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DENVER, CO – Colorado House Democrats today introduced the first ten House bills of the Second Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly.
“Colorado Democrats are working to build an economy that rewards working people and where every Coloradan has a fair shot to achieve their dreams,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “From reducing the cost of housing, health care and child care to investing in our students, our first ten bills help address the most pressing issues our communities face. We believe in equipping workers with the tools and skills they need to land good-paying jobs. These legislative priorities highlight our commitment to making our great state more affordable, safer and healthier for all.”
“We’re ready to get to work lowering costs for Coloradans, safeguarding your freedoms and fostering safer communities,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats are committed to making our state more affordable, boosting small businesses, and protecting our air and water. . Key legislation I am sponsoring will foster stronger, safer communities by putting survivors of crime first.”
The HOME Act (HB26-1001, sponsors Representatives Andy Boesenecker and Javier Mabrey and Senators Tony Exum and Julie Gonzales)
Creating housing options that Coloradans can afford is one of Colorado Democrats’ biggest priorities. The HOME Act would allow schools, nonprofit organizations, and transit districts to use underutilized land to build housing, breaking down barriers to building affordable homes near transit, local businesses and the heart of our communities.
Improving access to behavioral health care (HB26-1002, sponsors Representatives Kyle Brown and Lindsay Gilchrist and Senators Matt Ball and Byron Pelton)
Everyone deserves getting the behavioral health care they need, but Colorado’s workforce shortages can limit patient access. This bill will bring more behavioral health workers and substance use disorder experts into the workforce by expediting the credentialing process and updating licensing requirements for social workers.
Saving small businesses money (HB26-1003, sponsors Representatives Naquetta Ricks and Sean Camacho and Senator Chris Kolker)
This legislation would make the successful CLIMBER pandemic recovery loan program permanent to support small businesses, create more good-paying jobs and boost local economies.
Making child care more affordable (HB26-1004, sponsors Speaker Julie McCluskie, Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, Senate President James Coleman and Minority Leader Cleave Simpson)
To save families money on child care and spur the creation of more high-quality and affordable child care facilities in our community, new bipartisan legislation will extend an income tax credit that helps fund child care facilities.
Worker Protection Act (HB26-1005, sponsors Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, Representative Javier Mabrey and Senators Jessie Danielson and Iman Jodeh)
Our economy should work for everyone, especially hardworking people. To empower workers, increase wages and strengthen the middle class, this legislation would update the 80-year-old Colorado Labor Peace Act by removing the need for a second election to form a union.
Improving higher education outcomes (HB26-1006, Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Matthew Martinez and Senator Dylan Roberts)
To equip students with the education and skills they need to secure a good-paying job after graduation, new legislation will establish a thriving designation for post-secondary higher education institutions. This bill aims to boost Colorado’s higher education landscape and support students from diverse, low-income and rural backgrounds.
Reducing energy costs with easy-to-access solar panels (HB26-1007, sponsors Representatives Lesley Smith and Rebekah Stewart and Senator Cathy Kipp)
In an effort to expand access to solar energy, new legislation will remove barriers to ‘plug-in solar’ so more Coloradans, especially those living in apartments or in shared spaces, can benefit from cost-saving solar.
Bolstering outdoor recreation and rural economies (HB26-1008, sponsors Representatives Meghan Lukens and Rick Taggart and Senators Janice Marchman and Janice Rich)
From the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains and everywhere in between, Colorado’s public lands are essential to our way of life. Colorado supports a $65.8 billion outdoor recreation economy, and this bill improves collaboration between conservation efforts, agriculture, private landowners and other public land users.
Prioritizing public safety and supporting victims of domestic violence (HB26-1009, sponsors Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Ryan Gonzalez and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Byron Pelton)
Supporting crime survivors and keeping our communities safe are top priorities for Colorado Democrats. New legislation would require police officers responding to a domestic violence case to conduct a “lethality assessment” in their report. Based on the findings, the peace officer would immediately connect the victim with a victim advocate if they believe the victim is at risk.
Supporting older Coloradans in the workforce (HB26-1010, sponsors Representative Jenny Willford and Jamie Jackson and Senator Jessie Danielson)
Colorado’s economy continues to evolve and no worker should be left behind. New legislation will help ensure older Coloradans have more opportunities to grow and thrive in their careers by studying their participation in the workforce and ensuring they have a seat at the table when making recommendations to better support and uplift them.