Dear Friends,

We are very excited to announce the HB16-1164 died yesterday morning (4/25/16) in the Colorado House Legislature! We praise God for this answer to prayer.

I want to thank each of you who spoke out on this issue. I believe the outcome that we are seeing is clear evidence that your opposition to this bill was felt at the Capitol!

Although this is certainly an exciting victory, it appears the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has already implemented procedures and made rule changes (effective 7/1/16) that may accomplish by rule some of the very same things that HB16-1164 would have authorized them to accomplish by law.

Although CHEC has been in communication with the CDPHE regarding these concerns, there are still some serious questions on the table that remain unanswered.

Thankfully, Senator Kevin Lundberg has requested that the CDPHE Director, Dr. Larry Wolk, appear before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on May 4th in order to explain what the CDPHE is doing with immunization exemption forms now that HB16-1164 is no longer a part of the discussion.

Dr. Wolk has informed Senator Lundberg’s staff that he will appear as requested.

Senator Lundberg is also the Chairman for the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and it is his goal to clearly nail down the facts directly from the CDPHE Director for all to see and hear. Though public testimony will not be taken during this meeting, it should be a very informative session. We hope to see a strong turnout to this meeting in order to underscore the seriousness of the questions that are being asked.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 4th will start on adjournment of the Senate sometime between 10:00 and 11:30 AM.

I hope to see you there!

Steve Craig