Representative Benavidez, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1031. The bill repeals Columbus Day as a state holiday and replaces it with Colorado Day.  Representative Benavidez distributed a handout and packet of letters concerning the bill to the committee (Attachments A and B).  She discussed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments C and D). Amendment L.001 strikes everything below the enacting clause and replaces Columbus Day with Frances Xavier Cabrini Day.

Representative Mullica made comments regarding the bill.

Marie Venner, Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dennis Wilwerding, Knights of Columbus, testified in support of the bill.

Judy Danielson, Mountain View Friends Meeting, testified in support of the bill.

Reverend Patrick Demmer, Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Neva Martinez Ortega, Pueblo Abolish Columbus Day, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Roger Green, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment E).

Walter Barrett, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He read a statement from Claudia Kuhns in support of the bill.

Alisa DiGiacomo, representing herself, testified in support of the bill with amendments. She provided the committee with a copy of her remarks and a packet of letters concerning the bill (Attachments F and G).

Frank Sullivan, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Steve O'Dorisio, representing himself, testified in support of the bill with amendments.

Thad Tecza, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Jessie Romero, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment H).

Cynthia Rice, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Angela Sedillos, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Angelica Wright, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Tessa McLean, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Libby Comeaux, representing herself, testified in support of the bill with amendments. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment I).

Margaret Brugger, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Joan Policastri, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  She read a statement of support from Stephanie Rossi.

Jason Ball, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ball, Ms. Comeaux, and Representative Benavidez answered questions from the committee.

Nanae Ito, Asian Communities Together, testified in support of the bill.

Basim Mahmood, Asian Communities Together, testified in support of the bill.

April Young, Denver Justice Project, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members made comments regarding the testimony.

DeAndre Young, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Hillary Alkire, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Shannon Francis, Four Winds and Spirit of the Sun, testified in support of the bill.

Aniwna Francis, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Rachael Lehman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sky Roosevelt-Morris, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Richard SaBell, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment J).

Sal Sisagure, Sons of Italy, testified in opposition to the bill.  He read a statement from Jerry Carleo.

Bob Giusto, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Barbara Pietrafeso, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Errynn Rodgers, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Karen Kalavity, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Joseph Eagle, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Glenn Morris, American Indian Movement, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members made comments regarding the testimony.

Jackson Clark-Infante, representing himself, testified in a neutral capacity.

Representative Benavidez explained amendment L.002.

The committee discussed amendment L.001.

Representative Benavidez made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments regarding the bill.