< Back May 5, 2022 ESGAR’S MONUMENTAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EXPANSION BILL WINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL Legislation would expand collective bargaining rights to more than 37,000 public service workers and builds upon the 2020 state workers bill DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a monumental collective bargaining bill sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar. SB22-230 would expand collective bargaining rights to more than 37,000 county workers. Under this bill, county workers would receive recognized collective bargaining rights that private-sector and state employees in Colorado already have. “Colorado’s county workers protect our communities while providing services we all rely on—this bill has their backs,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Under this bill, our county public service workers would have the right to form a union to improve their workplace conditions, negotiate better pay and boost critical services communities need. This bill stands up for nearly 40,000 county workers who fix our roads, staff our public health departments and keep Coloradans safe. These workers deserve to have a seat at the table to improve their lives and the lives of their families, and I’m beyond proud to champion this bill in the House.” Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act: SB22-230 passed committee by a vote of 7-4 and builds upon the state workers bill from 2020 , also sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar. This bill extends collective bargaining rights to county workers, more than doubling the current number of public workers with recognized collective barging rights in Colorado. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would give public service workers who choose to form a union a seat at the table to collectively bargain on issues like working conditions, job safety, pay and benefits, and to collaborate with management to address shared challenges like staff shortages, high turnover, and improving public services. This bill is a historic step forward in Colorado’s labor and workers’ rights movement. Right now, only four out of Colorado’s 64 counties recognize their workers’ right to collectively bargain. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would guarantee Colorado statutory county workers the ability to organize and form a union to advocate for safer workplaces and better public services if they so choose. Additionally, the Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would extend protections to workers who are currently vulnerable to retaliation, discrimination, and coercion for exercising basic union rights. Previous Next

SB24-184 creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail for Colorado < Back May 16, 2024 SIGNED! Legislation Aimed at Establishing Passenger Rail for Colorado Becomes Law SB24-184 creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail for Colorado DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation aimed at leveraging millions in federal infrastructure funding to bring passenger rail service to Colorado and expanding public transportation options across the state. SB24-184 , sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, alongside House Speaker Julie McClusike, D-Dillon, and Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, implements a congestion impact fee that will offset climate impacts and mitigate the congestion caused by rental vehicles. Revenue generated from the fee will create a sustainable funding source to be used as a matching source for federal investment opportunities for statewide rail, as well as other forms of public transportation. “For years Coloradans have been waiting for the promise of a fast, efficient passenger rail system that makes it easy, safe, and affordable to travel all across our great state,” Fenberg said. “Now, with the availability of critical federal funds through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver on that promise. I am excited to have championed this new law that will secure more efficient transit options while cutting emissions, reducing traffic, and connecting communities across Colorado.” “Once in a generation federal infrastructure funding is giving us the opportunity to build an expanded passenger rail system that will create the transportation options Coloradans have been asking for,” said McCluskie. “In addition to creating transit that reduces traffic and air pollution, passenger rail projects, including Mountain Rail, will create Colorado jobs and boost economies throughout the state. This law is a long time in the making, and I am excited to make significant progress towards passenger rail infrastructure.” “Expanding our transit system and making it easier for folks in my district to travel across our great state is a key priority of mine at the Capitol,” said Marchman. “Expanding passenger rail service will connect communities like mine with the rest of the state and save people both time and money on their commutes, all while emitting less pollution and reducing traffic. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to expand our transit options so that more Coloradans can get where they need to go safely and efficiently." “The Front Range Passenger Rail is a long time in the making, and this law will help us secure federal funding by creating a long-term funding mechanism to make expanded passenger rail a reality across Front Range communities,” said Boesenecker. “From Fort Collins and the Western Slope to Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Coloradans have been asking for more transit options. This law will build on existing transit systems and expand transit partnership opportunities to ensure we’re providing transportation services that work for the needs of our communities.” The law encourages RTD, Front Range Passenger Rail, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to coordinate efforts to secure the funding needed to establish passenger rail service from Denver to Fort Collins. It also directs the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) to use three studies in the near term to fund regionally important transit and rail projects originating from the Front Range Passenger Rail Service Development Plan, the Mountain Corridor Service Development Plan, and the Statewide Connectivity study that aims to build a more comprehensive statewide bus system, building on the successes of Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus. Finally, SB24-184 requires CTIO to create a new, multimodal strategic capital plan that aligns with CDOT’s ten-year plan, statewide transit plans, greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals, and other greenhouse gas reduction priorities and pollution reduction planning standards. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would stabilize Colorado’s homeowner insurance market to create more affordable property insurance options. < Back April 22, 2025 House Advances Bill to Make Property Insurance More Affordable DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would stabilize Colorado’s homeowner insurance market to create more affordable property insurance options. “Finding insurance has been increasingly difficult for Colorado property owners, especially on the Western Slope, and this legislation would stabilize the insurance market to create more affordable coverage,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “From catastrophic wildfires to hail storms that cause billions of dollars of damage in minutes, extreme weather events can upend entire communities. This legislation would create more competition in the insurance market to drive down costs and save Coloradans money on their property insurance." “Colorado is one of the least affordable states for homeowners insurance, which is why we’re bringing this bill to make insurance more accessible and affordable for Colorado homeowners,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “After the Marshall Fire devastated my community, many Coloradans found it difficult to find affordable home insurance. Through this legislation, we’re helping Colorado homeowners protect their properties from damage and expanding insurance coverage options that work for hardworking Coloradans.” HB25-1302 would stabilize the insurance market by transferring a portion of catastrophic wildfire insurance risk to the Wildfire Catastrophe Reinsurance Enterprise, reducing volatility in the insurance market that drives up costs. The enterprise would also provide reinsurance payments to eligible insurers to mitigate their risk and losses in the event of a wildfire disaster. Colorado’s insurance market is statewide, however, competition is lagging. To boost competition and drive down costs, this bill would require insurance companies benefiting from the reinsurance program to provide coverage to homeowners living in high-risk areas. Additionally, the bill would provide grants to homeowners to help them protect their properties from hail damage by installing fortified roofs, which are better able to withstand hailstorms than traditional roofs. Speaker McCluskie passed a 2023 law creating the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan Association to ensure Coloradans with homes and commercial properties located in wildfire zones or otherwise subject to high-risk factors can receive homeowners or commercial property insurance. Previous Next

< Back October 19, 2020 BUENTELLO ANNOUNCES JOBS GRANTS FOR LA JUNTA AND ROCKY FORD PUEBLO, CO – Representative Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, today announced that the Department of Local Affairs has approved $43,850 in Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grants for the cities of La Junta and Rocky Ford to help create new jobs. Buentello sponsored and passed SB20-002 , which cemented and strengthened the REDI grant program. “These REDI grants are aimed at boosting our rural economies, and they’re already getting to work creating critical new jobs in Rocky Ford and La Junta,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “I sponsored legislation to strengthen the REDI program because we need to build an economy that works for every corner of our state. I’m proud our state is investing in our communities and working with our local partners to help more Coloradans have a fair shot at success as our economy begins to recover.” Rocky Ford will receive a $18,850 REDI grant to continue the “Developing a Resilient Economy” project, an economic revitalization strategy that includes community and entrepreneurial trainings for existing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs aimed at building essential business skills. Training topics will include building trades, agricultural businesses, value-added manufacturing, and small business management. La Junta will receive a $25,000 REDI grant to help fund an Economic Action Plan to understand the forces shaping the business landscape and evaluate the city’s ability to respond to new opportunities and challenges. The project will also create a strategy and plan for economic development activities that support innovation, diversification, and business attraction, expansion and retention. The REDI is a proven grant program that provides critical resources to rural communities to spur economic development and create jobs. Reps. Buentello and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsored and passed SB20-002, which codified and improved the grant program to ensure that it continues to serve rural Coloradans. The law also made improvements to the program to more successfully bolster rural economies and requires DOLA to prioritize projects that create jobs or spur critical investments in key industries in the community. Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2020 HOUSE VOTES TO BAN THE GAY AND TRANS PANIC DEFENSE The House today passed Representatives Leslie Herod and Matt Soper’s bipartisan bill to ban the use of the gay and trans panic defense. The House vote was 49-19. “It’s long past time to ban this trans and homophobic defense tactic, “ said Rep. Herod, D-Denver . “A victim’s gender, gender identity or gender expression should never be used to blame a victim for the crime committed against them. We all have the right to a fair trial, and this defense is anything but fair.” The gay and trans panic defense is a legal tactic that has been allowed as a legal defense but that aims to play on the prejudice of jurors against LGTBQ people. HB20-1307 states that evidence about a defendant’s knowledge or discovery of a victim’s gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation can no longer be asserted as a legal defense constituting ‘sudden heat of passion’ in a criminal case. Previous Next

< Back April 10, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO WORKERS ‘Just Transition’ legislation would ensure state studies and prepares for future (Apr. 10) – The House Business Affairs & Labor committee approved Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill 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. “The time to take action on climate is now, but we cannot work towards a clean energy economy without also working on solutions to support workers who are affected by this transition,” said Speaker 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 bill.” 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 provides critical benefits to workers who are laid off to help them get back up on their feet and provides workforce and economic development grants to communities whose residents and local economies are disproportionately impacted by the decline of coal. “HD-50 is a working class community. I’m the daughter of working people and work in a blue collar job myself. I understand the plight of working people and the struggles they go through every day,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “This bill is about looking out for workers whose livelihoods could be impacted by inevitable market shifts. We need to be responsive, compassionate and proactive for workers when addressing the transition.” The bill was approved on a vote of 7-3. The bill now goes the the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 41-22. < Back February 5, 2025 House Passes Bill to Boost Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 41-22. “Coloradans with disabilities rely on certain accessibility features in going about their daily lives, and it’s important that new and renovated buildings such as schools and health facilities meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “With this bill passing the House today, we’re standing by our commitment to Colorado’s disability community by improving accessibility requirements in building codes throughout our state and supporting basic access to public buildings.” “The Americans with Disabilities Act has been law for over 30 years, yet gaps in enforcing those accessibility requirements continue to act as a barrier to Coloradans with disabilities,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. ”As a former local government official, I know this bill will benefit our communities by creating a guideline for local governments to follow when it comes to accessibility updates, mitigating lawsuits and making our communities more accessible for all.” Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments that adopt or amend a building code to ensure that they meet or exceed the accessibility standards set by the International Code Council and existing laws. The State Housing Board would also be required to meet or exceed these standards when it comes to substantial updates to uniform construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control would be responsible for ensuring that building codes for public schools and health facilities meet accessibility standards. Colorado Democrats have championed many laws in recent years to break down accessibility barriers for Coloradans living with disabilities, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to implement a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES JACKSON-GALINDO BILL TO HELP RENTERS Colorado ranks among lowest when it comes to renters rights (Mar. 11) – The House gave preliminary approval to Rep. Dominique Jackson and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill to allow sufficient time for tenants to remedy a lease violation before getting evicted. “This bill will give hardworking people additional time to find the resources they need to stay in their homes, and that helps the renter as well as the landlord and could help prevent homelessness,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora. “Rental assistance is available, but people need more time to get that assistance. Homelessness is already a problem. Let’s help keep people housed.” Current state law does not allow sufficient time for tenants to remedy a late rental payment or minor lease violation. Right now, Coloradans can have an eviction filed against them within three days of missing a payment. Three days is not enough time to find a new place to stay, to move out, or to find pro-bono legal resources to help postpone an eviction and leads to instability and homelessness or even job loss. Forced moves or evictions have a domino effect in communities across Colorado leading to homelessness, poverty and job loss. Housing instability benefits no one and often destabilizes families, children’s education and local communities. “Hardworking families and individuals struggling to get ahead are being evicted from their homes for owing as little as $40. This bill ensures a tenant has sufficient time to make their rent payment,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “ This bill will help prevent the downward spiral into poverty that is so often associated with an eviction.” Under HB19-1118, tenants will now receive 10 days to pay their rent or address a minor lease issue before an eviction is filed against them, up from three days. House Republicans offered many amendments to gut the bill and perpetuate the cycle of evictions that is plaguing so many Coloradans and their families. They frequently sided with those landlords that look to make a profit rather than ethically housing people. Having an eviction record can make it close to impossible for an individual or family to secure housing in the future. Twenty-eight states give more notice before eviction than Colorado in the case of unpaid rent and 36 states provide more notice in the case of other lease violations. The bill passed by a voice vote. It still requires a final vote in the House before going to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2020 AIR TOXICS REGULATION PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Energy and Environment today approved Representative Adrienne Benavidez and Alex Valdez’s bill to regulate air toxics emissions. The bill passed 7 to 4. “My constituents in Commerce City and Coloradans across the state have a right to know what factories, refineries, and coal plants are putting into the air,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City . “We’re moving forward today to deliver environmental justice and protect the health and safety of our families while holding polluting corporations accountable.” “Today we’re standing up for our neighborhoods, our families, and our state,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “The toxic chemicals that this bill would regulate can cause ailments ranging from headaches and nausea to cancer and death. Since the bulk of the damage done by these chemicals is borne by those living closest to the facilities, it’s no surprise that communities of color are the hardest hit. Enough is enough– it’s time to take action.” HB20-1265 would regulate certain hazardous air toxics, including hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and other hazardous air pollutants specified by the Air Quality Control Commission in rulemaking. The bill would create a program to regulate these pollutants in a manner more strict than required by the Federal Clean Air Act. The bill would also require facilities emitting these chemicals to monitor their emissions of covered air toxics and set health-based emission limits for covered air pollutants. Finally, the program would be tasked with creating a real-time community alert system for informing communities when pollution “incidents” occur. The bill also requires facilities that frequently emit the air toxics specified by the legislation monitor their emissions of toxic air pollutants and create transparency by promptly and thoroughly providing information regarding a pollution incident. Previous Next

Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership < Back March 8, 2024 Bill to Strengthen Firearm Training, Promote Responsible Gun Ownership Advances Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to promote responsible firearm ownership and protect Colorado communities from gun violence. “States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit saw a 32 percent increase in gun assaults,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives. This important legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities.” “When I received my concealed carry permit years ago, I was surprised to learn that Colorado law did not require live-fire training, a necessary skill to have before carrying a gun in public spaces," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "Our bill would create a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training with a certified firearms instructor, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Our commonsense gun violence prevention legislation works to prevent senseless gun deaths by improving firearm training.” In Colorado, a person can be issued a concealed carry permit if they complete a handgun training class by a verified firearms safety instructor, pass a background check, and demonstrate competence with a handgun. HB24-1174 would require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. Under the bill, the handgun training class would include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam that the student must receive passing scores on. The bill would also require a concealed handgun refresher class (refresher class) to be completed in order to renew a concealed carry permit. This refresher class must be at least two hours, including a passing score on both the live-fire exercise and written exam. The refresher class must also include instruction on changes to federal or state firearm laws. HB24-1174 prohibits a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill also makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by a county sheriff. Majority Leader Duran sponsored a 2021 law that promotes responsible gun ownership by ensuring that gun owners properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present. Previous Next

Today, Governor Jared Polis signed into law two pieces of legislation to reduce insurance premiums and the cost of prescription drugs. < Back May 10, 2023 Signed! Legislation to Reduce Insurance Premiums, Costs of Prescription Drugs AURORA, CO - Today, Governor Jared Polis signed into law two pieces of legislation to reduce insurance premiums and the cost of prescription drugs. HB23-1224 , sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Reps. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, lowers insurance premiums and makes it easier for consumers to shop for high value standardized health plans that work for them and their families. The bill strengthens the Department of Insurance’s (DOI) ability to hold carriers accountable for the premium rate reduction requirements on Colorado Option Standardized Plans by granting the DOI the authority to: Limit factors such as as excessive profit and administrative expenses; Structure the public hearing process efficiently while ensuring all parties have the opportunity to participate; Help consumers easily find and compare plans that could lower their out-of-pocket costs. “Too many Coloradans are forced to choose between preventative health care services and paying the bills,” Jodeh said. “By reducing premium rates for Colorado Option plans and strengthening cost-saving requirements over Pharmacy Benefit Managers, our new laws will protect Colorado patients, pharmacies, and businesses from unfair practices while saving them money on health care.” “Every Coloradan, no matter where they live, deserves to have access to the life-saving health care they need,” said Roberts. “Colorado has led the way in lowering costs of health care by creating the Colorado Option. This bill builds on the first year of success of that plan and makes changes that will ensure that next year and in the years to come, even more Coloradans, particularly in the rural communities like those I represent, will be able to access more affordable and higher quality insurance options.” “The Colorado Option has been very successful, creating $14 million in savings for Colorado patients on health care plans, in its first year in the market,” Brown said. “With this new law, we’re making improvements to the Colorado Option to save Coloradans even more money on health care. I’m proud of the work that we’ve done to cut down on health care costs and pass savings down to Colorado consumers.” The second bill, HB23-1227 , ensures that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) follow through on critical cost savings reforms that the legislature has passed in recent years to save consumers money. Sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Perry Will, R-New Castle, and Reps. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Jodeh, the bill provides the DOI with more direct oversight over PBMs by requiring them to register and specifying that the DOI has the ability to enforce those reforms. “As a pharmacist I know firsthand how critical it is for Coloradans to be able to afford their prescription drugs, but too many of our families are still getting squeezed by high costs of medication,” said Jaquez Lewis. “HB1227 is part of a multi-year effort to keep Colorado prescription drug prices affordable. I’m thrilled to see this critical bill to save families even more money on life-saving medications signed into law.” “Addressing the cost of prescription drugs is a critical part of creating an equitable and accessible health care system,” said Ortiz. “This new law will give us the tools to hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers to the cost-saving measures that Colorado Democrats have passed to improve access to affordable, quality health care for all.” The bipartisan bill grants the Insurance Commissioner the power to investigate and impose penalties on PBMs for failing to comply with consumer protections such as charging pharmacies fees to adjudicate claims, clawing back money from pharmacies inappropriately, and discriminating against independent pharmacies versus PBM-affiliated pharmacies. Previous Next

The House today advanced two bipartisan bills that would spur the creation of more high-quality and affordable child care facilities in our communities and help create more jobs by incentivizing businesses to expand or relocate to Colorado. < Back May 1, 2026 House Dems Pass Bills to Save Families Money on Child Care, Create More Good-Paying Jobs DENVER, CO - The House today advanced two bipartisan bills that would spur the creation of more high-quality and affordable child care facilities in our communities and help create more jobs by incentivizing businesses to expand or relocate to Colorado. “Everyone deserves a fair shot at the Colorado Dream, and this bill would create quality child care options and save Colorado families money,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB26-1004. “The Child Care Contribution Tax Credit is an important tool to support hardworking families while creating jobs, which is why I am sponsoring this bipartisan bill so communities across the state can continue to benefit from this tax credit.” The Child Care Contribution Tax Credit allows taxpayers who donate money to a licensed child care facility in Colorado to receive an income tax credit of 50 percent of their contribution. HB26-1004 , also sponsored by Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, would extend the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit until 2037. These child care facilities could include qualifying child care centers, homeless youth shelters and residential treatment centers. These donations can be used to create or maintain a child care facility, fund child care financial assistance programs for families and train child care providers. In tax year 2023, around $33 million in credits were claimed by almost 16,000 taxpayers, generating a total of $66 million for the child care ecosystem. In January, the Trump Administration attempted to freeze over $300 million of funding for child care and social services that thousands of Colorado families rely on. HB26-1014 , also sponsored by Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would extend the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit through tax year 2034. The Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit was created in 2009 to help create new jobs by offering a state income tax credit of 50 percent of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes) contributions paid by the business for each new job. “This legislation will create new, good-paying job opportunities and boost Coloradans in their career fields,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1014. “The Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit has successfully created jobs in every corner of our state and above the average pay in the area. Expanding this tax credit would help attract businesses to Colorado, which would create more good-paying jobs and jumpstart careers.” To qualify for this state income tax credit, businesses must create at least 20 new jobs during the credit period, or at least five new jobs if the project is within an Enhanced Rural Enterprise Zone. These jobs must pay at least 100 percent of the county’s average annual wage and be maintained for at least one year. The following projects were announced as recent recipients of the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit: Neon, a company in the quantum industry, that is expected to create 150 new jobs at 172-percent of the average annual wage in Boulder County, Project Elevate, a real estate investment and modular home manufacturing company, which is expected to create nearly 100 jobs at 135-percent of the average annual wage in Mesa County, and Frontera, a construction company, which is expected to create 40 new jobs at 104-percent of the average annual wage in Montrose County. Previous Next