< Back May 28, 2020 TELL COMMUNITIES WHEN TOXIC POLLUTION IS RELEASED! Legislation advanced to require public notification and direct outreach when toxic chemicals are released Denver, CO– The House Finance Committee today advanced Representatives Adrienne Benavidez and Alex Valdez’s bill to protect Colorado communities from toxic chemicals that are emitted from many refineries, factories, coal plants and other facilities. These air toxins heavily impact the communities that live close by and can cause a number of documented health complications. The bill passed 7-4. “Our communities have a right to know when their industrial neighbors release dangerous levels of toxic and deadly chemicals into our air,” said Rep. Benavidez, D-Brighton. “Every Coloradan has a right to clean air and water, and the communities living in the shadows of these facilities, often communities of color and non-english speakers, must be immediately notified when dangerous chemicals are released.” “For too long, facilities that release toxic chemicals have repeatedly failed to provide timely and accurate information to the communities nearby. This needs to end,” said Rep. Valdez, D-Denver. “Our bill will require Suncor and other facilities that release toxic air pollution to notify their neighbors when they release harmful levels of deadly chemicals so that our communities have the information they need to respond appropriately and protect their health.” Toxic air pollution primarily affects those living and working closest to the facilities, which are primarily made up of minorities and lower income Coloradans. Some of these air toxins include Benzene, which can cause a variety of symptoms including respiratory complications, eye and skin irritation, headaches and more. Hydrogen cyanide , another chemical commonly released by factories, refineries and other such entities can cause damage to the central nervous system, which can cause headaches, dizziness, numbness, loss of vision and more symptoms. HB20-1265 requires facilities to conduct outreach in english and spanish and notify the surrounding communities when they release toxic levels of benzene, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide into the air. The requirement applies to anticipated or unanticipated incidents, including as a result of a malfunction, start-up, shutdown, upset or emergency. The bill is supported by: Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) Sierra Club Conservation Colorado Colorado Latino Forum Earthjustice Western Resource Advocates Healthy Air and Water Colorado Environment Colorado CoPIRG Mi Familia Vota Together Colorado 350 Colorado Colorado Fiscal Institute Mothers Out Front Colorado National Parks Conservation Association Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to keep Coloradans, visitors and the state’s bear population safe. < Back April 13, 2026 Bill to Reduce Human-Bear Conflicts Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to keep Coloradans, visitors and the state’s bear population safe. HB26-1342 would further reduce human-bear conflicts by cracking down on negligent human behaviors that attract bears. “Dangerous human-bear interactions are rising in our state, and we need to do more to keep Coloradans, visitors and the bear population safe,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “Last year, the vast majority of bear reports were related to trash or food waste. Bears are attracted to human food, which means this is a people problem, and it’s our responsibility to keep food inaccessible to bears so we can limit human-bear interactions. This bill strengthens existing enforcement mechanisms to help CPW reduce human-bear conflict, especially those coming from negligence. ” “Once a bear has learned how and where to obtain human food, it’s really difficult to unteach this behavior, which ultimately leads to more human-bear conflicts and costly bear relocations and euthanizations,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “We are reducing barriers for CPW to minimize human-bear interactions to keep everyone safe, including Colorado’s bear population. Bears can cause extensive property damage, and this bill helps prevent bears from digging through your trash in the first place. Last year 57-percent of bear sightings were linked to trash or waste, and our legislation pushes back against negligent human behaviors that attract bears.” HB26-1342 passed committee by vote of 8-4. This bill would help minimize human-bear conflicts in Colorado. HB26-1342 would modify state law to enhance Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) ability to deter negligent human behaviors that attract bears, such as leaving garbage uncovered and accessible. HB26-1342 would: Expand the law to include negligent behavior with food or edible waste that attracts bears, meaning CPW no longer must prove that an individual is intentionally luring bears. Raise the penalty for third or subsequent offenses of luring bears from $2,000 to $5,000 to strengthen deterrence of negligent human behavior that leads to conflicts with bears. Modify state statute so CPW officers have the option to issue a maximum fine of $200 to first-time offenders. CPW officers have discretion to issue a warning before a violation. Under this bill, penalties for negligent human behavior would still apply even if a bear does not show up on the property. Human-bear conflicts are rising. CPW received 5,022 bear reports in 2024 and 5,229 in 2025. According to CPW, this is a 15-percent increase in conflicts and interactions over the last six years. Of the 17,000-20,000 bears in Colorado, the majority of incident reports involve bears trying to access human food sources. Last year, 57-percent of the sightings were linked to trash, 18-percent to livestock, chickens and beehives, and 16-percent to bird seed, pet food, barbeque grills, coolers and refrigerators. Of the 5,299 reports CPW received in 2025, 2,448 resulted in property damage to a shed, garage, home, vehicle or fence. In 2024, 68 black bears were relocated and 98 were euthanized because of incidents with humans. Many of these instances were a result of human negligence. That same year, CPW spent nearly 6,000 hours of staff time responding to human-bear conflicts and spent nearly $800,000 in supplies, grants, and salaries related to human-bear conflicts. To limit human-bear interactions, experts recommend securing food, trash and recycling, removing bird feed when bears are active, cleaning grills and smokers and never leaving pet food outside. Previous Next

< Back April 19, 2021 WATER PLAN, AG EVENTS GET MAJOR BOOST WITH COLORADO COMEBACK STATE STIMULUS DENVER, CO– The House Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee today unanimously passed legislation that will provide $20 million for the Colorado Water Plan and nine million for agriculture events across the state, including the National Western Stock Show and Colorado State Fair. The bills are part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. HB21-1260 , sponsored by Representatives Alec Garnett and Marc Catlin, provides $20 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to implement the Colorado Water Plan. The bill helps ensure that Colorado can meet its future water needs, which is critical for maintaining our state as a competitive place to work, play, and live. “The Colorado Water Plan is our path forward to ensure Colorado has the water resources we need to foster a thriving economy,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This investment will help Colorado build back stronger and be better prepared to weather the increasingly devastating droughts that are threatening our water supply. These projects will create jobs and build the water infrastructure of the future so that all our industries, from agriculture to outdoor recreation, can continue to prosper from this essential natural resource.” HB21-1262 , sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Mike Lynch, provides $3.5 million to the National Western Stock Show–a staple to the state’s agricultural economy and Denver’s economy–as well as $3.5 million for the Colorado State Fair, and $2 million to agricultural events organizations across the state. The Colorado Stock Show and State Fair are vital economic drivers for the agriculture industry in Colorado and the communities in which they are located. With this stimulus, these critical agricultural events will be stronger than ever, ready to attract performers and visitors from across the West as tourism resumes. “The agriculture industry creates and sustains jobs across Colorado, and the National Western Stock Show is a big part of that,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver . “The iconic and world-famous stock show brings significant resources to the Denver regional area and showcases the best the West has to offer. Colorado is standing up to support agriculture events like the state fair, county fairs, and the stock show because these exciting exhibitions create jobs and embody our state’s proud agriculture identity.” Previous Next

Colorado Dems put hardworking people over corporations by closing corporate tax loopholes to lower taxes for hardworking people and lift families out of poverty < Back May 1, 2026 Tax Credits for Working Families Advance Colorado Dems put hardworking people over corporations by closing corporate tax loopholes to lower taxes for hardworking people and lift families out of poverty DENVER, CO - The House today advanced three bills to rebalance Colorado’s tax code and put working people first after Congress passed H.R. 1, which granted massive tax breaks to corporations and the ultra-wealthy while raising taxes on working families in Colorado. “We have a choice to make: we can protect tax loopholes for the wealthiest corporations and billionaires, or we can reduce taxes for hardworking families and lift children out of poverty. For Democrats, the choice is clear, but today House Republicans sided with special interests and corporations over Coloradans and small businesses,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB26-1222 and HB26-1289. “If we do not pass these bills, the largest corporations will see new and expanded tax handouts while hardworking families are stripped of a state tax credit that has reduced poverty by over 40 percent in Colorado in one year. These bills prioritize hardworking families and small businesses so we can build an economy that works for everyone, not just mega-corporations and billionaires who just got a massive tax cut from Republicans in Congress.” The bills would create a new tax credit for hardworking families. The Family Affordability Credit (FAC) is modeled after the highly successful Family Affordability Tax Credit. The House also advanced a bill that would modernize and simplify the tax code by repealing ineffective or unnecessary special tax exemptions and deductions to expand and extend tax credits for wildfire and beetle kill mitigation, job creators, and investments in clean energy. Beginning for 2026 taxes, HB26-1221 , HB26-1222 and HB26-1223 would create a new Family Affordability Credit that could be taken in addition to the CTC, EITC and FATC. The bills are revenue-neutral – the credit will adjust based on available revenue, so that families receive all the benefits from closing these loopholes. HB26-1221 prioritizes working families and ensures corporations and high-earners pay their fair share by closing tax loopholes that offer deductions for top executives’ salaries. HB26-1222 mitigates the harm of H.R. 1 and would decouple Colorado’s tax code from four new federal tax deductions to rein in these corporate tax breaks at the state level only, especially for out-of-state investments. HB26-1223 would tax software the same, regardless of how it is acquired. The new credit is projected to provide a substantial benefit for families, with initial estimates of thousands of dollars per child under the age of six for each of the bills. Prioritizing Working Families: HB26-1221 would limit a tax loophole that allows corporations to deduct the salaries of their CEO, CFO and the next eight highest-paid executives—up to $1 million each—as ‘operating expenses,’ even if the executive doesn’t reside in Colorado. The bill limits this deduction to $250,000 per salary, specifying that pay over that amount cannot be deducted as ‘expenses.’ “This bill reflects our values - giving families the support they need to thrive while ensuring that top earners pay their fair share,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1221. “We should not be giving tax breaks to millionaire CEOs and giant corporate interests while Colorado families struggle to put food on the table. We are making our priorities clear with this bill by reducing corporate tax breaks to create the Family Affordability Credit, which will lift children out of poverty and give hardworking families more stability.” “Today, House Republicans chose tax cuts for corporations and billionaires over tax credits for families and children in poverty. The bill we advanced ensures that we are prioritizing children and hardworking families, not corporations and the ultra-wealthy,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1221. “Colorado Democrats believe that corporations should not receive tax breaks on million-dollar salaries while working families struggle to put food on the table. We’re limiting a corporate tax loophole and directing those benefits back to families to continue the progress we have made at driving down child poverty rates.” HB26-1221 would also lower the percentage of net operating loss deductions that corporations can deduct from their Colorado taxable income and shorten the length of time that they can carry those losses forward before claiming them, a technique that corporations use to avoid paying taxes year after year, even while making significant profits. Mitigating the Harm of H.R. 1: HB26-1222 would de-couple Colorado’s tax code from four new federal business tax breaks created or expanded by H.R. 1, including certain write-offs and deductions for interest expenses on debt, especially for multi-national corporations. The bill would essentially deny these new tax cuts for corporations on their state taxes. Importantly, this bill holds state taxes where they were before H.R. 1 created new tax breaks for corporations, and does not increase taxes relative to tax year 2025. “Colorado Democrats believe in investing in hardworking people, and that means pushing back against Trump’s corporate tax breaks,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB26-1222. “When the federal GOP passed Trump’s H.R. 1, it stopped the Family Affordability Tax Credit, which had successfully slashed child poverty by 37 percent. This bill is one of many policy changes that Colorado Democrats are making to protect hardworking people from the impacts of H.R. 1. Let me be clear, this bill simply restores state taxes to where they were before Congress slashed corporate taxes.” Updating and Simplifying the Tax Code: HB26-1289 would modernize and simplify the tax code by repealing ineffective or unnecessary special tax exemptions and deductions to expand and extend tax credits for food access, wildfire and beetle kill mitigation, job creators, and investments in clean energy. This bill would repeal ineffective or unnecessary tax exemptions and deductions and modify others to make Colorado’s tax code more consistent and efficient. “We’re making necessary changes to create a tax code that focuses on hardworking Coloradans, affordability and climate resilience,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Our bill repeals tax loopholes and tax breaks to strengthen our economy and provide tax credits to small businesses, renewable energy and economic development to lower costs for consumers and businesses. While Congressional Republicans put corporations first, Colorado Democrats are finding every opportunity to restructure Colorado’s tax code to create jobs, fund essential services and save hardworking Coloradans and small businesses money.” HB26-1289 would repeal ineffective tax exemptions for purchases regarding space flight and eliminate vendor discounts for cigarettes, nicotine and tobacco products. It also makes changes to existing tax credits, including: Increasing access to the Community Food Access Tax Credit that offers small food retailers and family farms a refundable tax credit, Renewing the Renewable Energy Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit to reward businesses that invest in projects that generate renewable energy, Expanding the Wildfire Mitigation Tax Credit by allowing it to be carried forward to count against future tax liability and increasing eligibility to boost wildfire mitigation efforts, and Expanding a tax credit for businesses that rehabilitate vacant properties. Downloadable Software : HB26-1223 would repeal the downloadable software exemption to ensure taxes on these products are consistent, no matter how or where they are purchased. “Colorado Democrats are making tax policy changes to lift families out of poverty,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1223. “Taxes on downloadable software should be applied the same, regardless of how it is purchased. This will help create a more equitable tax code that puts hardworking people first.” “We’re repealing a tax exemption to ensure Colorado law is being equally applied, no matter your zip code,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1223. “The Family Affordability Tax Credit was wildly successful at driving down child poverty. With H.R. 1 turning off this tax credit to fund corporate tax breaks, our bill will help create a replacement for this tax credit to put money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans.” The Colorado Office of the State Auditor reported that the antiquated sales tax exemption for certain downloadable software was being applied unevenly across the state, with 14-percent of vendors not applying the exemption at all. In recent years, Democrats in Colorado have expanded the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and created the Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) to boost the incomes of hardworking Colorado families and lift children out of poverty. A 2026 report found that the EITC, CTC and FATC cut child poverty by 37 percent and family poverty by 32 percent. These tax credits were entirely turned off for the next tax year due to H.R. 1, raising taxes on families, and forecasts show H.R. 1’s revenue impacts may reduce the credits in future years, too. Previous Next

New law makes reproductive health care more accessible and affordable for all < Back April 14, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Increase Access to Reproductive Health Care, Close Access Gaps New law makes reproductive health care more accessible and affordable for all DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, that improves access to reproductive health care, including abortion, and makes reproductive health care more equitable was signed into law today. SB23-189 is part of the Safe Access to Protected Health Care package of legislation, and works in several ways to close gaps in accessing reproductive health care, including abortion. “Every Coloradan deserves to be able to access the critical care they need, but for too many of our neighbors, barriers still exist that prevent them from accessing that care,” Moreno said. “This new law breaks down those barriers, especially for vulnerable communities, and helps ensure all our neighbors are able to get the life-saving care they need to thrive.” “Under this law, it will be easier for all Coloradans, regardless of zip code or income level, to access the full spectrum of reproductive health care services,” said Michaelson Jenet. “I was privileged enough to pay for my own abortion out-of-pocket, but accessing the life-saving care you need shouldn’t be financially out of reach for Coloradans. Unlike other states across the nation, Colorado is securing and expanding access to reproductive health care, including abortion and STI treatments, not restricting it." “Investing in all aspects of sexual and reproductive health care is the right thing to do, both socially and economically,” said Cutter. “It is in our best interest as a society to help prevent unintended pregnancies, improve maternal health and prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections. I am thrilled to champion this new law that will help build a healthier Colorado for everyone." “Coloradans deserve access to the full range of reproductive health care, but systemic barriers rooted in racism and oppression can stand in the way,” said Garcia. “This law works to break down those accessibility barriers to receiving abortions, STI treatments and other forms of reproductive health care which are disproportionately placed on our most marginalized communities. Securing reproductive justice is vital for Coloradans to lead self-sufficient, prosperous lives and I’m beyond proud to bring us closer to achieving that goal.” SB23-189 limits surprise medical billing and removes patient cost sharing for reproductive health care services and treatment, including but not limited to sterilization, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and abortion care. This bill expands access to contraception and related information for all Coloradans by modernizing a 1971 law and aligning it with Colorado’s Public Health code, and increasing additional family-planning related services. Finally, SB23-189 prioritizes access to life-saving HIV medication by cutting red tape to allow any authorized provider, not only pharmacists, to offer the treatment. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, to better connect students and workers with the resources they need for good-paying jobs. < Back March 25, 2026 McCluskie Bill to Connect Coloradans to Good-Paying Jobs Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, to better connect students and workers with the resources they need for good-paying jobs. “During my time at the legislature, we’ve taken bold action to equip Coloradans with the tools they need to land good-paying jobs and achieve their Colorado dream,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Our workforce is diverse and constantly evolving, which is why we’re laying the groundwork for one unified department that seamlessly supports Coloradans from the classroom to career readiness. By reimagining talent pipelines, we can create a one-stop-shop for Colorado’s students and job seekers. I’m proud to carry this bipartisan bill to unify career-focused pathways that meet the needs of our businesses and workforce.” HB26-1317 passed committee unanimously and is also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction. This bill is the first step toward creating a new, unified system and department for postsecondary education development. With a focus on a thoughtful, inclusive stakeholder process, this bill would establish a Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) of 27 members, including representatives from state agencies, institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, organized labor, local workforce centers, local government, non-profit associations and the business community. The TAC’s recommendations will serve as the structural outline for the new department. This bill would also begin the process to unite several programs, including the Divisions of Employment and Training, Regional Talent Summit Initiatives, Plans and Opportunity Now Grants and Adult Education and Literacy Programs, among others, with a focus on education and training under one new agency. Last year, Governor Polis shared a new report outlining a robust roadmap to streamline and strengthen the way Coloradans access education, training and career support. Research shows that in the next six years, nearly three in four job openings will require some type of post-secondary credential. However, there is an attainment gap between the need for credentials and the number of Coloradans earning these skills, which is a challenge for Colorado’s economy and our learners. HB26-1317 aims to lay the groundwork to streamline more than 20 divisions, offices and units across seven state entities that deliver more than 100 programs and initiatives to create a one-stop-shop for Coloradans access to postsecondary education, training and employment. Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES COLEMAN’S BIPARTISAN BILL ON HIGHER ED SUCCESS (Mar. 12) – Rep. James Coleman’s bill help invest in Colorado’s future and would enhance the ability of higher education facilities to help struggling students unanimously passed through the House Education committee today. “Our job at the state is to provide resources to elevate students and guide them towards success,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver. “Higher education is a powerful tool we have to lift people out of poverty and into middle class. Knowing this, we need to rectify the gap within our higher ed institutions. With this bill, students will have the opportunity to supplement their classes with additional academic support without it prolonging their degree completion.” Sponsored by Rep. Coleman, D-Denver, and Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton, HB19-1206 will require that higher education institutions do not simply enroll students in traditional remedial courses prior to college-level courses. Instead, it will require students to be offered supplemental academic institutions (SAI) that can also count toward college-level coursework and credits. Currently, students who are not college-ready according to academic assessments are placed in remedial college courses to prepare them for college-level coursework. As a result, students pay money to take remedial courses, which do not count towards their graduation requirements, which may prolong the time it takes to obtain a degree and increases the likelihood of dropout. SAI is a way to remedy the equity gap that exists between these students and students who are prepared to take college level coursework. Within the Colorado Community College System, SAI has shown promising results in Colorado by helping to increase the English pass rates from 36 percent to 7 4 percent and Math pass rates from 16 percent to 40 percent. HB19-1206 passed the committee unanimously and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back May 6, 2021 BILL TO LOWER ENERGY COSTS, CREATE JOBS MOVES FORWARD Bipartisan benchmarking proposal would improve energy efficiency of buildings DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment committee today passed legislation to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, which will lower energy costs and create jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits. “By passing benchmarking policies like this, we can save consumers and businesses money on their energy bills and lower our energy use,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This bill asks owners of the largest buildings to report on their energy use and then meet new energy efficiency standards that will save their tenant’s money and reduce energy use. It will help us meet our climate goals while saving Coloradans money at the same time.” “We have to make addressing climate change a top priority, and by reducing how much energy commercial buildings use, we can save consumers money and reduce the emissions that are hurting our environment,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Benchmarking is an innovative way to encourage more energy efficient buildings and create good jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits and mechanical system upgrades.” HB21-1286 , which is sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Alex Valdez, would require the owners of certain large commercial buildings to collect and report energy use to the Colorado Energy Office, and by 2026, to demonstrate that they have met new energy efficiency performance standards. The proposal, known as benchmarking, asks building owners to measure their energy use in the first year and then continue to monitor and report their performance and meet new energy efficiency standards. The proposal helps tenets and businesses save money on their energy costs while creating jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits, mechanical system upgrades, electrical work, engineering, and recommissioning. In the next eight years, the bill would save consumers $447 million on their energy bills, 3,200 gigawatt-hours of electricity, 7,700 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million metric tons. More than one-third of Colorado buildings are already benchmarking, demonstrating that this policy is both widely popular and achievable. Large commercial, multifamily, and public buildings account for roughly 15 percent of all energy used in Colorado, which means that there is considerable opportunity to reduce electricity used by increasing the energy efficiency of these buildings. Previous Next

Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, today released the following statement on the fourth meeting of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee: < Back August 13, 2024 Rep. Mauro Statement on Wildfire Matters Interim Committee Meeting DENVER, CO - Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, today released the following statement on the fourth meeting of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee : “Conversations around wildfire mitigation, first responder and firefighter workforce issues, and long-term health risks are crucial, especially as many Colorado communities on the Front Range have suffered from multiple wildfires in recent weeks. We have spent the last few months learning from professionals and organizations dedicated to wildfire prevention to determine what potential policy solutions can protect our communities from wildfire damage. Today’s meeting was a great first step in drafting legislation that can make our communities more resilient and mitigate wildfire risks to keep Coloradans safe and protect our firefighters, foresters, and other community first responders.” “These conversations are essential to have, especially as Colorado communities continue to recover after the recent fires in Boulder, Larimer, and Jefferson counties. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to all of our firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who have spent the last few weeks helping those who live in evacuation zones.” Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO KEEP COLORADO CHILDREN SAFE Colorado ranks last in kindergarten immunizations (Apr. 16) The House Health and Insurance committee approved Rep. Kyle Mullica’s bipartisan bill to address Colorado’s low vaccination rates. Higher vaccination rates decrease the risk of outbreaks of preventable contagious and deadly diseases. “This is about keeping Colorado’s kids safe. We need to be proactive, not reactive. We are in the midst of public health crisis and we can’t wait for a tragedy to occur,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “Experts believe this option will help improve Colorado’s dismal and dangerous immunization rates. I thank everyone who came to the state capitol today to make their voices heard.” Rep. Mullica is a trained trauma nurse by profession. Here’s what HB19-1312 does: Creates a standardized exemption form and requires all exemptions be submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) or the local public health agency. Non-medical exemptions must be submitted in person to the CDPHE or local health agency; subsequent renewals can be submitted in person or online. Directs CDPHE to include immunization exemption information in its annual presentation to the General Assembly. Directs CDPHE to develop educational materials for health agencies and schools addressing the medical benefits of immunizations. Gives the Board of Health authority to determine school-required immunizations, based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This bipartisan bill strengthens Colorado’s vaccination exemption process by incorporating strategies known to increase vaccination rates without removing personal or religious exemptions. Colorado is seeing an increase in vaccine preventable diseases that are endangering public health. According to a recent report, Coloradans paid $55 million on childhood diseases that vaccinations could have prevented in 2017 alone. Medical experts testified in support of the commonsense legislation. Public health and medical experts have raised serious concerns about Colorado’s low vaccination ra te. Contagious disease outbreaks are happening around the country. Most recently in Washington state and New York state. According to the CDC, less than 89 percent of kindergarten-aged children in Colorado have received vaccines for diseases like measles, mumps and rubella. Colorado ranks last in country in this category. That’s below the national average of 94.3 percent and below the level considered ideal for reaching “herd immunity,” the percentage of the population that needs to be vaccinated to avoid a big outbreak and protect those with compromised or vulnerable immune systems. Herd immunity is essential to protect the vulnerable including newborn babies, seniors and people living with ongoing medical issues. The Senate co-prime sponsors are Sen. Kevin Priola, R-Henderson and Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. It now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

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

Special session legislation puts Colorado’s finances in a better position, while impacts of H.R.1 and tariffs continue to put pressure on state budget and economy < Back September 22, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Forecast Shows Steady Economy with Strong Headwinds and Difficult Choices Ahead Due to Federal Economic Policies, Tariffs and H.R.1 DENVER, CO – Today, Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee released statements after the Legislative Council Staff (LCS) and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts. ”We’re no strangers to difficult budget decisions here in Colorado,” said JBC Chair Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “Years of thoughtful, bipartisan budgeting puts us on solid financial footing, but with the devastating impacts of H.R.1 along with tariffs continuing to create uncertainty and raise prices for Colorado families, more tough budget decisions are most certainly ahead.” “While we face strong economic headwinds and uncertainty driven by the chaos in Washington, Colorado is now in a better position, in a large part due to our special session efforts to fill a $1 billion gap caused by Congressional Republicans,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Trump’s tariff taxes are driving up costs for families and businesses, slowing the job market and increasing the risk of a recession. As we look ahead to next year’s budget, I remain steadfast in my commitment to prioritize the programs and services Colorado families, seniors and veterans count on.” “Today’s forecast confirms what we already know: the chaotic economic policies of the Trump administration are harming Colorado’s economy and the entire country,” said JBC member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Tariffs are driving up costs in critical industries like housing and increasing costs for consumers, while H.R.1 increased administrative costs and slashed federal assistance for programs like health care and food assistance. Our commitment to serve Colorado families remains steadfast. Presentations like today’s help us be ready for the tough budget conversations that we’ll need to have in the coming months.” “Today’s forecast indicates that closing corporate tax loopholes helped address some of the $1 billion budget shortfall caused by the Congressional Republicans,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Colorado Democrats took a responsible approach to minimize the harm of the Congressional GOP budget to protect our schools, roads, health care and food assistance programs. Health care costs are rising faster than forecasted, which combined with federal cuts to Medicaid, means difficult decisions are ahead. But by closing corporate tax loopholes and putting people over profit, we spared some of the more severe cuts to life-saving community programs.” The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $17.17 billion in FY 2025-2026 – a $400 million decrease for FY 2025-2026 as compared with the June revenue forecast. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $17.0 billion for FY 2025-2026 – a $756 million decrease for FY 2025-2026 as compared with the June revenue forecast. In July, Congressional Republicans’ H.R.1 created a $1 billion state budget deficit by allowing corporations to dodge taxes owed to Colorado. Following four consecutive years of corporate income tax revenue growth, corporate tax revenue is projected to decline by 30.1 percent, primarily due to H.R.1, which was partially offset by last month’s special session. This forecast shows that laws passed by Democrats during special session to close corporate tax loopholes closed one-third of the deficit, while additional bipartisan legislation closed another one-third of the deficit by using some of the state’s rainy day fund. Medicaid costs, driven by increasing caseload, health care costs and Colorado’s aging population, are rising at a faster rate than previously forecasted. Medicaid is the fastest-growing part of the state budget, and the forecast indicates an increase of $350 million in the next year. As Medicaid caseloads continue to increase, H.R.1 will increase administrative costs for state and local governments. H.R.1 drastically cuts Medicaid, including limiting provider fee revenue and state-directed payments, which according to LCS , will result in a reduction of $575 million in provider fee revenue and between $900 million and $2.5 billion in federal funds over a five year period. Additionally, the various provisions of H.R.1 will jeopardize Medicaid coverage for about 377,000 Coloradans. The Trump Administration’s economic policies continue to raise prices for consumers. Tariffs are expected to slow economic activity by weakening consumer demand and limiting business development, which will result in lower spending, falling business profits, and slower wage growth. According to LCS, tariffs paid soared to a near-century high of 8.2 percent in Q2. Additionally, inflation continues to rise, with the U.S. experiencing inflation of 2.9 percent and Denver experiencing 2.1 percent. Slowing price increases in the Denver housing market and lower housing costs are the leading contributors to lower inflation in Denver compared to nationally. During the special session in August, Colorado Republicans sponsored legislation to balance the budget on the backs of working families by reducing a vital tax credit that puts money directly into the pockets of middle and low income families (Family Affordability Tax Credit). Due to the corporate tax cuts in H.R.1, LCS anticipates the credit will be fully turned off for Tax Year 2026, but will partially return in Tax Year 2027. Previous Next