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< Back April 26, 2019 BILL TO ASK VOTERS TO RAISE TOBACCO TAX AND PUT FUNDING TOWARD EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE PASSES COMMITTEE Nicotine smoking costs the state $1.89 billion annually in health care costs (Apr. 26) – The House Finance committee approved Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill that would give voters the choice to raise taxes on tobacco products, including a new tax on liquid nicotine used for vaping. There is currently no tax on liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes. If approved by voters, the referred measure would raise more than $300 million, half of which would go toward early childhood education and half to health care. “Colorado values the health of all our children but sadly we rank first in the country for teen vaping. As a pediatrician, I understand the negative consequences nicotine has on brain development and the health of our young people,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “This measure will help decrease smoking and increase funding for early childhood education and health care.” Rep. Caraveo is the only medical doctor in the legislature. Numerous economic studies in peer-reviewed journals have documented that cigarette tax or price increases reduce both adult and underage smoking. In Colorado, 33 percent of students use tobacco products and 26 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes, which is twice the national average for teen vaping. One vaping cartridge contains the nicotine of a pack of cigarettes. Colorado’s current tobacco tax rate on cigarettes is one of the lowest rates in the country. The average state tobacco tax is $1.79 a pack. Colorado’s tax today is 84 cents a pack. HB19-1333 passed by a vote of 6-5. It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back June 1, 2021 HOUSE MOVES TO ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY-DRIVEN GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION SOLUTIONS Reps. Hooton and Daugherty’s bill would adjust the state preemption on gun violence prevention laws, empowering local governments to implement their own solutions DENVER, CO — The House today advanced a bill to declare that the regulation of the sale and transfer of firearms is a matter of both state and local concern, repealing the state-level preemption that currently prevents localities from enacting stricter gun violence laws than those of the state. The bill passed on Second Reading. “We’ve been working to end mass shootings and stem the tide of gun violence in Colorado for years now, and the tragic shooting that reeled my Boulder community this year only made the need to act that much more pressing,” said Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder. “The critical bill we advanced today will give local governments the ability to raise gun safety standards in their communities to meet the needs of their residents.” “Colorado’s vast regional diversity means that the gun violence prevention solutions that come up in Custer County are probably going to look a lot different to those in Denver,” said Rep. Lindsey Daughtery, D-Arvada. “This bill respects the rights of gun owners and follows in our longstanding tradition of local control to allow localities to implement the solutions that make sense for their individual communities.” Current law prohibits a local government from enacting laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit the purchase, transfer, or possession of a firearm. SB21-256 adjusts this prohibition by declaring the regulation of firearms a matter of state and local concern, allowing local governments to set higher standards. Under this bill, local governments would have the authority to enact regulations governing the transfer or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm components and accessories, so long as the regulations are more restrictive than state laws on the subject. The bill stipulates that criminal penalties for a violation of local regulations cannot be brought for a person who did not know or could not be reasonably expected to know that they were in violation of the local regulations. And that only civil penalties can be brought for a person violating a local concealed carry regulations with a maximum first offense penalty of $50. Recently, in the weeks leading up to the tragic shooting in Boulder, a court struck down Boulder’s local assault weapons ban. If it had been law at the time, SB21-256 would have allowed Boulder to keep this ban in place. The bill does not change existing law that allows Coloradans to travel freely throughout the state with a firearm in their vehicle. Previous Next

< Back June 14, 2021 ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR RETAILERS, TOOLS TO HELP SMALL BIZ GROW SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO– Governor Polis today signed two bills into law that will allow retailers to retain the sales tax they collect and provide small businesses with the tools and funding they need to grow. “Colorado’s bars, restaurants, food trucks and retailers have gotten a boost this year from legislation that allows them to keep the sales tax they collect, and now that will continue through the summer,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn. “This law will help keep our recovery on track by supporting the small businesses that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic as they work to get back on their feet and grow.” HB21-1265 , sponsored by Reps. Kyle Mullica and Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, continues a successful sales tax assistance effort passed during the 2020 special session. It allows restaurants, bars, caterers and food service contractors (such as airline food service contractors and food concession contractors at sporting events) to deduct up to $70,000 in net taxable sales from their monthly state sales tax return for five different locations and retain the resulting sales tax revenue during the months of June, July and August 2021. “While it’s been a tough year, there are so many small businesses and entrepreneurs who are primed to grow and take the next step with their businesses,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “This new program that the governor signed into law today will help provide small-and-medium-sized employers the tools, training and funding opportunities they need to jump ahead, create jobs and enter into the next phase of their business.” “There are so many businesses across Colorado that could grow, create jobs and help boost our economy with a little technical assistance, funding or support,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “With this new initiative, Colorado businesses that are ready to expand will have access to critical assistance and tools to help them thrive.” Sponsored by Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Naquetta Ricks, SB21-241 creates the Small Business Accelerated Growth Program, which is designed to provide small businesses on the verge of major growth with the tools and funding they need to take their small businesses to the next level. The program will support businesses with 19 employees or fewer and provide them with technical, operational, marketing and financial assistance to ensure they can grow sustainably and continue to create jobs. Previous Next

< Back October 14, 2019 REP. CARAVEO RECEIVES NATIONAL CHILD HEALTH ADVOCATE AWARD FROM AAP DENVER, CO — Representative Yadira Caraveo, MD, FAAP (D-Thornton) today received the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) prestigious Child Health Advocate Award during a ceremony at the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the Colorado State Capitol. After receiving the award, Rep. Caraveo released the following statement: “I am honored to have been chosen as this year’s Child Health Advocate by the American Academy of Pediatrics and am enormously grateful to the Colorado chapter of the AAP for helping to make this a reality. As a pediatrician and as a lawmaker, protecting the health and wellness of children has always been my top priority. I am humbled by today’s award, but I have no intention of resting on my laurels — not even for a moment. I will continue to work side by side with wonderful child health care advocates like the AAP to ensure more and better care is readily accessible to all children in Colorado, regardless of their family’s economic status.” Dr. David Keller, Board Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Colorado Chapter and Legislative Policy Committee Chairman released the following statement after presenting Rep. Caraveo with the award: “Through her work in the pediatric practice as well as in the Colorado General Assembly, Dr. Caraveo has repeatedly proven herself as a champion for children’s health. I am so proud to celebrate Dr. Caraveo’s accomplishments today by presenting her with one of the AAP’s most prestigious awards. I know I speak for all of us at the AAP when I say that I look forward to working with Dr. Caraveo as she continues her hard work to protect and defend children’s health.” The National Child Health Advocate Award is given out annually and recognizes the significant accomplishments of public officials and private sector advocates who have served as a voice for children in state and local government. First awarded in 1991, previous recipients have included Roy Romer (former Governor of Colorado), Howard Dean (former Governor of Vermont), Michael Moore (former Attorney General, State of Mississippi) Christine Gregoire (former Attorney General and Governor State of Washington), and William Purcell, MD, FAAP (former State Senator, State of North Carolina). Rep. Caraveo has used her unique experience as the only medical doctor in the legislature to pass laws that improve the health and wellness of all Coloradans. She sponsored a comprehensive sex education law and created a program to increase the usage of primary care to improve the quality and consistency of health care. She also was the co-sponsor of SB19-181, the most comprehensive oil and gas reform law to date which updated Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to put the health and safety of Coloradans first. Representative Caraveo also passed a law to allocate funds to the 2020 Census to ensure a fair and accurate count of all Coloradans. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES MICHAELSON JENET, ROBERTS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL Suicide is the leading cause of death in Colorado for young people between the ages of 10 & 24 Help is available. If you are struggling, please text TALK to 38255 or call 844-493-8255 (Apr. 12) — A bill sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Rep. Dylan Roberts to help address youth suicide received preliminary approval in the House today. “Sirens are going off. Colorado’s kids are committing suicide at an alarming rate and they should be able to access the help they so desperately need. It could save a life,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “An epidemic is unfolding before our eyes and studies tell us that suicide continues to increase, but we are failing to adequately invest in solutions.” Rep. Michaelson Jenet’s son survived a suicide attempt at age 9. The potentially life-saving bill will reduce the age at which a young person can seek confidential psychotherapy services from a licensed mental health professional without the consent of his or her parent or guardian, from 15 to 12. The bill also requires the department of education, in consultation with the Office of Suicide Prevention, the Youth Advisory Council, and the Suicide Prevention Commission, to create and maintain a mental health education literacy resource bank. The resource bank is available to the public free of charge. “The suicide epidemic knows no bounds and shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s impacting our rural, urban and suburban communities. Eagle County had 18 completed suicides last year in a community of only about 50,000 people,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “Today, our state took a step toward addressing this epidemic.” Colorado is ranked third for suicides among youth aged 10-14 and fifth for teen suicide overall. HB19-1120 was approved on voice-vote and a recorded vote will be taken at a later date. The youth suicide prevention bill is part of a package of bills to address mental health in Colorado. Rep. Michaelson Jenet is the sponsor of the bipartisan HB19-1129, Prohibit Conversion Therapy for A Minor which will soon be signed into law , and HB19-1017 to increase access to school social workers in public elementary schools. Previous Next

< Back January 31, 2019 REP. DURAN APPLAUDS DEFEAT OF SO-CALLED “RIGHT-TO-WORK” LEGISLATION (Jan. 30) – This week, the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee defeated a so-called “right-to-work” bill. The bill would have hampered the ability of workers in our state to organize, a right provided through long-standing federal law. “A win for Union Workers today! HB18-1101 (Right to Work) was defeated in committee,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Thank you to all my union brothers and sisters that attended our meeting and had their voices heard.This legislation is bad for workers and bad for our economy.” HB19-1101 would have restricted the ability of unions to negotiate better wages and safer working conditions for workers. This bill would have also prevented employers from exercising their right to hire union-trained and certified employees. If passed, the bill would have had devastating impacts on worker wages and protections, further stacking the deck against hardworking families in our state. A large Economic Policy Institute study from 2011 found that, after controlling for a host of factors, right-to-work states have lower wages on average than states without right-to-work laws. Previous Next

< Back February 21, 2023 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Incarcerated Coloradans to Pursue College Credits DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez to allow incarcerated Coloradans to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education. HB23-1037 passed the House with nearly unanimous support by a vote of 61-1. “This bill is about preparing incarcerated Coloradans for success when they’re released from prison by giving them the tools they need to thrive,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez D-Monte Vista. “I’m beyond proud to champion this bipartisan bill that received nearly unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats. This bill will reduce recidivism in Colorado by creating pathways for incarcerated people to earn credits toward degrees and certificates that create opportunities for good paying careers after they have served their time.” HB23-1037 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would allow inmates sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to reduce their sentence by completing an accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited higher education institution while the inmate is incarcerated in the Department of Corrections (DOC). Specifically, inmates could receive one year of earned time for a bachelor's or associate's degree, 6 months for an earned credential or certificate of 30 credit hours worth, 18 months of earned time for a master’s degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. Right now, offenders in the DOC can reduce their sentence through earned time by participating in group living, counseling sessions and through specific work and training. Generally, inmates cannot reduce their sentence by more than 30 percent. This bill would add higher education to the list of ways inmates can reduce their sentence through earned time. HB23-1037 aims to encourage incarcerated Coloradans to pursue higher education and better prepare them for a high-earning career post-sentence. Access to education opportunities while in prison is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools to reduce recidivism. Colorado’s recidivism rate is 50 percent , one of the highest in the nation. A comprehensive, nationwide study showed that the recidivism rate among incarcerated individuals who earn associate's degrees is around 14 percent and just 5.6 percent for those who earn bachelor's degrees. These recidivism rates are significantly lower than interacted individuals who receive no education while in prison. Previous Next

The 2023 School Finance Act invests a record $665 million more toward K-12 public education, commits to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor in the 2024-25 school year < Back May 1, 2023 House Passes Record School Funding Bill The 2023 School Finance Act invests a record $665 million more toward K-12 public education, commits to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor in the 2024-25 school year DENVER, CO – The House today passed the 2023 School Finance Act, increasing per pupil funding by $1,018. This record investment toward K-12 public schools also reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by $180 million, mapping out a course to eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor by the 2024-2025 school year. “Increasing funding for our schools is one of the smartest investments we can make because it sets our students on the path to success,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango . “The 2023 School Finance Act reaffirms our commitment to our schools through a record-breaking investment of $665 million more, resulting in $10,614 per pupil. Every school district has different needs, which is why this legislation invests $30 million toward rural schools to help them recruit educators and support the enrichment courses that make education in Colorado well-rounded.” “We’re committed to supporting our teachers and students and this year’s School Finance Act includes the largest buydown ever of Colorado's debt to our K-12 public schools,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Investing in our schools better prepares Colorado's next generation of leaders, and this legislation increases per pupil funding by nearly $1,100 and puts our state on a sustainable path to fully fund K-12 public schools in the next two years. Colorado needs a strong education system, and this bill invests in our schools so they can continue to prepare our students to thrive.” 2023 School Finance Act : SB23-287 passed the House by a vote of 52 to 10 and invests a record-breaking $665 million more in total program funding and raises the statewide average of per pupil funding by $1,018, equating up to $10,614 per pupil. It reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by $180 million, while committing lawmakers to fully eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor for the 2024-2025 school year. With this funding, school districts can reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide individualized support to help students succeed. Additional allocations include: $30 million specifically for large and small rural schools $10 million toward special education preschool support $1 million for gifted and talented universal screening for students $500,000 to support English language learning students and the translation of Individualized Education Programs program documents within special education $300,000 to reimburse schools for expenses related to replacing an American Indian mascot The bill will also create a task force charged with examining Colorado's public school financing system and making recommendations to improve the school finance formula to make it more equitable and student-centered. An additional study will explore what it takes to adequately provide a free and uniform public education for students in Colorado. Previous Next

< Back April 9, 2020 JBC ANNOUNCES PLAN OF ACTION ON BUDGET DENVER, CO — Joint Budget Committee leadership today announced a plan of action and preliminary timeline agreed to by all JBC members for completing the budget. The JBC aims to finalize the Long Bill, School Finance Act, and any budget-related bills by the end of May to allow state departments, local governments, school districts, and others the time necessary to finalize their budgets by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2020. “The JBC is committed to a transparent, accountable and responsible budget process that allows us time to gather information on how this crisis is impacting state revenues and work through how we can minimize the impact of severe budget cuts on Coloradans,” said JBC Chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We are prioritizing public health and safety as we work to protect core priorities, such as K-12 education, and craft a balanced budget that supports Colorado families and gets our economy moving again.” “The JBC is working incredibly hard to re-map Colorado’s budget in the wake of COVID-19,” said JBC Vice-Chair, Sen. Dominick Moreno D- Commerce City. “Many of our priorities are being adjusted as we determine how to best support citizens during the next chapter of relief and recovery. We have some extremely difficult decisions ahead, but we will continue to be guided by our values and fight for Colorado’s most critical programs and institutions.” “As the General Assembly extends its recess and the statewide stay at home order remains in effect, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) and its staff continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on Colorado’s economy to identify an appropriate time to review the state budget and make necessary balancing decisions,” wrote JBC members in the letter announcing the plan of action. The JBC will use the next few weeks to gather information with the goal of releasing new, publicly available figure setting documents by late April. “JBC and its staff are also utilizing this time to monitor increased demand for social services and unemployment benefits as well as declining state revenues. The JBC continues to work with departments to calculate these impacts on department budgets while also collaborating to identify feasible budget reductions,” the members continued. The JBC plans to begin meeting again in early May under the preliminary timeline below: This preliminary timeline is subject to adjustment if necessary based on how the public health and budgetary situation continues to evolve. Previous Next

The House passed legislation today to help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. < Back April 22, 2024 House Passes Bill to Increase Federal Funds for Nutrition and Housing Support DENVER, CO – The House passed legislation today to help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. This cost-neutral plan would lay the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. “With this bill, we’re one step closer to securing additional federal funds to help with rental assistance, pantry stocking, housing and nutrition support that will strengthen our communities,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster . “Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and a roof over their heads and this bill will help and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors, such as youth transitioning out of foster care or older adults seeking nutrition assistance.” “By leveraging federal funds for nutrition and housing support, Colorado can help meet the diverse needs of families in our state,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This bill allows Colorado to access Medicaid funding for housing and nutrition programs for existing Medicaid patients. For example, Medicaid funding could be used to help someone afford their rent or put food on the table. This bill saves Coloradans money by leveraging federal dollars and ensures our most vulnerable neighbors are set up to thrive.” HB24-1322 , which passed the House by a vote of 45 to 17 would support Coloradans on Medicaid to afford housing and nutritious meals. Specifically, this bill would direct the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to conduct a feasibility study and pursue an 1115 Waiver so Medicaid could fund housing and nutrition services. This legislation aims to create a path to redirect Medicaid funding for services that address health-related social needs of Coloradans who already rely on the federal Medicaid program. The feasibility study would determine how Medicaid could pay for specific nutrition-based services such as medically tailored meals and pantry stocking. It could also help with temporary housing, rent, utility assistance, as well as eviction prevention and tenant support. The study would also determine the eligibility requirements to access these services and which populations across the state would benefit the most. Utilizing dollars already spent on housing and nutrition support services through an 1115 Medicaid Waiver would provide Colorado with a federal match and the flexibility to design and improve Medicaid programs to fit the needs of Coloradans. It would also help the state conserve local and state financial resources. This cost-neutral model for redirecting Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition support is successfully being used in more than 15 states across the nation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and North Carolina. Previous Next

Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand < Back February 28, 2024 Committee Passes ADU Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). HB24-1152 passed by a vote of 9-2. “Nearly 80 percent of Coloradans agree that this bipartisan bill can help solve Colorado’s housing crisis and save people money,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Giving Coloradans the freedom to build an ADU on their own property allows them to care for a loved one with a disability, house an aging parent, or bring in some extra money all while providing much needed housing in our communities. We need to take a multi-faceted approach to address Colorado’s housing crisis, and this bill will create more housing options Coloradans can afford and make it easier to live in this great state.” HB24-1152 , also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would allow homeowners in jurisdictions defined under the bill to build an ADU and create a new state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote the construction of ADUs. The bill would provide local governments with access to grants that support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate or ADUs intended to serve demonstrated housing needs in the community. The bill also provides grants to increase housing accessibility and availability for Coloradans with disabilities. Finally, the bill includes funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners build ADUs, including with down payment assistance, affordable loans, and buying down interest rates on loans for the conversion or construction of ADUs. Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single-family home properties. Previous Next

< Back February 24, 2022 LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee passed legislation today to help prevent catalytic converter theft. HB22-1217, sponsored by Representatives Adrienne Benavidez and Rod Bockenfeld, would create a grant program to award grants to increase public awareness around theft and provide assistance to victims of catalytic converter theft. “This session, we’re working to prevent crime before it happens and that starts by changing our current laws to reflect the realities of catalytic converter theft,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez D-Denver. “Catalytic converter theft is costing Coloradans a lot of money, which is why we’re working to pass legislation that will provide assistance to those who’ve experienced this misfortune. This bill would cut down on theft, save Coloradans money, and make our communities safer.” HB22-1217 , which passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3, would create the catalytic converter identification and theft prevention grant program to award grants to eligible recipients for public awareness campaigns regarding catalytic converter theft. This grant program would also provide assistance to victims of catalytic converter theft. Part of HB22-1217 works in conjunction with SB22-009 and only takes effect upon SB22-009’s passage. It would require the commodity metals theft task force to audit all dealers related to compliance with selling catalytic converters and report those findings by December 31, 2024. SB22-009 would require dealers to keep books and registrations of catalytic converter transactions in the same manner they already keep for commodity metals. Catalytic converters control the exhaust emissions from vehicles and play an important role in reducing harmful emissions. They have recently become a target for thieves because they contain precious metal alloys that have high resale values. If passed, HB22-1217 would award grants to eligible recipients for public awareness campaigns regarding catalytic converter theft, catalytic converter theft prevention parts as well as provide assistance to victims of catalytic converter theft. Previous Next