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< Back May 27, 2020 BIPARTISAN OCCUPATIONAL CREDENTIALING BILL MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — Representative Shannon Bird’s bipartisan bill to streamline Colorado’s credentialing system for dozens of professions today passed the House by a unanimous vote. “I’m committed to taking responsible steps to get our small businesses up and running, our economy back on track, and Coloradans back to work,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “This bill will remove red tape and ensure qualified job seekers and health care professionals are able to practice their professions without undue burdens. The Occupational Credential Portability Program created by this bill will be yet another tool in our toolbox as we work to ensure Colorado’s strong economy bounces back as soon and as safely as possible.” HB20-1326 creates the Occupational Credential Portability Program in the Department of Regulatory Agencies to streamline and centralize the credentialing of individuals licensed in another state. The bill will apply to professions ranging from doctors and veterinarians to electricians and barbers. Previous Next

In the spirit of celebration and appreciation, I am reminded how grateful I am to represent all of you in the state legislature. I am excited for the work ahead this legislative session to continue delivering results for our communities. < Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Gratitude in focus: Investing in education and community in House District 26 Dec 7, 2023 See more Originally published in the Steambot Pilot & Today here . In the spirit of celebration and appreciation, I am reminded how grateful I am to represent all of you in the state legislature. I am excited for the work ahead this legislative session to continue delivering results for our communities. This year, we have a historic opportunity to significantly increase funding for K-12 public schools and finally eliminate what is known as the Budget Stabilization Factor, which has reduced state funding for schools since the Great Recession. This landmark investment in our schools will finally meet the long-promised funding levels that Colorado students deserve. It will put more money into classrooms to increase teacher pay and reduce class sizes. For the last few years, Colorado Democrats have been working hard to increase funding for our schools to put us in the position we are in now. Each year, we have increased funding for schools and gotten closer to eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor. The increase we are planning this year is badly needed and will set up our state to finally fund schools closer to the levels we need. For far too long, schools have had to make do with fewer resources than they need, which has led to some of the lowest teacher salaries in the country. These additional dollars will help us recruit and retain new teachers and ensure every student in our community has the resources they need in the classroom to thrive. Under the governor’s budget for next year, the state will fully fund its share of public education, keeping our promise to invest in students’ success and increasing per-pupil funding to an average of $11,317 per student. This commitment to our students and their future is the Western Slope Way. During our special session last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to our schools while delivering urgent property tax relief. I am proud of the responsible package we passed that will reduce property taxes and protect funding for our schools, fire districts, emergency responders and critical local services our communities rely upon. As a teacher, I know we have to step up to make our state more affordable and prevent teachers from losing their homes because they can’t afford rising property taxes. At the same time, I know how important it is that we protect funding for our schools. It was important to do both, and we did. I know that the Western Slope Way is why so many of you bring up education when we bump into each other at the grocery store, on the slopes or at a community event. When we support and increase resources for our students, our entire community benefits. The 2024 legislative session begins on Jan. 10, and I have been working tirelessly with constituents and colleagues from both sides of the political aisle to gear up for the upcoming legislative session. I am committed to serving the people of Eagle, Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties, and am looking forward to passing laws this legislative session that deliver results on the issues most important to the people of House District 26, like affordable housing, behavioral health, education and economic prosperity. I would love to hear from you about education, and any other issues that matter to you. Please contact me at repmeghanlukens@gmail.com with comments and concerns. If you would like to be added to my newsletter for more frequent legislative updates, feel free to send me an email as well. Follow me on social media to be the first to know when I will be hosting town halls to answer your questions in person. Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward! Previous Next

The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to increase security measures at gun shows and strengthen existing gun violence prevention laws. HB25-1238, sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Sean Camacho, passed by a vote of 8-3. < Back February 25, 2025 Bill to Reduce Firearm Theft and Illegal Sales, Improve Security at Gun Shows Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to increase security measures at gun shows and strengthen existing gun violence prevention laws. HB25-1238, sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Sean Camacho, passed by a vote of 8-3. “From safe storage and waiting periods to reporting requirements for lost or stolen firearms, I’m proud of the work that Colorado Democrats have done to make our communities safer for all, and this bill ensures that these laws are implemented in gun shows where thousands of firearm and ammunition products are present,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Gun shows can be helpful for Coloradans who are interested in learning more about firearms, and this legislation works to ensure that gun show promoters organize appropriate security for the event and vendors adhere to firearm laws that exist to keep our communities safe.” “One of the best ways we can prevent gun violence is by requiring firearm dealers and gun show promoters to utilize proven methods that keep guns out of the wrong hands, like running background checks, securely storing firearms and ammunition, and boosting security measures like video cameras,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver. “This legislation helps enforce responsible gun-selling practices and that makes gun shows more resilient to illegal sales or theft. With this bill, we’re bolstering Colorado’s gun violence prevention laws to keep our communities safe and save Colorado lives from senseless gun violence.” HB25-1238 would help reduce gun violence and theft by creating requirements for gun show promoters and vendors and strengthening existing state firearm laws. The bill would require a gun show promoter to create a security plan at least 14 days before the gun show and submit the plan to each local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the show. The security plan would include a list of gun show vendors who are expected to participate, an estimated number of attendees, the number of security personnel secured for the show, and a layout of the event that includes entrances and exits and locations of video camera security. The bill also requires the gun show promoter to: Obtain liability insurance for the gun show, Implement security measures at the gun show, Prohibit people under the age of 21 years old from entering the show unless accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or guardian, Verify that firearm sales adhere to the 3-day waiting period law, and Post certain notices at the gun show regarding state firearm laws. To participate in a gun show, a vendor would be required to certify to the gun show promoter that they meet the requirements to be a gun show vendor and will comply with federal, state, and local firearm laws during the gun show. Vendors would also be required to display copies of their federal firearms license and state firearms dealer permit and conduct a background check for each firearm transfer at a gun show. The bill would prohibit a vendor from participating in the gun show if they do not hold a federal firearms license or a valid state firearms dealer permit. If they have been convicted of a second offense of unlawful gun show vendor activity or have not completed a gun show certification, the vendor would also not be allowed to participate. The bill outlines requirements for displaying firearms, including: Keeping the firearms unloaded, Securely attaching firearms to a countertop or wall, Safeguarding ammunition enclosed in a display case, behind the vendor’s counter, or other strategies to restrict customer access without the help of a vendor, and Providing written information regarding safe storage and lost or stolen firearm reporting requirements in Colorado law with each firearm sale. The bill helps enforce recent laws that Colorado Democrats have passed to tackle gun violence, including implementing a minimum three-day waiting period , promoting responsible gun ownership by requiring firearms to be securely stored in residences and vehicles , creating a requirement to report lost or stolen firearms , requiring firearm dealers to hold a state license to ensure they have the education and tools to prevent gun violence, and strengthening Colorado’s gun background check system to prevent people convicted of violent crimes to access guns for five years. Previous Next

< Back Meghan Lukens Chair of the Education Committee Representative Meghan Lukens serves as the Chair for the Education Committee and a member of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Lukens represents House District 26, which spans Northwest Colorado and includes Routt, Eagle, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties. A former high school teacher, Rep. Lukens’ legislative efforts have been geared toward education funding, boosting teacher pay, supporting rural school districts and preparing our K-12 learners for a lifetime of success. In addition to her education legislation, Rep. Lukens also championed laws to preserve Colorado’s wildlife, waterways and natural areas for generations to come.

< Back March 14, 2022 HOUSE PASSES REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY ACT Legislation will protect and uphold the right to an abortion in Colorado DENVER, CO – The House today passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act on Third Reading and Final Passage by a vote of 40 to 24. “This is a big win for protecting access to abortion and reproductive health care,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Across the country, the GOP is introducing and passing extreme laws to criminalize those who seek reproductive health care, and to ban abortion entirely, with no exceptions. We’re here to say, that’s not going to happen in Colorado. We’re standing up to protect access to abortion and I’m thrilled the Reproductive Health Equity Act has passed the House.” “Today, our hours of endurance, dedication and perseverance to protect abortion paid off for Coloradans,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo . “We’re one step closer towards enshrining access to reproductive health care and abortion into Colorado law. We trust Coloradans to make their own medical decisions and that includes deciding whether or not they want to become a parent.” HB22-1279 , sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, would update Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights. The bill establishes a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. The proposed law comes as states across the country propose and enact new bans and restrictions on abortion access. The legislation is supported by: Cobalt, COLOR, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, the Anti-Defamation League of the Mountain States, the ACLU of Colorado, ONE Colorado, New Era Colorado, Catholics for Choice and dozens of other organizations. In Texas, Republicans passed legislation banning abortion after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. Additionally, the Texas Supreme Court today made it virtually impossible for abortion advocates to fight the bill by halting their use of federal courts. Republican lawmakers in Missouri have proposed legislation that would allow private lawsuits against individuals who help women obtain an abortion out of state. Another bill introduced in the Missouri House would make it illegal for pregnant people to abort ectopic pregnancies, pregnancies that happen outside of the uterus and which can lead to serious complications and even death if left untreated. House Democrats have already defeated three GOP anti-choice bills so far this session. HB22-1079 , sponsored by Representative Williams, was an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal courts and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. It would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , sponsored by Representative Neville, would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected providers who perform an abortion to imprisonment. HB22-1075 , sponsored by Representative Luck, would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Amabile: We propose to outlaw encouraging someone to commit suicide Oct 1, 2023 See more This story was published in the Colorado Sun on Oct 1, 2023. Nearly 50,000 Americans completed suicide during 2022 – a stunning number, reflecting a continued rise in the suicide rate of some 35 percent over the last two decades. Numerical tolls provide a blunt gauge for societal problems, but numbers alone can make a problem feel remote and impersonal. People who lose a loved one to suicide experience shock and hurt that is both tender and omnipresent despite the passage of time. A healing instinct motivates us to want to prevent this pain from repeatedly occurring in our community. We have heard from fellow Coloradans reaching out to us as their elected representatives and asking, “what else can be done?” We are answering their call with action that honors the memory of lost loved ones and prevents more families in our state from experiencing this devastating tragedy. Unfortunately, online encouragement and easy access to life-ending materials can lead to unnecessary death by suicide. Last November, a Clear Creek County family’s 17-year-old son was struggling with chronic physical issues and common anxiety when he found a supportive community online that encouraged suicide. From there, he was directed to an online retailer who sold pure sodium nitrite, a substance which has few household uses but has become an increasingly popular suicide method. The price he paid to an online retailer who knew the pure sodium nitrite was being used for suicides was $13.99, shipped by two-day mail. Ingesting the compound, he died shortly afterwards. Sadly, this young man, a constituent of ours, was one of at least 222 people nationwide using this particular poison to complete suicide during 2022. Shockingly, there is an ecosystem online for people who want to complete suicide, outside and distinct from the legal path of medically-assisted suicide; there are deadly materials available online, shipped right to young people. For people feeling intense hurt, depression, or trauma, going online to find a way to heal is common. A web search for relief from a physical ailment generally leads to sites that recommend medication or a physician visit. But people struggling with suicidal ideation who seek help online can easily wind up in a web-based wasteland that offers advice on “how to” take one’s own life. And many heed that sick advice. We plan to introduce two bills in the upcoming General Assembly that could save lives and spare families from the enduring pain of suicide caused by this online reality. The first would explicitly prohibit encouraging an individual to complete suicide, not just by restricting the means as current law does, but by prohibiting advice and encouragement. The First Amendment cannot simply be tossed aside, of course, but we believe the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the validity of restricting speech that is “integral to a criminal act.” The power of words directed at someone who is struggling to maintain mental equilibrium can be just as impactful as handing someone a loaded gun and our statutes should reflect that. Colorado’s End-of-Life Options Act permits qualified medical professionals to assist terminally ill adults to end their lives. But in “non-medical” situations, assisting with suicide is a criminal offense – manslaughter — in Colorado and most other states. However, due to vague language, prosecutors used the suicide manslaughter statute only four times in the last five years. This pales in comparison to the frequency of suicides completed after people receive instruction and encouragement to take their own lives. While difficult to document, with 1,287 people completing suicide in Colorado in 2022, numbers compel us to act. Our second bill would ban the sale of pure sodium nitrite to consumers and require any pure sodium nitrite product sold to carry explicit warnings of harm. Experts know that this type of suicide prevention, often referred to as “means restriction,” can be an effective method to reduce death. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment recently released, to health care providers throughout the state, an advisory on sodium nitrite, noting “an increase in suicide by ingestion of sodium nitrite in Colorado and across the United States.” We commend the Department for taking this important step and look forward to bolstering their efforts with legislation. We have just concluded September, which is Suicide Prevention month. September is not merely about remembering the harm suffered by so many Coloradans or about lending support to families impacted by limitless grief, but is also about taking tangible measures to interrupt the cycle of suicide, and we are ready to get to work. If you or a loved one is experiencing emotional distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 988 or Colorado Crisis Services at text TALK to 38255, or access chat via coloradocrisisservices.org , where help and hope are available at any hour, any day. Previous Next

Legislation would require responsible business practices to sell firearms and make it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns, helping to prevent gun violence < Back March 28, 2024 Bills to Reduce Gun Violence Passes Committee Legislation would require responsible business practices to sell firearms and make it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns, helping to prevent gun violence DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed two gun violence prevention bills to require firearm dealers to hold a license to sell firearms and help law enforcement recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns. HB24-1353 passed by a vote of 6-3. SB24-066 passed by a vote of 8-3. “Colorado Democrats have passed numerous gun violence prevention laws over the last few years, and this bill will help ensure compliance with these laws,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1353. “Our legislation would require a firearms dealer to have a state permit in order to sell firearms and would increase inspections to ensure that gun dealers are complying with state and federal gun laws. Data show that state permitting policies for firearm dealers lead to fewer guns trafficked. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence.” "Firearm dealers could be the first line of defense against gun violence if they are given the proper tools, which is what this legislation aims to do," said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB24-1353. "Our bill would train firearm dealers to better identify people with dangerous intentions from accessing guns – from straw purchasers, those at risk for self-harm and more. We’re implementing crucial oversight measures to prevent gun violence and save Colorado lives." Starting July 1, 2025, HB24-1353 would require firearm dealers in Colorado to hold a state firearms dealer permit in order to sell guns in Colorado. Operating without this permit would be an unclassified felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000. Firearm dealers would apply to the Department of Revenue and must hold a valid federal firearm license to be eligible for a state firearms dealer permit. Additionally, applicants will not be eligible for the permit if they have an adverse licensing action taken for good cause by the federal government or any state within three years of applying. They will also be ineligible if they have been convicted of a violation of any state or federal law regarding the possession or sale of firearms. Other requirements for receiving a state firearms dealer permit include: An annual finger-printed background checks for employees, Training on how to prevent theft and identify straw purchasers, fraudulent activities, and people at risk of self-harm. An exam on this training would also be required before an applicant is granted a permit, Random and regular inspections to ensure firearms dealers are complying with state and federal law, Firearm sales to only occur during business hours, except during a gun show, Compliance with safe storage regulations, and Contacting law enforcement to report a suspicious person who tried to unlawfully purchase a firearm within 48 hours of the incident. Studies show that policies regulating firearm dealer licensing can lead to significant reductions in gun violence, including gun homicides and suicides. After Connecticut passed a similar law, its firearm homicide rate fell by 28 percent and firearm suicide rate decreased by 33 percent . “When we’ve looked back into mass shooters’ actions before they attacked our communities, we often find suspicious activity like large purchases of firearms and ammunition," said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of SB24-066. “Merchant codes have been used effectively to alert law enforcement to activity related to human trafficking and money laundering. With specific merchant codes for gun store purchases, we can identify this suspicious activity before they attack our schools, places of worship, and grocery stores so we have the opportunity to intervene before innocent lives are taken from us.” “Many mass shootings are preventable, and our legislation is an important tool in identifying people with dangerous intentions so we can prevent gun violence before it happens," said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-066. "When Coloradans make purchases with a credit card, these transactions are categorized with merchant codes to identify financial patterns and criminal activity, like human trafficking. Every industry has these codes, and the firearm industry should not be an exception. This legislation would give law enforcement the tools they need to better recognize dangerous activity so we can prevent mass shooting tragedies that plague our communities.” SB24-066 would require payment card networks like Visa or Mastercard to provide a specific code, known as a merchant code, for businesses that primarily sell firearms and ammunition. Merchant codes would allow banks and credit card companies to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns – like a domestic extremist building up an arsenal – and report them to law enforcement. A report found this legislation could have prevented many mass shootings, including the Aurora movie theater shooting and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The Aurora movie theater shooter used a MasterCard to buy $11,000 worth of weapons and military gear at multiple stores in the six weeks before the shooting. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE GETS MAJOR FUNDING BOOST DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today approved Representative Kerry Tipper’s bill to invest in our early childhood education and care providers and channel state and federal funds to support Colorado’s families. This bill is a part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed by a vote of 7-2. “This session, we’ve made sure to put families first as we worked to build back a stronger Colorado and create an economy that leaves no one behind,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “The robust investments that this bill channels into early childhood education and child care will support working parents returning to their places of employment post-pandemic, create and retain good jobs for educators, and help beat back some of the worst effects of the economic downturn that disproportionately affected women.” SB21-236 takes several steps to support child care providers and young families in Colorado. First, it creates the innovative new Employer-based Child Care Facility Grant Program and funds it with Colorado Comeback state stimulus dollars. The program would award matching grants to nonprofit, private, and government employers to retrofit and develop new, on-site or near-site, licensed child care facilities. These grants are meant to ensure that Coloradans have access to high-quality child care at their places of work as we come out of the pandemic, and would prioritize employers whose workforce earns below the area median income. The bill also sets up a framework to ensure hundreds of millions of federal dollars directed to the Child Care and Development (CCDF) fund can be spent effectively and efficiently by the Department of Human Services. These funds have already been disbursed by the federal government but require state approval to be properly implemented. SB21-236 sets up several new programs and adequately funds several others to ensure Colorado’s youngest kids, as well as their parents and early childhood professionals, can thrive. The seven programs in this category, as outlined in the bill’s fiscal note , include The Child Care Sustainability Grant Program, created in last year’s special session to provide financial support to licensed child care providers and neighborhood youth organizations that were at risk of closing their doors due to the pandemic. The bill also creates and funds several programs to foster innovation, recruit and retain educators, and support mental health wellness in the early childhood education and care sector. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BECKER-CARAVEO BILL TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS & GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES A VOICE (Mar. 19) – The House Energy and Environment committee approved SB19-181 tonight. The bill will update Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, empowering local communities, and protecting Colorado’s clean air and clean water. “I’m proud of this bill and the stakeholder work that went into it. It proposes commonsense updates and modernization of our oil and gas laws that are more appropriate for the time and place that we are in now,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “Oil and gas drilling is taking place at unprecedented levels in neighborhoods and the industry must be more accountable to the communities where they operate. This bill will put health and safety first and protect our air, water and unique quality of life.” Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, the legislature’s only doctor and the co-prime sponsor of the bill, urged the committee to protect the health of the next generation of Coloradans by passing this bill. “As a pediatrician and legislator, I support this bill because we should be ensuring the health and safety of the children I care for in my clinic every day,” said Rep. Caraveo. “We should be balancing our economic growth with the actual growth of children who go to school and live around oil and gas operations. Additionally, given how localized the health effects of these operations are, we should give more tools to our local governments to decide what is the right balance between responsible resource extraction and the health of Coloradans in their communities.” Erin Martinez, a survivor of a tragic gas explosion in Firestone that killed her husband and brother, urged for stronger protections and spoke at length with members of the committee about the struggles she and her family have endured since that fateful day. Mrs. Martinez stated that had the protections outlined in SB19-181 been in place in 2017, her brother and husband might still be alive today. Martinez urged the committee to support the bill and said she believes the industry can put health and safety first and continue to thrive at the same time. “Erin Martinez shared powerful testimony with the people of our state and our committee today about a heartbreaking tragedy that could have been prevented. We need to put health and safety first in our state and that’s what this bill does,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora, chair of the Energy and Environment committee. The bill directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to regulate oil and gas development to protect public welfare, and clarifies that local governments have the same authority to regulate the oil and gas industry as they have with every other industry in Colorado – including the mining industry. The bill also removes the prohibition against local governments requiring oil and gas companies to cover the direct costs of regulating, monitoring and permitting the sites in their communities. The bill addresses emissions and air quality by requiring increased monitoring and implementing a rule-making process to reduce emissions to better meet federal regulations. This month, a “brown cloud” returned to Denver and reports showed that the air quality was worse than that of Beijing. The bill would also ensure that taxpayers are not footing the bill for cleaning up orphan oil and gas wells that have been abandoned but not adequately plugged. Current bonding requirements are often found to be inadequate to cover the cost of clean-up when a company abandons a well. Clean-up costs for just one abandoned well costs an average of $82,000. Currently, there are more than 260 known orphan wells and 365 associated known orphan well sites in 31 Colorado counties. Finally, SB19-181 also provides increased protections for property owners with regard to forced pooling. Under current law, just one mineral rights owner can start the process of “force pooling” other mineral interest owners and require development of those resources – against the will of the majority of the owners. This bill would raise the threshold and put more transparency and guardrails on the process. The arguments peddled by the oil and gas industry are misleading. The sponsors and proponents of the bill made clear during the hearing that this bill is not a reiteration of Proposition 112, nor is it a moratorium or a ban on drilling. SB19-181 passed on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the House Finance committee. Previous Next

The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to expand affordable mental and behavioral health for youth and streamline necessary services for people on parole or probation. Both bills passed unanimously by a vote of 11-0. < Back April 12, 2023 Lukens Bills to Increase Access to Mental Health Services Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to expand affordable mental and behavioral health for youth and streamline necessary services for people on parole or probation. Both bills passed unanimously by a vote of 11-0. “Being a teacher in rural Colorado, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is to remove unnecessary barriers to affordable and accessible mental health care,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Rural Colorado kids are twice as likely to die by suicide, which is why I’m bringing legislation to connect kids with the services they need to live happy, healthy lives. HB23-1268 also aims to streamline access to resources like substance use treatment to promote public safety and save lives.” SB23-174 , also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to provide certain behavioral health services for Medicaid recipients that are 21-years-old or younger without requiring a formal diagnosis, removing barriers to access. The services include therapy, evaluation, case management, treatment planning, and other services based on feedback from community members. A study by Mental Health America found that only 34.4% of Colorado youth with depression receive treatment to address their mental health issues. Families on Medicaid often struggle with financial restrictions, transportation to health care centers, and other hurdles to receive appropriate or preventative care. By eliminating the requirement for an official diagnosis, Colorado youth and their families will have quicker and easier access to equitable prevention-focused services to prevent a mental health crisis. HB23-1268 , also sponsored by Representative Gabe Evans, also streamlines access to treatment for people who were involved in the criminal justice system in other states. Under current Colorado law, any person who is serving an out-of-state probation or parole is required to get a criminal background check, fingerprints, and photographs through the Department of Corrections before they can receive court-ordered treatment services. While the background check is only supposed to take 48 hours, they often take weeks to process, keeping patients from accessing the services they need to address issues from mental health disorders, substance use disorder, and support for domestic violence treatment. This bill requires background checks to be completed within 48 hours to shorten waiting times to qualify for life-saving and necessary treatments. It would allow treatment providers to initiate care with individuals on probation or parole who comply with their supervision and have checked-in with law enforcement, giving individuals access to the life saving care they need immediately while also protecting public safety. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2022 BILL TO SEND $400 AND $800 REFUND CHECKS TO FAMILIES MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee today advanced the Colorado Cashback plan, sponsored by Representatives Tony Exum, Sr. and Lindsey Daugherty, that will send every Colorado taxpayer an early refund of $400, or $800 for joint filers, as soon as possible. “Colorado taxpayers are going to get $400 or $800 checks in September to help them afford the rising cost of living,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. D-Colorado Springs. “Families who are struggling will get more money back, and they’ll get it back sooner to help pay for gas, groceries, rent and everyday necessities. We’re delivering this relief as soon as we can because people are struggling now, and we can give it back in a fair and more equitable way that helps people sooner.” “We’re saving families money everywhere we can with free universal preschool, property tax relief for every homeowner and business, more affordable housing, more affordable health care and prescription drugs, and with this legislation, we’ll send taxpayers $400 or $800 refund checks early this September,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “We know the pandemic has led to higher prices on everyday necessities, like gas and housing. We’re putting money back into people’s pockets as soon as possible to provide relief when they need it the most.” SB22-233 , which passed the committee by a vote of 9-2, speeds up the timeline for refund checks to help families afford basic necessities like gas and groceries and ensures a more equitable distribution of refunds. All full-time residents of Colorado who either file their 2021 income tax returns, are granted an extension or apply for a PTC rebate by June 30th, 2022 will receive a $400 check, or $800 for joint filers. Colorado Democrats’ 2021 state stimulus plan, fair tax reform, and responsible governance have led to a robust economic recovery and a record state surplus that is being returned to taxpayers early via this tax rebate, in addition to existing refund mechanisms including the senior homestead exemption, a temporary reduction in the rate of the income tax and the six tier sales tax refund. The expedited tax relief provided by SB22-233 will add to the savings from the comprehensive tax reform legislation and property tax relief passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Polis last year that is already putting money back into Coloradans’ pockets. By repealing tax loopholes for large corporations and millionaires and reducing property tax assessment rates, Democrats have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in economic assistance and tax relief for hard working Coloradans, seniors, and small businesses. Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2022 BILL TO IMPROVE MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS PASSES JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Jennifer Bacon to improve missing persons investigations today passed the House Judiciary Committee. “This bill will ensure that all missing persons reports are taken seriously and that investigations are opened quickly,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “We are facing an alarming increase in missing indigenous women and women of color, but it can be confusing to figure out where to file a missing person report, and jurisdictions don’t always have to accept them. The bill requires all jurisdictions to accept reports if the missing person is a Colorado resident or was last seen in Colorado, and they will now be required to accept reports over the phone or electronically, instead of just in person.” “We need to make it easier to file missing persons reports so that every report is investigated in a timely and thorough manner,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “This bill will make sure that departments across the state are accepting reports and sharing information with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Too many cases of people of color going missing are underreported and not investigated. Victims deserve justice, and this will ensure that all cases are treated with the seriousness they deserve.” SB22-095 would improve missing persons investigations by clarifying when Colorado law enforcement departments must accept a missing persons report. Under current law, departments are required to accept a report submitted in person if the missing person resides in the agency’s jurisdiction or was last believed to be in the agency’s jurisdiction. The bill expands this requirement to include missing persons who are Colorado residents or were last believed to be in Colorado. It also requires reports to be accepted if they are submitted over the phone or electronically. If the missing person is an adult, the agency must notify the Colorado Bureau of Investigation within eight hours (down from 24 hours), and if the missing person is a child, the agency must notify CBI within 2 hours. Previous Next