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< Back April 19, 2019 HOUSE CLEARS MCLACHLAN BILL TO ADDRESS TEACHER SHORTAGE (Apr 19) – The House approved Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to create a pilot program providing professional development training for school principals to build strong leadership in our education system and provide better support for educators and students. “We must ensure teachers in every district–including our rural districts–have the support they deserve in our classrooms,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Teachers must have access to the leadership support they need. When teachers are at their best, our students receive the best education.” Rep. McLachlan is the chair of the House Education Committee and is a former public school teacher in Durango. HB19-1002 represents the latest effort by Colorado lawmakers to implement the state’s blueprint to reducing Colorado’s teacher shortage. It builds upon a McLachlan-led bill, HB17-1003, which required the Departments of Higher Education (DHE) and Education (DOE) to put forth relevant policy recommendations to address the teacher shortage. The pilot program will provide preliminary analysis on the efficacy of providing professional leadership and development training to Colorado principals, an effort supported by strong academic and statistical research. Because it is a pilot program, lawmakers in both chambers will have the opportunity to review the pilot’s results and make a decision for how to move forward following its conclusion. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 51-13. It now heads to the Senate. Rep. McLachlan also had another bill that passed on the House floor today. SB19-003 aims to help teachers drowning in student loan debt. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 47-17. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

Two laws to prevent gun violence and save lives go into effect on October 1. HB23-1219 establishes a minimum three day waiting period to purchase a firearm, and SB23-168 creates new avenues for victims of gun violence to pursue justice. < Back September 28, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Gun Violence Prevention Laws Go Into Effect DENVER, CO – Two laws to prevent gun violence and save lives go into effect on October 1. HB23-1219 establishes a minimum three day waiting period to purchase a firearm, and SB23-168 creates new avenues for victims of gun violence to pursue justice. “We know waiting periods are a successful tool proven to prevent suicide and firearm deaths,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB23-1219 . “Establishing a three day waiting period creates breathing room and time to intervene before an act of violence is committed. Widely supported by gun owners, waiting periods can help us address gun violence and create safer Colorado communities.” “Previously, if you wanted to get your hands on a gun, you could do so with near immediacy,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1219. “Whether you intend to harm yourself or others, waiting periods on firearm purchases delay immediate access to weapons and cut down on impulsive acts of violence. I’m proud to champion this new law that will save lives and create safer communities for all Coloradans.” “I have experienced firsthand how a ‘cooling off’ period can save someone's life when they are in crisis and trying to purchase a firearm,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1219 . “My son is still with us today because his background check was delayed when he went to a local gun store, and I am forever grateful he did not have instant access to a firearm that day. This new law will help save lives from senseless and preventable gun violence and improve public safety by preventing someone in crisis from immediately acquiring a deadly weapon.” “A cooling off period could be the difference between life and death for a person in the midst of a mental health crisis,” Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1219 said. “This legislation is backed by research and will reduce gun deaths by suicide and homicide. I’m incredibly proud of Colorado’s leadership on this issue and am proud to take this meaningful step to reduce the epidemic of gun violence.” Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a 7 to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in 2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, accounting for more than half of all suicides in the state. From 2014 to 2019 , the number of firearm deaths in Colorado was greater than deaths from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. Among firearm deaths, more than 75 percent were caused by intentional self-harm or suicide. Current law mandates that a background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred, which often takes less than three days. HB23-1219 requires a gun seller to wait for an approved background check or three days from the initiation of the background check, whichever is later, before delivering a gun to the purchaser. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Mandatory waiting periods are supported by 72 percent of gun owners. The law does not apply to antique firearms. It also exempts the transfer of a firearm between an active duty military service member, who is set to deploy overseas, and their family. “With this law, we are ending the excessive legal protections enjoyed by the firearm industry and ensuring they can be held accountable when their actions cause harm to others,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, sponsor of SB23-168. “This law re-establishes pathways for victims of gun violence, and their families, to seek justice through the courts. It ensures the firearm industry can be held to the same standard as any other business that operates in our state and hopefully encourage them to be stronger partners in our efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities and create safer neighborhoods for everyone." “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, sponsor of SB23-168. “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.” “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, sponsor of SB23-168 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.” “When it comes to seeking justice through the courts, victims of gun violence in Colorado have faced an uphill battle,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-168. “Prior to this law, the firearm industry had extreme and unjust legal protections that prevented families and victims from seeking accountability. Through this legislation, we’re removing these completely unwarranted legal protections and creating a new avenue for victims to seek the justice they deserve.” Prior to SB23-168 , firearm industry members enjoyed 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 firearm industry to pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. SB23-168 removes Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for firearm industry members and allows legitimate lawsuits against the firearm 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. As a result, 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 firearm industry shielded liability will allow survivors, like the Phillips and countless others, to seek appropriate justice via civil actions and will give survivors the legal opportunity to hold firearm industry members accountable for their actions. Previous Next

Legislation would stand up health care programs at higher education institutions in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver and Trinidad < Back February 28, 2024 Bill to Create Northern Colorado Medical School and to Boost Health Care Training Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to help create a new medical college at University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and support health care and veterinary care at various higher education institutions across the state. HB24-1231, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty, would help address health care workforce shortages in Colorado. “This monumental legislation will help fund and facilitate a new college of osteopathic medicine at UNC, which is key to addressing Colorado’s shortage of primary care physicians in our rural and underserved communities” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We’ve been hard at work to tackle our state’s health care workforce shortage and this landmark legislation jumpstarts the creation of a new medical school in Greeley, a Veterinary Health Education Complex in Fort Collins and two other health care programs at MSU Denver and Trinidad State College.” “From nurses to veterinarians, Colorado is experiencing a critical health care workforce shortage that’s affecting the health and well-being of Coloradans,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty. “This groundbreaking bill helps Colorado train and educate future doctors, veterinarians and other health care providers in Colorado. I’m proud to champion this bill that will increase access to high-quality health care in communities across the state and help Coloradans and their animals lead safe, healthy lives.” HB24-1231 , which passed committee by a vote of 12-1, would stand up four projects related to health sciences education programs for medical professions. Specifically, the legislation would fund the: Construction of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University (CSU) Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College This legislation will jumpstart a second-of-its-kind medical program at UNC, which will help streamline 150 new osteopathic doctors into the workforce each year and help address primary health care needs of Coloradans. The UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to generate $1.4 billion over the next 20 years in economic impact, with an estimated $500 million of economic impact to remain in Weld County. The legislation will also provide funding to help higher education institutions train more nurses, veterinarians and other mid-level health care professionals. Colorado is facing a significant health care provider shortage that is causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities. HB24-1231 is the state’s largest higher education investment aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce so Coloradans can receive the health care they need, when they need it. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Mike Weissman to better protect Coloradans from gender-related, bias-motivated crimes. SB24-189 would add transgender identity to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. < Back April 16, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Protect Coloradans from Gender-Related, Bias-Motivated Crimes Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Mike Weissman to better protect Coloradans from gender-related, bias-motivated crimes. SB24-189 would add transgender identity to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. “The numbers do not lie; the LGBTQ+ community is encountering increased violence and hate crimes,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “This bill modifies Colorado law to include transgender identity as a protected class and works to ensure perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes are held accountable by our criminal justice system. We know trans, nonbinary and gender-expansive people across the country are combating increased threats and violence, and I’m proud to live in a state that steps up to protect our LGBTQ+ neighbors.” SB24-189 , also sponsored by Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed by a vote of 9-1. The bill would improve protections for Coloradans by adding the definition of transgender identity to the protected classes included in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. The bill also redefines "sexual orientation" as used in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment statutes. This important legislation comes on the heels of recent data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which revealed the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+, anti-trans and gender non-conforming hate crimes ever reported. Additionally, the number of hate crimes based on gender identity increased by over 32 percent from 2021 to 2022. Previous Next

< Back March 31, 2021 BILL ADVANCES TO HIRE FORMER SWIFT CREW MEMBERS DENVER, CO– The House today gave preliminary approval to SB21-012, legislation sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts that would allow the state to hire back former members of Colorado’s State Wildland Inmate Fire Team. “This bill is a win-win for Colorado: it creates jobs and protects our communities from increasingly devastating wildfires that impact my district and communities all across the state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This bill allows Colorado to hire former inmate wildland firefighters. These SWIFT crew members put everything on the line to protect lives and property, and it just makes common sense to continue to utilize their skills and help them find solid employment.” SB21-012, sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, would allow the wildland fire management section in the Department of Public Safety to more easily hire former inmates with wildland firefighting experience. The bill also requires the department to develop materials to increase awareness of wildland firefighting career opportunities for Coloradans who have experience fighting fires through the inmate disaster relief program. Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO ALLOW HIRING OF FORMER INMATE FIREFIGHTERS DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed legislation that would allow former inmate wildland firefighters to join professional crews to help bolster Colorado’s wildfire response capabilities and foster opportunities for formerly incarcerated wildland firefighters. The bill passed unanimously. “Colorado’s State Wildland Inmate Fire Team (SWIFT) has performed life-saving work to protect our communities and halt devastating wildfires in my district and all across our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “With passage of this bill, Colorado can hire back former SWIFT crew members so they can continue protecting us from increasingly frequent wildfires. This bill is a win-win: helping people get jobs and protecting our communities. We owe it to the firefighters to open up this important post-incarceration career pathway and to invest in firefighting teams across our state.” HB21-012, sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, would allow the wildland fire management section in the Department of Public Safety to more easily hire former inmates with wildland firefighting experience. The bill also requires the department to develop materials to increase awareness of wildland firefighting career opportunities for Coloradans who have experience fighting fires through the inmate disaster relief program. Previous Next

The House Appropriations Committee today passed a bill that would better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. SB25B-001 passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back August 22, 2025 Bill to Increase Oversight and Collaboration Between Executive & Legislative Branches During Revenue Shortfalls Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Appropriations Committee today passed a bill that would better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. SB25B-001 passed by a vote of 11-0. “When Congressional Republicans passed Trump’s tax bill last month, it immediately blew a billion-dollar hole in this year’s state budget, putting us in a position to make difficult spending cuts,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, JBC member. “Current law gives the Governor sole power to make cuts to programs and services during a revenue shortfall, which is why I’m sponsoring this law to strengthen collaboration by bringing the Joint Budget Committee to the table. With this bill, we can encourage a more balanced approach to fill the revenue hole that was caused by the reckless federal GOP budget.” “Because of Trump’s corporate giveaways, we are forced to make cuts to our budget. This legislation will help us make well-informed, data-driven decisions to minimize the harm caused by Congressional Republicans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Creating a responsible and thoughtful process to reduce state spending is a much better approach than the legislature rebalancing the budget on the fly, on the floor without any analysis from our nonpartisan staff, data or input from the Joint Budget Committee. By balancing the Governor’s authority and updating spending reduction triggers, we can better serve the people of Colorado.” Under current law, the Governor has broad unilateral authority to suspend programs and services during a revenue shortfall via executive order. SB25B-001 would require the Governor to notify the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of executive orders to reduce spending and require the JBC to promptly meet with the executive branch to discuss the plan. The bill balances the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly by ensuring the JBC is involved in decision-making processes early on and by adding guardrails to the executive branch’s existing authority to help ensure that they continue to meet and implement legislative directives. The bill would also update the required spending reduction triggers to more accurately reflect economic pressures and the current status of the reserve, which Democrats have worked to build up to 15 percent since the COVID pandemic, when it fell below 4 percent. In addition to the triggers in existing law, the bill would add that if a revenue estimate indicates that the state needs to use an amount of the reserve equal to 3 percent of the general fund appropriations for that fiscal year (e.g. around $490 million for FY26), the Governor must take action to reduce spending. Previous Next

< Back February 8, 2023 House Advances Bill to Streamline Mental Health Treatment DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bill on a preliminary vote allowing psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications after receiving additional education and training. “If medication is part of a mental health treatment plan, patients often wait months or pay large out-of-pocket costs to find a licensed prescriber to write their prescription,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill will improve access to the medication patients need by creating a path for psychologists to prescribe mental health treatment. Psychologists have a close relationship with their patients and a thorough understanding of how to treat mental illness, offering them important insight when it comes to the appropriate treatment.” HB23-1071 establishes rigorous standards and education requirements that a psychologist must undertake before being able to prescribe medication to treat mental health illnesses. Only licensed Ph.D. psychologists who receive an additional master’s degree in psychopharmacology, pass a national board exam, complete a preceptorship for up to two years, 750 hours of practicum work, and spend two additional years prescribing under the supervision of trained licensed prescribing clinicians or specialty provider if wanting to work with the pediatric or geriatric population. Once licensed, psychologists would work in conjunction with the patient’s primary care provider or general practitioner team to ensure that any prescribed medication is being monitored and working effectively for whole care health. Under this bill, these licensed psychologists will not be authorized to prescribe narcotic drugs. Currently, if medication is part of the patient’s care plan, the patient must meet with a doctor or psychiatrist to have the prescription issued. Few of the only 800 psychiatrists throughout Colorado accept Medicaid. Patients often struggle to find an available psychiatrist within their insurance network, forcing them to choose between large out-of-pocket costs or waiting months for the medication they need. Allowing psychologists limited prescribing authority to provide immediate access to medication can save the patient time and money. Psychologists work closely with their patients to determine how to best address their mental health needs. When patients meet with a doctor or psychiatrist, it’s often their first time discussing their mental health issues and telehealth appointments can make it difficult to accurately assess the patient’s condition. Allowing licensed psychologists who often meet monthly or even more frequently with patients and are more familiar with their condition to prescribe medication, streamlines access to effective health care and leads to more appropriate care. Previous Next

Legislation would require jails to follow standards adopted by the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards < Back November 28, 2023 Interim Committee Approves Bill to Implement Statewide Jail Standards Legislation would require jails to follow standards adopted by the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards DENVER, CO – Today, the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards (Committee) voted to advance a bill that would help ensure individuals housed in jails across the state have a basic set of rights. Sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, Bill 1 would require jails to follow standards adopted today by the Committee that address and improve the rights of people incarcerated in jails, including access to health care, visitation, housing, discipline, and more. “In order to reduce recidivism and improve safety in our communities, certain quality standards must be met in Colorado’s jails,” said Fields. “With this bill, we are taking the first step towards implementing statewide jail standards and bolstering access to services that can better outcomes for incarcerated individuals. By involving a broad coalition on the Jail Standards Advisory Committee, we will develop a rounded approach to the continued improvement of incarcerated Coloradans’ rights.” “The conditions that incarcerated Coloradans experience in jail play a role in reducing recidivism and our overall public safety,” said Amabile. “Our 2022 legislation created an oversight committee to study possible changes we could make to standards in Colorado jails. The bill we advanced today extends the oversight committee’s role in continuing to revise jail standards and involving behavioral health professionals, law enforcement agencies, and county representatives to implement these new standards.” “Too often differences in Colorado jail standards result in a lack of appropriate care,” said Coleman. “By requiring jails to comply with statewide standards established by the Legislative Oversight Committee, we can better ensure that individuals' needs are being met and we can improve outcomes for those incarcerated in Colorado jails. I look forward to the work ahead to implement statewide standards and build on our progress of creating a more just criminal justice system.” “Coloradans who are in custody should not be subject to unsafe conditions,” said Garcia. “The Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards recommends new jail standards based on data and insight from criminal justice professionals to ensure that basic needs are met and dignity preserved. Our bill facilitates the implementation of these changes, creating a safer environment in jails and better outcomes for incarcerated Coloradans that reduce recidivism and cycles of incarceration.” The bill creates a Jail Standards Advisory Committee composed of sheriffs, county commissioners, the state public defender, and advocates. The Advisory Committee would be charged with conducting jail assessments to ensure compliance with the standards, establishing assessment standards and procedures, and submitting an annual report and recommendations to the Legislative Oversight Committee. The Attorney General’s office would conduct jail assessments in partnership with the Advisory Committee, and could conduct investigations regarding potential violations of the standards. Under the bill, the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety is required to create a list of funding assistance and resources for jails to offset the costs of complying with the new standards. Previous Next

< Back May 19, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES ESGAR’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO INVEST IN COAL TRANSITION COMMUNITIES Majority Leader Esgar’s bipartisan bill to support coal workers and communities passes House on Second Reading DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Majority Leader Daneya Esgar’s bill to invest millions into helping communities transition. This bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed on Second Reading. “Coal-dependent economies in Pueblo and across the state are going through major growing pains as our economy moves toward renewable energy, and I’m determined to provide workers and their communities with the support they need to transition and thrive,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “This major investment in the Office of Just Transition will make a substantial difference for affected workers and communities like mine. I’m proud of the colleagues who have worked with us to support this office and our communities, and I hope others will join us soon.” The Office of Just Transition was created by the legislature in 2019 to support coal workers, employers, and communities as they plan for the future closings of coal plants and mines upon which their communities depend. As market shifts, consumer choices and environmental policies move our state toward renewable energy, the Office and the Just Transition Action Plan were created to ensure a smooth adjustment for our coal transition communities . HB21-1290 , also sponsored by Rep. Perry Will, R-New Castle, would invest $15 million of state stimulus funds into the Office of Just Transition. Of that amount $8 million will go to the Just Transition Cash Fund and $7 million to the newly created Coal Transition Worker Assistance Program account within the fund. The bill requires the Office of Just Transition to use these funds to implement the Just Transition Action Plan and provide funding for existing programs that make targeted economic development investments in coal transition communities for business retention, creation, expansion and attraction; infrastructure investments; and strategies for attracting increased investment in these communities. In turn, the Coal Transition Worker Assistance Program’s share of the funding will be allocated to programs that directly assist coal transition workers, including apprenticeship programs, financial planning support, tuition reimbursements, job search assistance, on the job training, or other strategies to help workers transition to as prosperous a future as possible. Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2019 CUTTER-JACKSON BIPARTISAN BILL TO HELP IMPROVE RECYCLING GETS EARLY HOUSE APPROVAL Colorado ranks low among other states when it comes to recycling (Apr. 27) – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Dominique Jackson, and Rep. Lisa Cutter, that aimed at improving recycling and will administer a fee-based waste diversion grant program received preliminary approval today in the House. Waste management and reduction are critical tools that will help protect Colorado’s resources and natural beauty and help address climate change. “Only about 12 percent of people in Colorado recycle. That is well below the national average of 34 percent,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “This bill attempts to create a dedicated funding source to encourage people to recycle by empowering local communities in their recycling efforts.” SB19-192 creates the Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise in the Department of Public Health and Environment to help facilitate the increase in recycling rates in the Front Range by providing financial and technical assistance to local communities to implement specific waste reduction and waste diversion strategies and practices. The enterprise will collect a user fee on each load of waste disposed of at a landfill in the front range and credit it to the new front range waste diversion cash fund to finance the front range waste diversion grant program. “I was born and raised here in Colorado. We’re not being good stewards of our environment. This is not acceptable,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Evergreen. “We are near the bottom nationally in recycling efforts and this bill is one part of the solution. These efforts will have tremendous a impact on climate change goals.” According to a recent report , Colorado ranks low among other states when it comes to recycling. The Front Range is defined as the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Teller, and Weld and the cities and counties of Broomfield and Denver. SB19-192 passed on a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

< Back June 8, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation by a vote of 42-23 to change the property tax categories and responsibly provide property tax relief to Coloradans without devastating local government revenue. “Local governments, schools, fire districts, police and local libraries would be devastated by permanently losing nearly $1 billion in revenue every year,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Today, we passed legislation that will responsibly reduce property tax rates and target assistance to the Coloradans and businesses that need it the most. We can’t allow rural Colorado to take a substantial hit as property values rise in more populated areas of the state.” “Today, we passed legislation that will responsibly reduce property tax rates,” said Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “By thoughtfully creating new categories for properties such as for agricultural properties or single family homes, we can direct relief where it’s needed the most.” Sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Matt Gray, SB21-293 would temporarily lower property tax assessment rates on several classes of residential and commercial property. The bill creates three new subclasses of non-residential property: agricultural, lodging, and renewable energy production property. It also establishes multi-family residential property as a new subclass of residential property. The bill applies new, lower assessment rates to these property classes. The assessment rate on multi-family residences (apartment buildings, condominium buildings) would be lowered from 7.15 percent to 6.95 percent. The assessment rate on single family owner occupied primary residences would also drop from 7.15 percent to 6.95 percent. For second homes and short term rental properties, the assessment rate would remain the same. The bill also expands the property tax deferral program to allow homeowners whose tax bills grow by more than four percent over the last two years to defer the amount that exceeds the four percent growth, up to to $10,000. If a statewide measure passes to reduce residential property rates, it would only apply to multi-family properties. For non-residential properties, agricultural and renewal energy production properties would see their rate reduced from 29 percent to 26.4 percent. If a statewide measure passes to reduce nonresidential property rates, it would only apply to lodging properties. Remaining commercial property rates would remain at 29 percent. Previous Next