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< Back March 30, 2021 HOUSE VOTES TO CREATE NEW RIGHTS FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT A day after voting to remove the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault, House votes to give sexual assault survivors new rights. DENVER, CO– The House today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich to give new rights to survivors of sexual assault seeking access to rape kit evidence. The vote was 64-0. “Survivors of sexual assault who have come forward and subjected themselves to a forensic exam deserve timely answers and control over how the evidence in their case is used,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill will ensure that survivors have a say in how and when rape kit evidence is processed and disposed of, and will guarantee that they stay informed throughout the process. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to stand with survivors this week.” HB21-1143 creates new rights for survivors of sexual assault. Under the bill, survivors would have the right to be notified when forensic medical evidence is submitted for testing, when law enforcement has received the results of the analysis, and 60 days prior to the destruction of the evidence. Survivors would also have the right to object to the destruction of the evidence, to be informed of whether a DNA sample was obtained from the analysis and matched to any DNA profiles in state or federal databases, and to receive physical documentation describing their rights under the law, as well as nearby resources, after the exam has been completed. Previous Next

< Back May 3, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILL TO PREPARE AT-RISK STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed legislation into law today that will create a new method for identifying and serving at-risk students. HB22-1202, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Julie McCluskie and Senators Rachel Zenzinger and James Coleman, will more accurately count at-risk students and direct additional resources to school districts that serve at-risk students. “Modernizing the way we identify at-risk students will direct proper funding toward schools and prepare all Colorado students for success,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “Under this law, the state will create a new well-rounded method for pinpointing at-risk students that goes beyond those eligible for free and reduced-price lunches to include data from Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus program. But every child lives a different home life, so the data collection will also consider important socioeconomic factors that can affect academic success such as parent incarceration, unhoused status and English as a Second Language. This law will get school districts the funding they need to meet the needs of their at-risk students so their students can grow, thrive and achieve.” “As we introduce more precise factors into the school funding formula, we can increase the likelihood that our resources will be used in the most equitable manner, to the greatest degree of success,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada . “The at-risk measure is one of those factors in need of greater precision and definition; and thanks to HB22-1202, we will eventually be able to support the children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in a true at-risk condition.” “I am proud Colorado is taking steps to identify, serve and support each and every student,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie D-Dillion “Research has shown to better serve at-risk students, we need to look at the bigger picture and consider more than just a couple of socioeconomic factors that might hinder academic success–and this law does just that. This law creates a new definition in the formula so Colorado can more accurately identify at-risk students and provide their school districts with more funding to meet their needs.” “We know that, right now, we don’t do enough to support our at-risk students, and that needs to change,” said Sen. James Coleman, D-Denver . “More accurately identifying our at-risk students will allow us to do a better job allocating the critical resources school districts need to serve them. This bill will help us better prepare all of Colorado’s students for success.” HB22-1202 will create a new method in the school finance formula to identify students who are at risk of below-average academic outcomes due to socio-economic disadvantages or poverty. The new formula aims to better pinpoint at-risk students by considering multiple socio-economic factors that affect them. Based on the new formula, school districts would be eligible for more state funding beginning in the 2023-24 school year to better prepare their at-risk students. A recent statewide poll revealed that 83% of respondents consider it important to provide resources and support to students who are falling behind so teachers can make sure every student has an opportunity to get back on track. Previous Next

< Back October 31, 2019 BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE SCHOOL SAFETY MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — The bipartisan School Safety Committee today advanced five bills to improve school safety in Colorado, including improving coordination among state agencies working on school safety, expanding access to behavioral health training for educators and mental health days for students, and enhancing the Safe2Tell program. “Our goal must be that not one more child dies by violence in school, and we must always strive for this goal as we work to advance solutions that make our classrooms and campuses safer,” said School Safety Committee Chair Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City). “I’m proud of our bipartisan work, and I am grateful for the citizens, advocates, and agencies that have helped us develop these bills. The legislation we advanced today will help ensure that we are spending our state’s limited resources as best we can while improving students, parents and teachers’ access to the support and services they need.” “Too many students are facing violence in our schools, and we have a profound responsibility to address this crisis and save lives,” said Rep. Emily Sirota (D-Denver). “These bipartisan bills will provide better and enhanced resources to our students, teachers, and parents, and they will ensure that all levels of state government are aligned in our common goal of protecting our children and improving school safety.” “Above all, our students deserve to feel safe in our schools. I believe that we have made significant progress on this committee in doing just that,” said School Safety Committee Vice Chair Sen. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). “We have worked together to come up with a package of five bipartisan bills that will help address the crisis we are experiencing in our schools. We have put forth legislation that will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based, consistent approach to addressing school safety and the behavioral health of our students, filling the gaps that exist across schools and districts, providing improved oversight, and enabling us to continue moving forward on this critical issue. We know there is more work to be done, but this is a big step in the right direction, and I am grateful to our committee members for their diligence and commitment.” “I am proud of each of the bills voted out of committee today, because we will improve school safety in the immediate future by ensuring the safety of students at school and addressing the behavioral health needs of young people,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “We also will continue these critical efforts through a working group comprised of the people who are directly impacted by the need for school safety collaboration: educators, law enforcement agencies, the relevant state agencies, and lawmakers. We have benefited greatly over this interim of creating a space to listen to one another, describe our challenges, and work toward solutions, and this working group will allow that important work to continue.” Interagency Working Group on School Safety: While several Colorado school safety programs are national models and are studied across the country for their effectiveness and innovation in this critical field, last month the State Auditor released a report that found some inefficiencies, duplications, and shortcomings in coordination and communication between state agencies. The final bill advanced today would establish a state working group of all the agencies and groups working on school safety issues to streamline programs and improve communication across agencies in response to the audit’s findings. The group will study the use of lockdown drills, identify school safety best practices districts can adopt, improve transparency and facilitate interagency coordination. Sponsors: Reps. Michaelson Jenet and Van Winkle; Sens. Gardner and Gonzales Expand Behavioral Health Training for Educators: This bill would direct the Department of Education to develop and offer a voluntary “train the trainer” program that will help teachers learn skills to assist their students who are struggling with behavioral and mental health challenges. Students report a need for trusted adults to confide in, and many teachers and parents have expressed interest in being better equipped to talk with students about difficult subjects and provide them the support they need. Teachers would learn many skills including the use of trauma-informed approaches to improve school climate and culture and how to identify behavioral health challenges. It would also help them identify and access available resources, services and treatment available to their students, bullying and suicide prevention, and de-escalation techniques in crisis situations. Sponsors: Sen. Fields; Reps. Sirota and Beckman Enhancements to Safe2Tell: Safe2Tell, developed in Colorado after the Columbine tragedy, provides students a confidential way to report and talk with someone about behavioral health issues and has become a national model. Other states have taken Colorado’s lead and made improvements, adapting the now 20 year old program for new technologies and best practices developed in recent years. The Safe2Tell enhancements would include aligning the Safe2Tell program and the crisis hotline more closely to ensure that individuals in crisis can rapidly access crisis counseling. It would also align the processes for all types of incoming tips and adjust the annual advertising campaign to raise awareness about the program and reduce its misuse. Finally, it would enhance law enforcement’s ability to prevent imminent physical harm. Sponsors: Reps. Michaelson Jenet and Van Winkle; Sens. Fields and Lundeen Behavioral Health Sick Days: The second bill would require school districts to include mental and behavioral health concerns as excused absences in their attendance policies in order to reduce stigma and encourage students to prioritize their health. Writing this explicitly into school absence policies will help normalize students taking time away from school in order to improve their behavioral health and is a step towards a full understanding of parody between physical and behavioral health. Sponsors: Sen. Fields and Rep. Michaelson Jenet Services for Juveniles with Severe Behavioral Health Conditions: The legislation tasks the School Safety Resource Center to convene a working group to conduct a gap analysis with respect to the adequacy and availability of behavioral health treatment for children and youth. The goal is to ensure that behavioral health services are available for those who have a severe need. Sponsors: Reps. Beckman and Michaelson Jenet; Sen. Gonzales Previous Next

< Back April 6, 2022 REP. HEROD STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER STATE SEN. GLORIA TANNER DENVER, CO – Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver, the chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, today released the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Gloria Tanner, the first Black woman elected to the Colorado Senate: “Senator Tanner was a trailblazer whose determination and commitment to Colorado improved the lives of all people in our state, and I join Coloradans in mourning her passing. Gloria’s tireless devotion to serving our community uplifted the lives of so many Coloradans and families. Gloria was a mentor to us all. As the founder of Colorado Black Women for Political Action and the co-creator of the National Organization of Back Elected Legislators, she fostered an entire generation of leaders who will continue her legacy and make their mark on our state and nation– just as she would have wished. Topday, we celebrate her life and legacy as she ascends to join our ancestors.” Previous Next

< Back June 8, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO LOWER ENERGY COSTS, CREATE JOBS Bipartisan benchmarking proposal would improve energy efficiency of buildings DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation by a vote of 41-23 to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, which will lower energy costs and create jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits. “By passing benchmarking policies like this, we can save consumers and businesses money on their energy bills and reduce energy consumption,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This bill asks owners of the largest buildings to report on their energy use and then meet new energy efficiency standards that will save their tenant’s money and reduce energy use. It will help us meet our climate goals while saving Coloradans money at the same time.” “We have to make addressing climate change a top priority, and by reducing how much energy commercial buildings use, we can save consumers money and reduce the emissions that are hurting our environment,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Benchmarking is an innovative way to encourage more energy efficient buildings and create good jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits and mechanical system upgrades.” HB21-1286 , which is sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Alex Valdez, would require the owners of certain large commercial buildings to collect and report energy use to the Colorado Energy Office, and by 2026, to demonstrate that they have met new energy efficiency performance standards. The proposal, known as benchmarking, asks building owners to measure their energy use in the first year and then continue to monitor and report their performance and meet new energy efficiency standards. The proposal helps tenets and businesses save money on their energy costs while creating jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits, mechanical system upgrades, electrical work, engineering, and recommissioning. In the next eight years, the bill is expected to save consumers $447 million on their energy bills, 3,200 gigawatt-hours of electricity, 7,700 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million metric tons. More than one-third of Colorado buildings are already benchmarking, demonstrating that this policy is both widely popular and achievable. Large commercial, multifamily, and public buildings account for roughly 15 percent of all energy used in Colorado, which means that there is considerable opportunity to reduce electricity used by increasing the energy efficiency of these buildings. Previous Next

< Back September 8, 2022 ROBERTS AND MCLACHLAN CELEBRATE HISTORIC BROADBAND INVESTMENTS Moffat, Routt, and Ouray Counties to receive over $5 million to connect nearly 760 homes to high speed internet AVON/DURANGO, CO – Representatives Dylan Roberts and Barbara McLachlan today celebrated a historic $22.8 million investment in broadband grants that will connect 4,267 homes to high speed internet across Colorado. This funding, awarded last week by the Broadband Deployment Board , comes from a combination of state and federal funds, including $35 million of stimulus funds provided through HB21-1289 . The Yampa Valley Electric Association will receive over $3 million to connect 439 homes in Craig and Hayden. “I’m excited to see this historic investment in broadband infrastructure that will connect over 400 homes in Craig and Hayden to high speed internet,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This is exactly why we directed $35 million to expand high speed internet access in rural Colorado, save people money and build the 21st century infrastructure our families need. Affordable, high-speed internet is critical for our rural residents and economies and with these grants, we’re closer to our goal of connecting nearly every Coloradan. This is great news for Northwest Colorado..” Clearnetworx in Ouray County will receive over $2 million to connect 318 homes in Ouray. “High speed internet has become essential for everyday activities, but access can be a real struggle in our communities,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “The Colorado Broadband Board has already directed millions to expand high speed internet access in Southwest Colorado, and I’m excited to see even more funding flow to our communities that will provide hundreds more families in rural Colorado affordable internet access they need.” The projects announced last week are below, and the full list of projects funded by the Board can be found here : ### Previous Next

< Back January 28, 2020 STATE EMPLOYEE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BILL ADVANCES Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs & Services Act would, for the first time, allow state employees to collectively bargain for better pay and benefits DENVER, CO — Representative Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo) today released the following statement after HB20-1153, the Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act, passed the House Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs by a vote of 6-3: “This is a great step forward for the tens of thousands of hardworking Colorado state employees who deserve the essential right to collectively bargain for better pay and benefits. This bill is long overdue and will foster important partnerships between the state and front line state employees to improve state services. “House Democrats are committed to improving pay and benefits for our state employees, and this legislation will help us achieve this important goal. It will help us fill the hundreds of state positions that are currently vacant while improving retention rates. I will always fight for our state employees, and I’m pleased to see this bill move forward.” The legislation would allow state employees to collectively bargain on pay and benefit issues and improve state services by fostering new partnerships between frontline workers and the state. The bill would not permit state employees to strike, which is similar to collective bargaining laws for state employees in the states that have them. Previous Next

The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation that would improve Colorado’s air quality and reduce harmful emissions. < Back April 20, 2023 Legislation to Improve Colorado’s Air Quality, Reduce Harmful Emissions Passes House Committee DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation that would improve Colorado’s air quality and reduce harmful emissions. HB23-1294 would strengthen measures to reduce ozone and increase opportunities for public engagement to improve the emissions permitting process. SB23-016 would propel Colorado’s clean energy transition by establishing interim greenhouse gas emissions targets and incentivizing investments in electrification. “Coloradans face some of the worst air quality in the nation, and we need to stand firm in our plan to reduce harmful emissions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “High levels of ozone are dangerous for our children and our neighbors to breathe, often leading to significant health issues.This is not just a Denver problem, this is also a Front Range problem that we must address, and our bill is a significant step towards transparency around our air quality problem and potential solutions. This legislation gives impacted communities more of a say in the permitting and enforcement processes and ensures that we will continue working to find meaningful solutions.” “As ozone season approaches, Coloradans across the Front Range will once again battle poor air quality that affects their day-to-day life,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “In Colorado, we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to reduce harmful emissions and that includes strengthening our permitting processes. This important legislation gives Coloradans a voice when it comes to reporting poor air quality in their community and works to create a path forward that will not only improve Colorado’s air quality, but aid in our state’s clean energy transition.” HB23-1294 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3 and works to protect communities from air pollution by bolstering the procedures and requirements for air permits in Colorado. The American Lung Association recently ranked metro Denver’s ozone pollution as the sixth worst in the United States. This bill works to improve public engagement in permitting processes by giving impacted communities a voice in the enforcement process, and sets clear timelines for agency action in response to these complaints to better protect communities. To address the poor air quality in the nonattainment area, HB23-1294 would lead to stronger emissions control measures to help the state meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. The Denver Metro and Front Range area was recently downgraded by the Environmental Protection Agency to “severe” nonattainment status and a majority of Coloradans live in an area that fails to comply with these federal standards. HB23-1294 would also create the Legislative Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality to investigate the factors contributing to ozone pollution and identify policy solutions to improve air quality in the state. “From record breaking droughts, destructive wildfire and poor air quality across Colorado – it’s important we implement bold policies that bring us closer to reaching our climate goals,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “This legislation creates targets to help Colorado reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and incentivize the use of clean alternatives in our homes and businesses. We need to ensure Colorado’s on a strong path forward to combat climate change, and this legislation brings us closer to a decarbonized economy.” “Coloradans are demanding action, and we’re committed to doing our part in the fight against climate change to protect our children and neighbors,” said Rep. Emily Siorta, D-Denver. “This bill sets crucial greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals to improve the air we breathe now and in the years to come. Under this bill, we can mitigate the effects of climate change by encouraging electrification and speeding up our transition to a decarbonized economy. Our important legislation takes action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, prioritize clean energy and protect our families.” SB23-016 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3 and would update the state’s emission reduction goals to match the latest climate science by adding interim targets, including a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 levels by 2035, and a new goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. To help reach these targets, the bill would require the Public Utilities Commission to prioritize the renovation, rebuilding, and reconditioning of electrical transmission lines, enabling and improving electrification across the state. Permitting for these projects would be expedited and the construction would be subject to the state’s labor standards. To further expedite electrification, the bill would incentivize the retirements of a major local ozone contributor: lawn equipment. Purchasers of electric lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and snowblowers would qualify for 30 percent off at the point-of-sale and a corresponding tax credit would be provided to the retailer. SB23-016 would also encourage climate-aware financial investing by requiring large insurance companies to complete a climate risk disclosure survey. Finally, the bill would expand the definitions of “pollution control equipment” and “clean heat resource” to include currently underutilized wastewater thermal energy, and enable Colorado to lead in carbon sequestration by allowing the state to apply to the EPA for Class VI injection well primacy. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will protect gender-affirming health care insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ Coloradans. < Back May 23, 2025 Signed! New Law Protects Gender-Affirming Health Care Coverage DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will protect gender-affirming health care insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ Coloradans. “While the GOP continues to attack the LGBTQ+ community, Colorado Democrats passed this new law to ensure trans Coloradans have access to gender-affirming care,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This law codifies insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, protecting access to medically necessary and evidence-based health care. We’re creating a Colorado that respects, protects and values the trans community.” “Trans and nonbinary Coloradans deserve access to the evidence-based, lifesaving care they need,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Colorado already requires insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, and this new law strengthens those protections by writing them into law and ensuring they can’t be easily undone. The law also removes testosterone from the prescription drug monitoring program which has been misused in other states to target providers and patients. I’m proud to sponsor this new law that will protect what already works and safeguard our freedoms.” “Now more than ever, it is crucial that we ensure Colorado law protects trans people,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Colorado has become a safe haven for trans Americans who face relentless attacks from their government, which is why I sponsored this law to protect gender-affirming health care coverage. As the first openly trans legislator in Colorado, I am proud to pass this law to ensure our state continues to be a place where trans people can safely live and thrive.” “In Colorado, we believe in bodily autonomy and the freedom to live as our authentic selves,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Everyone has the right to make personal health care decisions without political interference. At a time when the trans community is being targeted across the country, I’m proud to stand up for the individual rights and liberties of all Coloradans.” HB25-1309 codifies into Colorado statute that health care insurance plans cannot deny or limit gender-affirming health care that is determined medically necessary by a health care provider. Gender-affirming care can include hormone therapy, facial reconstruction, hair removal and other treatments or procedures. The law also adds privacy protections for Coloradans who undergo hormone therapy by exempting testosterone from Colorado’s prescription drug use monitoring program tracking requirements. This January, President Trump signed an executive order to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, leading to medical providers across the country ending medically necessary care overnight. Congress is currently considering the Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, which includes a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender people on Medicaid and insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. This would impact over 270,000 transgender adults throughout the country who receive health care through Medicaid. Currently, 26 states have passed legislation banning gender-affirming care. One report found that 94-percent of trans and non-binary adults feel unsafe due to bans on gender-affirming care. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2021 NEW RIGHTS FOR RENTERS ADVANCE DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today advanced SB21-173 , legislation sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales Gutierrez and Yadira Caraveo that would enhance rights for renters in residential lease agreements. “Coloradans across our state are facing enormous challenges every day to find a place to live or avoid an eviction, which can lead to increased poverty and devastating consequences,” said Rep. Serena Gonzalez Gutierrez, D-Denver. “Unfair late fees, baseless evictions, and punitive fines on renters force people out of their homes and into homlessness. We have a responsibility to build back stronger, and that means making sure that renters in Colorado have basic rights and protections that help them stay in their homes.” “The pandemic has revealed how unfair and predatory fees have forced renters and mobile home park residents to leave their homes,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “There’s no reason a landlord should be able to refuse a late rent payment and instead evict their tenant after just a few days. We can’t allow people to be locked out of their homes without notice or a formal eviction proceeding. These are basic protections and rights that everyone deserves. This bill will stop some of the worst and most predatory tactics that force Coloradans into homelessness, joblessness, and poverty.” SB21-173 would help keep more Coloradans housed by limiting late fees, prohibiting evictions solely for owing late fees, banning lease clauses that incentivise landlords to evict tenants, and by giving renters more time to pay their rent and avoid eviction. It also requires landlords to accept late rent payments at any time until a court has ordered an eviction. It also bolsters procedures and remedies in cases of an alleged breach of warranty of habitability. With regards to late fees, the bill prohibits late fees unless the rent payment is late by at least seven days. A late fee may not exceed $50 or five percent of the amount of the rent that remains past due. Landlords may not assess late fees unless the fee is disclosed in the rental agreement. It would also prohibit landlords from evicting a tenant solely for failure to pay a late fee. Furthermore, it would protect renters from being charged late fees for the rent that subsidy provider, such as a rental assistance program, is responsible for paying. Finally, it would prohibit landlords from charging interest on late payments. A landlord who commits a violation would have to pay a $50 penalty to the tenant for each violation and may also be liable for compensatory damages for injury or loss suffered. Previous Next

Legislation carries out recommendations from the Environmental Justice Action Task Force < Back May 28, 2024 SIGNED! Bill to Address Long-Standing Environmental Injustices in Colorado COMMERCE CITY, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to address some of Colorado’s long-standing environmental injustices that have disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income communities. HB24-1338 , sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Elizabeth Velasco, will direct the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to carry out recommendations from the Environmental Justice Action Task Force, created by HB21-1266 . "Everyone has the right to clean air and environment for themselves and their families. That is why, for nearly a year, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force met with community members and collected data-driven information to create a comprehensive checklist to clean up our air and support communities disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “This new law implements key task force recommendations, including increased oversight of known polluters, like refineries, and better response time to community complaints of air pollution. By diving deeper into the cumulative impacts of environmental injustice, we can create policy that addresses the pollution negatively affecting our neighbors of color and low-income neighbors.” “Poor air quality and other environmental factors can lead to breathing issues, such as asthma,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We owe it to our neighbors to implement the recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force to clean up our air, take air pollution complaints seriously and combat long-standing environmental injustices. Environmental justice is a statewide issue, and we all deserve access to clean air and water. Our new law implements the task force recommendations to help our neighbors most affected by poor air quality lead healthy lives.” HB24-1338 will authorize CDPHE to carry out recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force and address long-standing environmental injustices. Specifically, this law would: Increase oversight of petroleum refineries. The law would fund the hiring of an expert in air pollution control for petroleum refineries. This expert would assess gaps in public health protections and identify the best regulatory tools to fill those gaps. The law would also require refineries to provide near real-time emissions monitoring and compliance data. Improve response to air pollution complaints. The department’s Air Pollution Control Division would house a new rapid response inspection team to support quicker responses to air pollution complaints by impacted communities. Analyze the cumulative impacts of pollution . The law would implement recommendations of the Environmental Justice Action Task Force by formally establishing and authorizing the creation of at least two Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analyses to analyze the cumulative air, water, soil, and demographic impacts in specific disproportionately impacted communities. Founded in 2021 through HB21-1266, the Environmental Justice Action Task Force hosted several in-person meetings and gatherings with Coloradans in Commerce City, Grand Junction, Greeley, and Pueblo in addition to receiving more than 300 written comments and survey responses. The task force provided its final recommendations to Governor Polis, the legislature and the CDPHE in 2022. Previous Next

< Back June 28, 2021 OVER $100M FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, NEW SUPPORT PROGRAMS SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO– Governor Polis today signed four bills into law that will infuse $114 million in state and federal funds into the state’s behavioral health system, prevent substance use disorders, create the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline in Colorado and incorporate behavioral health into the state’s response to disasters, such as wildfires, floods or shootings. “As we listened to communities across Colorado about how we could most effectively direct American Rescue Plan Act funds, we consistently heard that we need to fix our state’s behavioral health system,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “SB21-137 sets aside over half a billion dollars to put Colorado on track to make the transformational changes we need to significantly improve access to behavioral health care. At the same time, we’re directing $114 million, right away, to providers, nonprofits and local governments to address Colorado’s behavioral health emergency.” SB21-137 , sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Chis Kennedy, will immediately deploy $114 million in state and federal stimulus funds to various behavioral health grant programs to assist providers, nonprofits and local governments address substance abuse, maternal and child health, and other behavioral health prevention and treatment programs around the state. To help address Colorado’s youth mental health crisis, the law requires CDHS to develop a program to provide emergency resources to licensed providers who face barriers in providing treatment and services to youth whose behavioral health needs require them to be in a residential facility. The bill creates the behavioral health cash fund and sets aside $450 million to be allocated through an interim process that will gather input from experts and craft recommendations. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated Colorado’s mental health crisis, and we’re seeing far more fatal drug overdoses and significantly increased demand for behavioral health services in our state,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “The bills Governor Polis signed today will immediately boost our state’s mental health system, prevent people from developing a substance use disorder and help Colorado build back stronger through historic investments that will substantially expand our mental health treatment capacity.” “Preventing substance use disorders will save lives and help our communities recover from the pandemic,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This has been a deadly year for drug overdoses in our state. Coloradans need more options to reduce opioid use when other treatments may help. With the governor signing HB21-1276 today, we’ll continue critical efforts to improve benzodiazepine prescribing practices, and insurance plans will have to cover more options for pain treatment that will reduce opioid use and prevent substance use disorders.” Governor Polis also signed HB21-1276 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Leslie Herod, which seeks to prevent substance use disorder by increasing access to non-opioid and atypical opioid treatments. It also continues prescribing limits on opioids and puts in place a process to lower new prescriptions for benzodiazepine. In 2020, fatal drug overdoses increased by 59 percent in Colorado. “Colorado is seeing a rise in suicide deaths, and some parts of our state have the highest youth suicide rates in the country,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “One of my priorities this session was to improve crisis support services in Colorado. The two laws Governor Polis signed today will ensure people can get the support they need in the aftertermath of a disaster or tragedy or when they are in crisis.” SB21-154 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Matt Soper, implements the 988 national suicide prevention lifeline network in Colorado. By calling this number, individuals will be provided with crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care that aims to prevent suicide deaths. The law aims to establish the new hotline by July 2022. HB21-1281 , sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter and Perry Will, creates the Community Behavioral Health Disaster Preparedness and Response Program in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The program is intended to enhance, support, and formalize behavioral health disaster preparedness and response activities of community behavioral health organizations. The intent of disaster response is to promote individual, family, and community resilience and it helps affected individuals return to a pre-disaster level of activity as quickly as possible. Disaster response methods include triage, basic support, psychological first aid, and making appropriate professional referrals in the community. Community mental health centers are already operating a number of programs that would fall within the scope of this fund, especially as they relate to COVID-19, but funding for these programs is often fragmented. The bill would provide funding to community behavioral health organizations for the disaster response services they provide. Previous Next