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< Back April 11, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION COSTS Democrats working to lower cost of health care (Apr. 11) – Aimed at reducing the price that consumers pay for prescription medications and increasing transparency for the industry, HB19-1296 , or the “Colorado Prescription Drug Cost Reduction Act of 2019,” passed the House Finance committee. This bill is sponsored by Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora, and Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “I recently found out that one of my prescriptions, which I was able to afford because of a $25 dollar coupon, went up to over $1,500 and I’m not the only one dealing with these frightening price increases,” said Rep. Jackson. “In 2017, one in ten Coloradans did not get their prescription filled because because of the high cost. This bill will help lawmakers identify why drug prices are skyrocketing so we can tackle it effectively and help lower the cost of health care.” The transparency part of the bill will require drug manufacturers, insurers, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers to submit prescription drug claims data to the Division of Insurance for analysis and policy recommendations. They face disciplinary action and fees if they do not comply. “As a pharmacist, I know there are many Coloradans who are having to choose between food to feed their families and life-saving drugs,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis. “We’ve seen drug price increases of sometimes up to 500 percent that are just drowning patients. This bill will be, by far, the most influential bill to reduce overall prescription drug costs ever introduced in Colorado.” Rep. Jaquez Lewis is a licensed pharmacist. If passed, discounts could start as soon as 2020. This bill is an ambitious step forward in protecting consumers and comes as 26 other states are considering their own bills intended to increase drug cost transparency. HB19-1296 passed on a vote of 7-4 with House Republicans voting to maintain the status quo. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations committee. The bill is sponsored in the state Senate by Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Sen. Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to support students and improve cell phone coverage across the state. < Back May 30, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Signed! Bills to Support Students and Improve Cell Phone Coverage EDWARDS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to support students and improve cell phone coverage across the state. HB25-1186 will encourage work-based learning opportunities for students. HB25-1080 will incentivize the expansion of cell phone infrastructure in rural and underserved areas. “To prepare our students for success after graduation, they need work-based learning opportunities to strengthen and sharpen their skills,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB25-1186 and HB25-1080. “Our new law helps integrate more work-based learning in our schools, so our students can be prepared for good-paying, in-demand jobs after graduation. Another law I sponsored will help improve cell phone coverage in our rural communities because having reliable cell phone service improves safety for everyone.” “Every student takes a different path to success, and work-based learning is a powerful way to help them discover their strengths and prepare for their future,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of HB25-1186. “This new law ensures our colleges and universities have the support they need to build strong workplace learning programs and strengthens our data and reporting requirements so we know what works. This law is about investing in our students, supporting innovative programs, and setting students up for success before and after graduation.” “When students have hands-on learning, they can explore new career pathways and are better prepared for life after graduation,” said Rep. Matt Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB25-1186. “We’re taking steps today to encourage more work-based learning opportunities in our schools so that they can prepare for a career of their dreams.” HB25-1186 , also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, will help create new pathways for students. This law creates a pilot program for work-based learning in the Department of Higher Education. This program will study the impact of industry-sponsored projects on learning outcomes and measure the impact on students who participate in work-based projects while enrolled in higher education. “Colorado faces unique challenges with cell phone connectivity – especially in our rural communities,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB25-1080. “This affects everything from businesses to emergency services to hardworking families who need reliable service. This new law opens the door for grants and incentives to expand wireless infrastructure in the areas that need it most. In the 21st century, staying connected is essential to our success and our safety.” HB25-1080 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, will incentivize the expansion of cell phone infrastructure in rural and underserved areas. This law enables local governments and school districts to offer property tax relief, incentive payments, or credits to communication service providers, including broadband. This law was a result of the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee , which convened last year to identify new ways to improve cell phone coverage in rural and underserved areas in Colorado. Governor Polis also signed HB25-1006 into law, sponsored by Representatives Lukens, Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. This law allows school districts to pursue long-term leases for renewable energy or affordable housing projects. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS CELEBRATE IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD TO FUND COLORADO OPTION Landmark bill will save Coloradans money, improve access to health care COLORADO – Colorado Democratic lawmakers today are celebrating news that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Colorado’s Section 1332 Innovation Waiver Request for the Colorado Option , a landmark bill signed into law last year that will save Coloradans money and improve access to health care across the state. Sponsored by Reps. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, the Colorado Option will lower health care costs for individuals, families, and small businesses across the state by creating a new standardized health insurance plan for consumers on the individual and small group markets, and by requiring health insurance carriers to bring premiums down by 15 percent over three years. “The Colorado Option will be an affordable and quality insurance plan in every county of the state. Coloradans – especially in rural and mountain communities like mine – have faced soaring health care costs for too long and that is why we worked so hard to make this plan a reality,” Roberts said. “This waiver means we can move forward with the Colorado Option and make quality, affordable health insurance plans for individuals and small businesses in every part of the state a reality.” “I want to thank CMS for their partnership in making the Colorado Option a reality. This groundbreaking idea will cut the cost of health care and increase access for all Coloradans and small businesses – relief we need in Colorado’s high country and across the state,” Donovan said. “I am proud that the Colorado Option will bring more affordable and quality health care to rural communities, people of color and small businesses across our state,” Jodeh said. “We have been working toward this day for a long time, and CMS’ approval of Colorado’s waiver is an important step toward full implementation of the Colorado Option and achieving meaningful cost savings for Coloradans.” Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver (also referred to as a Section 1332 waiver) to pursue innovative strategies for providing residents with access to high quality, affordable health insurance while retaining the basic protections of the ACA. CMS’ waiver approval is a critical step that will allow Colorado to use up to $135 million in federal funding to provide a new, affordable health insurance option that will save consumers money and help more Coloradans access and afford the critical health care they need to thrive. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 REP. DONALD VALDEZ’S AMBER ALERT NOTIFICATION READINESS BILL ADVANCES UNANIMOUSLY DENVER, CO– The House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to pass Representative Donald Valdez’s bill to ensure Colorado’s AMBER Alert notification system stays up to date with the latest telecommunications technology. The bipartisan bill has already passed the Senate unanimously. “AMBER Alerts help our law enforcement officials protect some of the most vulnerable Coloradans,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara. “It is critical that our state stays up to date with the latest technology to notify Coloradans during an AMBER Alert emergency, and this bill will do just that.” SB20-079 requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to send AMBER Alerts using technological applications that promote the largest reach of community notifications. While Colorado’s current method of sending AMBER Alerts meets the criteria, this bill will ensure that Colorado’s AMBER Alert system keeps up with technological advances in the future to ensure the widespread receival of these critical alerts of missing children. Previous Next

< Back February 1, 2022 BILL TO BOOST HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE ADVANCES DENVER, CO – The Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation that would boost the health care workforce by extending a tax credit for health care “preceptors,” mentors who coach and encourage new providers to enter the health care workforce. The bill passed committee by a vote of 9 to 2. “We’re working hard to boost Colorado’s health care workforce this legislative session,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie D-Dillon . “This tax credit will help build healthier, safer communities, especially in rural areas, by encouraging talented individuals to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, counseling, behavioral health and other frontline health care positions. If we learned anything from the pandemic it’s that we can’t do this alone, we need a strong health care workforce to help Colorado recover.” HB22-1005 builds on the existing state tax credit offered to preceptors working in rural communities by increasing the number of health care preceptorships eligible for the credit. This major expansion includes addiction counselors, pharmacists, registered nurses, clinical social workers and other high demand areas in Colorado’s health care workforce. The health care workforce shortage in Colorado has been exacerbated by the pandemic. This is especially true in rural communities that struggle to fill critical medical positions, including doctors and behavioral health professionals. The legislation increases the overall number of preceptors allowed to receive the credit and extends the credit until 2033. It is currently set to expire next year. Previous Next

< Back February 4, 2022 ORTIZ, SULLIVAN STATEMENTS ON MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY DENVER, CO – Representatives David Ortiz and Tom Sullivan, military veterans from Afghanistan and the Vietnam Era, today released the following statements on Military Appreciation Day at the Colorado Capitol. “Every year, we recognize the brave men and women who have protected our nation, and I am especially proud this year to lead the resolution honoring the contributions of our Latino and Latina veterans and servicemembers,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This bipartisan tradition underscores our commitment to every veteran in Colorado, and I look forward to continuing our work to support our nation’s servicemembers and veterans.” “On this important day, we honor all those who have served in our nation’s armed forces and the sacrifices they have made to keep us safe and protect our values,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “As someone who served during the Vietnam Era, I know how important it is to our brothers and sisters who served with us to know that we recognize their sacrifices and that we will always honor their bravery and dedication to our country.” Representative Ortiz, who served as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, today sponsored HJR22-1008 , which recognizes the contributions of Latino and Latina veterans and servicemembers. Representative Sullivan, who served during the Vietnam Era, sponsored HJR22-1010 , which recognizes the military veterans in Colorado who served in the Vietnam War. Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today delivered opening remarks for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly. < Back January 10, 2024 Speaker McCluskie Delivers Opening Day Remarks DENVER, CO - Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today delivered opening remarks for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly. Selected excerpts from the Speaker’s remarks: “This session will be transformative for education in our state– a monumental leap forward in our endeavor to offer every student the world class education they deserve.” … “Lawmakers this year will present a meaningful package of bills to build more homes and save people money on housing. This starts with a broad statewide and regional approach to housing assessments and planning. It includes legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multifamily housing near transit and incentivizes local governments to preserve housing stock Coloradans can afford.” … “Just as every Coloradan deserves a home they can afford, every Coloradan deserves to live safely in their communities free from gun violence. I am excited for the work this year to improve public safety and reduce gun deaths with common sense policies driven by data and science. We will not let a fringe group’s lawsuits against the good work of this body deter us from saving lives.” Full text of the speech as prepared for delivery: Good morning and welcome to the People’s House! It’s wonderful to see everyone here. And It is my honor to open the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly. One of my favorite parts of opening day is seeing everyone’s families, and especially all the new additions. Congratulations again to Reps. Daugherty, Jodeh, Andy Kenney with Colorado Public Radio, and soon Representative Luck! I’m grateful to be joined here by my family. Thank you to my husband Jamie, and my parents Bob & Etta Strand. Your love, patience and support mean a great deal to me. I am blessed. It’s great to see the Republican leadership here in one piece after a successful summer on horseback. Everyone seems to be okay. No broken bones! Love to see it. Welcome as well to all our candidates for Congress. My goodness; there are a lot of you running this year! For some of you, today will be your last opening day in the House. To Representatives Catlin, deGruy Kennedy, Herod, McLachlan, and Weissman. Congratulations on seven - soon to be eight - successful years of public service. Your dedication and leadership will be a powerful legacy! I want to take a moment and ask all of you to join me in thanking all the wonderful people who make this place run. Our sergeants, custodial staff, nonpartisan staff in Legislative Council, Office of Legislative Legal Services, Joint Budget Committee, and our House Clerks. They do so much to make sure we can get our work done. Please join me in a round of applause. Members, as we begin this session, I’d like to take a moment to remember someone we lost last year, a True Coloradan. One of the greats. My friend and neighbor, John Fielder, showed us the immense beauty of our state and the feelings of wonder that are inherent to living in Colorado. I’m honored that his daughters, Katy and Ashley, son-in-law, Dan, and grandchildren, Savannah, Gigi, and Daniel, are here with us today. Please stand, and give them a warm welcome. From our cities and our mountains to our waters, forests, clean air, lakes, and prairies, his photographs remind us that we are always called to protect the state that we love. It’s important to acknowledge that these beautiful lands as captured through John’s lens were first those of the indigenous people who have called Colorado home for generations. Last year, the leaders of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes addressed the General Assembly for the first time. As they prepare to do so again on Ute Day in March, I urge us all to listen and lend our support to the priorities they present. With gratitude to History Colorado, today through the lens of John Fielder, Frank Muramoto, and Robert Wineberg, we will see reflections of our great state and something everyone can recognize as special. A place they’ve been. A moment that sparks curiosity. The grandeur of the natural world formed so long ago. Through their photographs, which will be displayed before you during my speech, we can see and feel the Colorado Spirit. What you’ll see in the photos behind me is what binds us together– the shared capacity to be in awe and to be moved by the Colorado Spirit. We are all people who feel the pressures, challenges and joys of serving our communities in these jobs. The people who work here, serve here and visit here all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. That’s the Colorado Way. It is also one of my three big goals for this session. It’s the Colorado Spirit that binds us together. The first goal I want to talk about today is how we can guarantee a fair shake for every member, respect our diversity of lived experiences and identities, and make civility in our discourse a priority. Each member represents thousands of Coloradans in just one district, each of us equal in our role as state representative. The House rules are here to guarantee that each member has one vote and one voice, and to ensure that no member's vote or voice is more important than another's. A fair shake for every member also means the opportunity to speak to legislation, offer amendments, and engage in the legislative process with the understanding you will be treated with respect. My request is that we take a moment to consider what we say, how we speak to a bill and the words we choose to make our points. To quote Ted Lasso who maybe quoted Walt Whitman: Be Curious, Not Judgemental. From Fielder’s magnificent landscapes to Muramoto’s 100 year old photos of Japanese Americans in Pueblo, we can see the curiosity they had for what was in front of their camera, and we can feel that Colorado Spirit ourselves when we look at their art. I’d like us to remember that curiosity and spirit in how we approach our conversations to engage in authentic debate with each other. That means raising respectful questions that further our desire to explore the subject at hand. It means listening and appreciating members’ responses, putting down your phone, getting off of social media and having real conversations with one another. We can engage on tough issues without disregarding the humanity and dignity of our colleagues or accusing each other of poor motives. To assist in these efforts, House Leadership will develop a consistent rubric to guide our conversations in the well. My thanks to Assistant Majority Leader Bacon, Representative Weissman and Speaker Pro Tempore deGruy Kennedy for getting the work off the ground on this important initiative. Finally, a fair shake means every lawmaker can come to work feeling safe. Let’s recommit ourselves to our Workplace Expectations Policy and work together to create a warm, safe, welcoming culture here in this Chamber, our home for the next 120 days. After all, this is the people’s House. We have and will continue to take all steps necessary to honor the people who come here to share their hopes, dreams and concerns. I appreciate the work of our Chief Clerk and the House Services committee this interim to implement new guidance and training protocols for staff that allow everyone the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. We can do all these things because we have done them before. Where we have fallen short in the past, we must redouble our efforts to do better this session. One of the hallmarks of our legislature is that we find ways to reach across the aisle on important policies that impact our communities. Experience shows us that we’re stronger when we collaborate, so my second big goal for this session is to renew our focus on how we can channel the Colorado Spirit and work together to achieve lasting policy results. Last year, we passed important bipartisan legislation to reduce the risk of wildfires, improve student math scores, boost microchip production and create jobs. Working across party lines, we created the Office of School Safety, increased funding for special education, and improved transparency into hospital costs. Two years ago, we worked together to allocate federal stimulus dollars to build more housing, expand workforce training, and increase access to behavioral health care. It’s exciting to see these grants fund critical efforts all across our state. Since we adjourned last May, more than $118 million from legislation we passed is building or preserving nearly 2,900 affordable housing units in 34 developments and 30 counties. Buena Vista was awarded $1.35 million to build 129 units. Alamosa will deploy $4.2 million to build a community with 406 new affordable units for renters, homeowners and seniors. $6.2 million is adding 28 units to the Ordway East Duplex Development project in southeast Colorado. $3 million is helping build 175 units at the Hope Springs development in Greeley. And $4.4 million will go to rehabilitate the Helen Hunt Campus– transitional housing that serves the Pikes Peak region. That’s just to name a few. Additionally, investing in our workforce is an issue that is near and dear to me. Now at over 20 higher education institutions from Otero, Fort Morgan and Pueblo Community Colleges to our area technical colleges and my home institution of Colorado Mountain College, students can now earn a completely free credential for a career in nursing, teaching, firefighting, construction, or law enforcement. Opportunity Now grants are directing $90 million to 46 new career pathways that bring together education institutions and businesses to help workers learn the skills they need to enter high-demand industries. For example, The Northeast Colorado BOCES will partner with Haxtun Health, the Colorado Education Initiative and Northeastern Junior College to create pathways to careers to meet workforce needs in northeast Colorado. We have a dire need to support the recruitment and retention of teachers, particularly teachers of color. With teachers of color making up 40 percent of their graduate students, Relay School of Education will partner with Denver Public Schools and use nearly $2.5 million to offer four and two year licenses in teaching while participants work full time at partner schools. In addition to supporting our workforce, we also allocated millions of dollars in broadband investments to connect thousands of Coloradans to high speed internet in Craig, Hayden, Montrose, Olathe, Ouray, Ridgeway, and Pueblo. These are just a handful of the many success stories we share as a body. And it shows me that when we work together, we can make a real difference. While a lot of these grants received little fanfare, they are truly transforming Colorado communities. Last year, Democrats had tremendous success working together and collaborating toward common goals shared by the vast majority of Coloradans. We passed a landmark package of reproductive health laws that will protect patients, expand access to abortion and secure the health care people in our state, or those coming here, need. Public opinion polls show that Coloradans agree: common sense gun violence prevention laws make our communities safer. We passed five new gun safety measures that will crack down on ghost guns, require a three day waiting period, increase the age to purchase a firearm and allow victims of gun violence to seek justice. When we worked together, we passed laws to save people money on health care, prescription drugs and utility bills. We created a right to repair for agriculture equipment! I’m so proud of our work to save Coloradans money on electric vehicles, green transit options, and clean energy alternatives that will improve our air, protect our water, and help us meet our climate goals. And during our special session, we came together with near unanimous approval from Democrats to deliver urgent property tax relief, rental assistance and significant support for working families. It’s clear that when we collaborate, we get things done for Colorado. As we redouble our efforts to work together, we do so with a clear objective in mind– to deliver the results Coloradans want to see. My third big goal this session is to help us be successful in passing policies that align with our shared values and make the progress Coloradans are looking for. From our youngest Coloradans to students pursuing higher education degrees or looking to advance their careers, supporting learners at all stages will be front and center because education is the foundation of our society. I am excited that this will be the year, the year, we finally eliminate the budget stabilization factor. This means we will deliver a historic level of funding to Colorado schools that districts can use to increase teacher and educator pay, reduce class sizes, and set our students up to thrive. Reaching this overall funding level is a foundational achievement in and of its own, but we cannot stop there. We will drive equity into the school finance formula and bolster the funding that goes to our small rural remote districts and those with more at-risk students, or students in need. This session will be transformative for education in our state– a monumental leap forward in our endeavor to offer every student the world class education they deserve. And building on our work to improve K-12 education, we will continue to transform how Coloradans can enter the careers of their dreams in high-demand fields. Businesses, chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, unions and trade associations are stepping up to create affordable pathways to the jobs of the future. These inspiring efforts are increasing employment and revitalizing communities who need workers. That is why we will continue to partner with these leaders to create an economy-for-all. Also this year, we renew our efforts to make our state more affordable so that every Coloradan can live in the communities they call home. This begins with housing. Last year, we did not accomplish everything we’d hoped for, but this year, we will try again and deliver. Over the summer, Representative Mabrey asked if I would go with him to Eviction Court. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated this experience. The hardship and economic instability that follows eviction is devastating for families and can lead to cycles of joblessness and homelessness. Each and every eviction is heartbreaking, and this year Denver alone reached 13,000 evictions, the most since 2008 when records first started. I know how hard Rep. Mabrey and Majority Leader Duran are working to reduce evictions and help people have a fair chance to stay in their homes. I applaud their work to prohibit evictions except for cause. Lawmakers this year will present a meaningful package of bills to build more homes and save people money on housing. This starts with a broad statewide and regional approach to housing assessments and planning. It includes legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multifamily housing near transit and incentivizes local governments to preserve housing stock Coloradans can afford. Join me in this goal to deliver these critical policy outcomes that will make our state more affordable and boost the economic security of hardworking families. Just as every Coloradan deserves a home they can afford, every Coloradan deserves to live safely in their communities free from gun violence. I am excited for the work this year to improve public safety and reduce gun deaths with common sense policies driven by data and science. We will not let a fringe group’s lawsuits against the good work of this body deter us from saving lives. Prioritizing the health and safety of Coloradans is a commitment we make and there should be no disagreement that our changing climate is harming communities in our state. Our response must meet the moment. We cannot bury our heads in the sand with junk science and climate denialism while our neighbors face chronic health conditions from air pollution, annual wildfire evacuations, agricultural losses, and the erosion of our future. Far too often, the impacts of this crisis fall disproportionately on people of color, marginalized communities and vulnerable Coloradans, leading to cycles of poverty and health disparities. It will continue to be a top priority for us to improve our air quality, crack down on harmful emissions, and increase transit options to protect the future of this state. Building a brighter future for our state will always be our focus, but while we cannot right the wrongs of the past, we can learn and strive to eliminate the health, education, and economic disparities that continue to harm people of color in our state. This year, we will pass legislation to create a trailblazing investigation proposed and led by the Black Caucus to look into how systems of racism, state actions, and discrimination in housing, health care and education have led to longstanding inequalities for Black Coloradans. We come here to serve all Colorado. While our efforts to build more housing, improve education, and protect our environment will boost our entire state, we know that rural Colorado and our agriculture industry are facing unique challenges that demand our attention. From agriculture and outdoor recreation to tourism and mining, a mix of economic drivers fuel Colorado’s rural economies, which are also facing a range of different pressures from environmental to market forces. This session, we intend to reauthorize the bipartisan Rural Economic Development Initiative and Rural Jumpstart Tax Credit, which will create jobs and boost small businesses from our Eastern Plains to our Western Slope. Water is intrinsic to the Colorado Spirit, and the lifeblood of our agriculture industry and tourism economies. The recent United States Supreme Court decision about the definition of Waters of the United States leaves many of our waterways in Colorado unprotected. In the wake of this difficult decision, we have an opportunity to take action to reestablish these critical protections. Based on the recommendations of the Colorado River Drought Task Force, we will pass legislation to secure our water future for generations to come and protect the majestical and pristine landscapes of our beloved state. Like the incredible Colorado landscape we seek to protect, photography is often breathtaking, inspiring and complex. The person behind the camera can choose what to put in their frame, what to bring into focus and what to leave to our imagination. But what the photographers I’ve featured today captured for us was something deeply truthful, the unadulterated force that is the Colorado spirit. What we see at the national level with partisan politics and personal attacks is not what we want to see in Colorado. That’s not the Colorado spirit. We can disagree without trying to score points. It is a choice we can make, and I urge us to embody the Colorado spirit in our debates. This session is a new opportunity for all of us. Our recent experience shows that when we collaborate and listen to each other, we deliver on our progressive values and move Colorado forward. Serving in this chamber is a profound privilege I hope we cherish and use for the good of all. Every one of you deserves a fair shake to do that, and I am committed to making sure that you have it. Upholding our promises will require us to work together and hold one another accountable to be our better angels. Join me, join one another in making this commitment today. Now it is time to get to work. The members of the House Majority were elected with a clear focus to deliver for Colorado, and my goal is to make sure that happens. Thank you Members for your dedication to the people of our state, and it is my honor to open the Second Regular Session of the 74th Colorado General Assembly! Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Matthew Martinez to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. < Back January 30, 2024 Legislation to Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce Clears Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Matthew Martinez to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. HB24-1002 passed unanimously. “We need a robust behavioral health care workforce to meet the needs of Coloradans,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver . “Social workers are critical to the success of our state’s overall behavioral health care system, and we must do everything we can to attract and retain these skilled workers. This bill creates a social work licensure compact, meaning social workers practicing in participating states can seamlessly transition to working and living in Colorado.” “The demand for behavioral health care workers is rising in Colorado, so we are working to remove barriers that prevent qualified, licensed professionals from joining our workforce,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “This bill would make it easier for licensed social workers practicing in partner states to obtain a license in Colorado, saving them money and meeting the needs of Coloradans faster. Additionally, this bill would support military spouses who relocate to Colorado by removing barriers to entering the behavioral health care workforce.” HB24-1002 would create new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill creates the "Social Work Licensure Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed social workers in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for social workers by easing the state-to-state licensure process and increasing behavioral health care access in Colorado. The “Social Work Licensure Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws over the years, including last year’s HB23-1064 to address Colorado’s teacher shortage. Previous Next

< Back May 16, 2022 BILLS SIGNED TO SAVE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES MONEY DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will save Coloradans money on housing and gas and allow small retailers to keep more of the sales tax they collect, saving businesses money as well. “The legislation signed today will save Coloradans money on housing and put more money back into the pockets of small retail businesses,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of SB22-146 and SB22-006. “This investment will help build more homes and increase the supply of affordable housing that our communities and businesses need to thrive. I’m also excited that small businesses are going to be able to keep nearly $6 million that they can reinvest in their businesses, employees, and other needs.” Saving Coloradans Money on Housing: SB22-146 , sponsored by Representatives Marc Snyder and Marc Catlin will expand critical middle-income housing so that more Coloradans and communities have access to affordable housing where it’s needed most. The legislation provides $25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Middle-Income Access Program, which serves middle income families and individuals with incomes too high to qualify for low income housing tax credits. Typically, the “missing middle” is made up of renters whose income is between 80 percent and 120 percent of area median income, which in the Denver area is $55k-88k per year, increasing with family size. To date, the Middle Income Access Program has leveraged $14 million in CHFA-invested funds to support developments comprising over 600 units across the state. Developments leverage significant private sector investment and have brought much needed housing to communities such as Denver, Estes Park, Keystone, Steamboat Springs and Gypsum. Saving Businesses Money: SB22-006 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Marc Snyder, allows retailers with taxable sales under $100,000 per filing period to retain 5.3 percent of the sales tax they collect. Retailers are currently permitted to retain 4 percent of the vendor fee to compensate them for the cost of collecting and remitting sales tax. This new law increases the amount that small retailers can retain, saving retailers $5.9 million over the next two years. “Saving Coloradans money was our top priority this session, and we looked at every way possible, big and small, to put more money back into people’s pockets,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango , sponsor of SB22-006 and HB22-1351. “The bills the governor signed into law today will save Coloradans money at the pump and save small retail businesses nearly $6 million by allowing them to keep more of the sales tax they collect.” “In the last few months, gas prices have been driven up by national and global influences, so at a state level we acted to make sure Coloradans weren’t hit with further price increases,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, sponsor of HB22-1351. “The bill the governor signed today will help Coloradans keep some money in their pockets when they register their cars this year and when they fill up their tanks, all while keeping our state on track to fix our roads.” Saving Coloradans Money at the Pump: HB22-1351 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Barbara McLachlan, will save Coloradans money by lowering vehicle registration costs and delaying the anticipated road usage fees, a two-cent per gallon gasoline fee slated to go into effect in July. This law invests one-time recovery funds to save Coloradans nearly $80 million on transportation costs. Specifically, this will save Coloradans $45 million at the gas pump and nearly $34 million in vehicle registration costs. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to reduce lead and noise pollution caused by airplanes. HB24-1235, sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Shannon Bird and Senate President Steve Fenberg and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, will protect communities from aviation fuel lead emissions and noise pollution. < Back May 17, 2024 SIGNED! Legislation to Reduce Lead and Noise Pollution, Protect Colorado’s Air SUPERIOR, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to reduce lead and noise pollution caused by airplanes. HB24-1235, sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Shannon Bird and Senate President Steve Fenberg and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, will protect communities from aviation fuel lead emissions and noise pollution. “More than 25 years after the phase-out of leaded gasoline for passenger vehicles, leaded aviation fuel is still present in Colorado and can have adverse health effects on our communities, especially children and youth,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This law will improve our public health and help transition aircraft away from the use of leaded fuel. Our community-driven legislation works to ensure that airports are good neighbors to their surrounding communities by addressing both the dangers of lead exposure and the quality of life impacts of noise pollution.” “Over the last few years, I have received countless constituent emails, phone calls, and town hall questions about pervasive noise and lead pollution caused by aviation,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. “Time and time again, impacted Coloradans were told that due to federal preemption, there was nothing that could be done to protect them from these negative impacts. This year, we got creative and came up with a policy that asks airports to do their part to reduce aviation noise while supporting them in their transition away from leaded fuels. However, this marks just the first step in meaningfully addressing the problem. There’s much more work ahead to ensure impacted communities and regional airports can coexist in Colorado.” “As our state’s population grows, smaller airports are seeing more traffic than ever before, which means increased noise and air pollution in our communities,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Coloradans have the right to live peacefully in their homes without the constant noise of low level air traffic; this law will require creation of noise mitigation plans and airports will need to help educate pilots about how they can minimize their impact on residential neighborhoods. There is no safe level of lead exposure for our children, and our law works to clean up our air while prioritizing the health of our neighbors.” “Communities I represent in Jefferson County are experiencing firsthand the effects of aviation noise and lead pollution,” Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, said. “These adverse impacts take a toll on a person’s well-being and simply shouldn’t have to be a part of life for folks living near regional airports like Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. This important law is our response to community concerns to help neighborhoods and airports find a way to coexist, protect the health of Coloradans, and make sure our state remains a great place to live and raise a family.” HB24-1235 will help ensure communities and airports coexist better by easing the transition to unleaded fuels for aircraft owners and airports and ensuring airports maintain sustained noise mitigation efforts. Specifically, this law: Incentivizes aircraft owners to transition their planes from using leaded to unleaded fuel by providing a refundable income tax credit for qualified expenses Ensures that the lesser of 10 percent or $1.5M of State Aviation System grant funding per year goes toward aiding the transition to unleaded aviation gasoline Requires grant recipients to both adopt a plan for phasing out sales of leaded gasoline by 2030, and establishes a noise abatement plan Adds two members to the Colorado Aeronautical Board who are residents of communities affected by aviation Requires the Division of Aeronautics to work with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment to evaluate, educate, and provide technical assistance to airports regarding adverse impacts of aircraft noise and leaded aviation fuel This new law aims to respond to community concerns about increased aviation activity in the Denver Metro area which is home to two of the top five airports with the most general aviation activity in the country. Leaded fuel, commonly used by recreation pilots and pilots-in-training, is a leading source of lead emissions and excessive exposure to lead has many harmful health effects across various bodily functions. Previous Next

< Back October 30, 2019 OPIOID AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS STUDY COMMITTEE ADVANCES FIVE BIPARTISAN PROPOSALS Bills address five critical areas: prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and SUD treatment in the criminal justice system DENVER, CO– The Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee today advanced five bipartisan bills to combat the opioid epidemic. Each bill addresses a specific area of focus in slowing the opioid crisis. “The opioid epidemic is devastating communities across Colorado, and our state’s response must meet the urgency this crisis demands,” said Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee Vice Chair Rep. Chris Kennedy (D-Lakewood). “These bipartisan bills build on legislation we previously passed and advance a comprehensive set of policies in each of five categories– prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and treatment for substance use disorders in the criminal justice system.” “It’s been my honor to chair the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee for the last three years to bring forth policies that are leading the nation to address the public health crisis we face,” said Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee Chair Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “This year’s package builds on our previous success and each piece of legislation is essential in addressing the gaps we see in the continuum of care needed to move people into recovery here in Colorado. There is not one silver bullet to address the opioid epidemic; it’s a complex, enormous problem. While today we passed the most impactful package we’ve seen yet, I know that our work isn’t done, and we are committed to continuing the work to address this crisis.” “Working to turn the tide in the deadly opioid epidemic has been one of my top priorities, and I’m proud of our committee’s bipartisan work to craft and move forward these incredibly important proposals,” said Rep. Bri Buentello (D-Pueblo). “From increasing access to treatment, recovery and prevention services to changing how insurance companies cover non-opioid pain treatments, we can make real progress and aggressively combat this crisis.” “Tackling substance use disorder in our criminal justice system is critical to ensuring successful recoveries and for providing treatment services to those who need them,” said Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “I’m proud of our bill that would seal records for people who successfully complete treatment programs and which would make medically assisted treatment available to individuals in our criminal justice system.” Prevention of Substance Use Disorders: The first bill the committee passed focuses on prevention efforts. The bill would encourage best practices in healthcare settings to prevent opioid misuse, increase access to alternatives to opioids, expand continuing education for opioid prescribers and support local public health departments in their delivery of prevention services. It would also establish screening and brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) as a health care standard and improve the utilization of evidence-based prevention programs. The bill would make several changes to insurance plans, prohibiting insurance carriers from requiring copayments that exceed the charges submitted by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or acupuncturist. It requires the Commissioner of Insurance to establish diagnosis for which alternatives to opioids are appropriate. Furthermore, it requires health benefit plans to cover a minimum number of physical therapy, occupational therapy and acupuncture per yearIt would require insurance companies to make the atypical opioid or nonopioid medication available at the lowest cost-sharing tier applicable and prohibit them from limiting or excluding coverage for an atypical opioid. The bill also includes several provisions to improve opioid prescribing best practices. It continues the prescribing limitations currently in place, requires new rules to establish competency-based continuing education for prescribers and modifies requirements for adding information to the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Harm Reduction: The second bill aims to lower the rate of opioid overdoses and related deaths and better prevent the spread of communicable diseases. It would extend civil and criminal immunity for a person who acts in good faith to administer an opiate antagonist, such as naloxone, that has expired. Opiate antagonists that are beyond their expiration date can still be effective in reversing an overdose, but some providers are hesitant to administer them out of concern for their liability even though these expired medications can still save lives. The bill would also require insurance plans to reimburse hospitals that provide a covered individual with an opiate antagonist when discharged. To help prevent communicable diseases, the bill would allow pharmacists to provide syringes and removes a regulatory barrier to operating syringe exchange programs. Treatment in the Criminal Justice System: The third bill the committee advanced would help combat substance use disorders in the criminal justice system. It would require the department of corrections and other agencies to make medication assisted treatment (MAT), continuity of care and community resources available prior to release. It would also allow safe stations (police stations, sheriff’s offices, and fire stations) to receive any controlled substance for disposal and refer individuals with SUD to treatment. Under the bill, if an individual enters or successfully completes a SUD treatment program, their records may be sealed. The bill also appropriates funding to criminal justice diversion programs. Treatment of Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders: The fourth bill would make changes to insurance plans, managed care entities and pharmacy benefits to increase access to SUD treatment. Under the bill, insurance carriers must provide coverage for SUD treatment in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) or an alternate nationally recognized criteria if ASAM criteria is no longer available, relevant, or follow best practices. Carriers are also required to provide coverage for naloxone, without prior authorization, deductibles, copayment, coinsurance or other cost-sharing requirements. Carriers must report the number of in-network providers who are licensed to prescribe MAT to the commissioner of insurance. The commissioner of insurance may also review and revise the essential health benefits package for MAT.The bill further increases access to treatment by requiring managed care entities to provide care coordination for the full continuum of SUD treatment and recovery. It would prohibit denying access to MAT or SUD treatment services, including recovery services, to individuals who are participating in MAT provided by a recovery residence and entities contracting with the Office of Behavioral Health. Pharmacies would be able to receive an enhanced dispensing fee for the administration of all injectable medications for MAT. The legislation would require an updated community assessment every two years on the sufficiency of SUD services in the community. With SUD impacting families in many different ways, the bill would also require a study of state child care and treatment to make findings and recommendations concerning gaps in family-centered SUD treatment. The study would also look to identify alternative payment structures for funding child care and children’s services alongside SUD treatment of a child’s parent. Finally, the bill would increase access to treatment in rural communities by expanding the provider workforce. It increases funding to the Colorado Health Service Corps Fund for loan forgiveness and scholarships for individuals serving in areas with healthcare workforce shortages. It would also continue a grant writing program to help local communities access federal and state money to address the opioid epidemic, and requires the Office of Behavioral Health to implement a program for training and community outreach related to alcohol and SUD treatment. SUD Recovery: The final bill advanced today seeks to increase access to recovery services. It increases funding for housing assistance by $4 million to $5 million total and extends the funding for an additional fiscal year. It would also appropriate $2 million to the Office of Behavioral Health in the Department of Human Services to expand the Individual Placement and Support Program, a program that helps people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders find and keep jobs. The bill supports recovery community organizations by appropriating $3.5 million to create the Recovery Support Services Grant Program and appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Labor and Employment to support individuals in recovery by providing peer coaching. The bill also seeks to help policymakers better understand the connection between prenatal substance exposure and health outcomes by authorizing a statewide perinatal substance use data linkage project. It would also modify the how determinations of child abuse, neglect, or dependency are determined in situations involving alcohol or substance exposure. Finally, the bill would continue the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee for four additional years, meeting every other year beginning in 2021. It would require the State Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force to bring stakeholders together to review progress on bills introduced by the opioid committee and passed by the General Assembly and to generate policy recommendations. Furthermore, it would require the Center for Research into Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Support Strategies to conduct a comprehensive study of Colorado’s SUD treatment and recovery services to inform a state plan for the delivery of services for individuals at risk of relapse. Brief, comprehensive summaries of the legislation advanced today can be found here . Previous Next

< Back June 24, 2021 POLIS SIGNS BILL TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM TOXIC POLLUTION DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will protect communities from toxic pollution. “Everyone should have access to clean air and water, but toxic pollution threatens the health of too many Coloradans,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City. “Under the bill governor Polis signed today, we’ll collect more real-time data through fenceline monitoring in communities, and more people will know when facilities release air toxins. We’ll also better understand the cumulative health effects of toxic pollution on disproportionately impacted communities, often lower-income Coloradans or people of color.” HB21-1189 requires facilities to collect and publicly report real time air monitoring data and fund community-based monitoring programs to better understand the cumulative health impacts of air toxics emissions from multiple sources. Air toxics are pollutants that cause or may cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as adverse reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental and economical effects. Specifically, the law expands the type of facilities covered by air toxin pollution limits. Importantly, the law requires real-time “fenceline” monitoring and public reporting on the results of the monitoring. Facilities are required to notify the public when emissions breach thresholds for toxic levels or exposure. Covered facilities must take corrective action within 15 days of a violation. The law requires covered facilities to conduct outreach to communities near the facilities, in particular disproportionately impacted communities. Outreach must be conducted in the two most prevalent languages spoken in the communities. Disproportionately impacted communities often include low-income neighborhoods and residents who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino, and people of color. Previous Next