John Soper

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  • Rep. Soper invites public to carbon monoxide bill signing March 24th

    Posted Mar 18 at 1 PM

    The public is invited to the bill signing with Representative John Soper and Governor Bill Ritter. The signing is March 24th at 3 PM at the Denver Fire Station #10, 3200 Steele (Steele and MLK Blvd).

    March 7, 2009

    Denver Post

    Governor Bill Ritter is due to sign into law the Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act.

    This law, which would take effect July 1, requires homeowners and landlords to install a carbon monoxide alarm near the sleeping quarters of every home that is heated with fossil fuel, has a fireplace, or has an attached garage. The requirement kicks in when a home is sold, remodeled, repaired, or leased to a new tenant.

    Carbon monoxide poisoning is common; the scenario plays itself out again and again, with tragic regularity. Sometimes it is a result of a bad choice, such as bringing a grill or generator into a house or garage. Just as often, something cracks deep inside a vehicle, appliance, or vent pipe, allowing the invisible, odorless toxic gas to escape to where people live, work, or sleep.

    Each year, 8-10 Coloradans die this way; another 300 are injured. The early warning signs - headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue - are easily mistaken for "the flu", a bad hangover, or altitude sickness. Soon, the victims are too weak and confused to seek help. As a result, carbon monoxide is second only to overdosage of illegal drugs as the chief poisoning killer.

    Modern carbon monoxide alarms are inexpensive and easy to install. Similar in size and shape to a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide alarm constantly samples the air, and sounds an early warning before serious levels of carbon monoxide can enter the body. I purchased a basic model last month for $18.77.

    For a few dollars more, dual-power units draw power from a standard household plug, saving their batteries for times when the power goes out. Because they can be located anywhere from floor to ceiling, carbon monoxide alarms are easier to install than smoke detectors. They are an effective, unobtrusive, and inexpensive way to protect your family against a common danger.

    Sadly, it took the tragic deaths of Lauren Johnson and the Lofgren family to shake us out of our complacency and stare the silent killer in the face. However, it should not take a law to make us protect our families.

    Carbon monoxide alarms have been saving lives in Colorado for years. Woody and Betsey Kiehl and the other residents of their condominium building in Eagle County are alive today because the Kiehls purchased a carbon monoxide alarm.

    When the building's boiler became clogged with soot, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide filled the building. There was no smoke, and no telltale odor. Fortunately, that same day, the Kiehl family had purchased a $25.00 carbon monoxide alarm at a local hardware store. Because they didn't wait for the law, they and seven other families lived to tell the story.

    If you do not already have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, please purchase one today.

    Dr. Lavonas is associate director of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center and an emergency physician at Denver Health.

    Sounding the alarm on carbon monoxide
    By Eric Lavonas, MD

  • Rep. Soper Spearheads Carbon Monoxide Bill

    Posted Mar 18 at 1 PM

    January 12, 2009

    DENVER - Fire and health officials and many whose lives have been affected by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning joined Representatives John Soper and Lois Court and Senator Chris Romer to urge passage of House Bill 1091, a bill that will help protect Coloradans from CO by requiring all new homes and apartments to install a CO detector. Six Coloradans have died and dozens have been treated from CO poisoning, just in the past few weeks.

    HB 1091 will be heard by the House Business Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton), Tuesday after 9:30 am in the Capitol’s Old Supreme Court Chambers on the 2nd floor.

    Lead sponsor Representative John Soper (D-Thornton) said, “I am proud to carry this bill again this year and look forward to its passage. We have lost too many Colorado lives over the past few months. We must do everything we can to prevent these tragedies from occurring again. I am an electrician and I know that the installation of carbon monoxide detectors is a reas

    onable addition to new homes that can prevent senseless deaths and injuries.”

     

    Rep. Lois Court (D-Denver) said, “I believe that promoting safety is a lawmaker’s primary responsibility. The Lofgren family, my constituents, died of CO poisoning while in Aspen over Thanksgiving. I applaud the Lofgren’s many family and friends for raising the awareness of this danger and for helping others avoid the tragedy they’ve experienced.”

    A CO alarm costs $15-$30; consumers should place one on each floor of a home. For more information on CO poisoning visit www.knowaboutco.co

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Paid for by Citizens for Soper. Mike Litzau, Treasurer.