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< Back July 6, 2021 BILLS TO SUPPORT SENIORS, INCREASE ACCESS TO GERIATRIC PROVIDERS SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will support older Coloradans by creating a new grant program to expand access to critical services and increase the number of health care providers in Colorado who provide geriatric care. “The bill Governor Polis signed today will dedicate $15 million toward projects that promote the health, wellbeing and security of Colorado’s seniors,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This funding will help seniors access food, critical health care and transportation services. It will also be used to implement best practices for preventing falls and managing chronic diseases.” “Colorado has one of the fastest growing senior populations in the country, which is why we need to act now to increase the number of providers in our state that specialize in caring for seniors,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “I’m proud that we were able to pass legislation this session that will incentivize health care providers with geriatric training or experience to commit to caring for older adults in areas where there aren’t enough providers.” “Estimates show that we are going to face a significant shortage of health care providers who treat older Coloradans,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “With Governor Polis signing this bill today, we are going to encourage more medical providers who treat older adults to come to Colorado and help improve access to care for seniors.” SB21-290 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield, dedicates $15 million to support Colorado’s aging population by expanding housing assistance, increasing access to health services, subsidizing nutrition programs, and improving transportation opportunities to medical appointments. SB21-158 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada and Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, changes the Colorado Health Service Corps Program, a loan repayment program, to include geriatric advanced practice providers. Under the bill, registered nurses and physician assistance with geriatric training or experience could participate in the loan repayment program on the condition they commit to providing geriatric care to older adults in health professional shortage areas. Colorado has an aging population. Colorado has the third fastest growing population over the age of 65, and Coloradans over age 65 are the fastest growing age group in the state. By 2050, the state demography office estimates that more than one in five Coloradans will be over age 65. Not only is there a national doctor shortage, but estimates also expect a significant shortage of providers who treat older patients. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez into law to make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. < Back May 15, 2025 Bipartisan Martinez Bill to Support Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Becomes Law EMPIRE, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez into law to make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. “Habitat Stamps have funded conservation programs across Colorado to protect wildlife, fisheries and critical ecosystems so future generations can hunt, fish and enjoy our beautiful state,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Whether you’re coming from out-of-state or live right here in Colorado, everyone who hunts and fishes knows we have some of the best wildlife areas in the world, and we’re proud to keep them that way. Wildlife conservation ensures that hunting and angling can contribute to our rural economies for many years to come and protects our way of life.” The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program offers funding opportunities for landowners, local governments and conservation nonprofits that protect wildlife habitats, provide wildlife-related recreational access or sell their property to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The program, which is funded by hunting and fishing licenses, is currently set to sunset on July 1, 2027. SB25-049 , also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, continues the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program indefinitely. With support from Great Outdoors Colorado and federal funding, the program has secured over 290,000 acres of conservation easements and over 146,000 acres of public access. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis (May 2) – The House approved Rep. Bri Buentello and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s bill to require certain health care providers who have prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of their continuing education and prohibits a physician or physician assistant from accepting any direct or indirect benefits for prescribing a specific medication. “This is an important bill that will help us address the opioid crisis that is devastating parts of Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “ This bill will help our neighbors, our friends and any Coloradan who is struggling with addiction get the treatment they need.” SB19-228 requires a prescription for an opioid for outpatient use to bear a warning label; creates several grant programs to improve public awareness of the dangers of substance use disorders and improves youth treatment and pre-and-postnatal care for women. In addition, the bill introduces several other measures aimed at substance use disorder prevention. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont. “This bill will ensure local community agencies and medical professionals can help divert Coloradans from addiction before it starts.” The bill was approved on a bipartisan vote of 43-20. The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments. Previous Next

< Back Lesley Smith Representative Smith was elected to represent House District 49, which spans western Boulder and Larimer Counties plus Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties. She is a member of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources and the Education committees. Smith had a thirty-year career as a research scientist and a science outreach specialist at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her research focused on the biogeochemistry of wetlands of large river systems, such as the Amazon, Orinoco and MacKenzie Rivers, as well as small alpine ecosystems in Colorado. She focused the latter part of her career on professional development of educators, graduate students and community college students all funded by the National Science Foundation. Smith was the first woman aquanaut to live and work in Aquarius, NOAA’s underwater research habitat. Smith has been a public servant for nearly twenty-years. She served eight years on the Boulder Valley School District, weathering the 2008 recession. She was appointed to the city of Boulder Water Resources Advisory Committee after the great flood of 2013. Additionally, she served as the University of Colorado Regent At-Large. Through her efforts, sustainability was added to the first-ever system-wide strategic plan, and she was a strong advocate for the state to allow out- of-state Native American students with tribal ties to Colorado to receive in-state tuition at all institutions of higher education. She will champion issues related to climate change, the environment and public education.

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Judy Amabile that would increase the success of eligible individuals referred from the criminal justice system by connecting them to an individualized care coordination plan in an effort to divert them from incarceration. HB24-1355 passed by a vote of 55-8. < Back April 26, 2024 Legislation to Reduce Competency Waitlist, Connect Coloradans to Mental Health Services Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Judy Amabile that would increase the success of eligible individuals referred from the criminal justice system by connecting them to an individualized care coordination plan in an effort to divert them from incarceration. HB24-1355 passed by a vote of 55-8. “The waitlist for competency services is so long that people who have not yet been found guilty of a crime are in jail longer than people who are convicted,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “This legislation will help address Colorado’s broken competency system so we can provide mental health services to people who need them. Not only will this better serve our most vulnerable, but it will also make our communities safer.” “People with mental health struggles are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, and they desperately need services,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “When a mental health disorder is left untreated, Coloradans are often sent to jail for a relatively low offense, limiting their ability to rehabilitate. Routing people to diversion programs instead of the competency system connects them to mental health services that can help prevent a crisis and reduce recidivism.” HB24-1355 would create the Bridges Wraparound Care Program to refer eligible individuals with mental health struggles from the criminal justice system into wraparound care services. A defendant can be eligible for the Bridges Wraparound Care Program if they consent to participate in the program, the district attorney and defense counsel agree that there is a reasonable cause to believe that the defendant will be found incompetent, and the defendant is not charged with a class 1, 2, or 3 felony, a level 1 and 2 drug felony, a sex offense, a crime of violence, or any offense described in C.R.S. 24-4.1-302 (1), unless the district attorney waives this requirement in the interest of justice. If the defendant is eligible and agrees to enter the program, the court will assign a coordinator within the program who will screen and access the defendant to create a plan for the defendant. After 182 days of care, the care coordinator will review the defendant’s progress and if the court finds the defendant is compliant with their care plan, the charges must be dropped. If the defendant has not complied with the individualized care plan but is engaged in the process, the court may continue the case for up to 91 more days. If the defendant is not engaged, the district attorney may end the defendant’s placement in the program and begin prosecuting the case. The bill would also require each judicial district to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the Bridges Wraparound Care Program with district attorneys, public defenders, the Department of Human Services, the Behavioral Health Administration, treatment providers, local behavioral health case management programs, and local behavioral health case management programs to come up with how they will provide treatment to individuals found eligible for this program. Previous Next

New law passed by Colorado Democrats helped prevent nearly 100,000 Coloradans from losing their health care plan in 2025 < Back September 10, 2025 Lawmakers Celebrate Law that Protects Access to Health Care for Nearly 100,000 Coloradans, Urge Congress to Extend Tax Credits New law passed by Colorado Democrats helped prevent nearly 100,000 Coloradans from losing their health care plan in 2025 DENVER, CO – Representatives Kyle Brown and Lindsay Gilchrist and Speaker Julie McCluskie today released the following statements after Rocky Mountain HMO and Anthem’s HMO Colorado withdrew the discontinuances of health care plans that they filed in August. Colorado Democrats passed HB25B-1006 to help blunt health insurance rate increases and significantly reduce the number of Coloradans who could lose their health insurance coverage due to Congress’s refusal to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. “While I am relieved to hear that Rocky Mountain HMO and Anthem will continue to offer health care coverage for Coloradans, Congress must act now to continue the enhanced premium tax credits to prevent massive increases in health care costs,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Thanks to our new law, over 96,000 Coloradans will stay insured on their health care plan, but Congress’s inaction will still cause health care costs to skyrocket for hardworking Coloradans and small businesses. I strongly urge Republicans in Congress to step up to the plate and prevent these life-threatening price increases.” “Colorado Democrats passed legislation that is already preventing people from losing their health care coverage, but only Congress can prevent premium increases from jumping thousands of dollars,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “Every Coloradan deserves access to affordable, quality health care. When people skip doctor’s visits due to high cost or lack of coverage, it leads to worse health outcomes. Plus, the bill for these costly and preventable treatments gets passed onto everyone else, increasing costs for businesses and people with every type of health insurance. For many Coloradans, Congress’s failure to act before the end of the month could be life or death.” “Colorado Democrats have continued to demonstrate our commitment to making health care more affordable for all Coloradans, but if Congressional Republicans do not act soon, Coloradans on average can expect a 20-percent increase on their health care premiums,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The law we passed this special session is the reason that insurers are no longer pulling out of counties across Colorado, which will protect access to health care for almost 100,000 Coloradans. I strongly urge Congress to do what is right for the people in our state and prevent unsustainable premium increases by extending tax credits for people who purchase their own health insurance.” In August, Rocky Mountain HMO and Anthem’s HMO Colorado filed to discontinue multiple health insurance plans in the individual market due to the failure of Congressional Republicans to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. This would have caused 96,000 Coloradans to lose their health insurance coverage , impacting Coloradans from the Denver Metro Area and the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains. Last month, the Colorado General Assembly returned to the Capitol to combat some of the harm caused by Trump’s tax bill and Congress’s failure to extend the enhanced premium tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Colorado Democrats passed HB25B-1006 to blunt serious increases in insurance premiums and protect health care coverage for Coloradans by helping the reinsurance program buy down premiums and cover the most expensive health care for patients. With Congressional Republicans’ failure to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, average statewide premiums were projected to increase by 28-percent. In the Eastern Plains, premiums are expected to rise more than 33-percent. The Western Slope will see premium increases of about 38-percent. Passing HB25-1006 is projected to keep premium increases to a statewide average of only 20-percent. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING ADVANCE House and Senate committees advance legislation to invest over $200 million to build and sustain affordable housing and boost affordable workforce housing options DENVER, CO – Legislation to save people money on housing by building thousands more homes and expanding access to critical workforce housing today passed House and Senate Committees. “The lack of affordable housing is at a crisis level in Colorado, and I am so glad the state legislature is doing something to help increase affordable housing stock in our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. “This historic, transformational legislation will provide nearly $180 million directly to local governments and nonprofits all across the state to construct thousands of new units and retain existing affordable housing for our teachers, our nurses, our first responders, and workers and families all over the state. This bill is part of the historic $400 million we are allocating this year for housing - the single largest investment the state has ever made to get homes built and drive down the cost of housing to save people money.” “As Colorado’s population continues to grow, we have to make sure communities have the land and resources required to develop affordable housing now and in the future,” said Sen. James Coleman, D-Denver. “Local governments and nonprofits are the experts when it comes to pinpointing their communities’ unique needs. That’s why this bill is targeted at uplifting their work and providing the necessary tools to achieve their housing development goals.” “Our state is growing, and we must make sure communities have the resources they need to keep pace,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “This bill will help local governments and nonprofits access the space and funding that communities need to equitably accommodate that growth. By helping communities increase their housing supply we can make sure every Coloradan has access to a home they can afford.” Nonprofit and Local Government Grants and Strong Communities : HB22-1304 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Mary Bradfield and Senators James Coleman and Julie Gonzales, passed the House Transportation and Local Government Committee by a vote of 9-3. The bill invests $178 million, a historic sum, to provide direct, flexible, and timely grant funding to nonprofits and local governments all across the state that have or are pursuing measures to facilitate affordable housing development, including purchasing land. This includes development of supportive, rental, and for-sale housing targeted at populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The bill also makes a substantial investment for local communities to create strategic development patterns, including funding for infrastructure projects and updating land and use codes. The legislation will ensure flexibility of funding, including allowances for operating grants to community-based organizations and qualified local governments, particularly in small, rural, and mountain resort communities, so they can best meet their own development needs according to their community’s workforce and local economy. By building homes closer to where people work, the bill will also save Coloradans money on their transportation costs. “The housing crisis is impacting businesses large and small across the state, making it harder to attract workers and fill critical positions,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “As part of our strategy to drive down the cost of housing and save people money, we will target resources to expand workforce housing for middle income Coloradans. This will build affordable places to live for workers in communities that are experiencing workforce housing shortages, which is becoming common in nearly every part of our state.” “Coloradans across the state are struggling to afford a place to live, and the time to act is now,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This bill will improve support systems for middle income families whose modest resources squeeze them between skyrocketing housing costs and ineligibility for assistance, save people money, and help more Colorado families thrive.” CHFA Middle Income Access Program: SB22-146 , sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger and Dennis Hisey and Representatives Marc Snyder and Marc Catlin, passed the Senate Local Government Committee by a vote of 5-0. The bill will expand critical workforce housing so that more Coloradans and communities have access to affordable housing that allows them to live in the communities where they work. The legislation provides $25 million for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Middle-Income Access Program , which finances projects to build housing for middle income families and individuals with incomes too high to qualify for low income housing tax credits but too low to afford market rates. Specifically, this funding will provide financing to developers seeking to build rental housing affordable to Coloradans earning 80 percent or more of the area median income through acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of existing properties. To date, the Middle Income Access Program has leveraged $14 million of CHFA-invested funds to support five developments comprising over 600 units. Developments leverage significant private sector investment and have brought much needed housing to communities such as Estes Park, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Gypsum, and Denver. Previous Next

< Back Speaker McCluskie: Perspective: 2025 Legislative Preview Jan 5, 2025 See more This story was originally posted in the Gazette here . Fighting for working families Democrats are back once again with an overwhelming majority in the Colorado House because we deliver results for the working people and families of our great state. Under our watch, wages are rising, and unemployment and inflation are lower than the national average. Housing and medical costs are falling, and so are violent crime rates. Coloradans trust Democrats to govern because we have worked hard to lower the cost of housing and prescription medications, boost funding for K-12 schools, preserve our clean water and air, and protect our freedoms. As we shoulder this immense responsibility, we will put problem solving ahead of partisanship and work across the aisle to make Colorado more affordable, improve public safety, and protect our rights and freedoms. My door is always open to constituents, advocates and lawmakers from both parties, and I am eager to work together once again. Too many Coloradans are still struggling with the high cost of living. We’ve led the charge to eliminate red-tape so we can build more homes Coloradans can afford. This year, we will work to bring down home insurance costs and make purchasing easier for new homebuyers. Lowering the cost of child care is a pivotal part of helping working parents afford to live in our state. That’s why Colorado Democrats have championed universal preschool, created more high-quality child care options, and cut taxes for hardworking people with the Colorado Child Tax Credit and Family Affordability Tax Credit. This session, we’ll continue to cut costs for working families, including reducing application fees for child care. Saving people money on health care is a top priority as well. The new Colorado Option health insurance plans we created are far from burdensome new regulation. In fact, they are extremely popular with consumers because they are lowering costs and covering the services people need. Colorado youth can now receive no-cost mental health counseling sessions, as well. When it comes to business, we’ve cut commercial property taxes, incentivized economic development for rural businesses and partnered with chambers of commerce to help fill jobs in critical industries so companies can grow and thrive. As Democrats, we’re always working to make higher education more affordable, whether that be a post-secondary degree or a certificate for skills in-demand trades that lead to good paying jobs. Last year, we made community college for the first two years of a four-year degree free for Colorado students. This year, we’ll continue to build on these efforts to offer students affordable options that set them on a path toward a career of their dreams. When it comes to safeguarding our rights and freedoms, Colorado Democrats have stepped up to protect reproductive care, access to voting and civil liberties. Through constitutional amendments, Coloradans have shown again and again that people should have the freedom to make decisions for themselves. As we wait to see what heads our way from Washington, Colorado Democrats will be on guard to protect your freedoms. As violent crime falls across the state, including in Denver, we know there is more that can be done to keep our communities safe. Reducing crime requires a multi-pronged approach that includes investing in mental and behavioral health, addiction and community-based services, creating good-paying jobs and expanding affordable housing. It’s great to see the sharp decline in auto thefts in 2023 thanks in part to bipartisan laws we passed. From outdoor recreation to agriculture, Colorado’s water is part of our western identity and essential to the future of our communities. I will continue to focus on what is best for Colorado agriculture and municipal water users to protect Colorado’s water rights and ensure future generations have access to the water they need. While we won’t always agree, Republicans and Democrats will need to come together this year to address Colorado’s budget shortfall. We are facing rising Medicaid expenses, largely driven by our aging population and people receiving more medical care, while at the same time our budget constraints mean we must find savings elsewhere. This will require us all, Republicans and Democrats, to put aside political grandstanding and work together to find solutions. I am a firm believer in the Western Slope Way – working together to solve problems, not wasting time on the distractions of extreme partisanship. I am hopeful that as we begin another session, we will find a way to work together once again to make Colorado more affordable, protect our rights and freedoms and build a state where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Previous Next

< Back Majority Leader Esgar & Rep. Frolich Opinion: Abortion access must be written into Colorado law because Roe vs. Wade is in jeopardy Jan 24, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Denver Post. By JULIE GONZALES, MEG FROELICH and DANEYA ESGAR This year could very well be the last anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court case that established the constitutional right to abortion. We are at a crisis point. The time to take action and protect our rights is now, so as Colorado lawmakers we have crafted a proactive abortion rights bill that will soon be introduced in the Colorado General Assembly. Protecting abortion access has to be a priority in the 2022 legislative session, and we are the lead sponsors on the Reproductive Health Equity Act, or RHEA. The Reproductive Health Equity Act will ensure every individual has the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception; every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion; and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of Colorado. Barriers to abortion access always fall heaviest on those with the least access to health care already — communities of color, low-income people, young people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, rural Coloradans. RHEA would also address that equity gap. The worst restrictions to abortion access and reproductive health care have come from state legislatures across the nation, and as state lawmakers, we are obligated to take action in the opposite direction here in Colorado. Because Colorado is such a strongly pro-abortion rights state, people are surprised to learn there’s nothing expressly protective of abortion access or reproductive health care in Colorado law. Yes, we have defeated many attempts to ban or restrict abortion at the legislature and the ballot box, but there are no state laws explicitly protecting the constitutional right to access abortion and reproductive health care in Colorado. Why? Until now, we haven’t needed anything in state law; we had the constitutional protection of Roe and the federal courts. We might not anymore. The Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe with the case known as Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health, a case challenging Mississippi’s unconstitutional abortion ban. Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health was argued on Dec. 1, and a decision is expected in June 2022. It’s entirely likely abortion access could be struck down as a federal, constitutional right and returned to the states. If Roe is overturned, abortion will likely become illegal in roughly half the country, including many states around Colorado. In 2020, 64% of Coloradans surveyed agreed with the statement “abortion should be legal in all cases or most cases with some restrictions.” Support was even higher for: “politicians need to stop trying to force their beliefs on women when it comes to abortion.” (82% agreed) “when it comes to ending a pregnancy, a woman should have the power to make decisions about her own body.” (76% agreed) Across the country, about 6 in 10 Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. And during the last election, Coloradans across party and county lines voted to defeat Proposition 115, a ban on abortion later in pregnancy, by nearly 20 points. In 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014, Coloradans overwhelmingly rejected harmful and dehumanizing amendments to the state Constitution that would have created “fetal personhood” and outlawed abortion in the state. And since 2010, we have seen 41 pieces of legislation introduced — and defeated — that would restrict or eliminate abortion access for Coloradans. But that’s not enough. We need to meet this moment of crisis on abortion rights with action. Our job as legislators is to pass laws that respect the will of our constituents and Colorado citizens, who have made it clear over and over again that they support abortion rights. This legislation serves as a model for other states to expand and protect access to reproductive health care, including abortion. We already have very strong support in the legislature for the Reproductive Health Equity Act, and we would urge Coloradans to call or email their legislators and let them know they support it. Once again, it is time for Colorado to be a leader on abortion and reproductive rights. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Tracey Bernett: Building a sustainable, resilient future through better building codes Jul 7, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Daily Camera. This past session, as the clock wound down on our time to pass impactful and progressive legislation for the state of Colorado, one of my last bills still on the table was HB22-1362. Despite significant initial opposition, I worked with my fellow lawmakers in the House and Senate and a broad array of community and industry leaders to ensure it made it to the Governor’s desk. I did this because I know that all Coloradans deserve homes and buildings that are efficient, resilient, healthy and ready for the future. While there has been a lot of press about the end of session and the vote on this bill, I wanted to share what the bill does for our communities. HB22-1362 saves residents and businesses money by building right the first time. A home or commercial building is a huge, long-term investment, and building more energy efficient buildings means residents and businesses save money on utility bills and other associated costs over the lifetime of the building or home. By building right the first time, we avoid expensive retrofits for electric vehicle charging, clean heat and solar energy. Especially now when so many car manufacturers, including Ford, will be phasing out production of gas-powered vehicles over the next decade. The cost savings, especially during a time when the cost of fuel is continuing to rise, can be a huge benefit to homeowners and businesses. In addition to saving consumers time and money, this legislation also protects our environment. Buildings are a significant source of pollution, and increasingly we are learning that indoor air pollution can be significant to residents, especially for lower income communities. Brief exposures to these indoor pollutants can trigger asthma attacks and long-term exposure can contribute to development of sustained asthma. Burning fossil fuels indoors will be the “lead paint in buildings” catastrophe in the years to come. By law, it’s the responsibility of local governments to adopt and enforce building energy codes, but the Colorado legislature has the responsibility to set minimum energy efficiency requirements for the local energy codes that apply statewide. Every few years the legislature examines these statewide codes to ensure they meet the modern standard for building quality homes and businesses. In addition to updating the code, HB22-1362 also provides money and resources for local governments to implement the codes. Finally, owners and occupants of existing homes and buildings are not affected until the home or building undergoes a major renovation or addition. I am so proud that several days ago the Governor signed this bill into law. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions about this law, other legislation, or issues you are having in your community. Rep. Tracey Bernett is a Democrat representing District 12, Boulder County Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2021 DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REDUCE COSTS AND INCREASE AFFORDABILITY OF LIFE-SAVING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS DENVER – This afternoon, Senators Jaquez Lewis and Gonzales, along with Representatives Caraveo and Kennedy, in partnership with Governor Polis, announced the introduction of SB21-175, a bill to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. “Prescription drugs cost too much and Coloradans are sick and tired of being ripped off. This bill is an important step toward our goal of saving people money on health care,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I want to thank the bill sponsors for their efforts to ensure that hardworking Coloradans can get the medicine they need for themselves and their families without worrying about astronomical costs.” “As prescription drug costs continue to skyrocket, people are forced to make impossible choices,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, a pharmacist and prime sponsor of the legislation. “This proposal–this group of non-partisan experts–has the potential to save Coloradans as much as 75% on the most unaffordable drugs. We have no choice but to address this issue–we absolutely must get this under control so we can build a healthy Colorado for all!” “The painful and heartbreaking accounts of Coloradans who are forced to choose between filling prescriptions, skipping doses or paying for basic necessities are far too common,” said bill sponsor Representative Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs is hurting families, and it’s hurting our economic recovery. Coming out of this pandemic, we must build back stronger, and that means making common sense reforms to lower the costs of the drugs that are eating away at the bottom line of so many hardworking Coloradans.” Too many Coloradans skip doses, stretch the length of their prescriptions, or delay filling prescriptions because they simply cannot afford them. As established in the bill, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will convene a panel of experts to investigate prescription drug cost increases, and set guardrails on cost increases for the most expensive prescription drugs in the state. The affordability board would set upper payment limits for prescription drugs that meet certain cost increase thresholds. These payment limits would apply to all purchasers in the state, but will only be placed on the highest cost drugs, with purchasers continuing to be able to negotiate rates for the vast majority of drugs. The board will collect and evaluate the data necessary to review the affordability of prescription drugs and make policy recommendations to legislators. The board will be made up of nonpartisan, unpaid experts who are free from conflicts of interest. “Even prior to the pandemic, nearly 1 in 3 Coloradans struggled to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy, forcing families to choose between buying their prescriptions or paying rent and buying groceries,” said bill sponsor Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “At a time when Coloradans are struggling with the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we should ensure that all Coloradans – particularly in communities of color – have access to affordable health care.” “Prescription drugs are essential to managing, preventing, and curing diseases, but not every Coloradan can access them because cost is a barrier when it shouldn’t even be a consideration,” said bill sponsor Rep Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “Coloradans need us to act now. Colorado families are struggling with unfair and unaffordable drug costs. The affordability board will reign in the highest cost drugs and stop the out of control increases that are reaching deeper and deeper into Coloradans pockets and driving up the cost of healthcare for everyone.” A recent poll from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that 77% of Coloradans supported the idea of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze and act to lower the cost of certain prescription drugs — and this bill seeks to answer their call. To read the full text of the bill and track it through the legislative process, visit leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-175 Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES BILL TO MODERNIZE BEHAVIORAL COVERAGE LAWS More than one million Coloradans experience mental health or a substance use crisis each year (Apr. 5) – The House Public Health Care and Human Services committee passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Lisa Cutter. and Rep. Tom Sullivan that will modernize behavioral health insurance coverage laws to align with federal law and close loopholes to increase access to mental health services for Coloradans. “Kids as young as nine and ten are attempting suicide. This issue isn’t going away until we address it,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Evergreen. “Over one million Coloradans deal with a mental health issue, and over half of them aren’t getting the help they need. Imagine what the world would be like if your friends and family dealing with these issues were able to get the help they need.” HB19-1269: Strengthens prevention and screening laws to shift the current system away from expensive late-stage treatment to early prevention Enforces and makes transparent existing state and federal parity laws and increases consumer protections Eliminates gaps and loopholes in current law to ensure no more Coloradans fall through the cracks “This is something I’ve been involved in for the last six years and I am glad to be a part of this legislation,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “We know that recently a student from Cherry Creek high school died by suicide. This is not something we can wait on, we need to take action now.” Currently, state and federal laws require insurance carriers to provide equal coverage for mental health and physical care. However, many families are being denied coverage or are paying out-of-pocket costs for weeks or months for mental health care services because of loopholes in current law. HB19-1269 was unanimously approved by the House Public Health Care and Human Services committee. It now heads to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next