Four bills improve judicial processes in abuse and domestic violence cases < Back May 25, 2023 SIGNED! Victim Protections in Assault, Domestic Violence Cases Becomes Law Four bills improve judicial processes in abuse and domestic violence cases DENVER, CO - Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera today signed four bills into law to improve victim protections in the justice system. HB23-1107 provides funding to services and programs that support crime survivors, including survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. HB23-1222 improves court procedures and victim protections for domestic violence cases in municipal courts. HB23-1108 better equips the judicial system and judicial personnel with the tools needed to understand the complex issues faced by victims of crimes like sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. “I know firsthand how crucial it is to improve protections for survivors of domestic violence and abuse, and with these bills becoming law today, Colorado is making huge strides toward a safer environment for survivors while they navigate the judicial system ,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of HB23-1107, HB23-1108, and HB23-1222 . “With these new laws, we’re boosting funding for victim services, improving training for judicial personnel that work on crime victim cases, and improving victim protections in municipal court proceedings. Passing these laws has been one of my top priorities as a legislator, and I’m proud that Colorado will better support victims of crime.” HB23-1107 , sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran, Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, and Senators Bob Gardner and Faith Winter, designates $3 million to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program inside the Department of Human Services. This program directly funds community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs statewide. These programs provide critical services for victims and survivors of crime including shelter, counseling, safety planning, and support for medical appointments. “I’m proud to be a part of multiple pieces of transformative legislation to strengthen autonomy and outcomes for survivors of intimate violence,” said Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster. “These bills help ensure that survivors are safe during their court proceedings, and have community-based support systems to help them get back on their feet. Today’s signing signals our commitment to furthering support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Colorado.” In many Front Range cities, domestic violence cases can be heard by municipal courts, which handle these cases as lower level offenses, unlike county courts. HB23-1222 , sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, Representative Mike Weissman, and Senators Dylan Roberts and Faith Winter creates new requirements for municipal courts for domestic violence cases so these cases are treated as seriously as they are in county court. The law ensures provisions of the Victims’ Rights Act are applied in municipal courts, instructs judges to check a defendant for prior charges before issuing a verdict, and ensures all cases in municipal courts have the same resources and safety precautions available that they would in a county court, among other requirements. “This bill will improve how domestic violence cases are handled in municipal court to guarantee Victim Rights Amendment protections apply as they do in county courts," said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1222. “Our new law requires municipal courts to provide the same protections and apply equivalent sentencing requirements as county courts so all Coloradans can expect equal treatment under the law.” “Since the pandemic, domestic violence cases have surged across the United States, including here in Colorado,” Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, said. “Previously, county and municipal courts weren’t held to the same procedural standards for domestic violence cases, which allowed perpetrators and survivors to fall through the cracks. This new law will improve the way municipal courts handle domestic violence cases – ensuring survivors are given the protections they deserve while creating a safer state for all Coloradans.” HB23-1108 , sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, Representative Gabe Evans, and Senators Chris Hansen and Bob Gardner, creates a task force in the Office for Victims Programs to examine current victim and survivor awareness and responsiveness trainings for judicial personnel. The task force will report their findings and make recommendations on how to improve trainings for judicial personnel to better serve victims and survivors of crimes including sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence. “For victims and survivors of crime, seeking accountability through the justice system can be difficult and retraumatizing,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “This legislation gives judges and other judicial personnel the tools needed to approach domestic violence and sexual assault cases with care and a deeper understanding of those crimes. As the bill moved through the legislative process, we were also able to secure new supports for Colorado families by establishing a working group of experts that will make recommendations on how to best improve judicial trainings and programs for folks working on family cases. I’m proud to see this critical policy signed into law which will lead to better, safer outcomes for Coloradans seeking justice.” Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera also signed HB23-1178 , sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich and Senator Faith Winter, into law. The bill improves protections for Colorado children by adopting a federal law that requires judges and court personnel to receive training about child abuse, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence, in addition to considering certain evidence when determining custody decisions. The bill directs the task force created in HB23-1108 to study the federal training requirements in Kayden’s Law for a judge or magistrate who presides over family law cases and study current judicial training that is exercised successfully across the country. The bill also requires certain court personnel to complete ongoing trainings regarding domestic violence and child abuse issues. “When judicial personnel do not take child abuse and child sexual abuse allegations seriously, abusers gain custody of their children,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB23-1178. “We are sending a message that in Colorado we intend to keep children safe from family violence, and are proud to be the first state to enact a state version of Kayden’s Law. To avoid the tragic consequences we have seen in Colorado and across the country, all judicial personnel, including judges, need to be trained to recognize domestic violence, child abuse and child sex abuse.” Congress passed Kayden’s Law in March 2022 after a seven-year-old girl was killed by her father after a judge awarded partial, unsupervised custody despite a lengthy history of violence and a pending restraining order from the mother. This federal law offers financial incentives to states to adopt child safety legislation including testimony requirements and evidence-based training requirements for judicial personnel. Local concern over child custody laws arose in 2022 when a Colorado family court custody evaluator was suspended after he was quoted questioning the legitimacy of 90% of the child abuse allegations he evaluated. Previous Next

< Back May 12, 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BILL ADVANCES DENVER, CO– The House today advanced HB21-1266, legislation that would define disproportionately impacted communities to ensure that climate policies address environmental justice. “Report after report has shown that low-income communities face dangerous air and water pollution and as a result see higher rates of deadly health conditions,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “It’s clear that climate change and toxic emissions are disproportionately impacting Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. This bill simply asks that we clearly define the terms ‘environmental justice’ and ‘disproportionately impacted community.’ By defining these terms, we can more equitably address climate change and air pollution in a way that directly considers and addresses the needs of the communities that are facing some of the most consequential impacts.” HB21-1266 , sponsored by Representative Dominique Jackson, is designed to ensure Colorado’s climate policies put environmental justice at the forefront. The bill would create an Environmental Justice Action Task Force within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to take community input and develop a government-wide environmental justice strategy. It directs the Air Quality Control Commission to engage directly with disproportionately impacted communities. It would also create a definition for the terms “environmental justice” and “disproportionately impacted community”, ensuring that communities of color, low-income communities, and others who are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change are considered in the state’s climate response efforts. Previous Next

< Back December 31, 2019 IMPORTANT NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW DENVER, CO — Last session, House Democrats focused on passing bills to ensure all Coloradans can share in the economic growth the state is experiencing and to protect the Colorado way of life. Several of these important new laws that Democratic lawmakers championed last session take effect tomorrow. “In 2019, we made great strides on efforts to build an economy that works for all and to protect our Colorado way of life,” said Speaker KC Becker (D-Boulder). “These critical bills will lower the cost of health care, help save lives from gun violence, increase workers’ wages and protect them from theft, and increase lobbying transparency. Working across the aisle, we made important progress to address the challenges facing Coloradans, and we look forward to building on this success in the upcoming session.” LOWERING HEALTH CARE COSTS AND PROTECTING CONSUMERS: Ending Surprise Medical Bills: Beginning on January 1, HB19-1174, sponsored by Reps. Esgar (D-Pueblo) and Catlin (R-Montrose), prohibits providers from billing for care when a consumer unknowingly receives out-of-network care through no fault of their own. Providers must also inform consumers of their rights regarding surprise out-of-network bills, and the bill sets a reasonable rate of payment for these bills. Capping the Cost of Insulin: For insurance plans beginning January 1, HB19-1216, sponsored by Rep. Roberts (D-Avon), caps the total co-pay that patients are charged for insulin to $100 per one-month supply. This will save Coloradans living with diabetes who need insulin hundreds of dollars per month and means that no one in the state will have to choose between rationing insulin and meeting necessary household expenses. INCREASING AND PROTECTING WAGES: Preventing Wage Theft: HB19-1267 , sponsored by Reps. Singer (D-Longmont) and Froelich (D-Englewood), makes it a felony criminal offense to illegally withhold wages from an employee. It is currently only a misdemeanor, and often prosecutors don’t go after offenders because the penalties are so low. Starting tomorrow, if more than $2,000 in wages are illegally withheld, it can be charged as felony theft. SAVING LIVES FROM GUN VIOLENCE The Zackari Parrish III Violence Prevention Act , also known as Colorado’s “Red Flag” law, will go into effect tomorrow. “Red Flag” laws have overwhelming bipartisan support and save lives by creating a way to act before warning signs escalate to tragedies.The law is a tool to remove guns from a person who a judge determines is a threat to themselves or others. Colorado is suffering from a suicide epidemic, and preventing a person in crisis from accessing a firearm will save lives. EXPANDING THE RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER COLORADANS Starting January 1, HB19-1039 will allow transgender Coloradans to change the gender on their birth certificate to male, female or X, to correspond with their gender identity. The new law provides Coloradans changing their birth certificates with an entirely new document without having to go through cumbersome and expensive hurdles like surgery or appearing in front of a judge. The law also removes the publication requirement, making the process safer and more private. IMPROVING LOBBYIST TRANSPARENCY Last session, Reps. Cutter (D-Jefferson County) and Weissman (D-Aurora) sponsored legislation to improve lobbying transparency. HB19-1248 requires more frequent reporting of important information provided by professional lobbyists and requires additional disclosure about who their ultimate clients are. Taking effect on January 1 is section 24-6-301 (6.5) of the Colorado Revised Statutes. This section creates the enhanced 72 hour reporting rules that will soon require lobbyists to disclose if they have undertaken lobbying or a new position in connection with a legislative or administration initiative. Lobbyists must disclose the bill number of the legislation on which they are lobbying and the client’s position (support, oppose, amending, or monitoring). UPDATING MARIJUANA REGULATIONS Updates to Colorado’s marijuana regulations also go into effect on January 1. These include allowing local ordinances to govern licensing timelines, allowing a license holder to continue to operate until a renewal application is processed, and streamlining the licensure process. It also makes certain formerly confidential information public, such as agency actions and some testing and license holder demographic data, on a de-identified basis. It facilitates investment and growth in the industry by creating new ownership definitions that will allow Colorado companies to thrive in the developing national and international legal cannabis marketplace. Previous Next

Representative Stephanie Vigil today released the following statement on the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee meeting: < Back August 15, 2024 Vigil Statement on Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee Meeting DENVER, CO - Representative Stephanie Vigil today released the following statement on the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee meeting: Statement from Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs: “As a member and Vice Chair of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee, I have the honor of engaging with Colorado youth about their most pressing issues. These hardworking students are Colorado’s future leaders, and I am impressed with their interest in the legislative process and all of the work that they put in to present their ideas to the committee. It is an honor to work alongside them to draft potential legislation that can make a real difference in our schools and communities, like reducing food waste in our schools and ensuring our school buildings are accessible for people with disabilities, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together.” Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES CUTTER’S MEDIA LITERACY BILL (Apr. 16) – The House approved a bill sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter, D-Evergreen, that creates a media literacy advisory committee within the Department of Education. It’s important for Colorado students become more educated about the media and the role it plays in our society. “As a country, our decisions are only as good as the information we take in to form our opinions,” said Rep. Cutter. “The media landscape has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Colorado’s students are facing the largest and most complex information landscape in human history.” This effort will help enrich Colorado’s students and their overall learning experience. The bill creates a media literacy advisory committee within the state Department of Education that will work with a consultant to study media literacy, including best practices and available resources, and then report back with recommendations for the House and Senate Education Committees. Cutter hopes to sponsor legislation in the future using these recommendations to implement media literacy studies in elementary and secondary education. “The goal of this bill is to ultimately provide educators with the tools necessary to help our youth better understand the world around them and be equipped to navigate it more effectively,” Rep. Cutter added. At a March hearing on the bill, the Associated Press and Colorado Press Association testified in support of this bill, among others. A recent academic study shows that 82 percent of middle school students could not distinguish the difference between real news stories and advertisements. HB19-1110 passed the House Education committee on a bipartisan vote of 8-5. The House approved the bill on a vote of 40-23. The bill now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back September 20, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Economy Continues to Grow DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts. “Colorado’s economy continues to grow with new jobs being created every day, our unemployment rate well below the national average, and continued wage growth outpacing inflation,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Colorado is making strides to bring down the cost of living and make our state more affordable as housing costs and nationally high gas prices continue to impact Coloradans’ quality of life. I’m excited to get to work crafting a balanced budget that keeps our state’s economy strong, invests in education, improves public safety, and responds to the needs of Colorado’s families while continuing our state’s responsible growth into the future.” “Today’s forecast shows us that, despite some turbulence, Colorado’s economic outlook remains positive,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin the process of drafting next year's budget, we remain focused on supporting Colorado’s families by investing in priorities like housing, health care, and education, and ensuring that Colorado remains on a sound and sensible economic path now and into the future." “These forecasts will guide our work as we begin to develop next year’s budget and prioritize our limited state resources toward the issues that matter most to Coloradans – increasing funding for public schools, protecting our air and water, and building an equitable economy that delivers for Colorado’s working people,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m committed to continuing our work to provide high quality, free universal preschool, improve our air quality, and invest in the critical services our communities need to thrive.” “My top takeaway from this forecast is something that everyone already knows: housing is far too expensive in Colorado, and we have to do more to address it so that more families can afford to live here,” JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. "This forecast will help guide our discussions as we roll up our sleeves and get to work crafting a budget that will lower the cost of housing while meeting the needs of families and communities across our state. I am proud of the work we’ve done to support Coloradans during this volatile economic period, and I look forward to continuing our work to set Colorado on a path to further economic success.” Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.8 percent, with total employment growth clocking in at around 1.4 percent. Workers in the mountain region, which includes Colorado, saw 7.2 percent wage growth – the highest among US regions, and business activity remains near historic highs. The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.44 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $306 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $324 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier June revenue forecast. The LCS forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.49 billion for FY 2024-2025, an $82.3 million decrease from the June forecast. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion for FY 2022-2023, a $223 million increase over the June forecast. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB revised up its projected General Fund revenue by $793 million to $17.3 billion. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18.3 billion, an increase of $137.8 million as compared with the June forecast. The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn and that the risk of a near-term recession has dissipated. Factors that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation, an expanded labor force, and a rebound in real wages boosting consumer spending, and more accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include persistent inflation leading to further restrictive monetary policies, deteriorating household finances limiting consumption and continued geopolitical and trade uncertainty. Previous Next

< Back May 12, 2021 MCLACHLAN BILL EASES PATH TO POST-SECONDARY PROGRAMS DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today passed bipartisan legislation by a vote of 9-0 that would make it easier for students who graduate from high school early to pursue post-secondary education or workforce training programs. “We have to take an innovative look at how we can help all Colorado’s students learn the skills they need to thrive,” said Education Committee Chair Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This bill will help Colorado build back stronger by increasing access to higher education attainment and workforce training programs for more low-income and underprivileged students. It’s clear that when we give students the opportunity to earn money toward their post-secondary education, it makes it easier and less expensive for them to get degrees and certificates that will help them excel.” Two years ago, the legislature passed SB19-216 with bipartisan support to create the High School Innovation Learning Pilot that incentivizes students to pursue work-based learning opportunities and develop workforce related skills prior to graduating from high school. SB21-106 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Mark Baisley, would build on that program by expanding eligibility to include students who graduate from high school early without negatively impacting student counts and district funding levels. The bill is expected to add up to 20 new schools or districts to the pilot, in addition to the 17 currently participating. Previous Next

Colorado Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill to expand treatment options for Coloradans with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). < Back June 6, 2024 Gov. Polis Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand SUD Treatment DENVER, CO – Colorado Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill to expand treatment options for Coloradans with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). “Too many of our neighbors are dying from preventable overdoses, this law expands treatment options in our state so more people struggling with substance use disorder can receive the care they need,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “During the interim last year, I worked alongside a bipartisan group of legislators to identify important policy changes that would help us address our state’s growing opioid overdose crisis. As a result, we’ve crafted this law to streamline treatment options for Coloradans who need it the most, including in the rural corners of our state and those in jail or prison. The demand for substance use disorder treatment has outpaced what is available in our state – expanding treatment options will undoubtedly save lives.” "More than 1,500 of our neighbors died from a drug overdose here in Colorado last year, a heartbreaking number we must work hard to reduce," said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. "This year we’ve advanced a number of policies to tackle this crisis, including this bill to expand treatment options for folks struggling with substance use disorders. I am proud of the work we've done, and I look forward to helping more Coloradans get the help and support they need to get their lives back on track." HB24-1045 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud and Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle will: Direct the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to apply for federal Medicaid waivers (1115) to cover health care services for people in jail or prison and to cover a partial-hospitalization level of care in our communities Reduce insurance barriers to accessing substance use disorder treatment Expand the treatment workforce by increasing clinical supervision opportunities for addiction counselors under qualified licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists Authorize pharmacists to prescribe medication-assisted treatment (MAT) Create a contingency management grant program, funding the best evidence-based practices to help people with stimulant use disorders stay sober Invest in behavioral health diversion programs to provide adults charged with a minor offense a substance use treatment option Continue the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee during the 2025 interim session During the 2023 interim, ten bipartisan lawmakers served on the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee . This interim committee advanced four bills, including HB24-1045, for the general assembly to consider this year. These bills will bolster prevention efforts, improve treatment programs, promote harm reduction strategies, and support Coloradans in recovery to prevent overdose deaths and save lives. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill to save people money on prescription drugs. < Back March 25, 2024 House Passes Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill to save people money on prescription drugs. HB24-1010 would streamline prescription drug access for Coloradans with chronic, complex, rare, or life-threatening medical conditions and save them money on life-saving prescription drugs. “Health care decisions should be based on the health and safety of a patient, not dictated by profits for health care insurers,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Doctors are sometimes required to order medications for their patients through specific pharmacies, which leads to delays in care and additional costs for patients. We need to make sure Coloradans can access the medication they need, when they need it and this bill breaks down prescription drug access barriers while saving Coloradans money.” HB24-1010 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed by a vote of 48 to 15. The bill would protect Coloradans’ access to critical provider-administered prescription drugs by breaking down unnecessary barriers, including added fees, that make it difficult for patients to access their life-saving medication. The bill would: Prohibit insurance carriers from requiring certain prescription drugs to be available only by specific pharmacies, or only at in-network pharmacies, Prevent insurance carriers from limiting or excluding provider-administered prescription drugs due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy, or Prohibit insurance carriers from imposing additional fees, copayments, or coinsurance due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy or if the provider-administered drug was not provided by a pharmacy in the carrier’s network. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed two bills that would require sellers to provide consumers with an opportunity to cancel automatic renewal contracts either online or in person and extend the paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program for families with newborns receiving inpatient care in the NICU. < Back April 16, 2025 Bills to Make it Easier to Cancel Automatic Renewals, Support Families with Newborns in the NICU Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed two bills that would require sellers to provide consumers with an opportunity to cancel automatic renewal contracts either online or in person and extend the paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program for families with newborns receiving inpatient care in the NICU. “Coloradans shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to be able to cancel a subscription,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB25-145. “When ‘free trials’ turn into unbreakable contracts, consumers suffer. This legislation would simplify the process for Coloradans to cancel subscriptions, including online options, to avoid unwanted charges and save Coloradans time and money.” “Too many companies are using complicated cancellation processes to trap consumers into contracts with costly charges,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of SB25-145 and SB25-144. “From Netflix and Amazon Prime to gym memberships, subscription services are prevalent in our daily lives. This legislation would make it a deceptive trade practice to purposefully make subscription cancellations difficult, saving Coloradans money on services they no longer find useful.” SB25-145 would require sellers of goods and services to implement simple mechanisms for consumers to cancel automatic renewal contracts and trial periods either online or in person. Failure to do so would constitute a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. SB25-145 passed by a vote of 7-5. “Having a child in the NICU is one of the most terrifying moments as a parent, and the last thing they should be worried about is having to choose between spending time with their child in the hospital and keeping their jobs,” continued Zokaie. “I got involved in politics to fight for a paid family leave, as I had to work from the hospital when my baby was sick in the NICU. Extending FAMLI for families in the NICU is a no-brainer, and I am proud to sponsor this bill to better support Colorado families.” SB25-144 , which passed by a vote of 9-3, would allow parents of children who are receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive paid family and medical insurance benefits for up to an additional twelve weeks while the child is receiving care. “The FAMLI Insurance program has given Colorado families much-needed time away from the office to take care of sick loved ones or bond with new additions to the family without worrying about how they’re going to pay the bills,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of SB25-144. “We know that parent engagement while their newborn is in the NICU is crucial for development and attachment. This bill would extend FAMLI benefits up to 12 weeks for families in the NICU so they can focus on what matters most - the health of their child.” The bill would also modify the premiums for the FAMLI program to reduce the current rate of 0.9 percent of wages per employee to 0.88 percent for the next calendar year. For each subsequent year, the FAMLI division director is required to set the premium rate to reflect the solvency of the program and create more stability for businesses. Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 in the November 2020 election, creating the Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative to provide Colorado families 12 weeks of paid leave. Some families are allowed up to 16 weeks of leave in certain cases. To date, the FAMLI program has paid out an average weekly benefit payment of $915 to cover 155,000 Coloradans for medical leave, parental leave, caretaking, safe leave for survivors of domestic violence and military family leave. The average leave duration is over 51 days. A 2019 report found that parent presence in the NICU decreases stress and pain, strengthens parent-child attachment and improves brain development. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills to improve public transit and increase transportation options: SB25-161 to improve the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and SB25-030 to encourage alternative modes of transportation. < Back May 13, 2025 Legislation to Expand and Improve Public Transit Options Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills to improve public transit and increase transportation options: SB25-161 to improve the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and SB25-030 to encourage alternative modes of transportation. SB25-161 , sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Representatives William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, would require RTD to adopt new policies to enhance services, boost ridership, and rebuild public trust in the transit system. “Colorado deserves a world-class public transit system that is convenient, safe, and reliable,” said Winter, sponsor of SB25-161 and SB25-030. “As Colorado grows, we must be intentional about growing sustainably, keeping services affordable, and making sure that Coloradans can access transit where they live and work. This new law will help unlock the potential of RTD to deliver fast, frequent, dependable public transportation.” “Coloradans deserve safe, affordable and reliable transportation options,” said Lindstedt, sponsor of SB25-161 and SB25-030. “Colorado’s population has dramatically grown in the past decade, especially in the Front Range, and we must take a strategic approach to build up transit that serves the needs of our communities. I’m proud to have sponsored these new laws that identify funding gaps, create important new accountability, and help improve mass transit ridership.” “Thousands of Coloradans rely on public transit every day to get to work and school, attend essential appointments, and see their loved ones,” said Jodeh, sponsor of SB25-161. “For many, unreliable service can mean losing a paycheck or even their job. This law is about restoring trust in our transit system and ensuring all Coloradans, including my constituents in Aurora, get the safe, efficient transit they need.” “Transit is a key piece of the puzzle that can help Colorado meet our housing and climate goals, and reliable transit saves Coloradans money,” said Froelich, sponsor of SB25-161 and SB25-030. “Colorado Democrats have made major strides to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and provide quality transit systems. These laws will help ease traffic by increasing ridership, reliability, and safety on mass transit so we can get more single-occupancy vehicles off the roads and safely get Coloradans where they need to go.” SB25-161 will require RTD to develop an ambitious 10-year strategic plan to expand and improve transit in the Front Range, aligning its goals with state climate goals and enhancing partnerships with local governments. The new law will improve transparency and accountability by creating public dashboards for riders to access information on transit performance, safety, and reliability. Finally, the law will establish an RTD Accountability Committee with fourteen voting members and one ex-officio nonvoting member to evaluate RTD’s governance structure, local and state agency representation, workforce retention, paratransit services, and opportunities for transit expansion, as well as make recommendations to the General Assembly. Governor Polis also signed SB25-030 into law, also sponsored by Froelich, Lindstedt, and Winter, in addition to Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. SB25-030 will increase transportation options, making sustainable transportation more accessible, convenient, and reliable. This law will allow the Colorado Department of Transportation and local governments to more efficiently identify gaps in transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure in state and regional transportation systems. “This law is a practical, long-term solution to a host of different issues – from traffic congestion to climate change,” said Hinrichsen, sponsor of SB25-030. “We all love shorter commute times and more options to get to school, work, and community spaces. Senate Bill 30 will help give us a clear, practical path to make sure the state’s transit agencies are partners in achieving that goal.” Previous Next

Law would stand up health care programs at higher education institutions in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver and Trinidad < Back May 1, 2024 Polis Signs Bill to Create Northern Colorado Medical School and Boost Health Care Training DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed legislation today to help create a new medical college at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), and other construction and renovation projects at various higher education institutions across the state to better support both health care and veterinary care education. HB24-1231, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty and Senator Kyle Mullica will help address health care workforce shortages in Colorado. “This critical law will help create a new college of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado, which will serve as a strong economic driver for Greeley and the surrounding communities and meet the physician workforce needs of our rural and underserved neighborhoods,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We’ve taken historic steps to increase access to health care Coloradans can afford and this law builds on those efforts to save people money on health care and address our workforce shortages. From CSU Fort Collins and MSU Denver to Trinidad State College, this law supports new higher education health care projects and programs that will serve generations to come.” “Right now, Colorado faces a significant health care provider shortage causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. “As the only working nurse at the Colorado State Capitol, I know how critical it is to build the health care workforce our state needs. I’m proud to have championed this new law that will invest in four institutions committed to addressing the state's health care challenges, and I look forward to continuing my work to ensure every Coloradan has access to the care they need to thrive.” “Across the state, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of critical health care and veterinary providers, which is why we are standing up new medical and veterinary programs to train the next generation of professionals in these fields,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “With this law, Colorado will be better positioned to train and educate future osteopathic doctors, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, nurses, and other critical allied health care providers. I’m proud of our work to lower barriers for Coloradans who want to enter these professions and better serve our communities.” HB24-1231 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, will stand up four projects related to health sciences education programs for medical professions. Specifically, the law will fund the: · Construction of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) · Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) · Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University (CSU) · Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College This law will jumpstart a second-of-its-kind medical program at UNC, which will streamline 150 new osteopathic doctors into the workforce each year and help address primary health care needs of Coloradans. The UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to generate $1.4 billion over the next 20 years in economic impact, with an estimated $500 million to remain in Weld County. The law will also provide funding to help higher education institutions train more nurses, veterinarians and other mid-level health care and veterinary care professionals. Colorado is facing a significant health care provider shortage that is causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities. HB24-1231 is the state’s largest higher education investment aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce so Coloradans can receive the health care they need, when they need it. Previous Next