Representative Meghan Lukens today attended the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) Welcome Reception at the Steamboat Art Museum where she was recognized for her bipartisan legislative efforts to expand and improve Colorado’s conservation easement tax credit law (SB24-126). < Back August 9, 2024 Rep. Lukens Recognized for Local Conservation Effort STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – Representative Meghan Lukens today attended the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) Welcome Reception at the Steamboat Art Museum where she was recognized for her bipartisan legislative efforts to expand and improve Colorado’s conservation easement tax credit law ( SB24-126 ). “I would like to thank the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust for their acknowledgment of my legislative work this year under the gold dome,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “Many of our neighbors are good stewards of the land – and this new law makes it easier for small or family operations to access a conservation easement tax credit while preserving the beautiful spaces we call home. Together, we’re taking a strong step forward to boost local and agricultural economies by keeping families on their land for generations to come.” Conservation easements are used to preserve wildlife habitat, encourage watershed restoration and maintain open space. Additionally, they allow farmers and ranchers to continue sustainable operations and protect their lands from development or demolition. SB24-126 reconfigured the conservation easement tax credit program to benefit smaller or family-operated farms, ranches and private land stewards to meet the backlog of projects and the current demand for credits. The 2024 CCALT Welcome Reception was the opening event of the 2024 Forever Colorado BBQ and benefited the conservation of working lands. Previous Next

Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership < Back February 13, 2024 Committee Passes Bill to Strengthen Firearm Training, Promote Responsible Gun Ownership Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to promote responsible firearm ownership and protect Colorado communities from gun violence. HB24-1174 passed by a vote of 8-3. “As a gun owner and a concealed carry permit holder, I’ve seen the gaps in Colorado’s firearm training and testing protocols that can lead to unsafe situations," said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "Our policy is crucial in ensuring our concealed carry permits come with robust firearm knowledge, including instruction on federal and state gun laws, the use of deadly force for self defense, in-person gun handling, and safe storage and use of firearms to prevent accidental deaths. I’ve worked tirelessly during my time as a public servant on this bill, and I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will improve the safety of our communities and save Colorado lives.” “Current Colorado law does not require in-person, live fire training before you can receive a concealed carry permit, putting guns into the hands of people who may have never touched a gun before in their life," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "This is a commonsense gun violence prevention bill that will ensure Coloradans have in-person training, protecting our communities and preventing accidental firearm deaths.” In Colorado, a person can be issued a concealed carry permit if they complete a handgun training class by a verified firearms safety instructor, pass a background check, and demonstrate competence with a handgun. HB24-1174 would require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. Under the bill, the handgun training class would include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam that the student must receive passing scores on. The eight hour requirement may take place over multiple days. The bill would also require a concealed handgun refresher class (refresher class) to be completed in order to renew a concealed carry permit. This refresher class must be at least two hours, including a passing score on both the live-fire exercise and written exam. The refresher class must also include instruction on changes to federal or state firearm laws. HB24-1174 prohibits a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill also makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Majority Leader Duran sponsored a 2021 law that promotes responsible gun ownership by ensuring that gun owners properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present. Previous Next

HB26-1004 extends a tax credit that makes life more affordable for working Coloradans < Back May 28, 2026 SIGNED! Bill to Save Families Money on Child Care HB26-1004 extends a tax credit that makes life more affordable for working Coloradans DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to spur the creation of more high-quality and affordable child care facilities in our communities. “Child care is essential for hardworking families to have a fair shot at the Colorado Dream, and this law will create quality child care options to save Colorado families money,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The Child Care Contribution Tax Credit is an important tool to support hardworking families while creating jobs, which is why I sponsored this bipartisan law so communities across the state can continue to benefit from this tax credit.” “Colorado’s families, communities, and economy are all stronger when we have a vibrant child care ecosystem,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “This law drives donations toward child care facilities, which means more good jobs and more options for hardworking families at all price points. For many Colorado families, child care is their number one expense every month. This law is about taking action to make child care more available and affordable.” The Child Care Contribution Tax Credit allows taxpayers who donate money to a licensed child care facility in Colorado to receive an income tax credit of 50 percent of their contribution. HB26-1004 , also sponsored by Minority Leaders Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, extends the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit until 2037. These child care facilities could include qualifying child care centers, homeless youth shelters and residential treatment centers. These donations can be used to create or maintain a child care facility, fund child care financial assistance programs for families and train child care providers. In tax year 2023, around $33 million in credits were claimed by almost 16,000 taxpayers, generating a total of $66 million for the child care ecosystem. In January, the Trump Administration attempted to freeze over $300 million of funding for child care and social services that thousands of Colorado families rely on. As a result, Colorado Democrats are stepping up to create more avenues to fund affordable care. Previous Next

< Back September 18, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: COLORADO DEMOCRATS SPEAK OUT ON ALLEGATIONS OF FORCED HYSTERECTOMIES PERFORMED BY ICE DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the House and Senate, with the full support of the Colorado Latino Democratic Caucus, today released the following statement regarding the claims made by Dawn Wooten, a nurse at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Georgia that detainees there have been denied basic medical care and subjected to hysterectomies without their consent. “These whistleblower claims of sterilization surgeries performed on immigrant women without their consent are horrifying and infuriating. If found to be true, these actions represent an unspeakable affront to human decency, dignity and rights. We support calls for Congressional investigations and demand that those responsible are held accountable and swiftly removed from their responsibilities overseeing the detention of immigrants. “Reports of families being separated, women being sexually assaulted, children being kept in cages and now women being sterilized without their consent – the Trump administration repeatedly doubles down on practices that treat undocumented immigrants as less than human. We must work to increase accountability and move towards a system that can enforce our country’s laws while treating immigrants with decency, compassion, and respect. That’s exactly why this year the legislature passed legislation allowing the state to conduct regular and unannounced follow-up inspections of ICE facilities in Colorado, just as it would conduct inspections of any other penal facility in our state. While not an overarching solution to the inhumane treatment of immigrants, this oversight is an important step that we can take at the state level to ensure basic health, and safety standards are met. “Crossing a border without proper documentation does not take away a person’s humanity or basic human rights. We demand a full and fair investigation into these allegations, and if they are found to be true, a swift end to these inhumane practices, accountability for any perpetrators and justice for victims.” Today’s statement is signed by Representatives Lontine, Garnett, Froelich, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Alex Valdez, Woodrow, Coleman, Herod, Sirota, Hooton, Singer, Jaquez-Lewis, Becker, Exum Sr., Snyder, Kennedy, Duran, Cutter, Roberts, Titone, Tipper, Kraft-Tharp, Sullivan, Melton, Michaelson Jenet, Caraveo, Benavidez, Mullica, Bird, Weissman, Buckner, Jackson, Esgar, Buentello, Young, Kipp, McLachlan, McCluskie, and Donald Valdez, as well as Senators Garcia, Fenberg, Todd, Fields, Donovan, Winter, Bridges, Danielson, Moreno, Story, Gonzales, Pettersen, Williams, Lee, Foote, Hansen, Zenzinger, Rodriguez, and Ginal. Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie, in consultation with the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, has appointed Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Naquetta Ricks to serve on the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission. < Back September 6, 2024 Bacon and Ricks Appointed to Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, in consultation with the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, has appointed Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Naquetta Ricks to serve on the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission. Created by SB24-053 , the commission will direct a study to examine racial disparities and make recommendations surrounding the lasting effects of systemic racism in Colorado’s practices, systems, and policies. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon will serve as vice chair. “I’m excited to get to work and support this critical effort to explore the role certain laws and policies have led to inequities Black Coloradans experience today,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This commission will develop a deeper understanding of the impacts of such systemic racism as we specifically examine their lasting impacts. Importantly, the idea for this commission came from community-led engagement and I want to thank them for their diligence with this effort. It’s incredibly important that we understand the past to develop the tools to craft forward-thinking policy that will support Black Coloradans into the future.” “Uncovering the historical harm to Black Coloradans is an important step forward in our healing and creating a more equitable future for us all,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-053. “This commission will work alongside History Colorado to research decades of systemic inequalities in our schools, our neighborhoods, and in statewide policies that will help us better understand their lasting impacts on Black Coloradans today. While painful, this racial equity study opens the door to future conversations and will help us craft future policies that will uplift Black families instead of putting barriers in front of them.” “Colorado House Democrats were proud to support legislation to create the Black Coloradans Racial Equity Study, and it is an honor to appoint Assistant Majority Leader Bacon and Representative Ricks to the Commission,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Their dedication, lived experiences and expertise will be invaluable for the commission and its work to build a more equitable and just Colorado.” The Speaker also appointed the following individuals to the commission: Dr. Darlene Sampson, to serve as a person who has expertise in quantifying the economic impacts on historically impacted Black Coloradans; Ms. Charleszine “Terry” Nelson, to serve as a person who has expertise in researching the history and impact of slavery and systemic racism on Black Coloradans; and Mr. Javon Brame, to serve as community member with a track record of public service with historically impacted Black Coloradans SB24-053 , signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on June 4, establishes a commission to direct History Colorado to conduct historical research across areas like economic mobility, housing, K-12 education, health care and the criminal justice system. Racial equity studies, like the one outlined in SB24-053, can be used as tools to qualify and quantify past discrimination and make recommendations. The study will also include an economic impact analysis of the racial discrimination determined by the study. Under this law, History Colorado would submit the study to the commission and any recommendations within two-and-a-half years. The work of the commission and the study is funded through gifts, grants and donations. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. < Back February 6, 2025 Zokaie, Brown Bill Passes Committee to Crack Down on Price Gouging, Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. “While parents are skipping meals to provide for their children and aging Coloradans are increasingly forced to choose between buying groceries and paying their rent, corporations are jacking up prices for food and other necessities to pad their pockets,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “Inflation and supply chain disruptions have contributed to price increases, but reports suggest that bad actors use these factors as an excuse to further increase prices. As a mom to three boys, I am proud to sponsor this legislation to show Coloradans that their ability to afford everyday necessities is a far higher priority than corporate profits. With the threat of tariffs that would drastically drive up the cost of living, it is especially pressing that we pass this measure to protect consumers." “Despite inflation rates leveling out and the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, Coloradans continue to see price increases for food, toiletries, and other everyday necessities that their families need,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Hardworking Coloradans are already struggling to juggle rising costs, yet bad actors conveniently hide behind market conditions and inflation to increase their profits. We are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, which is why we’re bringing this bill to protect families from bad behavior.” HB25-1010 , which passed by a vote of 7-6, would prohibit price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries during an abnormal market disruption. In this bill, price gouging is defined as a price increase by 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good within 90 days. The Colorado Attorney General or district attorneys would be able to hold violators accountable for price gouging. A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 BILL TO SAVE BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS MONEY PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Legislation to save Colorado small businesses and entrepreneurs money passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today by a vote of 11 to 1. HB22-1001 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Tom Sullivan, would reduce business filing fees through a credit applied by the Secretary of State’s office. “This session, we’re laser focused on saving Coloradans money and this bill will do just that by reducing several business filing fees,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “We know Colorado’s small business community has faced significant hardships during the pandemic which is why we’re using every tool available to reduce fees, jumpstart our state’s economic recovery, and put more money back in the pockets of business owners and entrepreneurs.” “This bill is part of our efforts to save Coloradans money, specifically focusing on the business community,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton . “I am a small business owner, and I understand how difficult it is to start a new business. By reducing many of the filing fees, we’re eliminating red tape to help ensure that operating a business in Colorado is as easy as possible. We are an entrepreneurial state — small businesses are essential to our state’s economic recovery and shape our communities. I’m proud to support this effort to help move Colorado forward.” If passed, HB22-1001 would reduce several business filing fees and other costs associated with operating a business to $1.This includes new business registrations, annual renewals and other fees typically paid to the Secretary of State’s Office. The cost savings associated with this bill would be in effect for one year. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2022 COLORADO ELECTION SECURITY ACT PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the Colorado Election Security Act by a vote of 41-24. “Today, the legislature took critical steps to defend our elections from insider threats and “Big Lie” conspiracy theorists who have used their positions to jeopardize our elections,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “When it comes to voter access and election security, our gold standard elections system leads the way nationally and is a model for other states to follow. The common sense bill we passed today strengthens our elections system and will hold people accountable when they break the law and tamper with election equipment.” SB22-153 , the Colorado Election Security Act, is sponsored by Representative Lontine. The bill will improve election security by, among other measures, prohibiting anyone from serving as an election official if they have been convicted of any election offense or any offense or conspiracy to commit sedition, insurrection, treason, or conspiracy to overthrow the government. SB22-153 also prohibits election officials or candidates from physically tampering with voting equipment, and from having access to or being present in a room with voting equipment without being accompanied by one or more persons with authorized access. The Colorado Election Security Act further seeks to protect Colorado’s gold standard elections by improving training for clerks and election workers, and penalizes anyone who interferes with or obstructs the notification of a potential violation, or retaliates against someone providing notice. The bill also prohibits accessing electronic equipment or a reporting system without authorization, makes knowingly publishing passwords or other confidential information a class 5 felony, and directs the District and Supreme Courts to expedite scheduling and issuance of final rulings of any orders in connection with a violation of election code. Previous Next

< Back March 3, 2020 COMMITTEE VOTES TO BAN THE GAY AND TRANS PANIC DEFENSE The House Judiciary Committee today passed Representatives Leslie Herod and Matt Soper’s bipartisan bill to ban the use of the gay and trans panic defense. The committee vote was 6-2. “Telling a crime victim that their sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the violence perpetrated against them is wrong and cruel,” said Rep. Herod , D-Denver . “The gay and trans panic defense should never hold up in court. This defense harms the already vulnerable LGBTQ+ community and holds Colorado back. It’s time to ban this antiquated and discriminatory practice.” The gay and trans panic defense is a legal tactic that has been used to strengthen a legal defense by playing on the prejudice of jurors. HB20-1307 states that evidence about a defendant’s knowledge or discovery of a victim’s gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation cannot be asserted as a legal defense constituting ‘sudden heat of passion’ in a criminal case. If this bill is signed into law, Colorado would join California, Nevada, Illinois, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey as states that have banned the gay and trans panic defense strategy. In 2018, Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and House Representative Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA) introduced legislation to ban the gay and trans panic defense at the federal level. According to the FBI’s 2018 hate crime statistics , 1,404 hate crimes perpetrated in 2018 were based on sexual orientation. Of these offenses, 59.8 percent were classified as anti-gay male and 25 percent were classified as anti LGBTQ bias. According to this FBI data , in Colorado in 2018, there were 123 hate crimes reported and of those 24 were related to sexual orientation and three of them were related to gender identity. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. < Back March 4, 2025 Bill to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. HB25-1185 would establish an easier and clearer process for parents to legally relinquish their rights while protecting the child's best interest. “Despite having a law on the books to protect survivors from being forced to co-parent with their rapists, survivors haven’t been able to access justice,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill bridges some of the gaps in current law to ensure that survivors are not being legally locked into co-parenting with their assailant, which can be a harmful situation for all involved. This bill establishes a clearer process for relinquishing parental rights so survivors have access to the legal proceedings to better protect them and their child.” “Being forced to co-parent with the person who sexually assaulted you can cause serious distress and trauma for survivors,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “This bill aims to protect survivors by creating an easier and clearer process for survivors to terminate their assailant's parental rights. By modernizing and streamlining the way Colorado juvenile court proceedings work, we can create a system that prioritizes survivors and children’s best interest.” HB25-1185 passed committee by a vote of 10-1. This bill aims to protect survivors and children conceived through sexual assault. Specifically, this legislation outlines new procedures for parents who are a survivor of sexual assault to file a petition to prevent contact with the person who committed the assault. Additionally, it would set up clear guidelines for assailants to relinquish their parental rights, including all legal obligations, such as child support. The goal of HB25-1185 is to protect children conceived through sexual assault and ensure they receive the support they need, including their right to inheritance, in some scenarios. This bill updates current law by clarifying and reducing the number of requirements parents petitioning to relinquish their parental rights must prove in juvenile court. There are between 17,000 and 32,000 sexual assault-related pregnancy cases that occur in the United States each year, leaving survivors legally-bound to their assaliant in some cases. This bill aims to remove and simplify legal barriers in Colorado to ensure survivors have access to court proceedings to protect them and their child. Previous Next

House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran released the following statements in regards to the passing of former Representative Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins. < Back February 14, 2025 McCluskie, Duran Statements on the Passing of Former Rep. Bockenfeld DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran released the following statements in regards to the passing of former Representative Rod Bockenfeld, R-Watkins. Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: “I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of former Representative Bockenfeld and wish his family, especially his wife Susan, peace during this time. I know a thing or two about working across the aisle from my time serving on the Joint Budget Committee, and I could say the same of former Representative Bockenfeld. “In true bipartisan spirit, JBC members work together to deliver a balanced budget that undoubtedly positively impacts Coloradans living in the rural corners of our state, the urban corridors and everywhere in between. “Former Rep. Bockenfeld will be greatly missed by members of the legislature on both sides of the aisle. We thank him for his years of service, leadership and dedication to his community in HD-56.” Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge: “I want to send my deepest condolences to former Representative Bockenfeld’s family, friends and colleagues. The passing of a loved one is never easy – may they find peace during this trying time. Former Rep. Bockenfeld was an important member of the Colorado House of Representatives, and he will be missed by his many friends who have served in the legislature, past and present. “I’d like to thank former Rep. Bockenfeld for his years of dedicated public service and commitment to his community.” Beginning his term in 2019, former Rep. Bockenfeld was elected by his Republican caucus members to serve on the Joint Budget Committee to craft the state’s budget and dutifully fought to represent Coloradans living on our state’s Eastern Plains. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2021 HOUSE RESOLUTION SEEKS TO RESOLVE QUESTIONS ON REDISTRICTING DENVER, CO– The House today passed a resolution to send an interrogatory to the Colorado Supreme Court regarding changes to redistricting procedures made in SB21-247. “Colorado voters were clear in passing Amendments Y and Z that they want to see an independent redistricting process without partisan gerrymandering,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “ While no one could have predicted that a public health crisis would throw a wrench into our carefully crafted process, we have to do everything we can to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. That’s why we’re engaged in a bipartisan effort with the Colorado Supreme Court to guarantee fair and balanced maps are delivered on time and with full public participation and input.” Amendments Y and Z established a clear timeline for Colorado’s electoral redistricting efforts. These dates, mandated in the constitution, require the Commissions to use “necessary census data” to accurately draw electoral districts for the state. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a delay in the ability of the United States Census Bureau to deliver to the state the population and demographic data necessary to redraw election districts. This delay prevents both the independent redistricting commissions (both Congressional and legislative) from completing their work by the deadlines in the constitution. The resolution, HR21-XXXX, asks the Colorado Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of two provisions of SB21-247: 1) the use of preliminary, non-final census data for the drafting of preliminary plans, and 2) the provision of SB21-247 that directs the Court to apply a standard of substantial compliance with only the technical requirements of the redistricting process as created in Amendments Y and Z. Final passage of SB21-247 is dependent on the Court’s response on these matters. SB21-247 , an Executive Committee bill sponsored by Minority and Majority Leaders in both the House and Senate, is intended to give the Commission the flexibility it needs to draw fair electoral maps in the face of these delays. Only as it applies to the current redistricting cycle, the bill amends the definition of “necessary census data” to allow the preliminary plans to be developed using state apportionment data that was released on April 26, and other population and demographic data from federal or state sources that are approved by the commissions. The three staff plans to be drafted by nonpartisan staff, one of which will be submitted to the Supreme Court for approval, have to be drawn using final census data. The bill also requires a public hearing on maps being drawn with final census data once it is made available. It also establishes a substantial compliance standard for any legal challenge that may arise concerning compliance with the technical requirements of Amendments Y and Z—not the substantial requirements on the process, such as the criteria in which the districts have to be drawn. Previous Next