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< Back June 29, 2020 SIGNED! NEW HIGHER ED FUNDING FORMULA AND CRITICAL BILLS TO IMPROVE HIGHER ED ATTAINMENT Denver, CO — Today, at Simply Pure, a marijuana dispensary, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill that increases access to the Social Equity license, which makes owning and operating a retail marijuana store accessible to more Coloradans. The bill is sponsored by Representative James Coleman. “All hardworking Coloradans deserve a fair shot at sharing in the prosperity of the booming marijuana industry,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver . “We should not be defined by our past alone, and this bill provides Coloradans who want to make an honest living in the marijuana industry with the opportunity to do so. Creating equal economic opportunity for all makes us stronger. ” “Colorado has led the way for the nation’s fast-changing laws and attitudes towards marijuana,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont . “By allowing the Governor to pardon individuals with small possession offenses and improving access and equity in the booming marijuana industry, this bill moves our state boldly forward. The bill signed today is good for small businesses, hardworking Coloradans, and our state’s economy as a whole.” In order to drive socioeconomic equity to the retail marijuana trade, HB20-1424 establishes that marijuana retailers cannot be denied access to the Social Equity license solely based on a prior marijuana conviction. The bill also allows the governor to pardon individuals who were convicted of possession of marijuana for up to two ounces — effectively offering these Coloradans a clean slate. In order to be eligible for the Social Equity license, applicants must be a Colorado resident and one of the following regulations must apply. Applicants must have either: resided in Colorado for 15 years, have been arrested or convicted of a marijuana offense, have a household income that did not exceed a predetermined amount, or hold at least 51 percent of marijuana business license. Marijuana retailers who have a Social Equity license are eligible for the Accelerator Program, which authorizes stores with a Social Equity license to operate under established state laws as long as they are endorsed by an Accelerator Store. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2020 COLORADO SUPREME COURT ACCEPTS INTERROGATORY OF THE GA DENVER, CO — The Colorado Supreme Court today announced that it would take up the question of whether, under the current circumstances of a declared disaster emergency, the General Assembly can suspend the legislative session and pick up where it left off at a later point. The court accepted the bipartisan interrogatories passed by the General Assembly on Saturday, and the court will be accepting briefs on the case over the next week. “The Constitution gives the legislature 120 calendar days to accomplish the important work our constituents elected us to do,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “We are in an impossible situation of either not taking care of the public’s needs by not passing critical legislation, or not taking care of the public’s needs by continuing our work in the middle of a public health emergency. I’m glad that the court has acted rapidly to take up this question, and hope they will see the wisdom in allowing us to suspend operations during this crisis and come back to continue our work when appropriate.” “We are grateful that the court has taken up our request with such speed and urgency,” said President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “It is imperative that we get an answer regarding if the Legislature is Constitutionally permitted to suspend the counting of legislative days during a state emergency. The work we do on behalf of Coloradans is critical to the wellbeing of our state, and we sincerely hope to continue our efforts once public safety is secured.” HJR20-1006 asks the Colorado Supreme Court to answer the following question: Does the provision of section 7 of article V of the state constitution that limits the length of the regular legislative session to “one hundred twenty calendar days” require that those days be counted consecutively and continuously beginning with the first day on which the regular legislative session convenes or may the General Assembly for purposes of operating during a declared disaster emergency interpret the limitation as applying only to calendar days on which the Senate or the House of Representatives, or both, convene in regular legislative session? The Interrogatory argues that “If the General Assembly is required to adjourn for a significant period of time to protect the public health[…] legislators will be unable to serve their constituents by debating and acting on many of the bills introduced during the 2020 regular legislative session, and the citizens who elected those legislators to act on those bills will be deprived of representation by their chosen representatives[…]” The Interrogatory asks the court to determine if the General Assembly should be forced to either reduce the length of the session and thereby fail to meet its responsibility to serve the citizens of the state by passing legislation in the public interest, or jeopardize the constitutionality of that legislation, including the state’s annual budget. Interested parties may file a brief by 5:00 PM on Tuesday March 24, and the Colorado Supreme Court case number is 2020SA100. Previous Next

< Back September 6, 2021 ISABELLA JOY THALLAS ACT GOES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW Law requires gun owners to report lost and stolen firearms DENVER, CO– SB21-078, legislation sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and Leslie Herod to promote responsible gun ownership, will go into effect tomorrow. The new law aims to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands by requiring gun owners to report to law enforcement within five days of realizing their firearms have been lost or stolen. “Last session, we took historic action to prevent gun violence in Colorado, passing six commonsense laws that will help save lives,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “The law going into effect today is an educational tool that will help keep firearms out of the wrong hands by setting an expectation for gun owners to report when their firearms are lost or have been stolen. No law will prevent every gun death, but we’ve seen that well-crafted policies–like Colorado’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law–save lives, and the Isabella Joy Thallas Act will, as well.” “Lost and stolen firearms are found at crime scenes across the country every day, and data shows that tens of thousands of firearms have been stolen in Colorado in recent years,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Unreported lost or stolen firearms make our communitiees less safe, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Timely reporting of lost or stolen firearms saves lives, helps prevent crime, and it’s the simple and responsible thing to do if you realize your firearm is missing.” SB21-078 requires an individual who owns a firearm and has reasonable cause to believe that the firearm has been lost or stolen to report that firearm to a law enforcement agency within five days after discovering that the firearm is missing. A first offense for failure to make such a report is a civil infraction punishable by a $25 fine, and a second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $500 fine. The bill requires a law enforcement agency that receives a report to enter information about the lost or stolen firearm into the National Crime Information Center database and report the information to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Through an amendment, SB21-078 was renamed the ‘Isabella Joy Thallas Act’, in honor of the young woman who was murdered on June 10, 2020 while she and her boyfriend were walking their dog outside of their apartment in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood. The high-powered semi-automatic rifle used in the killing was stolen. Previous Next

The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on health care and support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers, especially in rural and underserved communities. < Back February 24, 2026 Bill to Lower Emergency Health Care Costs, Sustain Rural EMS Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on health care and support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers, especially in rural and underserved communities. “EMS shows up to every call they receive, but only get reimbursed when they transport patients to the emergency room,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “By allowing treatment in place and transport to a more appropriate setting, we save patients time and Colorado taxpayers money. This bill will provide additional resources to emergency response providers while saving both hospitals, health plans and consumers money and freeing up emergency room beds for those who truly need it." “Without proper reimbursement from health insurance companies, EMS in rural communities like mine are headed for financial collapse,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “When I worked as an EMT in Southwest Colorado, we provided on-site care to many patients, but EMS was not reimbursed for those calls because we did not transport the patient to the emergency room. This bill saves patients money by eliminating the need to flood the emergency room with non-emergent cases, freeing up EMS so they can continue to provide essential care to our communities.” HB26-1069 passed committee by a vote of 13-0. This bill would streamline funding for EMS in Colorado by reducing reimbursement red tape. EMS providers regularly provide essential on-site treatment, also known as treatment in place (TIP). On average, TIP costs significantly less than emergency room care and this bill seeks to expand TIP, saving time and money. However, EMS providers are only reimbursed by health insurance carriers if they transport a patient to an emergency room, even when that transport is not necessary. To help bridge some of the EMS funding gaps and reduce strain on health care providers, this bill would require private insurance and Medicaid to reimburse EMS for TIP. To save patients and the state money on health care and sustain EMS in rural communities, this bill permits reimbursable EMS transit when an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis is transported to an urgent care center. HB26-1069 also improves access to care by allowing Medicaid to reimburse for appropriate telehealth calls involving EMS. TIP limits the need for costly emergency room visits, saving the state and patients money on health care. For example, a federal TIP pilot program showed a 193-percent cost-to-savings ratio for Medicare members receiving TIP services instead of emergency room visits. On the Western Slope, a 2022 analysis of 911 calls in Eagle County revealed that TIP reimbursement accounted for a preliminary cost savings of $1,285.40 to the state per TIP call. If passed, HB26-1069 would save Colorado $2.1 million in FY 2026-27, $4.6 million in FY 2027-28 and $4.9 million in future years. Lastly, HB26-1069 ensures that social workers who co-respond in emergency settings are classified as first responders and receive the same benefits as EMS providers, which will strengthen workforce recruitment and retention, especially in rural or underserved areas. Previous Next

Lower and middle-income Coloradans could see their TABOR refund increase by hundreds of dollars < Back November 19, 2023 Bill to Provide Equal TABOR Refunds Passes Committee Lower and middle-income Coloradans could see their TABOR refund increase by hundreds of dollars DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today advanced legislation to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by issuing TABOR refunds in equal amounts for all fillers for this year and making our tax code more equitable. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Our state’s broken tax code guarantees that the wealthiest Coloradans pay fewer taxes as a share of their income than poor and working-class families,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “This bill alone does not solve this injustice but the relief we are aiming to provide here matters. This means extra money for gas to get to work or school, extra money to pay your rent and to keep food on your table. While it’s not enough, this bill moves us in the right direction, and I’m committed to doing more next session to help Coloradans struggling to get by.” “Issuing TABOR refunds in equal amounts is a popular and equitable proposal to help Coloradans with the rising cost of living. It will raise the TABOR refunds for millions of people and put more money back into the pockets of working people,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial. “We are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, and our bill delivers crucial relief to people who are feeling the greatest impacts of our cost of living crisis.” SB23B-003 would change the TABOR refund mechanism for the 2023 tax year to provide equal refunds for all taxpayers. Over sixty percent of filers and everyone making under $100,000 per year would receive higher TABOR refunds under this bill, with the majority of working families seeing an increase of hundreds of dollars. Previous Next

SB25-167 creates a down payment assistance program for public school employees < Back June 4, 2025 Signed! New Law Creates Path to Homeownership for Teachers DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, to create the Educator First Home Ownership Program to provide down payment assistance for public school employees. SB25-167 , also sponsored by Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, creates a Community Investment Portfolio within the Public School Fund to be used for a shared equity down payment assistance program and other community investments. The law unlocks at least $100 million by 2028 and $200 million by 2030 to assist public school employees in buying their first home. “SB25-167 uses financial tools already in our toolbox to help teachers and other public school employees afford a down payment,” said Amabile. “This new program will allow teachers, who give so much to our communities, to put down roots, build generational wealth, and have a safe and stable place to call home. It is a win-win, letting participants keep most of their equity if they sell, while sustaining the program and paying it forward for others." “For first-time homebuyers, the initial down payment can be financially intimidating or seemingly impossible,” said Rep. Bird. “This law makes it easier for our teachers to afford to purchase their very first home, making it possible for them to build generational wealth and put down roots in the communities they teach in. Together, we’re investing in our teachers.” “With this law, we’re making owning a home a reality for more Colorado teachers,” said Rep. Lukens. “The lack of affordable housing, especially in rural mountain communities like mine, can be a significant barrier for first-time homebuyers. By creating a new program to help public school teachers afford a down payment, more educators can afford to live in the communities where they teach.” The down payment assistance program will be managed by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) who will establish criteria for participation, prioritizing first-time homebuyers using the home as their primary residence. The new law establishes reporting requirements to the House and Senate Education Committees, the Public School Fund Investment Board (PSFIB), and the Colorado Department of Education. The PSFIB will manage the portfolio. They may contract with investment advisors to provide support and expertise, and one member must have experience in community investments. Previous Next

< Back February 12, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES HANSEN BILL TO HELP CONSUMERS & ENERGY COMMUNITIES Bill could help lower energy bills and ensure Colorado leads on climate action (Feb. 11) – The House Energy and Environment committee gave approval to Rep. Chris Hansen and Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo’s bill to help lower the cost of energy bills and transition toward renewable energy today. As a result of market forces, Colorado workers and communities are being negatively affected by the closure of aging power plants. “We have a moral imperative to act on climate and ensure our state transitions to renewable energy sources in a responsible manner. This bill will help lower energy costs for consumers, invest in low-cost renewable energy, and provide direct assistance to communities impacted by the retirement of a fading power plant,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. The Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act would offer job training and financial support to communities impacted by the decommissioning of power plants. “Coloradans are currently on the hook for the outstanding debt on aging power plants. This legislation would allow the state to refinance that debt at a much lower interest rate by authorizing ratepayer-backed bonds. The bill will help hardworking families save money on their energy bills and ensure a soft landing for when an aging power plant inevitably shuts down because of market forces,” Rep. Hansen added. The bill would have no impact on the state budget. As utilities retire facilities, workers and communities where the plants are located can face economic challenges, and this bill creates a means of mitigating those challenges. HB19-1037 creates the opportunity for Colorado to take advantage of low-cost ratepayer-backed bonds. Bonds can be used if an electric-generating facility is being closed. From a portion of bond proceeds, the bill also creates and funds the Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Authority, which acts to mitigate impacts of plant closures on affected Colorado workers and communities. Twenty-one other states have laws in place allowing ratepayer-backed bonds to be used but this would be the first time in U.S. history that savings from the bonds would help workers and communities transition and cost tax-payers zero dollars in the process. HB19-1037 was approved by a vote of 7-4. The bill now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services today unanimously passed a bipartisan bill by a vote of 11-0 to expand access to community health services through Medicaid reimbursement. < Back April 18, 2023 McCluskie Bill to Increase Affordable Health Care Passes House Committee DENVER, CO - The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services today unanimously passed a bipartisan bill by a vote of 11-0 to expand access to community health services through Medicaid reimbursement. “Community Health Workers, like patient navigators and Promotores de salud, are critical to reducing health disparities in rural communities by connecting patients to critically needed preventative, primary and behavioral health services,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Improving patient access to community health workers and preventative care mitigates costly, life-threatening and preventable diseases to keep Coloradans healthy and alive. This legislation bolsters Colorado’s health care workforce capacity to save people money on care and increase access to the services they need in the communities they call home.” SB23-002 , also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, would save money on health care by providing a lower cost option for preventative health care and seeks Medicaid reimbursement for community health workers that would incentivize growth in the workforce. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) would be authorized to seek federal authorization from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicaid reimbursement for community health worker services, which would secure long-term funding to make urgently-needed care both easier to access and more affordable for the Coloradans who depend on it. Services provided by community health workers include preventative services, screening, assessments, behavioral or dental health-related services, health coaching, and advocacy. The bill requires HCPF to seek federal approval by July 1, 2024, and to begin implementing coverage once approval is received. The committee also passed SB23-031 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Mandy Lindsay, to expand opportunities for clinical health professions and graduate students enrolled in participating Colorado institutions of higher education through training at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to better support multidisciplinary health care for aging Coloradans . This training would expand geriatric health care services and work to increase the workforce of specialty providers for older Coloradans across the state. SB23-031 passed by a vote of 11-0. Previous Next

Coloradans voted tonight to continue Democratic leadership of the Colorado House. With ballots still being counted, results indicate that House Democrats will have an overwhelming majority with additional races still too close to call. < Back November 5, 2024 Colorado Democrats Secure Overwhelming House Majority DENVER, CO - Coloradans voted tonight to continue Democratic leadership of the Colorado House. With ballots still being counted, results indicate that House Democrats will have an overwhelming majority with additional races still too close to call. “Coloradans have once again placed their trust in us, and I am grateful to the people of our state. They have elected an overwhelming Democratic majority to the House in similar numbers to what we won in 2018 and 2020 when we secured the largest Democratic majority since FDR,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “It’s clear from the results that Coloradans believe we are the right people to lead our state forward. Coloradans believe in reproductive freedom, and tonight, Coloradans reelected a pro-choice majority. Coloradans believe in public education, and tonight we reelected a pro-public schools majority. Coloradans believe in climate science, and tonight we reelected a pro-climate action majority. House Democrats are excited to build on our breakthrough session and continue fighting for our values, our freedoms and our Colorado way of life.” “I’d like to thank the voters of our state for reelecting our majority, and I congratulate all the Democratic lawmakers and candidates who worked so hard and ran great campaigns,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This cycle, we were defending seats in Republican territory that Trump won four years ago, and we still won an overwhelming majority because Coloradans agree with us on the issues that matter most like saving families money, protecting our climate, reducing gun violence, and securing abortion rights. Tonight, Colorado rejected the party of election deniers, climate deniers and politicians who would take us backward and once again entrusted Democrats to move Colorado forward.” During the 74th General Assembly, House Democrats responded to the most pressing needs in Colorado and delivered results. During the breakthrough 2024 Legislative Session, we focused on gun violence prevention, fully funding K-12 public schools, improving air quality and reducing the costs for families. Major Accomplishments from the 74th General Assembly Making Colorado More Affordable for All: House Democrats passed legislation to save people money and new laws to make housing more affordable , reduce the cost of prescription drugs, and prevent unpredictable rate spikes on utility bills. We also delivered property tax relief for homeowners and businesses, including veterans, people with disabilities, and seniors. Colorado Democrats put money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by boosting the state Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit and creating the refundable Family Affordability Tax Credit. Saving Coloradans Money on Health Care: From providing no-cost mental health services to youth and increasing hospital transparency to cutting patient costs, Colorado Democrats have passed new laws to ensure Coloradans have access to affordable, quality health care. The reinsurance program and Colorado Option are saving consumers nearly half a billion dollars a year. Protecting Reproductive Rights: Colorado Democrats have protected your right to reproductive health care. We passed laws to protect those receiving, providing, or assisting with abortion and gender-affirming care, limit surprise medical billing for reproductive health care services and treatment, and improve access to contraceptive care. We also rejected dangerous bills from the Colorado GOP that would have criminalized abortion and effectively banned IVF. Investing in Public Education: One of the biggest accomplishments of the 2024 legislative session was eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor , increasing total funding for public schools by more than $500 million. A new bipartisan school funding formula increases funding for rural schools and at-risk students, special education, and English Language Learners. Families will save money on higher education with the Colorado Promise Act, a refundable income tax credit that will cover the cost of two years of higher education or the full cost of community college. Protecting Our Air and Water: House Democrats are dedicated to addressing climate change , improving Colorado’s air quality, and protecting our water . New laws will generate significant funding for transit, rail, and land and wildlife habitat conservation and restoration. Additionally, Colorado Democrats created over $60 million in annual tax cuts to businesses and consumers for clean energy and made water and energy efficiency improvements more affordable and eco-friendly. Preventing Gun Violence and Improving Public Safety: Colorado Democrats took major strides to prevent gun violence in our communities. We expanded Colorado’s “red flag” law, implemented a minimum three-day waiting period to receive a firearm, strengthened training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit, and improved enforcement of federal gun laws. A bipartisan law was credited for a sharp decrease in auto thefts. In 2024, we passed bipartisan laws to strengthen protections against human trafficking and improve safety for victims by expanding protections around civil protection orders. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to support safety net health care providers and lower health care costs for Coloradans. < Back February 26, 2025 Bill to Protect Safety Net Providers, Save People Money on Health Care Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to support safety net health care providers and lower health care costs for Coloradans. HB25-1174 passed by a vote of 8-4. “We’re building upon our progress to save you money on health care by reigning in high hospital prices while protecting the safety net providers Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This bill saves small businesses money on health care coverage for their employees and supports our local safety net providers that serve our vulnerable community members. We’re focused on improving access to the high-quality health care Coloradans need, and that requires us to improve the financial health of our safety net providers.” “While we’ve worked hard to drive down the cost of health care, there is more that can be done to improve access and save Coloradans money on health care,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “For example, Coloradans with commercial health insurance pay nearly three times what Medicare reimburses hospitals for the same care. Our legislation supports Colorado’s safety net providers, including community clinics, that often serve our seniors and hardworking families. This bill saves the state and small businesses money while boosting access to high-quality health care.” HB25-1174 will support safety net providers and reduce costs for small businesses by: Establishing reimbursement maximums for in-network (165% of Medicare) and out-of-network (150% of Medicare) on prices paid to certain hospitals through the state employee health plan and the small group market. Creating a feasibility study is required to explore the option for local governments and school districts to participate in a similar reimbursement limit. Safety net providers include primary care and family clinics that provide critical health care to communities across Colorado – like seniors, hardworking families, and rural Coloradans. This bill will support safety net providers by redirecting funds to critical community health centers and providers that serve Coloradans where and when they need care. HB25-1174 will also protect the state budget as tens of millions of dollars are expected to be diverted to the health care safety net and to help state employees with minimal impact on hospital margins. Similar policies in states like Oregon and Montana have proven effective, saving state employees money while relieving budget pressures. Colorado is poised to join these states in leading the charge for equitable and sustainable health care reform. Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2019 GOV. SIGNS HOUSE DEM-LED BILLS TO HELP WORKERS GET AHEAD AND INTO GOOD PAYING JOBS House Democrats stand up for workers (May 28) – Gov. Polis signed a number of bills sponsored by House Democrats to help Colorado workers get ahead and into good paying jobs. First up was a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, that will establish a directory with apprenticeship programs within the Department of Labor with include salary ranges, critical labor force data, licensure requirements, and other information potential enrollees should know before embarking onto a career pathway. Recent reports show that that majority of Coloradans support vocational education. “Every hardworking individual should get a good-paying job no matter their education. There are currently nearly 200 sponsored apprenticeship programs, and that number is constantly evolving and growing,” said Rep. Sullivan. “This directory will serve as a tool to help students and young adults grow in their technical training and enter into career fields that offer salaries without the debt of traditional college.” The Gov. then signed an important new law to create the Just Transition Office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to support the livelihood of coal transition workers, their families and their communities, and to help provide these workers access to training and job opportunities. “We must address climate change, but we cannot work towards a clean energy economy without also working on solutions to support workers who are affected by this transition,” said House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “Workers and communities whose livelihoods are threatened by shifting economic tides and advancements in technology need support. We can support these communities in this transition and that’s the intention of this new law.” Due to market forces, Colorado’s power sector is transitioning toward renewable energy resources and natural gas. This bill would help ensure communities and workers who are going to be impacted by this market driven transition away from coal won’t be left behind. The bill creates the Just Transition Office which is tasked with drafting and submitting a plan by December 31, 2020 to the Governor on how best to support coal-transition workers and communities based on input from impacted workers and communities. Gov Polis then signed SB19-196, the Colorado Quality Apprenticeship Training Act sponsored by Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver and Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. This new law will help promote the use of high-quality apprenticeship programs on state public works projects. In 2018, it was estimated that building trades had a shortage of 60,000 workers in Colorado. The state’s construction industry alone will need at least 30,000 new workers to meet demand in the years ahead. The Gov. also signed HB19-1210, to allow local governments to adjust their minimum wage up to more effectively address the local cost of living, rather than have to adhere to a statewide standard in a state where local real estate markets and health care costs vary dramatically. The law would allow counties and cities to increase the minimum wage in their localities beyond the state minimum wage, currently set at $11.10 an hour. The new law sponsored by Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, and former Rep. Rochelle Galindo, D-Greeley. Research shows that wage growth spurs consumer spending and a healthier economy. ### Previous Next

< Back March 27, 2019 REP. FROELICH’S BIPARTISAN BILLS TO LOWER COST OF HEALTH CARE & HELP STUDENTS MOVING THROUGH LEGISLATURE (Mar. 26) – Rep. Meg Froelich’s bills to help students and lower the cost of health care are moving through the legislature. Earlier today, the full House approved a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood, that would increase the accountability of online schools. This afternoon, a House committee gave approval to her bipartisan bill with Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, to lower health care costs and improve the quality of care that Coloradans receive. “Lowering the cost of health care is a top priority for us at the legislature,” said Rep. Froelich. “Colorado only invests roughly seven to ten percent of its health care dollars on primary care. If we invest more money in primary care on the frontend, that will reduce the cost of health care for both the patients and the medical system on the backend.” HB19-1233 establishes a primary care payment reform collaborative in the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies. It also requires the Commissioner of Insurance to establish affordability standards for premiums, including adding targets for carrier investments in primary care. Finally, requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and carriers who offer health benefit plans to state employees to set targets for investment in primary care. The goal of primary care is to achieve better health outcomes by improving the quality and consistency of care so that both patients and the health care system can see a reduction in costs. Primary care visits comprise 53 percent of all health care appointments. HB19-1233 passed by a bipartisan vote of 9-2. It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Another bipartisan bill led by Rep. Froelich is headed to the Governor’s desk. “This bipartisan bill is about leveling the playing field for students who attend an online school, but may depart those schools for various reasons,” said Rep. Froelich said of SB19-129. “It seeks to address whether students who leave online schools are having their educational needs met. Additionally, we are putting in place a key protection in this bill to ensure that poorly performing online schools have to improve before they can once again be accredited by the state.” SB19-129 enables more effective tracking of students, especially those who enter an online program and subsequently leave before the end of the school year. The bill requires the Online Division in the Department of Education to report information about students who disenroll from an online school after the annual pupil enrollment count date and if known, where they go next. Online schools in Colorado increased 40 percent from 2010 to 2018, to more than 21,000 students. Many of the online schools fare poorly in state evaluations. Little more than half of the 42 online schools received one of the top two ratings, and 31 percent didn’t have enough data to be rated, according to Colorado Department of Education. In 2014, the Colorado General Assembly approved a task force made up of education stakeholders to study issues related to Colorado Online Schools. The report submitted to the General Assembly called for more than a dozen items that might be fixed to improve the online education experience. SB19-129 passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 44-19. It now heads to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next