< Back January 16, 2019 EDUCATION COMMITTEE CLEARS KRAFT-THARP’S SHOP ACT Bill would bring SHOP classes back to schools (Jan. 15) – The House Education Committee passed Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp’s bill today to permit more schools to apply for Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grants for new or rebuilt Career and Technical Education (CTE) facilities. This bill is intended to provide resources and opportunities for kids who want to go into alternative careers. Any CTE program approved by the Department of Education such as agriculture, natural resources & energy, STEM, Arts & Design, skilled trades and technical sciences, health science and criminal justice & public safety, hospitality, human services & education are careers that can request the BEST grant. “In my time here at the legislature, I have made it a focus to make sure that we offer these career options for kids,” said Representative Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada. “As someone who grew up in a construction family, I know the importance of bringing these jobs to our students and making sure they have the skills to get ahead in life.” HB19-1008 was approved unanimously by a vote of 12-0 . The bill now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation to promote semiconductor manufacturing in Colorado, attracting new businesses and creating good paying jobs. < Back May 3, 2023 House Passes Bill to Boost Semiconductor Production, Create Good-Paying Jobs DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to promote semiconductor manufacturing in Colorado, attracting new businesses and creating good paying jobs. HB23-1260 passed by a vo te of 54 to 9. “From our cars and cell phones to emerging clean energy technology, we need more semiconductor research, development and production to meet economic demands,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “This bipartisan legislation helps Colorado attract new semiconductor businesses, which will create jobs, boost our economy and position Colorado to lead the way on semiconductor manufacturing. We’re working hard to draw down federal investments so Colorado can stand out in this growing industry and secure new business for years to come.” HB23-1260 , sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Matt Soper, would create tax incentives to maximize investments in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing in Colorado. This bill increases Colorado’s ability to access federal investments in Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) technology and attract new businesses and good paying jobs across the state. This bill would allow local governments to designate new areas, or CHIPS Zones, to attract manufacturers and boost local economies across Colorado. HB23-1260 would also create a task force to study the effectiveness of financial incentives to promote and develop STEM companies in Colorado. The federal CHIPS and Science Act will invest $280 billion over five years, with $50 billion more immediately available through the CHIPS for America Fund created within the U.S. Department of Commerce, withColorado poised to receive upwards of $5.5 billion. As emerging technology becomes more and more essential in our daily lives, the need for high-powered, efficient semiconductors rises . Semiconductors are used in advanced medical equipment, computers, vehicles, clean energy technology and more. Previous Next

< Back September 19, 2020 BECKER, GARNETT REACT TO JUSTICE GINSBURG’S PASSING DENVER, CO – House Speaker KC Becker and Majority Leader Alec Garnett today released the following statements reacting to the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the age of 87. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg will forever be remembered as a trailblazing giant of American jurisprudence,” said House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “I am heartbroken to hear of her passing. Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court the summer before I started law school, and throughout my years there she was an unyielding force of inspiration for myself and my fellow women law students. She has no doubt inspired leagues of young lawyers for three decades since, and I am confident that she will continue to inspire any woman seeking to practice law long after her passing. May she rest in peace and power.” “With every decision, every dissent, and every question raised during Supreme Court hearings, Ruth Bader Ginsburg furthered the cause of justice,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett . “At 5’1, she was a towering presence — a fierce ally to all those who fought for equality and the improvement of our country and a fearless foe to those who did not. I can only hope and pray that Cory Gardner, Mitch McConnell and the Republican Senate in Washington will respect the legacy of an American icon, as well as their own rules about Supreme Court appointments during presidential election years, and wait until 2021 to vote on a nominee for her seat.” Previous Next

< Back November 1, 2021 MAJORITY LEADER ESGAR STATEMENT ON SCOTUS ORAL ARGUMENTS ON SB8 DENVER, CO — Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today released the following statement on the US Supreme Court hearing on SB8, the Texas law that will ban abortions as soon as six weeks–before many women know they are pregnant. “I was outraged by the Supreme Court’s failure to block this law from taking effect, and I urge the court to do so now. SB8 is a dangerous attack on abortion rights that threatens patients’ health and access to critical care. The Supreme Court must adhere to decades of precedent, uphold Roe v. Wade and overturn Texas’ blatantly unconstitutional law. In Colorado, we will continue to defend access to abortion and ensure that our laws protect the fundamental rights of all people to access the health care they need.” Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2019 GOV SIGNS CUTTER’S MEDIA LITERACY AND SLAPP BILLS Media Literacy bill will help invest in the next generation of Coloradans (Jun 3) – Today, two of Representative Lisa Cutter’s bills were signed in Conifer by Governor Polis. The bills create a media literacy advisory committee within the Department of Education to help Colorado students become more educated about the media and the role it plays in our society, and protect Coloradans against lawsuits intended to impede their free speech. “As a country, our decisions are only as good as the information we take in to form our opinions,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Evergreen. “The media landscape has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Colorado’s students are facing the largest and most complex information landscape in human history and it’s crucial that we provide educators with the tools necessary to help our youth better understand the world around them.” HB19-1110 creates a media literacy advisory committee within the state Department of Education that will work with a consultant to study media literacy, including best practices and available resources, and then report back with recommendations for the House and Senate Education Committees. Cutter hopes to sponsor legislation in the future using these recommendations to implement media literacy studies in elementary and secondary education. At a March hearing on the bill, the Associated Press and Colorado Press Association testified in support of this bill, among others. A recent academic study shows that 82 percent of middle school students could not distinguish the difference between real news stories and advertisements. Later, Gov. Polis signed HB19-1324, sponsored by Rep. Cutter and Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster related to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). “These lawsuits are an abuse of our judicial system–to threaten people and instill fear in them,” said Rep. Cutter. “We should not be using the court systems against people, especially low-income people, who are simply exercising their right to speak up and this new law ensures that.” The bill establishes an expedited process for a court to follow in a lawsuit in which a person claims they were exercising their constitutional right to free speech or to petition the government. The bill also authorizes an award of attorney’s fees to defendants on this special motion to dismiss the lawsuit.. This new process will not only speed up the process but will also make sure that people exercising their free speech do not have to lose money defending their constitutional rights against these lawsuits. “Our legal system should not be used to frighten people away from the free exercise of their right to speak. This law protects free speech and makes sure that our legal system is not abused,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, an attorney by trade. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit for tax year 2023. The bill passed committee by a vote of 7-4. < Back November 17, 2023 Higher Tax Credits Coming Soon for Hardworking Coloradans DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit for tax year 2023. The bill passed committee by a vote of 7-4. “Our bill will put hard-earned money back into the pockets of 400,000 hardworking Colorado families,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit provides a significant boost to working-class families struggling to buy their children clothing, afford groceries, and otherwise support their families. We’re saving Colorado families money, lifting more families out of poverty, and boosting our local economies.” “Hundreds of dollars in savings can be the difference between missing meals and being able to put food on the table for your family,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Our kids perform best in school when they have stable housing and reliable meals. The Earned Income Tax Credit is proven to improve family health and education outcomes, improve child nutrition, and boost parents’ take-home earnings so they can build a better future for themselves and their families.” HB23B-1002 would expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for tax year 2023 to one of the highest state matches in the country. With the current state EITC at 25 percent, the average state-level EITC is $521 . By increasing the EITC, families could see hundreds of additional dollars back in their wallets next year. The bill builds on legislation passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. The General Assembly passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which more than doubled the state's EITC and funded the Child Tax Credit for the first time in Colorado, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. Additionally, Colorado Democrats passed HB23-1112 last session to increase the Colorado EITC from 25 percent to 38 percent of the federal EITC for tax year 2024. The bill’s demographic note showed that EITC recipients were more likely to be women, people of color, and people living with disabilities. Previous Next

< Back November 12, 2020 MULLICA ACCEPTS HEALTH EQUITY HERO AWARD–SELECTS SENIOR HUB AND RALSTON HOUSE TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTION Recognizing Mullica’s work caring for patients in the Cook County Jail, Dentaquest will provide a $5,000 contribution to The Senior Hub and Ralston House of Northglenn in his name DENVER, CO — Representative Kyle Mullica today received the Dataquest Health Equity Hero Award, a national award that recognizes individuals for working to expand access to health care, especially in underserved communities. Rep. Mullica, an ER nurse, was honored for his work in the Cook County Jail, where he cared for patients during a critical COVID-19 outbreak in April and May. “I am honored to select Ralston House and Senior Hub to receive these contributions,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “These charities are doing essential work to protect and support at-risk seniors and youth. So many Coloradans rely on Ralston House and Senior Hub for access to health care, critical services, nutritional meals and so much more. I could not be more grateful for their dedication to serving our community.” “Ralston House is honored to be chosen by Representative Mullica as a recipient of this donation,” said Ralston House Executive Director Don Moseley. “Ralston House provides forensic interviews, medical examinations, and victim advocacy for children who are suspected of being sexually or physically abused or have witnessed a violent crime. This donation will go directly to funding these services in a year where the impact of COVID 19 has limited the fundraising efforts of Ralston House and other nonprofits. We are grateful to Representative Mullica for his donation and for the work he did to earn this award.” According to their website: the DentaQuest Health Equity Hero awards program celebrates and promotes individuals who are going above and beyond to expand access to equitable oral care and health care — especially in underserved communities. These community leaders are inspiring collective action on behalf of our neighbors with the greatest needs and the fewest resources. In addition to celebrating and promoting the contributions of the 2020 Health Equity Heroes, DentaQuest provides a $5,000 charitable contribution in the name of each hero to a nonprofit committed to promoting health equity. Rep. Mullica was selected because: “[As a] husband, father and ER nurse, [he] left home and family after the Colorado General Assembly suspended its session to work in the Cooke County Jail in Chicago during one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the city. Mullica spent five weeks at the jail, working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week." The Senior Hub is a nonprofit agency that provides services and support to assist aging adults to remain in their homes, as long as possible. The agency serves older adults in Arapahoe and Adams county through a variety of programs and initiatives including Meals on Wheels, home care services, adult day services, and a food pantry. Ralston House is a not-for-profit agency that provides a friendly and safe place for child and teen survivors of abuse to tell their stories and begin the healing process. Founded in 1990, Ralston House receives referrals from law enforcement, social services and the district attorney’s office, and works in conjunction with these entities to provide specialized forensic interviews and medical examinations. Previous Next

SB25-236 improves efficiency and expands access to crisis response services by consolidating the Colorado Crisis Line and the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line < Back June 30, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Legislation to Streamline Crisis Response Services, Expand Access to Behavioral Health Care Takes Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to streamline access to crisis response services and expand access to behavioral health care will take effect on July 1, 2025. Sponsored by Senators Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, SB25-236 consolidates crisis response services by moving the Colorado Crisis Services Line under the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise. Starting July 1, 2025, any time someone calls or texts the Colorado Crisis Services line at 1-844-493-8255 or 38255, they will be connected to the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line for support and services, just as if they had called or texted 988 directly. “Streamling access to mental health care will help save more lives,” said Amabile. “Colorado has amazing crisis response services that help people during their difficult times, and this legislation makes them even stronger. Combining the two separate lines into one will make it that much easier for Coloradans to access quick, supportive services that help them get back on their feet.” “In Colorado, we’re taking steps to improve the efficiency of our crisis response, not tear it down,” said Sirota. “At a time when our youth are experiencing a worsening mental health crisis, the Trump administration plans to cut funding for the 988 crisis hotline, eliminating counselors specifically suited to help LGBTQ+ youth. This law streamlines access to crisis response services so that everyone in Colorado can receive the support they need during a behavioral health emergency.” “In Colorado, efficient government means cutting red tape, not cutting support,” said Bridges. “While lawmakers in Washington slash suicide prevention funding in pursuit of ‘efficiency,’ we’re taking steps to streamline our services and make sure every Coloradan is able to access the help they need in moments of crisis.” The Colorado Crisis Line was created by SB13-266 to respond to and assist individuals who are in a behavioral health emergency. The 988 Crisis Hotline is a national network of local crisis contact centers designated by Congress in 2020. Earlier this month, the Trump administration eliminated funding for specialized support on the 988 Crisis Hotline for young LGBTQ+ callers . Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 HEROD, GONZALES-GUTIERREZ CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN HISTORIC POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY LAW DENVER, CO– The House Judiciary Committee today advanced Reps. Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to clarify and strengthen certain provisions of SB20-217, the sweeping police accountability reform bill signed into law last year. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Last year, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and our community’s demands for action, Colorado led the nation by passing a first-of-its-kind bill to end qualified immunity and boldly reform how law enforcement polices our communities,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “Now, one day after a Minneapolis jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts, we’re making improvements to strengthen the law and ensure it is being implemented the way the legislature intended. No single policy or court decision will erase centuries of injustice. Our work must go on.” “Passing SB20-217 last year was a historic step toward ensuring transparency, integrity and accountability for Colorado’s law enforcement,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, D-Denver . “In the nine months since the bill became law, we have engaged with our communities on the law’s implementation and found opportunities to clarify language to ensure it is meeting our goals. The work of protecting Black and Brown lives and ensuring law enforcement guarantees justice for all is not a ‘one-and-done’ affair. It requires constant action, upkeep and follow-through.” HB21-1250 makes changes to the provisions of law enacted by SB20-217 to provide clarity and strengthen the progress made to date on its implementation. The bill clarifies requirements related to the instances when body-worn cameras must be operating to include welfare checks. It directs the Division of Criminal Justice to create a single form to streamline the reporting requirements for peace officers, which will now include whether an ambulance was called to the scene of an incident, whether there was a forcible entry into a residence, and the number of officer-involved civilian deaths. Among other provisions, HB21-1250 requires the use of de-escalation techniques prior to the use of physical force and includes a more robust use of force provision informed by nationwide conversations about the modernization of policing that have occurred over the last year. It explicitly outlines a peace officer’s due process rights and allows an administrative law judge to participate in an investigation. The bill defines what it means for a peace officer to be exonerated from a charge of misconduct. It extends the elimination of qualified immunity to the Colorado State Patrol and it prohibits employers from preemptively determining whether a peace officer acted in good faith before such action in question even occurred, closing a loophole in the current law that was taken advantage of by the city of Greenwood Village last year. Previous Next

Pipeline safety legislation, sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Kyle Brown, passed the House Energy & Environment Committee today. < Back April 18, 2024 Story, Brown’s Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO – Pipeline safety legislation, sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Kyle Brown, passed the House Energy & Environment Committee today. HB24-1357 would address transparency and enforcement concerns about the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) Pipeline Safety Program. “This bill is about keeping our neighbors and environment safe from dangerous pipeline leaks,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “A recent state audit confirmed – pipeline operators are not being held to a high safety standard, jeopardizing people’s lives and livelihoods. We’re stepping up to ensure the Pipeline Safety Program is working as intended by increasing transparency requirements and establishing a minimum penalty amount for violators. Public health and safety is a top priority and this bill would require pipeline operators to check for and fix leaks in a timely manner.” “Damaged or leaky pipelines can pose a risk to public health and safety, and add powerful greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere that contribute to climate change,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This legislation ramps up the state’s enforcement, reporting and transparency regulations on pipeline operators so we can keep our communities safe. Minimum penalties for pipeline operators who violate the law will also help deter noncompliance. We’re serious about improving pipeline safety, and this bill gives the state the tools it needs to hold pipeline operators accountable.” HB24-1357 , which passed committee by a vote of 9-3, would require minimum penalty amounts for failure to follow rules designed to protect public health and safety. This bill would also limit the PUC's discretion for reducing or eliminating fines on violators and increase maximum penalty amounts. In 2023, the Office of the State Auditor produced a report that detailed six years of systemic failure of the Pipeline Safety Program, including failure to enforce safety requirements for 94 percent of instances of operator noncompliance. In addition to improving the efficacy of enforcement, this bill would also update pipeline reporting and transparency measures. Specifically, it would require the PUC to develop a user-friendly, public-facing website for pipeline safety data, including leak information, public complaints, and follow-up actions taken by the PUC in response. HB24-1357 would also improve public safety by requiring the PUC to engage in rulemaking to require pipeline operators to utilize advanced leak detection technologies, prioritize and fix leaks based on severity, and address owner responsibilities for abandoned or decommissioned pipelines. Previous Next

< Back March 31, 2023 Legislation to Protect Reproductive Health Care Providers and Patients Moves Forward SB23-188 establishes shield laws to protect those seeking or performing reproductive health and gender-affirming care DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to establish that the state of Colorado will not recognize any out of state prosecutions for those receiving, providing, or assisting with legally-protected health care, including abortion and gender-affirming care.SB23-188, part of the Safe Access to Protected Health Care legislative package, works to protect health care providers and patients from overreaching interstate criminal and civil threats. “Colorado Democrats will always defend reproductive freedom, and I’m proud of the important progress we’ve made to protect those seeking or performing legal, reproductive health care,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood . “Our bill codifies important protections for legally protected health care service to make sure our patients, providers, and assistors are shielded from interstate prosecution, retaliation, and imprisonments. In Colorado, we trust you to make your own medical decisions and will protect you from other states’ baseless attempts to enforce their restrictive abortion laws.” “Anti-trans bills, bans and laws have been sweeping the country, yet in Colorado we’re focused on protecting the fundamental right to gender-affirming and reproductive health care,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Our legislation not only affirms the right to protected health care, but prevents other states from enforcing their regressive anti-abortion and anti-trans laws in Colorado. For many, having access to gender-affirming care is both life-saving and validating. This important legislation protects our privacy, prioritizes patients and providers over politics and upholds our fundamental rights to health care.” Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care: SB23-188 prevents Colorado from recognizing or enforcing civil lawsuits concerning protected health care that are penal in nature or without jurisdiction, and prevents Colorado state employees from participating in interstate investigations or divulging information concerning protected health care. For 1.2 million people, Colorado is the closest state to receive legal abortion and reproductive health care. In order to protect patients, providers and assistors from anti-abortion lawsuits or legal action, this bill establishes a shield law to protect those receiving, providing, or assisting with legally-protected abortion and gender-affirming health care. This includes protections for out-of-state patients and providers. Across the nation, many states are enacting strict laws to limit access to reproductive and gender-affirming care. In both Texas and Oklahoma , anyone providing, assisting, or paying for an abortion that occurs within the state are subject to criminal and civil penalties. Under these laws, residents and non residents of these two states are subject to penalties. During the 2023 legislative session, 431 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the country. Mississippi, Utah, South Dakota, Iowa , Florida and Tennessee have joined, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, in passing bans or restrictions on gender-affirming care. The bills included in the Safe Access to Protected Health Care legislative package are part of an effort to make Colorado one of the safest states in the nation to receive reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Eliza Hamrick to better support military families by expanding driver license extensions to dependents of active duty members. HB25-1083 unanimously passed by a vote of 63-0. < Back April 21, 2025 House Approves Hamrick Bill to Support Military Families DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Eliza Hamrick to better support military families by expanding driver license extensions to dependents of active duty members. HB25-1083 unanimously passed by a vote of 63-0. “As a former military spouse, I understand the importance of supporting and honoring military members and their families,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “Current law allows service members outside of Colorado to extend their expired license for up to three years, and this legislation would expand this benefit to dependents of military service members. I’m proud to sponsor this bill to better support Colorado military families and recognize the sacrifices they make for our state and country.” If a Coloradan’s driver license expires while they are on active duty outside of Colorado, current state law allows the expiration date to be extended for three years. Beginning January 1, 2027, HB25-1083 would also allow dependents of these service members to benefit from this three-year extension. Previous Next