Representative Anthony Hartsook

After some important conversations among genuine and good-faith Second Amendment advocates, I have decided to remove my name from the bill and will be voting no.

At the heart of representative government is a simple principle: we are elected to listen to and reflect the voices of the people we serve and while the intent of HB26-1302 was to improve the background check process, there were still concerns regarding the potential second and third order effects.

However, significant misinformation contributed to the level of concern surrounding this legislation. While I will not dwell on that, it is important to acknowledge that it played a role in shaping the conversation.

Having spent 26 years in the military defending our Constitution, including the Second Amendment, I take these issues seriously and remain committed to protecting those rights.

What is never acceptable are the threats and violence that were directed at my family and me throughout this process. Disagreement is part of our system, but it must remain respectful and grounded in truth and good faith. I continue to ask our community to lower the temperature of hostile and violent rhetoric.

I remain committed to representing my constituents first and foremost. That means listening, adjusting when necessary, and continuing to bring forward legislation that reflects the needs and values of the people I serve.

Due to the overwhelming negative response to this horrendous legislation, the Sponsors of SB-097 withdrew their legislation.

X post from - 3/5/26. SB26-097 is vile and morally corrupt legislation. Eliminating laws against Prostitution is problematic. But the bill is even more egregious regarding human trafficking especially for a minor. On page 6 of the bill, lines 4-12, it instructs law enforcement to report the violation of human trafficking of a minor to the department of social services instead of arresting the person responsible for trafficking the minor.

To be clear, anyone involved in the promotion of human trafficking should be arrested immediately, especially for minors. Victims of human trafficking are begging us to stop this bill. If passed, the repercussions will last for generations. Read the bill here:

SB26-097 Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity | Colorado General Assembly The effective date for bills enacted without a safety clause is August 12, 2026, if the GA adjourns sine die on May 13, 2026 (unless otherwise specified). Read more.

It was an amazing evening with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust. They are working to protect and conserve our agricultural resources for future generations. Land is vital for livestock and open space. Land is a finite resource and we cannot grow more land.

An amazing speech by our Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell. These are the values we will be standing upon this session.

Colorado House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell opens session, citing affordability and parental rights Republican House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell addressed his colleagues for the first time in his new role on opening day at the legislature, in a speech that referenced the state’s affordability crisis, rising political violence, and his caucus’s commitment to public safety and parental right...