in the United States Congress on Jan. 31 and aims to terminate the Department of Education on Dec. 31, 2026. The resolution formally represents CUSG’s opposition to the bill and notes the importance of The Department of Education’s role in providing CU Boulder students with Pell Grants, student loans and civil rights protections in education.
CUSG planned to use personal testimonies and testimonials of students at CU Boulder, particularly those on Pell Grants, and to petition lawmakers at the Capitol to remove their names from the bill.
Another CUSG resolution moves to recognize the importance of climate initiatives like the Paris Climate Agreement, which President Donald Trump began the process of withdrawing from on his first day in office. The resolution addresses the various impacts that climate change has on the city of Boulder, such as increased fire risk and harm to Boulder ecosystems. CUSG will support a U.S. Senate resolution in its efforts to move forward with attaining the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
A third resolution serves as a representation of CUSG’s support for bill H.R. 4431, a bill introduced last session that aims to reduce overdose levels by enabling law enforcement in rural areas to purchase and provide naloxone. Giordano, a co-author of the resolution, mentioned that the presence of naloxone could significantly prevent opioid-related deaths in rural areas.
“I think it could help CU students who are from rural areas and also, it would benefit Colorado as a whole,” she said.
Contact CU Independent CUSG Beat Writer Ainsley Coogan at Ainsley.coogan@colorado.edu
