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< Back March 20, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN BILL TO REDUCE SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS FOR YOUNG KIDS (Mar. 20) – The House approved Rep. Susan Lontine’s bipartisan bill to reduce preschool and early elementary out-of-school suspensions and expulsions. In Colorado and across the country, young children are being removed from pre-school and early elementary grades at alarming rates “This is about addressing a civil rights issue for Colorado’s youngest learners. Suspensions and expulsions disproportionately impact children of color and children with disabilities and it’s time for that to end,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “This bill will help reduce the likelihood of dropouts, academic failure and an increased likelihood of entry into the criminal justice system.” Suspensions and expulsions result in the loss of valuable learning and enrichment time for Colorado’s kids. Young students, when they return to school, are often behind their classmates and more likely to be disruptive. The bill will help address behavioral issues of our young children in ways other than suspensions and expulsions to help them grow and succeed. In 2014 the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released data showing that black students are suspended and expelled at three times the rate of white students. That year, the Obama administration issued discipline guidelines aimed at reducing school suspensions of students of color. In 2018, the Trump administration and Sec. Betsy DeVos rescinded those guidelines. The bill aligns with national recommendations that seek to limit school removal for young children while promoting thoughtful exceptions that ensure school safety. HB19-1194 was approved on a bipartisan vote of 43-22 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back April 7, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: TRANSFORMATIVE BILL TO INCREASE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ACCESS, DIVERT COLORADANS IN NEED AWAY FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INTRODUCED Legislation invests over $50 million to help folks get treatment for mental health and substance use support DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and Pete Lee (D-Colorado Springs) to make major investments in behavioral health services for individuals in – or at risk of becoming involved in – the criminal justice system was introduced in the Senate this week. Also sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon (D-Denver) and Adrienne Benavidez (D-Denver), SB22-196 would invest $51.5 million for the Early Intervention, Deflection, and Redirection from the Criminal Justice System Grant Program to help communities prevent people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders from becoming involved with the criminal justice system. The funding would also be used to redirect individuals with behavioral health needs away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment. “For far too long, Colorado has tried to arrest and jail our way out of the behavioral health crisis, and it simply hasn’t worked,” said Gonzales. “Criminalizing people with behavioral health needs is the most expensive and least effective way to provide mental health care services to the folks who need it most. I am proud of the approaches we take in SB22-196 to intentionally intervene, deflect, and divert people out of the criminal justice system in order to get them the behavioral health resources they need.” “We’re working hard to address the root causes of crime in our communities, and it’s clear that a lack of access to behavioral health care paired with the devastation of the pandemic has led to increased crimes of desperation that we can prevent,” said Bacon. “This bill treats behavioral health and substance use disorder as a public health crisis and seeks to prevent people from becoming involved with the criminal justice system by intervening early with the support they need to thrive.” “Far too many Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders are struggling in jail cells without proper care and treatment to get them back on their feet, and that is simply unacceptable,” said Lee. “Jailing folks with behavioral health needs will only exacerbate their condition and lead to more recidivism, so we’re proposing measures today to ensure these individuals get the treatment they need before they enter the criminal justice system in the first place.” “The pandemic and the economic conditions that followed have put enormous strain on our communities as instability, often from a lack of housing, access to behavioral health or job opportunities, has resulted in rising crime throughout the nation,” said Benavidez . “The legislation we unveiled this week will increase access to critical behavioral health care and substance use treatment to address the root causes of crime in our communities and help Coloradans get the care they need before and while they are in our criminal justice system.” The bill also includes investments to help the Department of Corrections, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing support the continuity of care and treatment for individuals in the criminal justice system with opioid use disorders and mental health disorders, as well as investments in the Judicial Department to support pretrial diversion programs designed to keep individuals with behavioral health conditions out of jail. The bill will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE . Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2021 MCLACHLAN BILL KICKS OFF COLORADO COMEBACK Proposal would save thousands of Colorado educators money in license fee renewals DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today unanimously advanced Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to extend the duration for professional educator licenses from five to seven years, to include current five-year licenses that are partially completed. The bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $700 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. It is the first bill from the package to be considered in the House. “By extending the license renewal period, we’re ensuring that nearly 40,000 educators across the state don’t have to worry about license fees while they have so much else on their plate,” said House Education Chair Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Colorado’s educators have been through the wringer this past year, and as a former teacher myself I know how far a few extra dollars can go during difficult times. Easing some of the many burdens on our educators is a simple way to help build back a stronger Colorado.” HB21-1104 would extend the renewal period for professional educator licenses from five to seven years, without lowering the standards or requirements for licensure. This includes teacher, special services educator, principal, and administrator licenses. The bill would apply to educators who are partially through their current five-year licensing cycle and ensure that those teachers who are approaching the end of the renewal cycle will not have to worry about renewing their license for another two years. Rep. McLachlan’s bill passed the committee by a vote of 9-0. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to ensure students with disabilities receive the education they deserve. < Back June 5, 2024 SIGNED! Bill to Ensure Students with Disabilities Thrive in School DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to ensure students with disabilities receive the education they deserve. HB24-1063 will limit repeated or long-term use of an abbreviated schedule for students with disabilities, and clarify when it is permissible and impermissible. “Every student deserves access to a high-quality education in our state,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “However, sometimes students with disabilities are being sent home early for a day or longer – which means they’re being robbed of valuable academics and social-emotional learning. Full day education should be the standard for our students and this law informs parents of their rights, creates a plan to get students back on track to receive a full day of education and makes full day education the norm, not the exception, for every learner. I am committed to making our classrooms and schools more accessible, equitable and welcoming to all and this new law brings us closer to that reality.” “Every student deserves a high quality education and every school should have tools to make this a reality,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “ While abbreviated school days are one of those tools, this law will ensure that this tool is being used responsibly with parental consent to ensure the best educational outcomes for all children. Additionally, our law informs parents of their rights and creates a clear legal framework to ensure every student, especially those with disabilities and additional learning needs, has access to a full day of school.” HB24-1063 establishes policies for the use of an abbreviated school day for students with disabilities. Right now, some students with disabilities are sent home early, put on an inconsistent abbreviated schedule, or forced to learn virtually because of behaviors related to their disability. This law will ensure that parents receive proper notice, including their right to consent to, revoke consent, or oppose an abbreviated school day for their child. It also requires regular meetings for the students' Individualized Education Program team to discuss the value or need for continuing an abbreviated or shortened day, ensures that there is a plan in place for the child to get back to attending a full day of school, and provides a clear legal framework for students who are not being awarded a full day of school. Additionally, this law will collect data about the frequency of students not attending a full day of school due to being placed on a shortened schedule, as well as disaggregated student data to better understand the impact of abbreviated school days on students with disabilities and varying abilities. Previous Next

< Back February 20, 2020 NEW LAW TO PROTECT CYCLISTS PEDALS THROUGH JUDICIARY COMMITTEE The House Judiciary Committee today advanced a bill, sponsored by House Majority Speaker KC Becker, that will create a new traffic offense for not yielding to bicycles or other sanctioned users who ride in bike lanes. The bill passed by a vote of 7-2. “Cyclists are being hit and injured at an alarming rate, and it’s time we got involved to ensure their safety,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “Cycling deaths are tragic and preventable. If we’re serious about ensuring bike safety, then we need everyone who uses our roads to respect bike lanes. I hope this bill will provide the encouragement drivers need to share the road.” According to data provided by CDOT , in 2017 bicycle deaths were at an all-time high. In 2017 there were 648 traffic deaths and out of those deaths 16 involved cyclists. In 2018, 22 cyclists died, and in 2019, 19 cyclists died across the state of Colorado. Recently, the city of Denver has pledged to install 125 miles of bike lanes throughout the city by 2023. SB20-061 would make failing to yield to cyclists and other authorized users as determined by local governments a class A traffic offense. If violated, the penalty would be a $70 penalty and a $10 surcharge. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill aimed at building strong career pathways for students. < Back May 23, 2024 Bill to Create Strong Career Pathways for Students Signed into Law ENGLEWOOD, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill aimed at building strong career pathways for students. HB24-1364, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, will streamline career pathways for high school graduates. “With this law, we’re strengthening career pathways that will make it easier for Coloradans to secure good-paying jobs in communities they love,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This law improves student access to high school programs that offer college credits, college credits, industry credentials, or quality work-based learning experiences. Together, we’re investing in our workforce, boosting local economies, and making it easier for our learners to find and succeed in a career that will help them not just get by, but thrive in a well-paying job.” “To meet Colorado’s workforce and education demands, we need to make it easier for our learners to plan and succeed for their next career steps,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “This law creates a data system that will make it easier for Colorado learners, school districts and higher education to connect to college credit, apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs. Our law invests in learners by connecting them to careers that have significant growth and earning potential.” HB24-1364 will implement recommendations from the 1215 Task Force to help meet workforce demands and foster career pathways for Coloradans. HB24-1364 will create a detailed study to uncover the cost benefits of streamlining the administration and financing of postsecondary workforce readiness programs to state and local education providers. This law also lays the foundation of a data system to measure the impact and outcomes of education and workforce programs. The data collected by this program will be more accessible to learners, families, and other decision-makers when it comes to choosing a career pathway. Previous Next

Legislation would allow counties to boost access to housing, child care, and behavioral health. < Back February 13, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Boost Affordable Workforce Housing Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to grant local governments the authority to create property tax rebate programs to address areas of specific local concern, including affordable housing development. SB24-002 passed committee unanimously. “We’re working hand-in-hand with rural and mountain communities, like my home county of Summit County, to address the affordability crisis in Colorado and save people money on housing, child care and health care,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. "This bipartisan bill provides local governments with new tools to create more workforce housing, high-quality child care options and economic development.” SB24-002 , also sponsored by Rep. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, would allow local governments to establish property tax incentive programs to address critical issues related to housing, child care, behavioral health, and economic development. This could include programs that address affordable housing needs, the availability of in-home daycares, economic revitalization, the creation of stronger social resources and services for working families. Under the bill, a municipality would be able to authorize tax credits or rebates that incentivize property owners to convert rental properties from short-term to long-term, boosting the availability of workforce and more permanent housing. The bill allows a local government to renew a tax rebate or incentive program for up to one year if they find that it has effectively addressed the area of specific local concern. Previous Next

Legislation would improve transit system to help housing, reach climate goals < Back April 30, 2024 Committee Passes Bill to Improve Public Transit, Meet Housing and Climate Goals DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to better align the Regional Transportation District (RTD) with initiatives to address housing and climate issues. The legislation would also increase accountability, improve coordination between RTD and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and create a strategic 10-year plan to improve ridership. HB24-1447 would work alongside a newly revealed legislative package to boost and stabilize funding for transit agencies across the state, including RTD. This significant investment to expand and improve access to transit would help mitigate the negative impacts of oil and gas operations through a fee on production. “Increasing ridership on RTD services is not only crucial in getting Coloradans to their workplaces, but it also takes more cars off the road so we can reduce air pollution and reach our climate goals,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “With new funding soon flowing to increase transit options and boost reliability, we must ensure RTD is set up for success. By reimagining our existing transit systems, we can offer Coloradans the services our communities need to help us meet our housing, workforce and climate goals.” “The Front Range has seen rapid population growth in recent years, crowding our roadways and creating the demand for organized and reliable mass transit systems,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Coloradans deserve transportation options that they can rely on. A newly introduced legislative package brought together many voices in our state including environmentalists, transit advocates and oil and gas operators which will make significant investments in our transit system. With the new transit revenues and this RTD reform bill, we will drastically boost funding for public transit, increase ridership accessibility and services, and improve the reliability of our transit systems so Coloradans can feel confident getting where they need to go.” HB24-1447 , which passed committee by a vote of 8-3, requires the RTD Board of Directors to create a 10-year strategic plan that outlines the RTD's plans to improve ridership, support regional and state climate, housing and transportation goals, and identify potential new funding opportunities. To best serve RTD customers, this bill directs the Transportation Legislation Review Committee to create an interim subcommittee to collaborate with community members and make recommendations including: The ideal size of the RTD Board of Directors Consideration for how many directors should be elected versus appointed and the appointing authority Director pay as well as duties and responsibilities of board members How to ensure equitable representation on the board The subcommittee would be a diverse group of 19 people including lawmakers, appointees from local government, transit-dependent communities, the disability community, current RTD directors, and a leader from a disproportionately impacted community, among others. To improve coordination between RTD and its metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), the bill requires RTD to: Submit its proposed fixed-route transit service plans to DRCOG Coordinate with DRCOG regarding the implementation of these routes, Ensure that the transit provider's service decisions are consistent with DRCOG's regional transportation plan Coordinate transit and land use decisions to ensure that transit services will be provided to new and existing transit-oriented communities Under the bill, RTD would be required to create three public accountability dashboards and create, maintain, and regularly update a website containing information about RTD's financial plan as well as route ridership and reliability of services. Yesterday, Colorado Democrats alongside a broad coalition of major environmental non-governmental organizations announced an agreement with large operators in Colorado’s oil and gas industry which supports funding for public transit while cutting back on harmful pollution. The legislative package would impose a new production fee on oil and gas operators. 80 percent of the fee revenue would go toward local transit agencies and public transit projects across the state. This new fee is expected to generate an average of $138 million annually. Previous Next

< Back February 8, 2023 House Advances Bill to Improve Free Transit Program DENVER, CO – The House passed legislation on a preliminary vote today to improve the grant program that funds Colorado’s free transit rides during peak ozone season. HB23-1101 supports the continuation of the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program which led to a significant rise in public transit ridership across Colorado. “During the free transit month last August, RTD experienced a ridership increase of more than 20 percent,” said Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Our bill expands this successful free transit program to save Coloradans money on fares and further reduce the amount of harmful ground-level ozone pollution released. Our neighbors along the front range deal with some of the worst air quality in the state, and we’re making progress toward cleaning up our air with the free transit program.” “Breaking down barriers to accessing public transit, including financial barriers, is a great way to get transit-curious Coloradans aboard our buses and trains,” said Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs . “This legislation would improve the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program so more folks can take advantage of free rides. This successful program helps cut down on the number of cars on the road, saves Coloradans money and works to improve our air quality.” HB23-1101 would improve the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program, which provides funding to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and transit associations throughout Colorado to offer free rides during ozone season. Last year, Colorado Democrats championed SB22-180 which allocated $28 million toward free transit during ozone season to improve Colorado’s air quality. HB23-1101 utilizes funding from this initial investment to enhance the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program for the next three years. This year’s bill also would allow transit agencies to use grant funding during different months of the ozone season, rollover unspent grant funding to make an impact in future years and use the funding for outreach and education. RTD released final August 2022 ridership numbers in the fall. Data revealed a significant increase in the use of services, particularly buses within the district, during RTD’s 30-day Zero Fare for Better Air program. RTD also experienced a 36 percent ridership increase between August 2021 and August 2022 as well as a 21 percent ridership increase between July 2022 and August 2022. There were also significant increases in ridership in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and mountain communities. Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2019 MCCLUSKIE’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO CREATE SPECIAL DISTRICTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES GETS HOUSE APPROVAL Bill will invest in Colorado’s young students (Feb. 26) – The House gave preliminary approval to bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion, to create special districts for the purpose of delivering early childhood development services. “This bill is about investing in our future and responding to the needs of our communities. Colorado is a local control state, and these local communities across the state are interested in working together to offer high-quality, early childhood development services,” said Rep. McCluskie. HB19-1052 provides community leaders the ability to work together to create efficient and effective programs tailored for communities. These early childhood services include early care and education, health and mental health care, and developmental support programs for children from birth to age eight. This bill passed on final reading with a bipartisan vote of 50-13. Rep. Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction is the co-sponsor of the bill. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING New laws will extend the Colorado Affordable Tax Credit program, help transform our state’s housing infrastructure ARVADA, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a pair of bipartisan bills to save Coloradans money on housing and create, modify and improve housing that families can afford. SB22-159 , sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Representatives David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Perry Will, R-New Castle, will invest $150 million to create the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program to develop and integrate housing-related infrastructure, provide gap financing for housing development projects, and preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable housing. “Families are feeling squeezed as housing prices continue to skyrocket across our state, leaving far too many without housing options they can afford,” Bridges said. “With this new law, we’re going to make a historic investment to cut costs and make Colorado a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. By developing more housing that is affordable to families, we can ensure that more Coloradans have a safe place to call home.” “Today, we’re making the largest investment in affordable housing in Colorado state history – and I couldn’t be more proud of our bipartisan efforts,” Ortiz said. “Thanks to recommendations from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force, we’re investing $150 million to create, modify and improve Colorado’s affordable housing stock. This once-in-a-generation investment will boost the supply of affordable housing and make an affordable home a reality for so many Coloradans across our state.” “To solve Colorado’s crisis in affordable housing, we must encourage developers and the construction industry to expand our inventory,” Zenzinger said. “The task force made this program a top priority because of the regenerative nature of the funds attached. The availability of affordable housing allows us to make progress on the solution of a myriad other problems in Colorado, and I am pleased to see it signed into law.” SB22-159 is based on recommendations from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force . Polis also signed HB22-1051 , championed by Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, and Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Dennis Hisey, R-Fountain, which will save Coloradans money on housing by extending the Colorado Affordable Housing Tax Credit until 2031. “The seven-year extension to the Affordable Housing Tax Credit is critical to its success right now, because everyone involved in the production and allocation of affordable housing is looking for stability in the system,” Zenzinger said. “We can’t allow ourselves to get halfway down the road toward a solution, only to have the rug pulled from under developers, bankers and other stakeholders.” “When it comes to affordable housing in Colorado, demand vastly exceeds supply which is why we’re extending this successful tax credit program to ensure more families have access to quality, affordable housing,” Bird said. “To date, the CHFA tax credit has directly supported the development and preservation of over 8,000 affordable homes across our state and has attracted more than $1.07 billion in private sector equity to support the state’s housing needs. This law extends the tax credit and will make housing more affordable for many more Coloradans.” The new law will extend the tax credit program – set to expire in 2024 – for an additional 7 years, which will continue to help leverage private funds to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. This simple extension will result in at least $420 million in additional tax credits that can be allocated by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) over the next nine years. According to CHFA , the Colorado Affordable Housing Tax Credit has directly supported the development of 8,294 affordable rental units and allowed CHFA to support 28,267 total units using state and federal funds. Estimates suggest the development of these units generates more than $3.6 billion in economic activity for the state and supports almost 24,000 jobs, while generating more than $1 billion in private sector equity investment in Colorado. The program is an important source of funding for constructing new affordable rental housing in communities across the state. Previous Next

< Back May 11, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY New state agency would increase access to apprenticeship programs in Colorado DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would create a state apprenticeship agency to oversee, promote and ensure the quality of apprenticeship programs in Colorado. “Making sure workers have the tools and skills they need to get back to work will help Colorado recover faster and build back stronger,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Apprenticeship programs are a proven way to help train our workforce and fill positions in growing industries. By creating a state apprenticeship agency, we can help more Coloradans access quality programs, expand their careers, and get back to work.” “This bill will create good paying jobs and help Coloradans get back to work by creating a state apprenticeship agency,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “Coloradans across our state would jump at the chance to enter a quality apprenticeship program. These critical training opportunities lead to good jobs and careers, and by creating this agency, we can expand these programs to new and growing industries.” HB21-1007 , sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and David Ortiz, would establish a state apprenticeship agency. The agency will collaborate with the US Department of Labor to register and oversee apprenticeship programs at the state level, determine standards for apprenticeship programs, and ensure these standards are being met. It will work to promote apprenticeship programs so that more Coloradans can access these critical training opportunities, which to-date have jump-started the careers of nearly 2 million Americans in the last decade. Because Colorado does not have a state apprenticeship agency, apprenticeship programs are currently registered with the US Department of Labor. This new state agency would work with businesses and organizations offering apprenticeship programs to provide technical assistance to help them create and meet standards and provide more flexibility to ensure apprentices are learning the skills they need to advance in their trade. Twenty-five other states have state apprenticeship councils. Previous Next