The House Finance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to prevent wildlife collisions and improve road safety. The Wildlife Collision Prevention Act, also sponsored by Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, passed by a vote of 8-2. < Back April 20, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Improve Road Safety, Reduce Costs and Fund Wildlife Crossings DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to prevent wildlife collisions and improve road safety. The Wildlife Collision Prevention Act, also sponsored by Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, passed by a vote of 8-2. “The success of the Kremmling wildlife crossing has made it clear that wildlife crossings help prevent dangerous accidents,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Wildlife collisions are common on the Western Slope, which not only makes road travel risky, but also drives up car insurance costs and impacts Colorado’s ecosystem. Our bipartisan bill would create more opportunities to build wildlife crossings, saving lives and protecting Colorado wildlife.” SB26-141 would create an optional $5 collision prevention fee during annual vehicle registration, creating reliable and dedicated funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure. The bill aims to dramatically reduce motor vehicle crashes with wildlife by authorizing an optional $5 fee that will be collected during annual vehicle registration beginning in 2027. The fund would be used to construct wildlife collision prevention infrastructure, including overpasses, underpasses, jump-outs, and fencing, and would also allow Colorado to leverage federal matching funds for these projects. A portion of the funds would also benefit the Wildlife Cash Fund, administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to conserve habitat on either side of the crossings. Collisions with wildlife can be fatal, damage property, and create financial burdens. In 2024, at least 3,500 crashes with animals occurred on Colorado roads. From 2010-2025, these tragic accidents resulted in 52 motorist fatalities and over 400 serious injuries. The total estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is over $300 million . Wildlife crossings have been shown to reduce these collisions by more than 90 percent . Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed the Tamale Act to allow the sale of temperature-controlled homemade foods in Colorado. < Back June 4, 2026 Tamale Act Signed Into Law DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed the Tamale Act to allow the sale of temperature-controlled homemade foods in Colorado. “Growing up, I watched my abuela and mom sell delicious homemade food to make ends meet, and this law is an entrepreneur’s dream realized,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The Tamale Act makes it possible for Coloradans to sell safe, temperature-controlled foods, like tamales and burritos, with fewer barriers. We know that many immigrant families are looking for new, creative ways to earn money while navigating the Trump Administration's harsh policies, and our law will open doors. The Tamale Act is a win for home chefs, and I know it will make all the difference to people like my abuela.” “People already sell prepared food – like tamales, pupusas, and baked goods – to their friends, family, and neighbors,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver . “This is a way that Coloradans share their culture, support each other, and work hard to earn extra money and support their families. This law creates a pathway for this to happen in a safe and legal way.” The Tamale Act ( HB26-1033 ) will allow for the sale of homemade foods in Colorado that require refrigeration and foods that include meat or meat products. To keep Coloradans safe, homemade food sellers must complete a food safety course that includes proper food handling, including time and temperature control. Food sellers must maintain proof of the course completion. Additionally, food sellers may not transport the food more than once or transport it longer than two hours. The Tamale Act is also sponsored by Representative Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling. In 2012, Colorado passed the Cottage Food Act. This law allowed for the sale of some homemade food items, including coffee beans and pickles, but not temperature-controlled items or meat and dairy products. HB26-1033 expands the Cottage Food Act so home food sellers can sell products that include staple ingredients, such as butter, milk and meat. The Institute for Justice (IJ) analyzed data from seven states with some of the broadest homemade food laws and found no significant instances of foodborne illness traced back to homemade foods. In the report, IJ stated these results should not be surprising considering “many of these cottage food businesses are run by only one or two people, with their name, reputation, and livelihood on the line.” Previous Next

< Back September 20, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Economy Continues to Grow DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts. “Colorado’s economy continues to grow with new jobs being created every day, our unemployment rate well below the national average, and continued wage growth outpacing inflation,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Colorado is making strides to bring down the cost of living and make our state more affordable as housing costs and nationally high gas prices continue to impact Coloradans’ quality of life. I’m excited to get to work crafting a balanced budget that keeps our state’s economy strong, invests in education, improves public safety, and responds to the needs of Colorado’s families while continuing our state’s responsible growth into the future.” “Today’s forecast shows us that, despite some turbulence, Colorado’s economic outlook remains positive,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin the process of drafting next year's budget, we remain focused on supporting Colorado’s families by investing in priorities like housing, health care, and education, and ensuring that Colorado remains on a sound and sensible economic path now and into the future." “These forecasts will guide our work as we begin to develop next year’s budget and prioritize our limited state resources toward the issues that matter most to Coloradans – increasing funding for public schools, protecting our air and water, and building an equitable economy that delivers for Colorado’s working people,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m committed to continuing our work to provide high quality, free universal preschool, improve our air quality, and invest in the critical services our communities need to thrive.” “My top takeaway from this forecast is something that everyone already knows: housing is far too expensive in Colorado, and we have to do more to address it so that more families can afford to live here,” JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. "This forecast will help guide our discussions as we roll up our sleeves and get to work crafting a budget that will lower the cost of housing while meeting the needs of families and communities across our state. I am proud of the work we’ve done to support Coloradans during this volatile economic period, and I look forward to continuing our work to set Colorado on a path to further economic success.” Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.8 percent, with total employment growth clocking in at around 1.4 percent. Workers in the mountain region, which includes Colorado, saw 7.2 percent wage growth – the highest among US regions, and business activity remains near historic highs. The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.44 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $306 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $324 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier June revenue forecast. The LCS forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.49 billion for FY 2024-2025, an $82.3 million decrease from the June forecast. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion for FY 2022-2023, a $223 million increase over the June forecast. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB revised up its projected General Fund revenue by $793 million to $17.3 billion. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18.3 billion, an increase of $137.8 million as compared with the June forecast. The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn and that the risk of a near-term recession has dissipated. Factors that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation, an expanded labor force, and a rebound in real wages boosting consumer spending, and more accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include persistent inflation leading to further restrictive monetary policies, deteriorating household finances limiting consumption and continued geopolitical and trade uncertainty. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2019 GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS TO IMPROVE WOMEN’S HEALTH Preventative care could help lower cost of health care (May 16) – Two bills to improve women’s access to health care services were signed this afternoon by Gov. Jared Polis. A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, looks to address the increasing rate of maternal deaths. This bill will allow the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) to review cases of maternal deaths in a timely manner to then work on ways to lower these deaths. “Colorado’s maternal mortality rate has doubled since 2008. That’s unacceptable so we took action.” said Rep. Buckner. “ This new law will work to stop what is preventable and help save the lives of mothers.” HB19-1122 also imposes diversity requirements for the committee as the maternal mortality rate is higher among African-American women and women in urban areas. 80 percent of maternal deaths in Colorado could have been prevented with proper access to services. The new law also funds Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to complete regular reports to the legislature on ways to prevent maternal mortality based on the findings of the MMRC. The bill was signed at the Center for African American Health in Denver this afternoon. Earlier today, Gov. Polis signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Rep. Buckner to require that women’s preventative health, which is already required to be covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), include follow-up diagnostic procedures for women with increased risk factors for contracting breast cancer without any additional costs or co-pays by the patient. “Early detection saved my life. We know that early detection is key to both saving women’s lives and lowering the cost of health care, ” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “ This law will provide coverage for women on these exams so they no longer have to decide between the cost of their screening and the cost of their life. We are being proactive rather than reactive.” HB19-1301 would require health insurance providers to cover any breast imaging performed after a breast cancer screening study comes back and requires additional testing within the same calendar year. This can be based on factors including a high lifetime risk or an individual’s healthcare provider indicating that further imaging is necessary. “When women are given the resources to detect early signs of breast cancer, lives will be saved,” said Rep. Buckner. “This law will help patients take the proper steps to get healthy and avoid costly procedures to treat their cancer.” The law was signed at the Cancer Center at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. The 2010 federal Affordable Care Act defined benefits for individually purchased health insurance. It included covering one breast exam screening per year, but did not extend to covering a breast exam if further analysis or tests are needed. Previous Next

< Back November 5, 2024 Majority Leader Duran, Rep. Froelich Release Statements on Proposition KK DENVER, CO – Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Meg Froelich today released the following statement on the passage of Proposition KK. HB24-1349 referred a measure to that ballot that will place 6.5-percent excise tax on firearms to support Colorado Crime Victims Services, School Security Disbursement Program, and behavioral health crisis response system services: Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge: “Tonight really is a full circle moment for me; without the support from crime victim services as a young single mother trapped in an abusive relationship, there is no way I’d be here today celebrating the passage of Prop KK. I’d like to thank our volunteers, advocates and non-profit organizations who helped get the word out about this modest, 6.5 percent excise tax on firearms. As federal dollars dwindle, Coloradans made the right choice this evening to step up and help fill the funding gaps in crime victim services. From navigating the challenging judicial system to helping secure child care, crime victim services play a major role in uplifting survivors by providing them the resources they need to start anew. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support of Prop KK.” Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood: “I’m beyond proud of the passage of Prop KK, and I’d like to personally thank each and every volunteer and advocate who made this possible. We know survivors of domestic abuse often face an uphill battle when navigating the judicial system, securing housing and obtaining financial security and crime victim services often play a vital role in connecting survivors to resources they need. Prop KK’s modest excise tax will go directly to Colorado’s crime victim services, which will help offset drastic cuts in federal funding for life-saving services. Tonight, Coloradans stepped up to support survivors and their children, and I couldn’t be more proud.” ### Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). < Back June 3, 2025 Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025 Becomes Law to Address CBI Backlog DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "CBI’s backlog exceeding 550 days is unacceptable,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “There are over 1,300 survivors waiting for their results, and each number is a real person who is seeking the answers they need to pursue accountability and justice. Survivors deserve better, and this law shows them that Colorado stands with them in their fight.” "Colorado has struggled for years to quickly test evidence related to sexual assault offenses, leaving survivors of these crimes without justice and the broader community without safety," said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. "This session, bipartisan majorities in the legislature supported additional funding to catch up on the backlog of evidence requiring testing and heightened transparency requirements so the public can be more fully aware of how this work is progressing. SB304 builds on this work by requiring better communication about evidence test status to survivors of sexual assault offenses, increased reporting, and investment in a new board to improve communication and coordination across state and local forensic labs. This law is part of our ongoing commitment to do better for survivors of these horrible offenses." "The CBI backlog has had devastating consequences on survivors and victims, and this new law helps to create a system that puts them at the forefront,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “I have proudly sponsored numerous laws to bolster how Colorado handles and processes sexual assault kits, including allowing victims to track the status of their case. This law will improve accountability and address the backlog so survivors can seek the justice they deserve." SB25-304 , titled the “Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025”, creates the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board, whose mission mirrors that of the existing Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board . Under the law, the board will review and evaluate the effectiveness of current protocols, standards, and training practices in the criminal legal system's response to sexual assault. The law also requires making victim-centered recommendations for improvement in accordance with the federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to the General Assembly by November 1, 2026. Additionally, the law will: Create a notification requirement under the Victim Rights Act that a law enforcement agency must notify victims at least once every 90 days if they have not received DNA test results for their case; Directs crime labs to analyze test kits and upload the information within 60 days, when appropriate, and subject to available resources; Instruct CBI to create a public-facing dashboard that provides reports on the forensic medical evidence and DNA evidence backlog at least every thirty days; and Expand existing reporting rules to require that CBI send each member of the General Assembly the dashboard data and updates on lab contracting issues affecting CBI’s testing capacity or timeline projections, at least every thirty days. Earlier this year, a former CBI forensic scientist - Missy Woods - was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than 1,000 criminal cases dating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the 554-day wait to receive results for a sexual assault kit. SB25-304 and HB25-1275 are a direct response CBI crime laboratory misconduct and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2021 BILL TO IMPROVE COLORADO ELECTIONS MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO– The House State, Civic, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee today advanced legislation to improve Colorado’s gold standard elections system. “Colorado leads the nation when it comes to ballot access and election security,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “One of the hallmarks of our system is that we are always looking at how we can make it better. While Republicans in the legislature have made multiple attempts this year to dismantle Colorado’s vote-by-mail system and restrict access to voting, Democrats have steadfastly protected Colorado’s gold standard election system, and now we’re making it better.” “The bill we passed today will improve Colorado’s election system by implementing the recommendations and findings of a group of bipartisan, statewide election officials,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “It improves drop boxes and voter services and prohibits disruptive electioneering tactics near polling locations. Importantly, the bill increases transparency in recall efforts and makes it easier for Coloradans to complete their voter registration online using the last four digits of their social security number if they don’t have a driver’s license.” SB21-250, sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Yadira Caraveo, stems from the recommendations and findings of Colorado’s sixty-four county clerks, the Secretary of State, and other stakeholders. It makes clarifications, adjustments, and improvements to ensure Colorado’s election system remains the gold standard. The bill will improve access to drop boxes and Voter Service and Polling Centers, streamline Colorado’s voter registration system, and increase transparency in recall elections. Additionally, it clarifies and expands prohibitions on electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place in order to protect against partisan election interference. Specifically, the bill ensures that voters who are in dropbox lines at 7:00 PM are allowed to drop off their ballots, the same way voters who are in line by 7 PM at a voter service and polling center are able to cast a ballot. It also allows greater public input into the location of drop boxes. The bill clarifies what constitutes “electioneering” and ensures that voters may not be challenged for frivolous reasons unrelated to their eligibility. The bill modernizes the voter registration system to create a process for voters to register online with the last four digits of their social security numbers should they not have a driver’s license, requiring that information be matched and checked against the social security database in real time before proceeding to register the voter. The bill also requires institutions of higher education to provide information to enrolled students on their eligibility to vote and how to register to vote or update their address during the first full week of fall semester and the last full week of spring semester. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students. < Back April 16, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Expand Access to Abortion Care for College Students DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students. “From shield laws to protect patients and providers, to enshrining the right to an abortion in our constitution – Colorado is a blueprint for safeguarding reproductive health care in a post-Dobbs era,” said Rep. Lorena Garíca D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Abortion is legal, but it’s not always accessible, and this bill makes it easier for college students to access abortion medication on campus. In Colorado, we trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference, and this bill champions reproductive freedom so students can make their own decisions about their future.” “Colorado has taken bold steps to ensure abortion remains safe, legal and protected in our state,” said Rep. Kenny Nguyen, D-Broomfield . “Despite major pushback from the Trump Administration to dismantle all abortion health care, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. Reproductive health care is health care, and this bill meets college students where they are to improve access to abortion medication. No one should have to jump through hoops to receive essential reproductive health care, and this bill streamlines access on college campuses.” HB26-1335 passed committee by a vote of 8-5. This bill would expand college students’ access to reproductive health care by requiring public and private higher education institutions with student health centers to provide on-site abortion medication services. If the college has an on-campus pharmacy, abortion medication must be available to enrolled students. If the college does not have a pharmacy on campus, health care providers would be required to submit a prescription for abortion medication to a pharmacy located off campus. The bill exempts higher education institutions from the requirement to stock or dispense abortion medication if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs or practices. Colorado Democrats have championed multiple laws to expand and safeguard abortion access in Colorado. This includes legislation to strengthen Colorado's shield laws , protecting patients and providers from hostile out-of-state actions. Last year, Colorado Democrats implemented the will of the voters by enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution. Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2019 COLORADO LEADING ON CLIMATE ACTION: HOUSE INITIALLY APPROVES BILL TO COLLECT LONG-TERM CLIMATE CHANGE DATA (May 1) – The House preliminarily passed a bill by Rep. Chris Hansen to collect long-term climate change data. “Colorado’s way of life is being threatened by climate change and carbon pollution emissions, and we need a data driven approach to protect it. But we are falling short on reducing carbon emissions because we are not collecting adequate information. This bill will lay a strong foundation of data that we can build upon to evaluate emissions,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. Due to a lack of leadership in Washington, states must lead on climate action. Recent reports show that President Trump’s misguided federal budget would cut climate programs. For example, under the Trump budget, funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s air and energy research program, which is tasked with climate change research, would have been slashed by two-thirds. Under SB19-096, the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) would be required to collect carbon emissions data across Colorado. This commission would then produce a report and forecast future emissions, as well as propose the most cost-effective way for Colorado to meet our carbon emissions reduction goals. The AQCC, which is part of the Department of Public Health and Environment, must complete all legislative requirements by July 1, 2020. The Senate co-prime sponsor of the bill is Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. This bill was approved on a voice-vote. A final vote will take place at a later date. Previous Next

Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts. < Back March 16, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Faces Tight Budget Conditions as Economy Continues to Grow DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts. “Colorado’s economic outlook remains strong, despite the mixed signals and persistent challenges that are confronting us,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “We’ve fought hard in recent years to make critical investments in housing, health care, and education, and we must work to defend those gains while fulfilling our funding obligations. Despite the unpredictability, we are committed to passing a responsible budget that keeps Colorado on a sound and sensible economic path so our state can continue to thrive for generations to come.” “The economic forecast shows that Colorado continues to lead the nation with unemployment rates well below the national average and more job openings than unemployed workers,” said JBC Vice-Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “We have put our state on the path to success by governing responsibly, investing in the most pressing needs in our community, and supporting small businesses. This year, we face constraints from Colorado’s unique fiscal situation and will need to make thoughtful decisions on how we allocate resources. We are committed to passing a balanced budget that continues historic investments in public education, increases funding to improve public safety and grows our economy.” “Today’s budget forecast tells us a cautiously optimistic story of a strong economy for Colorado, one with falling unemployment rates and rising wages,” said JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “I’m incredibly proud of the many hours of work my colleagues and I have spent working on this year’s state budget. With this final forecast before the budget is introduced in the Senate, the JBC can finalize its deliberative work of crafting a budget that is thoughtful, responsible, bipartisan, and that will meet the many needs of Coloradans in every corner of the state.” “As we work to complete the budget, we are focused on making responsible investments that set up every Coloradan to thrive,” said JBC Member Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “In recent years, we’ve made important progress to boost access to early childhood education, save people money on health care and improve our public schools. Although the economic forecast looks promising, Colorado’s budget still faces unique fiscal constraints while contending with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide impacts of inflation. With this forecast, JBC can finalize a balanced budget that uplifts Coloradans and helps build a more equitable economy for all.” Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with more than two job openings for every unemployed worker and an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.4 percent. The majority of sectors have recovered all the jobs lost during the pandemic, and wages growth continues, outpacing inflation and the national average. While inflation remains high, mostly driven by the cost of housing, service, and food costs, it is decreasing and is projected to further decline next year with construction and energy costs trending downward. Revenue continues to increase, but fiscal constraints and higher costs from inflation limit the amount of funding available for new legislation and new ongoing obligations. The Legislative Council staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $17.16 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.74 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $296 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $391 million increase for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier December revenue forecast. The forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.44 billion for FY 2024-2025. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $17 billion for FY 2022-2023, which OSPB revised upward by $128.1 million relative to its December estimate. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be $16.7 billion, which OSPB revised upward by $201.7 million relative to its December estimate. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion. LCS anticipates that budget writers will only have $1.79 billion to address caseload increases, inflationary pressures and spend or save this year. The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn. Risks that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation in the services industry, stronger wage growth, and reduced housing costs. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include financial contagion tied to recent bank failures and elevated inflation causing additional Federal Reserve policies to restrict consumer spending. Previous Next

HB26-1424 would keep riders and drivers safe by requiring stronger policies and reporting for TNCs < Back May 9, 2026 Colorado Rideshare Safety and Accountability Act Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to establish new safety requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs), including Uber and Lyft. The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act would require more frequent background checks and crack down on imposter accounts. “With the Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act, we can keep riders and drivers safe,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The driver who sexually assaulted me was using an imposter account, and it’s important TNCs take proactive measures to crack down on account sharing. Under this bill, drivers would be subject to more frequent background checks, and TNCs would have more rigid reporting requirements. A sexual assault or misconduct happens in a rideshare nearly every eight minutes, and I’m proud of our efforts to make large-scale rideshares safer.” “Coloradans deserve safe, reliable transportation options. Far too many sexual assaults are happening in rideshares, and the Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act establishes much-needed guidelines to protect riders and drivers,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill addresses many of the persistent safety concerns with large rideshares, including imposter accounts, drivers with disqualifying criminal histories and driving records. To enhance transparency, this bill also requires large-scale TNCs to provide an annual report of the crimes that happen on their watch.” The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act ( HB26-1424 ) would establish new safety requirements and policies designed to keep riders and drivers safe. The bill would apply to large-scale rideshare companies with more than 20,000 monthly rides and does not apply to HopSkipDrive. HB26-1424 passed the House by a vote of 44-18. More frequent background checks TNCs must procure privately administered background checks on drivers every six months after the initial criminal history record check. Crackdown on imposter, shared and rented accounts To help prevent multiple drivers from operating under one account, this bill would require TNCs to develop and enforce a company policy against impostor drivers, account sharing, and account renting. Stronger driver vetting and clear disqualifications Drivers with a history of convictions for assault, harassment, kidnapping, menacing, stalking, or domestic violence, or who had previously been caught account sharing, would be barred from driving with a rideshare company. If a driver is barred by one rideshare company for serious safety concerns, they would be barred from driving for all TNCs operating in Colorado. This also applies to drivers who were disqualified from driving for a rideshare company in another state with similar TNC regulations to Colorado. Robust complaint procedures and survivor updates If a rider submits a complaint to a TNC about their driver, the TNC must provide up-to-date information to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to investigate complaints. Additionally, the TNC must respond to a complaint-related subpoena or search warrant within 72 hours. Survivors may also opt in to receive updates about their complaint. If a complaint is filed against a driver, the TNC must procure a new background check before the driver can drive again. Improved transparency and accountability TNCs must provide annual reports to the PUC, the Attorney General’s Office and every member of the general assembly. These reports must include the number of homicides, assaults, verbal threats, and accidents, as well as any instances of stalking, harassment, theft and discrimination. The PUC may penalize a TNC that violates any provision of HB26-1424 up to $1,500 per violation. TNCs must provide ongoing driver and rider safety training based on rules adopted by the PUC. The PUC would be required to create rules and standards for driver and rider audio and video recording by June 1, 2028. This includes opt-in and opt-out procedures for both drivers and riders, rider preference for drivers with recording available, and the procedures and timeline for TNCs to integrate audio and video recording directly into their apps. Additionally, TNCs would need to establish and enforce certain policies that: Prevent sex assault, physical assault and homicide. Prohibit the transportation of unaccompanied minors, unless they are part of an authorized family account. Require food and beverages offered during a ride to be factory-sealed. Educate drivers on new safety policies. Prevent crimes against drivers by riders. Do not allow the collection of any rider or driver biometric data. More than 15,500 Uber and Lyft riders and drivers were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2022. This number only represents the number of sexual assaults that were reported. On average, only 30 percent of sexual assaults are reported. Countless instances of sexual assault have happened in Ubers and Lyfts in Colorado, including a former Denver Lyft driver sentenced to 290 years in prison last year for charges related to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault of more than a dozen women over four years. In 2024, an Aurora Lyft driver was sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Last week, an Arvada Uber driver was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against a passenger. Arvada police believe there are likely more victims in this case, as the driver used multiple vehicles over his more than 1,000 rides. Previous Next

HB25-1021 implements an income tax credit for employee-owned businesses < Back May 30, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Legislation to Incentivize Employee-Owned Businesses Signed Into Law GRAND JUNCTION, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, to create tax incentives for employee-owned businesses was signed into law today. “Employee-owned businesses create a higher quality of life for workers, including higher wages, lower turnover, and better benefits and job security,” Bridges said. “Investing in employee ownership means investing in a more secure future for Colorado’s working families, and I’m proud to have championed this policy to encourage business owners to invest in their employees’ futures, too.” “Employee-owned businesses are good for Colorado and make it easier for your favorite locally-owned businesses to stay in your neighborhood,” said Rep. Lindstedt. “This law creates new tax credits specifically for employee-owned businesses, saving them money and encouraging other businesses to convert to an employee-owned business model.” Transitioning to an employee-owned model helps small businesses focus on investing in their employees and serving their communities. Cosponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, and Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, HB25-1021 creates several new tax deductions and credits for businesses with an employee ownership model. In addition to the new tax incentives, the legislation extends the existing Employee Ownership Tax Credit within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade through tax year 2031. The Employee Ownership Tax Credit , created by HB21-1311 , was previously equal to 50 percent of the conversion costs for a business that converts to a worker-owned cooperative, an employee stock ownership plan, or an employee ownership trust. HB25-1021 makes the tax credit equal to 75 percent of the conversion cost, up to $167,000. The income tax credit is fully refundable. Previous Next