The House today passed legislation that would streamline the process for religious and educational institutions to build housing on their land. HB25-1169, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Bosenecker and Representative Javier Mabrey, passed by a vote of 40-23. < Back March 17, 2025 ‘YIGBY’ Bill to Increase Housing Coloradans Can Afford Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would streamline the process for religious and educational institutions to build housing on their land . HB25-1169, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Bosenecker and Representative Javier Mabrey, passed by a vote of 40-23. “This bill helps build more affordable housing across Colorado to create more options that people can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Faith-based organizations across the state have already shown interest in offering housing on their property to low-income and houseless Coloradans. This is a meaningful solution that will help build more housing now and save Coloradans money.” “Coloradans deserve housing options that they can afford,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Land is one of the biggest cost drivers when it comes to building housing, and our legislation helps alleviate these costs by cutting red tape so religious institutions and schools can lean in and help address the housing shortage. This bill provides essential protections against discrimination so that the housing created will be available to all regardless of religious affiliation. This is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to reduce housing costs and keep Coloradans safely housed.” Beginning December 31, 2026, HB25-1169 would allow faith-based organizations, school districts, and state colleges or universities to build housing and other community services on their land, regardless of current zoning laws. Under the bill, local governments could not reject the construction of a residential development due to height, as long as the development is no taller than three stories or 45 feet or adheres to the standards of the zoning district or standards that apply to contiguous parcels. Additionally, local governments could not restrict the construction based on the number of units, with some exceptions. Local governments could not apply standards that are more restrictive than the standards that they apply to similar housing developments in their jurisdictions relating to structure setbacks from property lines, lot coverage or open space, on-site parking requirements, number of bedrooms in a multi-family residential development, or on-site landscaping, screening, and buffering requirements. If zoning allows, these residential developments could also include child care centers and facilities that provide recreational, social, or educational services. Local governments would have the right to restrict these centers and facilities to the ground floor and limit them to 15-percent of the structures in the residential development. California passed a law in 2023 that makes it easier for higher education and religious institutions to build housing on their land, opening up over 170,000 acres of land to be developed into affordable housing or other uses. A church in Washington D.C., built 99 units for low-income families in addition to amenities like office space, a gym, and a culinary arts training program. An Atlanta church plans to build 300 affordable housing units , two schools, and 10,000 square feet of new retail space on their property. The 2023 Population Summary Report from the state demographer stated that housing grew in Colorado by 45,500 units while the population grew by 36,000 in 2023. A recent Denver Post article reported that Denver rents fell 1.5-percent from the end of 2023 to the end of 2024 due to new housing units doubling the typical pace in recent years. They also noted that Denver renters are paying 3.5-percent less when the 2-percent annual rate of inflation is taken into account. Previous Next

< Back July 14, 2020 NEW LAWS PROTECT AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR HARDWORKING COLORADANS Gov signs bills to guarantee paid sick leave, expand unemployment insurance and protect renters with alternative sources of income, such as UI benefits. Denver, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed four bills into law that guarantee paid sick leave, expand access to unemployment insurance (UI) and protect renters who are relying on alternative sources of income, such as UI benefits, to make ends meet. “No one, especially during a pandemic, should be forced to go to work sick in order to make ends meet and doing so jeopardizes the progress we’ve made in Colorado to safely reopen,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “COVID-19 has shown just how badly workers in our state need guaranteed paid sick leave, and with the governor’s signature today, we’ll be better prepared to weather this pandemic and anything that comes our way in the future.” “As a pediatrician, I know how important it is for Coloradans to access the care they need, and guaranteeing paid sick leave means more workers and their families will stay healthy during this pandemic and be able to care for their loved ones without risking their job,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D- Thornton. SB20-205 , sponsored by Speaker KC Becker and Representative Yadira Caraveo, would allow workers to earn paid sick leave. Currently, 40 percent of Colorado’s workforce is not afforded the opportunity to earn paid sick days. The bill allows Colorado workers, including part-time workers, to earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours of work, up to 6 days per year. The bill also provides leave during a public health emergency like COVID-19; employees that work 40 or more hours a week will receive at least 80 hours of additional paid sick leave. SB20-207 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Gray and Tom Sullivan, increases the amount of wages a person may earn before having their unemployment insurance benefits reduced and expands the state’s Work Share Program, which allows employers to use UI benefits to compensate employees for lost hours as an alternative to laying off employees. It also allows workers who fear for their safety if they return to work to apply for UI benefits. SB20-170 , sponsored by Representatives Dominique Jackson and Monica Duran, makes it easier for domestic violence victims and siblings who are primary caretakers to receive unemployment insurance benefits. “Many Coloradans are struggling right now to pay their rent and support their families,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “This new law will help hardworking Coloradans make ends meet and continue essential economic assistance for workers who have seen their hours reduced or who cannot return to their workplace because it is not safe.” “When we came back into session in May, we said we’d pass legislation to help Coloradans get through this crisis, and that’s exactly what this new law will do,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “One of the most devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increase in domestic violence that far too many in Colorado have experienced,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “I’m proud we were able to eliminate red tape and make it easier for survivors to get the economic assistance they need to be safe and get through this crisis.” HB20-1332 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Dominique Jackson, makes discrimination in housing based on a person’s source of income an unfair housing practice. As long as a person’s source of income is lawful and verifiable, including income from any government assistance program, a landlord cannot refuse to show, rent or lease housing. This is especially important given the sharp increase in the number of Coloradans claiming unemployment benefits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are receiving unemployment insurance or other essential economic assistance during this pandemic, and this new law guarantees that access to housing won’t be closed off for those hardworking families who need a little help to get through this crisis,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “No longer will we allow someone’s source of income to be a proxy for discrimination.” “Access to housing is critical for economic stability and the health of everyone in our state,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “With our country facing an eviction crisis, it’s essential that we remove barriers that make it harder for Coloradans to find a place to live. I’m also proud that we were able to make it easier for survivors of domestic violence to access the support they need to live safely during these challenging times when rates of domestic violence are rising.” Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES WEISSMAN’S CAMPAIGN FINANCE LEGISLATION (Apr. 22) – The House passed Rep. Mike Weissman’s bill to help fix Colorado’s broken campaign finance system. “Coloradans have the right to be able to follow the dollars in our elections,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “All voters deserve to know who or what is trying to influence their vote. This bill will make Colorado a national leader in campaign finance transparency. I thank Secretary Griswold for working with us on this important reform.” The Clean Campaign Act of 2019, HB19-1318, increases the transparency of money in elections consistent with the First Amendment to the United States constitution. This bill prohibits an issue committee or small-scale issue committee from knowingly accepting contributions from any natural person who is not a citizen of the United States, a foreign government or any foreign corporation that does not have the authority to transact business in this state. Colorado Sec. of State Jena Griswold testified in support of the legislation in committee. “Too often, Coloradans feel that their politicians are beholden to big money special interests, and that the rich and powerful are allowed to side-step the rules, ” said Secretary of state Jena Griswold. “Right now in Colorado, a $50 contribution to a candidate is more transparent than a $50,000 contribution to Colorado’s version of a SuperPAC. It’s time to put democracy back in the hands of everyday Coloradans. I’m thrilled to have worked closely with Representative Weissman, Senator Foote, and Senator Bridges to craft this legislation, and look forward to it becoming law.” The bill passed with a final vote of 41-23. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the December quarterly economic and revenue forecasts. < Back December 19, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado’s Economy Continues to Grow, Budget Constraints Remain DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the December quarterly economic and revenue forecasts. "Today’s economic forecast shows relatively good news for Colorado and for families’ budgets as increasing wages and easing inflation strengthen our economy," said JBC Chair Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. "However, due to TABOR, our state resources remain tight and we have our work cut out for us to balance this budget. Everyone will have to work together, across party lines, to protect essential services for the people of Colorado and continue efforts to make our communities safer and housing more affordable." "Today's forecasts show Colorado’s economy is strong, with rising wages, lower housing and energy costs and inflation that is below the national average," said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. "Democrats have worked diligently over the past several years to boost our state's reserves while investing in the crucial services our communities depend on, including health care for our most vulnerable community members. While we are facing tight budget conditions ahead, we're committed to protecting critical services Coloradans rely on – education, public safety, health care and community services. The JBC has a track record of collaboration, and I know that we will work together once again to prioritize the people of our state and craft a balanced and bipartisan budget that protects our future." "Colorado has a strong economy. Inflation is down and wages continue to grow," said JBC Member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. "However, we are contending with a tight budget year that will result in difficult decisions for the JBC and the entire General Assembly. Along with my colleagues on the JBC, I am committed to doing what's best for working families, protecting those who rely on critical safety net services, and protecting the investments we’ve made in our students and schools. We will work tirelessly to craft a responsible budget while standing strong in our values." "This forecast showcases the strength of our economy, especially as real wages continue to tick upwards for Coloradans," said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. "Despite bright spots in the forecast, rising Medicaid costs and the budget constraints from our TABOR environment means everyone, Republicans and Democrats, will need to make tough decisions to best allocate state dollars. Budgets are moral documents, and our job is to put the people of Colorado first and cast aside partisan attacks that only distract us from preserving investments in communities that need it the most." The U.S. and Colorado economies have avoided a hard landing in the post-pandemic inflation cycle and the risk of a near-term recession has dissipated. Personal income, primarily driven by wages and salaries, continues to grow faster than inflation in Colorado and the nation, indicating that household finances are healthier than previously thought. Additionally, Colorado’s unemployment rate remains low at 4.1 percent and in-line with the nation’s rate of 4.2 percent. The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $17.0 billion in FY 2024-2025, and $18.2 billion in FY 2025-2026 – a $109 million increase to FY 2024-2025 and a $223 million increase to FY 2025-2026 as compared with the earlier September forecast. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $17.6 billion for FY 2024-2025 and $17.9 billion for FY 2025-2026 – a $369 million increase for FY 2024-2025 and a $278 million increase for FY 2025-2026 as compared with their September revenue forecast. The forecast anticipates Colorado’s economy will continue to grow at a moderate pace in 2025. Additional interest rate reductions and receding inflation will boost growth, while slowing employment growth and high consumer prices presents risks that could negatively impact the forecast. Overall, Colorado’s economy is expected to be comparable with the nation’s, with slower consumer spending, similar unemployment rates, lower inflation, and similar strong income growth. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. < Back March 26, 2025 House Passes Bill to Combat Predatory Vehicle Booting, Increase Consumer Protections DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. HB25-1117 passed the House by a vote o f 41-24. “Vehicle booting must be conducted fairly and transparently – not to take advantage of hardworking Coloradans,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “An unexpected and unwarranted boot can cause financial and logistical headaches. Our bill would protect consumers by regulating vehicle immobilization companies, ensuring they operate under strict guidelines that prevent predatory practices. We’re taking steps to empower the Public Utilities Commission to hold companies accountable and protect Coloradans from unjust vehicle immobilization.” “Lack of industry regulation and consumer protections has given free rein to vehicle booting companies to immobilize Coloradans’ vehicles without good cause,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins . “Colorado’s made important progress to protect you from predatory towing practices, and now we’re tackling unfair booting practices, which can be just as disruptive to getting to work, doctors’ appointments, or school. This bill cracks down on booting companies that patrol parking lots indiscriminately and improves transparency to give consumers a fair warning of at least 24 hours before immobilizing them.” HB25-1117 aims to improve oversight, transparency and fairness surrounding vehicle immobilization, including booting. Specifically, this bill would give the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) additional oversight to deny, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a permit to a vehicle booting company if the company is violating specific guidelines. The goal of HB25-1117 is to protect consumers from predatory booting practices by establishing new requirements for vehicle booting companies, including clear signage, and preventing companies from patrolling parking lots. Under the bill, vehicle booting companies would be required to: Document a vehicle’s condition and the reason for immobilization before they immobilize it, Display the name of the company, the permit number and a phone number of the company on each company vehicle used for immobilization, Not charge more than once for the removal of more than one immobilization device Remove an immobilization device if at least $60 of the total amount owed is paid. Additionally, vehicle booting companies must refrain from immobilizing a vehicle if: It has already been immobilized by another company It is on private property, unless given appropriate permission It is in a parking space or common parking area until it places a written notice on the vehicle at least 24 hours before immobilizing There is inadequate signage posted by the property owner In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed landmark legislation to protect consumers against predatory towing practices, including HB21-1283 , HB22-1314 , and HB24-1051. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support immigrant communities and increase transparency for state and local law enforcement and regulate immigration detention facilities. < Back April 24, 2026 Bill to Support Immigrant Communities Amidst ICE Crackdown and Overreach Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support immigrant communities and increase transparency for state and local law enforcement and regulate immigration detention facilities. “Coloradans who look like me are being forcefully detained, injured and even killed by federal law enforcement,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We won’t let the federal government operate dangerous and inhumane detention centers without oversight, and our bill ensures facilities are regularly inspected. All Coloradans deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and this bill establishes some important guardrails for detention centers and safeguards Coloradans’ privacy.” “Across the country, we’ve witnessed illegal detainments, mass deportations, and young children, even infants being forcefully ripped from their families. Enough is enough,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “In Colorado, we’re strengthening existing privacy protections and setting some much needed parameters on federal detention centers. Under our bill, detention centers would be subject to frequent and regular inspections to not only promote better health and safety, but more transparency for our community.” Last year, Democratic lawmakers passed SB25-276 to strengthen existing data privacy protections and clarify constitutional protections for immigrants. Importantly, this bill requires more oversight over detention facilities. HB26-1276 aims to improve: Requiring reporting on conditions in immigration detention facilities through frequent and regular inspections of the health and safety of facilities, in addition to unannounced inspections, and environmental impact studies for new detention facilities. The facility would be required to pay for the studies. Strengthening laws on the sharing of personal information by state agencies and their employees. Directing the Attorney General’s office to develop a policy for sharing information with federal authorities when required by federal law. The policy must include transparency requirements, such as who is requesting the personal information. Requiring law enforcement to receive training on Colorado’s immigration laws before being certified to ensure they enforce state laws properly. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law. < Back June 2, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: Two Bills Blunt Rising Healthcare Costs, Protect Children with Autism Signed into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law. SB26-178 will limit health insurance rate increases and reduce the number of Coloradans who could lose their health insurance coverage due to Congress’ continued refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits. HB26-1425 creates necessary professional licensure for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) providers and facilities to reduce fraud and improve safety, reporting and accountability. “These laws establish important protections and efforts to not only blunt rising healthcare costs, but protect children with autism without limiting access to this essential care,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver, sponsor of SB26-178 and HB26-1425. “Without this SB26-178, everyone’s healthcare costs will go up. Coloradans will experience massive premium increases, more Coloradans will lose insurance and care altogether, and our safety net providers and emergency rooms will become strained. We need this law because of Congress’ refusal to extend premium tax credits. HB26-1425 establishes a licensure process for providers and lays the groundwork for the licensing of ABA facilities to keep children safe and uphold the integrity of qualified ABA therapists.” “While we’d like for the federal government to step in and extend the tax credits that bring down the cost of healthcare, this law is a solution for Coloradans that will prevent premiums from skyrocketing and protect access to care,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, sponsor of SB26-178. “Coloradans cannot afford to spend hundreds more every month on health insurance. We are acting now to keep Coloradans insured, and we continue to urge Congress to do their part.” “Without these laws, healthcare premiums will skyrocket, and ABA therapy will remain largely unregulated and more children could fall victim to abuse, neglect, and fraudulent care,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of SB26-178 and HB26-1425. “These monumental laws step up to keep our communities safe by keeping Coloradans insured and regulating ABA providers to standardize care and deter bad actors. We’re all just one illness or accident away from unexpected medical costs, and SB26-178 keeps premium costs down after Congress’ failure to extend premium tax credits.” “We are all one sickness or accident away from unexpected medical costs – and when we don’t have insurance, these situations become dangerous, deadly, and expensive for the entire healthcare system,” said Sen. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB26-178. “This new law continues our work to step up while the federal government is stepping back. We’re limiting premium increases and protecting access to health insurance so that Coloradans can continue to have access to preventive and life-saving healthcare.” SB26-178 will save Coloradans money and maintain health insurance coverage. SB26-178 only applies to the 2027 plan year. This law comes after last year’s HB25B-1006, which softened health insurance rate increases and helped prevent 70,000 Coloradans from losing their health care plan in the 2026 plan year. Without SB26-178, Coloradans who purchase their own health insurance would have experienced an average premium increase of $2,000 annually, with Colorado families on the Western Slope experiencing an average premium increase of $4,000 annually. Additionally, 22,000 Coloradans could lose their health insurance coverage. These laws come in response to Congressional Republicans’ continued refusal to reinstate enhanced premium tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. To sustain these affordable health insurance programs, SB26-178 invests one-time funds in the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise (HIAE). The SB26-178 will also allow the HIAE board to invest enterprise funds and restructure a tax credit incentive to boost donations to the HIAE. Using these new funds and tools, the law will: Boost funds in the health insurance affordability cash fund to blunt serious increases in insurance premiums and protect coverage, Implement cost-savings measures to aim to reduce statewide average premium increases by 18 percent, and Support existing affordability programs, including on-exchange subsidies and the OmniSalud program, to maintain or expand coverage. Governor Polis also signed HB26-1425 to establish important regulations and licensure for ABA providers to align Colorado with other states, including Texas, Kentucky and Washington. “The children who rely on the essential health services from Applied Behavioral Analysis providers deserve quality and uninterrupted care, especially as we see increasing concerns about the safety of youth care facilities,” said Sen. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB26-1425. “I’m proud to sponsor this new law to ensure that providers and facilities can provide top-notch care under the same standards as other providers across the country.” Also sponsored by Senator Scott Bright, R-Platteville, HB26-1425 initiates the development of facilities licensure without restricting access to critical therapy services. ABA is an evidence-based behavioral health treatment primarily used to help manage the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Until this law, there was no licensure requirement for behavioral health technicians and ABA providers in Colorado. Under HB26-1425, ABA providers are required to apply for professional licensure. As concerns with facility conditions rise, this law will also take the necessary first steps to ensure ABA facilities are safe, clean, and comfortable for children in ABA therapy. Additionally, ABA clinics that receive notice of a negative licensing action must notify enrolled families of the notice and provide the state with a list of those families. To hold bad actors accountable and keep children safe, HB26-1425 requires ABA providers and facilities to obtain licenses. Both professional and facility licenses require fingerprint-based background checks for providers and staff. In February, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an audit of ABA therapy in Colorado, finding that some ABA providers are making improper claims for payment. An internal report from the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) revealed dozens of cases of child abuse largely due to a lack of ABA oversight. Previous Next

< Back May 4, 2019 HOUSE DEMOCRATS DELIVER RESULTS FOR HARDWORKING COLORADANS (May 3) – House Democrats went into the 2019 session focused on building a fair economy that expands opportunity for all no matter what corner of the state you live in, investing in our future, and protecting the Colorado Way of Life. This year Colorado House Democrats were able to turn many of our popular proposals into law, moving forward on measures to build a fair economy, lower the cost of health care, invest in education, address climate change, tackle the opioid crisis, reform our criminal justice system and help hardworking Coloradans get ahead. “Coloradans can be proud of the work that was accomplished this session. We made historic investments in K-12 and higher-ed and delivered results on climate, health care, and economic security,” said Speaker Becker. “Despite unprecedented obstructionism from the other side of the aisle we were able to deliver results for hardworking families in every corner of our state. My colleagues and I will continue working to expand opportunity, invest in Colorado’s future and enhance our quality of life.” EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY & BUILDING A FAIR ECONOMY Colorado’s economy is booming for some but not for all. Too many hardworking Coloradans aren’t seeing the benefit of our state’s progress and feel like they can’t get ahead. House Democrats made important progress on leveling out the playing field for all Coloradans: Women, especially women of color, should be paid equally for equal work. House Democrats are committed to fighting for every Coloradan to be treated with the dignity, fairness and the respect they deserve. That’s why we passed SB19-085 to continue working on solutions to expand opportunity for all. After years of trying, Democrats passed HB19-1210 to allow local governments to adjust their minimum wage up to address the cost of living in their communities, rather than have to adhere to a statewide standard when local real estate markets and health care costs vary dramatically. House Democrats renewed our push to ensure access family and medical leave for hardworking Coloradans who need to take care of a sick relative or a new child. SB188 will help ensure an effective implementation of the best possible family leave policy for Coloradans. INVESTING IN COLORADO’S FUTURE Fighting for historic investments in K-12 and Higher Education: House Democrats passed bills to fund full-day kindergarten for Colorado’s youngest learners, invest in skills for Colorado’s emergingworkforce, help retain early childhood and rural educators , and allow school capital construction funding to be used for career and technical education projects in public schools. House Democrats also added an additional $100 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor and better invest in our K-12 schools. Democrats also kept higher-ed tuition flat and provided more oversight for student loans. Helping to lower the cost of health care: This session Democrats passed legislation to increase transparency for health care costs in Colorado’s hospitals , prohibit budget busting out-of-network billing , reduce the price of insulin and lower prescription drug costs by allowing for the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. House Democrats also reached across the aisle to create a new affordable and competitive health care option in the state of Colorado that will be available to families and individuals when purchasing health insurance. Colorado will become the first state in the nation to ever set in place a process for offering a public health insurance option. Democrats also passed a bill that will strengthen Colorado’s laws to allow healthcare cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections like coverage for preexisting conditions and allow the State Insurance Commissioner to work with groups seeking to create co-ops so that they can get up and running as soon as possible to provide health care cost relief for Coloradans. PROTECTING & ENHANCING THE COLORADO WAY OF LIFE Protecting Colorado’s Environment Coloradans are concerned about the impacts of climate change on our economy and environment. That’s why Democrats passed reasonable, science-based legislation directing the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to develop rules limiting carbon pollution, ensuring that Colorado leads on climate action. HB19-1261 puts pollution reduction goals into statute to reduce Colorado’s greenhouse gas pollution by 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050 of 2005 levels. The AQCC will hold an extensive stakeholder process throughout the rulemaking period. House Democrats also passed SB181 to update Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, empowering local communities, and protecting our clean air and clean water. Democrats also took steps to deploy more renewable energy, protect clean water and mitigate the impacts of wildfires on Colorado’s mountain communities. Addressing the Opioid Crisis: The opioid epidemic in the United States has claimed more lives than the entire Vietnam War. House Democrats continued to pass bipartisan bills to help battle this epidemic by getting people the care and treatment they need and addressing prescribing practices. Delivering Transportation Solutions: Coloradans are tired of the lack of investment in roads, bridges, and transit. House Democrats worked on creative and collaborative solutions to our transportation problems. House Democrats worked to secure more than $300 million for transportation funding without jeopardizing education or higher-ed funding. In November, voters will decide on a bipartisan ballot measure better fund public schools, higher education and transportation. Standing Up for Rural Colorado: Legislators on both sides of the aisle have worked to address the unique needs of rural Colorado. House Democrats passed legislation to deploy more broadband infrastructure, lower the cost of health care, improve access to mental health resources, increase affordable housing , address the rural teacher shortage , and combat the opioid crisis . Supporting open and transparent government, fair campaigns, and access to the ballot: House Democrats passed bills that would significantly increase access to the ballot and make our elections more secure through the passage of the Colorado Votes Act , Restore Voting Rights to Parolees , and Automatic Voter Registration . House Democrats also took on transparency and fairness in lobbying disclosures , campaign finance reform , electioneering communications disclosure , outreach for a complete count in the upcoming census , and more. House Democrats also delivered on bipartisan efforts to reform Colorado’s criminal justice system and passed life-saving gun safety legislation , put a measure on the ballot to protect Colorado’s water , banned the dangerous and discredited practice of ‘conversion therapy’ and cut through red tape for transgender and non-binary Coloradans to have access to identity documents that reflect their authentic selves. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to prevent and mitigate wildfire destruction in Colorado. < Back February 3, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Combat Wildfire DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to prevent and mitigate wildfire destruction in Colorado. HB25-1009, sponsored Representative Tisha Mauro and Junie Joseph, would encourage local governments to reduce dead or dry vegetation that often fuels wildfires. “Wildfire season in Colorado is now year round, and proactive mitigation can keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This bill encourages property owners to reduce dry, dead vegetation around their property, which can often accelerate wildfires. To keep communities safe from wildfires, we must put in the work now to mitigate fire risks.” “We need more protective approaches to combat destructive wildfires, and this bill empowers local communities to reduce dead or dry vegetation," said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Wildfires can spread quickly, and this bill not only works to proactively mitigate risks but also supports local communities and fire districts in their mission to keep our communities safe.” HB25-1009 , passed by a vote of 9 to 4 and would give fire protection and metropolitan districts the tools to mitigate fire risks locally, improving community safety. Specifically, the bill would encourage local governments to create programs to help property owners reduce dead or dry vegetation around their property. Dry plant materials, such as leaves, grass, shrubs, dead leaves, and fallen pine needles, can accelerate wildfires. This bill aims to empower communities to reduce dry vegetation to keep neighborhoods, businesses and homes safer from destructive wildfires. The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee also passed another bill sponsored by Representative Mauro to keep Coloradans safe. HB25-1039 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, will extend legal immunity to property owners when first responders access their property during an emergency. HB25-1039, passed by a vote of 12-0 a nd aims to protect property owners from civil liability during an emergency, only if the emergency is not related to their negligence or misconduct. Previous Next

< Back January 8, 2020 OPENING DAY SPEECH OF 2ND REGULAR SESSION 2020 Good morning everyone. Welcome to your Colorado State Capitol. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the first day of our 2020 legislative session. I’d like to first take a moment to greet and thank all of the family members and loved ones gathered here to watch as we continue our work on behalf of the people of Colorado. I know I speak for everyone in this Chamber when I say we appreciate your support — and your patience — as we take on this important work. Thank you also to Majority Leader Alec Garnett and to our wonderful Democratic caucus and leadership team. You all are amazing. To Minority Leader Neville and the Republican Leadership team — I look forward to working together to find bipartisan solutions to Colorado’s most pressing challenges — and hopefully to be done every day by 4:00 pm. While I’m truly excited to see all of my colleagues here today, I’d like to especially extend a warm welcome to Representative Mary Young, who will be starting her first session representing the people of Greeley in the legislature this year. I’d also like to take this opportunity to mention someone who is dearly missed by everyone in this chamber, Representative Kimmi Lewis. As everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her knows, Kimmi was a devoted fighter for rural communities and a caring, responsive leader. Her spirit and tenacity will be dearly missed by all this session. I’d like to welcome our newest member, Richard Holtorf, who is the new Representative for House District 64. You, sir, have some big shoes to fill. We look forward to working with you. This year, we also lost a true trailblazer and an incredible presence in this building, Speaker Ruben Valdez. The first Latino Speaker of the House in Colorado, Ruben Valdez was an inspirational figure, and a mentor to many. I’d also like to recognize the former Speakers in attendance today: Finally, I’d like to recognize former legislators who are present: Thank you all for being here. A year ago, as I welcomed you to the start of the 72nd General Assembly, I wasn’t shy about our bold plans to work on behalf of the people of Colorado. In my speech, I promised that as Speaker, I would work to keep this body focused on investing in our state’s bright future, building an economy that works for all, and protecting the Colorado Way of Life. As I stood at this podium and accepted the Speaker’s gavel, I talked about the obstacles our state faces. I called on all of you to put your ideas, your passion, and your determination to work towards lowering the cost of health care, investing in education, building a fair economy, tackling climate change, combatting homelessness and the housing crisis, confronting the opioid epidemic, and reforming our criminal justice system. Your response? One of the most historic, productive sessions in our state’s history. 120 long days flew by as the legislature wrote, discussed, debated 598 bills and 4,500 amendments. We passed laws that that are moving our state forward and protect the Colorado way of life for years to come. We proved that although inaction and gridlock may have the federal government in a headlock, good government is alive and well in the Centennial State. While Washington D.C. gets itself stuck in the mud it’s so busy slinging, our state moves forward. While some in D.C. are still looking for ways to repeal the Affordable Care Act and strip health care away from millions of Americans, we joined together, Republicans and Democrats, and found innovative ways to save consumers money on health care — like our bipartisan bill to prevent surprise medical bills from costing families thousands. As Congress continues its decade-long failure to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, here at home we passed a first-in-the-nation bipartisan bill to cap the cost of insulin. Although it wasn’t always easy, we took on some of the biggest challenges our state faces. While the Trump Administration denies scientific consensus on climate change and actively undermines efforts to address it by rolling back environmental protections left and right, we fought hard to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, the mountains we hike, and the rivers we fish. We took a measure to the voters and successfully secured new revenue for our water plan and passed landmark oil and gas reforms to give our communities a say in what goes on in their own backyards. We set our state down a path towards a clean energy future and set bold targets that we intend to meet while keeping our economy and the future of Colorado workers in mind. As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to act on behalf of all Coloradans, to strive to address the very real and dire challenges that are facing too many in our state, and to invest in our future. That’s what our constituents sent us here to do. I don’t know of a single parent in Colorado who doesn’t want their children to have a better life than they did. At least I know I do — I want Leo and Ryder to grow up in a more just, more compassionate, and more conscientious world. As a mom, that means trying to lead by example and pass on the values that I’d like to see in the world around me. In this House, that means working to build an economy that works for all. That’s why I was so proud last year when we delivered on equal pay for equal work and created college savings accounts to help families plan for their childrens’ future. Our effort to build an economy that works for all didn’t end there — we strengthened renters’ rights and the rights of mobile home park residents and made one of the largest investments in affordable housing in our state’s history. Despite our state’s unique budget constraints, we managed to make significant investments in our future. We paid down the budget stabilization factor by $100 million, boosting investment in our classrooms. We passed a budget that included $20 million for rural schools and $22 million for special education programs. And just in case you’ve never heard Governor Polis speak, I’ll have you know we also expanded full-day kindergarten to every school district in our state. We did great things last year and truly made a difference in the lives of people in every corner of our state, from the Western Slope to the Front Range and from Southern Colorado to the Eastern Plains. We worked around the clock–literally–on behalf of our constituents because this House belongs to them. We work for the people, and there is more work to be done. This year, we will strive to create a more just economy and to make our state affordable for all. So as long as there are families facing the harrowing prospect or the cruel reality of homelessness, this House moves forward. As long as there are Coloradans making the impossible choice of paying for prescription drugs or paying for groceries, this House moves forward. As long as there are teenagers attempting to take their own lives or fearing a school shooting, this House moves forward. As long as our schools are underfunded and our classrooms are overcrowded, this House must move our state forward. Nationally, this year may go down as one of the most bitter and divisive our nation has ever been through. Obstructionism, corruption, and partisan logjams have driven Washington from bad to worse. And while I remain hopeful that a change will soon come in DC, I invite you to join me in taking matters into our own hands to prove once again that government can still work for the people. The interim has flown by, and as we begin this new session, I am asking you to do it all again. Come to this job with fresh ideas for how we can make our state more affordable. Work together with diverse stakeholders on all ends of the political spectrum to find solutions. Coloradans need and are demanding a more affordable state and a more just economy. Too many people are not feeling the benefits of our state’s growth. That’s where our focus should be. Every Coloradan should have the opportunity to share in our state’s prosperity. To get there, we’ll have to have hard conversations and make difficult decisions, together. We’ll need Republicans and Democrats alike to work hard, listen to stakeholders on all sides, and come to the table ready to work. My door is always open, and all ideas that will improve the lives of Coloradans are ready to be considered. We will need everyone at the table working to make housing, health care, and higher education more affordable. We need everyone at the table working to create a more fair and more rational criminal justice system. We need everyone at the table to enhance the rights of state employees to collectively bargain for better pay, better working conditions and benefits. We need everyone at the table to promote responsible gun ownership and move forward on gun safety initiatives that have already been adopted on a bipartisan basis in states across the country. We need everyone at the table working to heed the call on climate change * and* protect workers and communities impacted by a changing climate and energy economy. We need everyone at the table to deliver on our school safety initiatives and increase access to mental health support, especially in our schools. I have no doubt in this body’s ability to work together and find bipartisan ways to get things done. House members have already reached across the aisle to make sure that we tackle the epidemic of teen nicotine use in our state. Last year we promised to deliver on paid family leave. We brought our state closer than it’s ever been to guaranteeing that every working Coloradan can take the time off they need to care for a loved one or a newborn without fear of financial ruin. The time is now. We need stakeholders on every side of the issue to return to the discussion and work out a paid family leave program that is fiscally sustainable, workable for business, and makes a real difference for working families. We’ll also need everyone to come back to the table to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing this state — our retirement crisis. Our population is aging and our economy is changing. Forecasts show that 1 in 5 residents will be over 65 by 2050. Meanwhile, more and more people in Colorado are participating in the gig economy and taking nontraditional jobs. A modern and flexible economy requires a modern and flexible retirement savings system — and that’s what we aim to achieve. As we move forward this session, we must keep in mind the unique challenges that our state’s fiscal policies present. Colorado is handcuffed by a restrictive and antiquated law that doesn’t allow the state to benefit from our booming economy and doesn’t let us make the investments we need. Transparency in our budget is critical so that Coloradans can easily learn about where their dollars go. That’s why I’m excited to announce that here in the next few months, a visual, interactive display of the state’s budget will be available for the public on the General Assembly website. This is a critical step in providing Coloradans with an accurate and accessible picture of our state’s finances to increase their trust in how we prioritize these dollars because every single dollar counts. Given our state’s restrictions, we have to keep in mind that our state’s revenue is precious. Every single dollar must be spent wisely. This means being thoughtful about any permanent decisions we make that could have an impact on our state’s bottom line. Permanent tax cuts that only further inequalities, exacerbate the achievement gap, make our higher ed institutions less competitive, and hinder our ability to meet our already dire transportation needs will not put us on the path to becoming a more prosperous and equitable state. How we prioritize within our budget is of vital importance. We need to ensure that all of our dollars are being used in service to key goals. While we’ve made substantial investments in K-12 education funding by paying down the budget stabilization factor, we’ll remain focused on ways to bring it down even further and will continue working on longer term school funding solutions. This session, we will once again face the challenge of finding new money to invest in our state’s transportation system. Over the past few years we’ve made great strides to make multi-year commitments and find creative ways to set aside a significant amount of funding for transportation. But there is no secret pot of money hiding in the couch cushions; continuing these investments remains a challenging issue. If we are going to find actual solutions to invest more in transportation, members on both sides of the aisle will have to bring forward specific solutions that voters haven’t already rejected and that are serious attempts at bipartisan solutions. Past proposals like unspecified, across the board budget cuts to every department impacting programs from services for the disabled to food inspections to school funding, is not a realistic approach and is not the answer. Cutting Coloradans off Medicaid isn’t the answer. Members need to show us where they believe this money should come from and make good faith efforts to find common ground. I know this is an issue that every single one of us cares about, and if we’re going to make progress, we need to do it together. I know we can do this. From criminal justice reform to the great work coming out of the School Safety Interim Committee, we’ve seen incredible bipartisan progress on important issues. We must continue this progress for the people of this state. Investing in our future will also mean continuing to grapple with a host of difficult health care challenges as we attempt to lower costs and improve access and affordability across our state. While we work to keep Colorado healthy and strong, we won’t be dissuaded by a small chorus of loud voices who let their fear drive them to ignore the science of vaccines and endanger the lives of others. We’ll stay strong and move forward on issues that may be difficult but that require our action and attention, like abolishing the death penalty once and for all in our state. This session, we will continue our work to lower the cost of prescription drugs — an issue that affects Coloradans from the newborn nursery room to the hospice wing and at every point in between. We can and will increase transparency in drug pricing and address the root causes that have made the costs of prescription drugs soar. Our work is cut out for us. As long as we keep in mind who we are working on behalf of, our path forward will remain clear. So join me, bring your best ideas to the table and let’s get things done. On behalf of every veteran and every family struggling to afford the cost of housing, come to the table. On behalf of future generations of Coloradans and their right to enjoy our state’s natural treasures just like we have, come to the table. On behalf of every young person caught in an unjust criminal justice system, come to the table. On behalf of every child in an underfunded classroom in Colorado and on behalf of the teacher working to give those kids the best education possible, come to the table. On behalf of every person living with a chronic illness who’s rationed their prescription drugs because they couldn’t afford the cost, come to the table. Come to the table and let’s move Colorado forward together — towards prosperity, towards justice, towards progress! This will be my last session serving as your colleague and your Speaker. It will be my last session representing the wonderful people of the 13th district under the golden dome. And while there’s a great deal left to do and a great deal of new memories to make before I close this chapter, I can already tell you that working here with you all has been the honor of a lifetime. It is with immense pride that I declare the House open for business for the second regular session of the seventy-second General Assembly of the great State of Colorado. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Manny Rutinel that would improve Colorado’s ability to invest in affordable for-sale housing. < Back March 4, 2025 Committee Passes Bipartisan Bill to Increase Affordable For-Sale Housing DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Manny Rutinel that would improve Colorado’s ability to invest in affordable for-sale housing. “Coloradans sent us to the Capitol to help make our state more affordable, and that is especially true when it comes to the housing crisis ,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “This is a bipartisan solution that will save people money on housing and open up additional funding to build homes that work for every budget. We’re boosting more ‘starter homes’ in our communities, supporting local workforces and making it easier for hardworking Coloradans to become homeowners.” SB25-006 would allow the state treasurer to invest up to $50 million in Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) bonds to buy down the construction and mortgage costs of affordable for-sale housing that would otherwise not be built. These funds would give low interest rates to builders in exchange for long-term affordability restrictions and low mortgage rates to first-time buyers to ease their way into the housing market. The $50 million would finance homeownership for 175-200 new low- and middle-income residents. SB25-006, also sponsored by Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, passed by a vote of 9-3. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2022 SCHOOL FINANCE ACT PASSES COMMITTEE Legislation increases K-12 public school funding by an average of $545 per student, or $13,600 for a classroom of 25 students DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed the 2022 School Finance Act by a vote of 7-2. “The 2022 School Finance Act significantly increases funding for public education in Colorado to prepare our students for success and improve our schools,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “By increasing per pupil funding by $545 per student, we will put more resources into classrooms to increase teacher pay, reduce class sizes and ensure students have what they need to thrive.” “One of our top priorities this session is investing in our students, educators, and K-12 public schools. This record investment will prepare our students for success, increase teacher pay, and provide additional resources to classrooms in every part of Colorado,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Under this year’s school finance act, a classroom of 25 students will see an average increase of $13,600 that will go directly to providing the quality education that every child in our state deserves.” HB22-1390, sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Barbara McLachlan, sets funding levels for Colorado’s public school districts. This year, the bill increases state funding for public schools by $431 million to $8.4 billion and reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by over $180 million to the lowest level since it was created. The increases in funding for K-12 public schools will result in an increase of $545 per student, or approximately $13,600 for a classroom of 25 students. This funding can be used to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide individualized support to help students learn. The School Finance Act was amended to incorporate the text of HB22-1002 , which lifts the current cap on the number of students who can participate in the ASCENT concurrent enrollment program and makes it available to more postsecondary students. This program saves Coloradans money as they pursue their higher education degrees. The bill makes additional changes to support students and school districts, such as extending the K-5 Social and Emotional Health Pilot Program and the Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Program. It also strengthens the successful Educator Recruitment and Retention grant by encouraging recipients to teach for three years in areas where there are educator shortages. Previous Next