Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Alex Valdez into law that will strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events. < Back June 5, 2024 Stronger Consumer Protections for Event Tickets Becomes Law RED ROCKS, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Alex Valdez into law that will strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events. “Colorado is home to great live music venues and multiple professional sports teams, and this consumer protection law will help prevent Coloradans from being taken advantage of by bad actors,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “This law guarantees refunds for canceled events, ensures actual all-in prices are advertised and bans deceptive website sales to clarify consumer rights and protections in the ticket industry. We’re creating a Colorado that better serves our event goers so they can fully enjoy their favorite events, from Nuggets games to Taylor Swift concerts.” “Unfortunately, most Coloradans have had negative experiences with the ticket industry that make it more difficult for them to attend concerts and professional sports games,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “As a resident of downtown Denver, I know how important our local sports teams and big concert events are to local businesses. Our legislation will bolster protections for consumers, making ticket-buying a more secure process so Coloradans can feel better about their purchases.” HB24-1378 requires ticket sellers and resellers to guarantee refunds to ticket buyers and prohibits an operator from denying a ticket buyer access to an event because they purchased the ticket through a reseller. This new law expands what constitutes a deceptive trade, including: Displaying trademarked, copyrighted, or substantially similar web designs, URLs, or other images and symbols with the intent to mislead a purchaser, Selling a ticket to an event without disclosing the total cost of the ticket, or Increasing the price of a ticket after the ticket has been selected for purchase, except for adding delivery fees. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that additional fees on event tickets average 27 to 31 percent of the ticket’s price. Previous Next

< Back February 20, 2020 HOUSE PASSES REP. MICHAELSON JENET’S MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS EXAMS BILL Bipartisan legislation would reinforce Colorado as a national leader in mental health parity DENVER, CO– The House of Representatives today passed HB20-1086, sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Colin Larson, by a vote of 45-17. The bill would guarantee insurance coverage for annual mental health wellness exams. “This is one of the most important bills I have worked on in my time in the legislature, and I am so pleased that it has passed the House,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Too many Coloradans don’t have access to the mental health care they need. This bill will go a long way towards breaking down the barriers, may they be stigma, financial or provider availability, that have made it far too difficult for Coloradans to access life-saving mental health care.” HB20-1086 would require health insurance plans to cover an annual mental health wellness examination as a part of their coverage for preventative health care services. The coverage must be comparable to the coverage for a physical examination, comply with federal mental health parity laws, and not require any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The legislation aims to further break down barriers to mental health care. Our current system often treats mental health on an expensive crisis-by-crisis basis. By enhancing access to preventative care, the bill would help provide treatment for mental health conditions before someone is faced with a crisis. It would also reduce the stigma around mental health by ensuring we value preventative mental health care in the same way we currently value physical health care. Colorado is experiencing a persistent and rising suicide rate while far too many residents report barriers to accessing the behavioral health care they need. Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death in Colorado. In 2019, 769,301 Coloradans were unable to get mental health services when needed, and 68 percent reported that cost and insurance coverage were barriers, according to the Colorado Health Access Survey. The legislation is supported by Mental Health Colorado, the Colorado AFL-CIO, the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, the Colorado Association for School Based Health Care, the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, and the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The legislation will now be considered in the Senate. Previous Next

HB26-1207 will require Colorado employers to follow the reporting requirements as outlined in the 1966 Civil Rights Act < Back June 5, 2026 Jackson, Bacon Bill to Prevent Workplace Discrimination Signed into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law administratively to ensure the continued collection of employee demographic data to prevent workplace discrimination. “No one should be discriminated against while they’re on the job, and Colorado needs to step up as the Trump Administration rolls back nearly every DEI initiative and tool,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Decades of research have proven that the collection of workplace demographic information is an important tool to support anti-discrimination in the workplace. Even if the federal government does away with the EEOC, our law says firmly that Colorado employers must still collect and report worker demographic information.” “What we are experiencing at the federal level is an active dismantling of the Civil Rights Act,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “EEO-1 demographic data matters because it helps root out discriminatory practices and gives employees who have experienced discrimination in the workplace a pathway for justice. Regardless of what the Trump Administration declares, in Colorado, we will require employers to collect workplace demographic data because it provides an accurate picture of Colorado workplaces and combats discrimination.” HB26-1207 will help prevent discrimination in Colorado workplaces by requiring employers to report certain demographic information, including race, ethnicity, sex and job categories of employees to the state, just as they currently must report to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Beginning July 2027, Colorado employers with more than 100 employees will be required to provide the Employer Information Report or Standard Form 100 (EEO-1) to the Colorado Department of State, even if the federal government repeals or discontinues this EEOC workplace requirement. Additionally, Colorado employers must use the EEO-1 form as it existed on March 1, 2026. HB26-1207 comes in response to the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Civil Rights Act (CRA), which has helped foster workplace fairness and equity and help fight back against discrimination. Earlier this year , the administration outlined its intent to eliminate EEO-1 data collection and submissions to the EEOC, as required under Title 7 of the CRA. EEO-1 data collection has served as a key tool in rooting out workplace discrimination, and the EEOC has helped workers recover billions for workers who suffered discrimination on the job. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO PREVENT SUICIDE DEATHS, IMPROVE 2-1-1 HOTLINE DENVER, CO– The House has passed two bills on Third Reading and final passage that would better connect Coloradans with critical behavioral health support. “For every person who dies by suicide, there are 280 people who seriously consider suicide but do not attempt it,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Suicide in general, and particularly teen suicide, has risen dramatically in Colorado over the last several years. Establishing the 988 suicide prevention network in Colorado will provide a lifeline for people having a mental health crisis. I’m thrilled that this critical bill is almost to the finish line.” SB21-154 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Matt Soper, would implement the 988 national suicide prevention lifeline network in Colorado. By calling this number, individuals will be provided with crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care that aims to prevent suicide deaths. The bill aims to establish the new hotline by January 20222. The bill passed unanimously. The bill passed today by a vote of 53-10. “The 2-1-1 human services referral system connects Coloradans with critical resources such as housing assistance, vaccination information, and nutrition support, and now, it will refer Coloradans to behavioral health services, too,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Navigating the behavioral health system is sometimes the single most significant barrier to accessing care. By adding behavioral health services to the 2-1-1 hotline, we’re creating a new entry point for Coloradans to be connected to the mental health care and services they need.” “Colorado has a mental health crisis, and the pandemic has only made it more challenging for people to connect with behavioral health providers and access the care they need,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Soon, Coloradans will be able to dial 2-1-1 and be connected with critical mental health care services. This, in addition to the 2-1-1 system, will benefit a lot of Coloradans, and especially people who are unemployed or do not have health care.” SB21-239 , sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Mary Young, would improve the 2-1-1 Statewide Human Services Referral System. The bill appropriates $1 million to expand referral services authorized by the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative to include referrals for behavioral health services and other resources in the state. By doing so, the 2-1-1 hotline will be able to connect more Coloradans with the mental health services they need. The bill additionally focuses on connecting Coloradans who are unemployed or who do not have health benefits to mental and behavioral health services. The bill passed Tuesday by a vote of 48-15. Previous Next

< Back April 15, 2021 SIGNED! BILLS TO END STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN CIVIL SEX ABUSE CASES & HIRE FORMER-INMATE WIDLAND FIREFIGHTERS DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law. SB21-073, sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Matt Soper, would end the statute of limitations on civil sex abuse cases. SB21-012, sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts, would allow the Department of Public Safety to hire formerly incarcerated individuals with wildland firefighting experience. “It’s been such a long road, but today, finally, we are ending the statute of limitations for civil sex abuse cases,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Victims deserve justice whenever they choose to seek it. Outdated laws won’t be able to stop them anymore. Courageous Coloradans from all walks of life came forward to share their painful stories, and together, we changed how victims can seek justice in our state.” SB21-073 would remove the current six year limitation on bringing a civil claim based on sexual misconduct. The bill applies to a cause of action that accrues on or after January 1, 2022, or a cause of action that accrued prior to that date but before the current six year statute of limitations expires. The legislation defines sexual misconduct in statute and removes restrictions that limited victims’ ability to file a civil action or recover damages. “Our communities are safer because of the dangerous work done each fire season by Colorado’s State Wildland Inmate Fire Team (SWIFT),” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This law will allow Colorado to hire experienced wildland firefighters so they can continue protecting our communities from ever more dangerous and destructive fires. It’s a win-win situation for Colorado; it creates jobs and helps us combat wildfires.” HB21-012, sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, would allow the wildland fire management section in the Department of Public Safety to more easily hire former inmates with wildland firefighting experience. The bill also requires the department to develop materials to increase awareness of wildland firefighting career opportunities for Coloradans who have experience fighting fires through the inmate disaster relief program. Previous Next

DENVER, CO – Representative Brianna Titone today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, in which the Court ruled to allow businesses to refuse service to a customer based on the customer’s sexual orientation. < Back June 30, 2023 Rep. Titone Statement on SCOTUS Ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis DENVER, CO – Representative Brianna Titone today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis , in which the Court ruled to allow businesses to refuse service to a customer based on the customer’s sexual orientation. Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Statement and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ caucus: “The decision by the Supreme Court undermines Colorado’s anti-discrimination protections, directly attacks the rights of LGBTQ Americans and allows businesses to deny services based on ‘First Amendment’ grounds to anyone due to their gender, race, religion, or who they love. The US Supreme Court has legalized discrimination and bigotry against LGBTQ people and has endangered equal protections under the law. With one decision, the Court threatens decades of progress to secure the freedoms and rights of LGBTQ Americans, and has threatened the rights of Americans to equally and fairly access public accommodations. Across the country, over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced that put the community in danger of harm, preventing us from freely expressing ourselves or being able to make personal health care decisions. We’ve made great progress in recent years to fight against the increasing anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. We secured the right to access gender affirming care and abortion care, added anti-discrimination protection language to include gender identity and gender expression, and strengthened anti-discrimination protections for people in the workplace. While our new laws ensure Colorado is a safer place for members of the LGBTQ+ community to call home, we still have hills to climb to combat the rising anti-LGBTQ vitriol. Colorado Democrats will continue to fight for your freedoms and stand up against discrimination, bigotry, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.” Today’s ruling sided with 303 Creative, a Colorado-based company that sued the state for the right to refuse service to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2022, Colorado Democrats updated Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), expanding anti-discrimination protections. CADA guarantees equal access to public accommodations, housing, and employment regardless of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, religion, national origin, or ancestry. In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to increase protections against discrimination. In the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers approved a law that added “gender expression” and “gender identity” as a protected class under Colorado statute. In 2022, House Democrats amended CADA to improve age discrimination protections in employment cases and extend time limits for complaints and charges. This year, several laws were passed to protect people and health care providers from being persecuted for reproductive health and gender-affirming care , prohibit employers from requiring age-related information on job applications, improve safeguards against harassment and discrimination in the workplace, and protect people with a disability from being excluded from or denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities provided by a place of public accommodation. Previous Next

< Back August 5, 2024 McCluskie Speaks to Lake County High School Teachers LEADVILLE, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie today attended the Lake County High School All Staff Meeting to talk with teachers and highlight recent efforts to increase rural school funding and teacher pay. “Increasing funding for schools and supporting our teachers and students has been one of my top priorities in the legislature,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Over the last few years, we have invested record funding in public schools that districts can now use to increase teacher pay, address recruitment challenges and deliver a world class education to our students. I’m so proud that the new public school finance formula I sponsored will significantly boost funding for Lake County R-1 schools and districts all across the High Country.” Speaker McCluskie sponsored the new school finance formula, which significantly increases funding for rural schools and districts that serve more at-risk and special education students. The prior formula, which had not been changed in nearly 30 years, did not prioritize student needs or rural schools. Under the new formula, a greater emphasis is placed on the student characteristics in each district. The new formula will increase funding for Lake County R-1 by 14.4 percent a year by the time it is fully implemented. Previous Next

< Back August 4, 2023 Speaker McCluskie’s Statement on Departure of Senate Majority Leader Moreno DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today released the following statement in response to Majority Leader Dominick Moreno’s departure from the Colorado General Assembly: “Majority Leader Moreno leaves a legacy of leadership steeped in his steadfast dedication to public service. It was my great honor to serve with him on the Joint Budget Committee and now as an ally in the House. “I will miss his quick wit and policy intellect, expansive knowledge of the state’s budget, and keen ability to broker compromise. While he will be deeply missed in the legislature, I know he will continue serving Denverites and the people of Colorado well in this new capacity.” Previous Next

< Back February 22, 2021 BILL TO FINANCE FOREST HEALTH EFFORTS MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO– The House Agriculture, Livestock, & Water Committee today passed bipartisan legislation that would allow communities to join together to create special districts in order to help finance forest health projects. HB21-1008, sponsored by Representatives Jeni Arndt and Marc Catlin, passed. “With droughts getting worse and worse each year and temperatures rising to historic levels, our fire seasons have become more dangerous and destructive,” said Rep. Jeni James Arndt, D-Fort Fort Collins. “Building back stronger means providing our communities with the tools they need to protect their property from future disasters. This bill would allow towns, counties, and municipalities to join together to finance forest health projects that can reduce the threat, intensity, and size of wildfires in our state.” HB21-1008 allows local governments to establish special improvement districts that would, with voter or property owner approval, be allowed to levy property taxes to finance forest health projects like removing trees damages from pine beetle or replanting deforested areas. Forest health projects can reduce the intensity and size of wildfires. The bill also empowers counties, municipalities, special districts, water conservancy districts, and forest improvement districts to financially contribute to forest health projects. Previous Next

< Back March 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES MCLACHLAN-GALINDO BILL TO ENHANCE FOOD SYSTEM ADVISORY COUNCIL Bill will help enhance Colorado’s food system infrastructure (Mar 5) – The House Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee gave approval today to Rep. Barbara McLachlan and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill to advance recommendations that strengthen healthy food access for all Coloradans through Colorado agriculture and local food systems and economies. “We need to find a way to increase access to healthy food while also investing in our local, regional, and state economies,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “This bill will help increase access to fresh, healthy food for our most vulnerable communities and redirect federal money to Colorado farmers.” HB19-1202 will combine the existing Food System Advisory Council with the Farm to School Task Force and places the reconstituted Colorado Food System Advisory Council within Colorado State University. Through this, the university can also look at increasing and strengthening WIC and SNAP retailers as it relates to the access to and provision of healthy foods. “Our vulnerable populations should have access to a food system that will ensure they have access to healthy foods,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “Leveraging the purchasing power of our school districts and health care systems will create more marketing connections with producers to strengthen the food system.” HB19-1202 passed committee with a bipartisan vote of 9-2 and now heads to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

Representative Matthew Martinez and Senators Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Julie Gonzales today hosted a press conference to discuss new legislation to strengthen local fence construction laws in the San Luis Valley. < Back January 24, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Lawmakers Step Up to Protect Environment, Sangre De Cristo Land Grants DENVER, CO – Representative Matthew Martinez and Senators Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Julie Gonzales today hosted a press conference to discuss new legislation to strengthen local fence construction laws in the San Luis Valley. “This legislation is necessary to fight back against the negative impacts of unauthorized fence construction on our community, to protect our environment and Colorado Way of Life," said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista . “When I visited the newly constructed fence, I was appalled by the negative impact on our environment and our local community. Many San Luis Valley residents have land rights beyond the fence dating back to before Colorado’s statehood. This bill will boost local control and require individuals to submit an application before construction – further prioritizing local and environmental protections.” “As Co-Chair of the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus, I am so proud to sponsor HB1023,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Ensuring local governments have a say in how San Luis Valley communities are able to access their land is simply the right thing to do. I want to uplift the leadership of Representative Martinez on this important issue and I look forward to carrying this policy when it reaches the Senate." HB25-1023 , would require individuals to submit an application to local government officials before constructing or installing a contiguous fence of a certain size in the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant lands. Under the bill, local governments would be responsible for determining if the benefits of a fencing project outweigh the harms. Additionally, local governments may pass an ordinance or resolution opting out of these requirements altogether. Recent fence construction on one of the Sangre de Cristo land grant properties has caused environmental damage, including land erosion and limiting wildlife movement, and kept out local residents with legal access to the land grant. This bill takes aim at future, unauthorized fencing construction projects to protect the natural habitats in the San Luis Valley. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL Legislation will invest $40 million in affordable housing solutions DENVER, CO – The House advanced a bipartisan bill on a preliminary vote today that would save Coloradans money on housing. HB22-1282, sponsored by Representatives Kyle Mullica and Mike Lynch, would boost the affordable housing stock, increase homeownership rates and create jobs through innovative housing solutions. This bill is part of a package of bills to save Coloradans money on housing as recommended by the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. “We’re working toward innovative solutions to address Colorado’s affordable housing crisis,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights . “This legislation will boost the construction of homes that can be built efficiently while meeting our state’s ever-increasing demand for affordable housing. These modular and manufactured homes are innovative, affordable and will save hardworking Coloradans money on housing while boosting homeownership in our state.” Innovative Housing Incentive Program: HB22-1282 deploys $40 million to attract, encourage and support the construction of innovative forms of affordable housing to be built all across Colorado. Examples include modular, pre-fabricated, manufactured and other innovative forms of housing. This will quickly boost the affordable housing stock in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, as well as increase the rate of homeownership in communities that have traditionally lacked access to this important wealth-building tool. The legislation will also create jobs by incentivizing new innovative housing companies to manufacture and place their homes in Colorado. Additionally, HB22-1282 will expand Colorado’s workforce by assisting current housing manufacturing companies to expand their capacity, operations and employees to fill affordable housing demands. Previous Next