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DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Tom Sullivan to establish new housing protections for veterans today passed the State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 10-1.
“No veteran should ever be denied a place to live because they served our nation,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, “It’s already challenging enough to find an affordable place to live in Colorado, and the last thing someone needs to face is a baseless act of discrimination. With this bill, we’re breaking down barriers by prohibiting discrimination against veterans that has sometimes prevented those who have protected our country from renting or buying a home.”
“We make a promise to the men and women who serve our nation, and that means having their backs when they complete their service,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “I’m proud of our work to protect those who have protected us and ensure that no veteran in Colorado is denied a place to live because they put their country first.”
Over 400,000 veterans call Colorado home. HB22-1102 prohibits anyone selling or leasing a dwelling from discriminating against an individual based on their veteran or military status. The bill also prohibits someone from refusing to negotiate for housing with a veteran or otherwise denying or withholding housing on the basis of someone’s veterans or military status. The bill would add veteran or military status to Colorado law that currently prohibits housing discrimination because of a person’s disability, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry or familial status. The bill does not extend protections to those who have been dishonorably discharged.