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< Back February 23, 2022 FAMILY AFFIRMATION ACT AND BILL TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES PASS COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Two bills to protect LGBTQ+ Coloradans and affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ parents today passed the committee on Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services. “Under current law, Colorado doesn’t automatically recognize the parent-child relationship for children conceived through assisted reproductions which makes things complicated for non-traditional and LGBTQ+ families,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper D-Lakewood . “This bill would create a process establishing a legal parent-child relationship and expediting the adoption process so families can spend more time with their newborn and less time on expensive paperwork.” “Since I gave birth to our child, my wife would have to go through the lengthy, expensive and complicated adoption process to be legally recognized as Marlo’s mom even though she is Marlo’s biological parent,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “With this bill, parents who conceive using assisted reproduction will have fewer hoops to jump through to be legally recognized as the parent of their child. At the end of the day, Marlo is a child that we brought into this world together, and we shouldn’t have to go through background checks, court appearances and so much more for that to be recognized under the law.” HB22-1153, sponsored by Representatives Kerry Tipper and Daneya Esgar, would create an accessible and streamlined adoption process for parents conceiving through assisted reproduction. Some parents, often LGBTQ+ couples, who conceive using assisted reproduction must currently go through the legal adoption process to be recognized as legal parents. This lengthy, expensive and complicated process is necessary just to be recognized as the legal parent of their child. Currently, Majority Leader Esgar’s wife, Heather, is going through the process of adopting her child, Marlo, who the Majority Leader carried and who is Heather’s biological child. The adoption process currently requires home visits, court appearances, criminal record checks and countless complicated forms to legally confirm the parent-child relationship. This is all required for a parent to legally adopt their child. This makes parenting exponentially more expensive and time consuming for LGBTQ+ and other non-traditional families. The bill would create a process for families to establish a legal parent-child relationship that must be recognized nationwide and instruct courts to confirm the adoption within 30 days. HB22-1157, sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Brianna Titone, would require the Department of Public Health and Environment to collect health access data that has been voluntarily provided on Colorado communities that have been historically underserved and face disproportionate health impacts. The bill would facilitate the Health Equity Commission to establish a data advisory committee to provide recommendations on a process to collect statewide data on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity and disability to better address health inequities across the state. “In order for Colorado to make informed health care decisions, we need to ensure we have the data of our state’s LGBTQ+, disability and underserved communities,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This bill would facilitate the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity, among other demographic information, so we can better support our state’s health care needs. This is an important step in building an equity-based health care system that works to meet the needs of everyone.” “We’re working hard to build a healthier Colorado and that means meeting the needs of our underserved and underrepresented communities,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “By collecting statewide data on ethnicity, gender identity, race, disability, sexual orientation and other critical demographic information, we can make better and more informed health care decisions for our state that will drive better outcomes." Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and to modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. < Back May 28, 2024 Signed! New Laws Will Boost Colorado Communities, Support Film Industry ESTES PARK, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and to modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. “I’m proud to have carried Colorado’s first multi-year law that will improve Colorado’s Film Incentive Tax Credit to help support and build our film industry,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1295 and HB24-1358. "Extending this tax credit will attract new film projects to our state, creating new jobs in the film industry and boosting our economy. HB24-1358 was also signed into law to bolster the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which has provided crucial funding for local communities in every corner of our state, helping local businesses stay in their community while creating essential housing and child care opportunities. Our new law will expand the grant program, dedicating new funding for Colorado communities to maintain the unique character of their town while keeping up with the demand for workforce housing, commercial spaces, and other resources.” “The Community Revitalization Tax Credit supports many communities across Colorado to help them get housing and creative projects built,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1295. "Our legislation expands the eligibility criteria for the grant program, so we can fund more projects to revitalize communities and downtowns across Colorado and support artists and creators in Colorado’s creative sectors. With this new law, we’re creating job opportunities, boosting small businesses and local Colorado economies, and supporting Colorado artists.” In 2022, Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod and Senator James Coleman sponsored legislation to allocate $20 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created as part of the Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets, or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here . HB24-1295 expands eligibility for the Community Revitalization Grant Program to include projects that are qualified for funding under the Space to Create Colorado Program. The Space to Create Colorado Program helps communities develop affordable housing opportunities, commercial spaces, community gathering spaces, childcare centers, non-profit organizations, and other projects that provide community resources. The law also establishes a refundable tax credit program for tax years 2026 through 2032 for creative industries and mixed-use and creative-use spaces for the general public. HB24-1358 will modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. These dollars would help spur additional film production in Colorado, creating new jobs in the creative sector. “Colorado is home to many beautiful sceneries that filmmakers would like to showcase, and we’re making it easier for them to afford to film here,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of HB24-1358. “By extending the Film Incentive Tax Credit, we’re opening up more jobs and boosting Colorado’s film industry to attract new projects and support Coloradans in the arts.” Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2020 2 CRITICAL CHILD CARE BILLS ADVANCE Denver, CO– The Public Health Care and Human Services Committee today advanced two bills that would give Colorado families increased options for child care at a time when it is more crucial than ever. Representative Dylan Roberts’ bill would allow home-based child care in Homeowners’ Association Communities, and Representative Mary Young’s bill would extend the licensure exemption for family child care homes to September 2026. Rep. Roberts’ bill passed 10-0. Rep. Young’s bill passed 12-1. “As we work to get our state’s strong economy back on track, it’s more important than ever to ensure that Colorado families have access to child care,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “This bill would ease the burdens of an extensive licensure process for certain family care homes, and will provide much needed relief as we adjust to a new way of life.” “Your zip code or unnecessary regulations should never be what prevents you from getting the child care your family needs to get to work,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “This bill allows responsible child care providers to safely provide their services in the community that they live in and will incentivize more people to open home child care businesses. We’re working to ensure that Coloradans can get back to work safely, and making child care more accessible and available is an important step in that direction.” SB20-126 would allow a homeowner in a community organized under the “Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act” to operate a licensed family child care home notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the community’s guidelines. Community guidelines on parking, noise, landscaping continue to apply but communities must make reasonable accommodations for fences required by state child care home licensing laws. Licensure requirements for family child care homes are extensive and must include background checks, required training, inspections and more. HB20-1347 would prolong the time period in which certain family child care homes can receive licensure exemptions from the state. Under HB20-1347, family care homes are homes where less than 24-hours of child care is provided. A family care home cannot exceed four children, and no more than two children can be under the age of two. Additionally, the children are not required to be related to the caregiver, but if the caregiver is caring for their own children in addition to non-family members, their own children are included in the four child limit. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2019 COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL EDUCATION BILL MOVING THROUGH HOUSE Bill to allow students to access the skills and information they need to keep themselves & their peers safe approved on second reading (Feb. 15) – The House approved Rep. Susan Lontine and Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill on second reading to expand the content in the comprehensive sexual education that many students in Colorado already receive. This bill does not require schools to teach sex education, however, existing law requires that if they do provide sex education it must be comprehensive. The bill adds consent, defining a healthy relationship, and sexual orientation to the current standards. “Colorado’s students deserve access to age-appropriate, accurate and comprehensive information regarding sex education to keep themselves and their classmates healthy and safe,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “It’s important that students are taught about consent at a young age so they can advocate for themselves.” Colorado does not have a mandatory sex education requirement. However, existing law does provide a set of standards if school decides to teach about sex education. This bill would increase the ranges of topics to include birth control and pregnancy, abstinence, STD prevention, consent, healthy relationships and sexual orientation. “As a doctor in a clinic, I only have the ability to affect one child and one life at a time,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Denver . “Schools have the ability to improve the health of hundreds of kids at a time through the ability to provide comprehensive sex ed that will prevent countless young people from facing life altering illnesses or unplanned pregnancies.” This bill would also allocate $1 million in funds to an existing grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for teaching comprehensive sex education. Rural schools and public schools that do not have the resources to offer sex education will be prioritized for receiving this grant money. Some of the common misconceptions about this legislation are around the opt-out options already in place, the content around LGBTQ inclusion, and the definition of a healthy relationship. “I think about this bill and I think about all of the unnecessary hurt that this could have prevented for my mother. That if she had the opportunity in school for somebody to talk to her about healthy relationships, to answer questions about what she was going through. To show her that she’s normal – that nothing is wrong with her – . what could that have done for her?” said Rep, Kyle Mullica, D- Northglenn during a moving speech on the House floor. “And I think about what this bill can do for our LGBTQ students today and the unnecessary pain that it can prevent today.” House Republicans attempted to sabotage this bill on the House floor by introducing a number of politically charged amendments that would have gutted the bill and reflected how out of step they are with everyday Coloradans and students. The bill was approved in an initial House floor vote 35-20 and now will need to be approved by a recorded vote on third reading in the House. ATTACHED: Headshots of Rep. Lontine, Rep. Caraveo and Rep. Mullica ### About the Colorado General Assembly House Democrats Colorado’s 65-member House of Representatives includes 41 Democrats. For current and past House proceedings, go to Comcast Channel 165 or coloradochannel.net . Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/COHouseDems , on Twitter @COHouseDem , and on Instagram @COHouseDemocrats or visit our website at cohousedems.com Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2022 BILL TO BOOST COLORADO WORKFORCE PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – Legislation to boost Colorado’s workforce by breaking down barriers for Coloradans with a criminal history to obtain licensure, certification or registration for many professions and occupations today passed the House unanimously. HB22-1098, sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Jennifer Bacon, would make it easier for Coloradans with unrelated criminal charges to obtain the credentials they need to enter a profession. “This bill will boost our workforce by breaking down unnecessary barriers that prevent people from entering a profession and building a new life,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Under the bill, the Department of Regulatory Affairs will create a standard for Coloradans with criminal records to apply for jobs to make it easier for qualified individuals to pursue careers in critical fields.” “We are excluding too many people from thriving in professions they are qualified for,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This disproportionately prevents Black and Brown Coloradans from building a better life and entering professions regulated by the state. This bill will begin to open new opportunities for Coloradans who have been involved in the criminal justice system, which will boost our workforce, create jobs and help employers across the state.” HB22-1098 would make it so applicants may only be denied a credential based on their criminal history if that history would hinder their ability to do their job safely and competently. Additionally, the bill allows regulators to issue a conditional credential to a potential applicant with certain guardrails in place. Nearly one in three Coloradans have a criminal record that hinders them from applying for state regulated jobs, including K-12 teaching, child care, health care and other high-demand sectors in Colorado facing workforce shortages. HB22-1098 would make it easier for qualified Coloradans to apply for these jobs if their criminal record does not hinder their ability to do the job safely. Previous Next

< Back May 25, 2021 COLORADO ON TRACK TO PASS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD MAKING FRONT RANGE RAIL A REALITY DENVER, CO– The House Transportation and Local Government Committee today advanced Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Rep. Matt Gray’s bill to lay the groundwork for the development of a high-speed passenger rail to connect Colorado from our Northern to our Southern borders. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Front Range Rail has been a priority of my Southern Colorado constituents for years now, and I’m proud we took this bold step forward today,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Keeping Coloradans connected from the New Mexico to the Wyoming borders is good for all Coloradans, and will go a long way toward ensuring that Colorado’s economic growth is shared across the state. Given the President’s passion for passenger rail, it’s more important than ever to lay the groundwork to ensure Colorado is ready to receive and invest federal transportation funds quickly and efficiently.” “Colorado’s transportation systems are lagging behind our neighboring states, and we’re working hard this session to keep our state competitive for years to come,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Developing high-speed passenger rail is just one more step we can take to help lower emissions, boost local economies, and improve mobility for communities across the state. I’m proud of the work we did to make it a reality today.” SB21-238 would create the Front Range Passenger Rail District and tasks it with conducting the necessary research, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the Front Range Rail system, which would connect Coloradans living and working along the I-25 corridor. The bill outlines funding options, and authorizes the District to pursue a sales and use tax that would be subject to voter approval. The District would be overseen by a board of directors that would be instructed to work closely with RTD and Amtrak to ensure the passenger rail and transit systems are compatible and work well for travelers. The bill ensures Colorado will be in position to benefit from the federal government’s proposed investment in railroad development. Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2020 SIGNED! NEW HIGHER ED FUNDING FORMULA AND CRITICAL BILLS TO IMPROVE HIGHER ED ATTAINMENT Denver, CO — Today, at Simply Pure, a marijuana dispensary, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill that increases access to the Social Equity license, which makes owning and operating a retail marijuana store accessible to more Coloradans. The bill is sponsored by Representative James Coleman. “All hardworking Coloradans deserve a fair shot at sharing in the prosperity of the booming marijuana industry,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver . “We should not be defined by our past alone, and this bill provides Coloradans who want to make an honest living in the marijuana industry with the opportunity to do so. Creating equal economic opportunity for all makes us stronger. ” “Colorado has led the way for the nation’s fast-changing laws and attitudes towards marijuana,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont . “By allowing the Governor to pardon individuals with small possession offenses and improving access and equity in the booming marijuana industry, this bill moves our state boldly forward. The bill signed today is good for small businesses, hardworking Coloradans, and our state’s economy as a whole.” In order to drive socioeconomic equity to the retail marijuana trade, HB20-1424 establishes that marijuana retailers cannot be denied access to the Social Equity license solely based on a prior marijuana conviction. The bill also allows the governor to pardon individuals who were convicted of possession of marijuana for up to two ounces — effectively offering these Coloradans a clean slate. In order to be eligible for the Social Equity license, applicants must be a Colorado resident and one of the following regulations must apply. Applicants must have either: resided in Colorado for 15 years, have been arrested or convicted of a marijuana offense, have a household income that did not exceed a predetermined amount, or hold at least 51 percent of marijuana business license. Marijuana retailers who have a Social Equity license are eligible for the Accelerator Program, which authorizes stores with a Social Equity license to operate under established state laws as long as they are endorsed by an Accelerator Store. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2020 COLORADO SUPREME COURT ACCEPTS INTERROGATORY OF THE GA DENVER, CO — The Colorado Supreme Court today announced that it would take up the question of whether, under the current circumstances of a declared disaster emergency, the General Assembly can suspend the legislative session and pick up where it left off at a later point. The court accepted the bipartisan interrogatories passed by the General Assembly on Saturday, and the court will be accepting briefs on the case over the next week. “The Constitution gives the legislature 120 calendar days to accomplish the important work our constituents elected us to do,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “We are in an impossible situation of either not taking care of the public’s needs by not passing critical legislation, or not taking care of the public’s needs by continuing our work in the middle of a public health emergency. I’m glad that the court has acted rapidly to take up this question, and hope they will see the wisdom in allowing us to suspend operations during this crisis and come back to continue our work when appropriate.” “We are grateful that the court has taken up our request with such speed and urgency,” said President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “It is imperative that we get an answer regarding if the Legislature is Constitutionally permitted to suspend the counting of legislative days during a state emergency. The work we do on behalf of Coloradans is critical to the wellbeing of our state, and we sincerely hope to continue our efforts once public safety is secured.” HJR20-1006 asks the Colorado Supreme Court to answer the following question: Does the provision of section 7 of article V of the state constitution that limits the length of the regular legislative session to “one hundred twenty calendar days” require that those days be counted consecutively and continuously beginning with the first day on which the regular legislative session convenes or may the General Assembly for purposes of operating during a declared disaster emergency interpret the limitation as applying only to calendar days on which the Senate or the House of Representatives, or both, convene in regular legislative session? The Interrogatory argues that “If the General Assembly is required to adjourn for a significant period of time to protect the public health[…] legislators will be unable to serve their constituents by debating and acting on many of the bills introduced during the 2020 regular legislative session, and the citizens who elected those legislators to act on those bills will be deprived of representation by their chosen representatives[…]” The Interrogatory asks the court to determine if the General Assembly should be forced to either reduce the length of the session and thereby fail to meet its responsibility to serve the citizens of the state by passing legislation in the public interest, or jeopardize the constitutionality of that legislation, including the state’s annual budget. Interested parties may file a brief by 5:00 PM on Tuesday March 24, and the Colorado Supreme Court case number is 2020SA100. Previous Next

< Back September 6, 2021 ISABELLA JOY THALLAS ACT GOES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW Law requires gun owners to report lost and stolen firearms DENVER, CO– SB21-078, legislation sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and Leslie Herod to promote responsible gun ownership, will go into effect tomorrow. The new law aims to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands by requiring gun owners to report to law enforcement within five days of realizing their firearms have been lost or stolen. “Last session, we took historic action to prevent gun violence in Colorado, passing six commonsense laws that will help save lives,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “The law going into effect today is an educational tool that will help keep firearms out of the wrong hands by setting an expectation for gun owners to report when their firearms are lost or have been stolen. No law will prevent every gun death, but we’ve seen that well-crafted policies–like Colorado’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law–save lives, and the Isabella Joy Thallas Act will, as well.” “Lost and stolen firearms are found at crime scenes across the country every day, and data shows that tens of thousands of firearms have been stolen in Colorado in recent years,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Unreported lost or stolen firearms make our communitiees less safe, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Timely reporting of lost or stolen firearms saves lives, helps prevent crime, and it’s the simple and responsible thing to do if you realize your firearm is missing.” SB21-078 requires an individual who owns a firearm and has reasonable cause to believe that the firearm has been lost or stolen to report that firearm to a law enforcement agency within five days after discovering that the firearm is missing. A first offense for failure to make such a report is a civil infraction punishable by a $25 fine, and a second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $500 fine. The bill requires a law enforcement agency that receives a report to enter information about the lost or stolen firearm into the National Crime Information Center database and report the information to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Through an amendment, SB21-078 was renamed the ‘Isabella Joy Thallas Act’, in honor of the young woman who was murdered on June 10, 2020 while she and her boyfriend were walking their dog outside of their apartment in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood. The high-powered semi-automatic rifle used in the killing was stolen. Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! RURAL ECONOMIES IN COLORADO GET A JUMP-START Denver, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bipartisan bill to expand on the successful Rural Jump-Start program that helps boost economic development in rural Colorado. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Janice Rich as well as Senators Kerry Donovan and Ray Scott. “I am thrilled to see this bill signed into law today because our economy needs help so that Coloradans can get back to work,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “From Routt County to Mesa County, the Rural Jump-Start Program has been the reason why dozens of businesses were able to open their doors and hire employees in rural Colorado. This law expands this program to more parts of the state and will allow even more small businesses to open and hire employees. As we move to safely reopen, we are glad to have this tool in place to help with the long term economic health of rural Colorado.” “I am incredibly proud to have sponsored this bill and to watch it become law today,” said Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. “For the last 5 years the Rural Jump-Start Program has been helping new businesses open in rural Colorado and boost their local economies in the process. Now with the serious economic pains we are experiencing from COVID-19, it is crucial that we expand this program’s success to other small rural communities across the state. Recovery won’t happen overnight, but with the ingenuity of small business start-ups, I am hopeful that Colorado will have the tools in place to begin an economic recovery.” The Rural Jump-Start program encourages businesses to create and maintain jobs in economically distressed rural areas by providing tax incentives both to the businesses themselves and to their employees. HB20-1003 includes key modifications to the Rural Jump-Start program to ensure more rural communities, businesses and their employees can benefit in economically distressed areas of rural Colorado. Importantly, it also extends the program for five years and allows economic development organizations to form Rural Jump-Start Zone programs to authorize new businesses to participate. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon that would create the right to visitation for Coloradans who are incarcerated. HB25-1013 passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back February 5, 2025 Right to Visitation, Family Connection Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon that would create the right to visitation for Coloradans who are incarcerated . HB25-1013 passed by a vote of 7-4. “ Family support and connection can have a powerful impact on the success of incarcerated Coloradans, with studies showing it can reduce recidivism by 26 percent so we can help them build a thriving future and keep our communities safer ,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “Support from one's closest friends and family can help them cope with the stress of incarceration and foster optimism about life outside of prison. We’re bringing this bill to build stronger, more resilient communities and ensure that Coloradans, no matter if they are incarcerated or not, can stay connected with their support system.” “Currently, withholding family connection is being used as a form of punishment for incarcerated Coloradans who choose not to work or as a tool to control their behavior, which not only exacerbates the mental health crisis in Colorado prisons but also violates the abolishment of slavery,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Visitation is an important aspect of rehabilitation, and phone calls and visits from family and loved ones can help incarcerated people survive their sentence. Our bill makes it clear that incarceration does not strip Coloradans of their right to maintain connections with their families and loved ones.” HB25-1013 would create the right to visitation for incarcerated Coloradans to ensure they can stay connected with their family, friends, and loved ones and be set up for success after they serve time and re-enter the community. Visitation includes social visits including in-person visits, family time visits, phone calls, and video calls. The bill extends this right to any incarcerated person who has been restricted privileges, especially for those who have been placed in restrictive housing like solitary confinement or those who choose not to work. Under the bill, an incarcerated person could file a grievance with the Department of Corrections if they are not allowed visitations, and those grievances would be shared with the Colorado legislature. A study found that visitation in prison results in a 26 percent decrease in post-release criminal activity as well as a 28 percent reduction in new convictions overall. Previous Next

< Back November 21, 2019 REP. ALEX VALDEZ ELECTED CHAIR OF LGBTQ CAUCUS Denver, CO— Representative Alex Valdez (D-Denver) today released the following statement after being elected this week to lead the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus: “I am honored to lead the LGBTQ caucus. We made tremendous progress in the last year. We protected our LGBTQ youth by banning the dangerous practice of conversion therapy. We ensured that government identification reflects Coloradans’ true selves. We passed legislation to bring our students a history curriculum that shares the incredible contributions of LGBTQ Americans. We will continue to work hard to make progress on LGBTQ rights and ensure an inclusive Colorado.” The Colorado Legislative LGBTQ Caucus includes members of both chambers and works to expand and protect LGBTQ rights. The caucus includes former Co-Chairs Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) and Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver), Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County), Rep. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada) and Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins). Last session, the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill sponsored by Reps. Michaelson Jenet and Esgar to ban conversion therapy (HB19-1129). Colorado also passed Jude’s Law (HB19-1039), sponsored by Rep. Esgar and Sen. Moreno, which now allows residents to obtain identification documents that reflect their identities. To further a more inclusive history curriculum, the legislation passed HB19-1192, sponsored by Reps. Serena Gonzales Gutierrez (D-Denver) and Bri Buentello (D-Pueblo), which will ensure more students learn about the contributions of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Previous Next