Bill will make reproductive health care more accessible and affordable for all < Back March 9, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Democrats Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Reproductive Health Care, Close Access Gaps Bill will make reproductive health care more accessible and affordable for all DENVER, CO – Democratic lawmakers in the Colorado General Assembly today introduced new legislation to improve access to reproductive health care, including abortion, and to make reproductive health care more equitable. Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, SB23-189 is part of the Safe Access to Protected Health Care Package of legislation. Sponsored in the House by Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, this bill works in several ways to close gaps in accessing reproductive health care, including abortion. “Every Coloradan deserves to be able to access the critical care they need, but for too many of our neighbors, barriers still exist that prevent them from accessing that care,” Moreno said. “Our legislation will break down those barriers, especially for vulnerable communities, and help ensure all our neighbors are able to get the life-saving care they need to thrive.” “I paid for my abortion out-of-pocket, but financial barriers hold so many back from receiving the reproductive health care they need,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This bill works to break down accessibility and equity barriers to necessary reproductive health care by reducing surprise billing, allowing eligible patients to use Medicaid’s transportation service to get to and from their abortion care appointments and by filling gaps in insurance coverage. You shouldn’t have to be privileged to receive the health care you need, and this bill makes sure Coloradans, regardless of income level, are supported in accessing abortion services.” “Investing in all aspects of sexual and reproductive health care is the right thing to do, both socially and economically,” said Cutter. “It is in our best interest as a society to help prevent unintended pregnancies, improve maternal health and prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections. I am thrilled to be part of legislation that will help build a healthier Colorado for everyone." “Accessing the health care you need shouldn’t rely upon how much money you have or if you have reliable transportation,” said Garcia. “This bill makes accessing reproductive health care, including abortion and STI treatment, possible for all Coloradans – especially important for communities of color who are disproportionately impacted by high costs and a lack of access to care. This bill will break down systematic barriers rooted in racism and discrimination to help secure reproductive justice for all.” SB23-189 would limit surprise medical billing and remove patient cost sharing for reproductive health care services and treatment, including but not limited to sterilization, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and abortion care. This bill expands access to contraception and related information for all Coloradans, specifically for minors, by modernizing a 1971 law and aligning it with Colorado’s Public Health code. SB23-189 also makes it possible for patients to utilize Medicaid’s non-emergent medical transportation service ( IntelliRide ) to get to and from their abortion services, further breaking down accessibility barriers faced by many Colorado Medicaid patients. In order to protect patients’ privacy and confidentiality on shared insurance coverage, this bill further creates a state fund that providers can bill directly for their patient’s reproductive health care services. Lastly, SB23-189 prioritizes access to life-saving HIV medication by cutting red tape to allow any authorized provider, not only pharmacists, to offer the treatment. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law that will ensure Colorado’s foster youth receive the financial benefits they are entitled to. < Back May 28, 2025 SIGNED! New Law Protects Foster Youth, Improves Welfare System DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law that will ensure Colorado’s foster youth receive the financial benefits they are entitled to. “I’ve seen this process play out first hand, and I want better for Colorado kids in the foster system,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “As a foster and adoptive parent, I am proud to pass this law to ensure federal survivor benefits are preserved for foster youth so they have the tools they need to build a stable life.” “Foster children face immense challenges, and this new law ensures that they receive the benefits that they are entitled to,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Federal funds meant for foster youth shouldn’t be used to cover the cost of foster care, leaving these kids with nothing to show for it when they leave the foster system. This law puts an end to this process to better protect foster youth and improve Colorado’s child welfare system.” Currently, county child welfare departments can apply for federal disability and parental death benefits on behalf of foster children and then use these funds without the foster child’s knowledge to pay for the cost of foster care. Beginning July 1, 2027, HB25-1271 creates new guidelines for county departments and the Colorado Department of Human Services. Under this law, counties are required to determine if foster children may be eligible for federal survivor benefits and apply for those benefits on behalf of the child. These benefits cannot be used to pay for foster care costs. The law also requires the state to create guidelines for counties for benefit eligibility screening, appeals of denied benefits, account management and other provisions under this law. Additionally, HB25-1097 , also sponsored by Rep. Gilchrist, was signed into law. This law helps reduce trauma inflicted on foster youth by abrupt placement changes. The law requires caseworkers to create an individualized transition plan that prioritizes the mental, physical, and emotional needs of the foster youth when determining logistics, communication and timelines for child placements. Previous Next

Tax credit will combat childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and save families money < Back May 14, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Bill to Reduce Childhood Poverty DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed legislation into law to expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit to boost the incomes of hardworking families. "Our regressive tax structures means ultra wealthy individuals often end up receiving more, proportional tax breaks than hardworking families," said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Colorado’s tax code should work for families, which is why we are putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of the people who are most impacted by rising costs. Our law would make our tax code more fair by boosting tax refunds for low and middle-income taxpayers and helping to reduce childhood poverty.” “Our tax code is skewed towards benefitting earners at the top, which is why I am fighting to pass measures like this that shift the balance towards all Coloradans,” Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, said. “This legislation will provide significant relief for the folks who need it most, and make it easier for Colorado’s working families to get by.” “Growing up, the Earned Income Tax Credit rescued my family from the worst consequences of poverty. The EITC is one of the most important anti-poverty tools to help Colorado families make ends meet, pay for the car repairs that help them get to school and work, pay off their credit cards, and keep a roof over their heads,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City, sponsor of HB24-1134. “With this law, we’re providing financial relief to hardworking Coloradans by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, increasing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and closing corporate tax loopholes so parents can provide a more stable life for their families.” “Colorado’s working families deserve a break,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “These critical tax credits will put more money in their pockets, and make it easier to pay for necessities like groceries and rent. I’m proud to champion this new law that will lift folks out of poverty and will make life easier for Colorado families.” Currently, the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is 38 percent of the federal EITC for tax year 2024, 25 percent for tax year 2025, and 20 percent for tax years beginning 2026. HB24-1134 would permanently expand the state EITC by setting it to a baseline of 50 percent of the federal EITC for tax year 2024, 35 percent for tax year 2025, and at least 25 percent for tax years beginning 2026, and allowing it to increase up to 50 percent in years of strong economic growth in 2025 and beyond. In addition to permanently expanding the EITC for Colorado families, the law would merge the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and the Low-income Child Care Expenses Tax Credit to create the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) to help individuals with an adjusted gross income cap of $60,000 meet the high cost of child and dependent care. HB24-1134 would expand the scope of qualified dependents to match the federal definition, by including dependents in addition to children under the age of 13. It would also increase the CDCTC to 70 percent of the federal credit. Additionally, the law would modernize Colorado’s corporate tax laws, making them more consistent with other states’ laws. More than 133,000 Colorado children currently live in poverty. This law, combined with other key legislative efforts, will help improve outcomes for low and middle income families. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill to support Colorado’s workforce. < Back February 28, 2023 House Passes Bill to Boost Workforce, Prioritize Apprenticeships DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill to support Colorado’s workforce. SB23-051, sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Meghan Lukens, solidifies the role of Colorado’s Office of Future Work which oversees a statewide apprenticeship program, helps communities transition into emerging industries and creates talent pipelines for careers of the future. “Through apprenticeships, Coloradans receive hands-on experience that will help propel them into good paying careers,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton . “This bill codifies the Office of Future Work so Coloradans can take advantage of training and apprenticeship programs that are geared toward new career opportunities. We’re working to build an equitable talent pipeline that gives Coloradans the tools they need to be successful in our state’s workforce for years to come.” “When it comes to learning on the job, many Coloradans jump into apprenticeship programs to gain real-world experience,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Adapting to our ever-changing economy is important and our bill makes it easier for Coloradans to learn, train and prepare for careers of the future. Through state run apprenticeship programs, Coloradans entering the workforce will have a leg up when it comes to finding a good paying job that may not revolve around a traditional higher education pathway.” SB23-051 , which passed by a vote of 48 to 16, codifies the current duties of the Office of the Future of Work (OFW), which serves as a central point of contact for efforts to respond to the changing nature of work, and helps ensure Coloradans are equipped with the necessary education, training, skills and tools to fully participate in the labor force. Additionally, the bill aligns state statute with federal requirements, allowing Colorado's State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) to seek federal authorization from the Department of Labor to register and oversee state run apprenticeship programs. The bill comes two years after HB21-1007 , which established the SAA and also sponsored by Representative Ortiz, and four years after the OFW was established via executive order. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law that will create a refundable state income tax credit and grant programs to boost registered apprenticeship opportunities. < Back May 10, 2024 Gov Signs Bipartisan Bill to Support Colorado’s Workforce DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law that will create a refundable state income tax credit and grant programs to boost registered apprenticeship opportunities. “Colorado has made a lot of progress in our efforts to expand apprenticeship opportunities, and this new law will help employers offset the costs of creating high-quality registered apprenticeships to connect Coloradans with on-the-job experience and address workforce shortages,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “By supporting businesses in new and emerging industries to create apprenticeship opportunities, more Coloradans can earn money while they learn the ropes of their chosen industry. This law will allow us to help local businesses keep their doors open and create a stronger workforce with in-demand skills to keep our communities running.” “I’m committed to paving the way for equitable access to opportunity, so that all Coloradans have the chance to get ahead – and a key way we can do that is by investing in our workforce,” Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, said. “We’re bringing forward resources that will expand existing programs and increase the adoption of registered apprenticeships. These investments can create more than 8,000 new apprenticeships, and give Coloradans the opportunities they need to succeed.” HB24-1439 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, and Senator Mark Baisley, R-Sedalia, creates a refundable state income tax credit for eligible employers starting in tax year 2025. This income tax credit is available to businesses operating in a new and emerging industry with a registered apprenticeship program. HB24-1439 also creates the Scale-Up Grant Program to start new or expand existing registered apprenticeship programs and the Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grant Program to connect employers or apprenticeship program participants to registered apprenticeship programs. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. < Back April 29, 2024 Ortiz, Clifford Bill to Create State Office for Coloradans with Disabilities Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. “Despite Federal ADA being law for 34 years, housing, employment, access to participate in government and the outdoors remains inaccessible,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This important bill spearheads a permanent state office that will remove those barriers and secure those opportunities so that Coloradans with disabilities can thrive and fully participate in all the amazing opportunities our great state offers.” “Unfortunately, people living with disabilities disproportionately experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment; which is why Colorado needs to step up and provide the resources to help people lead successful lives,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “By creating the Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities, Coloradans will have better access to the good-paying jobs and education they deserve, so they have a fair shot at creating a strong future that’s all their own. I’m proud to carry this legislation forward with Representative Ortiz because it prioritizes representation, advocacy and commitment to the success of all.” HB24-1360 would create a new office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment The goal of this office is to implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability for people with disabilities and promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Rep. Ortiz has been a long-time champion for disability rights at the Colorado State Capitol. He has led the charge in passing multiple bills to ensure Coloradans with a disability have the opportunity for legal recourse if they are discriminated against, expanding the youth prosthetic coverage law, creating the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities task force, and trailblazing two right-to-repair laws for wheelchair users. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed HB24-1174, which improves concealed carry permit training to encourage responsible gun ownership, reduce gun violence and keep Coloradans safe. < Back June 5, 2024 ICYMI: JOINT RELEASE: New Law to Improve Concealed Carry Training Signed DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed HB24-1174, which improves concealed carry permit training to encourage responsible gun ownership, reduce gun violence and keep Coloradans safe. “States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit saw a 32 percent increase in gun assaults,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives. This important legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities.” “Responsible gun ownership takes work,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. “Creating minimum training requirements for safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals and more ensures we’re treating concealed carry permits with the seriousness they deserve. Too often, careless gun owners create dangerous situations that needlessly put many others in harm's way. I’m proud to champion this important legislation that advances gun safety measures and helps prevent senseless gun violence.” “When I received my concealed carry permit years ago, I was surprised to learn that Colorado law did not require live-fire training, a necessary skill to have before carrying a gun in public spaces," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "This law creates a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Our commonsense gun violence prevention legislation works to prevent senseless gun deaths by improving firearm training.” HB24-1174 , sponsored by House Majority Leader Duran and Representative Snyder, and Senator Mullica, requires handgun training classes to include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam with a minimum passing score. It also requires handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on the safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. HB24-1174 also prohibits a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by a county sheriff. Previous Next

House Democrats today unveiled legislation to prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. < Back January 24, 2024 House Democrats Unveil Bill to Prevent Evictions, Homelessness DENVER, CO - House Democrats today unveiled legislation to prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. “Being evicted as a single mother and a survivor of domestic violence was devastating for me and my young son, and thousands of Colorado families continue to face this reality every year,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The majority of evictions are preventable. Our ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation would ensure that more Colorado families have a safe and secure place to sleep, preventing unfair evictions and reducing displacement and first-time homelessness.” "Colorado landlords can evict tenants, even if they have done nothing wrong and are up to date on their rent—opening the door to discrimination and retaliation,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Our ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation establishes clear guidelines for when a landlord can legally evict a tenant and requires them to have a good reason or ‘cause to evict’. This legislation will increase tenants' sense of stability and security, prevent homelessness, and benefit the community's overall health and well-being while only applying to landlords who evict their tenants for no reason." Currently, Colorado law exposes renters to possible arbitrary, retaliatory or discriminatory evictions. The ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation would prevent a landlord from evicting a tenant unless there is cause for eviction. Under the bill, the reasons a landlord could lawfully evict a tenant include failure to pay rent in a timely manner, destruction of property, or a substantial violation of the rental agreement that the tenant fails to address. The bill also includes allowable reasons for a no-fault lease non-renewal, including substantial repairs or conversion of a residential premises and selling the property. Some exceptions to the ‘For Cause Eviction’ bill include rentals within the landlord’s primary residence, short-term rentals, mobile homes and time-limited housing like hotels and motels. Evictions threaten the health and safety of Coloradans, with research showing that individuals who experience an eviction are more likely to report poorer physical or mental health outcomes . In 2023, Denver set a new record of annual evictions, reaching nearly 13,000 filings. Previous Next

< Back November 20, 2023 Democrats Reduce Property Taxes, Increase Support for Renters and Working People DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, today released the following statements upon conclusion of the 2023 Extraordinary Session of the 74th General Assembly: “I’m proud that Colorado Democrats stepped up to meet this moment and provide urgent property tax cuts, relief for working families and support for renters,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Coloradans all across the state are going to save money on their property taxes next year while schools continue to receive the increased funding they desperately need. This responsible package delivers for the Coloradans who are feeling the brunt of our affordability crisis and returns more money to the people who need it the most by boosting the incomes of hardworking families and making Colorado more affordable.” “Over the past few days, Democrats were laser-focused on providing short-term relief to those most vulnerable to the rising cost of living – which means working families, renters, and those on fixed incomes – while protecting our schools and fire districts,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “The legislation we passed provides responsible, much-needed relief to Coloradans who need it the most, while leaving room for more robust discussion on what a long-term fix looks like. I’m proud that we rose to meet the moment and passed legislation that will make our state more affordable and provide responsible relief to the folks who need it most.” “With rising property taxes threatening to upend the lifelong investments seniors, veterans and people on fixed incomes have made in their homes and their American dream, we did everything we could to responsibly lower property taxes while protecting our schools and fire districts,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “As a Latina, it was deeply important to me that all Coloradans, and especially lower-income people and people of color see relief from the rising cost of living in our state, and they will. There’s more work to do starting in January, but Coloradans can be sure that we hear them and are taking action to deliver real results.” “Democrats worked hard to pass legislation to make our state more affordable and deliver targeted relief to some of our most vulnerable Coloradans, ” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “The call for this special session gave us a clear directive for the past few days, but the policies we passed mark the start – not the finish line – for the progress we’ll make next session. In just a few short weeks we’ll be back at the Capitol to build on this work and continue taking bold action to improve the lives of all Coloradans.” SB23B-001 , sponsored by President Fenberg, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, Speaker McCluskie, and Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, provides over $430 million in property tax relief by increasing the property value exemption for multifamily and single family residential properties from $15,000 to $55,000 and decreasing the residential assessment rate from 6.765 percent to 6.7 percent for the 2023 tax year while protecting funding for locals services, like schools, fire districts and libraries. HB23B-1001 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, boosts statewide rental assistance to a total of $65 million, securing an additional $30 million on top of the $35 million from federal funds already allocated. The bill provides financial assistance for rent owed and other related costs for Colorado tenants making at or below 80 percent of the area median income. SB23B-002 , sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Lorena Garcia, D-unincorporated Adams County, allocates an estimated $35 million in federal funds to expand Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefits, which will help families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during the summer months when child hunger is most severe. Families with children eligible for the national free and reduced-price school meals program will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024. HB23B-1002 , sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglen, and Mary Young, D-Greeley, and Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for tax year 2023 to one of the highest state matches in the country. With the current state EITC at 25 percent, the average tax credit is $521. By increasing the EITC to 50 percent, families will see hundreds of additional dollars back in their wallets next year. SB23B-003 , sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, adjusts the TABOR refund mechanism for the 2023 tax year to provide an equal refund of $800 for all taxpayers, increasing TABOR refunds for the majority of filers and by hundreds of dollars for lower-income people. HB23B-1003 , sponsored by Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, President Fenberg, and Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, creates the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax to provide recommendations for long and short term property tax relief and evaluate the impact of property tax related ballot measures filed at the title board this year. The goal of HB23B-1003 is to gather leaders from across the state and key constituencies impacted by property taxes to map out potential long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to require Colorado’s largest employers to offer health care or contribute more to Colorado’s Medicaid program and safety net to help cover the cost of providing Medicaid to their employees. < Back March 24, 2026 Colorado Democrats Pass Bill to Require Largest Corporations to Pay Fair Share of Employee Health Insurance DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to require Colorado’s largest employers to offer health care or contribute more to Colorado’s Medicaid program and safety net to help cover the cost of providing Medicaid to their employees. “Colorado taxpayers should not subsidize the nation’s largest corporations by way of our state providing Medicaid for their employees,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “Every year, Colorado’s largest corporate employers rake in record-breaking profits and report sky high stock prices, yet they are forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab for their health insurance costs. This bill requires the largest corporate employers to pay their share of employee health insurance costs, or contribute more to Medicaid, so we can prevent further cuts to our safety net. We’re facing a nearly $1 billion budget deficit, and this bill would help protect and increase health care coverage for Coloradans.” HB26-1327 passed committee by a vote of 8-5. This bill would ensure Medicaid remains a safety net for workers rather than a subsidy for some of Colorado’s largest corporate employers. To lower Medicaid costs for the state of Colorado, HB26-1327 would offer options to large corporations to expand employee health care coverage. Under this bill, the annual fee on corporations would be $2,300 per employee who is enrolled in Medicaid, which is approximately half the cost of Medicaid benefits to account for the fact that some employees are part-time. By March 2028, HB26-1327 would require the state to identify large employers who are subject to the new fee. Only employers with more than 500 employees who are enrolled in Medicaid and meet an established hourly threshold must pay the fee or demonstrate that they provide affordable health coverage to their employees. This threshold is employees working more than 20 hours per week or more than 80 hours per month. An employer is exempt if it offers affordable health coverage to this population of workers. Franchisees, nonprofits, public employers, or employers that include health care coverage in their collective bargaining agreements with employees are also exempt. Revenue from this fee will be used to cover care for adults on Medicaid and increase reimbursement rates for providers who accept Medicaid patients. It is estimated that at least 37,200 Medicaid-enrolled workers in Colorado are employed by corporations that would be subject to the fee. This bill would set up penalties for large employers who fail to pay their fair share or offer alternative, affordable care options to their employees. Under H.R.1, corporations received a massive tax cut, paying nearly 40 percent less in income tax this year. Next year, corporations will pay $1 billion less in taxes than they did before Congress passed H.R.1. H.R. 1 paid for these massive tax giveaways in part by significantly reducing the federal contribution to Medicaid by scaling down provider fee financing over the coming years. In Colorado, this will reduce annual federal support for hospitals and Medicaid benefits by more than $300 million. At the same time, Medicaid costs in Colorado have skyrocketed by nearly $1 billion a year while providing roughly the same services to roughly the same eligible population. Lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee must close a $740 million gap in the state’s budget to meet its constitutionally required balanced budget. The nation's largest corporations, while projecting to attain record profits, have an average of 30-40 percent of employees enrolled in Medicaid. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 75 percent of Medicaid recipients in Colorado are working. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to create a tax exemption for Colorado homeowners who are underinsured for rebuilding or replacement costs after a declared wildfire disaster. HB23-1240 passed by a vote of 44-16, with 16 Republicans voting against the bill. < Back April 21, 2023 Tax Exemption to Help Wildfire Victims Rebuild Passes the House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to create a tax exemption for Colorado homeowners who are underinsured for rebuilding or replacement costs after a declared wildfire disaster. HB23-1240 passed by a vote of 44-16, with 16 Republicans voting against the bill. “After the Marshall Fire, nearly 60% of families who lost their homes did not have enough insurance coverage to rebuild their home,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Hundreds of families were burdened with restoring their property on their own dime. Our bill gives these families a tax refund on building materials that will save them money on construction costs, giving them an extra boost when they need it most.” “When a wildfire wipes out hundreds of homes at once, it’s almost impossible to get the resources you need to rebuild,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Insurance companies struggle to quickly provide quotes and building materials are stretched thin. This legislation creates a tax exemption for wildfire victims to help address the barriers that prevent them from rebuilding their home.” HB23-1240 creates a state sales and use tax exemption for construction and building materials for homeowners looking to rebuild or repair their home after a declared wildfire disaster. The exemption for qualified purchases is administered through a refund process, which must be claimed by June 30, 2028, and allows homeowners that have already made purchases to retroactively claim a refund. This bill is accompanied by HB23-1174 , also sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Judy Amabile, to reduce homeowner underinsurance for damaged homes or structures. It would require home insurance companies to offer a variety of coverages to protect them, covering the cost of repair or replacement for a damaged or destroyed structure. If a homeowner wants additional coverage, the insurer must offer coverage for extended replacement, law and ordinance, and inflation protection. It would also extend the length of time in which an insurer would have to notify a homeowner of a cancellation or refusal to renew a homeowner’s policy from 30 days to 60 days. The bill passed the House by a vote of 45-17. Previous Next

< Back May 12, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES PROPOSAL TO PROTECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, CURB GUN VIOLENCE, AND SAVE LIVES House passes bill to protect domestic violence survivors by helping to keep firearms out of the hands of their abusers DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Rep. Monica Duran and Matt Gray’s bill to strengthen the enforcement of an existing requirement that certain domestic violence abusers relinquish their firearms. The bill passed on second reading. “As a survivor of domestic violence myself, I know all too well the horror and the trauma that victims face, and I know that inserting a firearm into the situation only makes the threat of violence all the more deadly,’ said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The tragic shooting in Colorado Springs this weekend shows the tragic and violent link between mass shootings and domestic gun violence–it’s past time we end both.” “Current law already requires that individuals with domestic violence protection orders relinquish their weapons to law enforcement, but as a former prosecutor I know all too well how often the system fails victims of domestic violence,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “This bill will save lives by simply strengthening and streamlining the process to enforce existing law. It’s long past time that we treat domestic gun violence with the same solemn urgency we give to other forms of gun violence.” A recent analysis of 749 mass shootings committed over the past six years found that about 60 percent of them were either domestic violence attacks or committed by men with histories of domestic violence. In Colorado, 60 incidents of domestic violence led to 70 deaths in 2019, a 62 percent increase from the prior year, according to the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review board’s annual report. HB21-1255 would strengthen and streamline procedures for the relinquishment of firearms by someone who has a domestic violence-related protection order issued against them. Current law already requires domestic violence offenders who are subject to a protection order stemming from an act of domestic or intimate partner violence to forfeit their firearms and refrain from possessing or purchasing firearms for the duration of the order. This bill simply clarifies the way in which defendants must comply with this requirement, and establishes requirements for courts. Previous Next