School Finance Act will increase average per pupil funding by $780 < Back May 23, 2024 SIGNED! 2024 School Finance Act to Pay Off Budget Stabilization Factor, Increase Education Funding to Historic Levels AURORA, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed the 2024 School Finance Act, which sets funding levels for Colorado’s public school districts. Sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, SB24-188 raises the base level of per-pupil funding by $780 to $11,450 per-pupil on average. This year’s School Finance Act increases total funding for public schools by more than $500 million to $9.7 billion and completely buys down the Budget Stabilization Factor, a longstanding goal that helps ensure Colorado students get the quality education they deserve. "Fully funding our schools is one of the main reasons I ran for the state senate, and I am absolutely thrilled that the 2024 School Finance Act will make it happen,” Zenzinger said. “All our students deserve a quality education that meets their needs and prepares them for success. While we have much more to do to truly fully fund our schools, this year’s School Finance Act represents a great start, and will help reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide a world class education for our children and youth." “After years of strategic budgeting and planning, the 2024 School Finance Act finally pays off the budget stabilization factor which means schools can increase teacher pay, reduce classroom sizes and better support our students living with disabilities,” said Bird. “This is a record-breaking increase of $780 per-pupil funding which brings the total per-pupil funding to more than $11,450 on average. My passion for public service began with the drive to fully fund our K-12 public schools and support our hardworking educators – this bill fulfills that promise and more to support each and every student in Colorado.” “As Chair of the Senate Education Committee and a former educator, ensuring our schools and students have the resources they need is personal to me, and this year’s School Finance Act will do just that,” said Buckner. “By eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor and fully funding K-12 education, we’re opening the door to so many more opportunities to improve our schools, support our teachers, and make Colorado the best state in the nation to learn and grow.” “This year’s School Finance Act is historic because it fully eliminates the budget stabilization factor, increases per-pupil funding by nearly $780 on average and supports our rural school districts directly,” said McLachlan. “Our commitment to improving educational outcomes for each and every student is unwavering, and this year we’re stepping up to help recruit, retain, and support the educators who make all the difference in the education our kids receive. I’m beyond proud of our legislative efforts to drive resources to small rural schools and those who serve students with the greatest needs.” Increased Funding for Rural Schools: Colorado’s small and large rural school districts often have a difficult time recruiting and maintaining a high-quality workforce needed to support Colorado students and school functions. In conjunction with legislation passed this year to update Colorado’s school funding formula, the 2024 School Finance Act eliminates rural school districts’ reliance on one-time funding, which makes it difficult for districts to plan ahead using multi-year budgets. Ninth Grade Success Program: This important program helps ninth grade students with the skills they need to successfully reach tenth grade on-track, on-time and with their peers. This year’s School Finance Act increases funding for this program to support our students’ growth and educational trajectory. Support for Students Living with a Disability: The 2024 School Finance Act amends the definition of “concurrent enrollment” to include students in special education. This means students living with a disability and those who receive transition services on their Individualized Education Program can access college-level courses for credit as well as some credential and apprenticeship programs to create stronger workforce pathways and opportunities. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to improve accessibility at Colorado’s airports by increasing the number of accessible restrooms and walkways, including the voices of Coloradans with disabilities when redesigning large hub airports, and requiring reporting for non-compliance. HB24-1452, sponsored by Representative David Ortiz and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, passed by a vote of 43-18. < Back April 24, 2024 House Approves Bill to Improve Airport Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to improve accessibility at Colorado’s airports by increasing the number of accessible restrooms and walkways, including the voices of Coloradans with disabilities when redesigning large hub airports, and requiring reporting for non-compliance. HB24-1452, sponsored by Representative David Ortiz and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, passed by a vote of 43-18. “Basic access in airports means that Coloradans with disabilities have a right to air travel safely and with dignity, but unfortunately that has not always been the case,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Centennial. “From broken wheelchairs to inaccessible restrooms, the disability community faces many barriers to air travel, which can have negative consequences on our health, economic opportunity, and in some cases cost us our lives. This bill gives community living with a disability a seat at the table to advocate for changes so Colorado can serve as a model for accessibility in airports across the world.” “The federal bipartisan infrastructure law has granted historic funding to improve airport infrastructure, and our bill ensures some of that money is used to meet accessibility standards that are required under the law,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The requests that the disability community has made to our airports are not unreasonable - they are essential for the health and safety of our fellow Coloradans. With this legislation, we’re following through with the rights guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that Coloradans with disabilities have dignity in air travel.” HB24-1452 would require large hub airports to ensure accessibility for travelers living with disabilities, as well as establish specific duties and deadlines for compliance. The bill requires large hub airports in Colorado to: Establish an advisory committee composed of people with various disabilities to provide input during airport renovations to ensure basic access and equity in air travel; Consult with the disability community and advisory committee during the construction of walkways and other airport facilities; Incorporate wayfinding technology for blind or visually-impaired travelers; Create, maintain, and update a dashboard to report and track basic access shortcomings and violations during the travel process, including a public inquiry form that allows an individual to directly report accessibility issues; Develop and provide comprehensive training programs for direct airport staff on proper handling of equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, medical equipment, and adaptive sports equipment; Provide at least one accessible public restroom per terminal, in addition to companion care changing tables; Use elevators to transport power wheelchairs from the tarmac to the jetway and give elevator priority to these individuals. Additionally, HB24-1452 would create a pathway for civil lawsuits against large hub airports for damages resulting from violations of their legal responsibilities. From complex terminal layouts to long distances between gates, passengers with disabilities face infrastructure, information, and customer service barriers at airports throughout the United States. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS UNVEIL BILLS TO BOOST ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE DENVER, CO – Lawmakers in the House will introduce two more bills today that will boost access to behavioral health care by expanding the state’s inpatient and residential treatment capacity and better integrating physical and behavioral health care. “Colorado doesn’t have the inpatient and residential treatment capacity we need, which is why we’re investing $65 million to build additional beds and expand critical services across the state,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “The addition of 16 beds at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state will transform care and provide the services that people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders need to get better. This transformational investment will expand treatment capacity in Colorado to increase access to behavioral health care.” “Right now, Colorado is struggling to provide the capacity needed to care for our state’s most vulnerable, leaving folks with serious behavioral health needs without the critical treatment they need,” said Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster . “This bill will help us boost bed capacity for inpatient and residential care so individuals with serious mental health and substance use challenges can access the care and treatment they need and deserve, helping us accomplish our overall goal of building a healthier Colorado for all.” Adult Inpatient and Residential Care: Sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile and Senators Faith Winter and Jim Smallwood, this bill invests $65 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment options. Currently, Colorado does not have enough residential treatment beds to treat individuals with serious mental health needs or substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occuring conditions or in need of civil commitment. The bill will support the addition of 16 beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state. These beds will be available for adults with urgent behavioral health needs that require long-term services and supports, and will be available as long as necessary for stabilization. They will provide integrated care to flexibly serve all populations, including individuals involved in the criminal justice system and those awaiting competency restoration services. Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: Sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will, and Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, this bill would invest $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. The funding could be used to better streamline and co-locate behavioral and physical health care services in outpatient, pediatric and primary care settings. “Integrating physical and behavioral health care will make a huge difference in the lives of Coloradans,” said Sen. Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “We will be able to reach more people who are in need of help, including those seeking substance use disorder screening and treatment. I am a proud champion of this legislation to make it easier for Coloradans to get the care they need.” “Better integrating primary and behavioral health will increase access to the care Coloradans need and build healthier communities through better outcomes,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Coloradans will be able to access both physical and behavioral health care more easily and at the same location, facing fewer barriers to critical care. Not only will this bill make it easier for Coloradans to make behavioral health care a regular part of their lives, it will make that care less expensive and save people money.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. < Back June 2, 2025 Signed! Bill to Improve Law Enforcement Training Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. “Colorado voters made it clear with Proposition 130 they want real investments in public safety,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “This bill delivers on that promise by responsibly investing in law enforcement recruitment, retention, and training over the next several years. Even in a tough budget year, made worse by federal chaos and uncertainty, Colorado’s budget reflects our commitment to public education, public health, and public safety.” "This law honors voter intent when they passed Prop 130 and increases the state’s investment in public safety,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Our law will invest $350 million to recruit, retain and train local law enforcement officers and ensure that families of first responders receive death benefits in the event their family member’s life is taken while in the line of duty. Our law ensures that the state is a partner in protecting the safety of every Coloradan and makes certain that local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to do their jobs well." SB25-310 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, will implement the voter-approved Proposition 130 by creating a funding mechanism for the distribution of $350 million for local law enforcement officer recruitment, retention and training. It makes a one-time investment of $500 million of the general fund reserve in PERA and reduces future general fund payments to PERA by the amount of interest earned. It will then divert that amount to the new Peace Officer Training and Support Fund each year, which will be distributed to local police departments. It also implements the death benefit required in Proposition 130 of $1 million to the surviving spouse, family member, or designee of any first responder who died as a result of injuries or an occupational disease sustained while performing their job, and creates the Death Benefit Fund. Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2019 EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES BIPARTISAN LONTINE BILL TO REDUCE SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS (Mar. 14) – The House Education committee voted in favor of Rep. Susan Lontine’s bipartisan bill to reduce preschool and early elementary out-of-school suspensions and expulsions. In Colorado and across the country, young children are being removed from pre-school and early elementary grades at alarming rates “Suspensions and expulsions disproportionately impact children of color and children with disabilities,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “This bill addresses a civil rights issue for our youngest learners.” Suspensions and expulsions result in the loss of valuable learning and enrichment time for Colorado’s kids. Young students, when they return to school, are often behind their classmates and more likely to be disruptive. In 2014 the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released data showing that black students are suspended and expelled at three times the rate of white students. That year, the Obama administration issued discipline guidelines aimed at reducing school suspensions of students of color. In 2018, the Trump administration and Sec. Betsy DeVos rescinded those guidelines. Suspensions and expulsions of students increase the likelihood of dropouts, academic failure and an increased likelihood of entry into the criminal justice system. The bill is aligned with national recommendations that seek to limit school removal for young children while promoting thoughtful exceptions that ensure school safety. The bill is supported by a number of stakeholders, including the Arc of Colorado, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Padres Jovenes Unidos, Colorado PTA and Colorado Education Association. HB19-1194 was approved on a bipartisan vote of 11-2 and now heads to the House floor. 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

< Back June 29, 2020 NEW LAWS TO BOOST RURAL ECONOMIES AND HIRE RURAL PEACE OFFICERS SIGNED INTO LAW PUEBLO, CO– At Musso Farms in Pueblo, Governor Jaerd Polis today signed four bills that will boost rural economies, help smaller communities afford the costs of peace officer training programs, improve seed regulation and better protect energy consumers. “We can’t leave Colorado’s rural communities behind as our state recovers from the pandemic,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo . “The legislation signed today will improve a critical economic development initiative and enhance seed regulation to help Colorado’s agriculture producers. To support our communities that are struggling with smaller and smaller budgets, we created a new scholarship to help them afford to hire and train new law enforcement officers. I’m proud of our work to boost rural economies and help build an economy that works for all parts of our state.” HB20-1229 , sponsored by Representative Bri Buentello, establishes a scholarship fund for rural and small communities to assist in paying for the cost of potential police officers to attend an approved basic law enforcement training academy. SB20-002 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Buentello, strengthens and cements a successful existing program, REDI, in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to ensure that the program continues and make improvements to spur rural economies. HB20-1184 , sponsored by Representatives Buentello and Rod Pelton, improves seed regulation in Colorado to help agricultural producers. “Colorado’s rural communities have been hit hard by ongoing trade disputes, declining tourism revenue from the pandemic and dwindling town budgets,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Today, the governor signed my bill to spur rural economic growth. The law makes the successful Rural Economic Development Grant Initiative permanent and bolsters the program to help our small businesses and rural communities recover faster and get back on their feet.” SB20-030 , sponsored by Representative Daneya Esgar, imposes various requirements on public utilities and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) related to information reporting, billing, and customer interactions. The bill nearly doubles the level of income that the PUC may use to means test the medical exemption, allowing more Coloradans with medical needs to take advantage of the program. “Across our state, hardworking Coloradans are struggling to make ends meet and pay their electricity bills,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We can lower electricity costs by strengthening consumer protections and increasing transparency in billing. Importantly, this new law provides utility relief that so many Coloradans rely on to a lot more older Coloradans with medical conditions to help them make ends meet.” Previous Next

< Back March 11, 2020 REP. YOUNG’S CHILD WELFARE MEDICAID IMPROVEMENT BILL PASSES COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY Legislation would allow children in the child welfare system to more easily access health care close to home DENVER, CO– The House committee on Public Health Care and Human Services today passed Representative Mary Young’s bill to codify the practice of keeping children in the child welfare and juvenile justice system in the Medicaid regional entity where they were originally placed. This will shorten delays in getting these children and youth the behavioral and physical health services that they need near where they are living. The committee approved the bill unanimously. “Managing the Medicaid and child welfare systems is complicated enough– I’m proud to work to simplify these systems and deliver better behavioral and physical health care outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “A simple codification in statute will go a long way towards preventing coverage lapses and improving care for some of our most vulnerable groups.” Many children in the child welfare system rely on Medicaid for physical and behavioral health services. Once enrolled into Medicaid, these children are assigned to a Regional Accountability Entity (RAE) based on the physical location of the child’s primary care physician. Many children are enrolled in Medicaid prior to their involvement with child welfare and juvenile justice. However, if the child is later placed by the child welfare or juvenile system in a different county, a common occurrence with high need children, the child may change to a new primary care physician. If the primary care physician is in a different RAE, sometimes the child’s RAE changes which can result in delays in getting services to the child that were already approved under the former RAE. HB20-1237 codifies the state’s intended policy to keep children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems in the RAE in which they were originally enrolled. Given the relative infancy of the RAEs, there was confusion that led to counties being encouraged to switch RAEs when the child’s placement changed. HB20-1237 clears up this confusion for counties, RAEs and providers so that vulnerable children maintain services and do not risk delays in receiving services. Previous Next

SB25-145 requires sellers to offer simple online cancellation of automatic renewal contracts or trial periods < Back February 13, 2026 Bill to Make it Easier for Consumers to End Automatic Contract Renewals Fully Goes Into Effect SB25-145 requires sellers to offer simple online cancellation of automatic renewal contracts or trial periods DENVER, CO – Legislation to protect consumers from burdensome automatic renewal contract cancellations fully goes into effect Monday, February 16, 2026. Sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, SB25-145 requires sellers of goods and services to implement simple mechanisms for consumers to cancel automatic renewal contracts and trial periods either online or in-person. Failure to do so constitutes a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. “There is nothing more frustrating than signing up for a free trial or a subscription only to have to jump through hoop after difficult hoop to try to cancel that subscription,” said Kipp. “This new law helps prevent deceptive practices and simplifies the process for Coloradans to cancel their subscriptions online, saving them time and money in the long run.” “While companies make it simple to start a subscription online, they often add extra steps to cancel, and we do not think that is fair for Colorado consumers,” said Lindsay. “Our new law is going into effect, requiring businesses to make the cancellation process straightforward for consumers. This will save Coloradans time cancelling unwanted subscriptions and money on services or products they don’t need.” “Too many companies are using complicated cancellation processes to trap consumers into contracts with costly charges. We passed a law last year to simplify the cancelation process for Coloradans,” said Zokaie. “From Netflix and Amazon Prime to gym memberships, subscription services are prevalent in our daily lives. Our new law requires the option to cancel online, saving Coloradans money on services they no longer find useful.” SB25-145 builds upon HB21-1239 , also sponsored by Kipp, which provided transparency to consumers entering into automatic renewal contracts, to further shore up consumer protections. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2019 GOV POLIS SIGNS BIPARTISAN BUDGET FOR ALL (Apr. 18) – Gov. Jared Polis signed the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, which begins on July 1, 2019. Democrats are putting forth a budget that makes historic investments in education and transportation. This budget responsibly manages taxpayer dollars, increases per-pupil funding by $327, and secures more than $300 million for transportation funding. “I want to thank the members of the JBC for all the work they’ve put into writing this fiscally responsible, forward-thinking budget that delivers on our priorities,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “I’m proud that our transparent process and hard work has brought us to this moment and to a budget that will lead us to a strong economic future.” “I’m proud of the bipartisan, responsible budget my colleagues and I presented and worked together to pass. I worked to bring a Southern Colorado perspective – a Pueblo perspective – to the state capitol and this process,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar of Pueblo and vice-chair of the Joint Budget Committee. “This budget reflects Colorado’s values and with it we are supporting hardworking people and giving them the tools they need to get ahead.” “I could not be more proud of the balanced and bipartisan budget that we have laid out for Colorado’s future,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This budget is proof that we can work together to pass a financial blueprint for our state that invests in important priorities like education and transportation while making sure we have the means to afford these investments in the long run.” “Coloradans should all be proud of this carefully balanced and comprehensive budget,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. “While some in Washington push divisive and economically destructive trade wars, my colleagues and I put forth a budget that makes historic, bipartisan investments in education, transportation and finally ensures kids and parents have access to full-day kindergarten.” The budget secures $300 million for transportation funding and increases K-12 education funding by $325.9 million dollars, including $175 million dollars to implement full-day kindergarten and an additional $77 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor. The budget also makes critical investments to help lower the cost of healthcare and help Coloradans achieve greater economic security. The budget also invests $10 million in the water plan and $171 million in capital investments. The FY19-20 Colorado State Budget passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 41-to-22 and passed the Senate by a vote of 25-to-7. For more information about the budget, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-207 Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to improve mass transit options in Colorado. SB25-161, sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Meg Froelich, would make changes to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to expand access to transit and improve accountability and transparency. < Back May 1, 2025 Bill to Expand, Improve Transit Options Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to improve mass transit options in Colorado. SB25-161, sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Meg Froelich, would make changes to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to expand access to transit and improve accountability and transparency. “Coloradans deserve safe, affordable and reliable transportation options,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of SB25-161 and SB25-030. “Colorado’s population has dramatically grown in the past decade, especially in the Front Range, and we must take a strategic approach to build up transit that serves the needs of our communities. I’m proud to sponsor legislation to identify funding gaps, create accountability measures and expand access to low-cost transit passes to improve Colorado’s transit options.” “Transit is a key piece of the puzzle that can help Colorado meet our housing and climate goals, and reliable transit saves Coloradans money,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of SB25-161 and SB25-030. “Colorado Democrats have made major strides to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and provide quality transit systems. These bills will help ease traffic by increasing ridership, reliability, and safety on mass transit so we can get more single-occupancy vehicles off the roads and safely get Coloradans where they need to go.” SB25-161 would require RTD to develop an ambitious 10-year strategic plan to expand and improve transit in the Front Range, aligning its goals with state climate goals and enhancing partnerships with local governments. The bill would increase ridership by directing RTD to expand access to affordable EcoPasses through apartments or employers and set targets for enrollment for low-income discounted transit passes. The bill would improve transparency and accountability by creating public dashboards on its website for riders to access information on transit performance, safety, and reliability. Finally, the bill would also establish an RTD Accountability Committee with fourteen voting members and one ex-officio nonvoting member to evaluate RTD’s governance structure, local and state agency representation, and workforce retention, as well as develop recommendations. The House also passed SB25-030 to increase transportation options, making sustainable transportation more accessible, convenient, and reliable. The bill would better allow the Colorado Department of Transportation and local governments to efficiently identify gaps in transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure in state and regional transportation systems. SB25-030 passed by a vote of 40-23. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Chad Clifford on a preliminary vote to improve protections for law enforcement whistleblowers. < Back March 27, 2025 Law Enforcement Whistleblower Protection Bill Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Chad Clifford on a preliminary vote to improve protections for law enforcement whistleblowers. “Whistleblower protections ensure that people can report a violation of law or policy without fear, and this is especially necessary within law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “After an Edgewater officer was assaulted by a fellow officer in 2019, it was clear that there were gaps in local law enforcement agencies’ policies regarding workplace issues and protections around retaliation. It is crucial that the people who are supposed to protect us can also protect each other, which is exactly what this bill does.” “This bill is about protecting the people who put their lives on the line to protect and serve their communities,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “After nearly a year of weekly stakeholder meetings with law enforcement, impacted community members and whistleblower advocates, we’ve crafted this policy to better protect those who raise concerns about wrongdoings. This legislation will improve due process and pathways to justice to protect law enforcement officers from retaliation when they report injustices in their workplace.” HB25-1031 would protect whistleblowers in law enforcement by prohibiting retaliation, including requiring disclosures to be made to external oversight agencies and ensuring confidentiality for the reporting officer. The bill would expand retaliation to include discharging, disciplining, demoting, denying a promotion, transferring or reassigning, discriminating against, harassing, suspending, creating a hostile work environment for, subjecting to corrective action, reprimanding, issuing an employment rating that causes a loss of pay or makes ineligible for a promotion, laying off, reducing work hours, or knowingly providing false information regarding a peace officer to negatively impact future employment opportunities. Additionally, the bill would protect a peace officer who shares information to the relevant supervising authority in good faith regarding a danger to public health or safety or an alleged violation of law committed by a fellow peace officer. If the relevant supervising authority is the individual being accused, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to provide an alternative reporting procedure. The bill also creates a private right of action and establishes penalties for employers who engage in retaliation, allowing peace officers to seek reinstatement, back pay with interest, attorney fees, and other remedies. Lastly, the bill outlines the process and deadlines for filing claims and establishes a reporting system to monitor implementation and consistency with existing whistleblower protection laws. Beginning January 1, 2026, all law enforcement agencies that employ POST-certified peace officers must provide annual training and accessible workplace postings about peace officers’ rights and protections under this bill. Employees hired after this date must provide information regarding this bill during their employee orientation. In 2019, an Edgewater police officer was retaliated against and ultimately forced to resign after she reported multiple assaults by a colleague. The perpetrator ultimately pleaded guilty to the assault and the City of Edgewater settled after the officer sued for discrimination. Colorado Democrats have passed whistleblower protection laws in recent years, including protections for essential workers who raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices or hazards during a public health emergency and those who report child labor violations . Previous Next