Today, Governor Polis and bipartisan legislators, including Speaker Julie McCluskie, Rep. Meghan Lukens, Rep. Matt Soper, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Jeff Bridges, and Sen. Mark Baisley, announced legislation to continue strengthening Colorado’s workforce and breaking down barriers to lower-cost education and training pathways. < Back March 7, 2024 Strengthening Colorado’s Workforce: Governor Polis and Bipartisan Legislators Unveil Legislative Package to Support Training and Education for Colorado Workers DENVER - Today, Governor Polis and bipartisan legislators, including Speaker Julie McCluskie, Rep. Meghan Lukens, Rep. Matt Soper, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Jeff Bridges, and Sen. Mark Baisley, announced legislation to continue strengthening Colorado’s workforce and breaking down barriers to lower-cost education and training pathways. “Colorado’s innovative approach to connecting more Coloradans with the training and skills they need to get good-paying jobs is an example for the rest of the country, and we are proud to do more with this legislative package. I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators who continue working to support Colorado workers and businesses.,” said Governor Jared Polis. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Lukens, Rep. Soper and Sen. Bridges builds on the success of Opportunity Now, a grant program that has awarded $27 million to 46 grantees representing 145 business and 78 education partners in 38 industries . These grants help connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-skill, high-wage careers. This bill will support a fourth and final round of grants, investing in building and construction trades specifically. It also creates an annual refundable tax credit to increase the capacity of training providers in industries receiving transformative federal investment (IIJA/IRA/CHIPS). Finally, this bill will create regional summits that will improve regional talent planning. “The success of Opportunity Now programs has helped Coloradans across the state secure good-paying jobs while meeting our diverse workforce needs,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan bill introduces the final round of funding for this program with an important focus on the construction and building trades. The demand for skilled electricians, plumbers and general contractors is rising, and this bill boosts our construction workforce and helps drive local economies.” “We have seen the success of Opportunity Now in communities across the state, including the Western Slope. I look forward to continuing this work and helping even more Coloradans get training, secure strong jobs, and build a stronger future for themselves,” said Rep. Matt Soper. “Opportunity is a core Colorado value, and every Coloradan should have the opportunity to earn a good life," said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. "That opportunity often starts with a good education, one that's aligned with good-paying jobs in a person's community. Making sure that what schools teach matches what businesses need is exactly what the Opportunity Now grant does, leading to better wages for workers, a well-trained workforce for our employers, and a stronger Colorado economy for everyone." An effort to expand apprenticeship opportunities through a new tax credit, sponsored by Sen. Coleman and Sen. Baisley, provides $30 million in annual, refundable tax credits to support apprentices in new and emerging industries, $2 million for businesses looking to start or scale an apprenticeship program, and $2 million for qualified intermediaries who support the administration of apprenticeship programs. “I’m committed to paving the way for equitable access to opportunity, so that all Coloradans have the chance to get ahead – and a key way we can do that is by investing in our workforce,” Senate President Pro Tem James Coleman, D-Denver, said . “We’re bringing forward resources that will expand existing programs and increase the adoption of registered apprenticeships. These investments can create more than 8,000 new apprenticeships, and give Coloradans the opportunities they need to succeed.” Legislators are also acting on the recommendations of the 1215 Task Force by introducing legislation to study the cost of streamlining the administration and financing of postsecondary workforce readiness programs to the state and local education providers. It also lays the foundation for a data system to measure the impact and outcomes of education and workforce programs. This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Rep. Bacon, Sen. Bridges and Sen. Lundeen. “Investing in our workforce requires us to establish career pathways that will lead to good-paying jobs for Coloradans in communities across the state, especially in our rural and mountain communities,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This legislation lays the groundwork to set Colorado learners on a path toward economic success and career mobility by making it easier for them to access the college credits, industry credentials, or quality work-based learning experiences already in place. Together, we’re investing in our workforce, strengthening local economies and making it easier for Coloradans to thrive in the communities that they love.” “Traditional education methods face the challenge of developing curricula that are relevant to industry. Apprenticeships provide direct application for technical training. The Scale Up Grants are a practical way for the Colorado State Government to encourage employers to engage workers with skills that can be directly put to use. An employee who has worked through these apprenticeships will find fulfillment in the tremendous value that they immediately bring to Colorado companies,” said Senator Baisley. Other workforce focused bills introduced in the legislature include: HB24-1231: State Funding for Higher Education Projects, which invests in Colorado's healthcare workforce by providing funding for the UNC Medical School, Metro State’s Health Institute Tower, Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health Education Campus, and expansion and renovation of Trinidad State College’s Valley Campus main building. Sponsored by Reps. Young & Daugherty, Sens. Kirkmeyer & Mullica. SB24-104: Career and Technical Education and Apprenticeships, which connects K-12 students interested in technical careers with workforce opportunities. Sponsored by Sen. Danielson. HB24-1097: Military Family Occupational Credentialing, which would expand the occupational credential portability program to include gold star military spouses and military dependents and broadens the scope to include the Armed Forces Reserve, Ready Reserve, and National Guard. Sponsored by Reps. Taggart & Weissman, Sens. Fields & Gardner. SB24-050: Funding for Workforce Programs, which invests in scaling nonprofit and apprenticeship programs that train Coloradans for in-demand industries. Sponsored by Sen. Exum. SB24-143: Credential Quality Apprenticeship Classification, which builds on previous efforts to develop more stackable credentials. Sponsored by Sens. Zenzinger & Coleman, Rep. Herod. HB24-1264: Supporting the Educator Workforce, which provides various supports for an online career support and pathways portal for educators with access to career incentives, job postings, and applications. Sponsored by Reps. McLachlan & Catlin, Sens. Zenzinger & Simpson. Previous Next

< Back January 24, 2019 ROBERTS’ BIPARTISAN PUBLIC HEALTH CARE OPTION BILL PASSES COMMITTEE The House Health and Insurance Committee approved a bipartisan bill by Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose to create a new affordable and competitive health option in the state of Colorado that will be available to families and individuals when purchasing health insurance. Currently, there are 14 counties in our state with only one option on the individual market and many counties are left with a small number of options for health insurance. This bill will increase competition in the market. “This bipartisan bill is a uniquely Colorado solution to a big problem we have in our state,” said Rep. Roberts. “Too many Coloradans, especially in rural Colorado, are paying too much for health insurance.” HB19-1004 represents significant progress towards developing a publicly supported health insurance option on the market that leverages the efficiencies of our current state infrastructure. This public option will help put affordable health insurance in reach for many hardworking families across our state. “Families are deciding whether to pay out of control health insurance costs each month or forgo coverage for themselves and their kids,” Roberts continued. “Providing families and individuals an affordable option will make a difference in their lives and help keep them in our rural communities. This bill is part of the puzzle, it’s done in a responsible way to create a new health insurance option in Colorado.” Eagle County has some of the highest cost of health care premiums in the country. The bill directs experts at the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Division of Insurance to create a proposal for implementing a public option that leverages already-existing state infrastructure. That proposal must be presented to the Joint Budget Committee, House Public Health and Human Services Committee; House Health and Insurance Committee, Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Joint committees during SMART Act hearings later this year. When exploring the creation of public option, the departments must consider affordability to the consumer, administrative and financial consideration for the state, ease of implementation and impacts to the market as a whole. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 9-2 and now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. The Health and Insurance Committee also approved Rep. Roberts’ bill to authorize a pharmacist to dispense a chronic maintenance drug to a patient without a current prescription in emergency circumstances. The bill was approved unanimously. HB19-1077 now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back July 24, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS CALL ON US ATTORNEY TO PREVENT USE OF FED AGENTS IN COLORADO Members condemn the unwarranted and extreme actions of federal agents in Portland, OR Denver, CO – Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly today called on Jason R. Dunn, the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, to prevent the use of federal law enforcement agents in Colorado, following the unwelcomed intrusion of federal forces in Portland, OR and the imminent deployment of additional personnel to cities across the country. “We have watched in shock and horror as federal agents have descended upon Portland against the explicit objections of state and local leaders and exacerbated an already volatile situation,” the lawmakers wrote. “We see both the deployment of these agents and the excessive force they have used as an unwarranted overreach on behalf of the federal government.” “We object in the strongest possible terms to any possible deployment of federal agents onto the streets of Colorado without the explicit consent of the state[…] We call on you, the United States Attorney and President Trump’s designee over federal law enforcement in our state, to take any and all appropriate steps to ensure that such unnecessary escalation and imposition does not occur in Colorado,” the lawmakers continued. Yesterday, President Trump announced he will deploy federal law enforcement personnel to Chicago, IL and Albuquerque, NM, and in recent days, the president has discussed sending agents to several other major US cities. The State of Oregon has filed a lawsuit arguing the federal government has violated the Tenth Amendment and is seeking a restraining order. The full text of the letter is below: Mr. Jason R. Dunn United States Attorney District of Colorado 1801 California Street, Ste 1600 Denver, CO 80202 U.S. Attorney Dunn, We write to you today with serious concern for the dire situation unfolding in Portland, Oregon over the past few days and its potential consequences for Colorado and the nation as a whole. We have watched in shock and horror as federal agents have descended upon Portland against the explicit objections of state and local leaders and exacerbated an already volatile situation. Video documentation shows these often unidentified agents using extreme force to suppress protestors and detain them in unmarked vans on the streets of Oregon. We see both the deployment of these agents and the excessive force they have used as an unwarranted overreach on behalf of the federal government. Unmarked government vans scooping up citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest belong on the pages of dystopian novels, not the streets of the United States of America. We categorically object to these actions. We write to you with these concerns not only because we feel it is imperative to speak up in the face of injustice, but because we believe you, as the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, have an important role to play in how this situation could end up affecting our state. We have grave concerns that the Trump administration will continue to deploy agents of this sort to cities across the country; this is substantiated by the news that at least 150 such agents will arrive in Chicago before the end of the week, and that President Trump is threatening to deploy agents in cities across the country. Under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, states have sovereign authority and the right to exercise police powers. We object in the strongest possible terms to any possible deployment of federal agents onto the streets of Colorado without the explicit consent of the state. Colorado has asked for and accepted federal assistance in times of need when floods or natural disasters have struck, and we have worked in partnership with federal agencies to protect our communities. The deployment of federal forces in Colorado would not be welcome absent an invitation from the state’s leaders. We call on you, the United States Attorney and President Trump’s designee over federal law enforcement in our state, to take any and all appropriate steps to ensure that such unnecessary escalation and imposition does not occur in Colorado. We also encourage you to use your position of influence within the administration to raise concerns about what appears to be intentional acts of intimidation with your colleagues across the country and the federal administration. We trust that you can appreciate the gravity and the urgency of this situation and hope you will take action as soon as possible. Signed: Rep. Jeni Arndt, District 53 Rep. KC Becker, District 13 Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, District 32 Rep. Shannon Bird, District 35 Rep. Janet Buckner, District 40 Rep. Bri Buentello, District 47 Rep. Yadira Caraveo, District 31 Rep. James Coleman, District 7 Rep. Lisa Cutter, District 25 Rep. Monica Duran, District 24 Rep. Daneya Esgar, District 46 Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., District 17 Rep. Meg Froelich, District 3 Rep. Alec Garnett, District 2 Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, District 4 Rep. Matt Gray, District 33 Rep. Leslie Herod, District 8 Rep. Edie Hooton, District 10 Rep. Dominique Jackson, District 42 Rep. Sonya Jaquez-Lewis, District 12 Rep. Chris Kennedy, District 23 Rep. Cathy Kipp, District 52 Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, District 29 Rep. Susan Lontine, District 1 Rep. Julie McCluskie, District 61 Rep. Barbara McLachlan, District 59 Rep. Jovan Melton, District 41 Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, District 30 Rep. Kyle Mullica, District 34 Rep. Dylan Roberts, District 26Sen. Jeff Bridges, District 26 Sen. Jessie Danielson, District 20 Sen. Kerry Donovan, District 5 Sen. Steve Fenberg, District 18 Sen. Rhonda Fields, District 29 Sen. Mike Foote, District 17 Sen. Leroy Garcia, District 3 Sen. Joann Ginal, District 14 Sen. Julie Gonzales, District 34 Sen. Chris Hansen, District 31 Sen. Pete Lee, District 11 Sen. Dominick Moreno, District 21 Sen. Brittany Pettersen, District 22 Sen. Robert Rodriguez, District 32 Sen. Tammy Story, District 16 Sen. Nancy Todd, District 28 Sen. Angela Williams, District 33 Sen. Faith Winter, District 24 Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, District 19 Rep. Jonathan Singer, District 11 Rep. Emily Sirota, District 9 Rep. Marc Snyder, District 18 Rep. Tom Sullivan, District 37 Rep. Kerry Tipper, District 28 Rep. Brianna Titone, District 27 Rep. Alex Valdez, District 5 Rep. Donald Valdez, District 62 Rep. Mike Weissman, District 36 Rep. Steven Woodrow, District 6 Rep. Mary Young, District 50 Previous Next

The House today passed a bill on a preliminary vote that would update Colorado’s consumer protection law and better protect Coloradans from unfair and deceptive business practices. < Back March 6, 2023 Weissman’s Consumer Protection Bill Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill on a preliminary vote that would update Colorado’s consumer protection law and better protect Coloradans from unfair and deceptive business practices. “Colorado’s consumer protection laws are not working as intended and many Coloradans cannot pursue legal action against fraudulent businesses,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “By updating our state’s outdated consumer protection law, Coloradans will be better protected from unfair and deceptive business practices with pathways for pursuing legal action. This bill modernizes consumer protection laws to prioritize and protect everyday Coloradans.” HB23-1192 , sponsored by Representative Weissman, would update Colorado’s consumer protection law to better protect Coloradans from predatory business practices and make it easier for consumers to seek legal action against businesses engaging in deceitful or harmful practices. This bill makes necessary updates to Colorado’s consumer protection law, which was originally enacted in 1992. Under current law, in order to file a lawsuit against a business Coloradans must prove that the business is engaging in deceitful practices not only against them but has a pattern of fraudulent, consumer harm practices against others. This bill modifies the legal definition of “unfair or deceptive trade practice” to better protect Coloradans and removes barriers allow them to pursue legal action against the businesses. HB23-1192 also increases both civil and criminal penalties to ensure Coloradans are receiving adequate compensation from fraudulent businesses. This bill also expands Colorado’s 2020 price gouging law. Championed by Rep. Weissman, HB20-1414 made it illegal for companies to charge high and unfair prices during a declared disaster. HB23-1192 expands this law to protect consumers 180 days after a disaster declaration ends. Previous Next

BUDGET INCLUDES RESOURCES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SAFETY, SHORE UP PUBLIC HEALTH, AMONG OTHER PRIORITIES < Back May 1, 2023 SIGNED! POLIS SIGNS TRANSFORMATIVE STATE BUDGET INTO LAW BUDGET INCLUDES RESOURCES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SAFETY, SHORE UP PUBLIC HEALTH, AMONG OTHER PRIORITIES DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed the transformative FY 2023-2024 Long Bill into law. The $38.5 billion budget is a $1.2 billion increase over last year’s budget. Two-thirds of that increase is attributable to the end of enhanced federal Medicaid match rates, which are expiring as the declared COVID public health emergency winds down and the state is stepping up to meet the ongoing need in the absence of these additional federal Medicaid funds. “Balancing the state’s budget in a responsible and thoughtful manner is one of our most urgent priorities as a legislature, and I am pleased to say that this year’s budget hits the mark,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “We’re delivering for Colorado families by making record investments in K-12 education, supporting our health care workers, and creating safer communities - all while keeping our state on solid financial footing. We’ve worked hard to create a balanced, thoughtful budget that funds the infrastructure we need to meet our obligations to our families and communities while helping ensure every Coloradan has what they need to thrive.” “I’m pleased that Governor Polis has signed our bipartisan budget that responsibly invests in Colorado’s future and supports the services our constituents expect,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “The Joint Budget Committee worked together to fund Colorado’s Universal Preschool program, increase resources for community-based behavioral health care, and to draw down federal funds to upgrade critical infrastructure around our state. I’m proud to deliver a budget that will boost our communities, support small businesses and invest in our schools.” “This budget reflects our core Colorado values of opportunity, independence, and responsibility,” said JBC member Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “The investments we’re making today will prepare our students for success, increase our housing supply, respond to workforce needs, and lower the cost of health care for our Colorado families. All in a balanced budget that puts Colorado on a sound and sustainable fiscal path into the future.” “The budget Governor Polis signed today prioritizes Colorado families and promotes a thriving economy,” said JBC member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m proud of the investments we’re making to support K-12 public schools, improve access to healthcare, and strengthen workforce programs and nutrition assistance for Colorado kids and families. We’re delivering on the needs of Coloradans throughout the state to protect critical services that help our communities thrive.” The budget sets aside a total of $469 million in General Fund for one-time uses, including: $103 million for workforce-related legislation including free credentials, math, scholarships, adult education, and concurrent enrollment $221 million for housing related legislation, including property tax relief, land use, public-private partnerships, implementation of Prop 123 $16 million for other priorities such as the Rural Opportunity Office, line of duty loss fund, wildfire resources, & Prop 122 implementation The budget maintains a 15 percent ($2.3 billion) General Fund reserve to prepare for the next economic downturn, and designates $543 million in cash assets for the constitutionally required State Emergency Reserve to pay for emergencies like wildfires or floods. PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS Ensuring Colorado students receive the support they need is a key goal of the legislature, and this budget provides a record investment in our students. In this budget, total state and local funding for public schools will increase by $485 million, including a record increase in per-pupil funding by $900 per student with record investment to buy down the budget stabilization factor in the School Finance Act . The bill provides additional funding to help implement the Office of Early Childhood and Colorado’s landmark Universal Pre-K program. Democrats are also addressing higher education needs through a 10 percent year-over-year increase in higher education funding, totaling $137 million alongside a 5 percent cap on tuition increases. Finally, this budget provides $18 million for facility schools and expansions of services for students with extremely severe and specialized needs, and $1 million for the School Transformation Grant Program , which trains and supports school leaders working to turn around academic performance in the state’s lowest performing schools. CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES Every Coloradan deserves to live a happy and healthy life. This budget includes a 3 percent provider rate increase, to help providers facing cost increases due to inflation and other factors and increased investment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) so Coloradans can access and purchase health foods. Further support for workers includes the new 5 percent across-the-board increase for state employees, ensuring a $15 minimum wage for every state employee. The budget also includes funding to implement the Office of Behavioral Health , and $3.8 million to bolster staffing and operating expenses to implement a statewide media campaign to increase routine immunization rates through the use of a mobile clinic program. WILDFIRE MITIGATION & WATER CONSERVATION Wildfire season lasts year-round in Colorado, and this budget provides badly-needed support to help our state better address and investigate wildfires. The budget provides $26 million to fund the acquisition of a second Firehawk helicopter which will improve the state’s ability to respond to catastrophic wildfires. In order to better understand the origins of wildfires in our state, the budget also includes $3.2 million to increase resources for fire investigation and data collection as well as funding for forest restoration. The budget also includes a $12.6 million investment toward the state Water Plan and funding to secure the state’s negotiation position and implementation of our interstate commitments related to the Colorado River. IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY Democrats are committed to creating safer communities across our state. The budget provides $5 million for the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Program, $2 million to create a new Office of School Safety, and $6 million for the School Security Disbursement Program. The budget also increases pay for Criminal Investigators and State Patrol Troopers. Additional priorities funded in the budget include: $75,000 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for suicide prevention by providing mental health first aid training for students $4 million in funding for the Community Crime Victims Grant Program in the Department of Public Health and Environment $500,000 for family planning $8 million for the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund $500,000 for the Colorado Wildlife Safe Passages Fund within the Department of Transportation $1 million Department of Human Services for outreach related to SNAP $500,000 for the Tony Grampsas Program $1 million to supplement funding for Denver Health, and another $1 million for Colorado’s rural hospitals $2 million to fund a co-responder program within the Behavioral Health Administration $500,000 in funding for the Veterans Assistance Grant Program in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs $100,000 for the Wildfire Capacity Mitigation Development Fund $10 million Reinsurance Program Cash Fund in the Department of Regulatory Agencies $18.2 million in funding for additional capital projects across the state Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2021 ‘ISABELLA JOY THALLAS ACT’ PASSES THE HO Lost and Stolen Gun Safety bill, renamed ‘Ana Thallas Act’, passes the House DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Tom Sullivan and Leslie Herod’s bill to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands by requiring responsible gun owners to report to law enforcement within five days of realizing their firearms have been lost or stolen. After a Third Reading amendment, the bill was renamed the Isabella Joy Thallas Act, after a Denver woman who was murdered last summer with a stolen weapon that was never reported. The bill passed by a vote of 41-24. “Bella Thallas’ young life was cut short in a tragic, senseless and random act of violence,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “I’m proud that we were able to honor her life with this small gesture, and I’m incredibly grateful to Bella’s mother, Ana, and her family for their strength and testimony in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy.” “Lost and stolen firearms end up in crime scenes across the country every day,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “By requiring that lost or stolen guns be reported in a timely way, this bill will give law enforcement the information they need to prevent crime and track down perpetrators when crimes are committed. Renaming the bill after Isabella is the least we could do to honor her memory and her family today.” Isabella Joy Thallas was murdered on June 10, 2020 while she and her boyfriend were walking their dog outside of their apartment in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood. The high-powered semi-automatic rifle used in the killing was stolen. SB21-078 requires an individual who owns a firearm and has reasonable cause to believe that the firearm has been lost or stolen to report that firearm to a law enforcement agency within five days after discovering that the firearm is missing. A first offense for failure to make such a report is a civil infraction punishable by a $25 fine, and a second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $500 fine. The bill requires a law enforcement agency that receives a report to enter information about the lost or stolen firearm into the National Crime Information Center database and report the information to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Previous Next

< Back May 18, 2021 HOUSE PASSES COVERAGE FOR ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS EXAM DENVER, CO– The House passed legislation by a vote of 54-11 that would make Colorado the first state in the country to require health insurance plans to cover an annual mental health wellness exam. “By passing this bill, Colorado will be the first state in the country to cover an annual mental health wellness exam in the same way that physical exams are covered,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “We shouldn’t wait until people are in crisis to get them the care they need. Annual mental health wellness exams can detect and prevent mental health issues earlier. By doing so, Coloradans will be given the tools to address mental health challenges they may be facing early, preventing them from getting to crisis.” “By making mental health a top priority this session, we can help Colorado build back stronger and ensure that everyone in our state has access to the care they need,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Coverage for annual mental health wellness exams will save lives and bring critical mental health services to Coloradans. By detecting and treating mental health conditions, we can provide Coloradans with critical care and prevent the mental health crises that have led to tragedies in every community in our state.” HB21-1068 , sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Brianna Titone, would require health insurance plans in Colorado to cover an annual mental health wellness exam of up to 60 minutes that is performed by a qualified mental health care provider. Under the bill, coverage for the annual exam must be comparable to coverage for an annual physical exam, and insurance plans may not require deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for the annual mental health wellness exams. Research shows that the prevention and early detection of a mental health condition can lead to better health outcomes. Annual wellness exams allow individuals to be offered services and supports that address their needs before an issue progresses or becomes a crisis. Mental health conditions occur at all stages in life, and by integrating mental health into primary care, more Coloradans will have access to the care they need. Previous Next

The House Health and Insurance Committee today unanimously passed legislation to improve patient access to necessary prescriptions by limiting the number of drug trials needed in step therapy protocol to receive prescription coverage and allowing for pharmacy dispensing machines so Coloradans can access their prescription outside of a pharmacy’s business hours. < Back February 28, 2023 Prescription Accessibility Bills Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health and Insurance Committee today unanimously passed legislation to improve patient access to necessary prescriptions by limiting the number of drug trials needed in step therapy protocol to receive prescription coverage and allowing for pharmacy dispensing machines so Coloradans can access their prescription outside of a pharmacy’s business hours. “Step therapy, also commonly known as “fail first", requires patients to try treatment options preferred by their insurance company before they can receive coverage and access to medication prescribed by their doctor,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1183 . “This process can take weeks or months depending on the medication and can worsen symptoms and quality of life, especially for patients with a life-threatening or chronic disease. This bill puts doctors and patients in the driver's seat, encouraging prioritization of evidence-based solutions to medical issues over cost-effective drugs preferred by insurance companies.” “This legislation expands step therapy exemptions to include Medicaid recipients so they can access the same quality health care that Coloradans with private insurance have,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1183 . “Last year, we passed legislation to reduce administrative burden, save Coloradans money on unnecessary care, and improve health outcomes. Aligning step therapy protocols will streamline health care, save Coloradans money, and provide quality and immediate patient-focused care.” In 2022, Representatives Iman Jodeh and Emily Sirota passed a bill limiting when a patient has to try and fail a treatment preferred by their insurance company before they can access the treatment originally recommended by their doctor. HB23-1183 would require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to exempt patients with serious or complex medical conditions from the step therapy requirement if the alternative drug would likely cause negative side effects, the alternative drug is unlikely to be effective based on the patient’s history, or if the patient is already using a prescription that has clinical documentation of being effective. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 10-0. The bill is accompanied by HB23-1130 , which prohibits state-regulated insurance plans from requiring patients to try more than one alternative drug before the insurance company can cover the originally prescribed medication for certain mental health conditions. The bill was recently passed by the House Health and Insurance Committee and will be heard next in the House Appropriations Committee. “Rural and lower-income communities often live in “pharmacy deserts'' where they have limited access to pharmacies to receive their essential medication,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of HB23-1195 . “Many pharmacies are only open during business hours, making it nearly impossible for working class Coloradans to get their prescription due to their work schedule. This bill would allow for pharmacists to remotely dispense prescriptions from a dispensing machine placed within a health care facility, creating more health care jobs and improving patient accessibility.” HB23-1195 would allow pharmacies to operate automated prescription dispensing machines so patients could access their medication when the in-person pharmacist is off-duty. The machines would be placed only in a health care facility and would be live monitored to prevent theft. The medication would already be stocked in the machine and patients would be able to discuss the prescription with a live remote pharmacist. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 11-0. Previous Next

< Back March 28, 2019 KENNEDY’S BIPARTISAN HOSPITAL TRANSPARENCY BILL SIGNED INTO LAW House Dems bills to lower the cost of health care becomes law (Mar. 28) – Rep. Chris Kennedy’s bipartisan bill to increase transparency for health care costs in Colorado’s hospitals was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis today. “My colleagues and I are committed to helping to lower the cost of health care and we were honored to join the Governor today as he signed this landmark legislation,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Too many hardworking people across our state are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of health care, particularly in rural Colorado where we’re seeing some of the highest premiums in the country.” The high cost of health care is harming both Colorado consumers and businesses. By requiring hospitals to be transparent about their spending, we can increase competition in a way that will reduce costs for all. By identifying inefficiencies and wasteful spending, businesses and payers will be able to choose more efficient options and lower hospital costs. According to data collected by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), hospital costs account for 39 percent of health care spending nationwide. Physician and clinical services account for 26 percent, and prescription drugs and other non-durable medical products account for 11 percent. HB19-1001 will require hospitals to disclose more information about spending on patient care, administration, capital construction, and acquisitions of physician groups; and will require hospitals to show how they’re shifting costs onto the backs of families and businesses. In addition, the data provided to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will inform the supplemental payments made to hospitals through the Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) to incentivize value-based care, rather than volume of patients served. The bill passed with bipartisan support in the House with a vote of 39-22 on Jan. 31. HB19-1001 passed with bipartisan support in the Senate with a vote of 34-1 on Mar. 14. It was brought back to the House to approve an amendment added in the Senate, which was concurred. With the new amendments added, the bill passed in the House with a bipartisan final vote of 43-21 and was signed into law today. Additional legislation led by House Democrats to Help Lower the Cost of Health Care HB19-1174 Out-of-network Health Care Services – This is a bipartisan effort to address the issue of surprise billing, sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose. “As a legislator, my job is to find a way to ensure Coloradans aren’t dealing with these surprise medical bills through no fault of their own,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo when the House approved the bill. “I am responding to to the concerns of families, individuals and seniors who have been hit by these surprise and often expensive bills. We think this is a strong bipartisan solution to this problem.” Bill status: HB19-1174 passed the House on a vote of 60-4 and is awaiting action in the Senate. Find out more here. HB19-1168 State Innovation Waiver Reinsurance Program -This is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie that aims to reduce insurance premiums for individuals and families by January 2020 to provide much-needed relief to Coloradans, many of whom are paying up to a third of their income on monthly premiums. “I’m proud to partner with Democrats, Republicans, Governor Polis and Coloradans who are focused on driving down the cost of health care on the Western Slope and in every corner of our state,” said Rep. McCluskie said after the bill passed the House Health and Insurance committee. “We must work together to protect our Colorado way of life and fix a broken health care system for the working people in our state.” Colorado, especially the Western Slope, has some of the highest health insurance costs in the country. Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES WILDFIRE INSURANCE PROTECTIONS DENVER, CO – A bill to protect Coloradans with wildfire insurance by updating standards to ensure consumers’ claims are paid in a timely manner today advanced in the House. HB22-1111 is a proactive approach to ensure homeowners displaced by wildfires receive a fair and comprehensive payout for lost property after deeply traumatizing/catastrophic disasters. “After the fires and devastation our communities have experienced, it is clear that we need to update our laws so that future victims of catastrophic fires receive the insurance payouts they’re owed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “By passing this bill, victims of fires will face fewer barriers to file and receive their claims for lost property and living expenses. This streamlined process will help Coloradans get on the road to recovery faster.” HB22-1111 , sponsored by Representative Amabile, would update a 2013 law by standardizing what insurers will pay out in claims for lost property and additional living expenses after a declared wildfire disaster. More specifically, it would require insurers to pay disaster victims 65 percent of the value of the contents of their home up front without requiring the victim to do a comprehensive inventory of their personal property. Current law only guarantees 30 percent upfront, creating a burdensome process for many people to claim what they are owed after a deeply traumatizing event. The bill also puts in place several provisions that would streamline the insurance claims process for disaster victims. Due to climate change and dryer seasons, Coloradans are at risk for future wildfires. The Insurance Coverage For Loss Declared Fire Disaster would boost the number of insurance providers required to pay by 50 percent so displaced wildfire victims receive more for their destroyed homes and its contents faster. Following the devastation from the Marshall Fire and pressure from those in support of this legislation, many insurers have already agreed to increase the amount of money that will be paid out to fire victims, streamline the inventory process and cover the costs of habitability testing for smoke damage. This bill will ensure all policyholders will receive the benefits they are owed. Previous Next

Three new laws to preserve access to affordable health care will go into effect on January 1, 2026. < Back December 17, 2025 Trio of Bills to Improve Access to Affordable Health Care Go Into Effect DENVER, CO – Three new laws to preserve access to affordable health care will go into effect on January 1, 2026. HB25-1222 , sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, will preserve rural access to independent pharmacies. “Independent rural pharmacies are so important to the people who live in the rural and mountain communities that I represent. They rely on them for essential services like prescription refills, medical supplies, immunizations, and so much more,” Roberts said. “This bipartisan new law will ensure fair reimbursement rates and audit recovery practices so that drug delivery for independent and rural pharmacies are adequate enough to level the playing field against corporate health care giants and safeguard essential health services.” “Health care access in rural communities is already limited, and this law works to preserve the local pharmacies that Coloradans rely on,” said Lukens . “From routine prescription refills to immunizations, our local and independent pharmacies are a lifeline for our communities. Our bipartisan law will protect and expand options for pharmacists and patients in the rural corners of our state by establishing fair reimbursement rates for our local pharmacies and expanding telehealth options.” Cosponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1222 will preserve access to rural health care by ensuring fair reimbursement rates that account for inflation for rural independent pharmacies. For Coloradans living in rural communities, these updates will help them maintain access to vital healthcare services close to home without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays. HB25-1002 , sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representatives Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver, will save Coloradans money on behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders care by ensuring coverage standards are based on clinical evidence, not profit margins. “Health care coverage decisions should be made using the best evidence-based recommendations from health care professionals, not on profit margins,” said Brown. “Right now, too many Coloradans struggle to afford the care they need while insurance companies continue to deny coverage for behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorder care. Our law, going into effect soon, aligns mental health care coverage with the best evidence so Coloradans can actually access the full spectrum of services they pay for.” “Access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment is crucial to the health and well-being of Colorado families,” said Amabile. “Far too often, insurance companies deny medically necessary mental health claims with little to no justification, and Coloradans who are already struggling end up with huge costs or no care at all. This legislation will help Coloradans get the care they need at a price they can afford.” “Health insurance companies should cover services for mental health care at the same level they do for all other care, but far too often they deny claims when the care is necessary,” said Gilchrist. “When insurance companies choose to deny coverage, it drives up costs and makes it harder for Coloradans across the state, especially young people, to access critical care. Too many Coloradans still don’t receive affordable care, and we have made major strides in recent years to invest in behavioral health care. This law takes another huge step forward by requiring every health insurance plan to cover medically necessary health care.” HB25-1002, also sponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, will ensure that insurance companies use transparent, evidence-based criteria and programming when deciding whether mental health care should be covered under an insurance plan. This law requires insurance companies to provide the same level of coverage for mental health services as they do for physical health services, clarifying state law on mental health parity and limiting gaps in insurance coverage for Coloradans. SB25-010 , sponsored by Brown and Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, will improve efficiency and accessibility in health insurance communications. “There are many benefits to making electronic communications the default for health insurance communications,” said Mullica. “This new law will provide consumers with information in real-time with technology they are already comfortable with, keep sensitive data safe, reduce waste, and lower administrative costs. This legislation is a win-win for Coloradans and health care providers alike.” “Many consumers prefer electronic communications from banks, utility companies, and other service providers; this should be an option for health insurance, too,” continued Brown. “This law helps provide timely health insurance information to patients, while keeping their personal data safe and protected. Our goal is to reduce administrative costs and modernize Coloradans' access to their health care information.” SB25-010 mirrors the National Council of Insurance Legislators’ “E-Commerce Model Act,” which seeks to improve the quality of insurance regulation and oversight. Twenty other states have enacted similar legislation. Under the new law, carriers would still be required to send paper communications to any individuals who do not have access to the internet, and consumers could elect to receive paper communications. Previous Next

New legislation to ensure patients’ continued access to mental healthcare provided by a licensed human professional will go into effect on August 12. < Back August 3, 2026 Law to Establish Guardrails for AI in Healthcare Goes into Effect DENVER, CO – New legislation to ensure patients’ continued access to mental healthcare provided by a licensed human professional will go into effect on August 12. “AI chatbots are being mistaken by patients as legitimate therapy, which is why we’re stepping up to ensure Coloradans are protected and informed,” said Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton. “Going into effect this month, HB26-1195 establishes reasonable protective measures on AI use in mental and behavioral health care, including prohibiting the use of AI to independently provide therapy to a patient. This law does not hamper licensed professionals’ use of AI for administrative purposes, but does require all clinical treatment and psychotherapy to be administered by a licensed, human provider.” “No AI-generated algorithm can replace the expertise, nuance, and connection that human healthcare professionals utilize to treat their patients,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “With this new law, we’re establishing necessary guardrails to ensure proper access to quality care for those who need it most.” “Human-centered care should be at the forefront of healthcare in Colorado,” s aid Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “AI chatbots are biased, unlicensed tools, and they should not be used for therapy and treatment recommendations without oversight and transparency. Without this law, there is no clinical standard for AI chatbots, which can ultimately harm patients’ access to high-quality healthcare. This law protects patients while still allowing providers to take advantage of AI tools for administrative tasks.” “As policymakers, we cannot let chatbots, several of which are currently facing major lawsuits due to wrongful and horrifying deaths, replace certified mental health providers,” said Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Some AI models serve as bad actors claiming to offer low-cost care – but this new law puts guardrails in place to ensure patients receive the quality, human care they deserve.” HB26-1195 sets standards in clinical settings, limiting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to administrative tasks with oversight by a licensed professional. Providers must disclose the use of AI for supplementary support, such as recording or transcribing meetings. To ensure patients receive legitimate behavioral healthcare, this new law makes sure that psychotherapy is human-delivered by a licensed professional, such as a social worker, psychologist or addiction counselor. To protect consumers and ensure access to quality care, this legislation will prohibit AI chatbots from being marketed to patients as equivalent to a licensed psychotherapist or counselor. AI chatbots will also be barred from implying patient input is covered by commonplace confidentiality protections like HIPAA. In 2025, researchers at Stanford University recommended that Large Language Models (LLMs), which power AI chatbots, “should not replace therapists.” Additionally, researchers concluded that “LLMs express stigma toward those with mental health conditions and respond inappropriately to certain common (and critical) conditions.” Top AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Character.AI , are all facing lawsuits from families after AI chatbots recommended suicide to a person seeking behavioral health advice or support. Last year, parents of children who died by suicide testified before Congress, stating AI chatbots discouraged their teens from seeking support. Previous Next