< Back June 7, 2020 COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO BOOST LOWEST IN THE NATION IMMUNIZATION RATES FOR CHILDREN DENVER, CO — The House Committee on Health and Insurance today passed SB20-163, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullcia, D-Northglenn, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, to boost Colorado’s childhood immunization rates. The vote was 7-4. “Colorado’s kids are more vulnerable to a massive outbreak of highly infectious disease than children in almost any other state in the country, and that keeps me up at night,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “As a nurse, I know that boosting our immunization rates is the best way to stop preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles from spreading, and nearly 90 percent of Coloradans agree. Today we’re taking steps to protect our children, our communities, and our health care system from diseases that can spread faster and more viciously even than COVID19.” SB20-163 is designed to get more children fully vaccinated by the time they start kindergarten by encouraging those who do not vaccinate, but who have no objections to vaccinations, to immunize their children. The percentage of Colorado kindergartners vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella is the lowest rate in the country at 87 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This low rate makes our state particularly vulnerable to a measles outbreak. SB20-163 requires parents who choose not to vaccinate their children to present a standardized exemption form signed by an immunization provider or submit a confirmation form that they took a short online class about vaccinations before they send their children to school. The bill also streamlines the immunization exemptions categories by dividing them into medical and nonmedical exemptions, but makes no changes to who can choose to exempt their children or for what reasons. Lastly, SB20-163 would require all immunizing health care providers to use the state’s Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) data system, though providers wouldn’t be subject to a regulatory sanction for noncompliance. Previous Next

< Back January 4, 2019 HOUSE DEMS INTRO FIRST TEN BILLS Focus on Health Care, Renewable Energy, Education, Problem Solving (Jan. 4) – Colorado House Democrats introduced their first ten bills of the first session of the 72nd General Assembly today. “We’re excited to get to work this session. These bills are a reflection of the issues Coloradans sent us here to make bipartisan progress on,” said Speaker KC Becker. “We are focused on expanding opportunity, lowering the cost of and improving access to healthcare, incentivizing more renewable energy, investing in education programs to support educators and students and helping to provide solutions to the challenges facing our communities.” HB 19-1001 – Hospital Transparency Measures to Analyze Efficiency – Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood This bill will increase transparency in hospital billing and spending practices across our state. At a time when health care costs are out of control, it is important that we are able to identify inefficiencies and wasteful spending in our health care system and address them accordingly. HB 19-1002 – Leadership Professional Development for School Principals – Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida This bill creates a pilot program to provide professional development training for school principals, to build strong leadership in our education system and provide support for teachers and students. HB 19-1003 – Community Solar Gardens Modernization Act – Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver This bill will expand access to renewable energy for communities and individuals across Colorado. It will update Colorado’s community solar statute to allow customers to benefit from clean, low-cost energy even if they don’t have a rooftop solar option. HB 19-1004 – Proposal for Affordable Health Coverage Option – Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose This bill will propose a public health insurance option to provide people in Colorado with a competitive and affordable choice when they’re purchasing health insurance. HB 19-1005 – Income Tax Credit for Early Childhood Educators – Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora This bill will help address a shortage in early childhood child care providers by creating a refundable income tax credit for educators with professional credentials who work at family child care homes or other high quality child care programs. HB 19-1006 – Wildfire Mitigation Wildland Urban Interface Areas – Rep. Mclachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs This bill creates a grant program to help with wildfire mitigation efforts in high-risk areas across the state where residential areas are approaching forest land, known as wildland-urban interface areas (WUIs). HB 19-1007 – Contribution Limits for County Offices – Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver This bill sets in place common sense campaign finance limits to protect the integrity of county-level campaigns such as those for sheriff, commissioner, clerk and recorder, assessor, and others. HB 19-1008 – Include Career & Technical Ed in BEST Program – Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada and Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton This bill allows school capital construction funding to be used for career and technical education projects in public schools, investing in skills for Colorado’s emerging workforce. HB 19-1009 – Substance Use Disorders Recovery – Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood and Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont This bill improves support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders by expanding housing assistance for people transitioning out of treatment; increasing oversight of recovery residences to ensure high quality care; and investing in recovery services for people who have sought care and treatment. HB 19-1010 – Freestanding Emergency Departments Licensure – Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn and Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain This bill will bring freestanding emergency departments under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional hospital emergency rooms so that we can ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients. This will ultimately improve the quality of care for patients and increase health care affordability. Previous Next

HB23-1202 would prevent fatal overdoses with a public health and local control approach DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to prevent drug overdose deaths and connect people struggling with substance use disorder to treatment and services. < Back March 10, 2023 House Advances Life-Saving, Overdose Prevention Bill HB23-1202 would prevent fatal overdoses with a public health and local control approach DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to prevent drug overdose deaths and connect people struggling with substance use disorder to treatment and services. “Overdose prevention centers keep people alive,” said Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver. “Colorado’s preventable overdose crisis has reached dire levels. This bill takes a safe and effective public health approach to preventing overdose deaths and maximizing opportunities for health interventions. Our legislation is rooted in local control, harm reduction and most importantly – saving lives.” “Accidental overdoses are on the rise, and it’s incredibly heartbreaking and entirely preventable,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “At overdose prevention centers, people live another day and can be connected with support and comprehensive wrap-around services. This legislation will reduce crime, public drug use, and drug litter. I’m proud it has the support of so many faith groups, medical professionals, local governments, mental health advocates, and so many more who are on the ground working to prevent drug overdose deaths.” HB23-1202 is rooted in local control and would give municipalities the power to authorize OPCs in their communities. OPCs are safe, supervised spaces for people to use previously obtained drugs, test for fentanyl, get counseling, connect to treatment, receive harm reduction services, and most importantly, stay alive. OPCs are a proven, impactful tool to reduce fatal overdoses and improve public health and safety. OPCs also connect those with a substance use disorder to counseling and harm reduction services. There have been zero recorded fatal overdoses at OPCs, which are staffed by on-site medical professionals who are trained and ready to respond. HB23-1202 is supported by the Harm Reduction Action Center, Colorado Municipal League, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Healthier Colorado, Colorado Providers Association, Mental Health Colorado, Colorado Freedom Fund, Together Colorado, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Nurses Association, Colorado Psychiatric Society, New Era Colorado, and ACLU Colorado among others. Previous Next

The Department of Local Affairs recently awarded $780,000 through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program to rural Colorado communities to boost local economies and support small business owners. < Back June 19, 2025 Democratic Lawmakers Celebrate Funding to Boost Rural Economies COLORADO – The Department of Local Affairs recently awarded $780,000 through the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program to rural Colorado communities to boost local economies and support small business owners. “As a former educator, I’m grateful for this REDI program funding that will help connect San Luis Valley residents with professional development training and boost the educator workforce,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “From staffing quality educators in our schools to creating a skilled workforce for small businesses, these dollars will have a significant impact on rural communities.” Rep. Martinez’s district received nearly $175,000 in funds, including: Over $134,000 to the City of Alamosa Little Learners Early Care and Learning Center to support recruitment, hands-on training and professional development. The goal is to boost the educator workforce by 50 new professionals by 2027. $15,000 to create the Saguache County Civics Lab “Launchpad” that will offer 30 paid high school internships with the purpose of developing workforce skills and boosting economic resiliency in rural Colorado. $25,000 to the San Luis Valley Economic Outreach and Engagement Project to initiate collaboration between economic development organizations in the region and provide resources for businesses to reduce employee turnover and support the long-term success of local businesses. "I’m excited to hear that Moffat and Eagle counties have received funding to boost rural economies and create good-paying jobs," said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. "I’ve proudly sponsored laws to revitalize rural business communities and support just transition for former coal communities. This funding will support our efforts to diversify rural economies and support Colorado business owners on the Western Slope.” The Moffat County Geothermal Equipment Project was awarded over $62,000 to purchase necessary equipment that will help expand operations and support a just transition in former coal mining communities. This will be the first dedicated geothermal drilling service in Northwest Colorado. The Town of Eagle was awarded $100,000 to fund a Business Advancement Program that will provide financial assistance to small businesses to promote growth and establish new locally-owned businesses. "As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Lyons is popular with tourists, and improving the visitor center can drive business to Lyons’ talented art community,” said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder. "With this funding, artists can enjoy a centralized place to sell and create their art, and we can bring more attention to these skilled artists.” The Town of Lyons was awarded $16,500 to create storefronts and art creation in the Lyons Visitors Center for local artists and entrepreneurs. The funding would also allow for future expansion plans that could include workshops, an art studio and more retail space. Learn more about the REDI program here . Previous Next

Legislation removes protections for firearm industry that prevent gun violence survivors from pursuing accountability in civil court < Back April 28, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Allow Victims of Gun Violence to Seek Justice Becomes Law Legislation removes protections for firearm industry that prevent gun violence survivors from pursuing accountability in civil court DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed common sense gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, to create new avenues for victims of gun violence to pursue justice. “Colorado used to be home to one of the most punitive laws against gun violence survivors in the country, laws that shielded them from accountability and needed to be changed,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “This new law will level the playing field by removing those extra protections and allowing legitimate lawsuits to move forward, ensuring the gun industry is no longer given special treatment and improving gun violence survivors’ ability to seek the justice they deserve.” “Colorado’s laws gave the firearm industry extreme and unjust legal protections that have prevented gun violence victims from seeking accountability,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “By removing these excessive legal protections that aren’t afforded to the vast majority of other industries, we’re ensuring that Coloradans can hold bad actors accountable. I’m proud that Colorado law will now allow victims of gun violence to seek the justice they deserve.” “Previously, Colorado gun sellers and manufacturers were provided legal protections far beyond those for most other businesses in the state and that prevented victims of gun violence from seeking justice,” Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, said. “Removing Colorado’s overly broad gun industry immunity law will provide another avenue for survivors to pursue justice if they are harmed by irresponsible business practices.” “This law ends excessive immunity protections for the firearms industry and creates new avenues for gun violence victims to seek justice through the courts," said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie. "I'm hoping the ability to hold the firearms industry accountable when they break Colorado law will encourage them to be more active partners with us in the fight to end gun violence in our communities." Right now, gun sellers and manufacturers enjoy broad protections under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act from most types of civil lawsuits. Colorado law goes even further by including a punitive provision that forces victims of gun violence who sue the gun industry to pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. SB23-168 removes Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for gun sellers and manufacturers and allows legitimate lawsuits against the gun industry to move forward. After their daughter was killed in the Aurora movie theater shooting, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips sued four online retailers that irresponsibly sold magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and body armor to the murderer. Under Colorado’s immunity law, they were forced to pay around $200,000 in legal fees to bulk ammunition sellers. They ended up selling their house and declared bankruptcy. SB23-168 is named the “Jessi Redfield Ghawi’s Act for Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice and Firearms Industry Accountability” in honor of Sandy and Lonnie Phillips’ daughter. Removing Colorado’s gun industry shielded liability will allow survivors, like the Phillips and countless others, to seek appropriate justice and fair remedies via civil actions and will give survivors the opportunity to hold gun sellers and manufacturers accountable for their actions. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Tammy Story to provide resources to investigate the origins of wildfires. SB23-013 passed the House by a vote of 53 to 10. < Back April 29, 2023 Bill to Strengthen Colorado’s Wildfire Response Passes House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Tammy Story to provide resources to investigate the origins of wildfires. SB23-013 passed the House by a vote of 53 to 10. “Colorado has a devastating history of wildfires that have wiped out entire neighborhoods,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “Currently, Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control only has the resources to staff one full-time fire investigator to dig into the cause and origin of fires across the state, making it difficult to mitigate future wildfires. This bill creates a wildfire investigation fund to better understand how fires are started so we can better prevent them and respond to them in the future.” SB23-013 would create the Wildfire Investigation Fund to study how wildfires are started to prevent future fires. It would also allocate $3 million to help investigate the causes and origins of wildfires. The bill also requires the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to report on fire investigations to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee . Additionally, the fire investigation fund would provide support to local fire departments that help combat future wildfires by investigating the causes and origin of fires. Previous Next

Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law 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. < Back April 10, 2025 SB25-003 Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law 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. Beginning August 1, 2026, SB25-003 implements and enforces Colorado’s existing law by requiring a permit and firearm safety training to purchase high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. The bill 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 legislation is another in the list of policies I have worked on to develop evidence-based solutions and reduce gun violence of all types. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s what we’re going to do.” “Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used far too many times to terrorize Colorado communities,” said Boesenecker . “The trauma, grief, and loss due to mass shootings are felt deeply in our communities, and as a former public school teacher and a parent of three children, I worry daily about the safety of some of the most vulnerable Coloradans. With this legislation becoming law today, we will help save lives and prevent future tragedies in Colorado.” “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 and something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account, ending the industry’s profit motivation, 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.” “Semi-automatic weapons paired with high-capacity magazines result in a much greater loss of innocent lives, which is why we must fully enforce Colorado Democrats’ decade-old law banning high-capacity magazines,” said Froelich. “Coloradans deserve to grocery shop, go to school, and worship without worrying about being a victim in the next mass shooting. This gun violence prevention law requires that all firearm purchasers complete a rigorous safety training course and acquire a permit to purchase the most deadly weapons on the market to ensure that they are not a danger to themselves or our communities.” SB25-003 allows a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing a background check and completing a firearm certification course that includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies, range time, and more. The bill does not impact the sale of shotguns, commonly used hunting rifles, semiautomatic firearms that have fixed magazines, and the majority of handguns. While SB25-003 prohibits the sale of gas-operated semiautomatic handguns, the sale of recoil-operated handguns, which make up over 90 percent of the pistol market, are not impacted by the bill. The bill does not impact possession of currently-owned 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. Semi-automatic 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. Previous Next

SB25-282, sponsored by disabled veterans, would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors < Back May 1, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard Services for Veterans SB25-282, sponsored by disabled veterans, would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation that would protect veterans from paying too much for veterans’ services from unaccredited bad actors. SB25-282, sponsored by Representative Lisa Feret, passed by a vote of 52-11. "I am deeply committed to protecting my fellow Veterans and making sure they can access the services and benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice for our country,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada . “‘Claim sharks’ have raked in millions of dollars each year from excessively charging fees on service members' disability claims, sometimes even when they don't even win. Our bill helps create guidelines in this unregulated space to protect our disabled veterans while allowing companies to help address the backlog of disability claims". SB25-282 would protect veterans from unaccredited consultants, often called “ claim sharks ,” who charge money to help navigate the application process to receive benefits from either the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) or the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill is also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud. The bill would mirror the regulations the federal government uses to regulate social security benefits from the Social Security Administration. It would require that businesses unambiguously notify veterans that they can receive the same services for free from the VA, clearly state that they are not affiliated with the VA, and limit the amount of money consultants can receive from veterans’ back pay. Previous Next

The House today passed two bills sponsored by Representative David Ortiz that save Coloradans with disabilities money on modifications to rental housing and make car sharing programs and EV charging more accessible to people with disabilities. HB24-1318 passed by a vote of 52-11. HB24-1161 passed by a vote of 60-3. < Back March 18, 2024 House Approves Ortiz Bills to Improve Basic Access in Rental Housing, Vehicles DENVER, CO - The House today passed two bills sponsored by Representative David Ortiz that save Coloradans with disabilities money on modifications to rental housing and make car sharing programs and EV charging more accessible to people with disabilities. HB24-1318 passed by a vote of 52-11. HB24-1161 passed by a vote of 60-3. Currently, it is illegal to discriminate against a renter because they have a disability, including refusing to make or allow reasonable modifications to a unit to accommodate their disability. HB24-1318 would no longer allow a landlord to condition the permission of modifications on the renter with a disability agreeing to reverse modifications made for accessibility. “From EV charging stations to rental housing, people with disabilities deserve basic access,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1161 and HB24-1318. “Universal design hurts no one and helps everyone. The housing crisis impacts the vast majority of Coloradans, but it is especially difficult for people with disabilities who struggle to find affordable housing opportunities that accommodate their needs. With these bills, we can remove barriers to housing and car travel, creating a more equitable Colorado.” Starting January 1, 2026, HB24-1161 would require new electric vehicle charging stations to incorporate federal accessible design recommendations for at least five percent of charging spaces or one space. HB24-1161 would strengthen the prohibition on blocking access to ADA parking spots, curb ramps, and access aisles including using such a parking spot to pile snow. Additionally, the bill would allow owners of a vehicle in a car sharing program to indicate if their vehicle has been modified to be accessible to people with disabilities and what modifications have been made. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE MOVES TO IMPROVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS (Apr. 30) – The House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee passed Rep. Mike Weissman’s bill to better enforce Colorado’s campaign finance laws. “Unaffiliated voters, Republicans and Democrats alike are all tired of the growing influence of money in politics and want to see our broken campaign finance laws fixed.” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “This bill will help give voters more confidence that the system works for them – not special interests and mystery money groups.” SB19-232 would codify within the Fair Campaign Practices Act the rules of the Secretary of State to enforce state laws concerning campaign finance. This includes specifying procedures for filing complaints, review of complaints by the elections division, processes for curing campaign finance law violations, the investigation of unresolved complaints, the conduct of hearings, audits by the division of campaign finance, and the issuance of advisory opinions by the Secretary of State. Together, these provisions create a robust system to make sure that political campaigns and organizations abide by Colorado’s disclosure and disclaimer laws, so that voters can track who is spending money to influence elections. Sec. of State Jena Griswold testified in support of the bill. The bill passed on a vote of 6-3 and now goes to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2022 BILL TO CREATE STATEWIDE RESPONSE TO MISSING & MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill that aims to improve the state’s response to missing and murdered Indigenous individuals to help prevent crime and improve public safety. SB22-150 sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Monica Duran, passed the House by a vote of 45 to 20. “The data is clear and devastating, Indigenous people are far more likely to be the victims of crimes the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people go unsolved at a far higher rate,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Colorado must improve how we respond to the cases of missing and murdered indigenous relatives. That’s what this bill would do by ensuring relatives get the responses and justice they deserve. We’re standing with the Indigenous community so they can get the justice they deserve.” “It’s critical we address the high rates of violent crime against Indigenous women and children,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Our bill works to improve coordination, response and communications surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives so we can create a comprehensive and strong response to this crisis.” SB22-150 would improve coordination, response, communication, and awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) cases. More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous people in the United States experience violent crime during their lifetime, a rate disproportionately higher than any other segment of the population. SB22-150 aims to improve responses to MMIR cases, provide better support for Indigenous communities, and better serve families of MMIR. It would establish an MMIR alert system and improve data tracking regarding MMIR cases while ensuring interagency coordination, allowing for a more effective and robust response. It would also require MMIR training for first responders and implement a public awareness campaign to raise awareness around MMIR issues. Previous Next

Two laws improve hospital reporting and price transparency to save Coloradans money < Back June 2, 2023 Bipartisan Health Care Transparency Bills Become Law Two laws improve hospital reporting and price transparency to save Coloradans money DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed two bipartisan bills into law to increase transparency in hospital reporting requirements and increase price transparency for health care services to save Colorado patients money. "Colorado Democrats have been committed to making health care more affordable for Coloradans, and this new law will improve hospital transparency requirements so we can build future policies that save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB23-1226. “Hospitals can move money around and between states, making it hard to know where profits are going and why the cost of care continues to increase faster than inflation. With this new law, we’ll have a more thorough understanding of Colorado hospitals’ cash flow so we can craft cost saving measures for patients and businesses.” “In the communities I represent in Western Colorado, affordable health care can be too hard to come by or impossible to find,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, sponsor of HB23-1226. “I’m proud of our bipartisan bill to enhance hospital financial transparency reporting, increase compliance, and collect data that will give us the best information possible to help inform new policies to improve health care administration and save Coloradans money.” HB23-1226 , also sponsored by Republicans Senator Perry Will and Representative Matt Soper, builds off of hospital transparency legislation also carried by Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy in 2019 to bolster price transparency and reduce health care costs. Under HB23-1226, hospitals will have to disclose an annual summary of the hospital’s transfers of cash, equity, investments, or other assets to and from related parties, a hospital-specific statement of cash flow, a narrative report of capital investments greater than 25 million dollars, the salary and total compensation of the top 5 highest paid administrative positions of each nonprofit hospital, and more. The transparency data will identify underlying drivers of high hospital costs and strengthen data collection on the financial health and performance of Colorado hospitals. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will have the power to apply corrective action plans or fines to hospitals that do not comply with data collection procedures. Hospitals will also be required to provide patients with a detailed list of billed services and the associated charges and disclose the patient’s right to receive more detailed information about the billed services. “Coloradans deserve to know what their medical bills will look like before going into treatment or surgery,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-252. “We’ve made great progress in our work to protect consumers and lower the costs of health care, but there’s still more we can do. It’s time to take the next step and increase medical price transparency so Coloradans aren’t blindsided with big bills after receiving care.” “Price transparency for health care services is critical so Colorado patients aren’t blindsided by large hospital bills that they have no choice but to pay,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB23-252. “This transparency law allows patients to budget for inpatient and outpatient care, surgery, and prescription drug costs so they can receive the care they need at a price they can expect. We’re building the federal transparency requirement into Colorado law, which will save patients money on health care.” SB23-252 was also sponsored by Republicans Senator Kevin Van Winkle and Representative Anthony Hartsook. In 2022, the General Assembly passed legislation to prohibit hospitals from pursuing debt collection action against a patient if the hospital failed to comply with federal hospital price transparency laws during the patient’s treatment. Under the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule, hospitals must publicly post standard charges and provide an out-of-pocket cost estimator tool for patients. This bill builds on the federal transparency requirements by having hospitals post their Medicare reimbursement rates and requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to conduct performance assessments on Colorado hospitals to check for compliance. Any violation under SB23-252 is a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act . Previous Next