The House Judiciary Committee today passed three bills to prevent prison overcrowding, better honor earned time for early release and avoid the need for the state to purchase a $100 million prison. < Back April 28, 2026 Three Bills to Prevent Prison Overcrowding, Better Manage Prison Population Pass Committee DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed three bills to prevent prison overcrowding, better honor earned time for early release and avoid the need for the state to purchase a $100 million prison. “If we do not take action to address the backlog and overcrowding issue, we risk the health and safety of people in our prisons and force the state to purchase a costly prison at the expense of core services like K-12 education and healthcare,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of SB26-036. “Our bill would raise the vacancy rate trigger to give us more time to mitigate overcrowding and change the way we calculate the prison population and to account for the county jail backlog. This would allow us to use existing resources effectively and efficiently and prevent unnecessary prison expansion.” “Proper prison population management measures can prevent overcrowding and identify individuals who have successfully met the requirements to be released on parole and are not a risk to reoffend,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of SB26-036. “Colorado’s current prison population management measures were a bipartisan effort to prevent prison overcrowding. This bill would ensure that these measures are working effectively to protect the health and safety of incarcerated people without needing to funnel crucial state funding into expanding Colorado’s prison infrastructure.” In 2018, the legislature unanimously passed a law that created guidelines for the justice system to follow when the prison vacancy rate falls below three percent for 30 consecutive days. SB26-036 would raise the vacancy rate trigger to 4 percent for 30 consecutive days and would update current prison population management measures (PPMM) to prevent overcrowding and protect the health and safety of correctional staff and incarcerated people. If the trigger is activated, the Department of Corrections must follow the PPMM until the vacancy rate exceeds five percent for 30 consecutive days. The PPMM includes: Notifying certain elected and judicial officials within 48 hours of the trigger being activated, Encouraging judicial officials to use evidence-based alternatives to prison and encouraging defense attorneys to utilize available resources to advocate for alternatives to a prison sentence for pending cases, Expediting parole review for incarcerated people in the lowest security level facilities, and Addressing delays in releasing incarcerated people who have been granted conditional release by the parole board. SB26-036 passed by a vote of 7-4. SB26-159 , which passed by a vote of 7-4, would adjust how earned time is calculated and incentivize incarcerated Coloradans to engage in activities that would reduce their sentences. “We have to look at our current prison populations before we jump to purchasing a $100 million prison, which is why we’re bringing this bill,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of SB26-159. “When we provide educational and behavioral health resources for incarcerated Coloradans, we can reduce recidivism and encourage their successful reentry into our communities. This bill promotes public safety while reducing the current and unsustainable strain on Colorado’s prison system.” “This bill helps reduce recidivism by encouraging incarcerated Coloradans to prepare for success by completing college courses, therapy sessions and re-entry programs,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of SB26-159. “In 2023, I proudly passed a law to allow Coloradans incarcerated for a non-violent felony to reduce their sentence by completing a college degree or certificate. Our bill expands the amount of earned time that incarcerated people can accrue and dedicates resources to identify data-informed ways that we can address prison capacity issues.” The bill allows an incarcerated person to accrue up to 14 days of earned time each month if they have certain non-violent felony convictions, have not incurred certain disciplinary violations while incarcerated and participate in certain programs. SB26-159 also adds different ways that people can earn time for early release and gives incarcerated people more earned time for completing a program that directly relates to their offense, such as substance use treatment or an anger management program. The bill also creates the CDOC Comprehensive Planning Working Group to make data-driven recommendations for a prison capacity management plan. The group would consider input from correctional staff, incarcerated people, survivors of crimes and other relevant parties. The recommendations would include strategies to address gaps in programs designed to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals and prepare them for their release, avoid prison overcrowding and identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies that prevent incarcerated people from being released. SB26-158 , which passed by a vote of 9-2, would allow the Parole Board to grant early parole to incarcerated people in the Juveniles and Young Adults Convicted as Adults Program (JYACAP). “There is a backlog of people who have completed a program designed to rehabilitate youthful offenders and support their reintegration into our communities, yet they continue to sit behind bars for years as they wait to be released,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB26-158. “This bill allows the Parole Board to weigh in on JYACAP cases to alleviate the burden on the governor as the sole person who can grant early parole and creates clear timelines for cases to be reviewed.” “Our bill would expand authority to grant early parole under the Juveniles and Young Adults Convicted as Adults Program for an individual who has already served 20 to 30 years. Those who successfully complete rehabilitation and re-entry programs would have their applications adjudicated in a timely manner,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver, sponsor of SB26-158. “JYACAP modifies the parole procedures for young people who were convicted as adults. The program prepares them for success upon re-entry while protecting our communities. This legislation would ensure that graduates of this program know when their applications for early parole will be decided.” Currently, only the Governor can grant early parole to individuals in JYACAP. Under the bill, the Parole Board would also be able to grant early parole if the individual has successfully completed the JYACAP and with consideration of relevant information. It also establishes a timeline for cases to be reviewed after an individual graduates from the program. In order to complete the JYACAP specialized programming, the incarcerated individual must acknowledge their impact and ongoing trauma of the survivor and identify interventions to prevent the incarcerated individual’s trauma from impacting a successful reentry into their community. There are currently four JYACAP graduates from 2024 and seven from 2025 who are waiting to be granted early parole. Previous Next

New laws aim to crack down on tax avoidance, tax breaks for corporations and helps fill $1 billion revenue hole created by Congressional Republicans’ budget < Back August 28, 2025 Bills to Crack Down on Foreign Tax Havens, Close Tax Breaks for Corporations and Protect Critical Services Become Law New laws aim to crack down on tax avoidance, tax breaks for corporations and helps fill $1 billion revenue hole created by Congressional Republicans’ budget DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law. These new laws will protect core services and close corporate tax loopholes after Republicans in Congress created a $1 billion hole in Colorado’s budget with massive corporate tax cuts. HB25B-1002 cracks down on foreign tax havens and offshore bank accounts, and HB25B-1001 limits tax breaks for higher-earning business owners by permanently decoupling from a federal tax giveaway. “This legislation prevents corporations from hiding money overseas so they can dodge paying their fair share of taxes, ” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “Congressional Republicans’ budget handed billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest people and corporations, and it’s only fair that we close these loopholes and protect funding for teachers, health care and transportation. Everyday people can’t stash their income overseas to avoid taxes, and neither should billionaires and corporations.” “In both terms, Donald Trump has given large corporations more leeway to dodge taxes by shifting profits overseas,” said Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “Colorado shouldn’t reward that behavior, and this law makes sure those companies pay their fair share towards Colorado's schools, health care, and roads.” “The irresponsible Republican tax bill not only runs the largest deficit since World War II to give massive tax giveaways to large corporations, it also undermines the strength of our country and blasts a billion-dollar hole in Colorado's balanced budget,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “I sponsored this law to close loopholes used by large multinational corporations to shield and hide their income in foreign tax havens, including those that Trump's own Secretary of Commerce has called ‘tax scams’. It is disappointing that some colleagues chose to vote to protect these tax scams used by large multinational companies and ultra-wealthy individuals with access to sophisticated tax planning to avoid paying taxes, which increases the burden upon small businesses and individuals to fund the state's essential services, from roads to schools.” HB25B-1002 cracks down on foreign tax havens, offshore bank accounts and other tax loopholes for US companies that dodge Colorado taxes with foreign assets. Unless they can prove legitimate operations in the foreign country, Colorado requires companies incorporated in common tax havens, like Cayman Islands and Panama, to pay Colorado taxes to prevent international tax avoidance. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the law expands the list of countries to include Hong Kong, Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and Singapore. In 2017, President Trump created a special tax break, now known as the Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income (FDDEI) deduction, for multi-national businesses that kept their intangible assets in the US. The law decouples the state from the FDDEI to prevent companies from benefiting from larger Colorado tax breaks for investments and assets that are based outside of the state. President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts also allowed pass-through businesses, like S corporations and real estate investment trusts, to avoid paying taxes on up to 20-percent of qualified business income. In 2020, the Colorado legislature passed the “Tax Fairness Act” , decoupling from this federal tax cut by creating an add-back for this deduction for high-income business owners with an income over $500,000 per year for single filers or $1 million per year for joint filers. “These corporate tax breaks show loud and clear that Trump and Congressional Republicans care more about helping their wealthy friends hoard more wealth than providing essential government services to hardworking Americans,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “Legislation like HB25B-1001 will help us stop these corporate giveaways and continue life-saving food assistance and health care programs for Coloradans.” “Congressional Republicans passed a budget that adds even more tax breaks to high-earning business owners while kicking Coloradans off of their health insurance coverage and raising costs for all Coloradans,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “When Trump passed tax breaks in his first term that allowed high-earners to lop 20-percent off their taxable income, Colorado Democrats took action and decoupled from this federal giveaway for the wealthy. This law makes Colorado’s decoupling permanent and prioritizes hardworking Coloradans.” “In 2021, the Colorado legislature took major strides toward reversing Trump’s corporate tax breaks in order to protect essential services for Coloradans who depend on them,” said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “This year, Trump and Congressional Republicans made those tax breaks permanent, so we're fighting to continue prioritizing the basic services that benefit hardworking Coloradans the most. With this new law, we’re permanently decoupling from these unfair tax breaks to ensure corporations pay their fair share to hardworking Coloradans.” The legislature previously extended the decoupling and add-back through 2025. HB25B-1001 makes Colorado’s decoupling permanent, responding to the action by Republicans in Congress to make the tax giveaway permanent at the federal level in HR 1. Previous Next

< Back March 26, 2019 BECKER-CARAVEO BILL TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS & GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES A VOICE TAKES NEXT STEP (Mar. 25) – The House Finance committee passed a bill to update Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, empowering local communities, and protecting Colorado’s clean air and clean water. “Oil and gas drilling is happening in neighborhoods at unprecedented levels and if industry continues to ignore the Coloradans who are raising issues around drilling–as they have been for years–they will continue to be in the same position,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “I’m proud of this bill and the stakeholder work that has gone into it because it will finally put health and safety first, protect our air, water and enhance our way of life.” “As a pediatrician and legislator, I support this bill because we should be protecting the health and safety of the children I care for in my clinic every day,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, the legislature’s only doctor and the co-prime sponsor of the bill. “ We shouldn’t prioritize well sites over of the health of wheezing infants. Flow lines shouldn’t be more important than the cardiovascular systems of seniors. That’s why this bill gives tools to local governments to decide what is the right balance between responsible resource extraction and the health of Coloradans.” The bill directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to regulate oil and gas development to protect public welfare, and clarifies that local governments have the same authority to regulate the oil and gas industry as they have with every other industry in Colorado – including the mining industry. The bill also removes the prohibition against local governments requiring oil and gas companies to cover the direct costs of regulating, monitoring and permitting the sites in their communities. The bill addresses emissions and air quality by requiring increased monitoring and implementing a rule-making process to reduce emissions to better meet federal regulations. A “brown cloud” returned to Denver earlier this month and reports showed that the air quality was worse than that of Beijing. SB19-181 would also ensure that taxpayers are not footing the bill for cleaning up orphan oil and gas wells that have been abandoned but not adequately plugged. Current bonding requirements are often found to be inadequate to cover the cost of clean-up when a company abandons a well. Clean-up costs for just one abandoned well costs an average of $82,000. Currently, there are more than 260 known orphan wells and 365 associated known orphan well sites in 31 Colorado counties. Finally, SB19-181 also provides increased protections for property owners with regard to forced pooling. Under current law, just one mineral rights owner can start the process of “force pooling” other mineral interest owners and require development of those resources – against the will of the majority of the owners. This bill would raise the threshold and put more transparency and guardrails on the process. The arguments peddled by the oil and gas industry are misleading. The sponsors and proponents of the bill made clear during the hearing that this bill is not a reiteration of Proposition 112, nor is it a moratorium or a ban on drilling. SB19-181 passed the House Finance Committee on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to expand wildfire prevention efforts through community education. < Back January 22, 2024 House Committee Passes Bill to Expand Wildfire Prevention Awareness DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to expand wildfire prevention efforts through community education. HB24-1024 , sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Elizabeth Velasco, passed by a vote of 10-2. “When it comes to reducing wildfire risk, we need every Coloradan, whether they live in the foothills, forested areas or rural areas, to know how they can protect their homes and businesses,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “This legislation ensures communities receive information on effective wildfire mitigation strategies, such as reducing vegetation and fire fuels within 5 feet of our homes. Combating wildfires begins with good mitigation, and this bill also continues the Colorado State Forest Service’s efforts to educate Coloradans about these effective strategies.” “We’re taking steps to reduce destructive wildfires and protect our communities, businesses and homes,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Colorado’s rural and mountain communities like mine are some of the most at-risk for wildfire damage, and this legislation extends an education and outreach campaign to increase residential mitigation efforts. Reducing wildfire risk in our backyards begins with awareness, and this legislation shares important tactics to help Coloradans protect their homes in the wake of a wildfire.” HB24-1024 would require the Colorado State Forest Service to continue its enhanced wildfire outreach campaign through 2027, as well as other outreach efforts that increase awareness of wildfire risk mitigation in the wildland-urban interface. This bill was created through the Wildfire Matters Review Committee , which spearheaded legislation to improve wildfire mitigation, bolster the forestry workforce, and increase wildfire awareness. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation to encourage Colorado schools, businesses, higher education institutions and local governments to reduce food waste. < Back February 27, 2025 Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Food Waste Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to encourage Colorado schools, businesses, higher education institutions and local governments to reduce food waste. HB25-1166 would add food waste reduction in the state’s voluntary sustainability program. “Reducing food waste saves business money, helps feed our community and protects our environment,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “This bill encourages businesses, grocers, and local governments to help reduce food waste by expanding available training and liability protections for food donors. More than one-third of food in our state ends up in our landfills.This bipartisan bill encourages and empowers our community to combat food waste at the source.” HB25-1166 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, passed the House by a vote of 57 to 6. This bill to combat food waste by directing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to include food waste reduction as part of their sustainability programs and provide training materials. This bill also helps promote food waste prevention and reduction strategies statewide. This legislation also encourages local businesses to donate leftover food instead of throwing it away. It also encourages locally prepared foods to use “use by” labeling to avoid unnecessary food waste. According to Feeding America, 38-percent of all food in the United States goes unsold or uneaten and 145 billion meals wind up in landfills. This bill aims to help cut back on food waste. Previous Next

The House Health & Insurance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in hospital reporting requirements. The bill passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back March 28, 2023 Hospital Transparency Bill to Save Coloradans Money Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Insurance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in hospital reporting requirements. The bill passed by a vote of 11-0. “This legislation will help us understand how we can craft cost saving measures by understanding where price increases are coming from and how money is being transferred between entities and spent,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “By improving hospital reporting requirements, we’ll have a more thorough understanding of Colorado hospitals’ cash flow so we can continue to drive down health care costs for consumers and businesses.” HB23-1226 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, builds off of hospital transparency legislation also carried by Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy in 2019 to bolster price transparency and reduce health care costs. Under HB23-1226, hospitals would have to disclose detailed revenue and expenditure streams, including data from previous years, for the hospital expenditure report, which would be renamed to the hospital transparency report under this bill. Hospitals would also have to disclose investments and other assets to and from related parties, including the hospital’s parent organization, and whether the transfers were made within or outside Colorado. This would identify underlying drivers of high hospital costs and strengthen data collection on the financial health and performance of Colorado hospitals. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing would have the power to apply corrective action plans or fines to hospitals that do not comply with data collection procedures. Hospitals would also be required to provide patients with a detailed list of billed services and the associated charges and disclose the patient’s right to receive more detailed information about the billed services. Previous Next

HB23-1286 increases the fines for injuring or killing a law enforcement K-9 < Back April 24, 2023 Duran Bill to Support Police Working Animals Passes House HB23-1286 increases the fines for injuring or killing a law enforcement K-9 DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Ryan Armagost that would increase fines for injuring or killing service animals, police K-9s and horses. HB23-1286 passed by a vote of 61 to 3. “Police K-9s are valued members of the team that works to respond to tragedy and keep our communities safe,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Our legislation makes it clear – if you severely injure or kill a service or police animal, you will face fines. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Colorado. We support our K-9 heroes, especially those recently lost in the line of duty, because they are valued members of our homes and families.” HB23-1286 aims to increase fines for injuring, killing or displaying cruelty to service animals, certified police working dogs and horses. Under this legislation, there would be a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 and a requirement to complete appropriate treatment programs for subsequent convictions of cruelty to animals. Additionally, under this legislation, there would be a $2,000 minimum fine for subsequent offenses of cruelty or aggravated cruelty against service animals, certified police working dogs and horses. HB23-1286 would also order restitution be paid toward vet services or the governmental or police agency if a service animal,certified police working dog, or police working horse is killed or injured. Police K-9s across the state provide crucial support to officers. In 2022, K-9 Jinx of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was killed in the line of duty. Earlier this year, K-9 Graffit , of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was killed in the line of duty. Previous Next

The House today advanced a bill on a preliminary vote to raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to 21 years old. < Back March 26, 2023 House Advances Bill to Raise Minimum Purchase Age of Firearms DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bill on a preliminary vote to raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to 21 years old. “As someone who has lived under the threat of gun violence, I want to do everything I can to prevent other people from experiencing the trauma that I’ve had to endure,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “By raising the legal age to purchase a firearm to 21, we can save the lives of our children, friends and neighbors from preventable firearm-related injuries or death. This is a crucial step to reduce suicide rates that are far too high and prevent gun violence in our communities.” “As a teacher of over 30 years, I’ve experienced countless lockdowns and wondered how I could protect every single one of my students from an active shooter on my own,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial . “Developing brains are not fully ready to evaluate risks, regulate emotion or implement self-control, which means youth access to firearms is more likely to lead to violence. Our students, educators and school personnel deserve to be safe. While no single piece of legislation will end gun violence, this bill will make our schools and communities safer for us all.” Currently, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun, but only 18 years old to purchase long guns. SB23-169 would raise the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21. The bill includes exceptions for 18-21 year olds to purchase a firearm who are on-duty peace officers or active military members. According to Everytown for Gun Safety , firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2020 COMMITTEE VOTES TO REMOVE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR FUTURE CIVIL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS Bill would give survivors of sexual assault time to heal without losing their right to hold perpetrators accountable. DENVER, CO — The House Judiciary Committee today voted to approve Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bipartisan bill to remove the statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual misconduct. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 8-1. “Healing from the impact of trauma and sexual assault has no timeline or expiration date, and neither should a survivor’s opportunity to seek justice through the courts,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “This bill will give survivors going forward time to heal, will ensure we keep more perpetrators accountable, and will enhance fairness in the civil justice system. We can and must do better by survivors, and this will move us in the right direction.” HB20-1296 removes the statute of limitations on bringing a civil claim based on sexual misconduct, which is defined in the bill to include all current criminal sexual offenses including offenses against a child, and other criminal behavior of a sexual nature including requests for sexual favors accompanied by coercion, threat, or violence. The bill also allows claims to be brought against a person or entity that is not the perpetrator of the sexual misconduct. This bill would become effective for claims arising on or after January 1, 2021 but allows for those victims for whom the current statute of limitations has not yet run to bring a claim based on the provisions of this law. The Colorado constitution has been interpreted to guarantee vested rights in relation to statutes of limitations but not to allow the legislature to make retroactive changes to them. Previous Next

Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts < Back April 18, 2024 Committee Passes New School Finance Formula to Boost Student Success, Increase Equity in School Funding and Support Rural Schools Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts Committee also passes bipartisan bill to improve transparency into higher education costs and reduce barriers to completing higher education degree or certificate programs DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting Colorado students. HB24-1448, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, would update Colorado’s outdated and inequitable school finance formula by increasing funding for rural schools and at-risk, special education, and English Language Learner students. SB24-164, also sponsored by McCluskie, would improve transparency requirements for higher education institutions and increase the rights of higher education students seeking transfer credits. “Updating Colorado’s public school finance formula to be student-centered is a bold step toward improving equity in school funding and delivering a high-quality education to every student in Colorado no matter where they reside,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Building on the recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force and in collaboration with districts and education leaders across the state, this plan increases funding for the students with the greatest needs and provides additional resources to rural and smaller districts that have historically been underfunded. Investing in high-quality education means we’re fostering a lifetime of success for our learners, and I am incredibly proud of our bipartisan efforts to make education funding in our state more equitable and student-centered.” “For over 30 years, Colorado has used an inequitable school funding formula that is now outdated, and as a result, we haven’t been able to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The need to change the formula is clear, which is why we’re championing this legislation that puts students first. Using recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force, we’re making school funding more equitable by increasing funding for at-risk students, English Language Learners, and students in special education. Public education funding in Colorado is the highest it’s been in decades, and this bill overhauls the school finance formula to better meet the educational needs of every learner.” HB24-1448 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, is also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. It would update Colorado’s school finance formula which has not been significantly modified in over 30 years. The current formula, which is built around district-centered factors rather than student needs, is confusing and overly complex. It directs more funding to wealthier districts, rather than directing funds to low-income students, English Language Learners, or those in special education. State data shows that at-risk students, English Language Learners , and special education students are not achieving at the same levels compared to their peers, demonstrating that the current school funding formula from 1994 does not address and meet the needs of these students This legislation implements the spirit of the recommendations of the School Finance Task Force, which reached overwhelming consensus, in order to drive more resources to the students who need them the most, specifically at-risk students, special education students and English Language Learners. With hundreds of millions of additional dollars now going to public schools in Colorado, these changes, which would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and implement in a gradual phase-in over 6 years, will drive more of these new resources to historically underfunded districts with lower property wealth and that serve a higher number of at-risk students and English Language Learners. When fully implemented, there will be $852 million in the formula for our at-risk students, $142.7 million for English Language Learners, and $240 million in the formula for our Special Education students, in addition to the constitutionally-required $375 million in the Special Education categorical. Remote and rural districts would receive an additional $255 million under this formula, once fully funded. The new formula puts students first by increasing the student weights for at-risk, English Language Learners, and adding a new special education factor. At-risk, English Language Learner, and special education weights will all be set at 25 percent, an increase from the current 12 percent weight for at-risk, 8 percent weight for English Language Learners, and no weight for special education in the formula. The categorical funding for special education will continue to increase according to law and Amendment 23. The new formula is simpler and better accounts for district characteristics by fixing the “Order of Operations” to emphasize student needs. It removes the multiplicative factors that change the base funding per pupil, which currently creates cascading funding impacts throughout the formula that are challenging to track. Instead, factors that increase funding for small districts or districts with high cost of living will be additive and easy to understand. It also creates a new remoteness factor to support rural schools and will hold harmless any districts that drop below current law funding. Access the school finance simulator here to see individual school district impacts. SB24-164, also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, passed committee unanimously. This bill would make it easier to transfer college credits, improve transparency in higher education reporting, and ensure rights for students enrolled in postsecondary institutions. “Creating a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centric higher education system in Colorado means we can put students first,” added McCluskie. “This bill will make it easier for students pursuing higher education in Colorado to understand the cost of their degree or certificate and complete their education, and will ensure that students transferring from a community college receive the credits they deserve for the classes they have taken at other institutions.” Transparency requirements include: Transparency of the cost of postsecondary education; Seamless transfer of general education and transfer pathway courses; Transparency regarding if credits are accepted or rejected from an institution; and The ability to appeal an institution’s decision not to accept transfer credits. A major challenge transfer students face is the transferability of postsecondary credits. On average, transfer students lose a full semester of credits, which translates to time and money lost. There are current methods that exist within Colorado’s higher education framework to ease transitions between higher education institutions such as transferable lower division courses, common course numbering, and guaranteed transfer pathways. SB24-164 would build on this framework by bolstering student rights and easing the transfer of course credits. Previous Next

< Back June 26, 2020 BILLS TO SUPPORT FOOD PANTRIES AND AT-RISK YOUTH SIGNED INTO LAW Denver, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed four bills into law to facilitate donations to food pantries, expand access to critical housing services for at-risk youth and permanently allow remote notary services. SB20-090 , sponsored by Representatives Daneya Esgar and Brianna Titone, helps at-risk Colorado youth by allowing youth over the age of 15 to consent to receive shelter or other services from a licensed homeless youth shelter. SB20-106 , sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Brianna Titone, allows food pantries to expand their sources for goods by allowing food donations from correctional facilities and agricultural producers. “With our state facing devastating budget cuts, we should do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable Coloradans during this pandemic,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “The bills signed today will help ensure that at-risk Colorado youth have a roof to sleep under and can access the services they need, and will expand options for food pantries to help them meet the needs of our communities.” “Too many at-risk youth who end up homeless in our state don’t have access to shelter or services,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This new law will mean more of our youth have the housing and support they need to stay safe.” “With over half a million Coloradans seeking health insurance and unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is clearly a serious need in our communities for food support, and our food pantries are stepping up to help,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We’re making it easier for our food pantries to get food donations so they can help Coloradans through this crisis.” As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to necessitate the limitation of public interactions, SB20-096 , sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Terri Carver, facilitates the process for individuals who need to have documents notarized. Rather than requiring an individual to show up in person, the bill allows for remote notarization via video as an option, and includes guardrails to protect consumer privacy. “The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over, which means it’s still important to social distance and reduce unnecessary interactions,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Notarization is an important service that people rely on, and this bill will make it easier and safer for Coloradans to have their documents notarized.” The governor also signed SB20-042 , sponsored by Representative Jonathan Singer, which extends the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems and broadens its focus to include behavioral health and thus treatment for substance use disorders. “I’m proud of the important work this committee has done to improve mental health services in our criminal and juvenile justice system,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont. “It’s clear there’s more work to do, and I am grateful that the legislature and community partners will continue to work together and reduce our recidivism rate by expanding access to critical behavioral health services.” Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representative Cecelia Espenoza, to improve public safety by preventing scrap metal theft. HB26-1101 passed by a vote of 54-7. < Back March 27, 2026 House Passes Espenoza Bill to Improve Public Safety DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representative Cecelia Espenoza, to improve public safety by preventing scrap metal theft. HB26-1101 passed by a vote of 54-7. “This legislation is aimed at protecting critical infrastructure materials which are located in housing, transportation and communication systems,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver. “When copper wire is stolen, critical systems that keep Colorado communities safe are compromised. Metal theft impacts everything from streetlights, cell phone connectivity, and rail lines threatening the safety of our communities. We’re building on our successful anti-catalytic converter theft law to keep critical infrastructure whole.” HB26-1101 would put protections into the law around critical infrastructure, which would include any component of a commodity metal that is used in communication, transportation, housing or public utility infrastructure. Under the bill, dealers at junk yards and similar places where a dealer of junk, salvage or other secondhand property buys commodity metals are prohibited from possessing or unlawfully transferring materials if they know that the metal came from critical infrastructure. If a transaction that includes a commodity metal from critical infrastructure is over $300, the dealers must pay by check. They must also keep records, including a picture or other identification of the seller. In order to legally possess this metal, dealers must obtain an affidavit from the seller stating that the seller is legally allowed to sell this metal. If a dealer comes into possession of these metals without written certification and later discovers that they were part of critical infrastructure, they must notify a law or municipal code enforcement agency by the end of the following business day. The bill, also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, was inspired by the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee, which investigated cell phone connectivity issues in rural and historically underserved communities. Previous Next