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  • Bipartisan FY 25-26 Budget to Protect Investments in K-12 Education, Medicaid Passes House

    The House today passed the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 state budget package < Back April 10, 2025 Bipartisan FY 25-26 Budget to Protect Investments in K-12 Education, Medicaid Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 state budget package. This bipartisan budget protects critical investments in K-12 education and Medicaid, caps tuition for higher education, and makes responsible reductions across programs and agencies to achieve a balanced budget. “This budget is something we can be proud of because it navigates significant reductions in resources while still meeting our core responsibilities. It’s no secret that protecting essential services, like K-12 education and health care, required strategic reductions to our state’s spending plan,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “From protecting access to health care for our most vulnerable, to fully funding our public schools, and capping college tuition increases, this bipartisan budget invests in the services that Coloradans rely on. Despite having to make painful decisions over the last few months, our efforts preserve the popular services that keep Coloradans safe and healthy and expand opportunity for all." “I’m proud of the thoughtful decisions we made to soften the impact of our $1.2 billion gap while prioritizing the essential services needed by families and older Coloradans,” said JBC Member Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Making these cuts doesn’t feel good; however, TABOR requires difficult tradeoffs in order to protect funding for essential services like K-12 education and Medicaid. While we’ve made progress in Colorado, I remain deeply concerned about federal policies that could harm our economy, increase costs and freeze the federal funding for services Coloradans rely on.“ The state’s $43.9 billion budget contains $16.7 billion in general fund expenditures. This year’s Long Bill, SB25-206 , is accompanied by 61 “orbital bills,” which move through the legislative process alongside the budget and make the statutory changes needed to balance the budget. The Long Bill passed by a vote of 44-21. The vast majority of orbital bills passed with bipartisan support from lawmakers. Protecting Investments in K-12 and Higher Education Protecting K-12 Funding: In just the last few years, Colorado Democrats have increased total funding for our schools by nearly $3 billion. Since the 2018-19 school year, per pupil funding has increased from $8,123 to $11,852 next year. Despite a declining enrollment environment, this year’s budget builds on steady progress to increase the resources going to our classrooms by directing an additional $150 million more from the General Fund into schools as compared to the FY24-25 budget. Ultimately, total K-12 school funding will increase by over $250 million next year through HB25-1320 , the 2025 School Finance Act. Capping Tuition Rates for Higher Education: In recent years, Colorado Democrats have fought to increase college access by limiting tuition increases and boosting funding for financial aid. This year’s budget includes a 3.5 percent cap on tuition increases for in-state students. Continuing Medicaid Services for Vulnerable Coloradans Protecting Medicaid Services that Coloradans Rely On: This year, Colorado Democrats rejected proposed reductions to provider rates and instead secured a moderate 1.6 percent increase and protected Medicaid eligibility, avoiding dire impacts to Coloradans who rely on Medicaid services. However, this progress remains under threat by federal government actions to potentially cut Medicaid. Continuing Dental Services Provided Through Medicaid: This year’s budget protects funding for Coloradans on Medicaid to receive dental care. Supporting Colorado Kids and Families Bolstering Child Care Assistance: The budget invests $15 million in FY24-25 and $10 million in FY25-26 to increase support for the child care assistance program, a vital resource for low-income families to ensure access to quality child care providers which have seen long waitlists and frozen enrollment in many counties due to funding restrictions. Early Intervention Support for Colorado Children: The budget increases support for early intervention services that help bridge developmental gaps for infants and toddlers who were born premature or with other special needs. This year, Colorado Democrats acted swiftly to plug an unexpected gap in funding in FY24-25 by providing $4 million to halt proposed service reductions, and are investing an additional $16.5 million to sustain the program in FY25-26. Healthy School Meals for All: This budget fully funds the Healthy School Meals for All program through the end of the year, preserving what voters previously approved at the ballot. If HB25-1274 passes, a referred ballot measure in November will ask voters to weigh in on whether to continue the program or scale it back. Anti-Poverty Programs Administered by Local Governments: This year’s budget protects programs like TANF and SNAP administered by local governments to serve the most vulnerable communities. Preserving Colorado’s Public Lands and Natural Resources Investing in State Parks: This budget preserves and improves Colorado’s state parks, including $52 million in investments to protect critical habitats, maintain park facilities, and reinforce parks infrastructure. Promoting Water Conservation: This year’s budget protects funding for water conservation and resource management projects to ensure access to clean water for generations of Coloradans to come. Safeguarding Colorado's Civil Liberties Maintaining Election Security: The Trump administration abruptly halted federal support for election security, including from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This budget keeps Colorado’s elections safe and secure by providing $410,000 for robust security assessments and critical technology for all local elections systems. Defending Against Unlawful Federal Actions: Amidst ongoing uncertainty from the Trump administration, the budget allocates an additional $604,000 for increased support in the Attorney General’s Office to fight reckless, unlawful federal actions and protect federal funding that Coloradans rely on. This year’s budget also sets aside $4 million via SB25-269 and HB25-1321 to protect Colorado from the Trump administration's attempts to freeze federal grants or undermine Colorado’s sovereignty. Previous Next

  • Gov. Polis Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Employee-Owned Businesses

    Governor Polis today signed a bipartisan bill to expand the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to strengthen incentives for businesses transitioning to an employee-owned business model. < Back May 23, 2023 Gov. Polis Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Employee-Owned Businesses DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed a bipartisan bill to expand the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to strengthen incentives for businesses transitioning to an employee-owned business model. “With the expansion of Colorado’s Employee Ownership Tax Credit, local businesses can continue to increase wages, improve job security, and offer better benefit options for hardworking Coloradans,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “Employee-owned business models make succession planning easier for business owners while keeping businesses within their community. With this bill being signed into law today, Colorado business owners will now have additional tools to sell or retire and employees will have more opportunities to own the business they work for.” In 2021, Colorado Democrats created a first-in-the-nation refundable income tax credit that incentivizes business owners to move towards employee-owned business models. It allows business owners who are looking to move on from the company to pass the business on to their employees, allowing the business to stay within the community and giving hard-working Coloradans a stake in the company. HB23-1081 , also sponsored by Republican Representative Rick Taggart, expands on the Employee Ownership Tax Credit by: Making partially employee-owned businesses eligible to help cover the costs associated with expanding employee ownership; Expanding methods that businesses are using to transfer equity to employees; and Strengthening incentives for eligible businesses that are transitioning to employee ownership with existing resources. Previous Next

  • JOINT RELEASE: New Health Care Laws Go Into Effect

    Laws include consumer medical debt protections and increased transparency of hospital community benefits < Back August 3, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: New Health Care Laws Go Into Effect Laws include consumer medical debt protections and increased transparency of hospital community benefits DENVER, CO - On August 7, two new health care laws go into effect in Colorado to limit the negative impacts of medical debt on patients’ credit reports or credit score and increase transparency of hospital community benefits. “After life-saving medical care, patients are often blindsided by medical debt that they can’t keep up with, making it more difficult to qualify for housing, employment, or affordable interest rates,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1126 . “Because of HB23-1126, Coloradans’ credit scores and credit reports will no longer be impacted by outstanding medical debt. I’m proud to have carried this law to protect Colorado patients from having their whole life being negatively impacted by outstanding health care costs.” “Medical debt, which is often unexpected and accrues rapidly, can have impacts on credit scores and reports even if the debt has been settled with creditors,” said Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB23-1126. “This creates barriers for folks trying to access necessities like housing, utilities, and loans, and it needs to change. With our new law, we’re putting in place new consumer protections that will help ensure Coloradans’ financial futures are not unduly impacted by their medical debt.” Often medical expenses come as a surprise to many patients, leaving people unable to plan for expensive bills. Currently, when someone can’t afford a medical expense, the bill is sent to collections, and that information is shared with consumer reporting agencies that generate consumer reports and credit scores that are used by banks, landlords, employers, and insurance and utility companies. Medical debt affects people of all ages and incomes, but it disproportionately impacts those with a chronic illness or medical condition who rely on continual medical care to maintain their quality of life. HB23-1126 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg (R-Loveland), adds medical debt to the list of information that consumer reporting agencies are not allowed to include in a credit report, updates exemptions to expand consumer privacy protections, and requires collectors and collecting agencies to notify Coloradans that medical debt will no longer be included in credit reports. These changes will take effect on August 7, 2023. “We’re making sure that large non-profit hospital systems actually invest in community-based programs that strengthen the services Coloradans need and want,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1243. “This law improves accountability surrounding how tax exempt hospitals spend resources in the community, so we can ensure Coloradans can access critical services that reduce their health care costs and help them lead healthier lives.” “Non-profit hospitals have the opportunity to provide much needed benefits back to their community,” said Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, sponsor of HB23-1243. “House Bill 1243 works to ensure the public’s concerns are heard when hospitals are determining what benefits to provide to their community. This new law requires greater transparency from hospitals about what benefits are being funded and how community feedback is being implemented, ensuring Coloradans have access to the unique services they need.” Beginning on August 7, HB23-1243 centers on increasing the transparency of nonprofit hospitals’ community benefit spending through incorporating community feedback into the community benefit implementation plan. The law also requires each reporting hospital to seek feedback and engagement from a diverse range of community members during its annual proposed community benefit implementation plan, submit a detailed report about any discussions or decisions at the annual meeting, make the report public, and execute a community benefit plan that addresses the needs of the community as discussed in the annual meeting to better understand the impact community benefit spending has on the health of Coloradans and what the greatest needs are. Previous Next

  • Lukens Bill to Improve Access to Safe Housing Passes Committee

    The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to improve access to housing for survivors of domestic violence. The bill passed by a vote of 8-4. < Back April 9, 2024 Lukens Bill to Improve Access to Safe Housing Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to improve access to housing for survivors of domestic violence. The bill passed by a vote of 8-4. “Housing is critical in allowing survivors of domestic and sexual violence to escape their abuser, and when a survivor doesn’t have a safe place to live, they are either forced to stay in a dangerous situation or are at risk of becoming homeless,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Barriers to housing should never prevent someone from seeking safety. Our legislation would make it easier for survivors to secure housing away from their abuser, keeping them and their children safe and housed.” HB24-1431 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would create the Stable Housing for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence Program. The program would coordinate with community-based organizations to provide short-term assistance payments to survivors of abuse so they can secure safe housing. A 2023 study found that survivors who received housing support reported a decrease in physical, psychological, and economic abuse for themselves and their children. Previous Next

  • House Passes Snyder Bill to Jumpstart Long-Term Property Tax Solutions

    The legislation would create a commission to identify long-term solutions to rising property taxes < Back November 18, 2023 House Passes Snyder Bill to Jumpstart Long-Term Property Tax Solutions DENVER, CO – The House today passed Representative Marc Snyder’s legislation to create a commission to develop long-term solutions to rising property taxes in Colorado. HB23B-1003 , passed by a vote of 39-21 and would create a task force to outline plans for short-term and long-term property tax relief. “Combatting our state’s affordability crisis requires us to think broadly about ways to provide both short-term and long-term property tax relief for hard working Coloradans while protecting funding for schools, fire districts and the critical services Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “My legislation would convene a task force, made up of both local and statewide leaders, to develop solutions to rising property taxes. Colorado Democrats are committed to making our state a more affordable place for everyone, and this legislation continues our ongoing efforts to provide property tax relief to Coloradans in all four corners of our state.” HB23B-1003 , would create the Commission on Property Tax task force to outline plans for long and short term property tax relief. The task force members would include legislators, a property tax administrator and different local government and community leaders. The goal of HB23B-1003 is to map out potential long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. Under HB23B-1003, the task force would convene by the week of November 27, 2023, and deliver a report to the Legislative Council by March 1, 2024. Previous Next

  • House Passes Amabile Bill to Boost Access to Mental Health Resources

    The House today passed legislation to evaluate a comprehensive system that could connect Coloradans with a serious mental illness with behavioral health care resources that lead to long-term recovery. The bill passed by a vote of 59-5. < Back April 13, 2023 House Passes Amabile Bill to Boost Access to Mental Health Resources DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to evaluate a comprehensive system that could connect Coloradans with a serious mental illness with behavioral health care resources that lead to long-term recovery. The bill passed by a vote of 59-5. “Many Coloradans with a serious mental illness end up in our hospitals, jails or without a place to live because they lack access to services that keep them housed, healthy, and employed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “We’ve invested over $400 million in the last couple of years to increase access to mental health care and substance use treatment. This bill continues to move us forward by working to establish a comprehensive system to treat mental illnesses, prevent cycling in and out of jails, hospitals, and homelessness, and allow all Coloradans the chance to build a better life for themselves.” HB23-1153 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, would conduct a study to determine the state’s ability to establish a system that connects Coloradans with serious mental illness with necessary behavioral health care and housing support services. The study would consider statewide data regarding the number of unhoused people living with a serious mental illness, current capacity for inpatient psychiatric units, financial barriers that prevent Coloradans from seeking treatment, behavioral health care workforce shortages, and other factors. Previous Next

  • Froelich, Velasco Bill to Collect Data on Working Conditions and Extreme Temperatures Passes Committee

    The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to better understand how extreme temperatures impact working conditions and worker safety. < Back March 18, 2026 Froelich, Velasco Bill to Collect Data on Working Conditions and Extreme Temperatures Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to better understand how extreme temperatures impact working conditions and worker safety. HB26-1272 passed committee by a vote of 8-5. “Colorado workers are increasingly exposed to dangerous heat and cold as our weather becomes more extreme,” said Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “As federal action to protect our workers has stalled out, this bill lays the groundwork for keeping Colorado workers safe from extreme temperatures. Given Colorado’s budget constraints, we’re focused on collecting this important data to help us understand how extreme temperatures impact worker health and safety. Through data collection and readily available temperature-related injury and illness prevention plans, we’re moving forward with a bill that puts workers first today and creates a roadmap for the future.” “There’s a gap in support for Colorado workers exposed to dangerous heat and cold, and we need to do more to keep our workers safe and healthy on the job,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Colorado is facing a significant budget deficit, so our bill focuses on data collection of temperature-related injuries, illnesses and emergencies in workplaces. Climate change is already impacting working conditions and HB26-1275 is the first step toward creating a safer future for Colorado workers.” HB26-1272 outlines a pathway for Colorado to protect workers from extreme temperatures. This bill would require the state to collect and analyze temperature-related injuries, illnesses, and emergencies at worksites, as well as hospital visits and related workers' compensation in the state. This data would serve as an important baseline for future rulemaking and temperature-related injury prevention planning. Under this bill, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) would develop a model temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan (TRIIPP) by 2028. TRIIPPs typically include methods for cooling down, such as access to water, shade, and gradual acclimatization for workers. Once created, the TRIIPP would be available to lawmakers and employers on CDLE’s public website. CDLE would be responsible for updating the TRIIPP annually to meet the needs of workers. This legislation is the first step toward keeping workers safe on the job by prioritizing education and evidence-gathering that reflect conditions across industries and regions in Colorado. The findings from this bill’s implementation will inform future protections and legislation. Previous Next

  • New Law to Create the Office of Rail Safety Goes Into Effect

    Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. < Back July 1, 2024 New Law to Create the Office of Rail Safety Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. HB24-1030 , sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, creates the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office is required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office is required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. "Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Cutter. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry." “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Mabrey. “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Exum said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.” “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Mauro. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.” The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by: Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination; Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems; Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches; Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations. Previous Next

  • REP. FROELICH’S BILL TO INCREASE VOTING ACCESS FOR COLORADANS WITH DISABILITIES UNANIMOUSLY PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE

    < Back April 19, 2019 REP. FROELICH’S BILL TO INCREASE VOTING ACCESS FOR COLORADANS WITH DISABILITIES UNANIMOUSLY PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE Democrats working to increase access to ballot box (Apr. 18) – Rep. Meg Froelich’s bill to increase voting access for people with disabilities unanimously passed out of the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee. This important legislation would give voters with disabilities greater access to the ballot box in order to fit their specific needs. “It’s critically important that we improve access to the ballot box for all Coloradans,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “We should never disqualify individuals from voting and participating in our democratic process based on a disability. This bill will do more to ensure we aren’t disenfranchising voters.” If signed into law, this bill would require the Secretary of State to establish a process to enable voters with disabilities to mark a paper ballot using nonvisual access or low vision access technology whether the voter is voting in a mail ballot election or voting at a polling location. SB19-202 passed unanimously. It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

  • Bacon Bill to Prevent Discrimination in Schools Passes

    The House today passed a bill, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, that aims to prevent discrimination in public schools based on disability, race, sexual orientation and other protected classes. < Back May 7, 2026 Bacon Bill to Prevent Discrimination in Schools Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed a bill, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, that aims to prevent discrimination in public schools based on disability, race, sexual orientation and other protected classes. “Our legislation makes it clear that Colorado students deserve protections if they experience discrimination based on their skin color, sexual orientation and disability,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “With the Trump Administration slashing funding for the federal Office of Civil Rights, it is crucial that Colorado strengthen civil rights protections to protect students. Students deserve a safe learning environment. This bill would help ensure that students who experience discrimination have a pathway to accountability and a remedy to ensure equal access to quality education.” HB26-1141 , which passed by a vote of 42-22, would prohibit public K-12 schools, higher education institutions and their employees from discriminating based on a protected class, like disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and national origin. The bill also adds pregnancy and prenatal status to the definition of “harassment and discrimination" in K-12 public schools. The bill outlines discrimination in K-12 schools and higher education institutions as denying a person the full and equal enjoyment of a public accommodation when the school: Excludes a student from participating in school programs or activities, Denies educational services, benefits, or opportunities to a student without a legitimate, non-discriminatory basis and treats the student differently than a similar student, and Fails to take prompt and effective steps to address a complaint that they have created a hostile environment based on a protected class. The bill allows an impacted student or their family to file a discrimination complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division. The division is also able to create rules specifically for how to address these types of complaints. Higher education institutions, including community and technical colleges, would be required to establish a discrimination complaint process. They would also be required to designate a Title VI coordinator to ensure compliance with the bill and Title VI, educate students and employees about the complaint process, manage and respond to grievances and publish data on violations. Since Trump started his second term, he has slashed the US Department of Education’s workforce by nearly 50 percent , including firing half of the staff in the Office for Civil Rights and closing seven of the 12 regional offices. The Office of Civil Rights leads investigations of discrimination at schools and higher education institutions across the country. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon previously passed a law that clearly defines what is considered harassment and discrimination in Colorado’s K-12 public schools. She also passed a law in 2024 that ensures that schools and educators have trauma-informed resources to support youth against harassment and discrimination. Previous Next

  • GOV SIGNS BILL TO ENSURE CULTURALLY COMPETENT HISTORY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS

    < Back May 28, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILL TO ENSURE CULTURALLY COMPETENT HISTORY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS (May 28) – Gov Polis signed a bill by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, and Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, to ensure the inclusion of the history of American-Indians, Latinos, African-Americans and Asian-Americans in social studies courses in Colorado’s classrooms. “Our diversity is what makes our country and our state strong but for too long, individuals and communities that have moved or immigrated here and those that have been here for many centuries communities have been excluded from our teaching of history,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “With an increase in division among some of our communities, it will be beneficial for all children and youth to learn about each other’s background and to be able to see themselves in the history books.” HB19-1192 was signed at the Corky Gonzales Library in Denver. Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez is the granddaughter of Chicano leader Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales. Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, is the Senate co-prime sponsor. All three bill sponsors are Latinx women in their first year at the state legislature. “Teaching inclusive curriculum boosts test scores and student engagement,” said Rep. Buentello when the bill passed the House. “I’m proud to sponsor this bill to ensure that the history taught in our state is truly inclusive and tells our country’s full story.” This bill would establish a 16-member commission to provide recommendations to the Department of Education so that those standards and programs accurately reflect the history, culture, social contributions and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the contributions and influence of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans. Parents, teachers, administrators and school board members testified in support of the bill at the House Education committee hearing this year. ### Previous Next

  • Bill to Increase Affordable For-Sale Housing Signed Into Law

    SB25-006 invests up to $50 million to activate development of affordable for-sale housing < Back May 15, 2025 Bill to Increase Affordable For-Sale Housing Signed Into Law FRISCO, CO – Today, legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City, to unlock Colorado’s ability to invest in affordable for-sale housing was signed into law. Cosponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, SB25-006 will allow the state treasurer to invest up to $50 million in Colorado Housing Finance Authority bonds to buy down the construction and mortgage costs of affordable for-sale housing that would otherwise not be built. These funds will give low interest rates to builders in exchange for long-term affordability protections and low mortgage rates to low- and middle-income buyers to ease their way into the housing market. “We know that affordable and attainable housing is a challenge facing our whole state,” said Roberts. “This law will allow us to use existing resources to help build more ‘starter homes’ which is key to giving hardworking Coloradans the opportunity to own a home and accumulate generational wealth.” “This bipartisan law will save people money on housing and open up additional funding to build homes that work for every budget,” said Rutinel. “Coloradans sent us to the Capitol to help make our state more affordable, and that is especially true when it comes to the housing crisis. More ‘starter homes’ in our communities will support local workforces and make it easier for hardworking Coloradans to become homeowners.” The $50 million is expected to finance homeownership for 175-200 new low- and middle-income residents. Previous Next

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