Ellen Roberts

Infobox State Representative
name=Ellen Roberts


width = 150
height = 200
state_house=Colorado
state=Colorado
district=59th
term_start=January 10, 2007cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/Clics2007A/csljournals.nsf/(jouhse)/C74DAE3008365363872572580079AA44/$FILE/Jn10.pdf |title=House Journal - January 10, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-08 |format=pdf |work=Colorado General Assembly ]
preceded=Mark Larson
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|08|27
place of birth=Hudson, New York
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=Rick
profession=attorney
religion=Presbyterian
party=Republican|

Ellen Stuart Robertscite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Testing our ideals |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=opin&article_path=/opinion/op011014_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 14, 2001 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] (born August 27, 1959cite web |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=66358 |title=Representative Roberts |accessdate=2007-12-27 |format=html |work=Project Vote Smart] ) is an attorney and first-term Republican legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Raised in New York, Roberts pursued a career in environmental policy and worked as a park ranger before earning a law degree from the University of Colorado in 1986. Settling in Durango, Colorado with her husband and two children, she was actively involved in local health care issues and local public works campaigns before running for the Colorado House of Representatives as a Republican in 2006. She was elected with 52 percent of the vote to represent House District 59, which encompasses Archuleta County, La Plata County, San Juan County and parts of Montezuma County in southwestern Colorado.cite web |url=http://comaps.org/district59h.html |title=State House District 19 |accessdate=2007-12-27 |format=html |work=COMaps ]

A moderate Republican, Roberts has focused on health care and constitutional reform issues in the state legislature, and, despite being in the minority party, has seen almost all legislation she sponsored signed into law. She has also carried legislation to strengthen environmental rules surrounding oil and gas drilling, and to create a legislative youth advisory council. She is running unopposed for re-election in 2008.

Early career

Born in Hudson, New York, Roberts was raised in Rhinebeck, where she was elected class president in high school.cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=Roberts had early dreams for office |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061015_7.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 15, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] She earned a self-designed undergraduate degree in environmental policy from Cornell University in 1981. During college, she spent a semester as an intern in Washington DC, working for her Congressional representative and for the Republican National Committee. Despite an early desire to seek public office—she had once aspired to be Secretary of the Interior or run the National Parks Service—the experience caused her to become disillusioned with politics.

She moved to Colorado upon graduation and worked as a ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park until 1984. In 1982, Roberts married; she and her husband, Rick, have two children: Caitlin and Ben.

After being hired by a law firm in Granby, Colorado, Roberts returned to school to earn a J.D. from the University of Colorado in 1986. She worked as an attorney in private practice in Grandby and Hot Sulphur Springs, specializing in estate, probate and business law.

A resident of Durango, Colorado since 1989, She joined the Southwest Colorado Bar Association in 1986 and served as its president, and as president of the Southwest Colorado Women's Bar Association. As an attorney, Roberts advocated for increased legal services for immigrants and Spanish-speakers in southwestern Coloradocite news |first=Shirena |last=Trujillo |title=Immigration lawyers absent in Southwest Colorado |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=immig_e&article_path=/immigration/immig_e010822_3.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=August 22, 2001 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] and was critical of U.S. immigration law.cite news |first=Shirena |last=Trujillo |title=Mexican wits, U.S. technology meet in desert cat-mouse game |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=immig_e&article_path=/immigration/immig_e010826_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=August 26, 2001 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] She also served as legal counsel for the Ute Mountain Indian Housing Authority and the Southern Ute Indian Housing Authority.

Roberts began to re-enter politics after the death of her father in 1992, first focusing on hospice and health care issues. As a member (since 1999cite news |author=Editorial Board |title=Ellen Roberts: Choose proven ability for state representative |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=opin&article_path=/opinion/opin061017_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 17, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] ) and later chairman of the board of Mercy Regional Medical Center, she pushed for the construction of a new hospital in Durango.cite news |first=John |last=Peel |title=Forks in the road led Ellen Roberts to Athena Award |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=/columnists/articles/peelArticles/peel040216.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=February 16, 2004 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] She chaired Healthy 58, a rural health care task force, and in 2001, was appointed to the Task Force to Evaluate Health Care Needs for Colorado, a commission formed by the legislature to study health-care needs in rural Colorado communities;cite news |first=June |last=Santon |title=State task force on health care to meet in Durango Sept. 5 |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/01/news010725_7.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=July 25, 2001 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] she coordinated the task force's meeting in Durango.cite news |first=Melanie Brubaker |last=Mazur |title=Task force tackles rural health care |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/01/news010906_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=September 6, 2001 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ]

Roberts sat on the Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission,cite news |first=Jim |last=Greenhill |title=Last-minute compromise a reprieve for Durango courts |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/02/news020524_4.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=May 24, 2002 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] and co-chaired the Durango Citizens Steering Committee for a New Library, a successful effort to push for a new local public library that was eventually built on the site of Mercy Medical Center, the hospital Roberts had worked to help replace.cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Toward a new library |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/printable_article_generation.asp?article_path=/opinion/op020906.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=September 6, 2002 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] cite news |first=Ann |last=Butler |title=150 show for library groundbreaking |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070620_5.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=June 20, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] She was a member of the High Noon Rotary Club, the Citizens Health Advisory Council, and sat on the boards of First National Bank and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado.cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Rural health care to be topic of two meetings in September |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=opin&article_path=/opinion/op011007_2.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 7, 2001 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] In 2004, she won the Durango Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award for professional women in business.

Legislative career

2006 election

As Representative Mark Larson neared the end of his term-limited tenure in the Colorado House of Representatives, Roberts began to work with him on learning the legislative process, in preparation for seeking elected office herself. She instigated a bill, introduced by Larson and eventually signed into law, to require that remains be handled in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.cite news |first=Charles |last=Ashby |title=Owens signs final-wishes bill |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/03/news030424_5.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=April 24, 2003 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] She lobbied the legislature, unsuccessfully, for the creation of an interim committee to study palliative care.cite news |first=Ann |last=Butler |title=Politics and laughter join at Bighorn Center |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=/columnists/articles/annArticles/ann020123.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=January 23, 2002 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] cite news |first=Mark |last=Larson |title=Resolution on palliative care was not approved this session |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_path=/columnists/articles_bak/lifeArticles/life020428.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=April 28, 2002 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ]

In December 2004, only a month after Larson was elected to his fourth and final term in the state house, Roberts filed for a 2006 candidacy to seek his seat.cite news |first=Dale |last=Rodebaugh |title=Local lawyer files for state candidacy |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/04/news041205_4.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=December 5, 2004 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] She announced her campaign formally in January 2005.cite news |first=Dale |last=Rodebaugh |title=Roberts announces House bid |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/05/news050116_2.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=January 16, 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] She was endorsed by Larson,cite news |first=Jesse Harlan |last=Alderman |title=Joe Colgan considering run for House |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/05/news050819_2.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=August 19, 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] but initially faced a challenge for the Republican nomination from realtor Ron Tate,cite news |first=Steve |last=Grazier |title=Tate enters race for 59th District |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/05/news050611_3.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=June 11, 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] who was viewed as politically to her right.cite news |author=Editorial Board |title=Isgar and Larson |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=opin&article_path=/opinion/opin051113.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=November 13, 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] Tate later withdrew from the House primary to run for the Colorado State Senate,cite news |first=Alex |last=Ritzenberg |title=Tate switches to Senate race |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news060204_6.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=February 4, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] and Roberts won the Republican nomination unopposed.cite news |first=Chuck |last=Slothower |title=GOP pins hopes on Roberts, Tate |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news060507_7.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=May 7, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] However, as a moderate Republican, she clashed with more conservative party leaders—a county Republican chair claimed that Roberts showed "no interest in supporting traditional family values" and she accused local conservative leaders of attempting to undermine her campaign.cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=Roberts wants county GOP leader out |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061114_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=November 14, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] Among other conventionally "liberal" positions, she supports abortion rights, domestic partnerships for same-sex couples, and an increase in Colorado's minimum wage, and she was endorsed by Colorado Conservation Voters.cite news |first=Electa |last=Draper |title=District 59 foes agree on issues, differ on skills |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4508304
work=Denver Post |date=October 17, 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-01 ]

During the general election campaign, Roberts emphasized her work on health care issues and her experience working with Representative Larson in the legislature, and criticized the passage of constitutional amendments creating conflicting fiscal obligations.cite news |first=Chuck |last=Slothower |title=Candidates debate starts election season |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news060921_5.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=September 21, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=Candidates begin quest for House seat |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news060601_8.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=June 1, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=House candidates voice their views |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news060711_3.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=July 11, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] Although both Roberts and her main opponent, Democrat Joe Colgan, signed a clean campaign pledge, controversy arose over advertisements run by outside sources. In particular, Roberts denounced as "misleading" and "unacceptable" a television advertisement criticizing Colgan's record as mayor of Durango. The ad, which was run by a political group associated with the Colorado Association of Home Builders,cite news |first=Chuck |last=Slothower |title=Roberts renounces Colgan ad |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061006_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 6, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] was later pulled off the air.cite news |first=Chuck |last=Slothower |title=Builders agree to pull anti-Colgan ads |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061012_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 12, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] Direct mail flyers sent by right-leaning outside groups during the last weeks of the campaign also misrepresented both candidates' stances on immigration, exaggerating the contrast between their positions.cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=Candidates’ immigration views similar |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061031_3.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 31, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ]

In addition to her Democratic opponent, Roberts faced unaffiliated write-in candidate Christopher Navage. Navage withdrew from the race in October 2006 and endorsed Colgan.cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Navage withdraws from House race |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061020_5.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 20, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] Roberts significantly outraised her opponents, donating over $8,000 to her own campaign,cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=GOP House candidate leads money chase |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news060623_7.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=June 23, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] cite news |first=Chuck |last=Slothower |title=State House candidate criticizes ad |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061005_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 5, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=Isgar and Roberts lead in cash dash |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061026_1.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=October 26, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ] and ultimately winning the November 2006 general election with 52 percent of the vote.cite news |first=Thomas |last=Munro |title=Roberts owns House |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061108_2.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=November 8, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ]

2007 legislative session

Infobox Colorado Legislation
Title=Rep.
Name=Roberts
Year=2007
Bill Number 1=HB07-1003
Bill Number 2=HB07-1105
Bill Number 3=HB07-1108
Bill Number 4=HB07-1219
Bill Number 5=HB07-1252
Bill Number 6=HB07-1294
Bill Link 1=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/224529F57BECAC2C87257251007C1174?Open&file=1003_enr.pdf
Bill Link 2=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/1F1EE92741EAB93487257251007C1854?Open&file=1105_enr.pdf
Bill Link 3=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/5EFE911520BD867D87257251007C1CAF?Open&file=1108_ren.pdf
Bill Link 4=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/833ACB09C04FE31A87257251007C428D?Open&file=1219_enr.pdf
Bill Link 5=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/D0F31C1D23F4BBA687257251007C1A1D?Open&file=1252_enr.pdf
Bill Link 6=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/A8E4900376CD0A5A87257274000094B2?Open&file=1294_enr.pdf
Bill Status 1=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 2=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 3=Postponed indefinitely in House committee
Bill Status 4=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 5=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 6=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Title 1=Concerning the Colorado Probate Code [...]
Bill Title 2=Concerning the eligibility dates for issuance of the Korean War special license plate.
Bill Title 3=Concerning implementation of the cigar-tobacco bar exemption under the "Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act" [...]
Bill Title 4=Concerning special districts that provide health care services, and, in connection therewith, providing exemptions from certain provisions of the "Special District Act" for the formation of such special districts [...]
Bill Title 5=Concerning the accommodation of the rights of surface owners with respect to oil and gas operators.
Bill Title 6=Concerning the use of a name-based criminal history record check for certification of an emergency medical technician if the applicant's fingerprints are unclassifiable.

In the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Roberts was a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee and the Joint Legal Services Committee,cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |accessdate=2007-12-11 |format=html |work=Colorado General Assembly] and was the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts, Isgar tapped for committees |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061201_5.htm
work=The Durango Herald |date=December 1, 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-27 ]

Roberts was one of the most successful Republican legislators at passing legislation through the Democrat-controlled legislature,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Victories plentiful for Isgar, Roberts |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070507_1.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=May 7, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] and has been identified by media reports and commentators as a "standout" legislatorcite news |first=Lynn |last=Bartels |title=Capitol newcomers showed no hesitation in getting in the game |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/may/14/capitol-newcomers-showed-no-hesitation-in-in-the/
work=Rocky Mountain News |date=May 14, 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-01 ] cite news |first=Bob |last=Ewegen |title=Republicans hitch their 2010 wagon to five rising stars |url=http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_7831465
work=Denver Post |date=December 28, 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-01 ] and a potential candidate for higher office.cite news |first=John |last=Andrews |title=Hope springs eternal for GOP in 2010 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_8804930 |work=Denver Post |date=April 5, 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-10 ] She also organized bowling outings for legislators during her first year in the legislature.cite news |first=Lynn |last=Bartels |title=Citizen legislator, February 20 |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/20/citizen-legislator-february-20/
work=Rocky Mountain News |date=February 20, 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-02 ]

Roberts carried legislation which revised Colorado's surface rights laws, requiring oil and gas companies to minimize the impacts of drilling.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Ritter signs oil and gas reform bills|url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070530_3.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=May 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] cite news |first=Jeri |last=Clausing |title=Change in air for drillers |url=http://www.denverpost.com//ci_5326783
work=Denver Post |date=March 1, 2007 |accessdate=2008-01-01 ] The bill was weakened by lobbying from the Colorado Oil and Gas Association,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Oil, gas leader 'counts days' to job's end |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070516_2.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=May 16, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] but represented a breadth of reform that had failed to pass in previous legislative sessions.

During her first legislative session, Roberts also sponsored bills to revise the process by which special health care districts are createdcite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Measure would simplify elections for health district |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070202_3.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=February 2, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] and to expand eligibility for Korean War special license plates;cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Ritter approves Roberts’ license bill |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070410_5.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=April 10, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] she cosponsored legislation to fund study of methane seep in southwestern Colorado.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Lawmakers OK health, methane-study bills |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070504_4.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=May 4, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ]

Her only unsuccessful bill was a measure to tighten the rules under which cigar bars could claim exemptions from Colorado's indoor smoking ban.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Lawmakers vote down cigar-bar bill |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070502_4.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=May 2, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] After being killed in committee, the measure was revived in the Colorado Senate by Democrats, but was again unsuccessful.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts’ cigar-bar bill is still smokin’ |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070428_3.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=April 28, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Senate panel tightens smoking ban |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070419_5.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=April 19, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ]

Following the 2007 session, Roberts was named by House Republican leaders to the newly-formed Criminal and Juvenile Justice Commission.cite news |author=Staff Report |title=House leader names Roberts to commission |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070624_5.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=June 24, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] In November 2007, she was named a Legislator of Merit by the Colorado Behavioral Health Council.cite news |first=Ann |last=Butler |title=Remember those serving for Veterans Day |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=/columnists/articles/annArticles/ann071110_1.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=November 10, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] She joined with other moderate Republicans to criticize an executive order issued by Gov. Bill Ritter allowing collective bargaining with government employee unions as a betrayal of Ritter's promise of bipartisan cooperation on major issues.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts criticizes Ritter’s move to recognize unions |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news071108_5.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=November 8, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ]

For her voting record during the 2007 legislative session, Roberts earned a 28% rating from the fiscally conservative Colorado Union of Taxpayerscite web |url=http://www.coloradotaxpayer.org/New/CUT-Brochure-2007.pdf |title=CUT Rates the Colorado Leigslature - Sixty-seventh General Assembly, 2007 Report |accessdate=2008-04-18 |work=Colorado Union of Taxpayers ] and an 80% rating from the environmentally-oriented Colorado Conservation Voters;cite web |url=http://www.coloradoconservationvoters.org/documents/Scorecard07_002.pdf |title=Colorado Legislative Conservation Scorecard 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-18 |work=Colorado Conservation Voters ] both ratings placed her closer to average Democratic scores than most Republicans.

2008 legislative session

Infobox Colorado Legislation
Title=Rep.
Name=Roberts
Year=2008
Bill Number 1=HB08-1061
Bill Number 2=HB08-1144
Bill Number 3=HB08-1153
Bill Number 4=HB08-1157
Bill Number 5=HB08-1215
Bill Number 6=HB08-1217
Bill Number 7=HB08-1264
Bill Number 8=HB08-1383
Bill Link 1=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/97AE71A7F0D37DC98725738300662C10?Open&file=1061_enr.pdf
Bill Link 2=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/25EB4A545880E6E187257377006D2172?Open&file=1144_enr.pdf
Bill Link 3=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/E441B7D1033201F6872573A700623C74?Open&file=1153_enr.pdf
Bill Link 4=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/29B4ABF9CDE29D1C872573680055F204?Open&file=1157_enr.pdf
Bill Link 5=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/0E3D8068B9490FEF87257377005134C9?Open&file=1215_enr.pdf
Bill Link 6=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/926D2881F9E723D78725739A00619807?Open&file=1217_enr.pdf
Bill Link 7=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/A7D3081B0F8E196D872573A7005E356D?Open&file=1264_enr.pdf
Bill Link 8=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/13187BEF166743598725741200653B96?Open&file=1383_enr.pdf
Bill Status 1=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 2=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 3=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 4=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 5=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 6=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 7=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Status 8=Signed by Gov. Ritter
Bill Title 1=Concerning signatures by advanced practice nurses on specified documents [...]
Bill Title 2=Concerning the continuation of the "Health Care Credentials Uniform Application Act."
Bill Title 3=Concerning the oversight of fiduciaries under the provisions of the Colorado Probate Code.
Bill Title 4=Concerning the creation of a Youth Advisory Council [...]
Bill Title 5=Concerning continuation of the authority of municipalities to contract with community health care providers.
Bill Title 6=Concerning amending statutes related to evidence in sexual assault cases to conform with the federal "Violence Against Women Act."
Bill Title 7=Concerning statewide electronic read-only access to specific information maintained by the judicial department.
Bill Title 8=Concerning creation of an inactive status for nursing licenses [...] In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Roberts sat on the House Health and Human Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |accessdate=2008-01-19 |format=html |work=Colorado General Assembly] She introduced eight bills during the session, all of which were passed by the legislature.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Region’s lawmakers see results |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080510_4.htm |work=Durango Herlad |date=May 10, 2007 |accessdate=2008-05-11 ]

During the 2008 legislative session, Roberts introduced a bill, drafted and lobbied for by Colorado students,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=New bills in the Legislature |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080119_4.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=January 19, 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-23 ] to create a legislative youth advisory council.cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Youths need voice at Legislature |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=/columnists/articles/lifeArticles/life071007_1.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=October 7, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts seeks voice for youth |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news071001_1.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=October 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] The bill stalled in the legislature until its minimal cost was approved by the House Appropriations Committee,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Youth Council bill receives money |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080405_4.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=April 5, 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-10 ] after which it cleared both the House and Senate,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Youth council bill clears Senate |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080430_6.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=April 30, 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-30 ] and Gov. Bill Ritter signed it into law.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Youth-written advisory bill becomes law |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080530_6.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=May 30, 2008 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] She was later appointed by Minority Leader Mike May to be one of the legislative members of the council.cite press release |title=Ellen Roberts Continues Effort To Keep Youth Involved |publisher=Colorado House Republican Caucus |date=June 30, 2008 | url=http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node/77 |accessdate=2008-08-06 ]

Roberts introduced a bill which would grant advanced practice nurses power to sign off on additional medical forms, in response to shortages of doctors in portions of rural Colorado,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Bill expands nurses’ duties |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080122_4.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=January 22, 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-23 ] a measure which garnered support from both nurses' and doctors' associations.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Doctors and nurses compromise on bill |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080129_5.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=January 29, 2008 |accessdate=2008-02-04 ] In March, she backed a proposal to require that insurance companies offer low-cost health care benefit packages for Coloradoans, as part of a "public-private" plan towards achieving universal coverage.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Capitol unveils health effort |url=http://www.cortezjournal.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080329_2.htm |work=Cortez Journal |date=March 29, 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-02 ] Roberts was the sponsor of a legislative resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission to support including southwestern Colorado, including portions of her district, within the Denver media market.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Lawmakers push for Denver TV |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080404_4.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=April 4, 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-10 ]

Before the session began, Roberts had expressed interest in sponsoring legislation to revise the process by which the Colorado Constitution is amended through ballot measures, proposing that supermajority popular votes be required to enact amendments.cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=S.W. Colorado students get a taste of legislation writing |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=/columnists/articles/lifeArticles/life071104_1.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=November 4, 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31 ] She proposed extending the public hearing process as a means of providing additional input on ballot measures,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts in middle of constitution talk |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080119_3.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=January 19, 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-23 ] and, in February 2008, was appointed to a six-member legislative panel tasked with developing recommendations for constitutional reform.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts works on reforming state constitution |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080213_7.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=February 13, 2008 |accessdate=2008-02-14 ] She was ultimately a cosponsor of the the panel's proposal to create distinctions in the petition process between constitutional and statutory amendments,cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts backs reform effort |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080307_3.htm
work=Rocky Mountain News |date=March 7, 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-07 ] ; the proposal which was referred by the legislature to voters and will appear on the November 2008 Colorado ballot as Referendum O.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts’ effort on ballot as Referendum O |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080701_8.htm |work=Durango Herlad |date=July 1, 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-05 ]

Roberts was one of a few Republicans to back a measure to reform spending requirements in Colorado's state constitution. The proposal, which would divert excess revenues under TABOR to K-12 education, was regarded as a sweeping revision to competing constitutional mandatescite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |title=Constitutional Crusaders aim to tackle Colorado's requirements
url=http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080419/NEWS/428864785/-1/rss01 |work=Greeley Tribune |date=April 19, 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-19 ] cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts backs proposal to change TABOR |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080418_4.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=April 18, 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-19 ] ; it was not passed by the General Assembly, but was advanced as a citizens' initiative.cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Campaign starts to halt amendments |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080701_7.htm |work=Durango Herlad |date=July 1, 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-05 ]

2008 election

Roberts was renominated by the Republican Party for a second term in the state house; she faces no challengers either in the Republican primary or in the general election, as no Democratic Party candidates declared their candidacy.cite news |first=Ted |last=Holteen |title=Local Republicans shift focus |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080302_3.htm
work=Durango Herald |date=March 2, 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-02 ] cite news |first=Ted |last=Holteen |title=Local primary lacks choices |url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080430_2.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=April 30, 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-30 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.ellenroberts.com/ Ellen Roberts] official site
* [http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/House/members/Hou59.htm Colorado General Assembly - Representative Ellen Roberts] official CO House website