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The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injector devices at $60 for a 2-pack and save Coloradans money on life-saving medications. < Back March 7, 2023 Bill to Lower Cost of EpiPens Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injector devices at $60 for a 2-pack and save Coloradans money on life-saving medications. “No Coloradan should have to choose between life-saving medication and putting a roof over their head,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Right now, one company has a monopoly over epinephrine auto-injectors, allowing them to price EpiPens at nearly $700 for a 2-pack despite only costing $8 for the manufacturer to produce. We’re passing this legislation to ensure that life-saving medication is more affordable and accessible for all Coloradans.” “The current prices for an EpiPen 2-pack are inaccessible for hardworking Coloradans, requiring nursing assistants, child care workers, and cashiers to work over 40 hours to pay for their life-saving medication,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Capping out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens will save families money and ensure that every Coloradan has equitable access to this essential medication.” An epinephrine auto-injector is a medical device that is used to dispense epinephrine, a hormone that quickly combats life-threatening reactions including swollen airways and rapidly dropping blood pressure. It is commonly used by people with moderate to severe allergies, in addition to other medical issues, to prevent a fatal anaphylactic reaction. Epinephrine auto-injectors are commonly referred to by the trademark name “EpiPen”, which was acquired by one company in 2007. Since then, prices have increased over 660% to $690 for a 2-pack. Because EpiPens expire a year after purchase, Coloradans have been forced to spend hundreds of dollars annually for medication that can save them from potentially lethal reactions. HB23-1002 was highlighted by the Colorado House Democrats as legislation that drives the key agenda for the 2023 Legislative Session. It creates the Epi-Pen Affordability Program, where uninsured Coloradans with a prescription can apply online through the Colorado Division of Insurance to obtain low-cost epinephrine auto-injectors. Under this bill, manufacturers would be required to post access to the program on their websites. The bill also requires insurance carriers that provide coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors to cap the out-of-pocket cost to $60 for a 2-pack. With over 500,000 Coloradans experiencing severe food allergies and over 430,000 Coloradans with asthma, this bill will help nearly a million individuals and families across the state get low-cost access to the emergency medication they need. This legislation is modeled after successful policy passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to limit profiteering off essential medication. Senator Dylan Roberts sponsored HB21-1307 , creating the Colorado Insulin Affordability Program and successfully reducing insulin prescription costs without shifting them to the marketplace or insurance policy consumers. The bill caps monthly insulin costs at $100, regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. Insulin is used similarly to EpiPens in regulating bodily reactions. Without insulin or EpiPens, individuals can experience dangerous and potentially fatal symptoms. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2022 COMPREHENSIVE BILL TO PREVENT FENTANYL DEATHS HEARD IN COMMITTEE Legislation significantly increases penalties on dealers and invests in proven public health solutions DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today held a hearing on comprehensive legislation sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett and Rep. Mike Lynch to combat the fentanyl crisis and save lives. “This comprehensive fentanyl legislation will save lives by cracking down on the dealers peddling death in our communities and by investing in proven public health strategies that we know are effective,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Our targeted efforts will get this deadly drug off our streets, protect our communities from this poison and keep people alive. I’m disappointed there are people who would rather see this bill die for partisan political gain than work to save lives; lawmakers must come together to pass this life-saving legislation.” “We are seeing unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths in Colorado. The fentanyl crisis demands an aggressive response that will hold dealers accountable and remove this deadly drug from our streets, and that’s what this comprehensive fentanyl legislation will do,” said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. “This solution will save lives by giving prosecutors the tools we need to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. This legislation will allow us to respond aggressively to dealers who take Coloradans’ lives when distributing this drug, and I encourage lawmakers to pass this bill.” “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on fentanyl dealers to get this dangerous drug off our streets,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “Fentanyl doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat; people are dying in every community in our state. This bill is a comprehensive solution that will save lives and prevent fentanyl deaths.” “Colorado is confronting a deadly fentanyl crisis, and this comprehensive bill will save lives and prevent fentanyl poisonings and overdose deaths,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This bill will help ensure that people struggling with substance use disorders get the treatment they need to make a successful recovery. The bill deploys effective public health strategies that emphasize education and awareness, expand addiction treatment and give people the tools they need to protect themselves and others.” A comprehensive approach including both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers will save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. HB22-1326 will strengthen criminal penalties on any individual distributing fentanyl. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory SUD assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to ensure people get the treatment they need. The bill focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs or substances, and will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with an SUD. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties. The bill gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in CDPHE. Individuals assessed as having a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment. This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address root causes and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this more deadly drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system. While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. The proposal also makes opiate antagonists more widespread, which will help save lives by preventing overdoses. Previous Next

Representative David Ortiz, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Executive Director of Disability Law Colorado, Andrew Romanoff, and other disability advocates today outlined priority legislation and revealed the new Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities. < Back March 7, 2024 Disability Advocacy Day Highlights New State Office and Key Legislation DENVER, CO – Representative David Ortiz, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Executive Director of Disability Law Colorado, Andrew Romanoff, and other disability advocates today outlined priority legislation and revealed the new Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities. “As I enter my final legislative session, I’m beyond proud of the laws we’ve passed over the years to improve basic access and look forward to a future where the accessibility issues faced by my community are fully addressed,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “Today, we highlighted some of our priority legislation, including a new bill that would create the Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities. Alongside disability advocates and state leaders, we’re taking the lead on breaking down accessibility barriers faced by our neighbors to create a safer, more equitable Colorado for all.” Some of the bills Rep. Ortiz highlighted during the press conference include: HB24-1360 , Colorado Disability Opportunity Office. This bill would create a new office within the Department of Labor and Employment. The goal of this office would be to implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability for people with disabilities and promote successful economic, social, and community integration. HB24-1067 , Ballot Access for Candidates with Disabilities. This bill would require the continuation of the caucus process to make it more accessible for people with disabilities to run for office. The bill would also require video conferencing participation options for a precinct caucus or a party assembly, unless they do not have access to a broadband network provider. HB24-1165, Accessibility at Denver International Airport (DIA). This bill would mandate basic access in specific areas of DIA, including certain minimum accessibility features such as way-finding features and accessible bathrooms with changing tables in each concourse. This bill would also establish an advisory committee within the airport to support expanding and improving accessibility features as the airport grows. Other priority bills outlined by Rep. Ortiz include preventing evictions ( HB24-1098 ), curbing workplace violence against health care professionals ( HB24-1066 ), updating prescription drug labels to be more accessible to those who have a difficult time seeing or reading ( HB24-1115 ), modifying rental units for those with a disability ( HB24-1318 ), improving access to EV charging stations ( HB24-1161 ), increasing access to testifying in public meetings ( HB24-1168 ), and supporting youth with disabilities in school ( HB24-1063 ), among others. Rep. Ortiz has been a long-time champion for disability rights at the Colorado State Capitol. He has led the charge in passing multiple bills to ensure Coloradans with a disability have the opportunity for legal recourse if they are discriminated against, expanding the youth prosthetic coverage law, creating the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities task force, in addition to two trailblazing right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2020 SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF IS ON ITS WAY TO MAIN STREET! Denver, CO– The Governor today signed two bills, passed by the General Assembly, to provide much-needed relief to small businesses across Colorado. Representatives Lisa Cutter and Shannon Bird sponsored HB20-1413, which establishes a loan program for small businesses. Representative Mary Young sponsored SB20-222, which enacts a small business grant program. “This session, Democrats worked to get Colorado back on its feet and on the way to economic recovery,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Jefferson County . “The loan program signed into law today will give Colorado’s small businesses a leg up by providing a responsible and effective way to keep their doors open while our state recovers.” “Colorado’s small businesses need all the help they can get,” said Rep. Bird, D-Westminster . “This new law will put yet another tool in the toolbelt of businesses struggling to stay afloat during these unpredictable times. Small businesses employ 40% of our state’s workforce, and it is critical to keep small businesses open and people employed. By investing in our small businesses, we’re taking important steps toward recovering Colorado’s strong and bustling economy.” HB20-1413 establishes a small business loan program for which $250 million of private and public funding is allocated to Colorado’s small businesses over the next two years. Loans of between $30,000 to $500,000 with a maturation of up to five years will be awarded to small businesses with between five to 100 employees and Loans must carry a lower interest rate than what would normally be available on the commercial market. In order to ensure as much fiscal equity as possible, counties across Colorado will be allocated loans that are proportionate to the number of small businesses in the county.. “All small businesses need our help, but I’m proud that this grant program will specifically support rural, women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley . “We can’t leave any Coloradan behind, and this bill will give special attention to businesses that were overlooked by the Paycheck Protection Program while investing in our tourism industry, which is greatly suffering.” SB20-222 creates a grant program funded by $20 million of the CARES Act for small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. $5 million will be set aside for the recovery of the tourism sector. To qualify for the grant program, businesses must have less than 25 employees. Businesses that did not qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program will be given preference. Women, minority and veteran-owned businesses will also be given priority as well as businesses that are located in rural areas. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE PASSES MCLACHLAN’S WILDLAND FIRE AIRSPACE BILL Colorado homes and communities on front lines of destructive wildfires (Apr. 30) – The House gave preliminary approval to a bill sponsored by Rep. Barbara McLachlan to help combat wildfires and protect public safety. “Wildfire season is fast approaching,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “This will help ensure airspace is clear above wildfires and give our firefighters the tools they need to keep our homes, communities and firefighters safe.” SB19-020 directs the Center of Excellence (COE) to study and implement a system to patrol the airspace above a wildland fire. The COE was created under SB14-164 in the Division of Fire Prevention and Control in the Dept. of Public Safety. Its mission is to protect Colordoans, land, and resources in Colorado by researching, testing and evaluating existing and new technologie that support sustainable effective and efficient aerial fighting techniques. Detection of drones is currently limited to visual observation which poses challenges during a wildland fire. Earlier this month, the House gave unanimous approval to HB19-1006, Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to mitigate the impacts of wildfires on Colorado’s mountain communities. Previous Next

< Back September 22, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: JBC Approves Critical Funding to Bolster State’s Monkeypox Public Health Response, Keep Coloradans Safe & Healthy DENVER, CO – Members of the Joint Budget Committee today approved an additional $3.35 million in an interim supplemental budget request from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to aid the state’s response to the ongoing Monkeypox (MPX) public health crisis. The funding will fund CDPHE vaccine clinics and testing supplies among other priorities. “As we continue to combat the monkeypox outbreak, we need to take the lessons we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and make sure we’re as prepared as possible to keep folks safe,” said JBC Vice Chair Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “These additional funds will provide much-needed support to help Colorado effectively respond to this virus, continue to lower transmission rates, and ensure our communities are equipped with the tools they need to keep our residents safe and healthy.” "Colorado is responding to the monkeypox virus responsibly, rapidly and with everyone's safety top of mind," said JBC Member Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. "Taking the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the JBC is allocating $3.35 million to increase the number of vaccine clinics, improve mobile clinics and educate Coloradans about the virus. This funding is directed toward lowering transmission rates, boosting equity in health care and building a healthier Colorado.” The supplemental package approved by the JBC to aid the state’s response to MPX includes the following: $1 million to staff vaccine clinics, which will include costs for personnel, mobile and static sites, and supplies; $900,000 to distribute to Denver Health and other safety net partners to meet increased staffing needs and to meet the rising demand in testing, treatment, and vaccination; $183,144 for the Immunization Branch of CDPHE to purchase supplies and software related to recording, distributing, and storing vaccines; $336,667 for the State Laboratory to support increased testing including supplies, courier services, and biohazard waste disposal; $9,667 for the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) to cover vaccine administration supplies and travel costs; $118,000 for the Office of STI/HIV/VH (OSVH) for supplies related to outreach events and education and funding for the Community ResourceFund to support isolation for MPX positive cases; and $791,700 for three months of CDPHE mobile vaccine units (MVUs). The first cases of MPX were identified in Colorado in mid-May, and it was declared a national public health emergency on August 5th , prompting the CDPHE to ramp up its response to the outbreak. CDPHE has since exhausted the funding appropriated via SB21-243 , and is awaiting approval for additional funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to redirect federal COVID-19 funding to MPX. The funding approved by the JBC today will allow the Department to immediately start using these additional resources to strengthen Colorado’s public health response to MPX. For more resources related to MPX, including information on testing, vaccines, and public health guidelines, visit the CDPHE’s website . Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2019 HOUSE PASSES KRAFT-THARP’S BIPARTISAN SALES TAX SIMPLIFICATION (Mar. 15) – The House passed a bill today sponsored by Rep.Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada, that requires the development of an electronic sales and use tax simplification system. This new system will help address the patchwork of sales and use tax across the state and help small businesses thrive. “The business community, local communities, legislators and Department of Revenue were able to come together to move Colorado towards a simplified process of remittance of sales tax,” said Rep. Kraft-Tharp. This bill will require the Office of Information Technology to develop the electronic sales tax and use tax simplification system following a stakeholder process conducted with the Department of Revenue. It then authorizes the Department of Revenue to accept any returns processed through the new system and also provides a dedicated funding stream to fund and maintain the system. SB19-006 was unanimously passed in the House on third reading with an amendment. The bill heads back to the Senate for approval before it goes to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Kraft-Tharp received an award in October by the Tax Foundation for her work on the sales tax simplification committee. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 REP. MCLACHLAN: OUTDOOR REC CRITICAL FOR COLORADO’S ECONOMY Legislation advanced today would create the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office to help drive continued growth in the sector DENVER, CO— Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan legislation to create the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office today passed the House Committee on Energy and Environment by a vote of 9-2. “Outdoor recreation is critical for Colorado’s economy, and this legislation will sustain and foster this growing industry,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “We can do more to support outdoor recreation and the jobs it creates while also protecting the beautiful public lands on which the industry relies. That’s what this bill would do.” In 2015, the governor formed the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office in the Office of Economic Development. HB20-1191 would cement this office in statute and outline the office’s specific responsibilities and objectives. Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy has grown significantly, but additional support is needed to sustain this growth. HB20-1191, which is also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, calls for the cultivation, promotion, and coordinated development of the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado and for the protection and conservation of public lands, waters, air, and climate. It calls on the state to partner with the outdoor recreation industry to ensure that the industry serves as a good steward of Colorado’s natural beauty. The Office would support the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado by working with state, federal, local governments and nongovernmental organizations to promote economic development, conservation, stewardship, education, workforce training, and public health and wellness. The outdoor industry accounts for 10 percent of Colorado’s economy, with $37 billion in consumer spending supporting and creating more than 511,000 jobs. Since 2015, the outdoor recreation office has worked to attract and retain businesses, offered workforce training programs, fostered product manufacturing and entrepreneurialism, and brought high-tech and advanced industries to the state. The Office created the Rural Technical Assistance Program, which leverages state partnerships to further economic development in rural Colorado. It also sponsored the 2019 Colorado Classic, the only all-women professional bike race in the Western Hemisphere. Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2021 STOCK SHOW FUNDING BOOST AND AG LOAN PROGRAM NOW LAW! DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed two bills into law to invest in Colorado’s agriculture economy and ensure the National Western Stock Show continues to call Colorado home. “The National Western Stock Show and similar agriculture events are not only crucial to our identity as Coloradans, they’re important job creators that are critical for our state’s economic success,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1262 . “The new law created today recognizes these contributions and stands up for Colorado agriculture by making an important investment in the Stock Show and other local events. I’m proud of all we did this year to ensure the Stock Show stays in Colorado for years to come.” HB21-1262 , also sponsored by Representative Mike Lynch R-Wellington, supports Colorado’s agriculturale industry by investing $25 million into the National Western Complex to ensure the Stock Show remains in Colorado –a staple to the state’s agricultural industry and Denver’s economy–as well as providing $3.5 million directly to the National Western Stock Show, $5 million for the State Fair, and $2 million to agricultural events across the state. “Individuals, families and entire communities across Colorado depend on the success of our agriculture industry for their economic wellbeing,” said Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee Chair Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB21-248 . “By creating the Agriculture Future Loan Program today, we’re giving farmers hit hard by COVID a boost and at the same time investing in the long term success of the industry. With careful investments like these, we’re working to set up Colorado’s farmers for decades of sustainable success.” SB21-248 , also sponsored by Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, would create the Colorado Agriculture Future Loan Program and direct $30 million of state stimulus funds into it. The Program is designed to provide low-interest loans to beginning farmers and ranchers and farm-to-market infrastructure loans and grants for businesses. Agribusiness provides more than 170,000 jobs in Colorado, this program is intended to ensure that this vital industry has a sustainable and prosperous future in the state. Previous Next

The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to increase awareness of services, resources, and benefits for veterans. The bill passed in committee by a vote of 7-3. < Back February 8, 2024 Bill to Raise Awareness of Veterans Resources Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to increase awareness of services, resources, and benefits for veterans. The bill passed in committee by a vote of 7-3. “Veterans disproportionately suffer from mental health struggles, and they should know there are plenty of services available to them,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “We’ve passed legislation in recent years to expand resources for veterans, but many people don’t know how to take advantage of these services. By sharing veteran resource information with employees, we can raise awareness of available resources to access mental health services, save them money, and other beneficial programs.” “There are a lot of resources out there for veterans that can help them find a job, access mental health care, and save them money, but they may not know that this information is available to them,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This bill would require this information to be available in Colorado workplaces, increasing awareness of the services available to veterans.” HB24-1110 would require businesses to create and distribute information about veterans’ services, resources, and benefits and post the information in the workplace if they have more than 50 employees. In recent years, the Colorado General Assembly has passed legislation to expand property tax exemptions for veterans with a disability ( HB23-1052 ), expand access to behavioral health services ( HB23-1088 ), continue state income tax deductions for military retirement benefits ( HB23-1084 ), and implement housing protections for veterans and active military members ( HB22-1102 ). Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2022 PFAS, FORESTRY AND WATER BILLS PASS THE HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation that will help address PFAS contamination, direct funding to the Colorado Water Plan and plant more trees in Colorado forests. “Communities in every part of our state are dealing with PFAS contamination because these dangerous chemicals don’t break down in the natural environment,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB22-1345. “Even the smallest doses of PFAS have been linked to adverse health impacts, including cancer and damage to critical organs. The legislation we passed today is a monumental step forward to remove these dangerous products from Colorado and stop the contamination that is threatening the health of our communities.” “With Colorado’s forests seeing increasing devastation from wildfires, insect outbreaks, drought and deforestation, we are going to increase the capacity of our state nursery to provide a large-scale, diverse and reliable stock of seedling trees to help rebuild our forests,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “Healthy forests will reduce the risk of wildfires, improve our groundwater quality and remove carbon and pollution from the atmosphere.” Addressing PFAS Contamination: HB22-1345 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Mary Bradfield, passed by a vote of 43-22. The bill will curb PFAS contamination and protect consumers by restricting the sale of products that contain these harmful chemicals. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down, are toxic chemicals added to everyday consumer products and linked to cancer, hormone disruption, organ damage and reproductive health problems. The bill immediately protects consumers from PFAS in products such as cosmetics, carpets, food packaging, baby products, textile furnishings, upholstered furniture, and fluids used in oil and gas production. The bill also requires product labels be added to other items, like cookware, that will better inform consumers of the risks. Promoting Healthy, Diverse Forests: HB22-1323 , sponsored by Representatives Marc Snyder and Meg Froelich, passed by a vote of 57-7. The bill directs $5 million to the state nursery to significantly increase its capacity to help plant new trees in damaged forests to prevent natural disasters and future wildfires. This effort will repair some of the damage from devastating wildfires, insect outbreaks, drought and deforestation. “Healthy trees and forests remove carbon from the atmosphere, mitigate the risk of wildfire, protect our groundwater and watersheds, and make our state the incredible outdoor adventure we love,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB22-1323. “By expanding capacity at our state nursery, we’ll ensure that Colorado has the healthy seedlings and baby saplings we need to replenish our forests and conserve the incredible outdoors that defines our beautiful state.” Directing Additional Resources to Water Plan and Addressing Problem Gambling: HB22-1402, sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett, passed by a vote of 53-12. The bill will increase funding for the Colorado Water Plan by over $7 million the next two years, and even more after that, by directing more of the revenues from sports betting to the state’s water plan. The introduction of sports betting in Colorado in 2020 has led to major growth in the gaming industry, partly due to higher limits and additional games. This bill provides more funding for the responsible gaming grant program in the Department of Revenue to promote responsible gaming and address problem gaming. “Coloradans are betting on sports and driving new revenues to our water plan,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “With this legislation, we’re directing additional funding from sports betting revenues to help Coloradans with problem gaming and sending even more money to the Colorado Water Plan, which helps ensure we have the water resources we need for our growing state.” Previous Next

DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to combat child hunger by taking advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and providing students with nutrition assistance during summer break. SB23B-002 passed by a vote of 44-16. < Back November 20, 2023 House Passes Bill to Combat Child Hunger, Support Working Families DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to combat child hunger by taking advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and providing students with nutrition assistance during summer break. SB23B-002 passed by a vote of 44-16. “For many children in Colorado, school is the only place they receive consistent meals which means they often face hunger during the summer months,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “This legislation takes full advantage of an expansion of a federal program to keep our kids fed year-round. No kid should go hungry, and we’re working together to combat child hunger and make purchasing nutritious, healthy food more affordable for families.” “Having access to food is not a reality for all kids living in Colorado, in fact one in nine kids face hunger,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County . “Child hunger gets worse during the summer months, and our important legislation utilizes federal funding to help hard working families put food on the table. Many families see their grocery bill skyrocket during the summer, and by leveraging federal funds we can combat child hunger so every kid has the chance to be their best.” SB23B-002 would allocate an estimated $35 million to expand EBT benefits, which would help families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during the summer months when child hunger is most severe. Families with children eligible for the national free and reduced-price school meals program will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024, to be adjusted for inflation in following years. The Summer EBT Program was established in December 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, with the program beginning in the summer of 2024. By taking action now, Colorado is a national leader on this issue. Ten other states indicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they intend to do so next year, which would postpone their program’s start until 2025. Previous Next