< Back April 29, 2019 HEROD BILL TO REFORM PAROLE GETS BIPARTISAN APPROVAL IN THE HOUSE Criminal Justice reforms aim to decrease high statewide recidivism rate (Apr. 29) – With the statewide recidivism rate hovering at 50 percent, the house gave final approval to Rep. Leslie Herod’s bill to reform parole. The bill, SB19-143, will make it harder to deny parole to low-risk offenders, harder to revoke parole for technical violations, and easier for individuals to access reentry services after release. Rep. Herod and House Democrats have a led and passed a number of criminal justice reform related bills this session. “We have a double crisis in the Department of Corrections: a 50 percent failure rate for those released and prison overcrowding,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “This bill will tackle both issues by making it easier for low-risk individuals to be paroled and then access services when they reenter the community.” SB19-143 allows the Department of Corrections to better manage their population when the vacancy rate falls below 3 percent. It will better align parole board decision making with the parole release guidelines for people who have been assessed to be less that high risk. Under the bill, technical parole violations would not be used to send a parolee convicted of certain low level crimes back to prison. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 43-22 and now heads back to the Senate for approval of amendments. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES MCCLUSKIE BILL TO RENEW EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Only 40 percent of third graders in the state are reading at their grade level now (Apr. 30) – The House gave preliminary approval to a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie to renew the Colorado Reading To Ensure Academic Development Act (Colorado READ Act), a K-3 literacy instructional program that began in 2012. “Ultimately, strong readers are more successful in school, and we hope in all aspects of life. This bill builds on and improves the existing READ Act that was passed in 2012,” said Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We need to see stronger results in early childhood literacy. We worked together with members of the K-12 education community to strengthen and refine the efforts that are already in place. We hope this revitalized READ Act will support better reading growth and achievement.” SB19-199 allocates literacy funding towards evidence-based practices that will get Coloradan kids reading at grade level. The bill puts in place provisions to ensure that Colorado teachers are proficient in evidenced-based literacy and reading training practices. That funding can be used for summer literacy programs, professional development programming and tutoring services. Finally, the bill includes increased transparency measures and reporting requirements to ensure the appropriated funds are used in a manner to get the largest return on investment for Colorado’s early learners. SB19-199 passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

Bill aims to create more opportunities for Colorado voters to participate in vacancy elections < Back April 1, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Bipartisan Legislative Vacancy Reform Bill Introduced DENVER, CO – A bipartisan group of lawmakers yesterday introduced new legislation to reform Colorado’s vacancy process used to replace a senator or representative if they leave office before their term ends. HB25-1315 is sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota, House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, and Senators Mike Weissman and Barbara Kirkmeyer. “This bipartisan legislation will democratize Colorado’s vacancy committee process to boost voter participation and efficiently fill vacancies so all communities maintain representation at the Capitol during the legislative session,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “As lawmaker resignations occur for a variety of reasons, we’ve heard the concerns about our current process and are taking action to increase campaign finance transparency for vacancy elections and limit the time someone can serve before facing an election.” “Vacancies in the General Assembly are an issue I heard about as I traveled the state as the Minority Leader,” said Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-El Paso. “The people want to preserve the vacancy committee process while also having the opportunity to vote for their legislators. This bill will do both. It addresses increased engagement with our grassroots while still allowing the people an opportunity to vote in a November odd-year primary election.” "Increasing strains on legislators leading to more frequent resignations have illustrated the need and opportunity to modernize the vacancy process for the Colorado General Assembly," said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. "This legislation represents a bipartisan way forward that is consistent with Colorado constitutional requirements, allows more input from voters, and does not excessively burden county clerks responsible for conducting elections. Critically, it will also capture raising and spending of campaign funds by candidates who seek vacancy appointments and run in vacancy elections so that voters can understand what influences may be operating in vacancy situations." “For the past few years, voters have grown increasingly alarmed with our vacancy laws for important elected government offices,” said Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County. “A handful of political insiders should not determine who sits in a state legislative seat for years at a time without voters being able to express their will. I’m pleased to be part of a bipartisan coalition that brings impactful reform to this process. This is an important first step in reforming vacancies for important government offices in Colorado.” HB25-1315 aims to increase transparency in the vacancy committee process and broaden participation amongst voters when a legislative vacancy occurs. Under current law, vacancies in the General Assembly are filled by vacancy committee selection until the next general election. Colorado’s approach offers voters more opportunities to participate in the vacancy process than many other states where governors or small commissions make the appointments. The legislative session begins no later than the second Wednesday of January and wraps up 120 days later. HB25-1315 would affect vacancies in the General Assembly in the following ways: If a lawmaker resigns during session or by July 31 in an even-year, the new vacancy committee process will take place and then the selected candidate would run in the normally scheduled general election that November. If a lawmaker resigns after July 31 in an even-year, the vacancy would be filled first by the vacancy committee. Then there would be a vacancy election in the following odd-year November election. If the seat was already on cycle for that even-year, the general election held in November of that year would continue as normal. If a lawmaker resigns during session or by July 31 in an odd-year, the new vacancy committee process would fill the seat until a vacancy election can occur in November of that year. If a lawmaker resigns after July 31 in an odd-year, the new vacancy committee process would take place and fill the seat until the next general election in the even-year. In any scenario, lawmakers would only be able to serve one year before having to run in an election. To run for the vacancy, candidates could qualify by collecting signatures from 30 percent of the vacancy committee members or at least 200 same-party voters in their district. This process aims to improve ballot access for candidates. Unaffiliated voters and voters of the same party would be allowed to participate in the vacancy election. Vacancy candidates running in both the new vacancy committee process and the subsequent vacancy elections in November will be subject to campaign contribution limits and disclosure laws. Currently, candidates participating in the vacancy process are not subject to campaign finance laws. Under the bill, the number of precinct organizers serving on the vacancy committee would double and automatically include any county commissioners who are members of the political party and reside within the district. If a precinct committee person is appointed to fill an open position on the selection committee, they cannot participate in the process until 91 days after their appointment. Previous Next

< Back March 2, 2020 PAY RAISE COMING FOR STATE MILITARY FORCES AS HOUSE PASSES EXUM’S BILL Legislation would raise current minimum pay from $20 a day to $88 a day DENVER, CO– The House today passed SB20-091, sponsored by Representative Tony Exum, by a vote of 61-0. The legislation, which would increase the minimum daily pay for state military forces when they are called to serve during emergencies, now awaits the governor’s signature. “When our state’s military forces are called to serve during emergencies, the minimum pay is just $20 a day, or $1.67 an hour for a 12 hour shift,” said Rep. Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “That’s appallingly low. The brave men and women who respond to emergencies, such as wildfires and floods, deserve far more. Today, we sent legislation to the governor to more than triple the minimum daily pay for our lowest ranking personnel.” Under current law, the governor can activate Colorado National Guard units during natural disasters or civil emergencies. The current rate of pay is determined by a member’s rank and years of service. The minimum rate of pay, however, is just $20 a day, and guard members usually work 12 hour shifts, meaning they earn an hourly wage of just $1.67. Often, those called upon are enlisted at a level that pays the lowest rate. Under SB20-091 , which is also sponsored by Representative Richard Holtorf, R-Washington County, the minimum rate of pay would be more than tripled to $88 a day. Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, today released the following joint statement calling on CommonSpirit Health, which operates Mercy Hospital, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Colorado to reach an agreement that maintains in-network service consumers in Central and Northwest Colorado: < Back May 6, 2024 McCluskie and Roberts Joint Statement on CommonSpirit Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield DILLON, CO - Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, today released the following joint statement calling on CommonSpirit Health, which operates Mercy Hospital, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Colorado to reach an agreement that maintains in-network service consumers in Central and Northwest Colorado: Coloradans in our community and across the state are at risk of losing access to the hospitals and health care facilities they rely on. If Anthem were to go out of network with CommonSpirit hospitals, including the hospital in Frisco, tens of thousands of our shared constituents from Jackson, Grand, Summit, Lake, and Park Counties and beyond could lose access to care. The fallout to our communities would be dire. While we understand the negotiations are complex, we strongly urge Anthem and CommonSpirit to reach an agreement that puts patients first and allows consumers to continue their treatment or receive care at facilities that are most convenient and closer to home. Coloradans in rural areas already have to travel far distances to get the care they need, and this impasse threatens to make health care even more challenging to access in the High Country. Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO BOOST FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION AND ADDRESS TEACHER SHORTAGE DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two education bills into law that will increase K-12 public school funding on average by $545 per pupil and address Colorado’s critical teacher shortage. The School Finance Act, HB22-1390 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Barbara McLachlan and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, makes historic investments to increase funding levels for Colorado’s public schools to the highest level since the last economic recession. “The 2022 School Finance Act is a record investment in our public schools to improve educational outcomes for students and buy down a massive portion of the Budget Stabilization Factor,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “This law increases funding for K-12 schools so our districts can maintain small class sizes, boost teacher pay and make sure classrooms have the resources they need to provide high-quality public education.” “Thanks to the hard work we have done on this year’s School Finance Act, the Budget Stabilization Factor will fall to the lowest level since its inception,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “I’m proud of the responsible way that we have managed this issue, and of the increases we will see to Colorado school districts’ per pupil funding. This year’s School Finance Act makes resources available to teachers and students that they need and deserve.” “I am proud to say Colorado is investing in teachers, students and K-12 public schools,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, Chair of the House Education Committee . “This year’s school finance act will increase per pupil funding to a record high, which school districts can use to reduce classroom sizes or increase teacher pay. We are also knocking down financial barriers to entering the teaching profession by providing loan forgiveness and stipends for teachers statewide. More resources leads to stronger schools, improving learning and better preparing students for the road ahead and I am so proud to stand behind both of these bills as they’re signed into law.” The 2022 School Finance Act increases total funding for public schools by $431 million to a record $8.4 billion total 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 average increase of $545 per student. This funding will 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 accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program (ASCENT) and makes it available to more students. This program saves Coloradans money as they pursue their higher education degrees. The Governor also signed HB22-1220 , championed by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Barbara McLachlan and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, which will invest more than $52 million in federal funding to attract new educators to the workforce by reducing financial barriers to entry. “This law is designed to address Colorado’s critical teacher shortage,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “We’re saving teachers money through loan forgiveness and student educator stipends so more talented educators can enter the profession with less of a financial burden. Colorado students need teachers to prepare them for educational success, and this law works to get more talented, qualified teachers in classrooms.” “I know from personal experience how nearly impossible it is for student teachers to meet their prep obligations while supporting themselves financially via a second or third job,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This bill establishes several programs that will help reduce student teachers’ stress and make the pathway toward a career in education far more appealing. It’s way past time to implement this kind of legislation.” Previous Next

< Back October 29, 2020 COLEMAN, ROBERTS SELECTED FOR INAUGURAL CSG 20 UNDER 40 LEADERSHIP AWARD Denver, CO– Representatives James Coleman and Dylan Roberts were recognized by the Council of State Governments as part of their inaugural 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipient class. The national organization received countless applications from legislators around the country and chose two House Democrats to be recognized for their “hard work and a dedication to public service.” After receiving the award, Reps. Coleman and Roberts released the following statements: “What an honor,” said Caucus Co-Whip, Rep. James Coleman, D-Denver . “Serving the community I grew up in and delivering results for my friends and neighbors is a reward unto itself. Being recognized for the work I’ve had the privilege to do on their behalf is just a cherry on top. I’m so grateful to the Council of State Governments for their work and dedication to supporting public service, and I’m proud to share this humbling recognition with my friend and brother Dylan Roberts, as well as eighteen other impressive lawmakers from across the country.” “I’m thrilled and humbled to be a part of this inaugural 20 under 40 class,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon . “One of the reasons I ran for office was because it was important to me that our legislature had perspectives from young Coloradans. In my first term I worked hard to represent my constituents and younger Coloradans by passing legislation that has reduced health care costs, lowered the cost of living for working individuals and families, provided relief from student loan debt, boosted our rural economies, and protected our Colorado way of life for generations to come. I am grateful for the support of my friends, loved ones, and fellow Colorado lawmakers, including CSG awardee and good friend, Rep. James Coleman.” According to the Council of State Governments, “[r]ecipients demonstrated the ability to engage officials across party, departments, branch and/or state lines in meaningful ways to advance the common good for their state or territory, provided exceptional leadership to a state project, committee, chamber, commission or special group and served as a champion of change, seeking to enhance the lives of all constituents within important policy areas.” The full list of recipients can be found here . Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed two bills into law to support veterans and their families seeking government services. < Back June 3, 2025 Signed! Pair of New Laws Will Support Veterans and Their Families DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed two bills into law to support veterans and their families seeking government services. SB25-282 , sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Representative Lisa Feret, D-Arvada, will protect veterans from paying too much for veterans’ services from unaccredited bad actors. “Too often, those who have bravely served our country are misled into paying thousands of dollars in fees and even going into debt for services they receive for free from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,” Ball said. “Without preventing honest consultants in the industry from doing business, this law will address the backlog in claims from the DMVA while cracking down on bad actors who mislead and defraud our nation’s veterans.” "My fellow veterans deserve fair and safe access to services that help them get benefits they earned through their service and sacrifice for our country,” said Feret. “‘Claim sharks’ rake in millions of dollars each year from excessive fees on service members' disability claims, sometimes even when they don't even win. Our law helps create guidelines in this unregulated space to protect disabled veterans while allowing companies address the backlog of disability claims. I will not back down as dark money groups try to scam veterans who put their life on their line for our country." Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, and Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, SB25-282 protects veterans from unaccredited consultants, often called “claim sharks,” who charge money to help navigate the application process to receive benefits from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The new law mirrors the regulations the federal government uses to regulate social security benefits from the Social Security Administration. It requires that businesses must unambiguously notify veterans that they can receive the same services for free from the DMVA, clearly state that they are not affiliated with the DMVA, and limit the amount of money consultants can receive from veterans’ back pay. HB25-1083 , sponsored by Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Representatives Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, and Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, supports military families by expanding driver license extensions to dependents of active duty members. “Veterans’ families make some of the same sacrifices and difficult choices to serve our country that the service members in their families do,” said Michaelson Jenet. “I’m proud to sponsor this new law that extends some of the same critical benefits to them as a way to honor those sacrifices.” “As a former military spouse, I understand the importance of supporting and honoring military members and their families,” said Hamrick. “Current law allows service members outside of Colorado to extend their expired license for up to three years, and this new law expands this benefit to dependents of military service members. I’m proud to sponsor this law to better support Colorado military families and recognize the sacrifices they make for our state and country.” Currently, if a Coloradan’s driver’s license expires while they are on active duty outside of Colorado, state law allows the expiration date to be extended for three years. Beginning January 1, 2027, HB25-1083 will also allow dependents of these service members to benefit from this three-year extension. Previous Next

< Back June 8, 2021 HOUSE STANDS WITH SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE House passes child sexual abuse accountability bill on Third Reading DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bill to allow victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring a legal claim against the actor who committed the misconduct or any entities involved in a coverup. The bill passed by a vote of 50-14. “Healing has no timeline,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Today we voted to give survivors the opportunity to tell their stories and have their day in court long after the heinous crimes have been committed against them. I’m so proud of the work we did today and am enormously grateful to the survivors who were willing to lend their voices and share their stories to help make this critical bill a reality.” SB21-088 allows a person who was a victim of sexual misconduct that occurred when the victim was a minor to bring a civil action for damages against the actor who committed the misconduct. If the misconduct occurred at a youth organization or youth-related activity, the victim may also bring a civil claim against the managing organization of the youth program or activity. The cause of action applies retroactively and victims whose assault occurred between January 1, 1960 and January 1, 2022 have the opportunity to bring a cause of action before January 1, 2025. Thanks to SB21-073 , also sponsored by Rep Michaelson Jenet, signed into law last month, there will be no statute of limitations for people who suffer sexual abuse beginning on or after January 1, 2022. Previous Next

The House today advanced a bill, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Javier Mabrey, on a preliminary vote that would prohibit corporations from using consumers’ personal data to charge them more or pay them less. < Back March 26, 2026 Bacon, Mabrey Bill to Lower Costs, Boost Wages Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bill, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Javier Mabrey, on a preliminary vote that would prohibit corporations from using consumers’ personal data to charge them more or pay them less. “Consumers should not have to play against a supercomputer that is designed to squeeze every last dollar out of our wallets every time we go to the grocery store or buy something online,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Surveillance pricing and wage setting practices are spying on us and using that data to pay people less, charge them more and price-gouge hardworking Coloradans. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, we must act now to protect Colorado consumers and boost wages.” “From airplane tickets to Uber wages, our personal data is being used against us by corporations to increase the price of goods or pay workers as little as possible,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Our online activity, not just what we post and buy, is being used to price-gouge us and intentionally offer low-ball salaries to pad the pockets of mega-corporations. We’re pushing back against these deceptive practices to save Coloradans money, allow small businesses to stay competitive in the market and increase incomes for the hardworking people of our state.” HB26-1210 would prohibit the use of a price or wage-setting algorithm that uses AI and other data processing techniques to strategically set prices or wages based on an individual’s surveillance data, including browsing and purchase history, financial status, habits and affiliations. In recent years, corporations have increasingly weaponized price and wage setting to set prices at the highest amount someone is willing to pay and wages at the lowest amount that someone is willing to accept, based on data that is not publicly accessible and often collected without an individual’s knowledge or consent. For example, if someone searches for funeral homes online and then goes to book a plane ticket, an algorithm may judge that they are traveling for a funeral and would be willing to pay more for the flight. Engaging in these price or wage-setting practices would be considered a deceptive trade practice and could result in a civil penalty. A 2025 Federal Trade Commission report found that individualized pricing tools are being used to target specific consumers with artificially-inflated prices for goods and services based on their surveillance data, such as a person’s location or the motion of a computer mouse. And earlier this year, the Washington Post began setting its subscription rates through individualized surveillance pricing. Previous Next

Legislation would expand retirement benefits to teachers and school staff who serve Colorado’s most vulnerable students < Back February 19, 2026 Phillips, Hamrick Bill to Expand PERA Benefits Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The Education Committee today passed legislation to expand Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) benefits to teachers, administrators and school staff employed at facility schools. “Facility schools sometimes can’t compete with traditional schools when it comes to educator recruitment and retention. This bill helps align retirement benefits to better support our facility teachers,” said Rep. Jacque Phillips, D-Thornton. “Educators at facility schools are multi-talented, often going above and beyond to meet the needs of their students. This bill makes sure the talented pool of facility educators and staff can access PERA benefits.” “All Colorado students need supported and valued educators. Currently, our teachers, administrators and staff who work at facility schools in Colorado are missing out on state retirement benefits, which results in high turnover, impacting our most vulnerable students,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “This bill expands PERA benefits to state-approved facility schools so that our dedicated facility educators can receive the benefits extended to other educators in the state. Facility schools often serve our most vulnerable students with complex needs, and this bill supports our teachers, improves retention and prioritizes our students.” HB26-1146 passed committee by a vote of 11-1. Facility schools serve students with behavioral or special education needs. These state-approved facilities specialize in high-needs academic and therapeutic services for their students and are often located outside of a traditional school setting. This bill ensures that teachers and school staff employed by certain state-approved facility schools can receive PERA benefits. This bill aims to strengthen educator recruitment, create parity and improve employee retention. To accomplish this, HB26-1146 would expand the definition of “employer” to include facility schools. Facility schools would still be required to apply with PERA for approval. This bill would apply to more than 30 state-approved facility schools that serve approximately 3,000 students. According to the Colorado Department of Education , facility program types include residential, day treatment, hospitals and specialized day schools. Additionally, between the 2021-2022 and 2024-2025 school years, staff numbers at facility schools have increased by 19 percent. Previous Next

< Back January 17, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES RENEWABLE ENERGY & WATER CONSERVATION BILLS (Jan. 17) – The House Energy and Environment Committee approved two renewable energy and water conservation related bills today, the first step in the House Democrats’ commitment to protecting our unique quality of life. “Deploying more renewable energy in Colorado is good for our economy and good for our planet,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “It will put more money back into the pockets of Coloradans and ensure we protect our unique environment and quality of life.” HB19-1003 will expand access to renewable energy for communities and individuals across Colorado. It will update Colorado’s community solar statute to allow customers to benefit from clean, low-cost energy even if they don’t have a rooftop solar option. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 7-3 and now heads to Appropriations Committee. The committee also approved Rep. Brianna Titone’s first bill this session on water conservation. HB19-1050 will help promote water-efficient landscaping on property subject to management by local supervisory entities. “In many homeowners associations, water is about a third of their budget,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “It is very important that we are being responsible with the usage of our water, especially on the Front Range and in our rural communities who have been hit hard by the ongoing drought.” Even as Colorado and other western states suffer from drought and severe water shortages, members of homeowners associations as well as residents of some metropolitan special districts often pay exorbitant water bills to satisfy requirements in their by-laws. By-laws can be written in a way that makes changing them time-consuming, burdensome, and cost prohibitive for an association or district. Allowing homeowner associations and special district boards to modify their master landscaping plans, will save water and lower costs. HB19-1050 passed by a bipartisan vote of 8-2. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration. Previous Next