< Back Speaker McCluskie: Shoshone water rights offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Colorado's namesake river that we must secure Jan 25, 2024 See more Article originally posted in the Colorado Sun . At the narrowest point in Glenwood Canyon, where steep cliffs compress the Colorado River, the Union Pacific Railroad, and all four lanes of Interstate 70 into an area no more than 50 yards across, a small brown building houses the historic Shoshone Hydropower Plant. For more than a century, the turbines inside that building have spun Colorado River water into electricity for local communities. It may not look like much on the outside, but like so many places in our beautiful state, there is far more than meets the eye. Today, the Shoshone Hydropower Plant still produces energy for Colorado’s electric grid, but its true importance is on the river. The senior water rights tied to Shoshone’s power production hold the key to a more secure water future not only for the Western Slope, but for the entire state of Colorado. Shoshone’s benefits are unique because its water rights are nonconsumptive, which means the water used for hydropower production — more than 1,400 cubic feet per second — returns entirely to the river after a short trip through its turbines. Because of its nonconsumptive nature, communities large and small along the Colorado River benefit from the water security and water quality provided by Shoshone’s flows. These water rights provide certainty for farmers, ranchers and recreational outfitters upstream and downstream of Glenwood Canyon. And all Colorado River water users — from Greeley and Colorado Springs to Grand Junction — benefit from the Shoshone’s flows as a bedrock for the success of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, which provides Endangered Species Act compliance and protections for over 1,250 water projects on both sides of the Continental Divide. In an increasingly arid West, where the Colorado River is stretched-thin, we believe that permanent protection of the Shoshone Water Rights presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve many of the values we hold dear as Coloradans — clean drinking water, productive agriculture, world-class recreation, a healthy environment and much more. With these benefits in mind, an unlikely coalition of western Colorado governments and water users — including Summit, Grand, Eagle, Garfield and Mesa counties — have been working for decades with the Colorado River District to forge a path toward preservation of Shoshone’s flows. Together with Denver Water, many of these entities recognized Shoshone’s importance, and memorialized the need to protect it, in the 2013 Colorado River Cooperative Agreement . And now, for the first time, Colorado River water users and the state of Colorado have an opportunity to finalize this long-standing goal. Just a few weeks ago, Xcel Energy, the owner and operator of the Shoshone hydropower plant, and the Colorado River District signed a purchase and sale agreement setting out a clear path to transfer ownership of the historic Shoshone water rights to the river district for $98.5 million. This historic agreement marks the start of a broad-based effort to partner with the state of Colorado to protect the Shoshone water rights. We strongly support the agreement reached between Xcel Energy and the Colorado River District, and we applaud the tireless efforts of Xcel, the river district and everyone else involved in getting to this historic point. In order to succeed, this effort will need the support and partnership of the state of Colorado through the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Gov. Jared Polis recently praised the deal, and next week the conservation board will decide whether to match the river district’s investment of $20 million and move forward toward permanent protection of Shoshone’s flows. This presents an opportunity for the people of Colorado to come together to achieve durable and permanent protections for the Colorado River. The $98.5 million agreement to acquire the Shoshone water rights is no small price tag, but the one-time investment to protect Colorado River flows in perpetuity will provide priceless benefits for generations of water users to come. The effort aligns with the Colorado Water Plan’s focus on healthy watersheds and vibrant communities, and we believe it is a true value — especially in view of the permanent protection that the funding will help to ensure. The state- and basin-wide importance of this effort cannot be overstated. If the power plant were to cease operation without permanent protection of the water right, the negative economic and environmental impacts to Western Colorado and to the state of Colorado would be immediate and profound. Colorado has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to permanently protect the most influential water right on our state’s namesake river. We cannot let this opportunity pass us by, because we all depend on a healthy Colorado River — whether we live on the Front Range or the West Slope. Our fortunes are tied. Our futures are linked. When the Colorado River thrives, we all thrive. Julie McCluskie is the speaker of the Colorado House and has served as a Representative since 2018 and was re-elected in 2022 to represent House District 13. She is the first woman Speaker elected from the Western Slope. Russ George is a fourth generation resident of the Rifle area. He represented northwestern Colorado counties in the Colorado House for four terms, serving as Speaker from 1999-2000. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation limiting medical debt from impacting patients’ credit reports or credit scores. It passed by a vote of 46-18. < Back February 28, 2023 House Passes Consumer Protections Against Medical Debt DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation limiting medical debt from impacting patients’ credit reports or credit scores. It passed by a vote of 46-18. “Over 700,000 Coloradans have medical debt that negatively impacts their credit scores, making it harder to access housing, employment and affordable interest rates,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora . “This bill protects consumers with medical debt so that it doesn’t prevent them from renting an apartment or applying for a job, small business loan, credit card, or a basic cell phone plan. This bill will protect Coloradans from having their entire life impacted by outstanding and often unexpected medical debt.” Often medical expenses come as a surprise to many patients, leaving people unable to plan for expensive bills. Currently, when someone can’t afford a medical expense, the bill is sent to collections, and that information is shared with consumer reporting agencies that generate consumer reports and credit scores that are often used by banks, landlords, employers, and insurance and utility companies. Medical debt lowers the consumer’s credit score, creating a barrier to accessing necessities like housing, utilities, and loans. Lower credit scores also increase interest rates on loans, taking more money out of Coloradans’ pockets. Medical debt affects people of all ages and incomes, but it disproportionately impacts those with a chronic illness or medical condition who relies on continual medical assistance to maintain their quality of life. HB23-1126 adds medical debt to the list of information that consumer reporting agencies are not allowed to include in a credit report, updates exemptions to expand consumer privacy protections, and requires collectors and collecting agencies to notify Coloradans that medical debt will no longer be included in credit reports. Previous Next

Two bills to support Colorado workers today passed the House. < Back March 13, 2023 Workforce Bills Pass House DENVER, CO – Two bills to support Colorado workers today passed the House. HB23-1094, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Marc Catlin, would boost the agriculture workforce, and HB23-1074, sponsored by Representatives Ruby Dickson and Judy Amabile, would identify strategies to better prepare Colorado workers for industry changes resulting from technology advances and automation. “This bill works to train, educate and uplift the next generation of agricultural workers through hands-on internships and training,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB23-1094. “This bipartisan legislation creates a pipeline for careers in the agricultural businesses while helping our farmers and ranchers fill open positions. Colorado’s agriculture industry creates $47 billion dollars in economic activity every year and our legislation supports our farmers and ranchers by creating new pathways for Coloradans interested in a career in agriculture.” HB23-1094 , which passed the House by a vote of 56 to 4, would modify the Agricultural Workforce Development Program which provides financial incentives to farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses to hire interns and provide them with hands-on training and the experience needed to pursue a career in agriculture. This bill aims to jumpstart a lifelong career in agriculture and deepen the workforce pool by increasing the duration of paid internships to up to one year instead of six months. “As our economy changes, we must do everything we can to ensure workers aren’t left behind,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1074 . “We can’t control how innovation and automation will affect the labor market, but we can anticipate these changes – and find new strategies to support impacted workers. This bill will identify opportunities for workers to use the skills they already have while transitioning to a more forward-looking economy so that Coloradans can continue to work and thrive in their own communities.” “This bill will help create and preserve jobs for workers in Colorado’s oil and gas industry and other skilled industries as we prepare for the impacts of new technologies,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1074. “Our bill creates a workforce study, through the Office of Future Work, to identify strategies to help workers enter new, up-and-coming career paths as technology-dependent industries adapt and grow with automation and other efficiencies coming online in the future.” HB23-1074 , which passed the House by a vote of 41 to 18, would create a workforce study to help better prepare Coloradans for high-demand careers. Through this workforce study, The Office of Future Work (OFW) would partner with research institutions, employers and other stakeholders to explore industry transitions in oil and gas and in industries experiencing disruption due to automation. This bill works to ease workforce transitions, identify appropriate interventions and define strategies to help Coloradans prepare and train for careers of the future. Previous Next

SB25-003, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, goes into effect August 1, 2026. < Back July 29, 2026 SB25-003 Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – SB25-003, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, goes into effect August 1, 2026. The law requires a permit and firearm safety training to purchase high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. It also prohibits the purchase and sale of all rapid fire conversion devices, like bump stocks and binary triggers. “High-capacity magazines are what put the ‘mass’ into mass shootings, which is why over a decade ago Colorado Democrats passed legislation to prohibit magazines that hold over 15 rounds of ammunition,” said Sullivan. “This law further enforces that ban. It will save lives and increase safety for all Coloradans. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s exactly what we're doing.” “As gun violence continues to devastate communities across Colorado, Colorado Democrats are again taking action to prevent future tragedies,” said Boesenecker. “When semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines get into the wrong hands, it presents a major threat to the health and safety of our communities. With this law going into effect soon, we’re taking another step to prevent senseless violence in our communities and save countless lives.” “Gun violence continues to have devastating effects on Colorado communities, and we must do more to protect lives,” said Gonzales. “The firearm industry’s profits come, time and again, at the expense of public safety. Something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account and enforcing the law we have had on the books for more than a decade. I’m honored to join Senator Sullivan on this legislation and in his work to reduce gun violence in Colorado.” “This gun violence prevention law answers the call to action from our neighbors and will save lives,” said Froelich. “We know that semi-automatic weapons become especially deadly when they are paired with high-capacity magazines, which is why Colorado Democrats passed a 2013 law to prohibit these high-capacity magazines. We’ve raised a generation on lockdown drills, and 1 in 15 people have experienced a mass shooting. This law will help save lives and prevent more Coloradans from having to go through the pain of losing a loved one to senseless gun violence.” "Colorado is proving that passing a strong gun safety law is only the beginning. Successful implementation is what transforms policy on paper into lives saved,” said Justin Wagner, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. “As Senate Bill 3 takes effect, Colorado has built a clear, workable system that helps ensure the people purchasing high-powered firearms have completed safety training and passed a thorough background check. This law gives states across the country a roadmap for implementing innovative policies that keep communities safe while providing clarity for responsible gun purchasers, retailers, and law enforcement.” “Students have grown up practicing active shooter drills while watching communities across Colorado be forever changed by preventable gun violence,” said Norah Krause, leader with Colorado Students Demand Action . “With Senate Bill 3 now in effect, our state is putting stronger safeguards in place to help keep the most lethal firearms out of dangerous hands. Young people fought for this law because we refuse to accept gun violence as a normal part of growing up, and we’ll keep organizing until every student can learn without fear.” “This law is taking effect because survivors, volunteers, students, and lawmakers refused to accept that mass shootings are inevitable,” said Kathy Hagen, lead with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action . “Colorado families deserve to know that there are meaningful safeguards in place before someone can purchase the firearms most often used in our country's deadliest mass shootings. This marks another important step toward a safer Colorado.” SB25-003 requires a person who wants to purchase certain specified semiautomatic firearms to first obtain a permit, which requires undergoing a background check and completing a firearm safety training course that includes instruction on safe usage and storage of these firearms, federal and state firearm laws, and a demonstrated ability to safely handle these devices. The law does not impact the sale of manual-action shotguns, lever- or bolt-action rifles, commonly used hunting rifles, semiautomatic firearms that have fixed magazines, or any revolvers or recoil operated handguns, which make up well over 90 percent of the handgun market. While SB25-003 requires a permit to purchase gas-operated semiautomatic pistols that accept detachable magazines, those types of pistols are relatively uncommon. The law does not impact possession of currently-owned specified semiautomatic firearms. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has published a guide on how to purchase a specified semiautomatic firearm in accordance with the new law. This resource includes guidance, prepared by the Department of Revenue, of which makes and models fall within the law’s definition of "specified semiautomatic firearms .” In response to the 2013 Aurora theater shooting, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used in numerous mass shootings in Colorado, including the 2021 Boulder King Soopers shooting, the 2022 Club Q shooting, and the Columbine High School massacre. SB25-003 enforces Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine ban by adding safeguards prior to the purchase of the types of semi-automatic weapons that are most lethal when paired with a high-capacity magazine. SB25-003 was signed into law by Governor Polis on April 10, 2025. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2019 GOV SIGNS LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL (Apr. 12) – Gov. Jared Polis signed the life-saving Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This life-saving law will provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The legislation has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, the mental health community, advocates for gun violence prevention and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “It’s been 351 Friday’s since Alex was murdered. I know how this is going to save lives and I know how hard everybody has worked these past 351 Friday’s,” said Rep. Sullivan. “I struggle with the price that we paid to get where we are today. We still have more work to do.” Rep. Sullivan’s son, Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. Sullivan wears Alex’s jacket every day and wore it during the course of the debate in the House. He wore it today as the bill was signed into law. “This is a moment of progress. Today, we did something that was difficult and that is going to save lives,” said Majority Leader Garnett. “We are a state and country that counts on officials to uphold the rule of law. We have come a long way in this state from Columbine and this is a law that will hopefully prevent a future Columbine or help prevent a future family from going through a tragedy.” HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for an ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during that time period. The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House with bipartisan support, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, testified at a Feb. 21 House hearing on the bill. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee during the hearing how the language in the bill is legal under the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Hours of testimony during House and Senate committee hearings in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Fourteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. A U.S. Senate committee held a hearing on an ERPO bill this March. Colorado lost over 1,100 people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their ERPO legislation was enacted. Previous Next

Bipartisan bill would ramp up the licensure requirements for funeral professionals to help prevent future tragedies < Back May 1, 2024 House Passes Bill to License Funeral Industry Workers Bipartisan bill would ramp up the licensure requirements for funeral professionals to help prevent future tragedies DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to establish licensure of funeral professionals in Colorado. SB24-173, sponsored by Representative Brianna Titone, would align Colorado with the 49 other states that already require education, certification and licensure of those who work as funeral directors, mortuary scientists, cremationists and embalmers. “We’re the only state in the nation that does not require proper licensure for funeral professionals – it’s time to fix that to ensure our funeral homes and crematories are safe and operating legally,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “This bill would help ensure Colorado funeral homes and crematories have proper oversight from licensed professionals. Colorado has been at the center of many egregious and heartbreaking instances of fabricated cremation records and the mishandling of bodies. Colorado’s public health and safety depends upon our action which will ensure every funeral home and crematory in our state is operated by a licensed professional.” SB24-173 would establish licensure of funeral professionals in Colorado. Currently, Colorado is the only state in the nation without licensure for directors and employees of the funeral industry, and this lack of oversight and training has resulted in numerous tragic cases of funeral home mismanagement, mistreatment of human remains, and hundreds of impacted family members. This bill passed the House by a vote of 59 to 3. This bill would require an individual to obtain a license to practice as a funeral director, a mortuary science practitioner, an embalmer, a cremationist, or a natural reductionist starting January 1, 2027. To be eligible for a license, a person must have graduated from an accredited educational institution for that profession, passed the national board examination, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check. Those currently working in the industry can obtain a provisional license by showing they have worked at least 4,000 hours in the field, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check, and after two years will qualify for full licensure. In addition to SB24-173, another bill moving through the legislature ( HB24-1335 ) would require recurring inspections of state-operated funeral homes and crematories. In recent years, several funeral homes and operators in Colorado have been at the root of disturbing instances of mishandling human remains and bodies. These bills aim to add consistent regulation of Colorado’s funeral home industry to ensure public health and safety. Previous Next

New law improves the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s ability to address illegal firearm activity < Back May 15, 2024 Gun Violence Prevention Bill to Improve Investigations of Illegal Firearm Activity Signed Into Law New law improves the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s ability to address illegal firearm activity CENTENNIAL, CO - Governor Polis today signed gun violence prevention legislation into law to improve investigations of illegal firearm activity. “Though our background check system, InstaCheck, is working as intended, follow-up investigations are rarely conducted at the local or federal level due to resource limitations,” Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, said. “By giving CBI statutory authority, they will be able to more effectively investigate illegal firearms purchases and transfers, purchases of illegal components and ghost guns, information obtained through tip lines such as suspected straw purchases, and other violations – all while improving safety in communities across Colorado.” “From safe storage laws to waiting periods, we’ve passed significant gun violence prevention legislation that will have a real impact on the safety of our communities,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Current gaps in authority and resources make it difficult for law enforcement officials to enforce our laws to the fullest extent. Our new law gives CBI the authority and resources to work with local law enforcement agencies on life-saving investigations of illegal firearms.” “We all share a common goal of keeping illegal guns out of our communities, which is why I’m proud that our legislation is now law to ensure the safety of our loved ones and neighbors,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “We should be proud of the significant progress that we’ve made to tackle gun violence. This legislation uplifts our past work and reflects our commitment to keeping our communities safe by ensuring law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to investigate illegal firearm activity.” SB24-003 would give the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the ability to investigate illegal activity involving firearms. It would appropriate $1.7 million to the Department of Public Safety to create a team that investigates individuals convicted of felonies who are attempting to illegally purchase a firearm, and other illegal firearm crimes such as possession of a ghost gun. Previous Next

Laws aim to help address the behavioral health crisis, help more Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders access treatment < Back July 1, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: NEW LAWS TO BOLSTER COLORADO’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE, HELP STREAMLINE VITAL SERVICES GO INTO EFFECT Laws aim to help address the behavioral health crisis, help more Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders access treatment DENVER, CO – Today, two laws signed by Governor Jared Polis to help transform Colorado’s behavioral health system officially went into effect. HB22-1278 , sponsored by Senator Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, and Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley, will help increase and streamline access to behavioral health services through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders “Our law uplifts Colorado’s new Behavioral Health Administration, to make mental health care and substance use disorder treatment less expensive and easier to access,” said Young. “The pandemic has only exacerbated the long-standing challenges Coloradans’ have faced when trying to find the behavioral health care they need. The BHA works to streamline behavioral health care so Coloradans seeking care can find and receive high-quality treatment.” “Coloradans deserve easy access to the behavioral health care they need to maintain their health and well-being, but far too many folks are left with limited or no options for help,” said Lee . “Accessing our behavioral health system can be complex and difficult. The Behavioral Health Administration will help streamline services for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. With this law, we will be able to ensure accessible, equitable and high quality care for all.” HB22-1278 establishes a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes over 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use treatment, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services, and more. Another new law, championed by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and Representative Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, also went into effect today. SB22-181 directs the BHA to invest $72 million to bolster and stabilize the state’s behavioral health care workforce, which will help more Coloradans access the critical care they need to thrive. “If we want to achieve our goal of transforming Colorado’s behavioral health system, then we need a robust workforce to help us do it,” said Bridges . “This new law is a significant investment that will expand our behavioral health workforce and allow us to address our workforce shortage, better meet the needs of patients, and improve patient outcomes.” “This year, we worked to address the most pressing issues in our community. In Colorado, too many people are struggling to access or pay for the behavioral health care they need to thrive,” said Cutter . “This law is part of the total $450 million investment of federal funds to help us meet this challenge by boosting our health care workforce and recruiting and retaining the providers Colorado needs. It will also create new pathways for people entering mental health professions and save providers money as they pursue their education and go through the credentialing process.” The BHA’s workforce plan must include efforts to diversify the behavioral health workforce, expand the peer support professional workforce, reduce the administrative burden on providers, and support the existing workforce. The law also provides funding to the community college system to build a robust career pathway for the behavioral health field. SB22-181 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

< Back Rep. McCormick: Ballot initiatives 144 and 145 will not help animals Jun 17, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Longmont Times-Call here . Forty years ago, I swore a lifelong oath when starting my career as a veterinarian. Part of that oath affirms that I will use my scientific knowledge and skill to benefit society through the protection of animal health and welfare. I also promised to prevent and relieve animal suffering and promote our collective public health. And, I swore to do these things keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I promised to forever do what is right for animals, their people and the public. It is with that oath and my lifetime of service to animals and people that I must now sound the alarm to all Coloradans. There are two ballot initiatives being circulated collecting signatures for the fall ballot. These initiatives are being driven by big corporate interests from outside of Colorado. They are Initiative 144 and 145 and are being misleadingly sold to voters as a way to “increase access to veterinary care.” The General Assembly worked very hard this spring in a bipartisan, collaborative way to develop a robust approach to how best to utilize teletechnologies in the delivery and expansion of veterinary care. That bill was signed into law by the governor earlier this year. HB24-1048 Providing Veterinary Services through Telehealth passed the House of Representatives unanimously. It is widely supported by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, farmers and ranchers, shelters and humane societies and animal caretakers. The bill strengthens and clarifies that veterinary telemedicine should supplement and not replace in-person care. We absolutely should use telehealth more, and this law will make sure it is done right to protect pets. Initiative 144 also has to do with Veterinary Telehealth but is a danger to pets. 144 would dismantle that well structured law the governor just signed and eliminate the need for a doctor to ever see your animal in person, essentially eliminating the most important tools your veterinarian has to get to the bottom of what is going — their hands, eyes, ears and nose. 144 would not benefit people or their animals and would create real safety concerns. It would only help corporate entities focused on profits, allowing them to push medicine to animal owners via online platforms. Animals would be the ones suffering in this situation, as they would not be getting accurate, affordable, timely care. The second ballot initiative, 145, is also funded by outside corporate interests and will allow creation of a new animal health position called a veterinary professional associate or VPA. 145 would create an individual who is not licensed to practice medicine, has not gone through an accredited veterinary education program, has not passed a national exam, will not have sufficient liability protections, who would not be able to prescribe medicines due to Federal law and who will be under-trained through primarily an online master’s program, who would then be allowed to actually practice veterinary medicine on your pets. This VPA would be allowed to do surgery on your animals, diagnose diseases, interpret lab test results and prescribe a treatment plan — all without a license. Things only a veterinarian is sufficiently trained and licensed to do. Corporate interests want VPAs to practice medicine without the consumer protection safeguards that exist for licensed veterinarians. If this sounds crazy to you, then you can understand my grave concern for the animals of our state for whom we are responsible and my sincere alarm for public safety in the consideration of a VPA. Skilled Veterinary technicians are already more qualified than this contemplated VPA. They have comprehensive training, take a national exam and are regulated by the state. We passed another strong bipartisan bill to elevate vet techs with HB24-1047 Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice. Ballot initiatives 144 and 145 will not help animals nor the people who care for them. Not only do we not need these measures, they are dangerous. Please do not sign these petitions. Karen McCormick is the state representative for House District 11. She can be reached at rep.karenmccormick@gmail.com . Previous Next

< Back July 29, 2024 McCluskie, Lukens Tour Behavioral Health Care Facility EDWARDS, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Meghan Lukens and Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, today visited the Wiegers Mental Health Clinic. Lawmakers toured the youth and adult facility inpatient construction project and discussed workforce and affordable housing needs. “Expanding access to high-quality behavioral and mental health care in the high country is vital,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The demand for more inpatient and outpatient facilities is not slowing – and it’s heartening to see our local facilities continue to expand to meet the needs of our community, especially our youth. From lowering the cost of prescription drugs and prioritizing care in rural, underserved areas, improving access to mental and behavioral health care is always top of mind for us.” “No matter where you live, you deserve to have access to mental and behavioral health care resources in your community,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “As we work toward a future of accessible, affordable health care for everyone, especially our youth, it’s exciting to see local behavioral health care facilities expand so our neighbors can access care that’s close to them. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to not only prioritize mental and behavioral health care in our state, but make it more accessible for families and youth.” In 2023, Vail Health Behavioral Health opened the Wiegers Mental Health Clinic to meet the growing demand for outpatient care in Eagle County. In recent years, lawmakers have championed behavioral health care legislation to expand care in rural and agricultural communities, allow youth to receive free therapy sessions , and expand the health care workforce . Previous Next

Hail damage accounts for up to 54 percent of annual homeowners insurance premiums < Back May 12, 2026 House Passes Bill to Make Property Insurance More Affordable Hail damage accounts for up to 54 percent of annual homeowners insurance premiums DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to drive down homeowners insurance premiums and prevent damage from hailstorms, windstorms and other extreme weather events. SB26-155 passed by a vote of 43-22. “Our legislation would save Coloradans money on their property insurance premiums, protect homes from damage, and make our communities more resilient to extreme weather events,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Years ago, we created the FAIR Plan to offer property insurance of last resort to Coloradans who live in areas at-risk of wildfires and other natural disasters. As climate change creates increasingly damaging hailstorms, all homeowners pay the price. Our bill would help prevent property damage from hail and wind storms to save all homeowners money on their insurance premiums.” “This bill could save homeowners hundreds of dollars on their property insurance and prevent costly property damage,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Climate change has escalated the threat of natural disasters, especially storms with baseball-sized hail that can easily break windows and destroy roofs. By making our communities more resilient to wind and hail destruction, we can stabilize Colorado’s homeowners insurance market, lowering property insurance costs for Coloradans.” SB26-155 would help stabilize Colorado’s homeowners insurance market and make property insurance more affordable through the creation of a grant program to fortify roofs against costly wind and hail damage. SB26-155 would create the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise in the Division of Insurance to implement a grant program to help homeowners fortify their roofs against wind and hailstorms. The Enterprise would collect a fee from insurers that offer multiperil homeowners insurance policies and use the revenue to provide grants to homeowners to retrofit residential properties with resilient roof systems. The Enterprise would be governed by a seven-member board that includes the Colorado Insurance Commissioner, experts in home hardening, and members to represent the interests of insurers, industry experts, consumers, and counties. Beginning in 2027, the insurer fee imposed and collected by the Enterprise would be an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the total premium collected by an insurer on multiperil homeowners insurance policies in the preceding calendar year. The insurer may not add a surcharge to policyholders. Under the bill, an insurer offering multiperil homeowners insurance in the state will be required to demonstrate in their rate filings that savings from the installation of resilient roof systems are passed through to homeowners through discounts or reduced premiums on their insurance policies. Additionally, the bill would require the Enterprise and the Division of Insurance to conduct a study to analyze insurance risk in high-risk wildfire areas of the state. The study would include an analysis of market competition in high-risk wildfire areas, the impact of a high-risk program on potential losses, and the availability of homeowners insurance in those areas. Colorado homeowners insurance rates are some of the highest in the nation and have doubled from 2020 to 2025 . The Division of Insurance recently found that hail damage accounts for an average of 26 percent to 54 percent of an annual homeowners insurance premium and that hail mitigation has the potential to save consumers an average of $82 to $387 per year. Previous Next

< Back December 21, 2020 HOUSE DEMOCRATS APPLAUD FAMILY LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES DENVER, CO– Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and House JBC Democrats released the following statements after Governor Polis announced that state employees will be eligible for a paid family medical leave program effective January 2021. “State employees always go the extra mile to care for our state, and that’s never been more true than during this pandemic,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo , “I’m proud to say that we’ll be returning the favor by ensuring that these public servants have access to paid family and medical leave as soon as possible. State employees look out for our safety, tend to our public lands, keep our roads and bridges working and care for some of the state’s most vulnerable populations. They’re my friends and neighbors here in Southern Colorado and I’m proud that we’ll be able to deliver for them.” “This fall, I was heartened and excited to see voters approve a robust paid family leave program that will allow all Coloradans the time they need to care for loved ones and themselves,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “The Governor’s announcement today means that hardworking state employees will be able to access these crucial benefits even sooner. I look forward to working in the Joint Budget Committee to making sure this becomes a reality. State employees always have our backs, and I’m proud to say that we have theirs too.” “State employees have been on the frontlines of our state’s fight against COVID-19,” said JBC Member Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “From taking on crucial public health work to serving our veterans, keeping our roads plowed during winter storms and protecting our air and water, these public servants are always there for us when we need them. This family and medical leave program will allow them to be there for their loved ones when they need it most. I’m ready to get to work finding ways to fund this important program. State Employees deserve our support, and I’m glad to work with the governor to make this much discussed policy initiative a reality.’ Previous Next