David Ortiz
@DavidDOrtizCO
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Disabled vet🇺🇸, recovering past elected Rep CO HD38. Create equity for marginalized & opportunities for all. Basic Access for ♿️ is LONG overdue! (he/him/his)
Littleton, CO
Joined May 2019
The early days of my injury were definitely rough. So grateful and blessed to be on the other side of that now. From flying helicopters to advocating here in Colorado, the journey has never been boring.
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@MeghanMcCain Do you have to ask in the face of how your father was treated and your mom was censured?.
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The absolute #ableism and ignorance on display here against community living with a disability ♿️ AND ANY MOVEMENT we try and make toward securing our basic human rights and #basicaccess is astounding. #COLeg #COPolitics.
NEW: State Rep. Richard Holtorf (R-Akron) argued against civil liability for disability discrimination by likening people with disabilities to those hurt during Pamplona's running of the bulls. "If you're dumb enough to get on this road and run. you own it" Holtorf said. #coleg
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@VanJones68 "He (Trump) is not in office to solve your financial problems. He's in office to solve his OWN financial problems." -Van Jones YUP!!! ✊🏾🌊 #BillionDollarLoser #TrumpTaxReturns.
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@cologop Y’all, under your current leadership, have more in common with the Taliban than the founding fathers. LGBTQ folks served and serve in the military. We are cops, we are firefighters, we are your family members & neighbors. We will outlast your bigotry and hate.
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Y’all want to actually see WHY representation matters? You’re looking at newly installed ramps FINALLY making the #CO House Floor #accessible. ✊🏽♿️🙌🏽🇺🇸. #Disabled #veteran #AccessibilityMatters #RepresentationMatters #coleg #TeamOrtiz #HD38
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Voters in CO sent a clear message. 1.Stop trying to control what women do with their bodies. 2. Stop undermining our elections. 3. Stop trying to take away the rights of LGBTQ+ people. 4. Stop undermining science. Bigotry, fear, ignorance, and hate have no place in CO #copolitics.
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I am incredibly humbled, honored, and excited to declare victory in the race for Representative of State House District 38.
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“Colorado’s 1st lawmaker to use a wheelchair will get to wield the gavel this session, thanks to new lift.”. Best Christmas gift to start new year and session. Basic access is about the BASIC human right to participate in life. #coleg #DisabilityTwitter .
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Vets have the potential to drive out the more extremist factions in this nation from power. Wishing brother Army vet Flowers the best in ousting one of the worst. #SendFlowerstoCongress.
VoteVets is officially endorsing Marcus Flowers in the race against #MarjorieTraitorGreene. Let's send @Marcus4Georgia to Congress!
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Who’s ready to make CO history today? . Know it may seem like a small thing, for 1st wheelchair user ♿️ to ever be able to chair the COW 🐮 on the House Floor. But #accessibility isn’t just for me, it’s for any and all future legislators that might need it. #coleg #CripTheVote.
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Had a really scary moment with a brother veteran of color that lives two houses down with local police. I’m thankful for the cooler heads in Littleton PD that allowed me to pull aside and work with a brother veteran of color in crisis. Fuck. I’m in tears. Glad it ended well.
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Disgusted by this vile display of utter disrespect. Not to mention my grandfather who was infantry in WWII. there when freeing these camps is probably rolling in his damn grave out of disgust.
NASHVILLE — Hatworks is literally selling Jewish stars that say “Not Vaccinated” — out here making MTG look tame . hatwrks@gmail.com (615) 678-5690
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Every time it snows I can’t help but think of two things. 1. The severe drought Colorado has been under for years and we need the moisture. 2. Our unhoused neighbors. Stay warm and stay safe out there. Please have compassion for those that are struggling.
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@MalobBob @washingtonpost His chair weighs 400lbs. And lifting someone and their chair around is NOT access. It’s NOT a solution. And the fact that you think it is… reflects deep seated ableism.
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After months of negotiation and hours of fighting #ableism on the House Floor, HB23-1032 has passed out of the House with a bipartisan vote of 45-17!! Thank you to my colleagues who supported this bill and securing #basicaccess and #disabilityrights. #coleg #copolitics
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It’s the next day as we continue the non stop marathon of debate to make sure we’re protecting a person’s constitutional right to have reproductive choice. #PassRHEANow #coleg
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You don’t understand as a father because NONE of your kids got Glioblastoma because of their military service & died. You didn’t lose your spouse & young daughter in a car crash with only two surviving sons. You don’t have the moral high ground here, pandering wealthy jerk.
While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBiden’s natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation.
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Hot take of the day. If you’re not Native American, you shouldn’t have “Native” anything on your cars or water bottles. it’s obnoxious.
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@ScottWalker If you can serve your nation and die for your country, then you should be able to vote. Drinking age got moved up to 21 from 18 to prevent hs drinking. What? We trying to prevent early interest and caring about our free and fair democracy? What a clown….
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Wife just tested positive for COVID19. I will be testing myself shortly and isolating myself for a time out of an abundance of caution for others.
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I am fine. Getting great care at the VA (want to lead with that), but I am admitted fighting sepsis and an infection at the VA. #paraplegic life. .
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I am so honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve a second term as your Representative for #HD38! I am incredibly proud and grateful for my amazing staff, the wonderful volunteers, and community leaders whose hard work got us here! #copolitics
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Reunited for the first time since my crash with the medic that pulled me out of the aircraft and stabilized me that day. This guy will always be family and what he did that day will NEVER be forgotten.
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2nd only to serving in our Armed Forces, serving the people of #HD38 has been an honor and privilege. Ableism & lack of access have made it exhausting but worth it. With much reflection I have decided not to run for re-election so I can focus on family & personal goals.
INBOX: State Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, will not seek reelection in 2024. "I’ve decided not to run for re-election so that I can enjoy some of the freedoms that I’ve fought for and defended," the military vet says in a written statement. #copolitics #coleg.
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This is embarrassing… for us & for the people of Colorado. Weinberg wasn’t sitting in the gallery with protestors of his own interrupting Epps. Some people are here to do work. others are here to put on a performance & act like petulant children.
Rep. Ron Weinberg speaking about his experience as Jew from the well of the House floor and Rep. Elisabeth Epps yelled “you’re out of order” from the gallery, where she is sitting with pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Epps is having a tense discussion with sergeants. #copolitics.
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Going to take bravery of Ukrainians fighting on front lines AND bravery of Russians like Marina Ovsyannikova… willing to be arrested to protest the invasion and speak truth in the face of propaganda propped up by a tyrannical government and thug in #Putin. #IStandWithUkraine.
Marina Ovsyannikova, the woman who protested Russian disinfo and the war on Ukraine live on Russian state TV has been arrested. This act of BRAVERY needs to be seen by all.
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It would be a privilege to have them here in Littleton. 🙋🏽♂️.
Raise your hand if you want this plane landing in your town?. America paid unimaginable costs in Afghanistan because of uniparty globalists who dominated the Bush & Obama administrations. No more…
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Source of pain knowing bros and sisters in arms and I fought in Afghanistan against theocratic patriarchal government that was determined to take away rights of women ONLY to come home to see my nation start devolving into same thing. Still have plenty of fight in my heart.
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Welcome to the team, California. Colorado is excited that you’ve joined gold standard of franchising Americans to exercise their most basic and critical right in a secure, free, and fair election.
It's now official. California is a universal vote by mail state. Voters in all statewide elections will receive a ballot in the mail. Those who still want to vote in person can do so. While other states roll back access to voting -- we're EXPANDING IT.
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Heartbroken at what happened at East High School but was proud to welcome those students into my office today to discuss important common sense gun safety bills to prevent these horrific acts from continuing. Let’s get it done!. #copolitics #COLeg #gunsafety #stopgunviolence
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Thank you @MomsDemand for supporting so many #GunSense candidates today! It was great to see so much energy today!
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Lost a vote today because of my support for paid family leave. lost a vote yesterday because of supporting reproductive choice and women’s rights. guess who is upset about it. NOT THIS GUY. Will never betray my values to be popular or for a vote. #vote2020 #HD38 #TeamOrtiz.
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If I come off as the frustrated guy in a chair ♿️, it’s because I’m a caucus of one in the #coleg. The weight of speaking up for those in our state that are often an afterthought- those living with a disability- is felt. It’s a privilege but it is felt. #cripthevote.
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11 years today I survived a catastrophic crash in Afghanistan that I shouldn’t have. Today is my Live Day. Devil was scared to take me and God wasn’t ready. Wouldn’t have made it without family, friends, and community. Thank you!
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Always say I married up. Wife made a grocery run today. We normally shop at King Soopers. BUT I won’t cross the picket line… this how I know she supports unions and won’t either.
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This is UNFORTUNATELY a common occurrence for us that live with a #disability. There is a reason why @DenverPerfect10 is the first at denver city council and why I am the 1st at the State Cap ♿️. #ableism excludes, isolates, and kills. #DisabilityTwitter #COLeg #COPolitics.
After the City Councilman hoisted himself on to the stage from his chair on the ground, the decision was made that instead, the debate would be moved to the floor in front of the stage and @DenverPerfect10 returns to his chair after the five-minute episode. L. Wild start here.
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Received great care at the Rocky Mt Regional Medical Center VA. Just discharged and on the mend. Want to thank the staff at the VA for their compassionate and professional care. I will be taking the next few days to rest and heal up. Thank you for all the healing vibes y’all.♿️♥️.
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@JeriLRyan Resistance is NOT futile! . I support science and facts! . I also support that what we know about science becomes more clear with more scientific discovery and fact. Fauci had been an amazing life long public servant, scientist, and doctor.
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@DanCrenshawTX Party of personal responsibility, eh? No, Texas’ biggest mistake was privatizing and deregulating which led to cutting corners. Pipelines and Gas infrastructure froze as did your wind turbines DESPITE them working in colder American Midwest.
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This is the “leadership” that house #Republicans offer Coloradans… to throw a tantrum like children & leave. When parents and kids ask them to do something about #gunviolence, THEY IGNORE. When women ask for the right to choose, THEY IGNORE. They don’t know how to lead. #COLeg
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#Ableism so clearly on display on a renowned magazine… . Wish I could say I’m surprised. Mobility devices do NOT equal inability to do a job or being LESS of a capable human. Neither does #disability nor chronic illness.
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@YomiWrong @JetBlue @PVA1946 Glad y’all have been advocating for us on a myriad of access issues. This happens SO OFTEN we need penalties and teeth against airlines and airports when this happens NOW. #DisabilityTwitter #access #CriptheVote.
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I appreciate Republican Rep Weinberg supporting disabled veterans and all that live with a ♿️disability in supporting 1032 which will help secure #basicaccess for community that lives with a disability. #COLeg #COPolitics
Rep. Ron Weinberg was the only Republican to vote for the disability rights bill brought by @DavidDOrtizCO. It passed on third reading 45-17.
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I swear. the entitlement of some people’s kids. I invite anyone to take a day to roll in my wheels ♿️ and try and navigate the world… from employment opportunities, to accessing healthcare, to mass transit, to going out. Isn’t about pity, it’s about perspective. #coleg.
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Lost my uncle, Joe Tijerina, this morning to COVID19. He loved family and friends. Was life of any gathering or party. Loved cars, dirtbikes, and well made machines in general. He worked hard and found dignity in his work. Rest easy, tío.
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Started the day fighting for equity in our booming marijuana industry. SB21-111 with @leslieherod . BIPOC were over policed and prosecuted for doing what is now legal. Working for equity in the marijuana industry. Ended the day hearing testimony on HB21-1030. #coleg
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Dems need to do a BETTER JOB of showing themselves the true party of supporting vets. In a bill that automatically enrolls vets for VA care if they’re eligible. EVERY DEMOCRAT voted in support. 163 Republicans VOTED NO. #veterans .
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Yowza! After debating from Thursday afternoon until Friday morning at 7am, Team Dem was able to get common sense life saving gun safety legislation of a 3 day waiting period… PASSED! Onto 3rds next. Proud to burn that midnight oil to make Coloradans safer. #COLeg #COPolitics.
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Humans can be petty & I shouldn’t be surprised at the hate after last night’s result. But how many of us young Latino men were doing what he was doing at 26? . I am PROUD of Tim Hernandez! 🧵🪡.
Our campaign team knocked thousands of doors in the past 3 days—and with thousands of outstanding ballots, we may not know tonight!. In this moment I only feel proud & grateful: proud of how hard we worked and what we stand for, and grateful to be held by the love of community.
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Probably something I kept closest to me for far too long. It was seeing the courage my transgender cousin had in dealing with my entire family that gave me the courage to own every bit of who I am. #BiVisibilityDay.
Too often, bisexual people are excluded from LGBTQ+ spaces and are invisible to each other. This #BiVisibilityDay, know that your experiences are valid and you are seen.
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I am about RESPONSIBLE gun ownership. Proud of @MonicaDuran24 @Kyle_Mullica @JeffBridges and @HansenForCO for this bill that has and will undoubtedly save lives.
After a gun was confiscated from a Colorado middle school student, police arrested his father for not having the weapon lawfully secured and stored. @momsdemand volunteers helped pass a new secure storage law in Colorado this year. #coleg
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“Colorado bill would require insurance companies to cover athletic prosthetics for kids”. I’m not crying you’re crying! 😭Excited to see #DisabilityRights getting so much coverage lately. DO IT FOR THE KIDS! ✊🏽♿️🙌🏽. #DisabilityTwitter #COLeg #COPolitics .
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Do not cross the picket line!. So many ways to enact real economic and social justice. this is one of the ways you can help. Shop elsewhere until the workers get what they’ve earned.
🚨We have announced the intent to call for a strike against King Soopers. Please see press release for additional information. 🚨. We will notify you when its time to strike! .
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Wow… this is NOT it, sir. Do better & be better. Not your fault that team #GOP left you as the sacrificial lamb. BUT THESE YOUNG ADULTS came to you out of fear, pain, and frustration. They are TIRED of living in fear and dying. NOT full of impertinence. #COLeg #COPolitics.
@jabarocas @cologop @ColoSenGOP @COHouseGOP I spent half an hour with these students and was happy to listen to their grievances. How would you feel if rude and impertinent 15/16 year olds barged into your office unannounced and berated you for an unfortunate situation that you had nothing to do with?.
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Respectfully, this is an area we disagree on. TABOR is absolute garbage. Which is WHY during a time when red states are taking away the RIGHTS of women & LGBTQ folks, they are NOT passing a law like TABOR. BECAUSE it’s fiscally irresponsible and other red states know it.
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@AndyKnny It was absolutely disgustingly outrageous!!!! . Power and wealth get what power and wealth want.
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Waking up from catching up on sleep after a marathon of fighting for Reproductive Choice. True champions of the hour were all the amazing orgs, women, and people that showed up to testify in support of #RHEA. The true champions are the bill sponsors @Dlesgar @RepMegFroe #coleg.
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So proud to have @JoeNeguse representing us in Colorado and as an impeachment manager fighting for justice and accountability for a violent insurrection that saw the loss of lives and the confederate flag flying at our nation’s cap. Thank you Rep Neguse. 🇺🇸✊🏽♿️.
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Thank you Speaker @McCluskieforCO for rebuking hateful attacks on House Floor & inspiring the better angels of our nature. This is what leadership looks like. "We were sent here to represent our constituents. not to attack one another, demean one another. ".#coleg #copolitics
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Grabbed pizza for volunteers and just had my hardest hitting moment. A woman waited so she could thank us all. Lost 4 people in her family to this virus. tears in her eyes. 😭😭 I know I like to joke around “you’re crying, I’m not crying.” But I am. and not ashamed.
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This is dangerous incitement by a fundamentalist extremist group against their fellow Americans. Absolutely abhorrent and disgusting. Fought this extremism abroad. will fight this garbage & the fundamentalist extremists that perpetuate it here at home.
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I can’t for the life of me understand how (in a party that touts diversity, equity, and inclusion) why #DisabilityRights and #BasicAccess are such a tough sell. ✊🏽♿️🇺🇸. HB23-1032 Fix to the Anti-Discrimination Act PASSED vote of 7 to 6. Pics sum up committee. #COLeg #COPolitics
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I will not allow false equivalencies to be set up between the insurrection and violence of yesterday incited by lies and conspiracy theories that have no standing in courts vs the fight for racial justice and equity backed by proof of vid after vid of black bodies being murdered.
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Has been an absolute privilege to serve people of #HD38. In a district that SHOULD HAVE BEEN a close race, you elected a grizzled ♿️ combat #vet. Through COVID19 & more we supported small businesses, vets, teachers, kids, folks with disabilities. TY! #copolitics #sinedie
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#COLatinoCaucus hosting Secretary @JulianCastro to exchange notes and collaborate on how to organize and empower the #Latino community in CO and across the nation. #copolitics
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@Nowayjose1979 @KyleClark @GovofCO We got word of this executive order right as it was coming out. Per usual from the Gov’s Office.🙄Believe me, we have been in discussion. and will continue discussing what we will be doing this upcoming legislative session to protect choice here in CO. Have to keep the senate.
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“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” . Night reflection in light of invasion.
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I really appreciate & support the commitment to learning & growth. This is what I think is truly in his heart. We ALL have been young. WE ALL have made mistakes. We all don’t have the maturity & humility to own it, apologize, & commit to being better. Thank you @_timhernandez.
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Antimaskers and antivaxers are the biggest domestic terror threat we face during this global pandemic. #DomesticTerrorists #antivaxxers #antimaskers #pandemic #covid19.
Hundreds are now chanting “We will not comply” outside of Jeff Co. Public Health. Parents say they want to decide if their kids should wear masks in class. #CoEd
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@cologop @KyleClark You and your organization… WHEN YOU DO THIS. perpetuate hate & inspire violence. You show yourselves to be fundamental extremists akin to those that used a radicalized version of their faith to incite terrorism & violence abroad. In wake of club Q shooting no less!.
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She was right before… she tried to warn y’all. Wasn’t heeded. we lost Roe… Muslim travel Ban. Jan 6 and more in the parade of awful. Don’t make us all learn the hard way twice. because it will be MUCH WORSE!! . I’m still with her.
If Donald Trump becomes president again, it wouldn't be as bad as it was last time. It would be much, much worse. Read about his plans, as he describes them in new TIME interviews, and take them seriously.
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It’s views like this that make me SO GRATEFUL to live in Colorado and motivate me to keep fighting against climate change. We are LUCKY to live here folks… Let’s not let it get ruined. 🏔❄️🇺🇸 #coleg #ClimateCrisis #Colorado
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“She pushed for wildfire alerts in Spanish. Now she’s taking language equality to the state Capitol.”. If y’all don’t know Rep-Elect Velasco, you should get to know her and keep an eye on her. Already Co-Chair for Dem Latino Caucus and more. #coleg.
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Democrats… we gotta do better. On a panel touting 1sts and spoke about #ableism & lack of #BasicAccess AND HAD a person come up to me stating she doesn’t see my disability. She only sees my ability. That’s exactly the same energy as “I don’t see color” & reinforces ableism.
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Hearing @COHouseGOP members come to the well & say that they don’t know what’s in SB213 AFTER REQUESTING TO HAVE IT READ AT LENGTH (3+ hours) demostrares how little they care. If you didn’t understand you should have stayed in the chamber while it was being read. #COLeg.
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Who just heckled the president and said only 13 vets suffer from burn pits!?!? Any bets it was Boebert? #SOTU.
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So shameful that there were veterans, including a retired LTC. Air Force academy grad, at the insurrection. Their benefits should be stripped and they should have the full weight of the law thrown at them.
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@jeffhunt Actually you can use CORA to figure out how any elected is communicating with anyone under any requested topic of the people’s work. Find out more. CO voters clearly tired of unfounded conspiracy theories like this from y’all. #copolitics .
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@RepBoebert No surprise that a trash seditious bigoted clown like you can’t recognize how US aide has been VITAL to beat back Russian oppression by tyrant #PutinWarCriminal. You’re nothing but a useful idiot helping to push Russian interests and hurt free democracies everywhere.
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Still here on the house floor making sure we protect reproductive choice, abortive care, and a pregnant person’s right to choose! ✊🏽🙌🏽🇺🇸♿️. We’ll be here as long as it takes to enshrine the constitutionally protected rights in statute that are under threat. #PassRHEANow #coleg.
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From Columbine, Arapahoe High, and STEM school shootings; #HD38 and surrounding families have seen the toll gun violence takes on our communities. Thankfully, today CO Dems are fighting to make real change, introducing a package of #GunViolencePrevention bills. #coleg
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Rise and grind, Colorado. 🌞✊🏽🇺🇸Normally I take weekend for self care. working out, laundry, and sleeping in. BUT excited because #HD38’s #COVID19 popup #vaccine clinic is today. Excited to safely 😷 be in community and see people get protected from the virus. #coleg #teamortiz.
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Receiving a Purple Heart is NOT a free pass to commit crimes! . Vets, rightfully so, have own specialized treatment courts to forego being imprisoned when mental healthcare will rehabilitate. BUT military honors do NOT = immunity from criminal behavior & personal responsibility.
Purple Heart Recipient Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison Over J6
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Extremely disgusted & disappointed by behavior of one particular colleague, Rep Bradley. We are supposed to represent the best in CO. Fine line between push back & accountability VS inciting violence & threats against your colleagues. She crossed it.
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First day of 2023 leg session & #TeamOrtiz is ready to make CO more accessible for ALL! Excited to serve 2nd term and work with our 46 member caucus to serve our beautiful state. It is such an honor to serve #HD38 and I am ready to make every day count!.#coleg #copolitics
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Congrats to my friend @McCluskieforCO on being elected speaker. I nominated Rep Benavidez, but we really had an embarrassment of riches for those running for speaker. Speaker McCluskie, we are behind you and ready to serve Coloradans everywhere. #coleg #copolitics.
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@jaredpolis @RobertKennedyJr @HHSGov This is pathetic pandering at best in the wake of Dems losing (nationally). I can’t fathom what else this could be. especially when you rightly upheld vaccine mandates during a once in a century pandemic. It’s pathetic.
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Tonight is WILD. Total lack of respect and decorum tonight from opposition of the bill is on another level. Not from all. But on the whole. I’m virtual because still sick but I can taste the anger, hatred, and judgement from here. Won’t be intimidated. #PassRHEANow #coleg.
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Don’t know how to take this… . I’m parked in accessible spot NEXT TO A COMPLETELY ABLED BODIED guy in his 30s with NO mobility device with a handicap hanger. THEN a staffer comes up to ME (not him) and asks me if I’m staying here and why?. Placard & chair not clue enough? ♿️👎🏽.
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