{{Short description|Colorado State Representative (born 1959)}} {{for|the Australian softball player|Ellen Roberts (softball)}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Ellen Roberts |image = Colorado-Rep-Ellen-Roberts.jpg |state_senate = Colorado |district = 6th |term_start = January 12, 2011 |term_end = December 31, 2016 |predecessor = Bruce Whitehead |successor = Don Coram |state_house1 = Colorado |district1 = 59th |term_start1 = January 2007 |term_end1 = January 2011 |predecessor1 = Mark Larson |successor1 = J. Paul Brown |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|8|27}} |birth_place = Hudson, New York, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Republican |spouse = Rick Roberts |alma_mater = Cornell University<br />University of Colorado, Boulder }} '''Ellen Stuart Roberts'''<ref name="testing">{{cite 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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040115114654/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=opin&article_path=%2Fopinion%2Fop011014_1.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (born August 27, 1959 <ref name="votesmart">{{cite web |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=66358 |title=Representative Roberts |access-date=2007-12-27 |work=Project Vote Smart }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>) is an attorney and former Republican legislator in the U.S. State of Colorado. From 2006 to 2010, Roberts served as the State Representative for House District 59. In 2010, she was elected to Senate District 6 and served until her resignation, saying that she wanted to spend more time in her home region, at the end of 2016.<ref>Alderton, Stephanie. [https://durangoherald.com/articles/126552-don-coram-will-replace-ellen-roberts-in-colorado-senate Don Coram will replace Ellen Roberts in Colorado Senate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111015204/https://durangoherald.com/articles/126552-don-coram-will-replace-ellen-roberts-in-colorado-senate |date=2017-01-11 }}. ''The Durango Herald'', January 7, 2017. Viewed: 2017-01-13.</ref> In 2015, she was elected to serve as the President Pro-Tem for the Colorado State Senate, a position she held until her resignation.
==Biography==
Born in Hudson, New York,<ref name="votesmart"/> Roberts was raised in Rhinebeck,<ref name="athena"/> where she was elected class president in high school.<ref name="early">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019235025/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F06%2Fnews061015_7.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She earned a self-designed undergraduate degree in environmental policy from Cornell University<ref name="athena"/> in 1981.<ref name="votesmart"/> During college, she spent a semester as an intern in Washington DC, working for her Congressional representative and for the Republican National Committee.<ref name="early"/>
She moved to Colorado upon graduation<ref name="athena"/> and worked as a ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park until 1984.<ref name="votesmart"/> In 1982, Roberts married; she and her husband, Rick, have two children: Caitlin and Ben,<ref name="athena"/> both of whom have attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
After being hired by a law firm in Granby, Colorado,<ref name="athena"/> Roberts returned to school to earn a J.D. from the University of Colorado in 1986.<ref name="votesmart"/> She worked as an attorney in private practice in Granby and Hot Sulphur Springs,<ref name="early"/> specializing in estate, probate and business law.<ref name="announce"/>
A resident of Durango, Colorado since 1989,<ref name="athena"/> she joined the Southwest Colorado Bar Association in 1986<ref name="votesmart"/> and served as its president,<ref name="testing"/> and as president of the Southwest Colorado Women's Bar Association.<ref name="choose"/> As an attorney, Roberts advocated for increased legal services for immigrants and Spanish-speakers in southwestern Colorado<ref name="immig">{{cite 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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102032945/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=immig_e&article_path=%2Fimmigration%2Fimmig_e010822_3.htm |archive-date=January 2, 2007 }}</ref>
Roberts has focused on health care, constitutional reform, judicial, and financial 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 private property rights surrounding oil and gas drilling, and to create a legislative youth advisory council.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
==Early career==
Roberts began to re-enter politics after the death of her father in 1992, first focusing on hospice and health care issues.<ref name="early"/> As a member (since 1999<ref name="choose">{{cite 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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>) and later chairman of the board of Mercy Regional Medical Center, she pushed for the construction of a new hospital in Durango.<ref name="athena">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050325231047/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=%2Fcolumnists%2Farticles%2FpeelArticles%2Fpeel040216.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She chaired Healthy 58, a rural health care task force,<ref name="choose"/> 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.<ref name="task">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040106015837/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F01%2Fnews010725_7.htm |archive-date=January 6, 2004 }}</ref>
Roberts sat on the Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission,<ref name="nominating">{{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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070428070702/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/02/news020524_4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |work=The Durango Herald |date=May 24, 2002 |access-date=2007-12-27 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="athena"/><ref name="library">{{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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070428070500/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/printable_article_generation.asp?article_path=/opinion/op020906.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |work=The Durango Herald |date=September 6, 2002 |access-date=2007-12-27 }}</ref><ref name="break">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> She was a member of the Citizens Health Advisory Council, the High Noon Rotary Club, and sat on the boards of First National Bank<ref name="votesmart"/> and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado.<ref name="comm">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040115112043/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=opin&article_path=%2Fopinion%2Fop011007_2.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2004 }}</ref> In 2004, she won the Durango Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award for professional women in business.<ref name="athena"/>
==Colorado House of Representatives==
===2006 election===
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.<ref name="files">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> She announced her campaign formally in January 2005.<ref name="announce">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> She was endorsed by Larson,<ref name="colgan">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and won the Republican nomination unopposed.
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,<ref name="athena"/> in preparation for seeking elected office herself.<ref name="files"/> 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.<ref name="remains">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040113095513/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F03%2Fnews030424_5.htm |archive-date=January 13, 2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also lobbied the legislature, unsuccessfully, for the creation of an interim committee to study palliative care.<ref name="palle">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020205184242/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=col&article_path=%2Fcolumnists%2Farticles%2FannArticles%2Fann020123.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="notthis">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
During the general election campaign, Roberts emphasized her work on health care issues and her experience working with Representative Larson in the legislature,<ref name="debate"/> and criticized the passage of constitutional amendments creating conflicting fiscal obligations.<ref name="debate">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="quest">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="voice">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> 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,<ref name="renounce"> {{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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070428070500/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061006_1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |work=The Durango Herald |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=2007-12-27 }}</ref> was later pulled off the air.<ref name="pull">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019234816/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F06%2Fnews061012_1.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name="similar">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228093050/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F06%2Fnews061031_3.htm |archive-date=February 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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.<ref name="navage">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Roberts significantly outraised her opponents, donating over $8,000 to her own campaign,<ref name="raise">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="ad">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011050058/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F06%2Fnews061005_1.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cash">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and ultimately winning the November 2006 general election with 52 percent of the vote.<ref>{{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 |access-date=2007-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070428070956/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/06/news061108_2.htm |archive-date=April 28, 2007 }}</ref>
===2007 legislative session===
In the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Roberts was a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee, the Joint Legal Services Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee.<ref name="cmtes">{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2007a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |access-date=2007-12-11 |work=Colorado General Assembly}}</ref>
Roberts was one of the most successful Republican legislators at passing legislation through the Democrat-controlled legislature,<ref name="vict">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and has been identified by media reports and commentators as a "standout" legislator<ref name="nohes">{{cite 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 |access-date=2008-01-01 }}</ref><ref name="hitch">{{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 |access-date=2008-01-01 }}</ref> and a potential candidate for higher office.<ref name="gop2010">{{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 |access-date=2008-04-10 }}</ref> She also organized bowling outings for legislators during her first year in the legislature.<ref name="bowl">{{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 |access-date=2008-03-02 }}</ref>
Roberts carried legislation which revised Colorado's surface rights laws, requiring oil and gas companies to minimize the impacts of drilling.<ref name="surface">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="drill2">{{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 |access-date=2008-01-01 }}</ref> The bill was weakened by lobbying from the Colorado Oil and Gas Association,<ref name="oil">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808065321/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F07%2Fnews070516_2.htm |archive-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but represented a breadth of reform that had failed to pass in previous legislative sessions.<ref name="vict"/>
During her first legislative session, Roberts also sponsored bills to revise the process by which special health care districts are created<ref name="health2">{{cite 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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and to expand eligibility for Korean War special license plates;<ref name="korea">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> she cosponsored legislation to fund study of a methane seep in southwestern Colorado.<ref name="health">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808062211/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F07%2Fnews070504_4.htm |archive-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Her only unsuccessful bill was a measure to tighten the rules under which cigar bars could claim exemptions from Colorado's indoor smoking ban.<ref name="smoke">{{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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070428070956/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news070502_4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |work=Durango Herald |date=May 2, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-31 }}</ref> After being killed in committee, the measure was revived in the Colorado Senate by Democrats, but was again unsuccessful.<ref name="smokin">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506040754/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F07%2Fnews070428_3.htm |archive-date=May 6, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="tight">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
Following the 2007 session, Roberts was named by House Republican leadership to the newly formed Criminal and Juvenile Justice Commission.<ref name="cjj">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In November 2007, she was named a Legislator of Merit by the Colorado Behavioral Health Council.<ref name="behav">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> She joined with other Republicans to criticize an executive order issued by Governor Bill Ritter allowing collective bargaining with government employee unions as a betrayal of Ritter's promise of bipartisan cooperation on major issues.<ref name="joins">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116093644/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F07%2Fnews071108_5.htm |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2008 legislative session=== In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Roberts sat on the House Health and Human Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. <ref name="cmte2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/directory.nsf/HouCommWp?OpenView |title=House Committees of Reference |access-date=2008-01-19 |work=Colorado General Assembly}}</ref> She introduced eight bills during the session, all of which were passed by the legislature.<ref name="local">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Region's lawmakers see results |url=http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080510_4.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121203415/http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080510_4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |work=Durango Herald |date=May 10, 2008 |access-date=2008-05-11 }}</ref>
During the 2008 legislative session, Roberts introduced a bill, drafted and lobbied for by Colorado students,<ref name="lobby">{{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 |access-date=2008-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121073850/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080119_4.htm |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to create a legislative youth advisory council.<ref name="youth">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="seeks">{{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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070428070956/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/07/news071001_1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |work=Durango Herald |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-31 }}</ref> The bill stalled in the legislature until its minimal cost was approved by the House Appropriations Committee,<ref name="youthmoney">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Youth Council bill receives money |url=http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080405_4.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121194503/http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080405_4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |work=Durango Herald |date=April 5, 2008 |access-date=2008-04-10 }}</ref> after which it cleared both the House and Senate,<ref name="children">{{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 |access-date=2008-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503004054/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080430_6.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2008 |url-status=dead }} <!--Archive automatically found by DASBHBot--></ref> and Governor Bill Ritter signed it into law.<ref name="youthlaw">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Youth-written advisory bill becomes law |url=http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080530_6.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=May 30, 2008 |access-date=2008-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121221049/http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080530_6.htm |archive-date=January 21, 2013 }}</ref> She was later appointed by Minority Leader Mike May to be one of the legislative members of the council.<ref name="continues">{{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 |access-date=2008-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175741/http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node%2F77 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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,<ref name="nurse">{{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 |access-date=2008-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123094458/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080122_4.htm |archive-date=January 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a measure which garnered support from both nurses' and doctors' associations.<ref name="doctors">{{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 |access-date=2008-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131203056/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080129_5.htm |archive-date=January 31, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name="unveils">{{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 |access-date=2008-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502050720/http://www.cortezjournal.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080329_2.htm |archive-date=May 2, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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,<ref name="media">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Lawmakers push for Denver TV |url=http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080404_4.htm |work=Durango Herald |date=April 4, 2008 |access-date=2008-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122133228/http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080404_4.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2013 }}</ref> a resolution she introduced again in 2010.<ref name="tvm"> {{cite news |first=Shane |last=Benjamin |title=Television argument rages on |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/04/Television_argument_rages_on/ |work=Durango Herald |date=4 April 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407063328/http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/04/Television%5Fargument%5Frages%5Fon/ |archive-date=7 April 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref>
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.<ref name="studs">{{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 |access-date=2007-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> She proposed extending the public hearing process as a means of providing additional input on ballot measures,<ref name="panel">{{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 |access-date=2008-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121073845/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080119_3.htm |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and, in February 2008, was appointed to a six-member legislative panel tasked with developing recommendations for constitutional reform.<ref name="workson">{{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 |access-date=2008-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215032801/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080213_7.htm |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was ultimately a cosponsor of the panel's proposal to create distinctions in the petition process between constitutional and statutory amendments,;<ref name="rbacks">{{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 |access-date=2008-03-07 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> the proposal which was referred by the legislature to voters <ref name="local"/> and appeared on the November 2008 Colorado ballot as Referendum O.<ref name="refo">{{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 Herald |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=2008-08-05 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Roberts campaigned in support of Referendum O during the fall campaign.<ref name="club20s">{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Saccone |title=Club 20's annual fall meeting boasts full schedule of debates |url=http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2008/09/04/090508_12B_club_20_preview.html |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |date=4 September 2008 |access-date=2008-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121220540/http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2008/09/04/090508_12B_club_20_preview.html |archive-date=November 21, 2008 }}</ref>
Roberts was one of a few Republicans to back a measure to reform spending requirements in Colorado's state constitution. The proposal, which would have diverted excess revenues under TABOR to K-12 education, was regarded as a sweeping revision to competing constitutional mandates;<ref name="crusade"> {{cite 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 |access-date=2008-04-19 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} </ref><ref name="tabor">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts backs proposal to change TABOR |url=http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080418_4.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121205805/http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080418_4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |work=Durango Herald |date=April 18, 2007 |access-date=2008-04-19 }}</ref> it was not passed by the General Assembly,<ref name="local"/> but was advanced as a citizens' initiative.<ref name="fightref">{{cite news|first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Campaign starts to halt amendments |url=http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080701_7.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121180949/http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080701_7.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |work=Durango Herald |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=2008-08-05 }}</ref>
===2008 election===
Roberts was nominated by the Republican Party for a second term in the state house; she faced no challengers either in the Republican primary or in the general election.<ref name="shift">{{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 |access-date=2008-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311121540/http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080302_3.htm |archive-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="lacks">{{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 |access-date=2008-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503004034/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080430_2.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2008 |url-status=dead }} <!--Archive automatically found by DASBHBot--></ref>
Roberts stood against some fellow Republicans by opposing Amendment 52, a ballot measure on the November ballot that would reallocate some severance tax revenue from water projects to transportation.<ref name="heavyw">{{cite news |first=Todd |last=Hartman |title=GOP heavyweights come out against Amendment 52 |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/23/gop-heavyweights-come-out-against-amendment-52/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=23 October 2008 |access-date=2008-11-01 }}</ref> She also backed Republican presidential candidate John McCain and spoke before McCain at an October rally in Durango, Colorado.<ref name="visit">{{cite news |first=Carole |last=McWilliams |title=McCain visit delights local Republicans |url=http://www.pinerivertimes.com/news.asp?artid=565 |work=Pine River Times |date=27 October 2008 |access-date=2008-11-01 }}</ref>
Following her re-election, Roberts was nominated for the post of House Minority Caucus Chair, but lost the caucus' vote for the post to Rep. Amy Stephens.<ref name="lead">{{cite news|first=Jeremy |last=Pelzer |title=Full list of 2009 Statehouse leadership positions |url=http://www.politickerco.com/jeremypelzer/2783/full-list-2009-statehouse-leadership-positions |work=PolitickerCO.com |date=6 November 2008 |access-date=2008-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108184028/http://www.politickerco.com/jeremypelzer/2783/full-list-2009-statehouse-leadership-positions |archive-date=January 8, 2009 }}</ref> After losing the vote, Roberts publicly lamented the lack of rural representation in legislative leadership<ref name="stinging">{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Caucus was a stinging experience |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2008/11/09/Caucus_was_a_stinging_experience/ |work=Durango Herald |date=9 November 2008 |access-date=2008-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710160424/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2008/11/09/Caucus_was_a_stinging_experience/ |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and alleged that Republican lawmakers were threatened with primaries if they voted for her leadership bid.<ref name="prim">{{cite news|first=Jeremy |last=Pelzer |title=Roberts claims primary threat was made over minority caucus chair race |url=http://www.politickerco.com/jeremypelzer/2799/roberts-claims-primary-threat-was-made-over-minority-caucus-chair-race |work=PolitickerCO.com |date=10 November 2008 |access-date=2008-11-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108185638/http://www.politickerco.com/jeremypelzer/2799/roberts-claims-primary-threat-was-made-over-minority-caucus-chair-race |archive-date=January 8, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="pricks">{{cite news |first=Ernest |last=Luning |title=Roberts bristles at GOP caucus 'pricks,' cites primary threats |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/14930/roberts-bristles-at-gop-caucus-pricks-cites-primary-threats |work=Colorado Independent |date=11 November 2008 |access-date=2008-11-16 }}</ref><ref name="armt">{{cite news |first=Leslie |last=Jorgensen |title=Rumors fly in House leadership vote |url=http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/99547-rumors-fly-house-leadership-vote |work=Colorado Statesman |date=14 November 2008 |access-date=2008-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921212117/http://coloradostatesman.com/content/99547-rumors-fly-house-leadership-vote |archive-date=21 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2009 legislative session===
For the 2009 legislative session, Roberts was appointed to the House Health and Human Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, where she was the ranking Republican member.<ref name="cmte09"> {{cite press release |title=House Republican Committee Assignments Announced |date=18 November 2008 |publisher=Colorado House Democrats |url=http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node/92 |access-date=29 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231125753/http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node%2F92 |archive-date=31 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref> Roberts was also named to a Republican task force charged with making recommendations on resolving the state's projected budget shortfall.<ref name="bridges">{{cite news|first=John |last=Schroyer |title=Republicans push plan for fixing bridges |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/republicans_45827___article.html/address_session.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110524083054/http://www.gazette.com/articles/republicans_45827___article.html/address_session.html |archive-date=24 May 2011 }}</ref> In 2009, Roberts also sat on the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and co-chaired the Colorado Youth Advisory Council.<ref name="toseek"/>
During the 2009 session, Roberts sponsored several bills relating to juvenile criminal offenders, including legislation to allow more juveniles to have their criminal records expunged, and to allow young adults to serve sentences within the Youth Offender System instead of correctional facilities.<ref name="focjustice"/><ref name="getabreak">{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Young offenders get a break |url=http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/live_from_the_colorado_legislature/archives/2009/02/youthful_offend.html |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=2 February 2009 |access-date=2009-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929134426/http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/live_from_the_colorado_legislature/archives/2009/02/youthful_offend.html |archive-date=29 September 2011 }}</ref><ref name="flexib">{{cite news|first=Peter |last=Marcus |title=Flexibility sought with youth offenders |url=http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=3509 |work=Denver Daily News |date=5 March 2009 |access-date=2009-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716232823/http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=3509 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref> Roberts also sponsored legislation to make minor adjustment to the statutes concerning the Colorado Youth Advisory Council,<ref name="focjustice">{{cite news|first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Roberts will focus on justice, health care during legislative session |url=http://www.cortezjournal.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=3886 |work=Cortez Journal |date=29 December 2008 |access-date=2008-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726105357/http://www.cortezjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1 |archive-date=July 26, 2010 }}</ref> legislation to create a regional self-insurance plan within the San Luis Valley,<ref name="toughcuts"> {{cite news |first=Jim |last=Isgar |title=Dim forecast means more tough cuts |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Capitol_Report/2009/03/22/Dim_forecast_means_more_tough_cuts/ |work=Durango Herald |date=22 March 2009 |access-date=2009-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503014613/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Capitol%5FReport/2009/03/22/Dim%5Fforecast%5Fmeans%5Fmore%5Ftough%5Fcuts/ |archive-date=3 May 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref><ref name="wrapup"> {{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Rush is on to wrap up legislation |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/04/26/Rush_is_on_to_wrap_up_legislation/ |work=Durango Herald |date=26 April 2009 |access-date=2009-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503014622/http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life%5Fin%5Fthe%5FLegislature/2009/04/26/Rush%5Fis%5Fon%5Fto%5Fwrap%5Fup%5Flegislation/ |archive-date=3 May 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref> and legislation revising statutes surrounding end-of-life care.<ref name="lingering"> {{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Session ending with lingering budget concerns |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/05/03/Session_ending_with_lingering_budget_concerns/ |work=Durango Herald |date=3 May 2009 |access-date=2009-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312101338/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/05/03/Session_ending_with_lingering_budget_concerns/ |archive-date=12 March 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref>
===2010 legislative session===
Following the 2009 legislative session, Roberts sat on an interim committee dealing with hospice and palliative care issues, and carried legislation originating from that committee during the 2010 session,<ref name="canlearn">{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Lawmakers can learn from council |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/11/08/Lawmakers_can_learn_from_council/ |work=Durango Herald |date=8 November 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102202717/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/11/08/Lawmakers_can_learn_from_council/ |archive-date=2 January 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> including two bills that clarified policies surrounding end-of-life care and advance directives.<ref name="endof"> {{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Bills addressing end-of-life care advance to Senate |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2010/02/28/Bills_addressing_endoflife_care_advance_to_Senate/ |work=Durango Herald |date=28 February 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710160608/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2010/02/28/Bills_addressing_endoflife_care_advance_to_Senate/ |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref> Other legislation that Roberts carried in 2010 included a bill to allow voluntary income tax contributions to support 2-1-1 services,<ref name="gathering">{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Information gathering begins |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/10/04/Information_gathering_begins/ |work=Durango Herald |date=4 October 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710160616/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2009/10/04/Information_gathering_begins/ |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and she fought against cuts to the Native American tuition waiver program at Fort Lewis College.<ref name="unfair">{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=FLC should not take unfair cuts |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2010/01/17/FLC_should_not_take_unfair_cuts/ |work=Durango Herald |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710160623/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2010/01/17/FLC_should_not_take_unfair_cuts/ |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="bruises">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=FLC fight bruises feelings at Capitol |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/23/FLC_fight_bruises_feelings_at_Capitol/ |work=Durango Herald |date=23 January 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330173646/http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/23/FLC%5Ffight%5Fbruises%5Ffeelings%5Fat%5FCapitol/ |archive-date=30 March 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Roberts was one of only three Republican House members to vote in support of Colorado's 2010 budget,<ref name="furlough">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=State employees taking furlough day |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/02/State_employees_taking_furlough_day/ |work=Durango Herald |date=2 April 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085359/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/02/State_employees_taking_furlough_day/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> after successfully sponsoring an amendment that removed restrictions on Fort Lewis College's ability to set its own out-of-state tuition rates.<ref name="billion">{{cite news |first=Marianne |last=Goodland |title=House approves $20 billion budget |url=http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991728-house-approves-20-billion-budget |work=Colorado Statesman |date=2 April 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418180528/http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991728-house-approves-20-billion-budget |archive-date=18 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="backers"> {{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Fort Lewis College supporters stand up to budget panel |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/09/Fort_Lewis_College_supporters_stand_up_to_budget_panel/ |work=Durango Herald |date=9 April 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085533/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/09/Fort_Lewis_College_supporters_stand_up_to_budget_panel/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref>
Roberts had planned to introduce legislation to place a one-year moratorium on new Colorado health insurance mandates with independent Rep. Kathleen Curry,<ref name="curtail">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Mook |title=Bill proposed to curtail health insurance mandates |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/12/14/story4.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=11 December 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 }}</ref> as part of a proposal to overhaul the states insurance mandate commission.<ref name="nextsess">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Before election, the next session |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/10/Before_election_the_next__session/ |work=Durango Herald |date=10 January 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085538/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/01/10/Before_election_the_next__session/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, they announced at the start of the session that their proposal would not include an immediate moratorium on insurance mandates,<ref name="tostall">{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Redding |title=Insurance industry pushing measure to stall maternity bill |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/45152/insurance-industry-pushing-measure-to-stall-maternity-bill |work=Colorado Independent |date=31 December 2009 |access-date=2010-04-09 }}</ref><ref name="todelay">{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Redding |title=Curry, Roberts plan to delay mandate moratorium |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/45608/curry-roberts-pull-%E2%80%98nasty%E2%80%99-bill-to-stall-health-insurance-mandates |work=Colorado Independent |date=12 January 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104185956/http://coloradoindependent.com/45608/curry-roberts-pull-%e2%80%98nasty%e2%80%99-bill-to-stall-health-insurance-mandates |archive-date=4 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the legislation was killed on its first hearing in a House committee.<ref name="timeout">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Mook |title="Timeout" Proposal Dies; What Next? |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/second_opinion/2010/02/timeout_proposal_dies_what_next.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 }}</ref><ref name="partyline">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Party-line vote kills Roberts' measure |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/02/05/Partyline_vote_kills_Roberts_measure/ |work=Durango Herald |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209044936/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/02/05/Partyline_vote_kills_Roberts_measure/ |archive-date=9 February 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Roberts also withdrew one of her proposals to continue a pilot program for training of Certified Nursing Assistants, on account of its cost.<ref name="certified">{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Roberts |title=Certified nurse aide bill dead but goal remains |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2010/03/07/Certified_nurse_aide_bill_dead_but_goal_remains/ |work=Durango Herald |date=7 March 2010 |access-date=2010-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085606/http://durangoherald.com/sections/Opinion/Columnists/Life_in_the_Legislature/2010/03/07/Certified_nurse_aide_bill_dead_but_goal_remains/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Roberts also sponsored a contentious piece of legislation with general election opponent Sen. Bruce Whitehead, negotiated by Governor Ritter's office, to require utilities to convert some Front Range coal-fired power plants to natural gas.<ref name="natgas">{{cite news |first=Cathy |last=Proctor |title=Bill to cut coal power in Colorado has widespread backing |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/03/15/daily19.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=16 March 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10}} </ref><ref name="rivals"> {{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Rivals Roberts, Whitehead join forces on bill |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/03/17/Rivals_Roberts_Whitehead_join_forces_on_bill/ |work=Durango Herald |date=17 March 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085619/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/03/17/Rivals_Roberts_Whitehead_join_forces_on_bill/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref><ref name="powerm"> {{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Senate passes power measure |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/01/Senate_passes_power_measure/ |work=Durango Herald |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085644/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/01/Senate_passes_power_measure/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} </ref>
==Colorado Senate==
===2010 Election===
In June 2009, Roberts announced her intention to seek the Colorado State Senate seat held by term-limited Democratic Sen. Jim Isgar in the 2010 legislative elections, Senate District 6.<ref name="toseek">{{cite news |first=Garrett |last=Andrews |title=Roberts to seek Senate seat |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/06/05/Roberts_to_seek_Senate_seat/ |work=Durango Herald |date=5 June 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821203510/http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/06/05/Roberts_to_seek_Senate_seat/ |archive-date=21 August 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="senbid">{{cite news |first=Katharhynn |last=Heidelberg |title=Roberts announces senate bid |url=http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2009/06/05/news/doc4a288a7606925532984814.txt |work=Montrose Press |date=5 June 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 }}</ref> After Isgar resigned from the legislature in July 2009 to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office in Colorado,<ref name="newpost">{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Hanel |title=Sen. Isgar to take new USDA post |url=http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/07/01/Sen_Isgar_to_take_new_USDA_post/ |work=Durango Herald |date=1 July 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706145025/http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2009/07/01/Sen%5FIsgar%5Fto%5Ftake%5Fnew%5FUSDA%5Fpost/ |archive-date=6 July 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="creates">{{cite news |first=Ernest |last=Luning |title=Isgar creates Senate vacancy with appointment to USDA rural post |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/32315/isgar-creates-senate-vacancy-with-appointment-to-usda-rural-post |work=Colorado Independent |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 }}</ref> Democrats appointed civil engineer Bruce Whitehead to the seat; Whitehead declared his intention to run for a full term in 2010, setting up a race that Colorado Republicans viewed as one of their best opportunities to pick up a seat in the Democrat-controlled legislature.<ref name="whitehead">{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Whitehead named to Colorado Senate |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/08/10/daily9.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=10 August 2009 |access-date=2009-12-19 }}</ref>
Roberts' 2010 campaign for the Senate seat also faced a challenge in the Republican primary from former Norwood, Colorado town marshal Dean Boehler, who campaigns as a self-described "true conservative;"<ref name="marshal">{{cite news |first=Katharhynn |last=Heidelberg |title=Former marshal makes Senate bid, seeks support of Rep. delegates |url=http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2010/04/10/news/doc4bbff80f80a67500891342.txt |work=Montrose Daily Press |date=10 April 2009 |access-date=2010-04-23 }}</ref> Boehler received 67 percent of delegate votes at the Republican district assembly to Roberts' 33, earning him the top spot on the August primary ballot.<ref name="norwood">{{cite news |first=Chuck |last=Slothower |title=Norwood man to face Roberts in August primary |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/18/Norwood_man_to_face_Roberts_in_August_primary/ |work=Durango Herald |date=18 April 2009 |access-date=2010-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420083106/http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/04/18/Norwood_man_to_face_Roberts_in_August_primary/ |archive-date=20 April 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Roberts won the primary race with 54% of the vote and went on to win the general election with 61% of the vote.<ref name="senate2010result">{{cite news |title=Ellen Roberts bests Bruce Whitehead |url=http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20101103/NEWS01/711029880/Ellen-Roberts-bests-Bruce-Whitehead |work=Durango Herald |date=18 April 2009 |access-date=2011-09-09}}</ref>
===2011 Legislative Session===
As state senator, Roberts served on several committees, including the Health and Human Services, Judiciary, and Legislative Legal Services Committees and also acted as ranking Republican on the Senate Local Government Committee. She served on two interim committees, the Water Resources Review Committee and the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee until the end of the 2012 legislative session.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
In addition to her responsibilities at the Colorado legislature, Roberts was appointed to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Federal Deficit Reduction Task Force and, in August 2011, was elected to NCSL's executive committee. She is the only Colorado legislator to serve on either of these committees.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
===2012 Legislative Session===
Senator Roberts proposed legislation at the start of session regarding the surety bond required for towing carriers in rural areas. SB12-049 would have lowered the surety bond from $50,000 to $10,000 for local entities. The bill was assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee, but was postponed indefinitely after it was introduced. However, after the bill was killed, public upheaval caused Roberts to introduce a new bill, this time in the House, which resolved the same issue. HB12-1347 passed the second time around with a resounding 98–1 vote.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Senator Roberts was appointed to the National Conference of State Legislatures Budgets and Revenue Committee. In addition, she was re-elected to the executive committee for NCSL.<ref name="ncsl2012roberts">{{cite news |title=Senator Roberts Appointed to NCSL Budgets and Revenue Committee|url= http://www.coloradosenatenews.com/?q=content/senator-roberts-appointed-ncsl-budget-revenue-committee|work=Colorado Senate News |access-date=2012-09-27}}</ref> Senator Roberts was also awarded the Legislator of the Year Award for the 2012 legislative session by the Economic Development Council of Colorado.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
During the 2012 legislative session, Roberts was award a handful of awards: 2012 Champion of Conservation Award from the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts, the 2012 Pinnacle Award from the Colorado Farm Bureau, the 2012 Common Sense in the Courtroom Award from the Colorado Civil Justice League, and the 2012 Green Colorado Legislator of the Year Award. She was also honored to win the 2012 Legislator of the Year Award from the Colorado Economic Development Council.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Due to the wild fires in the state of Colorado in 2012, Senator Roberts was elected as chairwoman of the bipartisan Lower North Fork Fire Commission, which convened during the interim and which proposed four pieces of legislation to address the threat of wildfire risk and damage in Colorado.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
===2013 Legislative Session===
Roberts was appointed to serve on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
===2015 Legislative Session===
As state senator, Senator Roberts served on several committees. She served as Vice Chair of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee as well as Chair of the Judiciary Committee. Senator Roberts also served on the Committee Legal Services, Water Resources Review Committee, Joint Judiciary Committee and the Joint Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} She resigned at the end of 2016.
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{cite web|url=http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/Senate/members/Sen06.htm|title=Ellen Roberts|publisher=Colorado General Assembly|access-date=2011-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812182817/http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/senate/members/sen06.htm|archive-date=2011-08-12|url-status=dead}} *{{cite web|url=http://ellenroberts.com/|title= Representative Ellen Roberts|publisher=Official Campaign Website}} * [http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2013A/cslFrontPages.nsf/HomeSplash?OpenForm Colorado General Assembly Website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Ellen}} Category:1959 births Category:American Presbyterians Category:Republican Party Colorado state senators Category:Cornell University alumni Category:University of Colorado Law School alumni Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives Category:Women state legislators in Colorado Category:People from Hudson, New York Category:People from Rhinebeck, New York Category:People from Durango, Colorado Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly