Marsha Looper

Born to a family of Eastern European descent,{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=On the side: Spotlight on Calhan |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5655619

|work=Denver Post |date=13 April 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} Looper was raised on Colorado's Western Slope. She graduated from Fruita Monument High School in Mesa County in western Colorado and took coursework at Mesa State College. A systems engineer,{{cite web|url=http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/election/profiles/c_profiles.cfm?oper=cand_profile&id=11903&qa=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070729091241/http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/election/profiles/c_profiles.cfm?oper=cand_profile&id=11903&qa=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-07-29 |title=Marsha Looper - Colorado - State House District 19 candidate |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=RockyMountainNews.com }} Looper certified as an IBM Network Engineer and a Novell Systems Engineer,{{cite web |url=http://www.gomarsha.org/info/meet_marsha_looper.html |title=Meet Marsha Looper |accessdate=2008-01-20 |work=Marsha Looper, Representative, House District 19 }} and worked for ROLM, IBM and the Widefield School District before starting a company of her own, Computing Solutions Group, in 1993.

Looper entered the real estate business in 2004 and has earned Associate Broker and Registered Appraiser credentials. Since 2004, she has been a partner in Big Sky Realty,{{cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=66179 |title=Representative Looper |accessdate=2007-12-08 |work=Project Vote Smart}} in addition to operating Phoenix & Associates, a home remodeling company. She is now working at Keller Williams Partners, specializing in Military Relocations, Recreational and Country properties.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fortcarsonarmy.com/ |title=Colorado Springs Real Estate and Military Relocation Services - Online |access-date=2022-07-13 |archive-date=2018-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128201404/http://www.fortcarsonarmy.com/ |url-status=dead }}

Looper and her husband, Lynn,{{cite web |url=http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node/37 |title=Rep. Marsha Looper, HD-19 |accessdate=2008-01-20 |work=Colorado House Republican Caucus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209130907/http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node%2F37 |archive-date=2012-02-09 |url-status=dead }} have operated their family's ranch in near Calhan, Colorado for two decades, as well as Waterworks Sales, a water pipe distribution company. After Waterworks' was purchased by Hughes Supply, Inc., Looper remained with the company as a branch manager. She and Lynn have three children.

Within the community, Looper has been a member of the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition, the National Rifle Association, the El Paso County Republican Women, the Falcon School District Accountability Committee, the Pikes Peak Range Riders, and the El Paso County Soil and Water Conservation Society, and volunteered with St. Michael's Church, the Special Olympics, and local 4-H and YMCA clubs.

Looper was a driving force behind opposition to a proposed toll road project along the Colorado Front Range — the Prairie Falcon Parkway Express, or "Super Slab" project — a {{convert|210|mi|km|adj=on}} highway and rail corridor stretching from Pueblo to Fort Collins. The project would have resulted in the condemnation or taking by eminent domain of privately held properties in seven Colorado counties; Looper's land fell within the corridor designated by the toll road's developers, and subsequently dropped in market value.{{cite news |first=Christiana |last=Nelson |title=Toll road idea meets firm foes |url=http://www.coloradoan.com/news/coloradoanpublishing/Legislature2005/032005_tollroad.html

|work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=3 March 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }}{{cite news |first=Jeffrey |last=Leib |title=Toll road is ramping up |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4253264

|work=Denver Post |date=29 August 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }}

As the founder, in 2004,{{cite news |first=Erica |last=Whitcombe |title=Looper to run for state seat |url=http://www.newfalconherald.com/Articles/2006-02/1199.html

|work=The New Falcon Herald |date=February 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and chair of the Eastern Plains Citizens Coalition and executive director of Colorado Citizens for Property Rights, Looper led grassroots opposition to the toll road and supported several measures during the 2006 legislative session to tighten the rules regarding eminent domain under which toll roads could be constructed.

Among the successful measures lobbied for by Looper and others were rules narrowing the proposed corridor for toll roads from {{convert|12|to|3|mi|km|spell=in}},{{cite news |first=Coleen |last=Slevin |title=Toll road promoter threatens lawsuit |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/feb/16/toll-road-promoter-threatens-lawsuit/

|work=Rocky Mountain News |date=16 February 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and new reporting requirements that property owners be informed that their land lay within that corridor.

Looper also led an effort to place a statewide referendum on the 2006 general election ballot{{cite news |first=April M. |last=Washington |author2=Kevin Flynn |title='Super Slab' hits a roadblock |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_4423092,00.html |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=28 January 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |archive-date=2020-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312111007/https://www.rockymountainnews.com/ |url-status=dead }} to prohibit governments from condemning private property for the purpose of economic development.{{cite news |first=Kyle |last=Henley |title=Threat of initiative powerful force |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20060219/ai_n16172819

|work=The Colorado Springs Gazette |date=19 February 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} The citizen initiative gathered over 30,000 signatures, but fell more than 30,000 signatures short of the total required for placement on the statewide ballot.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Eminent domain ballot push fails |url=http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20060617/NEWS/106170042 |work=The Summit Daily News |date=17 June 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809001941/http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20060617/NEWS/106170042 |archive-date=9 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}

In February 2006, upon the retirement of term-limited Rep. Richard Decker in House District 19, covering eastern El Paso County, Colorado, Looper announced her candidacy for the seat. After experience pushing for legislation Colorado General Assembly to restrict to use of eminent domain, she cited her frustration at the influence of lobbyists, and Looper identified her top legislative concerns as property rights, transportation, and illegal immigration. She also identified water issues and renewable energy as areas of interest.{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |title=Primary recommendations |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A18930

|work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=3 August 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-20 }} Facing military veteran and school board member Jim Brewer,{{cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Voters Guide |url=http://www2.gazette.com/display.php?id=1319541&secid=2

|work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=23 July 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-20 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Looper won the Republican primary with 62% of the vote.{{cite web |url=http://www.elpasoelections.com/2006-primary/results-text.html |title=Election Summary Report - 2006 Colorado Primary Election |accessdate=2008-01-20 |work=El Paso County Clerk and Recorder }}

In the general election, Looper faced former Fountain, Colorado mayor and Democrat Ken Barela. Barela criticized Looper's emphasis on property rights, calling her a "one issue candidate;" in response, Looper characterized Barela as "too liberal" for the district. Although she was endorsed by Republican Rep. David Schultheis, she was not endorsed by Republican and outgoing Rep. Richard Decker, who criticized her for possible involvement in an independent publication promoting her campaign, and for donating over $50,000 of personal money to her legislative race;{{cite news |first=Deedee |last=Correll |title='Too liberal' vs. '1-issue candidate' |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20061018/ai_n16818078

|work=The Colorado Springs Gazette |date=18 October 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} Looper outraised Barela by roughly 10 to 1,{{cite news |first=Naomi |last=Zeveloff |title=Common nonsense |url=http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19506

|work=The Colorado Springs Independent |date=19 October 2006 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} and won the general election by a 2 to 1 margin.{{cite web |url=http://www.elpasoelections.com/2006-general/results-text.html |title=Election Summary Report - 2006 Colorado General Election |accessdate=2008-01-20 |work=El Paso County Clerk and Recorder }}

In the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Looper sat on the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee and the House Local Government 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 |work=Colorado General Assembly}}

Stemming from her work on toll road issues, including opposition to the "Super Slab" project as an activist, Looper sponsored legislation to impose new requirements, including planning in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Transportation, on new toll road development in Colorado.{{cite news |first=Joey |last=Bunch |title=Toll-road law hurting land value, citizens say |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5237458

|work=Denver Post |date=15 February 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} Other opponents of the "Super Slab" project criticized the bill for removing requirements that property owners be informed of planned development; the requirements had resulted in a decrease in property values for many in the proposed project's corridor. Looper contended that the purpose of the bill was to reduce the potential property value impact of speculative toll road projects.{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Flynn |title=Slab foes want change in law |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/feb/21/slab-foes-want-change-in-law/

|work=Rocky Mountain News |date=21 February 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }}{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Flynn |title=Slab opponents disappointed |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/jan/24/slab-opponents-disappointed/

|work=Rocky Mountain News |date=24 January 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} Although the bill passed the Colorado House of Representatives 61-3,{{cite news

|first=Ed

|last=Sealover

|title=Under the Dome

|url=http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20070309/ai_n18711870

|work=Rocky Mountain News

|date=9 March 2007

|accessdate=2007-12-09

}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the bill was postponed indefinitely in a Senate committee.{{cite news |author=News Briefs |title=HB 1068 postponed "indefinitely" |url=http://www.newfalconherald.com/Articles/2007-04/2343.html

|work=The New Falcon Herald |date=7 April 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Looper also sponsored legislation to require disclosure of water sources for newly sold homes, a move designed to inform homeowners of possibly scarce groundwater resources. Unsuccessfully put forward in three previous years,{{cite news

|first=Todd

|last=Hartman

|title=New bills, January 19

|url=http://www5.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/jan/19/new-bills-january-19/

|work=Rocky Mountain News

|date=19 January 2007

|accessdate=2007-12-09

}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the bill pass unanimously through committee{{cite news

|first=Ed

|last=Sealover

|title=Water bill advances

|url=http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20070208/ai_n17227987

|work=The Colorado Springs Gazette

|date=8 February 2007

|accessdate=2007-12-09

}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and the full house{{cite news |author=Staff Report |title=Under the Dome |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20070215/ai_n18639831/pg_1

|work=The Colorado Springs Gazettte |date=15 February 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} before being signed by Gov. Ritter.

In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Looper sits on the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee, and the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs 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 |work=Colorado General Assembly}}

In response to concerns about agricultural labor shortages and the difficulty of hiring legal foreign guest workers,{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title=Farms short of help at harvest |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_6801831

|work=Denver Post |date=5 September 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} Looper and Democratic Sen. Abel Tapia drafted legislation to create a state office to assist with the logistics of clearing guest workers for jobs in Colorado;{{cite news

|first=Charles

|last=Ashby

|title=Senators to unveil farmworker bill

|url=http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1202022922/2

|work=Pueblo Chieftain

|date=3 February 2008

|accessdate=2008-02-04

|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20080206114305/http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1202022922/2

|archivedate=6 February 2008

|url-status=dead

}} under their proposal, the state of Colorado would seek a waiver from the federal government to process H-2A visas applications, including operating a guest-worker screening office in Mexico.{{cite news

|first=Joe

|last=Hanel

|title=Lawmakers want state to manage farm visa

|url=http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080205_3.htm

|work=Durango Herald

|date=5 February 2008

|accessdate=2008-02-08

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213020450/http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=%2Fnews%2F08%2Fnews080205_3.htm

|archivedate=13 February 2008

|url-status=dead

}}{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |title=Legislators consider farm-labor solution |url=http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_6694118

|work=Denver Post |date=23 August 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }}{{cite news |first=April M. |last=Washington |title=Help wanted in Colorado — from Mexico |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/aug/22/help-wanted-in-colorado-151-from-mexico/

|work=Rocky Mountain News |date=22 August 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-09 }} The bill, which also contained a provision requiring that guest workers have 20% of their wages withheld until they returned to their home countries, was criticized as a possible violation of federal law.{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Hoover |title=Farmworker plan violates law, panel told |url=http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_8565248

|work=Denver Post |date=14 March 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-17 }} After 26 amendments, including removal of the wage withholding provision, the bill passed House committee with support from farming and ranching groups.{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Ashby |title=House panel approves farmworker bill |url=http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1205906400/1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120415091124/http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1205906400/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2012 |work=Pueblo Chieftain |date=19 March 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-22 }}

Looper's guest-worker bill became the center of controversy and widespread attention in April, when Rep. Douglas Bruce made controversial comments concerning guest workers during House debate. Looper had previously received death threats for sponsoring the bill,{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Davidson |title=Legislative glance: Wednesday in Review |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/fallout_35607___article.html/glance_legislative.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=24 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524015346/http://www.gazette.com/articles/fallout_35607___article.html/glance_legislative.html |archivedate=2011-05-24 }} and received additional threats in the wake of the controversy.{{cite news|first=Charlie |last=Brennan |title=Threats in Wake of Bruce Controversy |url=http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6379598&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1 |work=MyFoxColorado |date=23 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-25 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The bill ultimately passed both houses of the legislature,{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Hoover |title=Bill to help farms get Mexican help sent to governor |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_9163932 |work=Denver Post |date=6 May 2007 |accessdate=2008-05-06 }} and was signed into law by Gov. Ritter.{{cite news |first=Joanne |last=Kelley |title=New law to speed visas for farm workers |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/06/new-law-to-speed-visas-for-farm-workers/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=6 June 2008 |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}

Continuing her work on toll road legislation, Looper again sponsored a bill to alter the reporting and disclosure requirements surrounding planned toll roads, in an effort to reduce the property value impact on homeowners who live within a proposed toll road corridor.[http://www.unbossed.com/index.php?itemid=1927 unbossed.com » Colorado legislature introduces two new toll road bills][http://www.gomarsha.org/messages/message_2008jan22.pdf We The People] The bill was met with opposition from some toll road opponents for being ineffective at halting toll road development,{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Super Slab foes unload on bill meant to help them |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_35101___article.html/toll_road.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=9 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411044202/http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_35101___article.html/toll_road.html |archive-date=11 April 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} and Looper herself postponed consideration of the bill in favor of a more expansive measured introduced by Rep. Debbie Stafford.{{cite news

|first=Ed

|last=Sealover

|title=Toll road bills debated this week

|url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/road_33509___article.html/toll_bill.html

|work=Colorado Springs Gazette

|date=24 February 2008

|accessdate=2008-03-01

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228132345/http://www.gazette.com/articles/road_33509___article.html/toll_bill.html

|archivedate=28 February 2008

}} Stafford's bill, however, was killed in a House committee, and Looper's measure passed the state house.{{cite news|first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=This week in the Legislature |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/agenda_35021___article.html/legislature_week.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=7 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411055612/http://www.gazette.com/articles/agenda_35021___article.html/legislature_week.html |archivedate=11 April 2008 }}

Looper has also introduced legislation to require property buyers to be informed of paperwork tracking residential well ownership,{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |author2=Michael Davidson |title=Assembly Glance |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_32064___article.html/water_state.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=17 January 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119172150/http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_32064___article.html/water_state.html |archive-date=19 January 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} and sponsored a bill to allow judges to include restorative justice as part of sentencing for juveniles.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Davidson |title=Lawmakers trying another tactic on juvenile crime |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_34288___article.html/victims_programs.html/ |work=Colorado Spring Gazette |date=16 March 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328090304/http://www.gazette.com/articles/bill_34288___article.html/victims_programs.html |archive-date=28 March 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

Following the legislative session, Looper was recognized by the Colorado Farm Bureau with their 2008 Pinnacle Award for legislative support of agriculture.{{cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Colorado Farm Bureau honors state legislators |url=http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=95508 |work=Northern Colorado Business Report |date=15 August 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-05 }} In December 2008, she was named Colorado Legislator of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, citing her guest worker legislation.{{cite news |author=Staff Reports |title=Calhan lawmaker wins annual award |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/looper_44332___article.html/calhan_colorado.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=2 December 2008 |accessdate=2008-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206045605/http://www.gazette.com/articles/looper_44332___article.html/calhan_colorado.html |archive-date=6 December 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

In the 2008 Congressional election, Looper supported Bentley Rayburn's challenge to incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn in the Republican party primary for Colorado's 5th congressional district.{{cite web |url=http://rayburnforcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/endorsements.html |title=Endorsements |accessdate=2008-03-28 |work=Bentley Rayburn for Congress |date=20 March 2008 }} Looper also 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.{{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 |accessdate=2008-11-01 }}

Looper herself sought a second term in the legislature, facing Democrat Jimmy Phillips. Looper's re-election bid was endorsed by the Denver Post.{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |title=Post's picks in Colorado's House of Representatives |url=http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_10741559 |work=Denver Post |date=17 October 2008 |accessdate=2008-11-01 }}

She won re-election with 67 percent of the popular vote.{{cite web|url=http://coreports.ezvotetally.com/Reserved.ReportViewerWebControl.axd?ReportSession=jexpso55dlbays450fyzrmb4&ControlID=3a1b317069f040849b2b689d78addfc9&Culture=1033&UICulture=1033&ReportStack=1&OpType=ReportArea&Controller=dnn_ctr376_ViewRS2005_ReportViewer1&PageNumber=1&ZoomMode=Percent&ZoomPct=100&ReloadDocMap=true&SearchStartPage=0&LinkTarget=_top |title=Colorado Statewide Cumulative Report - 2008 General Election |accessdate=2008-12-04 |work=Colorado Secretary of State }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

For the 2009 legislative session, Looper was named to seats on the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee.

{{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=28 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 }}

Looper sponsored bills to expand unemployment benefits for the spouses of Colorado military personnel killed in the line of duty,{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Jobless center drowning in sea of benefit claims |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/15/jobless-center-drowning-in-sea-of-benefit-claims/ |work=Rocky Mountain News |date=15 January 2009 |accessdate=2009-02-08 }} to pilot test electronic online voting for military personnel,{{cite news |first=Leslie |last=Jorgensen |title=Bill aims to re-enfranchise military |url=http://coloradostatesman.com/content/99802-bill-aims-re-enfranchise-military |work=Colorado Statesman |date=20 February 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921195100/http://coloradostatesman.com/content/99802-bill-aims-re-enfranchise-military |archive-date=21 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Leslie |last=Jorgenson |title=Colorado ranks high in its effort to count military ballots |url=http://coloradostatesman.com/content/991388-colorado-ranks-high-its-effort-count-military-ballots |work=Colorado Statesman |date=6 November 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110024422/http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991388-colorado-ranks-high-its-effort-count-military-ballots |archive-date=10 November 2009 |url-status=dead }} and to extend the statute of limitations for vehicular homicides.{{cite news |first=Danielle |last=Leigh |title=Bill extends limit on solving vehicular homicides |url=http://www.coloradoconnection.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=300673 |work=Colorado Connection |date=15 May 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18}} Looper was also the House sponsor of a proposal to create a Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District in Pueblo and El Paso counties,{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Woodka |title=Counties to vote on Fountain Creek IGA |url=http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/12/06/news/local/doc493a702b53a87296313391.txt |work=Pueblo Chieftain |date=6 December 2008 |accessdate=2008-12-25 }}{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Woodka |title=El Paso County OKs Fountain IGA on 3-2 vote |url=http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/12/16/news/local/doc49474568ab8b5141312346.txt |work=Pueblo Chieftain |date=15 December 2008 |accessdate=2009-01-09 }}{{cite news |first=John |last=Schroyer |title=Fountain Creek watershed authority district looks likely |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/likely-50393-authority-looks.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=22 March 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609114211/http://www.gazette.com/articles/likely-50393-authority-looks.html |archive-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Looper's most prominent legislative work during 2009 session surrounded two proposals on rainwater harvesting, previously not allowed under Colorado's prior appropriation water rights law.{{cite news |first=Nicholas |last=Riccardi |title=Who owns Colorado's rainwater? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-18-na-contested-rainwater18-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 March 2009 |access-date=2010-03-18}}{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Simon |title=Out West, Catching Raindrops Can Make You an Outlaw |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123794222413232887 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=25 March 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18}} Looper was the Senate sponsor of a bill to allow residents on wells to collect rainwater, which was signed by Gov. Ritter, revising more than a century of Colorado water law.{{cite news |first=R. Scott |last=Rappold |title=New laws open the way for rain barrels, for some |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/water-55602-rain-bill.html |work=Colorado Springs gazette |date=2 June 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815103558/http://www.gazette.com/articles/water-55602-rain-bill.html |archive-date=15 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Kirk |last=Johnson |title=It's Now Legal to Catch a Raindrop in Colorado |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/us/29rain.html?_r=1&em |work=New York Times |date=28 June 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18}} Another proposal sponsored by Looper and enacted into law created a pilot program to study the effects of rainwater diversion for landscaping in mixed-use developments.

{{cite news |first=John |last=Schroyer |title=Bill would test use of state's rainwater |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/tough-47395-bill-denver.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=3 February 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609114155/http://www.gazette.com/articles/tough-47395-bill-denver.html |archive-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Tonya |last=Bina |title=From the rooftops: New law legalizes rain catchment |url=http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20090510/NEWS/905109984/1079&ParentProfile=1067 |work=Sky-Hi Daily News |date=10 May 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716083417/http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20090510/NEWS/905109984/1079%26ParentProfile%3D1067 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Ritter signs more Colorado business bills |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/06/01/daily38.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=2 June 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-18}}

During the 2010 legislative session, Looper sponsored a bill to allow the creation of Veterans' court,{{cite news |first=Anthony |last=Lanen |title=Fight risk: Officials struggle to ID crimes too violent for vets courts |url=http://www.csindy.com/colorado/fight-risk/Content?oid=1556365 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=24 November 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Roeder |title=POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Looper argues for vets court, floats Gitmo bill |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/looper-93833-argues-notebook.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=8 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211211307/http://www.gazette.com/articles/looper-93833-argues-notebook.html |archive-date=11 February 2010 |url-status=dead }} and sponsored legislation revise how Colorado's $1.50/tire recycling fee is spent, after proposals to use the funds for purposes other than tire disposal, and in response to the growth of tire dumps in her district.{{cite news |first=Anthhony |last=Lane |title=A tiring business: Colorado lawmakers look at a bill to shake up the recycling world, with 30 million tires stored nearby |url=http://www.csindy.com/colorado/a-tiring-business/Content?oid=1606545 |work=Colorado Springs Independent |date=4 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}

{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Booth |title=Loss of state funding threatens Colorado tire cleanup |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13647715 |work=Denver Post |date=27 October 2009 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}{{cite news |first=Eileen |last=Welsome |title=Related story: Tire-recycling fee diverted to balance state budget |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/state-95216-motorists-balance.html |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=6 March 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}} With Democratic Rep. Joe Rice, Looper introduced legislation to require automobile manufacturers to, when opening a dealership in a market where they had previously closed one, offer right of first refusal the previous dealer.{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Bill would put ex-GM, Chrysler dealers 1st in line for new franchises |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/01/25/daily29.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=26 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}{{cite news|author=Staff Report |title=POSSIBLE FELONY MENACING AT DISPENSARY |url=http://thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=7010 |work=Denver Daily News |date=19 January 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716231029/http://thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=7010 |archivedate=16 July 2011 }} After having passed the state house, a brief but intense lobbying campaign against the bill by Chrysler and General Motors resulted in some concessions to automobile makers before the bill moved forward in the Colorado Senate.{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Car-Dealer Bill Revs Up Anger |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/capitol_business/2010/02/car-dealer_bill_revs_up_anger.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=19 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=Bill to help dropped GM, Chrysler dealers advances |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/03/01/daily11.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=1 March 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Sealover |title=After Winning Concessions, Automakers Won't Lobby Against Colorado Pro-Dealer Bill |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/capitol_business/2010/03/after_winning_concessions_automakers_wont_lobby_against_colorado_pro-dealer_bill.html |work=Denver Business Journal |date=8 March 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}} In February, Looper introduced a measure to block the transfer of prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to facilities in Colorado.{{cite news |first=Jeffrey |last=Wolf |title=Lawmakers want to keep GITMO detainees out of Colorado |url=http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=133452&catid=188 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116074016/http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=133452&catid=188 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 January 2013 |work=9News.com |date=25 February 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19 }}

In March 2010, Looper was one of four legislators named by Gov. Ritter to a 12-member Carbon Capture and Sequestration Task force, convened to consider "complex legal, regulatory and policy issues" surrounding the topic.{{cite news |first=Dennis |last=Webb |title=Panel will study carbon-emission storage |url=http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/panel_will_study_carbonemissio/ |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |date=10 March 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}{{cite news |first=David O. |last=Williams |title=Levy, Schwartz, White, Looper to serve on Ritter's carbon capture task force |url=http://coloradoindependent.com/48866/levy-schwartz-white-looper-to-serve-on-ritters-carbon-capture-task-force |work=Colorado Independent |date=11 March 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-19}}

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://www.gomarsha.org/ Marsha Looper] official site
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070924170644/http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/house/members/hou19.htm Colorado General Assembly - Representative Marsha Looper] official CO House website
• [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=66179 Project Vote Smart - Representative Marsha Looper (CO)] profile
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120209130907/http://www.coloradohousegop.com/?q=node%2F37 Colorado House GOP - Marsha Looper] profile
• [http://www.FortCarsonArmy.com] Marsha Looper's Business Website

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