Rep. Ava Flanell

Colorado State Representative for House District 14. Committed to serving with integrity and always putting the people I represent first.

[Colorado Chamber @ColoradoChamber]

For House District 14, we’re endorsing Ava Flanell @RepFlanell Congrats! #coleg #coloradopolitics

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

Colorado is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to operate in. Rising cost of living and an ever-growing burden of regulations often go hand in hand.

As a result, businesses are leaving and we’ve already seen a loss of 13,600 jobs.

That’s thousands of families feeling the consequences of bad policy.

https://t.co/ZJ3Jw9CN3B

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

Oh @GIFFORDS_org, let’s stop playing word games.

The term “gun violence” deliberately shifts blame from criminals to an inanimate object, pushing a narrative instead of addressing reality.

Violence is committed by people. Period. Calling it “gun violence” is no different than saying “knife violence” or “car violence," except you only hear one of those constantly, and that’s not by accident.

This ridiculous stupid term paints firearms as the root problem, while ignoring the real drivers: crime, broken communities, mental health, and repeat offenders. It also lumps everything together: suicide, self-defense, etc. into one misleading category designed to push an agenda, not solve a problem.

If organizations like Giffords and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (which Colorado pays over 3 million dollars to every year, and who I criticize in this video) is serious about reducing violence, they would stop blaming objects.

[GIFFORDS @GIFFORDS_org]

Gun extremist and Colorado lawmaker @AvaFlanell_ doesn’t think gun violence is real.

Nearly 1,000 people in Colorado die in shootings each year. Seems pretty real and devastating to us.

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

@mike4colorado @COHouseGOP @RepCarlosBarron Please read the bill again. There is no cost to legal gun owners who want to carry a firearm. The only cost involved would be if people CHOOSE to get a concealed carry permit so they have reciprocity among other states. There would not be an expectation date though.

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

Let's break down the cost: There's the cost of the concealed carry class, taking time to do an 8 hour class, and the cost of the permit. I charge $225 for a concealed carry class and my county sheriff charges $135. The permit lasts five years. That's $365, plus taking time away from work or paying a sitter if you have young children. I'm glad you don't think $365+ is expensive but for many people struggling, it is. This also doesn't cover the cost of a firearm, which averages over $400 and the cost of ammunition.

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

@mike4colorado @COHouseGOP @RepCarlosBarron This just proves my point. People shouldn't have to pay to play. This is a right, not a privilege only certain people can afford. When everything else is expensive, safety should not be.

[Colorado House Republicans @COHouseGOP]

Failed on the House Floor: Rep. Flanell's Budget Solution ⬇️

@RepFlanell's amendment would have eliminated the office of gun violence prevention, a glorified anti-gun lobby. A standing office inside CDPHE that can push policy under the radar through "education" and "technical assistance". My amendment would redirect funding to reducing the waiver waitlist for intellectually and developmentally disabled Coloradans.

[Colorado House Republicans @COHouseGOP]

Today, @RepCarlosBarron and @RepFlanell were proud to bring forward HB26-1212, a bill that would have codified constitutional carry in the state of Colorado. While Democrats may have killed this bill in committee, House Republicans will never stop fighting for your constitutional rights.

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

He is risen!✝️

Because of Him, we have hope. Because of Him, we have new life. Because of Him, the story never ends in darkness.

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” — Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter!🌸

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

@MissyMurdrem2 Thank you so much Missy 🩷

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

Today, the Supreme Court struck down Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” as a violation of the First Amendment’s protection of free speech.

Just last week, I heard HB26-1322: Civil Actions for Conversion Therapy Survivors. This bill opens the door for lawsuits against mental health professionals based on what it defines as “conversion therapy.” In practice, if a counselor speaks with a patient about their gender identity or sexual orientation and that individual later changes their views, that conversation could become the basis for a lawsuit.

This bill, which passed on party lines, puts the government in the middle of deeply personal conversations between families, children, and counselors. It limits parental choice, undermines professional judgment, and silences perspectives.

When I voted no, it was clear to me this bill was horrific. Today, the Supreme Court confirmed that.

Colorado’s children and families deserve the freedom to seek guidance that aligns with their values. I stand by my vote, and I will continue to defend the fundamental freedoms protected by the Constitution.

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

After doing some digging into the proposed budget for Colorado, it's alarming what our tax dollars are going to. Here's a few: 

Taxpayer-funded abortions doubled in just one year. Over FY25-26, we will have paid $2,928,800. This is projected to double the following year to $5,857,600. 

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention gets a little over 3 million a year. 

Immigration Legal Defense takes $350k of our tax dollars! 

As of right now, we are still in a $500 million deficit from the statutorily required 15% reserve. This comes after extensive cuts.

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

Yesterday we heard two bills in Judiciary Committee:

HB26-1322: This bill allows lawsuits against mental health professionals for “conversion therapy.” That means if someone is exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation, and a provider helps them explore or even concludes they are not transgender or LGBTQ, that conversation could later be used as the basis for a lawsuit if the person changes their perspective down the road.

Unlike most lawsuits, there’s no statute of limitations, claims can be filed decades later.

This bill goes even further: if a patient dies by suicide and it’s alleged that “conversion therapy” contributed, a wrongful death claim could be filed by the family or estate.

SB26-018: Originally, this bill would have let courts use a parent’s recognition of a child’s identity (like gender identity or expression) as a factor in custody decisions. After public backlash, sponsors watered it down.

Now, the bill only requires courts to seal online access to minors’ name-change records, unless the minor has a prior felony.

Privacy is important, but the original language showed how far lawmakers are willing to go into family decisions and identity recognition.

I voted against both of these bills, but they passed on party lines. Next step is the House Floor for debate and vote.

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

Every Democrat on the Health and Human Services Committee voted no on this bill. All we asked was that health care providers ask women whether they want information about their pregnancy options. They can decline at any point. If they say yes, the provider can either share that information directly or connect them with the appropriate resources.

As a legislator, I have learned about all kinds of resources I never knew existed. There are organizations that provide adoption options, financial support, emotional support, practical materials, and other assistance to women facing unplanned pregnancies. There is even support available for men who may not be ready to become fathers. The sad reality is that most people do not know these opportunities exist, and that is a real shame.

Women deserve to feel informed, supported, and empowered to make the decision that is best for them based on the options available.

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

This Tuesday, March 10, I will be introducing HB26-1105 before the Health & Human Services Committee. The bill, Discuss Adoption Information with Pregnant Persons, requires health care providers to discuss adoption as an option with a pregnant woman before an abortion.

Women deserve truthful information and real options before making such a significant decision.

I strongly encourage anyone who supports this bill to sign up to testify in favor by clicking the link below. The bill will be heard upon adjournment, which is most likely to be around 1:00–2:00 PM, though that timing is subject to change.

https://t.co/lqe526XVGm

[Rep. Ava Flanell @RepFlanell]

On International Women's Day, I’m grateful for the strong women who have helped shape our nation and the world through principled leadership, courage, and service. Their dedication to faith, family, freedom, and opportunity has paved the way for women like me to step forward and lead.

As a woman serving in the Colorado House of Representatives, I’m deeply thankful for the women who came before me who proved that women can lead with strength, conviction, and integrity. Their example continues to inspire the next generation of women to stand up, speak out, and serve their communities.

Today we celebrate the women who came before us, the women leading today, and the women who will lead in the future. 🇺🇸

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

Here's a hard truth I've realized being on the other side of things. Each legislator can introduce five bills during the legislative session, but the majority bends the rules to allow people to have twenty to thirty more bills. This is why we see roughly 700-800 bills in only four months! The result is that most bills never get the serious attention and oversight they deserve. We are making decisions on legislation with real consequences while many lawmakers are exhausted, haven't had time to read the bill, and/or are juggling other work because there is simply never enough time.

It is no surprise that Colorado has become one of the most heavily regulated states and that so many past laws have produced unintended consequences. Colorado deserves better. The people deserve better. Lawmakers should follow the rules, slow down, and limit how many bills they introduce so every proposal gets the scrutiny it deserves.

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

It's so difficult to kill a bad bill in committee, especially since Republicans are outnumbered more than 2 to 1 in every committee.

I'm happy to announce that House Judiciary, the committee I serve on, has killed two really bad bills this past week.

HB26-1047: Required extra hurdles to evict a tenant and required eviction court records to be suppressed. It shifted more costs and risks onto landlords, which would ripple into the rental market.

HB26-1012: Gave government more power to police prices and didn't take into account that the price of an item doesn't just cover that good, but overhead costs for a business. Additionally, some proceeds, such as the ones from correctional facilities, fund inmates education. The bill targets “captive consumer” locations like airports, fairs, event venues, and correctional facilities, uses vague county-average pricing standards, and treats violations as deceptive trade practices.

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

My sister came to the Capitol this week to testify against HB26-1126, a gun store bill that is poised to hurt many federal firearms licensees with more regulations and fines of up to $100,000.

It's always great to see my sister, a familiar face that reminds me why it's important to be in this building and fight for what's right.

[Ava Flanell @AvaFlanell_]

More info about Colorado's HB26-1144, Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components.

👇🏼 👇🏼
https://t.co/fiftOLNV2P