< Back March 9, 2020 NEW LAW TO PROTECT BEES FLIES THROUGH COMMITTEE The House Energy and Environment Committee today advanced a bill, sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp, that will protect bees and other pollinators by regulating the use of certain types of pesticides. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Bees and other pollinators are incredibly important for our environment and the future health of our state and planet,” said Rep. Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “The nature that we enjoy all year round depends on our delicate ecosystems remaining in balance. By regulating the use of these pesticides, we can protect pollinators and our Colorado way of life.” HB20-1180 would protect bees and other pollinators throughout the state by requiring the commissioner of agriculture to regulate the use of neonicotinoid and sulfoximine pesticides. The exception to the regulation would be the use of these pesticides for indoor use as pest control, personal and pet care products as well as for commercial and other qualified applicators or limited uses. If in the future, the commissioner finds a similar product that is comparable to the effectiveness of neonicotinoid and sulfoximine pesticides, the commissioner may adopt rules to disallow the use of neonicotinoid and sulfoximine pesticides for personal, pest control or pet care use. On May 20, 2019, the EPA announced the cancellation of a dozen pesticides that are known to be harmful to bees. This included neonicotinoid pesticides. According to an article by Bloomberg Government , neonicotinoids attack the nervous system of insects. Neonic pesticides are also systemic, meaning they make an entire plant poisonous to pollinators. The European Union has banned the outdoor use of five neonicotinoid pesticides. According to Science Magazine , sulfoximine pesticides also act on nicotine receptors but avoid the pitfalls of neonicotinoid pesticides because they bypass some pesticide resistance in certain insects. A preliminary study conducted by Nature Research found that exposure to reduced “reproductive success” in bees, however, more data is needed to form a definitive conclusion. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 HOUSE ED PASSES BILLS TO ADDRESS LEARNING DISRUPTIONS, PREVENT BULLYING IN SCHOOLS DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today passed SB21-013 and HB21-1221, legislation that would address COVID-19 related learning disruptions and prevent bullying in schools. “Building back stronger means making sure that every child in our state gets through this school year and the next with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive,” said Denver Public Schools Director Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Every student in Colorado should have the opportunity to address their specific learning needs. I’m proud of the package of bills we’ve developed to address the disrupted learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” “Students have been through so much the last year; we have to do everything we can to ensure learning loss related to COVID-19 and the disruption of in-person learning is reversed,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood . “This bill will help school districts across the state access the best practices they’ll need to work with students and help them get where they need to be.” SB21-013, which is sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Meg Froelich, directs the Department of Education to identify and collect resources to help school districts address learning disruptions. It will include products, strategies, and services that have been demonstrated to identify and address learning disruption experienced as a result of disruptions to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also directs local education providers to expand students’ access to online courses currently provided on the Colorado Digital Learning Solutions platform, and to communicate the availability of these learning recovery opportunities to students’ families. The bill passed 7-2. “Bullying harms one in five students, often leading to tragic outcomes that are avoidable,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “We can do more to prevent and stop bullying, and that’s what this bill would do. It asks school districts to adopt a model bullying prevention policy and ensures that policy is effective by including parent voices and addressing cyberbullying.” “The wellbeing of our students must be a top priority, which is why we are always looking at how we can better keep them safe and healthy both at school and at home,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “The bill we advanced today will do that by strengthening schools’ bullying policies and ensuring that educators have the tools and strategies they need to prevent both in-school and cyberbullying that can happen anywhere.” HB21-1221, which is sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Mary Young, would ensure important changes for when the Department of Education’s model bullying policy is updated next year, including making a crucial distinction between conflict and bullying which are often conflated. The bill would ensure parents of students who have been bullied are involved in developing the policy, and extend the policy to cyberbullying that occurs during online instruction. It requires districts to implement the model bullying policy and report bullying incidents. Approximately 15 percent of students in high school in Colorado experience bullying, and nationwide, 20 percent of middle and high schoolers experience bullying. Persistent bullying can lead to feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair, and they can also lead to suicidal behavior. The committee also passed HB21-1273, which is sponsored by Representative Cutter and would require CDE to report on the total number of licensed school psychologists in Colorado who work in schools across the state. Yesterday the committee passed HB21-1259, another bill in the package to address COVID-19 related learning loss, which streamlines the application process and reporting requirements for school districts seeking to access stimulus funding to provide students with extended learning opportunities. Previous Next

Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera today signed bipartisan legislation to expand property tax exemptions for nonprofit housing developers, such as community land trusts, to build up Colorado’s affordable housing stock. < Back May 25, 2023 SIGNED! New Law Expands Property Tax Exemptions for Affordable Housing Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera today signed bipartisan legislation to expand property tax exemptions for nonprofit housing developers, such as community land trusts, to build up Colorado’s affordable housing stock. “Expensive land costs make it difficult for affordable housing developers to buy land to build housing opportunities that work for every budget,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield . “Our bipartisan law expands on existing property tax exemptions for nonprofits to incentivize building more affordable homes, saving educators, first responders, and child care workers money on housing.” “The cost of land is often the biggest barrier that keeps affordable housing projects from getting done, especially for nonprofit homebuilders who build housing for our state's workforce,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This new law represents a huge step forward for nonprofit homebuilders and will make it easier for nonprofit developers to do what they do best: build more housing for working Coloradans so that families can afford to live in the communities they call home.” HB23-1184 , sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Lisa Frizell and Senator Dylan Roberts, expands property tax exemptions to include more nonprofit organizations that build and sell affordable housing. It also extends the exemption period from 5 to 10 years to better reflect the development timeline for larger affordable housing projects. The bill creates a new property tax exemption for land owned by community land trusts and other nonprofit affordable homeownership providers that develop permanently affordable for-sale homes. The National Low Income Housing Coalition ranked Colorado as the 8th least affordable state in 2022 and stated that the average renter needed to work 2.3 full-time jobs at minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom rental. Data from the American Community Survey demonstrates the racial inequality when it comes to homeownership with 71 percent of non-Hispanic White Coloradans owning their home compared to only 51 percent of Hispanic and 43 percent of Black Coloradans. Previous Next

Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. < Back June 3, 2024 Governor Signs Bills to Increase Federal Funds for Nutrition Support, Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. SB24-110 , sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representatives Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Emily Sirota, D-Denver, prohibits the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing from requiring prior authorization for an antipsychotic prescription drug used to treat a mental illness or disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. “The two bills signed into law today will make life more affordable for families I represent in Denver,” Rodriguez said. “SB-110 removes barriers to prior authorization requirements so that more Coloradans will be able to access the antipsychotic prescription drugs they need to thrive, while HB-1322 will redirect Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition programs. Together, these laws will support Coloradans – especially those from historically marginalized communities.” “Authorization requirements for antipsychotic medications are forcing patients to ration their prescriptions or skip doses entirely, which can be challenging for their recovery,” said Amabile. “This law removes unnecessary authorization requirements for some antipsychotic medications so Coloradans with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders can receive their medications when they need them.” “Many Coloradans with a serious mental health condition don’t have access to specific prescription medication when they need it due to prior authorization requirements,” said Sirota. “This law removes barriers and improves access so Coloradans can receive their antipsychotic prescription on time.” HB24-1322 , sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and also Rodriguez and Kirkmeyer, lays the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. This legislation will create a path to redirect Medicaid funding for services that address health-related social needs of Coloradans who already rely on the federal Medicaid program. “With this law, we’re one step closer to securing additional federal funds to help with rental assistance, pantry stocking, and nutrition support that will strengthen our communities,” said Bird. “Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and a roof over their heads. This law will help and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors, such as youth transitioning out of foster care or older adults seeking nutrition assistance.” “By leveraging federal funds for nutrition and housing support, Colorado can help meet the diverse needs of families in our state,” said Brown . “This law allows Colorado to access Medicaid funding for housing and nutrition programs for existing Medicaid patients,helping someone afford their rent or put food on the table. This law saves Coloradans money by leveraging federal dollars and ensures our most vulnerable neighbors are set up to thrive.” The new law directs the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing to conduct a feasibility study and pursue a 1115 Waiver so Medicaid can fund housing and nutrition services. The feasibility study determines how Medicaid can pay for specific nutrition-based services such as medically tailored meals and pantry stocking, as well as helping with temporary housing, rent, utility assistance, and eviction prevention and tenant support. Utilizing dollars already spent on housing and nutrition support services through a 1115 Medicaid Waiver would provide Colorado with a federal match and the flexibility to design and improve Medicaid programs to fit the needs of Coloradans. It would also help the state conserve local and state financial resources. This cost-neutral model for redirecting Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition support is successfully used in more than 15 states across the nation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and North Carolina. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to safeguard constitutional rights for all Coloradans. < Back May 7, 2026 Bill to Safeguard Constitutional Rights Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed legislation to safeguard constitutional rights for all Coloradans. SB26-005 would ensure that those harmed by federal immigration enforcement officials have a pathway to justice in state court if their U.S. constitutional rights are violated. “The Constitution applies to everyone in Colorado, and we’re making sure you have the ability to stand up for your rights,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Across the nation and here in Colorado, federal agents are violating people’s Constitutional rights. Enough is enough. We will not let the Trump Administration weaponize fear, division and intimidation to keep our immigrant neighbors silent. No one is above the law, and this bill safeguards everyone’s constitutional rights from federal overreach.” “Children are being detained and Americans are being killed in the streets. We must do more to protect Coloradans from the inhumane and deadly tactics of federal agents and Trump’s immigration overreach,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “No one is above the law, and this bill creates recourse when your Constitutional rights are violated by the federal government." SB26-005 upholds constitutional rights by allowing Coloradans harmed during an encounter with federal officers to pursue legal action against them. SB26-005 passed the House by a vote of 41-22. This bill establishes a state court cause of action for damages arising from violations of the U.S. Constitution resulting from civil immigration enforcement, and those found responsible for such violations could be held liable to the injured party for appropriate legal or equitable relief within two years of the violation. SB26-005 would provide Coloradans with a new pathway to pursue legal recourse if they are injured during an immigration enforcement encounter by federal agents. Previous Next

< Back June 7, 2020 COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO BOOST LOWEST IN THE NATION IMMUNIZATION RATES FOR CHILDREN DENVER, CO — The House Committee on Health and Insurance today passed SB20-163, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullcia, D-Northglenn, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, to boost Colorado’s childhood immunization rates. The vote was 7-4. “Colorado’s kids are more vulnerable to a massive outbreak of highly infectious disease than children in almost any other state in the country, and that keeps me up at night,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “As a nurse, I know that boosting our immunization rates is the best way to stop preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles from spreading, and nearly 90 percent of Coloradans agree. Today we’re taking steps to protect our children, our communities, and our health care system from diseases that can spread faster and more viciously even than COVID19.” SB20-163 is designed to get more children fully vaccinated by the time they start kindergarten by encouraging those who do not vaccinate, but who have no objections to vaccinations, to immunize their children. The percentage of Colorado kindergartners vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella is the lowest rate in the country at 87 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This low rate makes our state particularly vulnerable to a measles outbreak. SB20-163 requires parents who choose not to vaccinate their children to present a standardized exemption form signed by an immunization provider or submit a confirmation form that they took a short online class about vaccinations before they send their children to school. The bill also streamlines the immunization exemptions categories by dividing them into medical and nonmedical exemptions, but makes no changes to who can choose to exempt their children or for what reasons. Lastly, SB20-163 would require all immunizing health care providers to use the state’s Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) data system, though providers wouldn’t be subject to a regulatory sanction for noncompliance. Previous Next

< Back January 4, 2019 HOUSE DEMS INTRO FIRST TEN BILLS Focus on Health Care, Renewable Energy, Education, Problem Solving (Jan. 4) – Colorado House Democrats introduced their first ten bills of the first session of the 72nd General Assembly today. “We’re excited to get to work this session. These bills are a reflection of the issues Coloradans sent us here to make bipartisan progress on,” said Speaker KC Becker. “We are focused on expanding opportunity, lowering the cost of and improving access to healthcare, incentivizing more renewable energy, investing in education programs to support educators and students and helping to provide solutions to the challenges facing our communities.” HB 19-1001 – Hospital Transparency Measures to Analyze Efficiency – Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood This bill will increase transparency in hospital billing and spending practices across our state. At a time when health care costs are out of control, it is important that we are able to identify inefficiencies and wasteful spending in our health care system and address them accordingly. HB 19-1002 – Leadership Professional Development for School Principals – Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida This bill creates a pilot program to provide professional development training for school principals, to build strong leadership in our education system and provide support for teachers and students. HB 19-1003 – Community Solar Gardens Modernization Act – Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver This bill will expand access to renewable energy for communities and individuals across Colorado. It will update Colorado’s community solar statute to allow customers to benefit from clean, low-cost energy even if they don’t have a rooftop solar option. HB 19-1004 – Proposal for Affordable Health Coverage Option – Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose This bill will propose a public health insurance option to provide people in Colorado with a competitive and affordable choice when they’re purchasing health insurance. HB 19-1005 – Income Tax Credit for Early Childhood Educators – Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora This bill will help address a shortage in early childhood child care providers by creating a refundable income tax credit for educators with professional credentials who work at family child care homes or other high quality child care programs. HB 19-1006 – Wildfire Mitigation Wildland Urban Interface Areas – Rep. Mclachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs This bill creates a grant program to help with wildfire mitigation efforts in high-risk areas across the state where residential areas are approaching forest land, known as wildland-urban interface areas (WUIs). HB 19-1007 – Contribution Limits for County Offices – Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver This bill sets in place common sense campaign finance limits to protect the integrity of county-level campaigns such as those for sheriff, commissioner, clerk and recorder, assessor, and others. HB 19-1008 – Include Career & Technical Ed in BEST Program – Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada and Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton This bill allows school capital construction funding to be used for career and technical education projects in public schools, investing in skills for Colorado’s emerging workforce. HB 19-1009 – Substance Use Disorders Recovery – Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood and Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont This bill improves support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders by expanding housing assistance for people transitioning out of treatment; increasing oversight of recovery residences to ensure high quality care; and investing in recovery services for people who have sought care and treatment. HB 19-1010 – Freestanding Emergency Departments Licensure – Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn and Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain This bill will bring freestanding emergency departments under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional hospital emergency rooms so that we can ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients. This will ultimately improve the quality of care for patients and increase health care affordability. Previous Next

HB23-1202 would prevent fatal overdoses with a public health and local control approach DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to prevent drug overdose deaths and connect people struggling with substance use disorder to treatment and services. < Back March 10, 2023 House Advances Life-Saving, Overdose Prevention Bill HB23-1202 would prevent fatal overdoses with a public health and local control approach DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to prevent drug overdose deaths and connect people struggling with substance use disorder to treatment and services. “Overdose prevention centers keep people alive,” said Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver. “Colorado’s preventable overdose crisis has reached dire levels. This bill takes a safe and effective public health approach to preventing overdose deaths and maximizing opportunities for health interventions. Our legislation is rooted in local control, harm reduction and most importantly – saving lives.” “Accidental overdoses are on the rise, and it’s incredibly heartbreaking and entirely preventable,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “At overdose prevention centers, people live another day and can be connected with support and comprehensive wrap-around services. This legislation will reduce crime, public drug use, and drug litter. I’m proud it has the support of so many faith groups, medical professionals, local governments, mental health advocates, and so many more who are on the ground working to prevent drug overdose deaths.” HB23-1202 is rooted in local control and would give municipalities the power to authorize OPCs in their communities. OPCs are safe, supervised spaces for people to use previously obtained drugs, test for fentanyl, get counseling, connect to treatment, receive harm reduction services, and most importantly, stay alive. OPCs are a proven, impactful tool to reduce fatal overdoses and improve public health and safety. OPCs also connect those with a substance use disorder to counseling and harm reduction services. There have been zero recorded fatal overdoses at OPCs, which are staffed by on-site medical professionals who are trained and ready to respond. HB23-1202 is supported by the Harm Reduction Action Center, Colorado Municipal League, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Healthier Colorado, Colorado Providers Association, Mental Health Colorado, Colorado Freedom Fund, Together Colorado, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Nurses Association, Colorado Psychiatric Society, New Era Colorado, and ACLU Colorado among others. Previous Next

The Department of Local Affairs recently awarded $780,000 through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program to rural Colorado communities to boost local economies and support small business owners. < Back June 19, 2025 Democratic Lawmakers Celebrate Funding to Boost Rural Economies COLORADO – The Department of Local Affairs recently awarded $780,000 through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program to rural Colorado communities to boost local economies and support small business owners. “As a former educator, I’m grateful for this REDI program funding that will help connect San Luis Valley residents with professional development training and boost the educator workforce,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “From staffing quality educators in our schools to creating a skilled workforce for small businesses, these dollars will have a significant impact on rural communities.” Rep. Martinez’s district received nearly $175,000 in funds, including: Over $134,000 to the City of Alamosa Little Learners Early Care and Learning Center to support recruitment, hands-on training and professional development. The goal is to boost the educator workforce by 50 new professionals by 2027. $15,000 to create the Saguache County Civics Lab “Launchpad” that will offer 30 paid high school internships with the purpose of developing workforce skills and boosting economic resiliency in rural Colorado. $25,000 to the San Luis Valley Economic Outreach and Engagement Project to initiate collaboration between economic development organizations in the region and provide resources for businesses to reduce employee turnover and support the long-term success of local businesses. "I’m excited to hear that Moffat and Eagle counties have received funding to boost rural economies and create good-paying jobs," said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. "I’ve proudly sponsored laws to revitalize rural business communities and support just transition for former coal communities. This funding will support our efforts to diversify rural economies and support Colorado business owners on the Western Slope.” The Moffat County Geothermal Equipment Project was awarded over $62,000 to purchase necessary equipment that will help expand operations and support a just transition in former coal mining communities. This will be the first dedicated geothermal drilling service in Northwest Colorado. The Town of Eagle was awarded $100,000 to fund a Business Advancement Program that will provide financial assistance to small businesses to promote growth and establish new locally-owned businesses. "As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Lyons is popular with tourists, and improving the visitor center can drive business to Lyons’ talented art community,” said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder. "With this funding, artists can enjoy a centralized place to sell and create their art, and we can bring more attention to these skilled artists.” The Town of Lyons was awarded $16,500 to create storefronts and art creation in the Lyons Visitors Center for local artists and entrepreneurs. The funding would also allow for future expansion plans that could include workshops, an art studio and more retail space. Learn more about the REDI program here . Previous Next

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

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Tammy Story to provide resources to investigate the origins of wildfires. SB23-013 passed the House by a vote of 53 to 10. < Back April 29, 2023 Bill to Strengthen Colorado’s Wildfire Response Passes House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Tammy Story to provide resources to investigate the origins of wildfires. SB23-013 passed the House by a vote of 53 to 10. “Colorado has a devastating history of wildfires that have wiped out entire neighborhoods,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “Currently, Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control only has the resources to staff one full-time fire investigator to dig into the cause and origin of fires across the state, making it difficult to mitigate future wildfires. This bill creates a wildfire investigation fund to better understand how fires are started so we can better prevent them and respond to them in the future.” SB23-013 would create the Wildfire Investigation Fund to study how wildfires are started to prevent future fires. It would also allocate $3 million to help investigate the causes and origins of wildfires. The bill also requires the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to report on fire investigations to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee . Additionally, the fire investigation fund would provide support to local fire departments that help combat future wildfires by investigating the causes and origin of fires. Previous Next

Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law SB25-003, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. < Back April 10, 2025 SB25-003 Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law SB25-003 , sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. Beginning August 1, 2026, SB25-003 implements and enforces Colorado’s existing law by requiring a permit and firearm safety training to purchase high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. The bill also prohibits the purchase and sale of all rapid fire conversion devices, like bump stocks and binary triggers. “High-capacity magazines are what put the ‘mass’ into mass shootings, which is why over a decade ago Colorado Democrats passed legislation to prohibit magazines that hold over 15 rounds of ammunition,” said Sullivan. “This legislation is another in the list of policies I have worked on to develop evidence-based solutions and reduce gun violence of all types. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s what we’re going to do.” “Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used far too many times to terrorize Colorado communities,” said Boesenecker . “The trauma, grief, and loss due to mass shootings are felt deeply in our communities, and as a former public school teacher and a parent of three children, I worry daily about the safety of some of the most vulnerable Coloradans. With this legislation becoming law today, we will help save lives and prevent future tragedies in Colorado.” “Gun violence continues to have devastating effects on Colorado communities, and we must do more to protect lives,” said Gonzales. “The firearm industry’s profits come, time and again, at the expense of public safety and something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account, ending the industry’s profit motivation, and enforcing the law we have had on the books for more than a decade. I’m honored to join Senator Sullivan on this legislation and in his work to reduce gun violence in Colorado.” “Semi-automatic weapons paired with high-capacity magazines result in a much greater loss of innocent lives, which is why we must fully enforce Colorado Democrats’ decade-old law banning high-capacity magazines,” said Froelich. “Coloradans deserve to grocery shop, go to school, and worship without worrying about being a victim in the next mass shooting. This gun violence prevention law requires that all firearm purchasers complete a rigorous safety training course and acquire a permit to purchase the most deadly weapons on the market to ensure that they are not a danger to themselves or our communities.” SB25-003 allows a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing a background check and completing a firearm certification course that includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies, range time, and more. The bill does not impact the sale of shotguns, commonly used hunting rifles, semiautomatic firearms that have fixed magazines, and the majority of handguns. While SB25-003 prohibits the sale of gas-operated semiautomatic handguns, the sale of recoil-operated handguns, which make up over 90 percent of the pistol market, are not impacted by the bill. The bill does not impact possession of currently-owned firearms. In response to the 2013 Aurora theater shooting, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used in numerous mass shootings in Colorado, including the 2021 Boulder King Soopers shooting, the 2022 Club Q shooting, and the Columbine High School massacre. Previous Next