The Insurance Rebate Reform Model Act would allow insurance companies to extend discounts to consumers < Back March 19, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Insurance DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on insurance. “We’re working to save Coloradans money on their insurance, and this bill ensures consumers can receive certain no-cost or discounted add-ons offered by insurance companies,” said Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton. “Whether it’s a security camera or flood detection system, there are many no-cost promotions or discounts offered to consumers through their insurance company. This bill updates Colorado’s anti-rebate law to ensure Coloradans can receive promotions, discounts and add-ons that save them money and provide peace of mind.” The Insurance Rebate Reform Model Act ( SB25-058 ) passed committee by a vote of 13-0. This bill aims to save Coloradans money on insurance by allowing insurance companies to extend certain discounts or rebates to consumers. Under current law, discounting the price of insurance below what is stated in the contract is considered a deceptive trade practice. This bill would update the regulatory framework to extend specific discounts while maintaining critical consumer protections. Under the bill, insurance companies would be able to offer discounts or rebates to consumers, if they relate to insurance coverage. In addition, the discounts or rebates must mitigate loss, enhance health or promote financial or wellness literacy. For example, a no-cost or discounted service tacked on to consumer insurance could be an electric system that protects against flood or fire, security cameras and motion detectors. The goal of SB25-058 is to ensure that consumers can benefit from no-cost or discounted insurance add-ons offered by insurance companies that will help keep them safer. Previous Next

< Back December 20, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado’s Economy is Strong, But Budget Outlook Remains Constrained DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the December economic forecasts. “Despite national headwinds, Colorado’s strong economy continues to grow and gain jobs, with the state’s unemployment rate well below the national average,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “As we look at the road ahead, it’s clear that our costs will soon exceed what we are able to spend each year, so we’ll look to make smart investments that strengthen our economy, prioritize education, reduce crime and protect critical services. I’m excited to work with my colleagues to pass a balanced budget that sustainably increases funding for public schools, helps build an economy where everyone has a fair shot, and moves Colorado forward.” “Today’s forecast is a reminder that while Colorado’s economic outlook remains strong, we are facing fiscal challenges that will test our limits and put enormous pressure on the state budget,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “We’ve fought hard for the gains we’ve made in recent years on education, housing, health care, and more. Now, we must work to protect those critical investments while fulfilling our funding commitments and keeping our budget on a sound and sensible path so that Colorado remains strong for generations to come.” “While our economic outlook is bright, our state’s fiscal constraints and persistent inflation mean that we could soon face a daunting funding shortfall that jeopardizes the services that Coloradans depend on,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We’ve made tremendous progress to boost funding for public schools, increase economic assistance to Colorado families, invest in infrastructure and transit, and direct resources to make housing more affordable. This year, we will continue our efforts to lower costs for Coloradans and deliver the services that everyone in our state needs.” “Colorado’s economy continues to do better than the rest of the country, but because TABOR limits are tied to the cost of washing machines instead of wages we could face a dangerous budget shortfall," said JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. "As a state we spend more on people than anything else. If we can't keep pace with real wage growth we'll have to cut critical state services that people depend on, from education to transportation to state parks. The budget is a moral document that reflects what we value as a state, and we could face some hard choices in the months ahead. Thankfully the folks I serve with on JBC from both chambers and both sides of the aisle are exactly the kind of good and intelligent people you want making those tough decisions." Colorado continues to have a tight labor market, with significantly more job openings than before the pandemic, and the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5 percent, below the national average of 3.7 percent. While wage gains in Colorado are outperforming the national average, pressure from increased prices are impacting household wealth. The state has now exceeded pre-pandemic job numbers with far more job openings than before the pandemic, and the majority of sectors have recovered the jobs lost during the pandemic. While inflation remains high, it is projected to decline next year with energy and transportation costs already easing in the state. The Legislative Council staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $16.87 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.35 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $707 million decrease for FY 2022-2023 and a $559 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier September revenue forecast. The forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.195 billion for FY 2024-2025. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $16.8 billion for FY 2022-2023, which OSPB revised upward by $412.2 million relative to its September estimate. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be close to $16.5 billion, which OSPB revised downward by $225 million relative to its September estimate. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $17.6 billion. LCS anticipates that budget writers will only have $1.32 billion to address caseload increases, inflationary pressures and spend or save this year. The forecast anticipates continued growth despite escalating risks of a near-term recession. Evolving monetary policy, the war in Ukraine and a housing market correction are upside risks to the forecasts. A sustained drop in energy prices, resolution to the war and a stabilized supply chain are upside risks. Previous Next

Legislation to uphold the integrity of Colorado’s gold standard election system was signed into law yesterday. < Back June 2, 2026 ICYMI: Signed! Bill to Safeguard Colorado’s Gold Standard Elections DENVER, CO – Legislation to uphold the integrity of Colorado’s gold standard election system was signed into law yesterday. HB26-1113 , sponsored by Senators Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, makes necessary modifications and updates to Colorado’s election system. “Colorado’s elections are safe, transparent, and fair, and we have some of the highest voter participation in the nation as a result of robust access to voting in our state,” said Wallace. “This law makes important improvements to our elections, like extending the window to return a mail-in ballot, making it easier for college students to vote, and ensuring clerks have the clarity they need. It continues our long-held tradition of upholding free and fair elections in Colorado, while responding to President Trump’s illegal executive order threatening mail-in voting and other federal interference in our elections.” “Colorado’s elections are the gold standard in part because we continuously update our laws to guard against new threats to our democracy,” said Sirota. “Coloradans deserve to cast their ballot without barriers, and this new law safeguards against federal interference in our elections and makes it easier to vote. Whether you’re voting in-person, using a drop box or mailing in your ballot, this law aims to make voting more accessible to every voter.” “I’m proud to sponsor this new law to further strengthen Colorado’s elections,” said Weissman. “The right of states to administer their own elections is crystal clear in the United States Constitution. This law protects access to the ballot by extending voting windows, increasing access to drop boxes, and enacting protections against nefarious interference. The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy, and we’re doing everything we can to shore that up in Colorado.” “Elections are free, fair and accessible in Colorado,” said Willford. “This law makes important updates to Colorado’s elections to safeguard against federal attempts to force people to vote in person and interfere in Colorado’s vote-by-mail elections. In Colorado, we administer gold standard elections that are safe and secure. Voters are counting on us to uphold and protect the integrity of our elections, and this law makes casting your ballot easier.” HB26-1113 extends voting windows by prohibiting polling centers from closing early and allowing them to stay open longer to accommodate voters if the polling center runs out of supplies, such as ballots. The legislation also protects against interference and attacks on the United States Postal Service by mailing ballots earlier, so there is more time to vote and return ballots if there are mail delays. Drop boxes make it easier for voters to return their ballots, and this law increases the number of drop boxes at Colorado higher education institutions with at least 1,000 enrolled students. The law also improves the visibility of on-campus voting services and polling centers. To make voting more accessible to working Coloradans, HB26-1113 will allow for more flexibility and approval of leave requests that pertain to voting. Additionally, if a vacancy occurs before a U.S. Senator can fulfill their term, HB26-1113 requires that vacancies be filled by a candidate in the same political party as their predecessor to respect electoral outcomes and encourage continuity. President Trump recently issued an Executive Order attempting to restrict voter eligibility and mail voting. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a multistate coalition suing the Trump Administration to stop this attempt at interfering with states’ constitutional authority to administer elections. To respond to these threats, the law restricts the transfer of Coloradans’ voter data to any third party, including the federal government, without a court order or directive from the Secretary of State. It also expands the definition of “disaster” in state law to include an occurrence or threat of an inability to carry out elections, and allows Colorado’s governor to convene an election emergency advisory group to respond in such cases. Colorado has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country. Over the years, Colorado Democrats have worked to safeguard Colorado’s gold standard election system. Last year, Colorado Democrats passed the Colorado Voting Rights Act to codify stronger voter protections and expand access to voting information for historically excluded communities. Colorado Democrats also passed the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act last year to expand protections against intimidation, threats or coercion against voters and election officials. This builds upon previous legislation to safeguard free and fair elections, including two laws from 2022 to prevent armed voter intimidation and insider election security threats and a 2021 law to improve ballot access for Coloradans with disabilities. Previous Next

SB26-095 would update Colorado law to improve transparency, strengthen survivor rights, and bolster trauma-informed procedures in court and law enforcement response < Back April 14, 2026 Bill to Support Survivors of Crimes Passes Committee SB26-095 would update Colorado law to improve transparency, strengthen survivor rights, and bolster trauma-informed procedures in court and law enforcement response DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation that would improve access to information for survivors of crime and strengthen trauma-informed practices in the justice system. SB26-095, sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Jenny Willford, passed by a vote of 10-1. “Choosing to report is a very difficult decision for a survivor, and we should ensure that survivors do not have to jump through hoops in order to hold their abuser accountable,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill makes a number of changes around trauma-informed training, survivors’ rights and remote testimony to improve survivors’ experience as they navigate the health care and judicial systems. I am proud to continue our efforts to ensure survivors have agency and dignity as they navigate the legal system.” “We’re making changes to the health care, legal and justice systems to prevent the retraumatization of survivors and make it easier for survivors to seek justice,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Colorado Democrats stand with survivors, and our bill makes crucial changes that make navigating the justice system an easier, less traumatic experience for survivors. This would aid in the healing process for survivors and improve public safety across the state.” SB26-095 would make several updates to Colorado statute, including: Ensuring that victims are notified when forensic testing is complete and informed of how to obtain results and other records related to testing; Creating a special motion to dismiss claims arising from protected survivor statements made during investigations or legal proceedings, helping to shield survivors from retaliatory lawsuits; Limiting the enforceability of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration and joint-action waivers, thereby strengthening the rights of survivors in sexual misconduct disputes; Authorizing remote forensic testimony and allowing certain survivors to voluntarily testify remotely; and Expanding training and use of peace officer training funds to include trauma-informed law enforcement response training. Reps. Froelich and Willford passed laws last year to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations and protect survivors and children conceived through sexual assault. The CBI backlog of processing sexual assault evidence kits reached over 1,400 days in February 2025. As of March 2026, the backlog has been reduced to over 560 days. Rep. Froelich has also passed laws to give survivors of sexual assault new rights to access DNA evidence kits and require judges and other court personnel to receive training regarding child abuse, child sexual abuse and custody decisions. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. HB25-1010 passed by a vote of 38-24, with no House Republicans voting in support of the bill. < Back March 10, 2025 House Democrats Save Coloradans Money by Cracking Down on Price Gouging DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. HB25-1010 passed by a vote of 38-24, with no House Republicans voting in support of the bill. “Price gouging hurts hardworking Coloradans and mom-and-pop businesses, which is why I’m sponsoring this legislation that will hold bad actors accountable,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent, and as a mom to three young children, I have personally felt the pressure facing so many of our Colorado families. By passing this legislation in the House today, Colorado Democrats are standing up against corporate price gouging to reduce the cost of everyday necessities.” “With corporate greed and profits driving prices higher on groceries and everyday necessities, Colorado Democrats are taking action to stop price gouging and save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “While the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and supply chain issues have impacted prices, bad acting corporations have taken advantage of these factors to jack up prices just to increase their profits. As Republicans in the legislature side with wealthy corporations, our majority is tackling the rising cost of living, putting an end to corporate price gouging, and making Colorado a more affordable place to live for all.” HB25-1010 would prohibit price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries during a market disruption. In this bill, price gouging is defined as a price increase of 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good during a declared disaster. A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Colorado Democrats passed a 2024 law , also sponsored by Rep. Brown, to prevent price gouging on rent after a natural disaster. The law was inspired after rents skyrocketed for Coloradans who lost their homes after the Marshall Fire, pricing vulnerable Coloradans out of their communities. Another law created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to limit Big Pharma price gouging of life-saving prescription drugs, helping lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Previous Next

< Back May 31, 2019 GOV SIGNS BIPARTISAN COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL EDUCATION LEGISLATION (May 31) – Gov. Polis signed Rep. Susan Lontine and Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill to expand the content in the comprehensive sexual education that many students in Colorado already receive. This law does not require schools to teach sex education; however, existing law requires that if they do provide sex education, it must be comprehensive. The law adds consent, defining a healthy relationship, and sexual orientation to the current standards. “Colorado’s students deserve access to age-appropriate, accurate and comprehensive information regarding sex education to keep themselves and their classmates healthy and safe,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “This new law will teach our students that not everyone is exactly the way you are and that’s okay because every Coloradan should be allowed to live our authentic lives.” Colorado does not have a mandatory sex education requirement. Existing law does provide a set of standards if schools decide to teach about sex education. This law would increase the ranges of topics to include birth control and pregnancy, abstinence, STD prevention, consent, healthy relationships, and sexual orientation. “As a doctor in a clinic, I only have the ability to affect one child and one life at a time,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “Schools have the ability to improve the health of hundreds of kids at a time through the ability to provide comprehensive sex ed that will prevent countless young people from facing life-altering illnesses or unplanned pregnancies.” This bill would also allocate $1 million in funds to an existing grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for teaching comprehensive sex education. Rural schools and public schools that do not have the resources to offer sex education will be prioritized for receiving this grant money. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora and Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Previous Next

< Back March 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES PAIR OF ALEX VALDEZ’S ELECTRIC VEHICLE BILLS Bills encourage the use of electric vehicles and will help Colorado act on climate (March 4) – The House Energy and Environment committee gave approval today to Rep. Alex Valdez and Rep. Donald Valdez’s bill to modify existing statute governing the existing electric vehicle grant fund. “This bill will help address the threat of climate change and reduce carbon emissions by encouraging more Coloradans to purchase electric vehicles and increasing the travel range of EV’s,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “These upgrades can help rural communities because when drivers have to charge their vehicles, they are going to stop in our rural towns, open their wallets and contribute to the economy.” HB19-1198 allows the fund to be used to fully fund the installation of more charging stations for electric vehicles and help offset operation costs. “It’s time that we bring more charging stations to the rural parts of Colorado. Doing so will help address climate change and expand the accessibility of electric vehicles and their benefits to all Colorado communities,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara. HB19-1198 passed the committee 8-2 with bipartisan support and now heads to the House floor. Rep. Alex Valdez’s Colorado Clean Pass Act also passed in the Energy and Environment committee. HB19-1199 expands the number of electric vehicle owners able that can receive discounted access to HOV, HOT, and Toll lanes by imposing a $35 annual fee. This bill updates the number of eligible cars on a regular basis and gets rid of the current waitlist for the program by lifting the cap on an annual basis. That bill passed in the committee by 7-4 and heads to the Finance committee. Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2021 IT’S ELECTRIC! BILL TO SAVE CONSUMERS ON UTILITY COSTS ADVANCES DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Meg Foelich that would promote the use of energy efficient electric equipment. “Technological advances are constantly producing more energy efficient equipment that can save consumers money on their electric bills,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D- Denver. “Every dollar saved by investing in efficiency measures, is a dollar that can directly help working Coloradans. By incentivising consumers to adopt energy efficient technologies, like electric water heaters and furnaces, we are going to create good jobs, emit less dirty greenhouse gases into our environment, and improve indoor air quality in homes and businesses across the state.” “Colorado can meet our climate goals, create jobs, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and improve both our indoor and outdoor air quality by embracing energy efficiency equipment,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D- Englewood. “The bill we advanced today would ask utility companies to create plans that encourage their customers voluntarily to adopt more energy efficient technologies that will save everyone money and help protect Colorado’s beautiful environment for everyone to enjoy.” SB21-246 directs the Public Utilities Commission to set longer-term energy savings targets for utility beneficial electrification programs and approve plans from investor-owned utilities that would use incentives to promote the use and installation of energy efficient electric equipment. Transitioning to clean electric homes and businesses will improve public health, save energy, create jobs, and help Colorado meet its climate goals by reducing the use of fossil fuels. Under the bill, utilities will develop plans to help their customers replace costly natural gas and propane fueled appliances with high efficiency electric equipment, and utilities must include programs targeted to lower-income households in their plans. Clean heat from appliances such as electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and induction stoves will help Colorado reduce greenhouse gas pollution and has potential to help improve indoor air quality and health and safety in buildings. Improving indoor air quality is especially beneficial to families with children, older Coloradans, or who have household members with respiratory issues. Businesses that sell and install energy efficient technologies will see increased demand and growth through greater adoption of more efficient equipment. The legislation explicitly clarifies that beneficial electrification projects be implemented voluntarily without any coercion or discriminatory treatment to customers that decline any incentives that may be offered to them. Previous Next

< Back February 9, 2022 GARNETT AND ESGAR CONGRATULATE NEW SENATE LEADERSHIP DENVER, CO — Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today released the following statements congratulating the new Senate leadership: Senate President Stephen Fenberg, D-Boulder; Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City; and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, who was elected the new Senate Majority JBC Member. “Congratulations, Senate President Fenberg, Majority Leader Moreno, and Sen. Zenzinger! I’m excited to continue our work together this session to prepare our students for success, improve public safety, and save Coloradans money,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “The Senate leadership team has a proven track record of getting things done. With Coloradans feeling the acute pressures of the pandemic, we have a bold plan to move our state forward and save Coloradans money.” “I’m ready to get to work with Senators Fenberg, Moreno and Zenzinger to move Colorado forward and save people money,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Having served with Senators Moreno and Zenzinger on the Joint Budget Committee as they helped lead Colorado through the pandemic, I know their strong leadership will be a big asset to the Senate and our state. This team knows how to deliver results for Colorado that will save people money and boost working families across the state!” Previous Next

Republicans in Congress Threaten to Destabilize Individual Health Insurance Market, Leading to a Substantial Cut in Funding for Colorado’s Reinsurance Program < Back June 10, 2025 Congress’ Failure and Devastating, Cruel Bill Could Lead to Tens of Thousands of Coloradans Losing Health Coverage in 2026 DENVER - This week, the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) informed health insurance companies that the agency was revising the expected impact of Colorado’s Reinsurance Program to reflect the Republican controlled Congress’s failure to extend enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) market. Governor Jared Polis wrote to Colorado’s Congressional delegation urging them and Congress to help keep thousands of Coloradans on their health care coverage by extending tax credits for those buying insurance off the health exchange. House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senator Dylan Roberts also expressed concerns. Since the inception of the bipartisan reinsurance initiative from 2020 through 2025, Coloradans will have saved over $2.1 billion dollars. Failing to extend these enhanced tax credits that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year, when combined with harmful provisions of the Reconciliation bill, will increase costs on Colorado families and individuals. “On top of the destructive proposed cuts to Medicaid, which will throw hundreds of thousands of Coloradans off of their health care, failure of the Republican controlled Congress to extend these ACA tax credits, which have saved Colorado families hundreds of millions in premiums, will throw even more people off of health insurance who rely on reinsurance and marketplace coverage to save money. While Republicans fight with each other, hardworking Coloradans are focused on keeping health care that is accessible and affordable, and want to see costs go down, not up. The Senate should take action to extend these critical tax credits for hardworking families and start from scratch on the reconciliation bill,” said Governor Jared Polis. The Republican controlled House passed Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” by a one-vote margin, 215 - 214. Representatives Pettersen, Neguse, DeGette, and Crow voted no, while Representatives Hurd, Evans, Crank and Boebert voted yes. Governor Polis wrote to Colorado’s members of Congress today: “Amongst its many failures, the Reconciliation bill passed by the House fails to extend the enhanced tax credits that Coloradans rely on to make their health insurance affordable. If the Republican controlled Congress allows those cuts to go into effect, tens of thousands of Coloradans will no longer be able to afford their health care. Coloradans who receive enhanced tax credits will see net premiums increase on average by 104%, simply due to the expiration of these credits. The end of enhanced tax credits will effectively be a tax increase for Coloradans and, moreover, will usher in the return of the “subsidy cliff” - where Coloradans making more than 400% of the federal poverty level (household income of $84,600 for a family of two) are left paying the full cost of their health insurance premiums without any assistance. The combined effect will disproportionately impact households with enrollees over age 55. The end of the enhanced tax credits would significantly reduce the positive benefits of Colorado’s reinsurance initiative by materially reducing the federal support received to reduce individual market rates. Since the inception of the bipartisan reinsurance initiative in 2020 through 2025, Coloradans will have saved over $2.1 billion dollars. The reinsurance initiative operates under an ACA Section 1332 waiver, and is funded by the dollars that would otherwise flow through premium tax credits without increasing costs for the federal government. If the enhanced tax credits are not extended, state reinsurance initiative would have less funding available to lower premiums for all consumers in the market.” The reconciliation bill would also increase red tape for Coloradans and create new barriers to enrollment. “Between the cuts to Colorado's Medicaid coverage and the cuts to Colorado’s ACA market, this bill will dramatically increase the uninsured rate in Colorado, rip away people’s access to health care, and lead to a substantially higher amount of uncompensated care that must be absorbed by Colorado’s hospitals and health care providers. That, in turn, will mean that employers will see their health insurance premiums rise as well. No corner of our health care system will be safe from the damage that this bill will inflict,” the Governor continued. “I urge you to take action, either through amendments to the reconciliation bill or through standalone legislation, to extend these enhanced premium tax credits and to scrap additional provisions in the reconciliation bill that will further raise health insurance costs and make health care unaffordable for many Coloradans.” “If Congressional Republicans fail to extend the enhanced ACA tax credits, many Coloradans who buy their own health insurance will lose the coverage they rely on and many more will see their premiums go up, especially in the high country and rural parts of our state,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “These premium increases and the loss of insurance coverage, on top of the proposed cuts to Medicaid, will be devastating for families and destabilize rural health care systems that cannot absorb the cost of more uninsured patients at their facilities. In Colorado, we’ve worked together to lower costs for families with the successful reinsurance program. Washington Republicans must extend these ACA credits, or Colorado families will be stuck with the bill.” “It is hard to overstate the negative impact that losing health insurance affordability tax credits would have on Coloradans, especially those in our rural and mountain communities,” said State Senator Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco). “Colorado’s bipartisan leadership in using savings from the ACA to create the Reinsurance and Colorado Option programs has kept insurance rates from spiking and allowed tens of thousands of more Coloradans to have access to the financial security of health insurance coverage. Slashing these tax credits will undermine all of that, spike health insurance rates, and lead to more Coloradans being uninsured, particularly the rural residents our state’s Republican members of Congress represent. It’s truly baffling they’d harm their constituents like this.” Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today advanced bipartisan legislation to streamline permitting for Colorado’s ground water. < Back January 27, 2025 Committee Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Colorado’s Drinking Water Resources DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today advanced bipartisan legislation to streamline permitting for Colorado’s ground water. The committee also passed a bipartisan House Joint Resolution that would better fund and protect Colorado’s drinking water. “I am proud to carry this bill to streamline the water management process across Colorado, especially for my community in the Western Slope,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB25-1014. “This bipartisan bill will ease the groundwater permitting process, cutting the red tape to make our water resources more accessible.” HB25-1014 , sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, passed committee unanimously. This bill would modify Colorado's permitting process for groundwater use. Specifically, this bill would remove obsolete provisions and extend the timeline for Coloradans already permitted to build a water well. The goal of HB24-1014 is to cut red tape, streamline the services and improve the efficiency of the Division of Water Resources within the Department of Natural Resources. “From recreation to agricultural use, water is the most important resource in Colorado and we must do everything we can to protect our rivers, streams, and wetlands,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HJR25-1004. “Droughts and the impacts of climate change threaten the health and safety of the people, animals, and native species that call Colorado home. Our bipartisan effort will support Colorado’s water infrastructure in rural and mountain communities by helping them acquire water rights, improve water management facilities, and fund other projects that help protect our water resources for future generations to come.” HJR25-1004 , sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick and Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, would update the Water Pollution Control Project Eligibility List to better preserve, protect and conserve water resources in Colorado. The House Joint Resolution passed committee unanimously. The House Joint Resolution modifies which projects are eligible for funding from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund; better protecting the freshwater resources Coloradans use for household use, recreation, agriculture and local economic development. The Drinking Water Revolving Fund is a financial assistance program that offers loans and grants for clean drinking water projects. Forty-nine percent of funding is awarded to disadvantaged communities through grants or principal forgiveness loans to protect communities that otherwise would not have the resources to improve their water infrastructure. Previous Next

< Back May 12, 2021 HOUSE BILL WOULD BOOST WILDFIRE AND DISASTER MITIGATION DENVER, CO– The House today advanced HB21-1208 , legislation that would help Colorado communities prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change and related natural disasters. “As the changing climate threatens structures, livestock, and Coloradans across our state, we have to take action now to help build more resilient communities,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This bill will help local governments and communities draw down significant federal resources to protect against natural disasters like wildfires and droughts that are devastating our state, forcing Coloradans from their homes, and harming industries that create jobs. Our local communities desperately need a consistent, ongoing source of revenue to fund mitigation resources to fund mitigation projects so they can be better prepared to weather increasingly severe droughts, fires, and record temperatures.” “By investing in natural disaster and wildfire mitigation, we can prevent some of the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in damages and losses consumers and property owners face each year in Colorado,” said Rep Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Climate change is making natural disasters worse and worse each year, burning people’s homes and threatening job creating industries that rely on our beautiful environment.” HB21-1208, sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Matt Gray, would create a natural disaster enterprise to draw down federal funds to help Colorado communities mitigate the impact and reduce the threat of climate-related natural disasters, such as wildfires. The bill establishes a small $2 per year flat fee on some disaster related insurance policies that will be leveraged for three times as much federal funding. The funding will be used to finance disaster mitigation projects in communities that are actively working to increase their resiliency.. The grant program will also provide technical assistance to local governments to help them address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Previous Next