House Democrats Introduce First Ten Bills

DENVER, CO – Colorado House Democrats today introduced the first ten House bills of the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly.

“This session, we’re excited to continue our work to make our state more affordable, increase funding for K-12 education, and deliver results for hardworking families,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Our first ten bills will create jobs in rural parts of our state and save Coloradans money on housing, health care and prescription drugs. House Democrats will improve wildfire mitigation efforts, increase access to early childhood education, and expand our behavioral health workforce to build a stronger, safer and healthier Colorado. We are ready to get to work.”

“Colorado Democrats are ready to get to work to save people money, improve access to health care and create safer communities,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “With our first ten bills, we’re ramping up our efforts to help combat wage theft, create housing options for every budget and reduce the cost of prescription drugs. It is an honor to continue our work to make our great state more equitable, affordable and safer for all.” 

Creating jobs in rural Colorado (HB24-1001; Representatives Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, and Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction; Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa)

This legislation reduces the costs of starting a new business or hiring new employees in rural economic jumpstart zones, boosting rural economies, supporting small businesses, and creating jobs.

Boosting the behavioral health care workforce (HB24-1002; Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver and Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista; Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland and Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction)

This legislation will expand access to behavioral health care by increasing the number of licensed social workers in Colorado, reducing barriers for social workers to enter the profession and serve people in need. 

Preventing overdoses in schools (HB24-1003; Representatives Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Mary Young, D-Greeley; Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa)

By encouraging schools to make opiate antagonists and drug testing strips more available to students, this bill will prevent drug overdose deaths and save lives in Colorado schools and on school buses. 

Reducing recidivism by expanding workforce opportunities (HB24-1004; Representatives Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver and Shannon Bird, D-Westminster; Senator James Coleman, D-Denver)

This legislation strengthens our workforce and reduces recidivism by ensuring Coloradans who have served their time can re-enter our workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families and succeed in their careers.

Saving Coloradans money on health care (HB24-1005; Representatives Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood and David Ortiz, D-Littleton; Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora)

This bill saves Coloradans money on health care by increasing access to primary care and requiring insurance carriers to include a primary care provider as a participating provider in all networks, which can allow patients to continue to see their preferred doctor.

Improving wildfire mitigation efforts in rural communities (HB24-1006; Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs and Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs; Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County and Perry Will, R-New Castle)

By making it easier to find and apply for state and federal wildfire mitigation grants, this bill helps rural communities better combat wildfires through prevention, response, and risk management.

Expanding access to housing (HB24-1007; Representatives Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City and Javier Mabrey, D-Denver; Senators Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver)

Arbitrary residential occupancy limits drive up housing costs and make it harder for Coloradans to find and afford housing in their communities. This bill saves Coloradans money on housing by prohibiting these unnecessary limits unless they are explicitly to protect the safety, health and welfare of tenants. 

Preventing wage theft from vulnerable workers (HB24-1008; Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood; Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont)

This bill helps secure economic justice for Coloradans by holding employers accountable and ensuring workers are paid their full wage in the construction industry. 

Expanding access to early childhood programs (HB24-1009; Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango; Senators Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins and Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction)

HB24-1009 will make early childhood education more inclusive and accessible by expanding bilingual early childhood programs and facilities with a new bilingual licensing unit in the Department of Early Childhood. 

Saving Coloradans money on prescription drugs (HB24-1010; Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora and Matt Soper, R-Delta; Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City)

This bill streamlines prescription drug access for Coloradans with chronic, complex, rare or life threatening medical conditions so they can receive the medication they need, when they need it.