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< Back February 24, 2022 BILL TO END TRANSCRIPT WITHHOLDING MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Naquetta Ricks to prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts because a student owes a debt to the institution passed the House today on Second Reading. “With this bill, we’re working to dismantle a debt collection tool that disproportionately affects low-income students and students of color,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “When post-secondary institutions withhold transcripts because of unpaid parking tickets, library fines or some other fees, students have a harder time entering the workforce or transferring schools. Holding the credits a student earned for ransom prohibits talented graduates from enlisting in the military, enrolling in nursing courses or applying for their dream job. This legislation will prepare our students for success and ensure Colorado’s workforce is stronger and more talented than ever.” “Transcript withholding is an unnecessary barrier for graduates entering the workforce,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This bill would prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts and diplomas from students with unpaid debts. Graduates have done the work and earned the credits, now let’s make it easier for them to prove it to future employers. Whether our students are applying for their first post-college job or enrolling in a new program, this bill prepares our students for success and moves Colorado forward.” HB22-1049 would protect students from transcript withholding when students owe an unpaid debt. It would also prohibit institutions from charging a higher fee or providing less favorable treatment in response to a transcript or diploma request because a student owes a debt. Debts protected by the bill range from unpaid fees to parking tickets, library fees and other minor costs students may not realize they owe. The bill also protects students with debt from tuition, financial aid funds, and room and board fees from having their transcript withheld when they apply for a job, credit transfer or financial aid. It also protects transcript withholding for those pursuing opportunities in the military and post-secondary institutions. Across the country, students owe approximately $15 million in unpaid balances, impacting over 6.6 million students. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILLS TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis (Apr. 29) – The House gave preliminary approval to a package of bills that are part of the House Democrats’ effort to combat the epidemic of opioid addiction. The House gave preliminary approval to Rep. Chris Kennedy and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s commonsense bill to examine alternatives to incarceration for individuals who need treatment for addiction instead of jail for drug-related offenses. The bill, a product of the opioid interim committee, also looks to provide behavioral & substance use treatment (MAT) to individuals who may already be incarcerated. “When we incarcerate people without providing treatment for their substance use disorders, we’re not actually addressing the real problem,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “By providing treatment, we increase the likelihood that people released from incarceration will be able to rebuild their lives and start contributing to society again.” “My sincere thanks to counselors, law enforcement and people across the state who came to support this bill. People are literally dying in jail because they are not getting the appropriate treatment for their substance use disorder,” said Rep. Singer, D-Boulder. “This bill provides a pathway that will help those struggling with addiction become productive members of society, not return as burdens to themselves, their families and taxpayers.” SB19-008 was approved on voice-vote and recorded vote will be taken at a later date. The House also passed SB19-227, sponsored by Rep. Chris Kennedy and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. This bill authorizes schools to obtain a supply of opiate antagonists, specifies that a licensed or certified hospital may be used as a clean syringe exchange site, creates the opiate antagonist purchase fund and expands the household medication take-back program in the Department of Public Health and Environment. “While we work to reduce overprescription and increase access to treatment, we can also do more to prevent the spread of diseases and save the lives of those who have not yet sought treatment,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy. “Addiction is a public health crisis and we are stepping up and finding ways to save lives,” said Rep. Leslie Herod. “This bill will expand treatment and recovery options across the state.” SB19-227 was approved on voice-vote and recorded vote will be taken at a later date. The House Health and Insurance committee approved Rep. Bri Buentello’s bill to require certain health care providers who have prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of their continuing education and prohibits a physician or physician assistant from accepting any direct or indirect benefits for prescribing a specific medication. “This is an important bill that will help us address the opioid crisis that is devastating parts of Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “ This bill will help Coloradans who are struggling with addiction get the treatment they need.” SB19-228 also requires a prescription for an opioid for outpatient use to bear a warning label; creates several grant programs to improve public awareness of the dangers of substance use disorders, improve youth treatment and pre-and-postnatal care for women. In addition, the bill introduces several other measures aimed at substance use disorders prevention. The bill was approved on a vote of 7-4. It now goes to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

House and Senate Democratic Leadership today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session on property tax: < Back August 15, 2024 Legislative Leadership Statements on Property Tax Special Session DENVER, CO – House and Senate Democratic Leadership today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session on property tax: Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: “Our vision for Colorado is a place where everyone, from the youngest learner to working families and older Coloradans, can thrive and afford a good life. Initiatives 50 and 108 would do the opposite and risk our state’s future by defunding public schools, fire response, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks and recreation centers. Coloradans elected us to govern responsibly and to listen to those on the frontlines of providing these critical services. I’m grateful for the bipartisan Property tax Commission’s feedback and the growing consensus among impacted stakeholders that we should pursue further property tax reductions with guarantees that will protect the Colorado we love and the future of our state.” Statement from President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder: “The reckless and irresponsible ballot measures we are contending with pose an existential threat to critical state and local services, and it is incumbent on us to act in Colorado’s best interests. After years of bipartisan work to address Colorado’s property tax and affordability challenges, we now face another opportunity to step up, govern responsibly, and ensure that additional property tax cuts are delivered in a way that does not jeopardize Colorado’s financial future. I’m appreciative of the hard work that has gone into negotiations around the future of our property tax framework and grateful for the thoughtful input from members of the Commission on Property Tax and local leaders from across the state.” Statement from House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge: “It is a grave risk to our state that wealthy special interests have proceeded with ballot measures that would devastate our economy, cut funding for schools, and risk financing for critical infrastructure projects like affordable housing. These measures seriously jeopardize the services Coloradans rely on, especially Coloradans struggling the most with our affordability crisis. I appreciate the thoughtful engagement of stakeholders and voices across the political spectrum who have weighed in on this proposal, and I’m proud to go back to work to help keep people in their homes, provide additional tax relief, and protect funding for our schools that we’ve fought so hard for.” Statement from Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver: “People across our state share a common goal: making Colorado an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. Over the past several years, we’ve worked with stakeholders inside and outside of the Capitol and on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that delivers needed property tax relief while ensuring essential government services are funded and available to their communities. In the face of dangerous ballot initiatives driven by special interests, we remain committed to doing what is best for the people of Colorado as well as their schools, fire departments, and local governments. We will work to ensure that any additional property tax cuts provide relief for Coloradans and are delivered in a responsible manner that doesn’t threaten the services they rely on.” On Monday, August 12th, the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax evaluated the devastating impacts of Initiatives 50 and 108 to state and local government budgets and critical services and discussed potential legislative alternatives to responsibly deliver property tax relief. Previous Next

< Back June 7, 2021 HOTELS, MOTELS, AND HOUSING SUPPORT House passes innovative proposal to convert underutilized motels and hotels into affordable housing units DENVER– The House today passed Representatives Gonzales Gutierrez and Woodrow’s bill to invest $30 million of federal funds into a grant program that will allow local governments to convert underutilized properties into shelters or affordable housing units. The bill passed by a vote of 42-22. “Colorado’s housing crisis demands action, and today we empowered local governments to take immediate steps to help keep people housed,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-242 and SB21-027. “Revitalizing hotels and motels to meet housing needs is an innovative and commonsense way to tackle one of Colorado’s most persistent issues.” “Working to help families keep a roof over their heads isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a matter of investing in Colorado’s economy and improving public health,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-242. “By converting underutilized hotels and motels, we’re leveraging existing assets to provide shelter and housing to some of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents.” SB21-242 provides $30 million in federal funding for grants and loans for local governments and nonprofits to purchase underutilized hotels, underutilized motels and other underutilized properties for the purpose of providing shelter or affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Grant recipients, local governments and nonprofits are encouraged to invest in hotels and motels that are women and minority-owned, as well as those that are ADA compliant. The legislation also provides direct assistance to workers who were unable to receive prior federal and state relief. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Megan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco to improve educator safety in Colorado. HB24-1320 passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back March 18, 2024 Lukens and Velasco Bill to Improve Educator Safety Advances DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Megan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco to improve educator safety in Colorado. HB24-1320 passed by a vote of 7-4. “As a teacher, I understand how important it is for students and educators to feel safe at school, which is why we are taking steps to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “The idea for this bill came from educators who have reported seeing an increase in violence targeting educators. Keeping educators safe will encourage more teachers to enter and stay in the profession and foster the environment students need to learn.” “This legislation will help identify actions schools can take to keep educators safe so they can focus on teaching our students,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “I’m excited to focus on the role that unequal access to resources and restorative justice play in staff safety issues. Everyone deserves to be safe in school, including educators, and I know this is possible without contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.” HB24-1320 seeks to generate recommendations on improving safety for educators and school staff through the creation of the Educator Safety Task Force. Representatives of the task force will represent school support professionals, teachers, administrators, nonprofits, and students and families from various communities who are impacted. In making their recommendations related to school safety, the task force will look at the impact of funding needs, wraparound supports, staffing, incidents of student behavior, and resource inequality. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES GRANT TO HELP 9TH GRADERS SUCCEED & LOWER DROPOUT RATE Bipartisan bill approved on a vote of 10-3 (Apr. 11) — The House Education committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, and Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, that would create a program to help students in the 9th grade succeed, as studies have shown that 9th grade can be an indicator on if a student will drop of out of school. “As a teacher, I know how crucial it is to provide resources for these students and help them succeed early on,” said Rep. Buentello. “Data shows that ninth grade is the make or break it moment for students. Students are not just passed up anymore, they have to pass or fail, and this reality often hits them like a ton of bricks. The data shows these types programs that focus on keeping kids in schools succeed in their mission.” HB19-1276 establishes a ninth grade success grant program administered by the Department of Education to help ninth grade students develop the skills needed to graduate from high school and succeed afterwards. The bill outlines best practices that must be utilized for the purposes of the program in order for a local education provider to be eligible for a grant. The department would reviews applications from local education providers and recommends to the State Board of Education about awarding grants. “In Colorado Springs, we’ve got a school district that has a dropout rate of around three percent, which is higher than the state average. This puts that school district in the bottom 20 percent of graduation dropout rate statewide, which is really heartbreaking” said Rep. Exum. “If we can do something to help kids succeed in school, then we should do it.” This grant would prioritize schools with four-year high school graduation rates that are in the bottom 20 percent statewide. The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 10-3 and now heads to the House committee on Appropriations. Previous Next

< Back April 14, 2023 Bipartisan Bill to SupportChild Care and Save Families Money Presses Forward DENVER, CO – Legislation to support child care facilities and save Colorado families money passed the House on a preliminary vote today. HB23-1091, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would extend the child care contribution tax credit through 2027. “Colorado’s child care system has been stretched thin, so we’re working to continue tax credits to support facilities and help make child care more affordable and accessible,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Having access to quality child care sets children up for success later in life, helps people get back to work and supports our growing state. Our legislation encourages charitable donations that invest in our community child care facilities, enhance children’s learning and ultimately save Coloradans money.” HB23-1091 would continue to encourage charitable contributions to uplift and support child care facilities in Colorado by saving Coloradans money. Specifically, this bill extends the child care contribution tax credit through tax year 2027. The credit would be available at 50% of the contribution amount up to $100,000 to Coloradans who make a monetary contribution to promote child care in Colorado. Tax credits are available to those who contribute to facilities, schools, or programs that provide child care, programs that train child care providers, and grant or loan programs for parents requiring financial assistance for child care purposes. Previous Next

< Back March 22, 2021 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS OF COLORADO ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST CO CHAIRS DENVER, CO– The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado today announced that Rep. Lisa Cutter and Rep. Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) would serve as the inaugural Co Chairs of the organization. “I’m proud to have founded the Democratic Women’s Caucus along with my wonderful colleagues in the legislature, and I’m honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead it in our first year,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Our caucus will work hard to support policies that seek to improve equity, justice and the economic wellbeing of women in Colorado.” “It’s an honor to serve as the inaugural Co Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus,” said Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County . “Our organization is dedicated to advancing the policy priorities of Democratic women legislators, ranging from increasing safety, wellness and justice in our communities, to forging an equitable economic recovery that puts families first, and so much more. As Co Chair, I’ll work to listen to and elevate the voices of our members and make lasting change for the women of Colorado.” The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado is a newly formed policy organization made of Democratic women members of both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the organization include Senators Faith Winter, Brittany Pettersen, Sonya Jaquez Lewis, Julie Gonzales, Rhonda Fields, Tammy Story, Janet Buckner, and Kerry Donovan, as well as Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, Representatives Adrienne Benavidez, Cathy Kipp, Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Edie Hooton, Iman Jodeh, Jennifer Bacon, Judy Amabile, Karen McCormick, Naquetta Ricks, Brianna Titone, Barbara McLachlan, Sharon Bird, Yadira Caraveo, Emily Sirota, Meg Froelich, Lindsey Doherty, Julie McCluskie, Mary Young, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Susan Lontine, Tracey Bernett, and Kerry Tipper. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation that would fund transportation infrastructure projects to improve road safety, save Coloradans money on car insurance premiums and prevent accidents. HB25-1303, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meghan Lukens, passed by a vote of 38-25. < Back April 21, 2025 House Passes Bills to Reduce Housing and Auto Insurance Costs DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would fund transportation infrastructure projects to improve road safety, save Coloradans money on car insurance premiums and prevent accidents. HB25-1303, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meghan Lukens, passed by a vote of 38-25. The House also passed legislation to make it easier to build more affordable housing across Colorado. SB25-002, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesensecker and Representative Rebekah Stewart, passed by a vote of 40-23. “Too many Coloradans have suffered from or mourned the loss of a loved one due to a vehicle collision, and this bill would use data-driven methods to make our roads safer for all Colorado road users,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25-1303 and SB25-002. “Vehicle collisions drive up car insurance costs across the board. By making our roads safer, we can save lives and reduce insurance costs.” “Rural Coloradans are acutely aware of how common and expensive wildlife collisions can be, which is why I’m sponsoring legislation to reduce costly accidents and save lives by implementing successful road safety strategies,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB25-1303. “We know that infrastructure improvements like protected bike lanes, wildlife crossings, and sidewalks have made travel safer for all road users. This investment will save lives, protect Colorado wildlife and reduce the chances of expensive road accidents that drive up auto insurance costs.” HB 25-1303 would fund transportation infrastructure projects that improve road safety and prevent collisions between vehicles, vulnerable road users and wildlife. Projects that would qualify for funding under this bill include enhancing sidewalks and bike lanes, implementing traffic circles or other speed-reducing strategies, animal detection systems and other safety projects. A Smart Growth America report stated that every dollar invested in active transportation saves $24 in averted medical costs. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, for every hour the I-70 mountain corridor is closed, surrounding communities lose up to $2 million in economic activity. Additionally, the estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is $313 million and the average cost of hitting a deer is over $23,500. SB25-002 would increase the stock of affordable housing by reducing regulatory barriers to the construction, installation, and inspection of factory-built structures like tiny homes and other types of modular housing. Modular housing is usually less expensive than traditional, stick-built homes constructed on-site and can be assembled faster, which can help expand permanent housing opportunities and build more affordable housing options. “Our legislation would improve coordination between state and regional partners and cut down on duplicative steps to build more affordable housing in our communities,” continued Boesenecker. “Modular homes are a high-quality alternative to traditional housing construction methods and are faster to assemble and cheaper to build. This legislation will unlock more affordable housing options for hardworking Coloradans.” “Modular homes are a creative and proven solution to drive down housing costs, allowing more Coloradans to realize their dream of homeownership,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood, sponsor of SB25-002. “Construction costs, miscommunication and patchwork regulation have been a significant barrier to building affordable housing, and this bill aims to address these issues. With this bill, we can make high-quality housing more affordable across Colorado by fully leveraging the economy of scale that modular housing provides.” This bill would direct the State Housing Board in the Department of Local Affairs to develop regional building codes for factory-built structures by July 1, 2026. The new building codes would supersede current regulations only for factory-built structures. The General Assembly passed a bipartisan law in 2022 to create the Innovative Housing Incentive Program to invest in companies pursuing innovative construction methods, such as modular housing, to create more affordable housing options. So far, the program has invested over $10.5 million with 13 businesses that are contracted to produce over 2,500 units and $20 million in loans to four businesses that will create over 3,300 units per year once their factories are up and running. In 2024, the town of Breckenridge built a 54-unit modular housing project. They saved 13-percent and completed the project six months faster when compared to quotes for traditional housing construction. The bids for a 37-unit affordable housing project in the town of Granby were 21-percent cheaper than stick-built homes and allowed for the construction to be completed within the seasonal six-month building window. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Meg Froelich that would bolster housing protections for Coloradans who receive support through housing vouchers and other government housing subsidies. HB25-1240 passed by a vote of 37-22. < Back March 11, 2025 Housing Protections for Vulnerable Coloradans Pass House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Meg Froelich that would bolster housing protections for Coloradans who receive support through housing vouchers and other government housing subsidies. HB25-1240 passed by a vote of 37-22. “Coloradans who receive housing vouchers and disability assistance are especially vulnerable to housing instability, and our bill would reduce barriers to housing for those who are the most vulnerable to homelessness,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “The rising cost of living has been tough on Coloradans, especially for the seniors, young families, and people with disabilities who rely on financial assistance. With this bill, we’re improving access to stable and affordable housing so all Coloradans can have a safe place to live, regardless of whether or not they live on a fixed income.” “We’re strengthening the CARES Act to protect Coloradans from housing discrimination to keep Coloradans safely housed,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “The 127,000 Coloradans who rely on anti-poverty assistance to afford housing are often survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, or marginalized communities. This legislation extends Colorado’s housing discrimination safeguards to reduce costly and traumatic evictions, protecting thousands of Colorado households from being denied housing opportunities due to rental assistance.” HB25-1240 would add protections for Coloradans who receive housing subsidy support by making it an unfair housing practice for any landlord who fails to: Make reasonable efforts to timely respond to requests for information and necessary documentation for a rental assistance application process, or Cooperate with tenants and rental assistance administrators in good faith regarding applications, including by refusing to provide documents that are required by a state government agency, a local government agency, or other administrating entity to support the tenant’s application. The bill would require a landlord who owns four or more units to comply with the eviction notice requirements under the CARES Act. Additionally, landlords would be required to reimburse tenants for the difference between rent paid and the fair rental value when a breach in the warrant of habitability is proved, regardless of if a tenant uses a housing subsidy. HB25-1240 would also direct the Division of Housing to compile and publish a list of resources for landlords, including helping determine if a landlord’s property is covered under the bill and outlining financial resources available to them. Colorado Democrats passed a law in 2020 that prevents housing discrimination for Coloradans who receive government subsidies like housing assistance programs, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and veterans benefits. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2022 GOV. POLIS, STATE LEGISLATORS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS & CABINET MEMBERS DISCUSS TRANSFORMATIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEGISLATION, VISIT INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC Polis Administration in partnership with state legislature continues to take bold steps to improve access to and delivery of quality behavioral health care services across Colorado DENVER — Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis joined Rep. Serena Gonzales-Guiterrez, Senator Chris Kolker, Rep. Perry Will, Senator Faith Winter, Rep. Judy Amabile, cabinet members, and community leaders to discuss comprehensive legislation to elevate Colorado’s behavioral health system and address Colorado’s most pressing needs made possible by historic funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Governor Polis and the group then visited the Tepeyac Community Health Center in Denver and participated in a roundtable discussion about Colorado’s successful and continued integration of physical and behavioral health care to support efficient, streamlined health care services for Coloradans. “We are saving Coloradans money on behavioral health care and improving access to quality services to ensure every Coloradan can thrive,” said Governor Polis. “I was proud to visit the innovative Tepeyac Community Health Center and see firsthand the transformative impact of our investment in providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable care that Coloradans deserve.” A bipartisan bill sponsored by Representatives Gonzales-Gutierrez and Naquetta Ricks ( Community Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Gap Grants: HB22-1281 ) will ensure Coloradans across the state — including children, youth and families — have access to the behavioral health care they need. This bill will invest $90 million in grant funds for local governments and nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, community-based programs with the goal of filling regional gaps across the continuum of care and transforming behavioral health outcomes for families, children and youth living in Colorado. The bill passed the House Public and Behavioral Health Committee unanimously earlier this week. “This year, we are making the single largest investment in our state’s history, nearly $450 million, to expand access to behavioral health care,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “The Tepeyac Community Health Center in Denver shows first hand how our transformational investments will allow more Coloradans to access the care they need to thrive. Our package of behavioral health legislation, crafted over the course of many months with experts across the state, will boost access to care, substance use disorder treatment, residential and outpatient services, and save Coloradans money on behavioral health care.” “As someone who has experienced mental health challenges myself, I know how difficult it can be to seek out treatment and get the care you need,” said Senator Chris Kolker (D-Centennial), member of the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force. “I was lucky because I was able to get help, but too many Coloradans can’t say the same. I’m proud to be working to help more people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders get the care they need and deserve. We have a lot more work to do, but this package of transformational bills represents an important first step toward expanding access to critical care, ending the stigma around behavioral health, and saving more lives.” Senator Kolker is the sponsor of the bipartisan and Senate passed Behavioral Health Services for Children: SB22-147 which is also sponsored by Senator Jerry Sonnenberg and Representatives. Mary Young and Rod Pelton. The bill aims to improve access to behavioral health care services for youth and families. The bill directs $4.6 million for the Colorado Pediatric Psychiatry Consultation and Access Program, $5 million for the Behavioral Health Care Professional Matching Grant Program, and $1.5 million for the School-based Health Center Grant Program. Additional Behavioral Health Legislation moving through the legislature: Youth and Family Residential Care: HB22-1283 sponsored by Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Mary Bradfield and Senators Janet Buckner and Kevin Priola, will make it easier for families and youth to access residential and outpatient care in Colorado. This bill will invest $54M to support intensive youth and family residential and outpatient care, ensuring that children, youth, and families can access behavioral health treatment and services they need right here in Colorado. The bill passed the House Public and Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee unanimously. Adult Inpatient and Residential Care: HB22-1303 , sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Shane Sandridge and Senators Faith Winter and Jim Smallwood, invests $65 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment options for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occuring conditions or in need of civil commitment. The bill supports the addition of 16 beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state. HB22-1303 passed the House Public and Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee by a vote of 9 to 1. Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1302 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will and Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, invests $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. HB22-1302 passed the House Public and Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee by a vote of 10 to 1. Behavioral Health Care Workforce Development: SB22-181 , sponsored by Senators. Jeff Bridges and Cleave Simpson and Representatives. Lisa Cutterand Tonya Van Beber , directs the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to invest $72 million to bolster and stabilize the state’s behavioral health care workforce, which will help more Coloradans access the critical care they need to thrive. Investments in Statewide Care Coordination Infrastructure: SB22-177 , sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen and Bob Rankin and Representatives. Brianna Titone and Mary Bradfield , invests $12.2 million to improve Colorado’s statewide care coordination infrastructure to better serve Coloradans seeking behavioral health care. The bill also seeks to cut red tape associated with provider enrollment and credentialing for navigators and care coordination providers, so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping Coloradans in need. Behavioral Health Care for Colorado Native American Tribes: SB22-148 , which has passed the Senate and is sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan and Representative Barbara McLachlan , provides $5 million to Colorado land-based Tribes to support building or renovating a tribal behavioral health facility for inpatient services and transitional housing. The package of legislation is based on the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force recommendations to increase access to affordable care, bolster the behavioral health care workforce, expand residential care for youth and families, and increase support for pediatricians and school counseling programs. The Polis Administration continues to take bold steps to increase access to affordable, high-quality behavioral health care across Colorado, and to create an efficient behavioral health care system that Coloradans deserve. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to build more condos now and reduce the cost of housing. < Back May 12, 2025 SIGNED! Construction Defects Reform Bill Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to build more condos now and reduce the cost of housing. “From building equity and generational wealth to lowering housing costs, condos offer numerous benefits to Coloradans looking to buy their first home,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Rising rent and housing prices have made it nearly impossible for hardworking Coloradans to save enough money to buy a home at the median price tag of $550,000. After years of hard work, I'm thankful for everyone who worked closely with us to help craft this new law so we can spur new housing options that Coloradans can afford and offer more Coloradans a fair shot at the American Dream.” “HB25-1272 will make fair and balanced reforms to our construction defects laws, ensuring that high-quality homes are built, problems are fixed before sale and excessive costs that deter development can be reined in,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “This law is a proactive solution that incentivizes responsible development, making it a win-win for homeowners and builders alike. It’s intended to meet the demands of our communities, respond to changing demographics, and provide housing that is adaptable to different housing sizes and needs. With this new law, we can create more attainable housing opportunities and ensure that more Coloradans can achieve the dream of homeownership.” “With a shortage of over 100,000 homes across our state and a decrease in condominium development, it's becoming increasingly difficult for first-time homebuyers to find housing they can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Offering a variety of housing options is a critical piece in making homeownership a reality for more Coloradans. Our new law will help increase the availability of high-quality starter homes in the market to create more affordable housing options that work for every budget.” “In Colorado’s mountain and rural communities, there are teachers, police officers, small business owners, nurses, and other crucial working folks who desperately want to be able to buy a home and put roots down, but there’s not any housing available for them to purchase,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco . “For years, construction defects laws have stunted the development of condos and townhomes, generally more affordable housing options for first-time buyers. This new law will change that and help ensure that we have a healthy mix of housing units, allowing more Coloradans to achieve their dream of homeownership.” HB25-1272 reforms construction defect laws by encouraging condo builders to work with third-party inspectors to help identify and correct any construction issues upfront, establishing clear guidelines for construction defect claims, and adjusting the statutes of limitation for construction defect claims. Beginning January 1, 2026, the law creates the Multifamily Construction Incentive Program. Builders will be able to opt into this program if they offer a warranty for any defect and damage and hire a third-party inspector to periodically review the construction throughout the building process. In exchange for providing these additional safeguards upfront, builders in the program will receive additional protections against construction defect actions, which can be costly to litigate and discourage condo development. Under HB25-1272, a homeowner who purchased a property built under the program will have six years to bring an action for damages. The homeowner will have a duty to mitigate damage alleged to be caused by a defect and notify the builder, who must offer a fix to any defect claims. If the issue is not resolved through this warranty process, the homeowner may proceed with a defect claim. The law exempts a construction professional participating in the program from liability for a damage or defect if they can prove the damage or defect was caused by: Certain weather conditions, an act of war, terrorism or vandalism, A homeowner’s unreasonable failure to timely mitigate damages or complete ongoing home maintenance, or Misuse, abuse, or neglect after the sale to the claimant. From 2007 to 2022, the number of condo developers working in Colorado declined by 84-percent in part due to the potential for expensive lawsuits. Meanwhile, the median age of first-time homebuyers in Colorado rose from 35 to 38 in the past year. Previous Next