Bill updates the Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Chemicals Protection Act to include more consumer products < Back April 4, 2024 Legislation to Reduce “Forever Chemicals” Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to build upon efforts to reduce harmful “forever chemicals” in many household products. SB24-081, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Manny Rutinel, would help prevent highly toxic chemicals from seeping into our environment and negatively affecting Coloradans’ health. “We continue work to reduce the harmful proliferation of PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’” said Rep Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “While we’ve made great progress, we must continue to phase out these dangerous chemicals in our everyday household items. This bill continues our 2022 efforts and helps us transition away from this toxic chemical and better protect Colorado’s water supply. Together, we’re protecting Colorado’s environment and public health by establishing a reasonable timeline for businesses to phase out their reliance on ‘forever chemicals’”. “PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’ are dangerous for our water supply, environment, and can have adverse effects on our health,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “This bill builds upon important work to reduce ‘forever chemicals’ in items found in most homes. Eliminating ‘forever chemicals’ is the right thing to do for our environment and public health – this bill brings us closer to ridding Colorado of this toxic chemical once and for all.” SB24-081 , passed committee by a vote of 8-2, and would make updates to the Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Chemicals Protection Act . This 2022 law prohibits the sale or distribution of certain consumer products that contain intentionally-added PFAS chemicals and regulates the use and storage of Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS. PFAS are synthetic chemicals developed to coat products to make them resistant to heat, water and oil. They are prevalent in a variety of products including nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cleaning products, and firefighting foams. PFAS break down very slowly in the environment and make their way into water sources, both poisoning the water supply and burdening water districts with billions of dollars in clean-up costs. Scientific research also suggests that exposure may lead to adverse health outcomes. The bill adds additional products with intentionally added PFAS to the scheduled phase-out, including certain outdoor gear and cookware, ski wax, personal hygiene products, artificial turf and other textile articles. The bill also requires a disclosure to consumers of intentionally added PFAS in certain consumer products. Previous Next

Complementary bills would reform reporting, transparency and accountability for health care facilities that utilize the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program < Back May 6, 2025 House Passes Bills to Lower the Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs DENVER, CO — The House today passed two complementary bills to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Coloradans. Both SB25-124 and SB25-071 improve transparency in reporting, guard against profiteering, and work to save low and middle income Coloradans' money on health care. “The federal 340B program has needed additional transparency and accountability for some time, while pharmaceutical companies have continued to rake in profits,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of SB25-124. “This important bill adds accountability measures on how non-profit hospitals can spend 340B revenue to ensure they are investing in lowering health care costs for low-income Coloradans, as the program was intended. SB25-124 also ramps up transparency by requiring hospitals to provide an annual report on how their 340B revenue was spent.” SB25-124 would improve transparency and establish revenue spending guardrails for Colorado hospitals that utilize the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. Under this bill, non-profit hospitals would be required to reinvest at least 80 percent of their 340B revenue toward lowering the cost of health care for low and middle income Coloradans. Additionally, non-profit hospitals would not be allowed to use 340B revenue for certain expenses, including administrative compensation, penalties and fines, advertising, and lobbying. To preserve access to life-saving prescription medications, manufacturers or providers of 340B drugs could not limit 340B prescription drugs to community hospitals and safety net providers. To improve transparency, non-profit hospitals must submit an annual report on their 340B program profits, including their operating costs for the 340B program, and charity care. SB25-124 passed by a vote of 42-23. “We must ensure that Coloradans in rural and underserved communities receive the prescription drugs they need to lead healthy lives,” said Rep. Matt Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of SB25-071. “This bipartisan bill ensures that pharmaceutical companies do not impose restrictions on the local pharmacies, clinics and safety net providers that are dependent on 340B and serve our rural communities.” The House also passed SB25-071 , which ensures prescription drug manufacturers do not impose restrictions on facilities, such as pharmacies and clinics, that utilize 340B prescription drug pricing, and requires hospitals to include certain information in their annual reports. The goal of SB25-071 is to preserve access to affordable prescription drugs across Colorado, especially in Colorado’s rural and underserved communities. 89 percent of rural hospitals in Colorado are running on low or negative margins. This bill would help preserve no-cost clinics and vaccines that help keep Coloradans healthy. SB25-071 passed by a vote of 57 to 8and is also sponsored by Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Grant Junction. The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a federal program that requires drug manufacturers participating in Medicaid to provide outpatient drugs to covered hospitals, clinics, or pharmacies at a discount. To qualify for these reduced drug prices, health care facilities must serve a high percentage of low-income patients. In Colorado, an estimated 68 hospitals and 20 federally qualified health centers participate in the 340B program. There are currently no requirements on how covered entities must use savings or revenues generated by the purchase of discounted 340B drugs, beyond the federal guidelines of using savings to expand and lower the cost of healthcare for low-income individuals. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Michael Carter into law. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. < Back March 24, 2025 Bill to Increase Judges and Boost Access to Justice Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Michael Carter into law. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. “As a former deputy district attorney, I know how important it is to have an adequate number of judges serving our communities.,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “Over and over again, we’ve heard from judges, attorneys, victims, and litigants who are hurting from an overburdened court system. Adding 15 new judges to Colorado’s judicial system is a major step forward that will help Colorado fulfill it’s fundamental duty to provide timely access to justice.” “The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed in our constitution, but the shortage of judges and other judicial staff makes it unrealistic to schedule cases in a reasonable timeframe,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora. “When cases are continuously pushed back, victims and their families are delayed justice and innocent Coloradans sit in jail awaiting trial. Federal-level threats on our judges and courts only exacerbate workload and staffing issues. Our new law increases the number of judges, attorneys and other staff to cut down on wait times, protect the autonomy of judicial actors and improve access to justice.” SB25-024 , also sponsored by Sen. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, increases the number of district and county judges by 15 judges for criminal and civil court cases. The new law also allocates funds for courts to add public defenders, deputy district attorneys, sheriff deputies, behavioral health court professionals and support staff. Under the law, Judicial Districts 4, 7, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 23 and Larimer, Douglas, La Plata, Mesa and Eagle counties will see at least one additional judge. In early 2025, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica Márquez made a plea to the Colorado General Assembly to add judges during the annual State of the Judiciary address. Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2020 JBC ACTION POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 7 AT EARLIEST DENVER, CO — JBC Chair Representative Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Vice-Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, today released the following statements announcing that JBC action will not resume before April 7. “Between the challenges of balancing a budget with a constantly changing economy and the additional public health considerations during the pandemic, we feel it is necessary to put our budget-making on pause while we get a clearer picture of where things stand,” said JBC Chair Rep. Esgar. “Our communities, businesses and state and local governments are dealing with a pandemic, and we have to be able to respond appropriately to the needs across the state. The situation continues to evolve, and we want to ensure we’re making final budget decisions with the best information possible under these challenging circumstances.” “In the midst of this ongoing public health crisis, it is crucial that we put all of our focus on the immediate wellbeing of Coloradans,” said JBC Vice-Chair Sen. Moreno. “Creating a holistic budget for the state is dependent on a variety of factors that are in flux right now. So for the time being, we believe it would be premature to put forward a budget while so much remains uncertain. We will continue to work diligently to determine a path forward as this situation evolves.” JBC hearings are postponed until April 7 at the earliest, and JBC and legislative leadership will continue to monitor the situation to determine when it’s appropriate to resume. In the meantime, JBC members will continue gathering information and staff will continue working to prepare for budget decisions to begin again, with final decisions postponed until hearings resume. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to attract dentists and dental hygienists to Colorado. < Back April 9, 2024 Legislation to Boost Dental Care in Colorado Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to attract dentists and dental hygienists to Colorado. SB24-010, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, would create an interstate compact for certain dental professionals. “From routine check-ups to emergency care, dental health and hygiene impacts our overall well-being,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “With this interstate compact, we’re making it possible for dentists and dental hygienists licensed in another state to practice in Colorado and begin taking care of patients. I worked in the dental field for more than a decade, and this bill helps create new professional pathways for out-of-state dental professionals and improves access to critical and needed dental health care services.” SB24-010 , also sponsored by Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, passed committee by a vote of 12-0. This bill would create new professional pathways for out-of-state dentists and dental hygienists to gain licensure to practice. The "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact" creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed dentists and dental hygienists in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state to practice dental services. The compact would be enacted as soon as seven states join it. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for those in the dental practice by easing the state-to-state licensure process to increase dental services and access to critical health care in Colorado and would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. To participate in the compact, applicants must already be licensed dental professionals. Dentists and dental hygienists using a compact privilege to practice in Colorado must adhere to this state’s laws and regulations of practice, which are regulated by the Colorado Dental Board. SB24-010 only applies to dentists and dental hygienists, not dental assistants or expanded duty dental assistants. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws in recent years. This list does not include 2024 mobility compact legislation currently pending before the legislature, such as HB24-1096 for school psychologists and HB24-1002 for social workers. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed two bills to establish necessary guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. < Back March 4, 2026 Bills to Establish Guardrails for AI in Health Care Pass Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed two bills to establish necessary guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. HB26-1195 and HB26-1139 would ensure patients’ continued access to health care provided by a human, licensed professional. “Without input or oversight from a licensed professional, AI chatbots can be mistaken for legitimate therapy. This practice is dangerous for patients, and we need to ensure Coloradans are protected and informed,” said Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB26-1195. “This bill establishes reasonable protective measures on AI-use in mental and behavioral health care, including prohibiting the use of AI to directly interact with a patient for therapy. Licensed professionals would still be allowed to use AI for administrative purposes, but clinical interventions, psychotherapy, must be administered by a licensed human.” “Colorado patients deserve access to real, human-centered care,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1195. “This timely bill outlines important guardrails for AI in health care. AI chatbots are biased, unlicensed tools and they should not be used for therapy and treatment recommendations without oversight. Our legislation protects patients while still allowing AI usage for administrative tasks, such as scheduling and note-taking.” HB26-1195 passed committee by a vote of 13-0. This bill would create guardrails for AI chatbots to ensure patients can make informed choices when using AI chatbots. The bill also sets standards in clinical settings, limiting the use of AI to administrative tasks with oversight by a licensed professional. To ensure patients receive legitimate behavioral health care, this bill makes sure that psychotherapy is human-delivered by a licensed professional, such as a social worker, psychologist or addiction counselor. On the consumer protection front, this legislation would prohibit AI chatbots from being marketed to patients as providing the same level of care as a licensed psychotherapist or counselor. AI chatbots would also be barred from implying their responses or suggestions are equivalent to psychotherapy services. Providers must disclose the use of AI for supplementary support, such as recording or transcribing meetings. HB26-1139 passed committee by a vote of 8-5. This bill would establish important guardrails for AI systems in health care to ensure insurance coverage decisions are transparent, accountable and subject to human oversight. “Human-centered care must be front and center in Colorado’s health care system,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB26-1139. “Our bill establishes necessary guidelines for professional use of AI in health insurance coverage determinations, especially in the case of a denial. In Colorado, we’re safeguarding access to licensed, professional care, so that anyone, no matter their income level or zip code, has the opportunity to meet with a licensed human professional.” “All patients in Colorado deserve to have a real human adjudicate their health insurance determinations,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB26-1139. “This bill states clearly that while AI may be used to expedite approvals in care coverage, a qualified human must review denials made by AI. Health care is nuanced, and we need to ensure the use of AI in coverage decisions is not solely based on group data. This bill works to ensure that licensed professionals use AI responsibly to make individualized decisions to keep Colorado patients safe and healthy.” Under this bill, if an AI system recommends denying coverage for a patient, the final decision must come from a qualified human after review. To protect patients against algorithmic bias, decisions to deny health care coverage must be based on an individual’s medical history and clinical circumstances, not solely on group data that falls short of an individual’s unique needs. In 2025, researchers at Stanford University recommended that Large Language Models (LLMs), which power AI chatbots, “should not replace therapists.” Additionally, researchers concluded that “LLMs express stigma toward those with mental health conditions and respond inappropriately to certain common (and critical) conditions.” Top AI companies, including OpenAI , Google , and Character.AI , are all facing lawsuits from families after AI chatbots recommended suicide to a person seeking behavioral health advice or support. Last year, parents of children who committed suicide testified before Congress, stating AI chatbots discouraged their teens from seeking help. Previous Next

The Governor today signed the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 state budget. This bipartisan budget protects critical investments in K-12 education and Medicaid, caps tuition for higher education, and makes responsible reductions across programs and agencies to achieve a balanced budget. < Back April 28, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Signed! Bipartisan FY25-26 Budget to Protect Investments in K-12 Education, Medicaid DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 state budget . This bipartisan budget protects critical investments in K-12 education and Medicaid, caps tuition for higher education, and makes responsible reductions across programs and agencies to achieve a balanced budget. The state’s $43.9 billion budget contains $16.7 billion in general fund expenditures. “This is a budget that no one is happy with but that everyone can be proud of,” said Joint Budget Committee Chair Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “Thanks to the rationing equation in TABOR, the Joint Budget Committee faced difficult decisions that resulted in painful tradeoffs. But unlike Washington, we made these cuts thoughtfully, strategically, and with bipartisan support. We eliminated dozens of programs and invested those savings in public education, and public safety, and public lands. It’s not a perfect budget, but it’s responsible and responsive to our TABOR constraints while keeping our commitment to the people of Colorado.” “This budget navigates significant reductions in resources while still meeting our core responsibilities,” said Joint Budget Committee Chair Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “From protecting access to healthcare for our most vulnerable to fully funding our public schools and capping college tuition increases, this bipartisan budget invests in the services that Coloradans rely on. Despite having to make painful decisions, I'm pleased with our efforts to preserve the services that keep Coloradans safe and healthy and expand opportunity for all." “After months of precise and careful decision-making to minimize the impact of $1.2 billion in cuts to the state budget, we crafted a responsible budget that invests in the well-being of every Coloradan by protecting funding for Medicaid, K-12 education, and food stamps,” said Joint Budget Committee member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Despite a challenging budget situation exacerbated by federal uncertainty, we remain committed to creating every possible opportunity for Colorado communities and families to thrive.” “I’m proud of the thoughtful decisions we made to soften the impact of our $1.2 billion gap while prioritizing the essential services that families and older Coloradans need,” said Joint Budget Committee member Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our state’s fiscal restraints and TABOR-required cuts forced us to make tough reductions to important services in order to protect funding for K-12 and higher education, Medicaid and Healthy School Meals for All." Protecting Investments in K-12 and Higher Education Protecting K-12 Funding: In just the last few years, Colorado Democrats have increased total funding for our schools by nearly $3 billion. Since the 2018-19 school year, per pupil funding has increased from $8,123 to $11,852 next year. Despite a declining enrollment environment, this year’s budget builds on steady progress to increase the resources going to our classrooms by directing an additional $150 million more from the General Fund into schools as compared to the FY24-25 budget. Capping Tuition Rates for Higher Education: In recent years, Colorado Democrats have fought to increase college access by limiting tuition increases and boosting funding for financial aid. This year’s budget includes a 3.5 percent cap on tuition increases for in-state students. Continuing Medicaid Services for Vulnerable Coloradans Protecting Medicaid Services that Coloradans Rely On: This year, Colorado Democrats rejected proposed reductions to provider rates and instead secured a moderate 1.6 percent increase and protected Medicaid eligibility, avoiding dire impacts to Coloradans who rely on Medicaid services. However, this progress remains under threat by federal government actions to potentially cut Medicaid. Continuing Dental Services Provided Through Medicaid: This year’s budget protects funding for Coloradans on Medicaid to receive dental care. Supporting Colorado Kids and Families Bolstering Child Care Assistance: The budget invests $15 million in FY24-25 and $10 million in FY25-26 to increase support for the child care assistance program, a vital resource for low-income families to ensure access to quality child care providers which have seen long waitlists and frozen enrollment in many counties due to funding restrictions. Early Intervention Support for Colorado Children: The budget increases support for early intervention services that help bridge developmental gaps for infants and toddlers who were born premature or with other special needs. This year, Colorado Democrats acted swiftly to plug an unexpected gap in funding in FY24-25 by providing $4 million to halt proposed service reductions, and are investing an additional $16.5 million to sustain the program in FY25-26. Healthy School Meals for All: This budget fully funds the Healthy School Meals for All program through the end of the year, preserving what voters previously approved at the ballot. If HB25-1274 passes, a referred ballot measure in November will ask voters to weigh in on whether to raise the needed revenue to continue the program or scale it back. Anti-Poverty Programs Administered by Local Governments: This year’s budget protects programs like TANF and SNAP administered by local governments to serve the most vulnerable communities. Preserving Colorado’s Public Lands and Natural Resources Investing in State Parks: This budget preserves and improves Colorado’s state parks, including $52 million in investments to protect critical habitats, maintain park facilities, and reinforce parks' infrastructure. Promoting Water Conservation: This year’s budget protects funding for water conservation and resource management projects to ensure access to clean water for generations of Coloradans to come. Safeguarding Colorado's Civil Liberties Maintaining Election Security: The Trump administration abruptly halted federal support for election security, including from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This budget keeps Colorado’s elections safe and secure by providing $410,000 for robust security assessments and critical technology for all local election systems. Defending Against Unlawful Federal Actions: Amidst ongoing uncertainty from the Trump administration, the budget allocates an additional $604,000 for increased support in the Attorney General’s Office to fight reckless, unlawful federal actions and protect federal funding that Coloradans rely on. This year’s budget also creates The Colorado Defense Fund and sets aside $4 million via SB25-269 and HB25-1321 to protect Colorado from the Trump administration's attempts to freeze federal grants or undermine Colorado’s sovereignty. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie that would refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow the state to keep and spend all sports betting tax revenue to fund water conservation and protection projects. < Back April 11, 2024 Bipartisan McCluskie Bill to Boost Water Conservation Funding Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie that would refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow the state to keep and spend all sports betting tax revenue to fund water conservation and protection projects. “As the legislator representing the headwaters of the Colorado River, I know how critical it is to protect our water for environmental health, recreation, and the Colorado way of life,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Our legislation lets voters decide if we can use extra revenue from Colorado’s sports betting tax to boost funding for critical water conservation projects. By protecting the lifeblood of Colorado, we can improve the health of our communities, environment, and agricultural industry.” In 2019, Colorado voters approved Proposition DD, allowing the state to keep and spend $29 million of sports betting tax revenue per year for water conservation efforts. Any additional revenue above $29 million is required to be refunded to casinos and online sports betting entities. HB24-1436 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, would refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow revenue above the $29 million cap to be transferred to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. This cash fund supports projects including water storage and supply, agricultural projects, and watershed health and recreation projects. The bill unanimously passed by a vote of 8-0. Speaker McCluskie is also sponsoring legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands for Colorado waters that are not federally protected. Previous Next

Not only would Building Performance Standards reduce greenhouse gases, they will protect renters from extreme cold and heat < Back Kipp, Valdez, Willford Opinion: Energy upgrades to apartment buildings will help Colorado hit its climate target Aug 16, 2023 See more This story was published in the Colorado Sun on Aug 16, 2023. This week, Colorado air quality regulators can take a major step forward in slashing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from our state’s largest buildings while fighting high energy costs. Today the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is scheduled to hold hearings and could cast a key vote on a policy called Building Performance Standards. Approving the proposed policy will help solve a major climate problem in Colorado — large buildings like apartments and offices account for 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions statewide. In 2021, our colleagues in the Colorado General Assembly passed a law setting greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets for large buildings statewide. The Building Performance Standards will do exactly that — achieving a 7% cut by 2026 and 20% by 2030. However, benefits of the policy would extend way beyond climate. It would improve health, comfort, safety, energy efficiency, and livability for tenants of apartment buildings statewide. It’s a chance to keep Coloradans healthy and safe, while saving them money on energy bills and advancing climate action. Commissioners must vote to approve the Building Performance Standards. This is an opportunity Colorado can’t afford to miss. Apartment tenants across Colorado are painfully aware of how difficult it is to keep their homes comfortable on the coldest winter nights and hottest summer afternoons. Inefficient units mean needing to use more energy, resulting in higher bills. As soaring fossil fuel prices sent energy costs skyrocketing in the past 18 months, many Coloradans paid three times as much for heating as they did the year before. This compounds our affordable housing crisis; renters in many Colorado cities have experienced double-digit rent hikes in recent years. We must act urgently. Climate change is causing extreme heat to occur more frequently in Colorado . In 2022, the number of deaths and hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses statewide grew by 66% and 58%, respectively, compared with the annual average for the decade prior. Residents over 65 years old were most likely to be stricken, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment . Energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in apartment units help protect residents’ health and safety from extreme heat , but they can be life-saving if a power outage were to occur during a heat wave or a cold snap. New research has found that making these upgrades to apartment buildings in cities with seasonal patterns similar to Denver can allow residents to shelter in place safely for longer periods of time during such an emergency, and reduce deaths in both extreme heat and cold. The Building Performance Standards is a major step in the right direction. It will upgrade buildings, from inefficient fossil-fuel appliances to highly efficient electric solutions, like heat pumps, which both heat and cool, and heat pump water heaters. Studies have found that these kinds of upgrades, in apartment units, result in 22% lower energy use, on average, and about $272 in annual savings on electric bills. If approved, the policy will gradually take effect over coming years, as building owners submit data and launch their improvements. It will implement upgrades to about 1,000 apartment buildings statewide. The state has tried for years to lower the costs of such upgrades through incentive programs, but upgrades have moved at a glacial pace. State requirements are necessary for Colorado to pick up the pace. This Building Performance Standards policy will also help address energy inequity and advance environmental justice. Low-income residents and communities of color experience higher air pollution burdens, often living near major highways, industrial facilities, or power plants. Studies have found that superior ventilation and better insulation will reduce air pollutant infiltration from outside or from neighboring units and common spaces by 3 to 11 times. This is also a huge benefit when wildfire smoke blankets Colorado. For low-income households, dilapidated housing conditions like poor insulation or broken or old heating and air conditioning are among the main reasons for being unable to pay a bill, receiving a disconnection notice, or having service shut off. In Colorado, 71% of low-income households use fossil fuels for heating, so have been more exposed to recent price volatility. Statewide, utility disconnections have skyrocketed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. These households and communities of color are also more likely to lack air conditioning at home. A recent survey of diverse Denver neighborhoods determined that almost one quarter of residents whose annual incomes were below $35,000 lack access to cooling. There’s never been a better time for Colorado to adopt a building performance standard. The recent federal climate law provides up to $200,000 per apartment building for energy efficiency upgrades, and point-of-sale rebates on electric appliances like heat pumps. Incentives from utilities, governments, and more make the upgrades even cheaper. Building Performance Standards will protect every Coloradan, cutting climate pollution and cleaning up the air we breathe. Inefficient buildings burn much more fuel, meaning more nitrogen dioxide pollution and a worsening air quality crisis in Front Range communities. The state estimates that for every $1 spent on upgrades, we get $3 back in benefits, like lower energy bills or lowered health care costs, from cleaner air. We shouldn’t wait any longer. The Air Quality Control Commission should vote yes this week. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2021 COLORADO COMEBACK BILLS ADVANCE Budget integrity, workforce development, support for unhoused individuals, state park investments, food bank funding, and economic relief all move forward DENVER, CO– The House today advanced several Colorado Comeback bills that will create jobs and help Colorado recover stronger by investing in workforce development initiatives, improving our state parks, expanding nutrition assistance, and ensuring Colorado’s budget is positioned to support the future growth of the state. SB21-027 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Kerry Tipper, would help new and recent parents care for their children by ensuring that diaper essentials are available to all low-income families in Colorado. The bill provides $4 million for this purpose and asks the Colorado Department of Human Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to administer diaper distribution centers. Despite the high cost of diapers and estimates that show about 1 in 3 U.S. families report needing more diapers, diapers cannot be purchased through public assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Woman, Infants, and Children program (WIC). The bill was amended to include $5 million in food pantry assistance that will be financed with federal ARPA funds. SB21-242 , sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, provides $30 million in federal funding for grants and loans for local governments and nonprofits to purchase underutilized hotels, underutilized motels and other underutilized properties for the purpose of providing shelter or affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Grant recipients, local governments and nonprofits are encouraged to invest in hotels and motels that are women and minority-owned, as well as those that are ADA compliant. The legislation also provides direct assistance to workers who were unable to receive prior federal and state relief. “Communities across Colorado are struggling to help people who are unhoused to find affordable places to live so they can get back on their feet,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “There are a lot of properties that could easily be converted into stable housing options. The bill we advanced today will channel $30 million in federal resources to provide shelter for Coloradans who need it, and it will provide direct assistance to workers who have been unable to receive pandemic relief in order to help more people avoid homelessness.” HB21-1330 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie and Naquetta Ricks, uses federal funds to provide a $50 million boost to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. The funding will increase access to robust pathways for workers to obtain news skills, earn higher wages and be prepared for the in-demand careers of the future. The bill seeks to rebuild and revitalize the state’s workforce by supporting students to complete their postsecondary credentials. The funding boost will be used to reverse the significant decline in enrollment in public higher education institutions, high rates of job loss and continuing unemployment, and the overall disruption to the workforce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides $1.5 million in grant funding to school districts to increase the number of students who complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) student aid applications before graduating high school. “As a refugee, I know firsthand that Colorado holds tremendous opportunities for people who work hard to build successful careers and thrive,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “For too many Coloradans, however, the American Dream is becoming harder to achieve, and the pandemic has only set them back. The bill we advanced today will direct $50 million in federal funds to help workers and students complete degree and skills certificate programs so they can learn critical skills, find and fill good jobs, and bounce back stronger.” HB21-1326 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Perry Will, would invest $25 million in federal funds to improve Colorado state parks. The bill provides: $750,000 to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to support backcountry avalanche safety programs; $3.5 million to the Division of Parks and Wildlife to implement its statewide wildlife action plan and the conservation of native species; $2.25 million to the search and rescue fund for use by the Department of Local Affairs in consultation with the division to support backcountry search and rescue efforts; $1 million to the outdoor equity fund for use by the division to implement the outdoor equity grant program; $17.5 million for state park staffing and maintenance and infrastructure and development projects. SB21-288 , sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar and Representative Alex Valdez, creates the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021 Cash Fund to hold the funding the state is receiving from the federal act. It also details how the fund will operate. “The legislature is listening to our communities and charting a responsible course to spend federal stimulus funds in a way that ensures the voices of diverse stakeholders across Colorado are included,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “ This bill ensures we spend these resources consistent with what our communities expressed during the statewide listening tour. Colorado is going to set an example for how to put federal resources to use to make transformational changes that help our state recover faster and build back stronger.” SB21-289 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Shannon Bird, creates the Revenue Loss Restoration Cash Fund, which will hold $1 billion of the federal funds to fortify the state budget and maintain fiscal integrity as Colorado bounces back. The funds will be deployed in future budget years to support critical priorities, such as K-12 education, housing, seniors, state parks and agriculture programs. The funds essentially buy down future obligations now to bolster the long-term health of Colorado’s state budget. “One of the most responsible ways we can use federal stimulus funds is to buy down future budget items now–that way as our state grows, we’ll be able to protect funding for K-12 education, housing, seniors, state parks and critical government services,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “The $1 billion we’re saving now will help Colorado build back stronger over the long-run and ensure we have the resources we need to sustain our recovery.” SB21-291 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Kevin Van Winkle, creates the Economic Recovery and Relief Cash Fund to respond to the economic impacts of the pandemic. It allocates $848 million for economic stimulus and relief initiatives that will be recommended through a robust interim committee process involving a diverse set of stakeholders from across the state. Additionally, it directs $40 million to the Strategic Fund in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade in order to incentivise companies to create jobs in Colorado and small businesses to relocate to rural Colorado. “While we are thankful for the significant federal relief that has come to Colorado, we know that many businesses are still struggling to get back to where they were before COVID-19,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This important bill will allow us to take the next six to eight months to see where there are gaps in the existing relief and tailor policies that will help as many businesses and workers as possible.” SB21-243 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie, directs $21 million in federal funds toward the state’s emergency public health response. Previous Next

< Back September 19, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: Hansen, Cutter Honored as Inaugural “Champions of a Free Press” DENVER, CO – The Colorado Press Association (CPA) recently honored Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton, with its inaugural “Champion of a Free Press” award for their work to ensure local news remains a vital part of Colorado’s information and economic ecosystem and that the public has access to the information it needs for civic and daily life. Hansen was honored for collaborating with the CPA on legislation that would have updated components of the Colorado Open Records Act. “Colorado’s open record laws are key to keeping the public informed - but they could be evesn better and need to be modernized,” Hansen said . “I am proud to have partnered with the Colorado Press Association on the important work of making public information more accessible, and I look forward to continuing our fight to make it even easier for Coloradans to stay informed about what all of the branches of government are up to on their behalf.” Cutter was recognized for her work on HB22-1121 , which aimed to increase support for local media by requiring all state departments to spend at least 50 percent of the money they spend on advertising to Colorado residents in a fiscal year on advertising through local newspapers. “Local news is a critical part of a high functioning society,” said Cutter . “I’m proud to be recognized for my work to support local media, which helps keep Coloradans informed, holds elected officials accountable and strengthens our democracy. I will continue to explore ways to support local news in Colorado.” About CPA Founded in 1878, the Colorado Press Association is the champion for Colorado print and online media. CPA is the non-profit trade association representing journalists, investigative reporters and truth seekers throughout the state. Previous Next

Legislation removes protections for firearm industry that prevent gun violence survivors from pursuing accountability in civil court < Back April 28, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Allow Victims of Gun Violence to Seek Justice Becomes Law Legislation removes protections for firearm industry that prevent gun violence survivors from pursuing accountability in civil court DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed common sense gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, to create new avenues for victims of gun violence to pursue justice. “Colorado used to be home to one of the most punitive laws against gun violence survivors in the country, laws that shielded them from accountability and needed to be changed,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “This new law will level the playing field by removing those extra protections and allowing legitimate lawsuits to move forward, ensuring the gun industry is no longer given special treatment and improving gun violence survivors’ ability to seek the justice they deserve.” “Colorado’s laws gave the firearm industry extreme and unjust legal protections that have prevented gun violence victims from seeking accountability,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “By removing these excessive legal protections that aren’t afforded to the vast majority of other industries, we’re ensuring that Coloradans can hold bad actors accountable. I’m proud that Colorado law will now allow victims of gun violence to seek the justice they deserve.” “Previously, Colorado gun sellers and manufacturers were provided legal protections far beyond those for most other businesses in the state and that prevented victims of gun violence from seeking justice,” Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, said. “Removing Colorado’s overly broad gun industry immunity law will provide another avenue for survivors to pursue justice if they are harmed by irresponsible business practices.” “This law ends excessive immunity protections for the firearms industry and creates new avenues for gun violence victims to seek justice through the courts," said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie. "I'm hoping the ability to hold the firearms industry accountable when they break Colorado law will encourage them to be more active partners with us in the fight to end gun violence in our communities." Right now, gun sellers and manufacturers enjoy broad protections under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act from most types of civil lawsuits. Colorado law goes even further by including a punitive provision that forces victims of gun violence who sue the gun industry to pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. SB23-168 removes Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for gun sellers and manufacturers and allows legitimate lawsuits against the gun industry to move forward. After their daughter was killed in the Aurora movie theater shooting, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips sued four online retailers that irresponsibly sold magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and body armor to the murderer. Under Colorado’s immunity law, they were forced to pay around $200,000 in legal fees to bulk ammunition sellers. They ended up selling their house and declared bankruptcy. SB23-168 is named the “Jessi Redfield Ghawi’s Act for Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice and Firearms Industry Accountability” in honor of Sandy and Lonnie Phillips’ daughter. Removing Colorado’s gun industry shielded liability will allow survivors, like the Phillips and countless others, to seek appropriate justice and fair remedies via civil actions and will give survivors the opportunity to hold gun sellers and manufacturers accountable for their actions. Previous Next