< Back December 10, 2020 HOOTON AND A. VALDEZ APPOINTED TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DENVER, CO — Speaker-designate Alec Garnett today announced his appointment of Reps. Edie Hooton and Alex Valdez to the Capital Development Committee (CDC). Rep. Hooton will serve as the senior member on the Committee. “Rep. Edie Hooton is a committed lawmaker and consensus builder who I’m sure will take on the work of the CDC with her signature grace and dedication,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “She’ll be joined by returning CDC member Alex Valdez, whose tenacity and private sector experience have made him an invaluable asset to the committee. I’m so proud of these two members and look forward to watching them deliver for the people of Colorado.” “It’s an honor to take on this new and important role,” said Rep. Hooton, D-Boulder. “The CDC stewards some of Colorado’s most important investments for our institutions of higher education and our state agencies, and I’ll work hard to ensure they are responsibly managed and cared for.” “I’m excited to resume my work on the Capital Development Committee next session,” said Rep. Valdez, D-Denver. “A careful and thorough review of our capital projects will allow us to make solid recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee and build back a more just economy for all. Let’s get to work!” The Capital Development Committee (CDC) is a statutory committee responsible for reviewing funding requests for capital projects from all state agencies, and making prioritized recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee. Rep. Hooton will be serving her third term in the state legislature, where she has served as the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee and on the Transportation and Local Government Committee. She has also served as the Co-Caucus Chair for the House Majority Caucus. Rep. Hooton represents District 10, which includes parts of Boulder County. Rep. Alex Valdez is serving in his second term. In addition to serving on the CDC, Rep. Valdez has also served on the Energy & Environment and Transportation & Local Government committees. He represents House District 5, which includes parts of Denver. Previous Next

The House today passed the 2026 School Finance Act. SB26-023 will drive $180 million more to Colorado’s K-12 public schools for the 2026-27 school year. < Back May 12, 2026 2026 School Finance Act Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed the 2026 School Finance Act. SB26-023 will drive $180 million more to Colorado’s K-12 public schools for the 2026-27 school year. “The 2026 School Finance Act, which makes meaningful investments in K-12 education and keeps the student-centered formula in place, is now one step closer to becoming law,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We were forced to make painful decisions because of Colorado’s budget deficit. However, we were able to protect core education funding. Over the years, we’ve taken bold action to drive more dollars to our public schools, and I’m deeply proud of that work. This year’s school finance act builds upon Colorado Democrats' mission to fully fund our schools, increase teacher pay and set our students up for a lifetime of success.” “As any teacher will tell you, fully funded schools make all the difference to our students, and I’m thrilled to help deliver record funding to K-12 education with the 2026 School Finance Act,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Despite budgetary constraints, we still delivered record investments in K-12 education and increased per-pupil funding. The 2026 School Finance Act boosts per-pupil funding by $449, bringing the total per-pupil funding to $12,325. There is more work to be done to fully fund our schools, but this year’s school finance act is an important step in the right direction.” SB26-023 sets statewide per-pupil funding at $12,325 for fiscal year 2026-2027, an increase of $449 compared to FY 2025-2026 funding levels, bringing total K-12 funding for the upcoming fiscal year to $10.178 billion and increasing total program funding by $180.79 million. SB26-023 passed the House by a vote of 57-8. The General Fund contribution to K-12 education is increasing significantly thanks to the Kids Matter Fund created by Democrats last year, which is forecast to invest more than $216 million in Colorado’s schools next year. SB26-023 continues on the path established last year that implements the new school finance formula ( HB24-1448 ) at 30 percent with a three-year averaging model to help stabilize school funding in a declining-enrollment environment. This follows requirements in last year’s School Finance Act that phased in the implementation of the new school funding formula at 15 percent per year for six years, and then 10 percent for the final seventh year of implementation. HB24-1448 created a more student-centered formula designed to drive more resources to rural and underserved districts, as well as students living with a disability, at-risk students and English Language Learners (ELLs). This year, Democrats also increased funding by $14 million to continue free preschool access for all Colorado kids and increased funding by $38 million to implement the voter-approved Proposition MM to preserve access to free school meals for students. Since the 2020-2021 academic year, Democrats have increased total program funding from $7.2 billion to $10.2 billion for the upcoming year despite a declining enrollment environment. Per-pupil funding has increased from $8,100 to $12,300 in that time as well. Previous Next

The House Energy and Environment Committee yesterday passed HB26-1226 to fight back against federal mandates that force coal plants set to retire to stay operational, which will drive up costs to ratepayers and derail Colorado’s clean energy future. < Back February 27, 2026 Bill to Fight Back Against Federal Attempts to Steamroll Colorado’s Energy Future Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Energy and Environment Committee yesterday passed HB26-1226 to fight back against federal mandates that force coal plants set to retire to stay operational, which will drive up costs to ratepayers and derail Colorado’s clean energy future. “Ratepayers shouldn’t bear the brunt of Trump’s politically-motivated attempt to bring inoperable and out-of-service coal plants back online,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “This robust bill pushes back against federal overreach that would derail Colorado’s climate goals and end up costing ratepayers more. Major stakeholders agree – from the Attorney General and environmental groups to the operators of the Craig Unit 1 power plant – forcing coal-plants to stay online will increase utility costs for Coloradans. This bill establishes authority for Colorado to plan our own energy future and help protect ratepayers from price hikes.” “Ratepayers deserve to know how much propping up an aging, broken down coal-fired power plant will cost them on their utility bills,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Trump’s politically-motivated use of an emergency order to keep an aging coal plant online in Northwest Colorado will cost Coloradans money on their utility bills and set back our climate goals. Colorado has made significant progress toward its climate goals, and this bill helps safeguard utilities, ratepayers and regulators so we can plan for our own energy future.” HB26-1226 passed committee by a vote of 9-3. This bill protects Colorado’s utility consumers, air quality and clean energy goals. To safeguard Colorado’s environment, this bill helps to mitigate the impacts of federal interference in Colorado’s energy future, ensures energy reliability, and modernizes standards for coal plant pollution. If a coal-fired plants are permitted to operate past 2030, this bill would: Mandate that consumers and regulators are given information on the costs of keeping coal plants open, and give the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) financing tools to manage operating costs, minimizing the impact on ratepayers. Ensure the PUC approves new resources for Colorado’s largest electric utilities to help Colorado reach our climate targets and retire coal plants on schedule. Require that coal plants still in operation use modern pollution controls to reduce emissions and help Colorado reach its climate goals. In addition to informing consumers about the cost impacts of keeping coal plants open past their retirement date, this bill also allows utility companies to use securitization as a financing tool if it lowers costs for ratepayers. This would include refinanced debt or long-term, low-interest bonds on large-scale projects to help lower costs for ratepayers now. To reduce pollution, this bill would require the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to issue a rule to set limits on the emission of NOx and SO2 from coal-fired power plants, unless those plants have retired or converted to burn a fuel other than coal. HB26-1226 would also require operators to submit quarterly emissions reports showing compliance beginning in 2030. Last December, the Trump Administration issued a 202(c) emergency order to keep an aging coal-fired power plant in Craig operating, despite the plant's scheduled retirement in late 2025. This unprecedented order was challenged by the Colorado Attorney General and environmental groups late last month. Additionally, the owners of the coal power plant, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and the Platte River Power Authority filed a formal petition asking the U.S. Department of Energy to reconsider to “find a more effective and affordable path forward, one that will not delay retirement of Craig Unit 1.” Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 REP. MCLACHLAN: OUTDOOR REC CRITICAL FOR COLORADO’S ECONOMY Legislation advanced today would create the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to help drive continued growth in the sector DENVER, CO— Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan legislation to create the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office today passed the House Committee on Energy and Environment by a vote of 9-2. “Outdoor recreation is critical for Colorado’s economy, and this legislation will sustain and foster this growing industry,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “We can do more to support outdoor recreation and the jobs it creates while also protecting the beautiful public lands on which the industry relies. That’s what this bill would do.” In 2015, the governor formed the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office in the Office of Economic Development. HB20-1191 would cement this office in statute and outline the office’s specific responsibilities and objectives. Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy has grown significantly, but additional support is needed to sustain this growth. HB20-1191, which is also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, calls for the cultivation, promotion, and coordinated development of the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado and for the protection and conservation of public lands, waters, air, and climate. It calls on the state to partner with the outdoor recreation industry to ensure that the industry serves as a good steward of Colorado’s natural beauty. The Office would support the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado by working with state, federal, local governments and nongovernmental organizations to promote economic development, conservation, stewardship, education, workforce training, and public health and wellness. The outdoor industry accounts for 10 percent of Colorado’s economy, with $37 billion in consumer spending supporting and creating more than 511,000 jobs. Since 2015, the outdoor recreation office has worked to attract and retain businesses, offered workforce training programs, fostered product manufacturing and entrepreneurialism, and brought high-tech and advanced industries to the state. The Office created the Rural Technical Assistance Program, which leverages state partnerships to further economic development in rural Colorado. It also sponsored the 2019 Colorado Classic, the only all-women professional bike race in the Western Hemisphere. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES REP. HOOTON’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXPAND MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRESCRIPTIONS (Apr. 30) — The House voted in favor of a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Edie Hooton that would add a condition for which a physician would prescribe an opioid, primarily for acute pain, to the list of disabling medical conditions that authorize a person to use medical marijuana for his or her condition. “The opioid epidemic doesn’t discriminate, it affects all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic status. Medical marijuana is an option to help people with their disabling pain without the repercussions of addictions that we are seeing in this epidemic,” said Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder. SB19-013 creates a statutory right to use medical marijuana for a patient with a condition for which a physician would prescribe an opioid for pain. Typically, these conditions are for acute pain and under current law, we already allow the ability for medical marijuana to be prescribed for different kinds of pain like chronic or debilitating pain. The bill creates the same rights, limitations, affirmative defense, and exceptions from criminal laws for these conditions as the constitutional right to use medical marijuana for other conditions. Rep. Hooton sponsored a similar bill last year but it was blocked in the previously Republican-controlled Senate. This year there was a breakthrough. SB19-013 passed with a bipartisan vote of 47-16 and now heads back to the Senate for approval of amendments. It previously passed the Senate 27-7. Previous Next

Interlock devices have blocked over 180,000 alcohol-impaired driving attempts since 2006 < Back May 28, 2026 Paschal, Jackson Bill to Prevent Drunk Driving Becomes Law Interlock devices have blocked over 180,000 alcohol-impaired driving attempts since 2006 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to improve road safety. HB26-1242 will require all drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol to install an interlock device in their car. “We know that the interlock device is an effective tool to decrease impaired driving and driving on a suspended license, which makes road travel safer for all of us,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “Too many families have suffered from drunk driving crashes, which is why I sponsored this new law to strengthen the tools that we have to keep dangerous drivers off of our roads. This law is an important step in improving road safety and preventing drunk driving to protect Colorado lives.” “These interlock devices are successful at blocking drunk driving attempts, which helps save lives and prevent avoidable crashes,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Many Coloradans rely on their vehicle to get to work, care for their families, and rebuild stability in their lives. By removing the two-month suspension period and expanding access to interlock devices, we can help people take accountability, stay employed, and safely get back on track while ensuring our roads are safer for everyone.” Before this law, a person who was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol for the first time was required to either install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle or have their driver’s license revoked for nine months before they are able to legally drive again. HB26-1242 requires first-time DUI offenders to hold an interlock-restricted driver’s license while their license is suspended and for nine months after their driver’s license is reinstated. Drivers with multiple DUIs are already required to install an interlock device in their vehicles. The law removes a mandatory two-month license suspension before reinstatement eligibility for drivers who wish to immediately install an interlock device in their vehicles, removing barriers to accessing their workplace, school and health care. HB26-1242 also provides clarity around the financial assistance program by defining income eligibility as 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Under the law, interlock device manufacturers must provide a 50 percent monthly service discount with free or discounted installation and removal for individuals who meet the income eligibility requirement. A 2018 report found that laws that require all DUI offenders to install an interlock device in their vehicle reduce the number of impaired drivers in fatal crashes by 16 percent . Previous Next

On August 7, two laws that strengthen standards for tissue banks to better protect human remains and require county coroners to have certain qualifications and training to ensure high standards of Colorado’s death investigators go into effect. < Back July 30, 2024 Increased Protections for Human Remains, Coroner Qualifications Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - On August 7, two laws that strengthen standards for tissue banks to better protect human remains and require county coroners to have certain qualifications and training to ensure high standards of Colorado’s death investigators go into effect. “When someone is grieving, they deserve to know that their loved one is being treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1254. “Unfortunately, Colorado has made national headlines over the mistreatment in funeral homes, and with this new law going into effect, we will help prevent these occurrences in the future and honor those we have lost.” HB24-1254 continues the regulation of nontransplant tissue banks, updates standards of practice, and prohibits compensating a funeral establishment for human remains. This law expands requirements to disclose that the nontransplant tissue bank may sell all or any portion of the remains and that the donor may choose to limit the sale of the donated remains, including prohibiting sale to a foreign buyer for nonmedical research or military use. “This legislation was long overdue, and will ensure that coroners in large counties have a skill set that matches the critical services those offices provide,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1100. “County coroners' findings have major implications for public health and safety, criminal justice proceedings, and in providing closure for surviving loved ones of the deceased. I'm grateful that El Paso County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly brought this bill idea to me, so that we can uphold the integrity of this essential public service." HB24-1100 requires a county coroner in a county with a population over 150,000 to either be a death investigator certified by and in good standing with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, or be a forensic pathologist certified by and in good standing with the American Board of Pathology. County coroner is an elected position and under current law, county coroners only need to be residents of the county they serve and have a high school diploma or college degree. This law helps ensure that those who run for a county coroner position are properly trained and certified by national organizations. Previous Next

< Back February 8, 2023 House Advances Bill to Streamline Mental Health Treatment DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bill on a preliminary vote allowing psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications after receiving additional education and training. “If medication is part of a mental health treatment plan, patients often wait months or pay large out-of-pocket costs to find a licensed prescriber to write their prescription,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill will improve access to the medication patients need by creating a path for psychologists to prescribe mental health treatment. Psychologists have a close relationship with their patients and a thorough understanding of how to treat mental illness, offering them important insight when it comes to the appropriate treatment.” HB23-1071 establishes rigorous standards and education requirements that a psychologist must undertake before being able to prescribe medication to treat mental health illnesses. Only licensed Ph.D. psychologists who receive an additional master’s degree in psychopharmacology, pass a national board exam, complete a preceptorship for up to two years, 750 hours of practicum work, and spend two additional years prescribing under the supervision of trained licensed prescribing clinicians or specialty provider if wanting to work with the pediatric or geriatric population. Once licensed, psychologists would work in conjunction with the patient’s primary care provider or general practitioner team to ensure that any prescribed medication is being monitored and working effectively for whole care health. Under this bill, these licensed psychologists will not be authorized to prescribe narcotic drugs. Currently, if medication is part of the patient’s care plan, the patient must meet with a doctor or psychiatrist to have the prescription issued. Few of the only 800 psychiatrists throughout Colorado accept Medicaid. Patients often struggle to find an available psychiatrist within their insurance network, forcing them to choose between large out-of-pocket costs or waiting months for the medication they need. Allowing psychologists limited prescribing authority to provide immediate access to medication can save the patient time and money. Psychologists work closely with their patients to determine how to best address their mental health needs. When patients meet with a doctor or psychiatrist, it’s often their first time discussing their mental health issues and telehealth appointments can make it difficult to accurately assess the patient’s condition. Allowing licensed psychologists who often meet monthly or even more frequently with patients and are more familiar with their condition to prescribe medication, streamlines access to effective health care and leads to more appropriate care. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation that would improve access to chains and traction devices while navigating winter road conditions to improve road safety. SB25-069, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco, passed by a vote of 54-11. < Back April 30, 2025 Lukens, Velasco Winter Road Safety Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would improve access to chains and traction devices while navigating winter road conditions to improve road safety. SB25-069, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco, passed by a vote of 54-11. “Communities in my district, like Vail and Steamboat Springs, are frequented by people who may not have winter driving experience or the knowledge to use life-saving traction devices on their vehicles,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This poses a serious threat to road safety, which is why we’re passing this bill to provide a safe environment for drivers to receive assistance installing or removing tire chains and other traction devices. We’re giving drivers the option to seek these roadside services from experienced professionals to keep themselves and fellow road users safe.” “Glenwood Canyon has the most accidents and road closures along I-70 nationally, which is why we need this bill to protect Colorado drivers,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Keeping Western Slope roads safe is a major priority in my district to ensure that residents, tourists and long-haul truckers can get where they need to go quickly and safely. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to make road travel safer for all road users.” SB25-069 would allow the Colorado Department of Transportation to authorize third-party vendors and companies to set up a roadside station to help install or remove tire chains or other traction devices on commercial and passenger vehicles. The bill directs CDOT to establish procedures for issuing a permit to vendors and requires that those installing tire chains or traction devices wear reflective clothing and use traffic control devices. The bill also requires that, between September 1 and May 31, rental car companies notify their renters of Colorado’s traction laws, whether the rental vehicle complies with the laws and the penalties for any violation of the law. The legislature passed a bipartisan law , also sponsored by Rep. Velasco, to enhance road safety on mountain highways by requiring commercial vehicles to carry chains on certain highways and prohibiting commercial vehicles from driving in the left lane on certain segments of I-70. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO ENSURE CULTURALLY COMPETENT HISTORY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS (March 5) – The House Education committee approved a bill by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver and Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, to ensure the inclusion of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans in civil government courses in Colorado’s classrooms. “Our state and our country are comprised of the diverse individuals and communities that have moved or immigrated here and those that have been here for many centuries. That is what makes us strong but for too long, these communities have been excluded from our teaching of history,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “With an increase in division among some of our communities, it would be beneficial for all children and youth to learn about each other’s background.” “Today, we heard from parents, teachers, administrators and school board members who confirmed what studies already show: teaching inclusive curriculum boost test scores and student engagement,” said Rep. Buentello. “I’m proud to sponsor this bill to ensure that the history taught in our state is truly inclusive and tells our country’s full story.” This bill would establish a sixteen member commission to provide recommendations to the Department of Education so that those standards and programs accurately reflect the history, culture, social contributions, and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the contributions and influence of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans and reflecting them accurately and inclusively. HB19-1192 passed on a vote of 8-5. The bill now goes to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO ALLOW HIRING OF FORMER INMATE FIREFIGHTERS DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed legislation that would allow former inmate wildland firefighters to join professional crews to help bolster Colorado’s wildfire response capabilities and foster opportunities for formerly incarcerated wildland firefighters. The bill passed unanimously. “Colorado’s State Wildland Inmate Fire Team (SWIFT) has performed life-saving work to protect our communities and halt devastating wildfires in my district and all across our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “With passage of this bill, Colorado can hire back former SWIFT crew members so they can continue protecting us from increasingly frequent wildfires. This bill is a win-win: helping people get jobs and protecting our communities. We owe it to the firefighters to open up this important post-incarceration career pathway and to invest in firefighting teams across our state.” 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

< Back March 18, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO ENSURE CULTURALLY COMPETENT HISTORY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS (Mar. 18) – The House approved a bill by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, and Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, to ensure the inclusion of American-Indians, Latinos, African-Americans and Asian-Americans in social studies courses in Colorado’s classrooms. “Our state and our country are comprised of the diverse individuals and communities that have moved or immigrated here and those that have been here for many centuries. That is what makes us strong but for too long, these communities have been excluded from our teaching of history,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “With an increase in division among some of our communities, it would be beneficial for all children and youth to learn about each other’s background and to be able to see themselves in the history books.” This bill would establish a sixteen member commission to provide recommendations to the Department of Education so that those standards and programs accurately reflect the history, culture, social contributions, and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the contributions and influence of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans and reflecting them accurately and inclusively. “Teaching inclusive curriculum boosts test scores and student engagement,” said Rep. Buentello. “I’m proud to sponsor this bill to ensure that the history taught in our state is truly inclusive and tells our country’s full story.” Parents, teachers, administrators and school board members testified in support of the bill at a hearing this month. HB19-1192 passed on a vote of 40-24. The bill now goes to the Senate. Previous Next