< Back January 9, 2023 First Five Bills Introduced to Save Coloradans Money, Invest in Education and Meet Climate Goals DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today introduced the first five House bills of the 2023 legislative session, which highlight key agenda priorities of the House Democrats: building a Colorado everyone can afford, investing in schools and students, meeting our climate goals and protecting our water and air. “From making housing more affordable to reducing the cost of health care and child care, Colorado Democrats have governed responsibly for the people of Colorado – and we’re ready to continue to build upon that great progress,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “This session, we’ll pass legislation to protect our water and air, invest in our schools, improve public safety, and make our state more affordable. Our first five bills are just the beginning, and we’re excited to get to work building a Colorado where everyone can thrive.” “The first bills introduced this session highlight our commitment to making Colorado more affordable for everyone,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “While we’ve made great progress, Coloradans continue to struggle with the high cost of living in our state. Our legislative priorities this year continue our efforts to prioritize students and teachers, save Coloradans money on everything from housing to health care, fund crime victim services and reduce gun violence. We’re ready to step up and serve the great people of Colorado.” Saving educators money ( HB23-1001 ) Representatives Cathy Kipp, Barbara McLachlan and Senator Rachel Zenzinger This bill builds upon last year’s work to save student educators money by expanding eligibility for financial assistance and offering loan forgiveness to a larger pool of educators who qualify for these state programs. This bill aims to address Colorado’s teacher shortage, retention and workforce challenges to ensure every student can thrive. Saving Coloradans money on health care ( HB23-1002 ) Representative Javier Mabrey and Senator Dylan Roberts This bill creates an epi-pen affordability program that will provide low-cost epi-pens to Colorado residents with a prescription and who are not enrolled in health care coverage. This bill aims to save Coloradans’ money on life-saving prescription medication by making itmore accessible to those without health insurance. This bill requires insurance carriers that provide coverage for epi-pens to cap the out-of-pocket cost to $60 for a 2-pack. Prioritizing youth mental health ( HB23-1003 ) Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Senator Lisa Cutter This bill creates a Mental Health Assessment Program for Colorado students in grades sixth through twelfth. If schools opt-in to this new program, it will help identify student mental health concerns early and provide additional services or referrals for students, including to the successful iMatter program. This bill aims to prioritize student behavioral health in schools and connect students with the help they need. Promoting language access and equity for Colorado consumers ( HB23-1004 ) Representative Elizabeth Velasco and Senator Julie Gonzales This bill protects Colorado consumers by requiring insurance providers that issue auto, home, and renters insurance to offer the policy, policy application and related documents in the same language they use in advertisements for the policy. The bill allows Coloradans’ to select their preferred language for all insurance documents and ensures policy documents are translated by a professional, so Coloradans understand the coverage they’re entitled to in their first language. Improving Colorado’s energy and water efficiency ( HB23-1005 ) Representatives Jenny Willford, Brianna Titone and Senator Jaquez Lewis This bill protects our environment and water resources by improving Colorado’s water and energy efficiency in commercial properties. Specifically, it makes improvements to the successful C-PACE financing program by enabling certain property owners to more effectively invest in water efficiency and resiliency upgrades. Previous Next

< Back April 3, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES REP. HEROD’S BILL TO REINSTATE VOTING RIGHTS FOR PAROLEES Colorado would join 14 other states in allowing those on parole to vote (Apr. 2) — The House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, that would reinstate the voting rights of individuals on parole. “Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to voter turnout and voter enfranchisement. We should be very proud of that fact,” said Rep. Herod. “We have the ability today as a legislative body to re-enfranchise more voters. Parolees are hardworking individuals who pay taxes, raise their families, contribute to their communities, and it’s about time we allow them to fully participate in our democracy.” HB19-1266 clarifies that people who are on parole have completed their “full term of imprisonment” upon release from prison, thereby restoring their right to vote. The bill would restore voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans who are now disenfranchised. Parolees are currently denied the ability to vote because current law defines the “full term of imprisonment” to include the period of parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has stated that the state legislature has the authority to redefine the “full term of imprisonment.” The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 7-2 and now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

SB26-001 would make more funding available for workforce and affordable housing < Back March 10, 2026 House Passes Bill to Unlock Local Governments’ Ability to Address Housing Needs SB26-001 would make more funding available for workforce and affordable housing DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to give local governments additional flexibility to address housing shortages. SB26-001, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, passed by a vote of 53-10. “This bipartisan effort would unlock more resources to build housing that Coloradans can actually afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “We’re creating more flexibility for local governments to use existing tools to be responsive to the housing needs of their communities. This bill is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to make life more affordable for hardworking Coloradans.” SB26-001 , also sponsored by Representative Chris Richardson, R-Elbert County, would allow counties to use existing resources to support workforce and affordable housing, removing outdated restrictions that limit their ability to respond to local housing needs. The bill would also allow local governments to sell, lease, or acquire property for the purpose of workforce or affordable housing and create a tax exemption for construction materials used for workforce housing projects. Additionally, SB26-001 would update Colorado’s Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit to help projects secure financing by allowing the credits to be transferred to individuals, firms, or corporations that do not own a project interest. In 2024, Colorado Democrats created the first Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit Pilot Program in the nation. This pilot program offers tax credits to support affordable rental housing projects for middle-income Coloradans. In 2025, nearly $5 million was allocated to projects in the Denver Metro Area and the Western Slope. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to prevent discrimination in public schools based on disability, race, sexual orientation and other protected classes. < Back June 1, 2026 Bill to Prevent Discrimination in Schools Signed into Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to prevent discrimination in public schools based on disability, race, sexual orientation and other protected classes. “Our law 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 for students. Students deserve a safe learning environment. This law will help ensure that students who experience discrimination have a pathway to accountability and a remedy to ensure equal access to quality education.” “Students, faculty, and families deserve to know with complete certainty that if they experience discrimination in public schools, Colorado stands behind them, even if the federal government will not,” said Sen. Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “This new law is a part of our holistic, 360-degree approach to supporting students of all backgrounds and ensuring that Colorado is a place where all students can learn and grow in a safe environment.” “Colorado students are as diverse as the state itself, and that diversity is a strength that we must protect, especially in the face of ongoing threats to the federal Office of Civil Rights,” said Sen. Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “With this new law, we are following through on that commitment by ensuring equal treatment for protected classes, which now includes those who are pregnant and expecting, in school and after-school programs.” HB26-1141 prohibits 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 law also adds pregnancy and prenatal status to the definition of “harassment and discrimination" in K-12 public schools. The law 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 law 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, will be required to establish a discrimination complaint process. They will also be required to designate a Title VI coordinator to ensure compliance with the law 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 and Senator Marchman previously passed a law that clearly defines what is considered harassment and discrimination in Colorado’s K-12 public schools. They 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

Representatives Matthew Martinez and Tisha Mauro today released the following statements following the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discontinue funding for colleges that primarily serve students of color. < Back October 6, 2025 Reps. Martinez, Mauro Urge Department of Education to Continue Funding for Higher Education in Southern Colorado DENVER, CO – Representatives Matthew Martinez and Tisha Mauro today released the following statements following the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discontinue funding for colleges that primarily serve students of color. Statement from Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista: “As a proud graduate and former educator at Adams State University, I’ve seen the life-changing impacts that accessible, quality education can have in rural communities. With federal support, Colorado Democrats have made strides to improve education funding across the state to ensure all Coloradans can receive the education they deserve, especially in rural areas like Southern Colorado. The Department of Education’s decision to end funding for universities like Adams State reverses decades of progress to ensure access to quality education for all, especially students of racial and ethnic backgrounds who have long been underserved. Adams State will lose over $3 million in grants for student advising and retention for Hispanic and low-income Coloradans, which will ultimately hurt rural students, communities and economies. I strongly urge the Department of Education to reconsider this decision to restore funding to Adams State University and other higher education institutions.” Statement from Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo: “CSU Pueblo and Pueblo Community College are pillars in our community, and the Department of Education’s decision to withhold millions of dollars in grants from them will have widespread impacts across Pueblo. These grants would have gone towards student retention and staff support to build up resources for students, faculty and our community. Our higher education institutions are crucial in supporting Pueblo’s economy, creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our workforce. I strongly urge the Department of Education to take action and ensure our colleges receive the funding they were promised.” In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it is ending $350 million in funding for federally-designated colleges that enroll a large percentage of students of color, like Hispanic and Native American students, also known as Minority-Serving Institution (MSIs). Out of the 15 public MSIs in Colorado, six receive federal grant funding. Adams State University was awarded a nearly $3 million grant over five years in 2024 to fund the ASCENDER project, which helps improve college attendance and retention for Hispanic and lower-income Coloradans. Nearly 56-percent of full-time students at Adams State are ethnic minorities, with nearly 38-percent of those students identifying as Hispanic. Colorado State University Pueblo currently has three active grants from the U.S. Department of Education, which will lead to a loss of $3.6 million in grant funding. The Colorado Community College System will lose over $5 million, including Pueblo Community College, which is set to lose almost $600,000 in grants to support the college’s Onboarding initiative. This funding helps new students transition to college with resources like mentoring, a laptop lending program and professional development for faculty and staff. Previous Next

On September 1, two new laws go into effect to lower the cost of phone communication between people that are incarcerated and their friends and family and improve accessibility in court proceedings by allowing remote participation. < Back August 31, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Laws to Improve Contact with Loved Ones While Incarcerated, Remote Accessibility for Court Proceedings Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - On September 1, two new laws go into effect to lower the cost of phone communication between people that are incarcerated and their friends and family and improve accessibility in court proceedings by allowing remote participation. “I've seen firsthand how complicated and expensive it can be to try to communicate with a family member who is serving time in prison,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1133. “Too many incarcerated Coloradans have had to limit communication with their parents, spouse, kids, and friends. Our law removes this unnecessary financial barrier to let Colorado families maintain and build their relationships with their loved ones, leading to a more successful transition back into their community and lower rates of recidivism.” “Maintaining meaningful connections with friends and family helps incarcerated people envision a full life outside of the carceral system,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1133. “Eliminating the costs of prison phone calls for incarcerated people and their loved ones will help restore hope for those in our corrections system. I am proud to champion this legislation, a low cost effort to reduce the likelihood of recidivism and help people maintain dignity while incarcerated.” “Research shows that people who have more contact with their families while they are incarcerated have lower rates of re-arrest after they return to their community,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1133. “Prison can be a very isolating place to be and people in custody deserve the ability to seek comfort and connection with their family and friends that will support them when they are re-integrated into society. With this law going into effect, we’re improving public safety, creating healthier communities, and ensuring that families can stay connected.” “No cost prison phone calls will help incarcerated Coloradans stay connected to resources that can help them succeed outside of prison,” said Sen. Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1133. “Data shows that people who are able to maintain connections with their support system are more likely to succeed and less likely to return to the prison system. Making prison phone calls free is the right thing to do for incarcerated Coloradans and their families and friends.” Under HB23-1133 , the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) must provide free voice, video, and electronic messaging communication services to people that are incarcerated and in DOC custody in either a correctional facility or a private prison. Starting September 1, the new law reduces the cost of phone calls by 25 percent. These communication services must cover outgoing and incoming attempts. Lowering the cost of prison phone calls has been shown to reduce recidivism and better prepare people who are incarcerated for their release by helping them maintain critical connections. This law develops a plan to cover the full cost of communication services for people in state custody, allowing incarcerated Coloradans to use these services for free starting July 1, 2025. “As someone who has spent thousands of hours observing court across our state, I know how unpredictable and inconsistent court access can be for everyday Coloradans, ” said Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1182. “Public access to court observation should not require physical presence in court. By requiring criminal courts to offer consistent remote observation in all judicial districts, this legislation helps move us closer to a criminal legal system that is more transparent, equitable, and accountable for all Coloradans.” “The more the public is able to access our courts, the better and more transparent they are,” said Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1182. “This new law will help the public better understand what is happening in our courtrooms, give folks without transportation more options, and help ensure every Coloradan who wants to is able to engage with our court system.” “As a housing and eviction attorney, I’ve seen the strain that mandatory in-person attendance has on people that lack reliable transportation,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1182. “The COVID-19 pandemic required court proceedings to take place virtually, and although they were successful, many courts across Colorado have discontinued remote observation. Because of our new law, Colorado courts must reasonably provide remote access for observers of a criminal court proceeding, ensuring fairness, transparency, accountability, and public discourse within our criminal justice system.” HB23-1182 , also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, requires all Colorado courts to provide a remote access option for the public to observe any criminal court proceeding taking place in an open court, unless a court order prohibits the public from observing the case. Under this law, the court must post links for remote observation on its website to make it easier for the public to access the court proceedings. This law does not require courts to provide remote participation for plaintiffs, defendants, prosecutors, and other judicial personnel. Previous Next

HB26-1139 ensures patients’ continued access to healthcare provided by a human, licensed professional < Back June 3, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: Polis Signs Bill to Strengthen AI Guardrails in Healthcare DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to establish necessary requirements for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. HB26-1139 will ensure a human oversight of critical insurance coverage determinations. “No matter your zip code or income level, you deserve human-centered health care,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “This important law establishes necessary requirements for the professional use of AI systems in health insurance coverage determinations. We are ensuring important decisions, especially denials, are not made solely based on group data. Technology is advancing rapidly, and we’re stepping up to safeguard Coloradans’ access to equitable health care determinations that reflect their individual circumstances.” "Coloradans are being denied coverage for life-saving healthcare by AI without human oversight. Healthcare is a deeply personal, subjective matter, and it is inhumane to allow machine intelligence to make decisions that can dramatically impact a person's life," said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. "HB26-1139 ensures that a real person is involved in these critical decisions." “Under our law, AI can be used to expedite approvals in health care coverage, but it cannot be used exclusively to deny coverage,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Health care is nuanced, and every patient deserves to have their case reviewed by a licensed human, professional. We’re stepping up to ensure AI is responsibly used to make health care decisions that keep Coloradans safe and healthy.” “Healthcare and coverage decisions should be made by patients and their doctors, not algorithms,” said Sen. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “This new law is an important step toward ensuring fairness and transparency in important and sensitive healthcare contexts.” HB26-1139 will establish important requirements for entities using AI systems in insurance coverage decisions, to ensure transparency, accountability, and individualized determinations that are subject to human oversight. Under this law, if an AI system recommends denying coverage for a patient, the final decision must come from a qualified human after review. To protect patients against algorithmic bias, decisions to deny healthcare coverage must be based on an individual’s medical history and clinical circumstances, not solely on group data that falls short of an individual’s unique needs. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES RECORD SEALING BILL Bill would preserve public access to records when necessary and allow Coloradans a second chance to thrive DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Jennifer Bacon that would automatically seal records for low level offenses while preserving public access to records when necessary and in the public interest. “Punishment for an offense should end when the sentence does, but for many who have come into contact with our criminal justice system, court records can block access to housing or employment for a lifetime,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Without automatic record sealing, it can be expensive and often extremely difficult for Coloradans to truly have a second chance after they have served their sentence for a low level offense. This bill preserves access to criminal records when it is in the public interest to do so while allowing Coloradans the opportunity to fully return to life outside of our criminal justice system.” “In our system, just having an arrest record even if you were never charged keeps you from opportunities. Automatic record sealing is one of the most obvious tools we have to ensure that Coloradans have a real opportunity to successfully reenter society and thrive after leaving the criminal justice system,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The evidence is clear: clean slate laws like this help people access education, housing and employment, and reduce recidivism. For the Black and Brown Coloradans who have faced disproportionate impacts from our unjust criminal legal system, automatic record sealing is a necessary step to curb the systemic racism that often blocks pathways to success.” Two years ago the legislature passed HB19-1275, a bill that created a process for people convicted of low level offenses to petition the court to have their record sealed, by a vote of 91-6 across both chambers. Under HB21-1214, certain records for low-level drug offenses would be automatically sealed. The bill does not change the non-drug offenses eligible to be considered by a court for discretionary sealing and would still not apply to violent offenses, child abuse, or driving under the influence, among other exceptions in current law. It requires waiting periods of up to ten years depending on the offenses being considered by a court for sealing. With the exception of a life sentence, punishment in our criminal legal system is meant to be finite–meaning it ends. However, a criminal record follows a defendant for the rest of their lives, often impacting opportunities for housing or employment, even for minor offenses. Criminal records make it harder for people to re-integrate into their communities and create barriers to secure housing and employment. When record sealing is based on a petition system, the burden falls on the individual to be aware of their eligibility and to navigate a time-consuming and costly process to secure relief. Nearly half of Black men and almost 40 percent of white males are arrested by the time they are 23 years old. The bill, which is supported by the ACLU and Americans for Prosperity, shifts the onus of responsibility onto the system while still allowing records to be easily unsealed if there is an intervening factor, for example if the person who committed the offense is running for public office. Furthermore, comprehensive arrest data is collected under SB20-217 regarding the race, ethnicity and gender of every person arrested in Colorado in order to reveal patterns of discriminatory law enforcement practices. Previous Next

< Back May 22, 2019 GOV SIGNS ROBERTS BILL TO REDUCE INSULIN PRICES Price of insulin has increased 555 percent over the last 14 years (May 22) – Governor Polis signed Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bill to reduce the price of life-saving insulin for people with diabetes in Colorado. “For Coloradans living with Type 1 Diabetes, insulin is essential to their survival – it is the same as oxygen. The skyrocketing cost of insulin is outrageous and it is literally putting people’s lives at risk,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon . “With this new law, Coloradans will no longer be forced to choose between this life-saving and life-sustaining drug and their other expenses.” One-in-four type-1 diabetics report rationing their insulin due to the high cost of the drug. HB19-1216 caps the total co-pay that patients will pay for insulin to $100 per one-month supply, regardless of how much insulin is being dispensed. This is down from an average out-of-pocket costs of $600-900 per month, which Coloradans currently face. “This law is a significant step in trying to solve the much larger problem of prescription drug pricing and will make a significant difference for Coloradans living with diabetes and their families,” continued Rep. Roberts. Rep. Roberts has been an outspoken advocate for Coloradans living with diabetes since arriving at the state capitol. Over 420,000 Coloradans have diabetes and an additional 20,000 Coloradans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser was also in attendance at the bill signing. In addition to the co-pay cap, the law also directs the Colorado Attorney General’s office investigate business practices, organization, pricing, and data of pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurance carriers, and any other entity that influences insulin costs and create a report that explores possible legislative solutions. The report will be submitted to the governor, the commissioner of insurance, and the judiciary committees of the House and Senate in 2020. The annual medical cost related to diabetes in Colorado is almost $4 billion. Almost 18 percent of that cost, roughly $700 million, is for prescription insulin to treat diabetes. The cost of insulin rose by 45 percent between 2014 and 2017 and by over 700 percent over the last twenty years while the actual product of insulin has not changed in any significant way since 1996. Gov.Polis also signed Rep. Roberts’ bill that expands the types of locations that have automated external defibrillators. HB19-1183 encourages any person that owns, operates, or manages a public place to place functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in sufficient quantities to ensure reasonable availability for use during perceived sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. Previous Next

Representative Meghan Lukens and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon today released the following statements on the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee’s recent meetings. < Back August 20, 2024 Cell Phone Connectivity Committee Outlines Future Legislation, Tours Cell Phone Infrastructure DENVER, CO - Representative Meghan Lukens and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon today released the following statements on the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee ’s recent meetings. The bipartisan interim committee discussed future legislation and toured cell phone infrastructure in Lyons. Chair Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs: “Addressing the gaps in cell phone service is crucial for the health, safety and well-being of our community members and those visiting our state. Yesterday’s urban field trip allowed us to engage with experts about some of the challenges of cell phone connectivity in Colorado, and experience some of the emerging technologies designed to boost coverage in densely populated areas. “As we work toward finalizing legislation for next year’s legislative session and an upcoming rural field trip in early September, I am working hard to create a future where no one in our state has to question if their cell phone will be able to dial in an emergency.” Committee Member, Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver: “Reliable cell phone service is more than just staying connected with our loved ones; the need to dial emergency services is very real. When we convened the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee, our goal was to uncover opportunities for making cell phone coverage more reliable in our state, especially in underserved and rural areas. “As we get closer to solidifying future legislation, our vision remains the same – create a future where Coloradans can confidently rely on their cell phone no matter their zip code.” On Monday, August 19, committee members toured a small cell site in Lyons and FirstNet Authority. This outing showcased a public safety broadband network in Colorado, allowing committee members to experience first-hand the infrastructure necessary for fast, reliable cell phone service in densely populated areas. Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2021 BILLS TO SUPPORT SENIORS, INCREASE ACCESS TO GERIATRIC PROVIDERS SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will support older Coloradans by creating a new grant program to expand access to critical services and increase the number of health care providers in Colorado who provide geriatric care. “The bill Governor Polis signed today will dedicate $15 million toward projects that promote the health, wellbeing and security of Colorado’s seniors,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This funding will help seniors access food, critical health care and transportation services. It will also be used to implement best practices for preventing falls and managing chronic diseases.” “Colorado has one of the fastest growing senior populations in the country, which is why we need to act now to increase the number of providers in our state that specialize in caring for seniors,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “I’m proud that we were able to pass legislation this session that will incentivize health care providers with geriatric training or experience to commit to caring for older adults in areas where there aren’t enough providers.” “Estimates show that we are going to face a significant shortage of health care providers who treat older Coloradans,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “With Governor Polis signing this bill today, we are going to encourage more medical providers who treat older adults to come to Colorado and help improve access to care for seniors.” SB21-290 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield, dedicates $15 million to support Colorado’s aging population by expanding housing assistance, increasing access to health services, subsidizing nutrition programs, and improving transportation opportunities to medical appointments. SB21-158 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada and Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, changes the Colorado Health Service Corps Program, a loan repayment program, to include geriatric advanced practice providers. Under the bill, registered nurses and physician assistance with geriatric training or experience could participate in the loan repayment program on the condition they commit to providing geriatric care to older adults in health professional shortage areas. Colorado has an aging population. Colorado has the third fastest growing population over the age of 65, and Coloradans over age 65 are the fastest growing age group in the state. By 2050, the state demography office estimates that more than one in five Coloradans will be over age 65. Not only is there a national doctor shortage, but estimates also expect a significant shortage of providers who treat older patients. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES COLORADO COMEBACK PACKAGE TO SUPPORT WORKERS, STUDENTS, BUSINESSES, FAMILIES, AND MORE House advances five state stimulus proposals on second reading DENVER, CO– The House today gave preliminary approval to five Colorado Comeback state stimulus proposals to give restaurants a leg up, invest in jobs training, close the COVID learning gap, and boost affordable housing opportunities. The bills are part of the $800 million package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. “Restaurants, bars, and other food service businesses took quite a hit during the pandemic, but many are on the mend as our economy continues to safely reopen,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn. “Extending a crucial tax break that has served as a lifeline for many of these businesses will help our restaurant industry build back stronger. I hope and expect that the summer months will be a boon for small businesses across the state, and I’m proud to say that many of them will be able to take thousands of dollars in additional deductions. HB21-1265 , sponsored by Reps Kyle Mullica and Kevin Van Winkle R-Highlands Ranch, continues a successful sales tax assistance effort passed during the 2020 special session. It allows restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors (such as airline food service contractors and food concession contractors at sporting events) to deduct up to $70,000 in net taxable sales from their monthly state sales tax return for five different locations and retain the resulting sales tax revenue during the months of June, July, and August 2021. “Coloradans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 are eager to get back to work,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “By investing in the SNAP Employment First initiative, we’re making sure that the Colorado comeback extends to low-income workers across the state. The skills and jobs training provided by this proven program will go a long way toward helping Colorado’s workers find rewarding employment that will support them for years to come.” The SNAP Employment First initiative has successfully helped Coloradans who receive SNAP benefits obtain new skills to thrive and reenter the workforce. HB21-1270 , sponsored by Representatives Tony Exum and Yadira Caraveo, leverages $3 million in state funds to draw down an additional $3 million in federal funds to provide a total of $6 million for jobs and skills training services to SNAP recipients. The funds may also be used to support work based learning opportunities and expanding 3rd party partnerships to expand the SNAP employment and training program’s reach. “Affordable housing has long been a top priority for myself and my colleagues in the legislature,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The pandemic only heightened the need to take bold action to ensure that Colorado families can keep a roof over their head despite the economic turmoil. As we work to build back a stronger Colorado, we’re giving local governments the tools and the funding they need to meet the unique affordable housing needs of their rural, rural-resort, suburban and urban communities.” Local governments are on the forefront of building affordable housing, but often lack the tools and resources to increase the available housing stock. HB21-1271 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Iman Jodeh, provides $13 million in incentives and technical assistance to local governments to provide for the rapid deployment of affordable housing projects and to also ensure local communities have the tools and resources they need to help them identify and meet their unique housing needs. HB21-1234 , sponsored by Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, would create and fund the Colorado High Impact Tutoring Program. Data consistently demonstrates that high-impact tutoring, when administered during the school day to groups of four of fewer students by the same qualified tutor at least three times per week, is one of the most effective interventions to raise student achievement. This program would be administered under the Colorado Department of Education and would provide grants to local education providers for high impact tutoring programs designed to address COVID-related learning loss. The bill outlines the process and requirements for applying for funding, and establishes that rural education providers and schools serving low-income or underserved students must be among the criteria taken into consideration in awarding grants. Previous Next