The Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy & Task Force today advanced bills to extend the senior housing income tax credit, exempt modular homes from sales and use taxes, and expand the wildfire mitigation tax credit and the health preceptor tax credit. < Back October 31, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Save Seniors Money on Housing, Expand Wildfire Mitigation Efforts Advance DENVER, CO - The Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy & Task Force today advanced bills to extend the senior housing income tax credit, exempt modular homes from sales and use taxes, and expand the wildfire mitigation tax credit and the health preceptor tax credit. “These bills will put more money back into the pockets of Colorado seniors renting their homes, property owners trying to mitigate wildfire risk, and health care preceptors training the next generation of doctors,” said Chair Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of Bills 1 and 10. “By increasing the tax credit for wildfire mitigation costs, we’ll make it easier and cheaper for Coloradans to protect their homes. We’re also exempting modular homes from sales and use tax and reestablishing a housing tax credit for seniors, which together will help build more affordable places to live and save Coloradans money on housing.” “Colorado’s working families deserve a break, and the bills we’re advancing today will do just that by making it more affordable to defend homes against wildfires, bolstering our health care workforce, and allowing more Colorado seniors to stay in their homes,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of all five bills. “I’m proud to champion these bills that will save money on housing and will make life easier for Colorado families.” Bill 1 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Lisa Frizell and Senators Chris Hansen and Chris Kolker, would modify various tax expenditures including increasing the wildfire mitigation tax credit, doubling the health care preceptors tax credit, and exempting modular homes from sales and use tax. Under this bill, the Rural and Frontier Healthcare Preceptor Credit would increase from $1,000 to $2,000 and the maximum Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Expenses Tax Credit would increase from $625 to $1000. Bill 10 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Bob Marshall and Senators Chris Hansen and Chris Kolker, reinstates a refundable income tax credit for seniors, created by HB22-1205 , for the income tax year starting January 1, 2024. To qualify, you must be a Colorado resident who is 65 years old or older by the end of 2024, have a federal adjusted gross income (AGI) that is $75,000 or less for a single filer, or $150,000 or less for joint filers, and have not claimed the senior property tax exemption for the 2024 property tax year. “This bill could save 130,000 Colorado seniors over $143 million dollars,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of Bill 10. “Seniors are particularly vulnerable when the cost of living rises because they are dependent on a set income, like their retirement savings, to cover all of their costs. Our bill ensures that seniors who cannot take advantage of the senior homestead property tax exemption because they rent their homes also receive some housing costs assistance as they age in place on fixed incomes. By advancing this bill, we’re one step closer to saving lower- and middle-income seniors thousands of dollars each, helping them combat the rising cost of living.” “We’ve been working hard to support Colorado seniors, and especially those living on a low fixed income while renting, or who are not eligible for the senior homestead exemption, which is why I am so proud to champion this important legislation,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, sponsor of Bill 10. “This measure would save older Coloradans millions of dollars on housing, make our state a more affordable place to live, and ensure seniors can remain in the communities they have called home for years to come.” Single filers with a federal AGI of $25,000 or less will receive $1,000. Joint filers with a federal AGI that is $50,000 or less will also receive $1,000. For every $500 of income above the threshold, the amount of the credit is reduced by $10. The committee also advanced three other bills. Bill 2 , in response to the SCOTUS ruling of Tyler v Hennepin County , ensures that Colorado’s laws around the recovery of unpaid property taxes on real property and mobile homes align with the Constitution by changing requirements and process for the issuance of treasurer’s deeds. Bill 6 modifies short-term rental definitions and directs the property tax administrator to establish and administer a program to develop a statewide database and uniform reporting system to track short-term rentals. Properties used as a residence, but only for short-term rentals, would be defined as a lodging property under the definition of hotels and motels. Bill 7 changes procedures of the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) for evaluating state tax expenditures and directs OSA to review federal tax law changes that impact the state. The bill also permits the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy & Task Force to request evaluation of specific tax expenditures and continue the oversight committee and task force until December 2031. The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively to improve health care in rural Colorado by designating funding to train, recruit and grow Colorado’s health care workforce. < Back June 7, 2024 ICYMI: Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Rural Health Care Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively to improve health care in rural Colorado by designating funding to train, recruit and grow Colorado’s health care workforce. “Folks who live in rural communities like those I represent on the Western Slope face unique challenges with the cost of and lack of access to health care,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “In the legislature, I’ve worked to boost our rural health care workforce, and this new law will expand that successful program and support our rural hospitals with much needed supplemental funding so that they can keep their doors open and continue to serve their communities." “Coloradans living in rural and mountain communities, like mine, deserve access to high-quality health care – including mental and behavioral health care,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “We’re taking steps to support Colorado’s rural health care workforce by driving funding toward rural hospitals and expanding mental health care support for our farmers and ranchers. I’m beyond proud to carry these bills at the Capitol because health care in every community and corner of the state matters.” SB24-221 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representative Marc Caitlin, R-Montrose, builds upon previous legislation that established the Colorado Rural Health Care Workforce Initiative to expand the number of health care professionals practicing in rural areas. This law would designate additional funding for institutions of higher education to establish or expand an existing rural health care provider training track, as well as provide over $1.7 million in direct assistance for rural hospitals. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to allow the sale of temperature-controlled homemade foods in Colorado. < Back April 30, 2026 Tamale Act Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed legislation to allow the sale of temperature-controlled homemade foods in Colorado. The Tamale Act passed by a vote of 46-17. “Growing up, I watched my abuela and mom sell delicious food to make ends meet, and this bill is an entrepreneur’s dream realized,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The Tamale Act makes it possible for Coloradans to sell safe, temperature-controlled foods, like tamales and burritos, with fewer barriers. We know that many immigrant families are looking for new, creative ways to earn money while navigating the Trump Administration's harsh policies, and our bill will open doors. The Tamale Act is a win for home chefs, and I know it will make all the difference to people like my abuela.” The Tamale Act ( HB26-1033 ) would allow for the sale of homemade foods in Colorado that require refrigeration and foods that include meat or meat products. To keep Coloradans safe, homemade food sellers must complete a food safety course that includes proper food handling, including time and temperature control. Food sellers must maintain proof of the course completion. The course can be completed in-person or online. Additionally, food sellers may not transport the food more than once or transport it longer than two hours. The Tamale Act is also sponsored by Representative Ryan Gonzales, R-Greeley. In 2012, Colorado passed the Cottage Food Act. This law allowed for the sale of some homemade food items, including coffee beans and pickles, but not temperature-controlled items or meat and dairy products. This bill expands the Cottage Food Act so home food sellers can sell products that include staple ingredients, such as butter, milk and meat. The Institute for Justice analyzed data from seven states with some of the broadest homemade food laws and found no significant instances of foodborne illness traced back to homemade foods. In the report, IJ stated these results should not be surprising considering “many of these cottage food businesses are run by only one or two people, with their name, reputation, and livelihood on the line.” Previous Next

The House today advanced a commonsense gun violence prevention bill in a preliminary vote to strengthen Colorado’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law. < Back March 25, 2023 Houses Advances Bill to Expand ‘Red Flag’ Law DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a commonsense gun violence prevention bill in a preliminary vote to strengthen Colorado’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law. “ We’re expanding Colorado’s ‘red flag’ law to allow district attorneys, mental health professionals and educators to file a petition to remove a firearm from someone who is a danger to themself or others,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This law is a successful tool that has saved lives, but Coloradans need to know how to use it and have better access to the red flag process. This legislation will increase awareness of the law and create additional avenues for qualified individuals to seek a court action to remove a firearm from a dangerous person, which will save lives, reduce gun violence, and help keep our communities safe.” “Colorado’s ‘red flag’ law is working; from 2020 to 2022, law enforcement, close family members, and housemates filed 380 red flag petitions, saving countless lives and avoiding tragedies,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “It’s clear that professionals who understand the legal system are more successful at filing red flag petitions. That’s why this bill creates an education campaign to help people understand how to file a petition. We know we can save more lives and improve public safety by expanding our red flag law, and that’s exactly what this bill does.” Originally passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Polis in 2019, the Zackari Parrish III Violence Prevention Act is a tool used to temporarily remove firearms from a person who a judge determines is a threat to themselves or others. Currently, a petition for removal can only be filed by a family member or a law enforcement officer. SB23-170 will expand the list of individuals eligible to file an ERPO to include district attorneys and other law enforcement officials, licensed health care providers, mental health professionals, and educators. According to the Associated Press , Colorado has one of the lowest use rates of its ‘red flag’ law. Colorado issued only 3.3 protection orders per 100,000 adult residents through 2021, ranking the sixth lowest among 19 states that have red flag laws. In comparison, Florida issues 33.6 protection orders per 100,000 adult residents. Researchers have found that for every 10 to 20 protection orders, one suicide might be averted. With SB23-170 expanding eligible individuals that can file a petition for removal, more lives can be saved by gun violence. Nearly 360 red flag petitions were filed from 2020 to 2022. Previous Next

< 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

HB25-1322 would require insurance companies to provide a copy of a customer’s insurance documentation when requested < Back April 25, 2025 Carter, Espenoza Bill to Protect Consumers Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Michael Carter and Cecelia Espenoza that would ensure Coloradans who request a copy of their insurance policy receive it. HB25-1322 passed the House by a vote of 42 to 20. “Insurance companies cannot withhold your policy from you, yet many of them are, and it’s causing headaches for consumers,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora . “This bill protects consumers by holding insurance companies liable when they don’t share requested policy documents with consumers on time.” “Whether you’re looking to file a claim after a disaster or just updating your records, Coloradans deserve access to a certified copy of the insurance policies they are paying for,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver. “This bill strengthens consumer protections by making sure insurance companies follow through when a customer requests a copy of their insurance policy.” Under current law, insurance companies are required to provide policyholders with a certified copy of their policy within 30 days of a request. However, some companies are not following through with the request, which means consumers do not receive a copy of their policy when they ask. HB25-1322 ramps up consumer protections by holding insurance companies liable for violating the law. Under HB25-1322, if insurance companies do not provide documentation within 30 days, they would be held liable for damages and attorney’s fees, including a daily $50 charge for every day past the 30-day window that the consumer does not receive their policy. This bill also clarifies that the consumer's request must be in writing and submitted to the insurance company’s registered agent. Previous Next

< Back June 18, 2021 CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW Bill signed into law today provide three free mental health session for Colorado youth, improve 2-1-1 human services hotline DENVER, CO - – Governor Polis today signed two bills into law that will provide three free mental health sessions to Colorado youth and include behavioral health referrals as part of the states 2-1-1 human services hotline. “We’ve heard from parents and students in every community that they need better access to mental health care,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Thanks to this new law, any school aged person will be able to get three free mental health sessions. We have to put students first as we recover from this pandemic and build back stronger, and that’s what we’ve done by creating this program and directly addressing the mental health needs of our students.” HB21-1258 , sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Kevin Van Winkle, would create a temporary youth mental health services program in the Office of Behavioral Health within the Department of Human Services to facilitate access to mental health services for identified needs, including those that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program would provide any young person age 18 and under with an online mental health screening and would then reimburse providers for up to three mental health sessions. This support is intended to prepare children for the return to in-person learning and a review of stress management tools, and to make a plan for ongoing treatment when necessary. We estimate that this program can support up to 25,537 children. “Colorado’s 2-1-1 Human Services Referral System connects people with critical services, and now it will also be a resource for Coloradans who are struggling to access behavioral health care,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “To build back stronger and recover, we have to ensure that everyone in our state can access the mental health care and support they need to heal and thrive.” “People who don’t have health insurance or who are unemployed face some of the toughest obstacles to obtaining mental health care,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “The bill Governor Polis signed today will boost funding for the 2-1-1 hotline and expand it to include behavioral health care referrals, providing more Coloradans access to mental health providers and the services they need.” SB21-239 , sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Mary Young, would improve the 2-1-1 Statewide Human Services Referral System. The bill appropriates $1 million to expand referral services authorized by the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative to include referrals for behavioral health services and other resources in the state. By doing so, the 2-1-1 hotline will be able to connect more Coloradans with the mental health services they need. The bill additionally focuses on connecting Coloradans who are unemployed or who do not have health benefits to mental and behavioral health services. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation that would prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster. HB24-1259 passed by a vote of 43-18. < Back March 11, 2024 House Passes Bill to Prevent Price Gouging on Rent After a Disaster DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster. HB24-1259 passed by a vote of 43-18. “Many Coloradans saw rents skyrocket after the Marshall Fire, and those who had lost their homes were forced to juggle exorbitant rents while they tried to rebuild their lives,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Disasters, like wildfires, cause financial and emotional trauma, and no one deserves to be taken advantage of while they try to piece their life back together. This legislation adds essential protections for Coloradans so they don’t experience excessive rent increases in the aftermath of a disaster.” “After the Marshall Fire, hundreds of families suddenly had to find housing overnight because they lost everything they had, only to experience huge increases in rent because of the influx of renters in the market,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Disasters devastate communities and have a ripple effect on neighboring communities that now must house Coloradans post-disaster. This consumer protection legislation reigns in price-gouging of rent for a two-year period after a declared disaster, preventing disaster survivors from being taken advantage of." HB24-1259 would help protect Coloradans who have lost their home in a natural disaster from being taken advantage of by price gouging in rent. After a Governor- or Presidential-declared disaster that reduces the availability of housing, rent increases would be capped at the greater of 10% or the percentage rent increase in the previous year within the declared area for two years. The bill would make it a deceptive trade practice to price gouge when providing rental housing during this two-year period, allowing the Attorney General or a district attorney to pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties, under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Affected tenants would also be able to pursue civil action for violations. Previous Next

< Back April 9, 2019 FROELICH’S BILL TO INCREASE NATIONAL GUARD TUITION BENEFITS AT CSU-GLOBAL PASSES UNANIMOUSLY Since 2018, CSU-Global has graduated over 18,000 students (Apr. 9) – Rep. Meg Froelich’s bipartisan bill to allow Colorado State University’s Global Campus to offer students who are National Guard Members tuition benefits unanimously passed in the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee. Currently, CSU-Global students cannot seek financial aid or receive tuition benefits through the National Guard’s state statute as an institution for which the National Guard members can utilize their tuition benefits. “CSU-Global is a really good fit for National Guard members because CSU-Global is designed to serve non-traditional students. Many of our National Guard members travel outside of the country to keep us all secured and safe,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Giving our troops the ability to utilize their tuition benefits at CSU-Global will allow them to serve while also working to complete their higher education.” Nearly 40 percent of CSU-Global students are Colorado residents who reside in 63 out of the 64 counties in the state. Roughly 15 percent of those students are military affiliated. “I have a CSU-Global campus in my district and I want to help those students be successful on their path to higher education while they continue serving our great state,” Rep. Froelich added. SB19-194 unanimously passed in the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2021 MCLACHLAN BILL KICKS OFF COLORADO COMEBACK Proposal would save thousands of Colorado educators money in license fee renewals DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today unanimously advanced Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to extend the duration for professional educator licenses from five to seven years, to include current five-year licenses that are partially completed. The bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $700 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. It is the first bill from the package to be considered in the House. “By extending the license renewal period, we’re ensuring that nearly 40,000 educators across the state don’t have to worry about license fees while they have so much else on their plate,” said House Education Chair Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Colorado’s educators have been through the wringer this past year, and as a former teacher myself I know how far a few extra dollars can go during difficult times. Easing some of the many burdens on our educators is a simple way to help build back a stronger Colorado.” HB21-1104 would extend the renewal period for professional educator licenses from five to seven years, without lowering the standards or requirements for licensure. This includes teacher, special services educator, principal, and administrator licenses. The bill would apply to educators who are partially through their current five-year licensing cycle and ensure that those teachers who are approaching the end of the renewal cycle will not have to worry about renewing their license for another two years. Rep. McLachlan’s bill passed the committee by a vote of 9-0. Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2020 HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION TO ALLOW REMOTE VOTING DENVER, CO — The House today passed a resolution, sponsored by Majority Leader Alec Garnett and Reps. Adrienne Benavidez and Brianna Titone, to allow the Speaker to change House rules to allow for remote participation in the House during a declared public health disaster emergency. The measure would allow Representatives who are at high-risk of severe complications from COVID-19 to represent their constituents without risking their lives. The resolution passed by a vote of 38-24. “As we return to the legislature, House Democrats are focused on taking responsible steps to get our state and our economy back on track,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This resolution will allow members who have serious public health concerns to perform the duties of their office without putting their lives at risk, and I’m proud to see it pass today.” “Democracy can not be put on hold, even during a pandemic,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Brighton. “The voters knew what they were doing when they chose their Representatives, and their decision must be respected by this chamber by allowing them to participate without risking their lives. This resolution will allow for exactly that.” “Unprecedented times call for innovative solutions, and that’s exactly what this resolution represents,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Remote participation will allow lawmakers to represent their communities without risking their lives so we can responsibly pass legislation that helps Coloradans get back to work safely, supports hardworking families and small businesses, and protects our communities.” HR20-1002 authorizes the Speaker of the House to promulgate regulations to allow members of the House to participate remotely in the legislative proceedings of the House in the event of a declared public health emergency. It does not allow for a rule change that would enable participation in committees. Under this resolution, members participating remotely would be counted as being physically present during House proceedings and any action taken by a member participating remotely has the same legal effect as if the member were physically present. At least 15 other states have passed resolutions allowing for remote legislative participation, and several more have authorized changes in legislative proceedings in response to COVID-19. Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY ACT INTRODUCED Legislaton will protect patient’s right to an abortion in Colorado DENVER, CO – Representative Meg Froelich, Senator Julie Gonzales and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following statements after HB22-1279, the Reproductive Health Equity Act, was introduced. “Reproductive rights are under attack at the Supreme Court and here in Colorado from GOP politicians who have attempted time and time again to take away women’s right to an abortion,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Denver. “We have seen the dystopian version of our post Roe world with bills brought before the legislature this session to ban abortion. It’s clear that Coloradans strongly support abortion rights, and this session, we are going to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act to ensure Colorado’s laws protect access to abortion and fundamental reproductive rights.” “Right now, reproductive rights are under attack across the country, and if Roe v. Wade is overturned, there is no Colorado law in place that would protect the fundamental right to abortion,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) . “With the Reproductive Health Equity Act, we will be able to preserve abortion access in our state, ensuring that every Coloradan is guaranteed their right to reproductive freedom and can make their own decisions about their life and their future.” “Colorado is going to lead the way to protect access to abortion,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We won’t let the Supreme Court or extreme politicians threaten a woman’s right to an abortion in Colorado. Coloradans must be able to make their own decisions about what’s best for themselves and their families, not the government. The Reproductive Health Equity Act will protect reproductive rights and ensure women in Colorado have the access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care.” HB22-1279 would update Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights. The bill establishes that every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to choose to continue that pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. The legislation is supported by: COBALT, COLOR, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Anti-Defamation League of the Mountain States, the ACLU of Colorado, ONE Colorado, New Era Colorado, Catholics for Choice and dozens of other organizations. Democrats have defeated three anti-choice bills so far this session. HB22-1079 , sponsored by Representative Williams, is an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directs Colorado to disregard federal law and federal courts and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. It would allow a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , sponsored by Representative Neville, would ban abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill also criminalizes miscarriages and would imprison providers who perform an abortion. HB22-1075 , sponsored by Representative Luck, would establish a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It would create a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers. Previous Next