© 2024
NPR for Northern Colorado
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A Word With Colorado's Speaker Of The House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst

Bente Birkeland
/
RMCR

Colorado's Speaker of the House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (D-Boulder), is entering her second year as the leader of the chamber; she is also term limited at the end of the 2016 session. What are her priorities in her final year under the recently refurbished gold dome of the capitol?

Interview Highlights With Dickey Lee Hullinghorst

On Key Issues Around The Budget And TABOR

"We are in a situation where all the additional revenues we collect has to be capped and refunded, generally speaking it's not very much, to residents of the state of Colorado….They would much prefer to have that invested in important infrastructure like transportation and making sure we have the best education for our kids."

On The Fracking Debate

"We have members that are looking at oil and gas legislation. Whether or not they introduce them will depend on the stakeholder processes they're involved in and trying to find good ways to legislate. But this goes directly to in my opinion, the Colorado quality of life. We have serious interface issues."

On Managing The House In Her Final Year

"When I first started almost eight years ago, I never imagined I'd be doing this. But I also consider it a great honor and privilege to be speaker."

Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.
Related Content