< Back June 16, 2022 GOVERNOR POLIS, BLACK DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS OF COLORADO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH DENVER — Juneteenth celebrations will take place across Colorado in the coming days and today Governor Polis and the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado commemorated this historic event and raised the Juneteenth flag at the State Capitol. “We are building a Colorado for All and Colorado is made stronger by the diversity of our people. It’s our shared responsibility to foster and protect that strength. Juneteenth is a celebration of joy and one of many shining examples of what a Colorado for All looks like,” said Gov. Polis. “Juneteenth is a commemoration of the end of slavery and honors freedom for all of us, and for the first time in Colorado history, we will celebrate this momentous day as an official state holiday,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “I was incredibly proud of the work we did this session to ensure Colorado properly recognizes Juneteenth, and know that it will help educate all Coloradans about the horrors of slavery, make space to celebrate the Black community, and lift up our ongoing work to make sure we don’t forget our past.” “This Emancipation Day reminds us of the atrocities our ancestors endured and how we must never give up hope in uncertain times,” said Rep. Herod, Chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, D-Denver . “Juneteenth uplifts the voices of the Black community and showcases our perseverance. I’m proud to recognize Juneteenth as Colorado’s 11th state holiday so it can finally receive all the formal celebration and reflection it deserves.” “Juneteenth is more than just a federal holiday we recognize in historical Black communities like Five Points where we march, eat good food and listen to good music,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “Celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday means Colorado not only recognizes that Black people are free, but that all people are free. It is a recognition that we not only desire for some Coloradans to prosper, but for all to prosper, and for all Coloradans, regardless of race or background, to earn a living wage, have an affordable place to call home, and get the equitable access to health care and education people need to move forward and thrive.” This May at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Gov. Polis signed a new law officially recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday and was joined by bill sponsors Rep. Leslie Herod, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Janet Buckner, members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, President of Colorado WINS Skip Miller, President of Juneteenth Music Festival Norman Harris, Cleo Parker Robinson, and community members. Juneteenth was recognized as a national holiday last year by the U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden. Legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in Colorado was first introduced this February and passed the legislature with bipartisan support. This new law was led by Senator Janet Buckner, Senator James Coleman and Representative Leslie Herod. State offices will be closed Monday June, 20, 2022 in observance of the holiday. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2023 House Dems Pass Bills to Reduce Premiums and Lower Drug Costs DENVER, CO - The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation that will save Coloradans money on health insurance premiums for Colorado Option plans and make prescription drugs more affordable. “We’re building on the success of the Colorado Option to continue to drive down health care premiums and make it easier to find high value plans on the exchange,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1224 .” The Colorado Option is helping Colorado families and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money and has increased access to high quality health care, especially for lower income people who have disproportionately faced barriers to getting the care they need.” “We’ve made bold progress to drive down the cost of health care and create new options for consumers,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB23-1224 . “The legislation we passed today ensures that excessive profits and administrative costs won’t be passed down to consumers while also improving the rate review process to ensure that these plans actually reduce premiums for consumers.” HB23-1224 , which passed by a vote of 8-1, will lower insurance premiums and make it easier for consumers to shop for high value standardized health plans that work for them and their families. The updates to the Colorado Option strengthen the Division of Insurance’s (DOI) ability to hold carriers accountable for the premium rate reduction requirements on Colorado Option Standardized Plans by granting the DOI to: Limit factors such as as excessive profit and administrative expenses; Structure the public hearings process efficiently while ensuring all parties have the opportunity to participate; Help consumers easily find and compare plans that could lower their out-of-pocket costs. “Colorado is leading the nation with innovative ways to save people money on prescription drugs and lower the cost of health care,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB23-1225 . "We established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2021 to ensure that consumers can afford the highest cost drugs. Now, we’re expanding these cost saving measures to reduce out-of-pocket prices for more medications by increasing the board’s efficacy and saving Coloradans more money on their essential prescriptions.” “Coloradans should never have to ration life-saving prescription drugs due to price gouging from big pharmaceutical companies,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1225 . “This legislation will limit out-of-pocket costs for more life-saving prescriptions and help more Coloradans avoid the difficult decision of paying for the medication they need and other necessities.” HB23-1225 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, increases the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to help lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Coloradans. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to evaluate and place upper price limits on the highest cost prescription drugs. The legislation introduced today will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to save people money on out of pocket prescription drug costs. It removes the limit on setting no more than 12 Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) per year in the first three years of the PDAB, and improves the criteria for selecting drugs for an affordability review. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2022 MCLACHLAN BILL SUPPORTS FOSTER YOUTH DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today unanimously passed legislation that will require higher education institutions in Colorado to pay for the tuition of foster youth in the state. “Colorado is raising thousands of youth in our foster care system, and it’s only right that we defray the cost of their degrees,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “We need to do everything we can to set up our youth to thrive and leave no one behind, and that’s what this bill does. SB22-008 will save students money on their higher education degrees and make it easier for foster youth to attend a higher education institution.” SB22-008 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Hugh McKean, would require higher education institutions to provide foster youth with financial assistance for the balance of their total cost of attending a higher education institution. It also establishes the foster care navigation office to help students select institutions and programs and assist students in completing their applications. Previous Next

2023-24 state budget includes investments in water, education, community behavioral health services and wildfire mitigation efforts < Back April 4, 2023 House Advances “Colorado for All” Budget to Help Communities Thrive 2023-24 state budget includes investments in water, education, community behavioral health services and wildfire mitigation efforts DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the FY 2023-2024 Long Appropriations Bill to invest in families, prepare our students for success, and build healthier communities across the state. The state’s $38.5 billion budget is a $1.2 billion increase over last year’s budget. Two-thirds of that increase is attributable to the end of enhanced federal Medicaid match rates, which are expiring as the declared COVID public health emergency ends. “Working together, we’ve crafted a balanced budget that strengthens our economy, supports hardworking Coloradans and their families, and prepares our students for success," said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “The priorities in this year's budget include more funding for our schools and teachers, support for our community behavioral health centers and more funding for public safety programs and our water resources. We're committed to governing responsibly, and that includes creating a budget that protects critical services, addresses the most pressing needs in our communities and moves Colorado forward." "This budget builds a stronger Colorado for all by investing in our schools and supporting the services that help our communities thrive," said JBC member Emily Sirota, D-Denver . "We're making significant investments to support those most in need, including jumpstarting Colorado's universal preschool program, boosting nutrition assistance for Colorado families and funding measures to address our workforce and housing needs. Coloradans across the state are counting on us to pass a budget that puts hardworking families first and builds an economy where everyone can thrive." The budget sets aside a total of $469 million in General Fund for one-time investments to address workforce-related needs, housing affordability demands, economic development initiatives and wildfire mitigation and response resources. The budget maintains a 15-percent ($2.3 billion) General Fund reserve to prepare for the next economic downturn, and designates $543 million in cash assets for the constitutionally required State Emergency Reserve to help Colorado respond to disasters like wildfires and floods. Preparing Students for Success Increasing Funding for K-12: Preparing our students for success and investing in Colorado’s public schools is a top priority this legislative session. In this budget, the total funding for public schools will increase by $485 million, including a record increase in per-pupil funding by $900 per student. Additionally, it includes a $1 million allocation for the School Transformation Grant Program, which trains and supports school leaders working to turn around academic performance in the state’s lowest performing schools. Final action on the budget stabilization factor, per pupil funding, and total program funding will come later in the session in the annual School Finance Act. Investing in Higher Education: The FY 23-24 budget also focuses on the needs of higher education by investing $145 million, a 10-percent increase year-over-year in funding toward state institutions, with a 5 percent cap for in-state tuition increase and additional funding for College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipends from $104 per credit hour to $116 per credit hour for full time students. Creating Healthier, Stronger Communities Supporting Health Care Providers: This state budget focuses heavily on ensuring Coloradans can live safe, healthy lives in communities across the state. Specifically, this includes a 3 percent provider rate increase , to help providers facing cost increases and implements the new 5 percent across-the-board increase for state employees, ensuring a $15 minimum wage for every state employee. Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care: To expand access to behavioral and mental health services for Coloradans, this budget allocates $80 million toward behavioral health community programs to help Coloradans access care in their neighborhood, and includes funding to implement the Office of Behavioral Health. Increasing Immunization Rates: The budget also includes $3.8 million to bolster staffing and operating expenses to implement a statewide media campaign to increase routine immunization rates through the use of a mobile clinic program. Housing Support: Everyone deserves a place to live, and this budget works to make critical investments to keep Coloradans housed including a $1.6 million in additional housing support that enable individuals to transition from institutions to living and thriving in their community, and $2.2 million to address factors contributing to youth homelessness. Saving Coloradans Money on Health Care: Primary Care Grants: To support uninsured or underserved patients, the budget includes a $14 million allocation toward the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s Primary Care Fund Program to increase access to health care services. Dental Benefits: The budget eliminates the annual $1,500 cap on the adult dental benefits. Eliminating Medicaid Co-pays: To better support Coloradans, the budget eliminates mandatory copay requirements for Medicaid patients accessing pharmacy and outpatient services. Supporting parents of new children: $1.7 million investment toward perinatal services, including new doula and donor milk benefits. Increasing Funding for Nutrition Assistance: The budget includes a $16.7 million investment to meet the increased demand for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), so Coloradans can access and purchase healthy foods. Safer Communities: To improve the safety and security of communities, the budget invests $5.4 million to help the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and $300,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Centers’ child abuse investigation fund. Investments for Wildfire Mitigation, Water Resources, and Parks, Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Wildfire Response: As Colorado combats harsh wildfires and record-breaking droughts, this budget provides badly-needed support to help our state better address. The budget provides $26 million to fund the acquisition of a second Firehawk helicopter which will improve the state’s ability to respond to catastrophic wildfires. Wildfire Mitigation & Defense: $5 million toward the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program to help our state conduct critical forest restoration. In order to better understand the origins of wildfires in our state, the budget also includes $3.2 million to increase resources for fire investigation and data collection. Colorado River & Water Plan: To proactively address the Colorado River water crisis and record drought, the budget includes a $1.5 million investment to help the state’s negotiating position and implementation of its interstate commitments related to the Colorado River. The budget also invests $6 million in the Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grant Fund to draw down $60 million in federal funds, and $12.6 million towards implementation of the state Water Plan. Parks & Wildlife Support: The FY 23-24 budget outlines investments in our natural areas to keep them safe, funded and accessible to more Coloradans. This includes investments to support Colorado’s state parks through increasing resources for the Department of Natural Resources to hire new staff and park rangers. As well as $1 million toward the Colorado Avalanche Information Center Fund to make outdoor recreation safer. The House will consider additional components of the budget package tomorrow to support facility schools, school safety initiatives and the Universal Preschool program, among other priorities. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to repeal Colorado’s statewide prohibition on rent stabilization, allowing local governments to use additional tools to address housing affordability in their communities. The bill passed by a vote of 40-24. < Back February 27, 2023 House Passes Bill to Lift Statewide Ban on Rent Stabilization DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to repeal Colorado’s statewide prohibition on rent stabilization, allowing local governments to use additional tools to address housing affordability in their communities. The bill passed by a vote of 40-24. “Skyrocketing rents are making it harder and harder for Coloradans to afford to live here while limiting their ability to save for homeownership,” Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver . “As an eviction defense and housing attorney, I’ve had clients kicked out of their homes because they can’t afford their rapidly increasing rent, despite working two full-time jobs. Giving local governments the ability to use rent stabilization measures will save Coloradans money on housing, reduce displacement, and help address our state’s housing crisis.” “Rural communities like mine are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of living, with educators, first responders, and hospitality workers being priced out of their homes, impeding their ability to serve their community,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “Solving our statewide housing crisis looks different on the Western Slope than it does on the Front Range. This bill would lift the statewide ban on rent stabilization, giving our rural areas the power to choose which tools work best for their community.” In 1981, the Colorado legislature passed a statewide rent stabilization ban, prohibiting local governments from enacting measures that would address how much rents could increase year to year. HB23-1115 would repeal the statewide ban, allowing local governments to have the choice to implement rent stabilization measures to make housing more affordable and reduce the tide of Coloradans being displaced from their communities. Data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the US Census Bureau show that counties with rent stabilization policies in place do not see lower housing development rates than counties without them. For example, Hudson County, New Jersey, which has rent stabilization, saw 51 permits per 1,000 residents between 2010-2018. In comparison, Pueblo, Jefferson, Boulder, and Arapahoe counties had fewer permits per 1,000 residents during the same time period. Previous Next

Bipartisan legislation will safeguard independent pharmacies that rural communities rely on < Back May 27, 2025 New Bipartisan Law Will Preserve Rural Access to Health Care Bipartisan legislation will safeguard independent pharmacies that rural communities rely on ALAMOSA, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to preserve access to pharmacies and health care in rural communities. “Health care access in rural communities is already limited, and this law works to preserve the local pharmacies that Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “From regular prescription refills to immunizations, pharmacies are a lifeline in our communities. This bipartisan law aims to maintain health care access for Coloradans in our part of the state by establishing fair reimbursement rates for rural pharmacies. It also permits telehealth for rural pharmacies to make it easier and less expensive for Coloradans to get the health care they need.” “Independent rural pharmacies are so important to the people who live in the rural and mountain communities that I represent. They rely on them for essential services like prescription refills, medical supplies, immunizations, and so much more,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco . “This bipartisan law will ensure fair reimbursement rates and audit recovery practices so that drug delivery for independent and rural pharmacies are adequate enough to level the playing field against corporate health care giants and safeguard essential health services.” HB25-1222 , also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, helps preserve access to rural health care by: Ensuring a fair reimbursement for rural independent pharmacies, Allowing the delivery of drugs by rural independent pharmacies to underserved communities, Clarifying fair audit recovery practices so rural independent pharmacies don’t close, and Allowing remote prescription evaluations for pharmacies to improve accessibility for Coloradans. For Coloradans living in rural communities, these modifications will maintain access to vital prescriptions and health care services close to home without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing, & Local Government Committee today unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to expand property tax exemptions for nonprofit housing developers to build up Colorado’s affordable housing stock. The bill passed by a vote of 12-0. < Back February 28, 2023 Property Tax Exemptions for Affordable Housing Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing, & Local Government Committee today unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to expand property tax exemptions for nonprofit housing developers to build up Colorado’s affordable housing stock. The bill passed by a vote of 12-0. “One of our main goals this session is to ensure Colorado workers like educators, first responders, and hospitality workers have the opportunity to buy a home within their communities,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield . “As the cost to purchase land rises, nonprofits and other affordable housing developers are increasingly reliant on tools that allow them to save on costs and contribute to our affordable housing inventory. Expanding on existing property tax exemptions for nonprofits incentivizes more affordable housing development, reducing financial barriers so more Coloradans can become homeowners and build wealth.” HB23-1184 , also sponsored by Rep. Lisa Frizell, expands property tax exemptions to include more nonprofit organizations that build and sell affordable housing and increases the Area Median Income to qualify for this housing from 80% to 100%. It also extends the exemption period from five years to 10 years to better reflect the development timeline for larger affordable housing projects. The bill would create a new property tax exemption for land owned by community land trusts and other nonprofit affordable homeownership providers that develop permanently affordable for-sale homes. This exemption only applies to the land and not the home. The National Low Income Housing Coalition ranked Colorado as the 8th least affordable state in 2022 and stated that the average renter needed to work 2.3 full-time jobs at minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom rental. Data from the American Community Survey demonstrates the racial inequality when it comes to homeownership with 71 percent of non-Hispanic White Coloradans owning their home compared to only 51 percent of Hispanic and 43 percent of Black Coloradans. Previous Next

< Back June 2, 2022 SIGNED! TRIO OF BILLS TO AFFIRM THE RIGHTS OF WHEELCHAIR USERS Legislation includes right to repair and rental vehicles with adaptive equipment DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law to protect the rights of wheelchair users and improve adaptive features in rental vehicles. HB22-1253 championed Representative David Ortiz and Senator Jessie Danielson will require rental car companies to provide leasers with an online option to secure a vehicle with adaptive equipment. “For me and the thousands of wheelchair users across Colorado, the three bills signed into law today go beyond our securing our mobility–they’re about health, safety and affirming our rights,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton . “We’ve taken action to improve transparency and accountability so we can rent a car, get our mobility device repaired in a timely manner and save money. The accessibility issues faced by the disability community are real and it places us and our families at risk. With Governor Polis’ signature, I’m proud to say we’ve taken the lead on breaking down accessibility barriers to create a safer, more equitable and healthier Colorado.” Under this new law, adaptive equipment such as hand controls, pedal extenders, left foot accelerators and spinner knobs will be available in rental vehicles upon request. This law will also protect disabled vehicle renters by allowing the recovery of damages if rental car companies violate the adaptive equipment requirement outlined in the law details. HB22-1031 sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Ortiz as well as Senator Rachel Zenzinger requires powered wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts, software and tools to independent repair providers and wheelchair owners. This is one of the first “right to repair” laws of its kind enacted in the country. “With the right to repair bills signed into law today, we’re making huge advancements towards a more equitable, healthier Colorado for all,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “Many wheelchair users, especially in rural Colorado, face long waits and unpredictability when it comes to repairs and routine maintenance on their mobility devices. The bills signed into law will expand repair options beyond the manufacturing companies and improve existing Medicaid rules, saving Coloradans who use wheelchairs money and time. Mobility isn’t something to take for granted and wheelchair users in Colorado deserve the freedom to repair their mobility aids.” HB22-1031 works in tandem with another bill Governor Polis signed into law today. HB22-1290 , championed by Representatives Titone and Ortiz and Senator Zenzinger, would improve existing Medicaid rules for repairing wheelchairs, adaptive seating systems and other mobility devices. This law eliminates the need for prior authorization for any repair of complex mobility devices for Medicaid recipients, including powered wheelchairs. This law will save Coloradans money on costly wheelchair expenses and repairs and expand access to an urgently needed service Previous Next

< Back April 20, 2022 HOUSE PASSES HISTORIC INVESTMENT TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING Legislation directs $178 million in federal and state funds to build and sustain affordable housing DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to direct the largest investment in state history in affordable housing—$178 million in grants to nonprofits and local governments to build and sustain affordable housing. The vote was 43-20. “This transformational investment of nearly $180 million will help build and sustain thousands of affordable housing options for our teachers, nurses, first responders, and workers and families across Colorado,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “Nearly every community in our state is facing an affordable housing crisis, and this bill will help jumpstart projects all over the state to build and maintain affordable housing for hardworking Coloradans. We are excited and thankful to see this bill moving forward with strong and bipartisan support.” HB22-1304 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Mary Bradfield, is part of a package of legislation that will direct $428 million to make housing more affordable and save Coloradans money on housing. The bill invests $178 million, a historic sum, to provide direct, flexible, and timely grant funding to nonprofits and local governments all across the state that have or are pursuing measures to facilitate affordable housing development, including purchasing land. This includes development of supportive, rental, and for-sale housing targeted at populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The bill also makes a substantial investment for local communities to create strategic development patterns, including funding for infrastructure projects and updating land and use codes. The legislation will ensure flexibility of funding, including allowances for operating grants to community-based organizations and qualified local governments, particularly in small, rural, and mountain resort communities, so they can best meet their own development needs according to their community’s workforce and local economy. By building homes closer to where people work, the bill will also save Coloradans money on their transportation costs. Previous Next

The House advanced legislation on a preliminary vote today to support rural communities through securing more good-paying jobs, building local economies and streamlining investments in energy technology and schools. < Back April 19, 2023 Bipartisan Bills to Support Rural Communities Move Forward DENVER, CO – The House advanced legislation on a preliminary vote today to s upport rural communities through securing more good-paying jobs, building local economies and streamlining investments in energy technology and schools. “When rural communities succeed, we all succeed, and this bipartisan legislation demonstrates our commitment to uplifting local economies, creating good paying jobs and supporting our schools,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB23-1247 and SB23-094 . “We’re taking a community-specific lens to identify energy solutions for rural Colorado that will streamline careers in budding fields and allow Coloradans to continue to live in the communities they work in. We’re focusing legislation on finding solutions for rural Colorado, specifically to help address the educator and staff shortage, and develop talent pipelines to improve school transportation and recruit more bus drivers in rurals areas of the state.” HB23-1247 , sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Ty Winter, would direct the Colorado Energy Office to conduct two studies focused on identifying advanced energy generation and transmission opportunities in rural Colorado to diversify the economy, establish good-paying jobs in new energy industries and support hardworking families. HB23-1247 aims to identify reliable and affordable energy solutions for Colorado communities in parts of Montrose County and southeastern Colorado with a focus on energy generation, storage solutions and regional economic impacts. SB23-094 , sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Don Wilson, works to support rural school districts in their efforts to recruit and retain more drivers and establish more sustainable funding for school transportation. This bill creates the Colorado School Transportation Modernization Task Force to find and recommend solutions to the transportation challenges that create barriers for students to attend the school or afterschool programs of their choice, and suggest ideas for a sustainable funding stream while also developing talent pipelines to recruit more drivers. “Rural economies in all four corners of our state make Colorado stronger and support hardworking families,” said Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsor of SB23-006 . “The Rural Opportunity Office provides a pathway to promote, diversify and expand economic opportunities in small towns to meet the needs of our neighbors. I’m proud to sponsor this bipartisan legislation that’s focused on uplifting our local economies, securing community investment and creating good paying jobs.” SB23-006 , sponsored by Representative Barbara McLachlan and Marc Caitlin, creates the Rural Opportunity Office (ROO) within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. ROO is charged with serving as the central coordinator of rural economic development, supporting communities transitioning away from coal-based economies, increasing rural-focused recovery programming, and making recommendations to help inform economic development policy impacting rural communities to help meet their needs and capacity to thrive. The Rural Opportunity Office began its work to boost rural economies and resiliency through supportive development strategies in 2019. The office has expanded services to assist tribal nations in their economic development through grant writing support, education campaigns and technical assistance. Previous Next

Today, Governor Polis and bipartisan legislators, including Speaker Julie McCluskie, Rep. Meghan Lukens, Rep. Matt Soper, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Jeff Bridges, and Sen. Mark Baisley, announced legislation to continue strengthening Colorado’s workforce and breaking down barriers to lower-cost education and training pathways. < Back March 7, 2024 Strengthening Colorado’s Workforce: Governor Polis and Bipartisan Legislators Unveil Legislative Package to Support Training and Education for Colorado Workers DENVER - Today, Governor Polis and bipartisan legislators, including Speaker Julie McCluskie, Rep. Meghan Lukens, Rep. Matt Soper, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Jeff Bridges, and Sen. Mark Baisley, announced legislation to continue strengthening Colorado’s workforce and breaking down barriers to lower-cost education and training pathways. “Colorado’s innovative approach to connecting more Coloradans with the training and skills they need to get good-paying jobs is an example for the rest of the country, and we are proud to do more with this legislative package. I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators who continue working to support Colorado workers and businesses.,” said Governor Jared Polis. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Lukens, Rep. Soper and Sen. Bridges builds on the success of Opportunity Now, a grant program that has awarded $27 million to 46 grantees representing 145 business and 78 education partners in 38 industries . These grants help connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-skill, high-wage careers. This bill will support a fourth and final round of grants, investing in building and construction trades specifically. It also creates an annual refundable tax credit to increase the capacity of training providers in industries receiving transformative federal investment (IIJA/IRA/CHIPS). Finally, this bill will create regional summits that will improve regional talent planning. “The success of Opportunity Now programs has helped Coloradans across the state secure good-paying jobs while meeting our diverse workforce needs,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan bill introduces the final round of funding for this program with an important focus on the construction and building trades. The demand for skilled electricians, plumbers and general contractors is rising, and this bill boosts our construction workforce and helps drive local economies.” “We have seen the success of Opportunity Now in communities across the state, including the Western Slope. I look forward to continuing this work and helping even more Coloradans get training, secure strong jobs, and build a stronger future for themselves,” said Rep. Matt Soper. “Opportunity is a core Colorado value, and every Coloradan should have the opportunity to earn a good life," said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. "That opportunity often starts with a good education, one that's aligned with good-paying jobs in a person's community. Making sure that what schools teach matches what businesses need is exactly what the Opportunity Now grant does, leading to better wages for workers, a well-trained workforce for our employers, and a stronger Colorado economy for everyone." An effort to expand apprenticeship opportunities through a new tax credit, sponsored by Sen. Coleman and Sen. Baisley, provides $30 million in annual, refundable tax credits to support apprentices in new and emerging industries, $2 million for businesses looking to start or scale an apprenticeship program, and $2 million for qualified intermediaries who support the administration of apprenticeship programs. “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 Tem 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.” Legislators are also acting on the recommendations of the 1215 Task Force by introducing legislation to study the cost of streamlining the administration and financing of postsecondary workforce readiness programs to the state and local education providers. It also lays the foundation for a data system to measure the impact and outcomes of education and workforce programs. This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Rep. Bacon, Sen. Bridges and Sen. Lundeen. “Investing in our workforce requires us to establish career pathways that will lead to good-paying jobs for Coloradans in communities across the state, especially in our rural and mountain communities,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This legislation lays the groundwork to set Colorado learners on a path toward economic success and career mobility by making it easier for them to access the college credits, industry credentials, or quality work-based learning experiences already in place. Together, we’re investing in our workforce, strengthening local economies and making it easier for Coloradans to thrive in the communities that they love.” “Traditional education methods face the challenge of developing curricula that are relevant to industry. Apprenticeships provide direct application for technical training. The Scale Up Grants are a practical way for the Colorado State Government to encourage employers to engage workers with skills that can be directly put to use. An employee who has worked through these apprenticeships will find fulfillment in the tremendous value that they immediately bring to Colorado companies,” said Senator Baisley. Other workforce focused bills introduced in the legislature include: HB24-1231: State Funding for Higher Education Projects, which invests in Colorado's healthcare workforce by providing funding for the UNC Medical School, Metro State’s Health Institute Tower, Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health Education Campus, and expansion and renovation of Trinidad State College’s Valley Campus main building. Sponsored by Reps. Young & Daugherty, Sens. Kirkmeyer & Mullica. SB24-104: Career and Technical Education and Apprenticeships, which connects K-12 students interested in technical careers with workforce opportunities. Sponsored by Sen. Danielson. HB24-1097: Military Family Occupational Credentialing, which would expand the occupational credential portability program to include gold star military spouses and military dependents and broadens the scope to include the Armed Forces Reserve, Ready Reserve, and National Guard. Sponsored by Reps. Taggart & Weissman, Sens. Fields & Gardner. SB24-050: Funding for Workforce Programs, which invests in scaling nonprofit and apprenticeship programs that train Coloradans for in-demand industries. Sponsored by Sen. Exum. SB24-143: Credential Quality Apprenticeship Classification, which builds on previous efforts to develop more stackable credentials. Sponsored by Sens. Zenzinger & Coleman, Rep. Herod. HB24-1264: Supporting the Educator Workforce, which provides various supports for an online career support and pathways portal for educators with access to career incentives, job postings, and applications. Sponsored by Reps. McLachlan & Catlin, Sens. Zenzinger & Simpson. Previous Next

< Back January 24, 2019 ROBERTS’ BIPARTISAN PUBLIC HEALTH CARE OPTION BILL PASSES COMMITTEE The House Health and Insurance Committee approved a bipartisan bill by Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose to create a new affordable and competitive health option in the state of Colorado that will be available to families and individuals when purchasing health insurance. Currently, there are 14 counties in our state with only one option on the individual market and many counties are left with a small number of options for health insurance. This bill will increase competition in the market. “This bipartisan bill is a uniquely Colorado solution to a big problem we have in our state,” said Rep. Roberts. “Too many Coloradans, especially in rural Colorado, are paying too much for health insurance.” HB19-1004 represents significant progress towards developing a publicly supported health insurance option on the market that leverages the efficiencies of our current state infrastructure. This public option will help put affordable health insurance in reach for many hardworking families across our state. “Families are deciding whether to pay out of control health insurance costs each month or forgo coverage for themselves and their kids,” Roberts continued. “Providing families and individuals an affordable option will make a difference in their lives and help keep them in our rural communities. This bill is part of the puzzle, it’s done in a responsible way to create a new health insurance option in Colorado.” Eagle County has some of the highest cost of health care premiums in the country. The bill directs experts at the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Division of Insurance to create a proposal for implementing a public option that leverages already-existing state infrastructure. That proposal must be presented to the Joint Budget Committee, House Public Health and Human Services Committee; House Health and Insurance Committee, Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Joint committees during SMART Act hearings later this year. When exploring the creation of public option, the departments must consider affordability to the consumer, administrative and financial consideration for the state, ease of implementation and impacts to the market as a whole. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 9-2 and now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. The Health and Insurance Committee also approved Rep. Roberts’ bill to authorize a pharmacist to dispense a chronic maintenance drug to a patient without a current prescription in emergency circumstances. The bill was approved unanimously. HB19-1077 now goes to the House floor. Previous Next