< Back February 4, 2021 HOUSE DEMOCRATS MARK NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS WEEK DENVER- Today, members of the House Democratic Caucus, led by their colleague Rep. Tom Sullivan (D-Centennial), released the following statement commemorating National Gun Violence Survivor’s week: “This week, from Monday February 1st through Sunday the 7th, is National Gun Violence Survivors Week. “The week was first commemorated in 2019 as part of an effort to amplify the stories and voices of gun violence survivors who live with the traumatic impacts of gun violence every day. Given our country’s tragically high gun death rate as compared to the rest of the world, early February marks the average point at which more people are killed with firearms in the U.S. than are killed with firearms in our peer countries in a whole year . These harrowing numbers include the number of deaths by suicide in which a gun is used, which claim the lives of 23,000 Americans every year . “When mass shootings occur, media reports are quick to quote the number of lives senselessly lost. It is much more difficult, and much more daunting, to calculate the number of lives affected. Nearly 60% of adults in our country can be considered survivors of gun violence, meaning they have either experienced gun violence themselves or have a close friend or family member who has directly experienced gun violence in their lifetimes. The number of individuals who have been impacted is even higher in Black and Latinx communities. “House and Senate Democrats are no strangers to gun violence. Several of us have lost loved ones to this epidemic, a few of us are among the countless Americans who have survived gun violence personally, and all of us are determined to take action to curb gun violence in our communities and across our state. “Colorado has experienced a series of tragic and high profile mass shootings, and everyday acts of gun violence, including deaths by suicide, continue to plague our society. Acknowledging the damaging and pervasive impact that gun violence can have long after a shooting has occurred is more important than ever, as we continue to lose loved ones and while certain dark corners of society deny the truth of tragic mass shootings in our children’s schools. This week, as we uplift the voices and stories of those who live with the impacts of this epidemic within our caucus and across the state of Colorado, we pledge to continue our work to stem this violent tide.” Signed, Representatives Susan Lontine, Alec Garnett, Meg Froelich, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Alex Valdez, Steve Woodrow, Jennifer Bacon, Leslie Herod, Emily Sirota, Edie Hooton, Karen McCormick, Tracey Bernett, Judy Amabile, Tony Exum, Sr., Marc Snyder, Chris Kennedy, Monica Duran, Lisa Cutter, Dylan Roberts, Brianna Titone, Kerry Tipper, Lindsey Daugherty, Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Yadira Caraveo, Adrienne Benavidez, Kyle Mullica, Shannon Bird, Mike Weissman, Tom Sullivan, David Ortiz, Naquetta Ricks, Iman Jodeh, Dominique Jackson, Daneya Esgar, Mary Young, Cathy Kipp, Barbara McLachlan, Julie McCluskie and Donald Valdez. Previous Next

Legislation carries out recommendations from the Environmental Justice Action Task Force < Back May 28, 2024 SIGNED! Bill to Address Long-Standing Environmental Injustices in Colorado COMMERCE CITY, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to address some of Colorado’s long-standing environmental injustices that have disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income communities. HB24-1338 , sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Elizabeth Velasco, will direct the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to carry out recommendations from the Environmental Justice Action Task Force, created by HB21-1266 . "Everyone has the right to clean air and environment for themselves and their families. That is why, for nearly a year, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force met with community members and collected data-driven information to create a comprehensive checklist to clean up our air and support communities disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “This new law implements key task force recommendations, including increased oversight of known polluters, like refineries, and better response time to community complaints of air pollution. By diving deeper into the cumulative impacts of environmental injustice, we can create policy that addresses the pollution negatively affecting our neighbors of color and low-income neighbors.” “Poor air quality and other environmental factors can lead to breathing issues, such as asthma,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We owe it to our neighbors to implement the recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force to clean up our air, take air pollution complaints seriously and combat long-standing environmental injustices. Environmental justice is a statewide issue, and we all deserve access to clean air and water. Our new law implements the task force recommendations to help our neighbors most affected by poor air quality lead healthy lives.” HB24-1338 will authorize CDPHE to carry out recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force and address long-standing environmental injustices. Specifically, this law would: Increase oversight of petroleum refineries. The law would fund the hiring of an expert in air pollution control for petroleum refineries. This expert would assess gaps in public health protections and identify the best regulatory tools to fill those gaps. The law would also require refineries to provide near real-time emissions monitoring and compliance data. Improve response to air pollution complaints. The department’s Air Pollution Control Division would house a new rapid response inspection team to support quicker responses to air pollution complaints by impacted communities. Analyze the cumulative impacts of pollution . The law would implement recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force by formally establishing and authorizing the creation of at least two Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analyses to analyze the cumulative air, water, soil, and demographic impacts in specific disproportionately impacted communities. Founded in 2021 through HB21-1266, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force hosted several in-person meetings and gatherings with Coloradans in Commerce City, Grand Junction, Greeley, and Pueblo in addition to receiving more than 300 written comments and survey responses. The task force provided its final recommendations to Governor Polis, the legislature and the CDPHE in 2022. Previous Next

< Back March 19, 2021 BROADBAND EXPANSION MOVES FORWARD Bill would help broadband deployment board grants better reach unserved areas across the state. DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Representative Brianna Titone’s bipartisan proposal to expand broadband access across Colorado on second reading. “Access to reliable broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s become an absolute necessity,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “More than ever before, Coloradans are using broadband internet for learning, commerce, health care, and so much more. Ensuring that rural and underserved communities have reliable access to broadband internet will aid our economic recovery and set our local economies up for sustained success.” HB21-1109 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Matt Soper, would help prioritize grant proposals that provide high speed internet access to low-income households and creates a process for encouraging proposals for critically unserved areas of the state. The bill requires applicants to submit granular mapping data to more accurately identify these unserved areas, which is critical to understanding where and how to expand broadband infrastructure. The bill makes changes to the Broadband Deployment Board to increase efficiency and ensure expertise and geographic diversity are adequately represented. The bill also holds grant applicants accountable by requiring them to report the number of people served, their rates and quality of service provided. Previous Next

< Back July 31, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS CALL FOR STATE AID, EXTENSION OF UI BENEFITS In letter to Colorado Congressional delegation, members request funding for schools and housing, utility, nutrition and small business assistance Denver, CO – Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly today sent a letter to the Colorado Congressional delegation urging swift passage of a coronavirus relief package that includes significant aid to states and local governments, education funding, and housing, utility, nutrition, and small business assistance. “We write to you to urge swift passage of a coronavirus relief package that first and foremost includes significant and flexible aid to state and local governments, to help preserve core functions and services for Coloradans amidst the budget crisis,” the members wrote. “We also hope to see an extension of critical unemployment insurance benefits, nutrition benefits, housing assistance, small business support, resources for schools and funding to expand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. We firmly believe that the proposal released this week by the Senate falls short of meeting the needs of our state in this pivotal moment, and we appeal to you to keep working to incorporate these critical components.” “Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are agonizing over their financial future, and many are within days or weeks of being unable to pay their bills or losing their homes. We urge you once again to take swift action on behalf of our state to deliver a coronavirus relief package that meets the needs of our communities,” the lawmakers concluded. Nonpartisan organizations across the country, including the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Governors Association, have also called for additional and flexible aid to state and local governments. The full text of the letter is below and can be read here : July 31, 2020 The Honorable Michael Bennet United State SenatorThe Honorable Cory Gardner United States SenatorThe Honorable Diana DeGette Member of CongressThe Honorable Joe Neguse Member of CongressThe Honorable Scott Tipton Member of CongressThe Honorable Ken Buck Member of CongressThe Honorable Doug Lamborn Member of CongressThe Honorable Jason Crow Member of CongressThe Honorable Ed Perlmutter Member of Congress Dear Members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation: We deeply appreciate your dedication to our state and determined advocacy on behalf of our communities as Congress crafts its latest, and potentially final, coronavirus relief package. The federal resources you have secured to date have served as an essential lifeline for our communities, mitigating the impact of crippling budget cuts to our schools, universities, public health departments and local governments. Yet without further Congressional action, our state will have to reduce services for those who need them the most while thousands of Coloradans lose the economic assistance that has sustained them through this crisis so far. We write to you to urge swift passage of a coronavirus relief package that first and foremost includes significant and flexible aid to state and local governments, to help preserve core functions and services for Coloradans amidst the budget crisis. We also hope to see an extension of critical unemployment insurance benefits, nutrition benefits, housing assistance, small business support, resources for schools and funding to expand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. We firmly believe that the proposal released this week by the Senate falls short of meeting the needs of our state in this pivotal moment, and we appeal to you to keep working to incorporate these critical components. This year, we had to make significant cuts to the state’s budget to close a $3.3 billion deficit. These cuts have been painful, and the next few years will be even harder, as many of the reductions were one-time cuts that will not be available to lawmakers in the future. Furthermore, some of the most significant reductions were absorbed by institutions that received federal aid, which helped cushion some of the impact of the cuts. Failing to provide additional support would undoubtedly exacerbate our state’s devastating budget crisis and pull the rug out from under our school districts, local governments, and universities who would feel the full brunt of potentially even deeper cuts next year. To meet the needs of our state, the next coronavirus relief package must include at least $500 billion in flexible aid to states and additional funding for local governments, K-12 education and higher education. As lawmakers, we have all seen first hand the devastation this pandemic has had on our communities. If Congress does not boost the federal pandemic response and renew key programs, such as expanded unemployment insurance, we fear that the consequences borne by hardworking Coloradans will only be exacerbated. The legislature has taken swift action to direct federal resources to help Coloradans pay their rent, mortgage and utility bills and to support our small businesses, but this funding will not be enough. The next coronavirus relief package must also include additional housing, utility and small business assistance to bolster our state’s successful relief programs and stimulate our economy. Congress should increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by 15 percent, as more and more Colorado families rely on food pantries and nonprofit assistance. With many Coloradans struggling financially, the demand for these key programs has never been higher. We know Colorado can channel additional assistance directly to businesses and hardworking families to help them make ends meet, but we need Congress to act. Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are agonizing over their financial future, and many are within days or weeks of being unable to pay their bills or losing their homes. We urge you once again to take swift action on behalf of our state to deliver a coronavirus relief package that meets the needs of our communities. Previous Next

< Back May 9, 2022 HOUSE PASSES TWO BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING Legislation would invest $185 million of federal pandemic relief dollars toward creating more affordable housing and empowering mobile homeowners to purchase their parks DENVER, CO – The House passed two bills today to make housing more affordable. SB22-159 and SB22-160 are part of a package of bills recommended by the Transformational Affordable Housing Task Force to invest $185 million to save Coloradans money on housing. SB22-159, sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz, D-Littleton and Perry Will R-New Castle, passed the House by a vote of 42 to 23. Despite bipartisan sponsorship, 23 House Republicans voted against this bill which would allocate $150 million to build more affordable housing, a record setting investment for the state of Colorado. “Today, we passed the largest affordable housing investment in state history and I’m proud of the bipartisan work we’ve done this session to save Coloradans money on housing,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of SB22-159 . “However, I’m disappointed my Republican colleagues voted against building more homes in Colorado when more home construction is exactly what we need to bring down housing costs. This legislation invests $150 million to create, modify and improve Colorado’s affordable housing stock and is self-sustaining so Coloradans now and in the future can save money on housing. I’m proud to send this bill forward because it fulfills our promise to make housing more affordable for Coloradans across the state.” Revolving Loan Fund Invest Affordable Housing : SB22-159 , sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Perry Will would invest $150 million to create the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program to develop and integrate housing-related infrastructure, provide gap financing for affordable housing development projects, and preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable housing. “Resident owned communities are the key to keeping more Coloradans living in mobile parks housed,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of SB22-160 . “Mobile homeowners often face an uphill battle when it comes to fighting lot-rent price increases, so our legislation invests critical resources to empower mobile homeowners to purchase the land their homes sit on. This bill keeps mobile homes affordable, protects our neighbors and keeps our communities whole.” “Despite their name, mobile homes are difficult and expensive to move, which is why empowering mobile homeowners to buy the land their homes sit on saves them money and keeps them housed. Our bill expands critical protections for mobile home park residents so they can invest in their own communities,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB22-160 . Loan Program Resident Owned Communities : SB22-160 , sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Mandy Lindsay, passed the House by a vote of 41 to 24. This bill would invest $35 million into the newly created Mobile Home Park Resident Empowerment Loan and Grant Program Fund. The Fund will provide financing to eligible mobile home homeowners so they can purchase the land under their homes and convert into a resident-owned community. Additionally, the bill establishes a mechanism for nonprofits to receive grant funding to provide technical assistance to homeowners and help them build the capacity, resources, and know-how to organize and purchase their mobile home park. This bill will provide a critical financial tool for mobile homeowners across the state at risk of displacement or exorbitant lot rent increases that often occur when a park is sold from one for-profit owner to another. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2020 REP. SINGER’S HELPING THE HELPER BILL READY FOR GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE Legislation that would provide benefits to workers who have experienced a traumatic event in the workplace passes DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Johnathan Singer’s bipartisan bill to provide worker’s compensation for employees who have experienced visual and audible psychological trauma. The bill is also sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields and John Cooke. The bill passed 48-15. “This piece of legislation is crucial for the mental health of our 911 operators and dispatchers,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont . “When we call 911 we don’t think of the person on the other side of the line even though they save lives on a daily basis. Most of us can’t imagine the trauma that some of these individuals have to go through. Helping to treat PTSD that occurs on the job is just a small way that we can show our appreciation, and help them keep saving our neighbors’ lives by getting them back to work stronger and faster.” SB20-026 would expand worker’s compensation benefits for criminal justice employees who were exposed to death while they were working if they were diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist with PTSD. Under the bill, workers who experience either visual or audible death or serious bodily injury, or the immediate aftermath of these events would be eligible for worker’s compensation. The eligibility also extends to workers who were repeatedly exposed to these qualifying events. Previous Next

< Back April 23, 2019 TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM AND HIGH SCHOOL PILOT BILLS PASS OUT OF HOUSE COMMITTEE (Apr. 23) – The House Education committee approved two bills that will help provide more resources for Colorado’s teachers and students. “When I worked at Fort Lewis College, it was empowering to watch young people get excited about their profession,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “However, I also saw some challenges arise, especially for future educators. This bill seeks to address those challenges, and will provide help and encouragement to educators so they can better assist students in their classroom.” Rep. McLachlan is a former school teacher. SB19-190 will create the “Growing Great Teachers Act” to prepare more Coloradans for the experience of teaching in our public schools. This bill would allow institutions of higher education to offer approved educator preparation programs of alternative teacher programs through a contract with the Department of Higher Education. This bipartisan bill passed was unanimously approved and it now heads to the House Appropriations committee. The House Education committee also approved SB19-216, sponsored by Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, which incentivizes for local education providers to provide innovative learning opportunities for high school. “Our children deserve the very best that we have to offer them. A modern education will give the students of Colorado the preparation they need to grow to their full potential,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “This bill updates our laws, breaks down barriers and expands opportunities for students. It also helps ensure that Colorado’s smaller school districts have the resources they need to thrive.” The bill creates the high school innovative learning pilot program to support school districts, boards of cooperative services, and charter schools in providing innovative learning opportunities to students enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Each local education provider that is selected to participate in the pilot program can count high school students who participate in innovative learning opportunities as full-time pupils, for purposes of school finance. SB19-216 passed unanimously and now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Previous Next

< Back May 19, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO REFORM AND IMPROVE PRE TRIAL DETENTION DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Representatives Steven Woodrow and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to reform pre-trial court processes for bond hearings and strengthen due process by ensuring timely access to justice under the law. The bill passed on second reading. “Too often, Coloradans languish in our jails for excessive periods of time while awaiting trial for minor offenses,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver . “One of the foundational values of this country is the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This reform of our pre trial and bonding processes will ensure a more timely, more efficient and more just system for those awaiting a trial in Colorado.” “Improving the manner in which our courts hold bond hearings and handle monetary bonds will keep our jails from overcrowding and will further the cause of justice for individuals who have yet to have their case heard in court,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “Holding an individual behind bars for days before a bond hearing or for hours and hours after bail has been posted is not justice. I’m proud of the work we did today.” HB21-1280 requires courts to hold an initial bond hearing with an arrested individual within 48 hours of arrival at a detention facility and changes statute to allow these hearings to be conducted online or over the phone. Some counties throughout the state already hold bond hearings six or seven days a week. For rural and under-resourced jurisdictions, this bill creates and funds a statewide bond hearing officer to better allow hearings to be held on weekends and holidays. The bill also makes several changes to the monetary bond process. It requires that a defendant who has posted bond be released no later than six hours later, allows bonds to be paid by cash, money order, or cashier’s check, ensures that a defendant receives receipt of the payment of their bond, and prohibits officers from requirings bonds to be paid in the defendant’s name. Lastly, it requires each jail to establish a way to pay bond online by January 1, 2022. Previous Next

< Back January 14, 2021 SEVENTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY KICKS OFF; URGENT LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — Today, on the first legislative day of the Seventy-Third General Assembly, the Colorado House of Representatives met to address pressing business and to swear in new members. At the end of this week, the General Assembly will go into a temporary adjournment, with the aim of returning to the Capitol tentatively on February 16. After floor debate, House Committees met to consider four urgently needed pieces of legislation. The following bills were heard and passed out of the House State Affairs Committee: HB21-1001 : Ensures the smooth continuation of our democracy by giving leeway to members of a party central committee or vacancy committee to participate in a committee meeting remotely, including by casting the member’s vote by email, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application if allowed by the party’s rules, through the end of 2021. The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole by a vote of 10-1. HB21-1003: Protects public health by allowing members of the General Assembly to safely participate in legislative proceedings remotely during a declared disaster emergency. The bill also permits joint committees of reference to hold SMART Act hearings remotely any time after the General Assembly convenes, allowing legislative oversight to continue during the temporary adjournment between now and February. The bill was moved to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation by a vote of 7-4. The following bills were heard and passed out of the House Finance Committee: HB21-1002: Clarifies the original intent of HB20-1420 to address unintended consequences impacting business and independent tax filers. HB20-1420 aimed to decouple Colorado from federal tax changes in the CARES act, leaving taxpayers no better nor worse off than prior to the passage of CARES. Since the passage of HB20-1420, the bill has been misinterpreted to disallow taxpayers the ability to carry forward various tax benefits over the annual allowable limit to future tax filing years. This bill affirms taxpayers ability to carry forward specified amounts. The bill also allows ITIN filers to claim the Earned Income Tax credit beginning in the 2020 tax year. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 8-3. HB21-1004: Protects public health by enacting the “Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act,” which ensures that Coloradans can settle their affairs remotely, without putting their health or the health of their loved ones at risk. The bill permits the execution of wills using online platforms designed for the remote notarization of electronic documents. The bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole by a unanimous vote. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2022 BILL TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON FERTILITY TREATMENTS PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – Legislation to save Coloradans money on fertility treatments today passed the House on Third Reading and final passage. HB22-1008, sponsored by Representatives Kerry Tipper and Matt Soper, would ensure insurance plans cover fertility diagnosis and treatment passed by a vote of 45 to 20. “We are one step closer to saving Coloradans money on starting or growing their family by expanding health care coverage to include fertility treatments and diagnosis,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper D-Lakewood. “For many families around Colorado, the high cost of fertility and reproductive health care is often a financial barrier for starting a family. This bill aims to break down those barriers by making fertility diagnosis and treatment more affordable.” HB22-1008 would update legislation passed in 2020 to ensure that insurance plans cover fertility diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, the revised bill language would implement coverage requirements for fertility treatment to take place under some Colorado health care plans, with coverage extending to all Colorado health plans pending a decision from the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), is often a prohibitively expensive health care treatment for people wanting to start or expand their families. If passed, HB22-1008 would save Coloradans money by covering fertility treatments in large employer plans beginning January 1, 2023. It also applies to individual and small group policies within a 12-month decision from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Previous Next

< Back May 29, 2019 GOV SIGNS DEM BILLS TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY & EXPAND ACCESS TO BALLOT BOX Reps. Froelich, Lontine, Weissman, Esgar, Mullica delivering results (May 29) – Gov. Polis signed bills led by House Democrats to expand access to voting and protect democracy. First up was HB19-1278, Colorado Votes Act (COVA). This new law will expand access to voting and minimize long lines on Election Day. “While some states are passing restrictive election laws, Colorado again has expanded access to the ballot. Colorado voters are the winners after the signing of the Colorado Votes Act to modernize our elections,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “Many thanks go to Sec. Jena Griswold and the Colorado County Clerks Association for making this new law more effective.” Read more about how this new law will expand access to voting here . The Gov then signed a new law sponsored by Rep. Meg Froelich to increase voting access for people with disabilities. This important law will give voters with disabilities greater access to the ballot box in order to fit their specific needs. “It’s important that we provide equal and secure access to the ballot box for all Coloradans and stop the disenfranchisement of voters,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood when the bill passed the House. “We should never disqualify individuals from voting and participating in our democratic process based on a disability.” SB19-202 passed unanimously out of the House. The Gov then signed the Clean Campaign Act of 2019. HB19-1318 increases the transparency of money in elections consistent with the First Amendment to the United States constitution. “Coloradans have the right to be able to follow the dollars in our elections,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora when the bill passed the House. “All voters deserve to know who or what is trying to influence their vote. This bill will make Colorado a national leader in campaign finance transparency. I thank Secretary Griswold for working with us on this important reform.” This new law prohibits an issue committee or small-scale issue committee from knowingly accepting contributions from any natural person who is not a citizen of the United States, a foreign government or any foreign corporation that does not have the authority to transact business in this state. The Gov also signed Rep. Daneya Esgar and Rep. Kyle Mullica’s automatic voter registration bill will make Colorado voter rolls more accurate as information is updated. “Democracy works when we all get to participate and that’s what this new law does,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Our state has the leading elections system in the country and this is a way to improve it even more. This new law ensures our voter roles are secure, accurate, up to date and that everyone who is eligible to vote can vote.” Read more about how SB19-235 will streamline the voter registration process at the DMV, save counties money and reduce the opportunity for human error here . “Our democracy can truly thrive when we have the most eligible voters participate in our elections,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “We are breaking barriers to ensure a more accessible and inclusive election. Through this, we can continue to allow Colorado to take a lead in elections in our nation.” The Gov also signed Rep. Mike Weissman’s bill to better enforce Colorado’s campaign finance laws. “Unaffiliated voters, Republicans and Democrats are tired of the expanding influence of money in politics and are demanding a fix,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “This law will help give voters more confidence that the system works for them – not special interests and deep pocketed mystery money groups.” SB19-232 would codify within the Fair Campaign Practices Act the rules of the Secretary of State to enforce state laws concerning campaign finance. This includes specifying procedures for filing complaints, review of complaints by the elections division, processes for curing campaign finance law violations, the investigation of unresolved complaints, the conduct of hearings, audits by the division of campaign finance, and the issuance of advisory opinions by the Secretary of State. Together, these provisions create a robust system to make sure that political campaigns and organizations abide by Colorado’s disclosure Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed into law three bills to help Colorado communities prepare for and mitigate wildfires. < Back May 12, 2023 Signed! New Laws to Protect Colorado Communities from Wildfires MORRISON, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law three bills to help Colorado communities prepare for and mitigate wildfires. SB23-166 , sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Reps. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, will help communities and Coloradans living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) defend homes and property from catastrophic wildfires by establishing a statewide wildfire resiliency code board charged with establishing proven building codes to better protect structures against increasingly common wildfires. Local governments in the new WUI area will be required to adopt the model code or a code of their own that meets or exceeds minimum standards. “An increasing number of wildfires that burn hotter and move faster are our new reality, so we must act now to protect our homes and businesses and create more resilient communities,” said Cutter, sponsor of SB23-166, SB23-013, and SB23-005. “Fires anywhere in Colorado affect all of us -- our water, air, economy and recreation. Creating minimum building standards and working to better understand the origins of fires just makes sense. These new laws will help us provide the tools and workforce necessary to better defend our communities against wildfires, and I'm thrilled to see them signed into law.” “We’re building smart to protect Coloradans who live in the wildland-urban interface from catastrophic wildfires,” said Froelich. “Wildfires do not recognize local boundaries, which is why our law will develop evidence-based minimum building standards to protect our homes and businesses. Smart and flexible building standards will fortify our neighborhoods and reduce wildfire destruction." “Wildfires do not respect boundaries, and when it comes to growth in the wildland-urban interface we need a statewide policy that reflects that,” Exum Sr. said. “Our legislation will set smart and flexible standards that protect families, homes, and businesses against increasingly dangerous wildfires. I am proud to champion this important new law that will defend people and property.” “With destructive wildfires repeatedly devastating Western Slope communities, it’s important that we build strong, resilient structures to safeguard our neighborhoods and livelihoods,” said Velasco. “This law establishes a plan to implement wildfire-resilient building codes across local governments to ensure we’re reducing the risk of wildfire displacement and destruction. We’re taking an important step forward protecting our communities now against the threat of wildfire.” SB23-166 creates the Wildfire Resiliency Code board made up of 21 voting members and three non-voting members representing local governments, utilities, insurers, and other relevant disciplines such as fire and building professionals that would work to define the WUI and establish minimum standards that better defend those areas from dangerous wildfires. The bill also requires the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to support local governments in conducting inspections and enforcing their local code if they don’t have rules and regulations in place to enforce their code and request the assistance. SB23-013 , sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, and Cutter, and Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer, creates a fire investigation fund and provides nearly $3 million to help investigate the causes and origins of fires, including wildfires. The new law also requires the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to report on fire investigations to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee. “Fire season is no longer confined to a few months,” Ginal said. “It’s essential that we act now to prepare for and mitigate future wildfire disasters. By creating a new reporting protocol and a wildfire investigation fund, we are providing local fire departments with the tools they need to better understand the origins of fires, which will better protect our communities and enhance public safety across Colorado.” “Colorado has a devastating history of wildfires that have wiped out entire neighborhoods,” said Story. “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 law 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.” The Director of DFPC will report annually to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee regarding the current magnitude of the state’s wildfire situation, including the number of wildfire investigations and their statuses, the status of prescribed burns, available resources, and more. Additionally, the fire investigation fund will provide support to local fire departments investigating the cause and origin of fires. SB23-005 , sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, and Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, will improve Colorado’s forestry workforce by directing the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on career opportunities in the industry and create a workforce development program in the State Forest Service. “Over the past few years wildfire season has evolved into a year-round threat, but right now we don’t have the workforce needed to keep us safe,” Jaquez Lewis said. “This new law will improve pathways to critical jobs and help Colorado communities stay safe by training more firefighters who will protect our people and our property from increasingly dangerous wildfires.” “Colorado’s state forest service plays an important role in helping mitigate wildfires by maintaining healthy forests,” said Snyder. “From cutting down dead trees to removing excess brush, the state forest service steps up to provide the year-round mitigation efforts we need to keep our communities safe from wildfires. This law ramps up workforce development and recruitment within the state forest service so we can continue these important wildfire prevention efforts.” SB23-005 also bolsters the state’s wildfire mitigation capacity development fund and creates and expands forestry programs at state colleges. Finally, the new law will work to increase the number of qualified educators at colleges that deliver a wildfire prevention and mitigation program or course. SB23-005 and SB23-013 were developed and recommended by the interim Wildfire Matters Review Committee . Previous Next