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< Back November 1, 2019 JBC, DEMS REACT TO POLIS BUDGET REQUEST DENVER, CO — Joint Budget Committee Democrats today released the following statements on Governor Polis’s FY 2020-2021 Budget request: “I appreciate Governor Polis’s FY 20-21 budget request, and I look forward to developing a responsible and balanced state budget that prioritizes education and transportation and continues lowering the cost of health care for all Coloradans,” said incoming JBC Chair Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo). “The JBC will begin crafting the budget in the months ahead, and I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to balance our state’s competing priorities with the limited resources we have and pass a budget that supports Southern Colorado and the state as a whole.” “Due to a strong economy, we were able to make historic investments in critical government services like education and transportation this year. However, due to the fiscal constraints imposed by TABOR, we will have to be more focused on cost savings next year,” said Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City), vice-chair for the JBC in the upcoming session . “I am encouraged by some of the cost savings and efficiencies the Governor’s proposal identified to invest in roads and bridges and K-12 education, and I look forward to the next six months of hard work to ensure a balanced budget and continued investments that benefit the people of Colorado.” “I am eager to start our work at the JBC to craft a balanced budget for Colorado,” said JBC member Chris Hansen (D-Denver) . “The Governor’s proposal will help inform our ongoing discussions about how to responsibly invest in and manage our state’s energy, education, transportation and health care priorities.” “I am pleased to see many important investments in this budget, especially for Southern and rural Colorado. The inclusion of substance abuse benefits for Medicaid recipients throughout the state is a crucial part of combatting a multifaceted problem and will build on the work my colleagues and I have worked tirelessly on for so many years,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I am particularly excited about the proposal for Fischer’s Peak, the newest state park, in the heart of rural Colorado, which would drive tourism dollars to the local and regional economies. I know my colleagues on the JBC have a lot of work ahead of them to analyze today’s budget, and I look forward to supporting them in this important process.” The release of the governor’s budget today begins the process for the JBC to craft the state’s budget. The JBC will begin hearing testimony from state agencies later this month as it works to write the state’s budget. ### Previous Next

SB25B-002 protects Coloradans from federal attacks on Planned Parenthood and restores access to health care for over 10,000 Medicaid recipients < Back August 23, 2025 Bill to Restore Access to Planned Parenthood Services for Medicaid Patients Passes Committee SB25B-002 protects Coloradans from federal attacks on Planned Parenthood and restores access to health care for over 10,000 Medicaid recipients DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed a bill to authorize state funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers that were removed from the federal Medicaid program by the federal budget passed by Congressional Republicans. “All Coloradans, whether or not they are a Medicaid recipient, deserve access to reproductive health care,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The federal GOP budget bill targeted Planned Parenthood, threatening access to low-cost family planning and preventive care for all Coloradans in all corners of our state. This bill is an effort to fight back against the largest cut to Medicaid in the history of our country and protect thousands of Coloradans from losing this essential health care coverage and access to the provider of their choice. Health care shouldn't be political.” “Despite Coloradans’ overwhelming support of reproductive freedom, Congressional Republicans continue to attack access to life-saving health care,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “When Trump’s budget was signed into law, it forced Planned Parenthood to immediately cancel every appointment for Medicaid recipients. While corporations enjoy their new tax breaks, Coloradans on Medicaid risk losing access to STI testing, cancer screenings and abortion care. I’m proud to stand up for Coloradans with this legislation that will restore access to life-saving care.” SB25B-002 would allow the use of state funds to reimburse organizations like Planned Parenthood, which were barred from federal Medicaid funding by Congressional Republicans’ tax bill, for services like cancer screenings, birth control consultations, and STI testing. In the event that federal action renders these entities eligible for reimbursements again, the bill would no longer be in effect. H.R.1 immediately removed Planned Parenthood from the federal Medicaid program, forcing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains providers to cancel thousands of appointments . Weeks later, a Temporary Restraining Order reversed this federal prohibition, though the issue is still working its way through the courts. SB25B-002 passed by a vote of 9-4. Previous Next

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

< Back March 10, 2020 COMMITTEE VOTES: HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MUST DISCLOSE CONVICTIONS OR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT The House Committee on Health and Insurance today unanimously passed Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Brianna Titone’s bill to require specified health care providers to disclose when they are convicted or professionally disciplined for a sex offense after the effective date of this bill. “Patients deserve the right to be informed of their health care providers’ backgrounds– especially in allegations as serious as sexual misconduct,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thorton . “As a pediatrician, I know first hand how important it is to build strong patient-doctor relationships based on trust. These disclosures will ensure that patients have all of the information they need to make their own decisions.” “Patients need to have as much information as possible when deciding who they are trusting to take care of them,” said Rep. Titone, D-Arvada . “We as patients need to know if a health care provider who we trust to take care of us and our wellbeing, has taken advantage of that trust.” SB20-102 would require that, for sexual misconduct occurring after the effective date of this bill, certain health care providers would have to disclose to patients, in writing, sexual misconduct resulting in a conviction for a sex offense or a plea agreement. Providers would also have to disclose findings by a regulator that the provider engaged in sexual misconduct that was determined to be grounds for final agency action. Patients would then have to sign an agreement to receive care from the health care provider. If convicted of a sex offense or entering a plea agreement to a sex offense, health care providers must disclose the date of the conviction or acceptance of the plea agreement, the penalties that were imposed and the jurisdiction of the conviction or plea agreement. Similarly, if a health care provider was subject to a final agency action for sexual misconduct, the provider must disclose the offense that took place, the type of professional disciplinary action that resulted from the offense, the date that the disciplinary action was issued and the contact information of the regulator who imposed the disciplinary actions. The bill was unanimously passed by the Senate by a vote of 33-0 and by the House Committee on Health and Insurance 9-0. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation to prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. < Back February 16, 2024 House Advances Bill to Prevent Evictions, Homelessness DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation to prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. “Despite always paying our rent on time and following our lease agreement, my son and I were evicted after escaping my abuser, and our lives were turned upside down,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Current Colorado law leaves renters vulnerable to homelessness and an eviction on their record that can make it nearly impossible to find housing. This legislation will reduce evictions and offer a greater sense of community that hardworking Colorado families and renters deserve while ensuring that landlords can still file for evictions when appropriate.” “Nearly 13,000 evictions were filed in Denver last year, having a devastating impact on Colorado renters and leaving many homeless,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “These aren’t just numbers, these are real people who deserve a safe place to call home. This ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation strengthens protections for renters and provides stability for landlords by clearly outlining the reasons why an eviction can be filed. Our bill is essential in preventing the displacement of renters and protecting vulnerable Coloradans from facing unnecessary evictions.” Currently, Colorado law exposes renters to possible arbitrary, retaliatory or discriminatory evictions. The ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation would prevent a landlord from evicting a tenant unless there is cause for eviction. Under HB24-1098 , the reasons a landlord could lawfully evict a tenant include failure to pay rent in a timely manner, destruction of property, interfering with the right to quiet enjoyment, or a substantial violation of the rental agreement. The bill also includes allowable reasons for a no-fault lease non-renewal, including substantial repairs or conversion of a residential premises, and selling the property. Some exceptions to the ‘For Cause Eviction’ bill include rentals within the landlord’s primary residence, short-term rentals, mobile homes and for employers who provide housing to employees. Evictions threaten the health and safety of Coloradans, with research showing that individuals who experience an eviction are more likely to report poorer physical or mental health outcomes . In 2023, Denver set a new record of annual evictions, reaching nearly 13,000 filings. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES EXPANSION OF OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONDUCT BY A PEACE OFFICER (Apr. 16) – The House approved Rep. Leslie Herod’s bipartisan bill to charge a peace officer with unlawful sexual conduct when they knowingly engage in sexual contact, sexual intrusion, or sexual penetration anytime the victim is in custody, regardless of consent. “This bill will make it easier to hold law enforcement accountable when they use their authority to sexually assault people in their custody,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “Current law is allowing some cases to slip through the crack, and even one or two cases of sexual assault by a peace officer is too many.” Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is a class 4 felony when the offense is committed by sexual contact and is a class 3 felony (a more serious offense) when the offense is committed by sexual intrusion or sexual penetration. A class 4 felony carries a possible sentence of 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections, and a class 3 felony carries a possible sentence of 4-12 years. An offender convicted of unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is required to register as a sex offender. An offender convicted of a class 3 felony due to unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is subject to lifetime supervision. HB19-1250 passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-5, with five Republicans voting no. The bill now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

The House today passed Rep. Michael Carter’s bipartisan bill to protect the biometric data of students and staff collected by schools. < Back April 3, 2025 Carter’s Facial Recognition Protections Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed Rep. Michael Carter’s bipartisan bill to protect the biometric data of students and staff collected by schools. “Technology is advancing quickly, and it’s important that we uphold the privacy of our students and staff,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora. “While facial recognition technology can be helpful for schools in certain safety scenarios, such as locating a missing student, any biometric data that is collected must be stored securely. The passage of this bipartisan bill helps protect our students and staff, making sure their biometric data is not shared freely.” SB25-143 , also sponsored by Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, passed the House by a vote of 63-2. This bill extends biometric data protections for students and staff. Without SB25-143, schools would be permitted to use facial recognition software freely beginning in July 2025. This bill reaffirms guardrails already in place to protect the biometric data schools obtain regarding students and staff. The goal of SB25-143 is to maintain student privacy in an era where technology continues to advance, while permitting facial recognition software in limited school safety scenarios. Under the bill, schools are allowed to use facial recognition technology for a limited scope of school safety. This could include using it for locating a missing student or identifying a person of interest. SB25-143 would create an opt-in program for school districts and charter schools. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 SIGNED! BILLS TO CREATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADMIN. AND PREVENT SUICIDE DEATHS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will expand access to behavioral and mental health services for Coloradans and reduce suicide deaths. “The tragedy and devastation of a suicide death or attempt is something that far too many Coloradans have endured,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Today, we’re taking a great step forward with a comprehensive approach to reduce youth suicide deaths and ensure our communities have the resources they need in the aftermath of a suicide attempt to prevent future tragedies.” “Far too many of us have seen firsthand just how devastating and widespread the impact of a suicide can be on a community,” said Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. “This bill empowers the Suicide Prevention Commission to proactively prevent, intervene, and react to suicide in Colorado by recognizing and addressing the full scope of the problem. We are meeting the moment with the urgency it requires and I’m proud to see the bill signed into law.” HB21-1119 , which is sponsored by Representatives Daugherty and Rich and Senators Donovan and Coram, expands the Crisis and Suicide Training Grant Program to include “‘train-the-trainer” programs at public schools and funds peer-to-peer specialist programs that help students support their classmates. The bill incorporates postvention and follow-up care into the state’s comprehensive suicide prevention approach to support individuals and communities in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Importantly, CDPHE will update the department’s suicide prevention resources to include region-specific information for primary care providers on how to recognize and respond to suicidal patients, including information that can be shared with patients and information for health facilities to share upon a patient’s release. Research shows that people who have known someone who died by suicide were 1.6 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, 2.9 times more likely to have a plan for suicide themselves, and 3.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide. Suicide has become a far more common cause of death among peace officers, medical professionals, and school-aged children. Children or adolescents who know about a friend’s suicide attempt are nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide themselves. “Too many Coloradans have suffered because our state has not addressed gaps in our behavioral health system that prevent people from accessing the care they need,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “Today, Governor Polis signed legislation to create the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, bringing about critical reforms to address gaps and access challenges in our health system to ensure that Coloradans can get the mental health care services they need. This new administration will oversee and administer behavioral health programs in Colorado, creating a more comprehensive approach to connect services with those who need them.” “Mental and behavioral health is critical to Coloradans’ wellbeing, but too often it is treated as a luxury rather than a necessity – with prohibitive costs restricting access to those who need care the most,” said Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “HB-1097 sets the groundwork for a more connected, convenient mental health system in our state so that people can receive high-quality, professional help no matter their income level. I am incredibly proud to see this bill signed today and look forward to the difference it will make for our state.” HB21-1097 , sponsored by Representatives Young and Pelton and Senators Fields and Gardner, would create the Behavioral Health Administration to ensure that every Coloradan experiencing behavioral health needs has access to timely, high-quality services in their communities that they can afford. It tasks the Department of Human Services with creating a plan for a single state entity that would be responsible for administering and overseeing behavioral health programs in Colorado. Previous Next

< Back February 13, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO JOIN NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE INTERSTATE COMPACT Eleven states & Washington, D.C. have already joined the compact (Feb. 12) — A bill sponsored by Rep. Jeni Arndt and Rep. Emily Sirota to enter Colorado into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact was approved by a House committee tonight. “This idea is not new and hasn’t been a traditionally partisan issue,” said Rep. Arndt, D-Fort Collins. “Twelve battleground states receive more federal disaster aid, more revenue for education and more presidential campaign visits than other states. This bill and this change are a modernization that our founders provided for our country.” If adopted and if enough other states join the compact, the bill would ensure all of Colorado’s electors are awarded to the presidential winner of the National Popular Vote. Each state has the power to allocate their electors however they choose under Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution. “This bipartisan movement enhances our democratic values and ensures that every person’s vote has equal value,” said Rep. Sirota, D-Denver. “Coloradans shouldn’t allow a few battleground states like Florida or Ohio to be the deciders for our entire country when electing the next President of the United States.” Once enough states totalling 270 electoral votes join the popular vote compact, the agreement would go into effect. States that are considered battleground states will no longer possess that title if this compact is adopted. Rather, SB19-042 would ensure each voter has an equal voice in a presidential election. The bill does not get rid of the electoral college. The Colorado legislature approved the compact through one chamber in 2006. The National Popular Vote Compact is an agreement, supported by Americans on both sides of the aisle, and entered into already by eleven states including Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, California, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington and the District of Columbia, to award all of their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. Rural states are not traditional battleground states in presidential elections. The current winner-take-all method of awarding electoral votes diminishes the influence of rural states. States and entities who have joined the compact have done so through their respective legislatures. Five out of our country’s forty-five presidents have finished in second place in the popular vote but assumed the presidency. Supporters from across the country, including two former Republican presidential candidates – Tom Tancredo and Newt Gingrich – have endorsed the change to the popular vote. Colorado has led the nation on efforts to restore faith in our democracy. Voters just supported Amendments Y and Z to protect against partisan gerrymandering. Democrats at the legislature are stepping up efforts to fix our broken campaign finance system and to get mystery money out of politics to ensure every citizen’s voice is truly heard and isn’t drowned out by powerful special interests. SB19-042 passed the committee by a vote of 6-3 and now heads to House floor. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office and the members of the League of Women Voters testified in support of the bill. The bill is also sponsored in the Senate by Senator Mike Foote, D-Lafayette. Listen to Rep. Sirota and Rep. Arndt discuss the importance of the national popular vote with Majority Leader Alec Garnett here. Previous Next

< Back January 8, 2020 OPENING DAY SPEECH OF 2ND REGULAR SESSION 2020 Good morning everyone. Welcome to your Colorado State Capitol. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to the first day of our 2020 legislative session. I’d like to first take a moment to greet and thank all of the family members and loved ones gathered here to watch as we continue our work on behalf of the people of Colorado. I know I speak for everyone in this Chamber when I say we appreciate your support — and your patience — as we take on this important work. Thank you also to Majority Leader Alec Garnett and to our wonderful Democratic caucus and leadership team. You all are amazing. To Minority Leader Neville and the Republican Leadership team — I look forward to working together to find bipartisan solutions to Colorado’s most pressing challenges — and hopefully to be done every day by 4:00 pm. While I’m truly excited to see all of my colleagues here today, I’d like to especially extend a warm welcome to Representative Mary Young, who will be starting her first session representing the people of Greeley in the legislature this year. I’d also like to take this opportunity to mention someone who is dearly missed by everyone in this chamber, Representative Kimmi Lewis. As everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her knows, Kimmi was a devoted fighter for rural communities and a caring, responsive leader. Her spirit and tenacity will be dearly missed by all this session. I’d like to welcome our newest member, Richard Holtorf, who is the new Representative for House District 64. You, sir, have some big shoes to fill. We look forward to working with you. This year, we also lost a true trailblazer and an incredible presence in this building, Speaker Ruben Valdez. The first Latino Speaker of the House in Colorado, Ruben Valdez was an inspirational figure, and a mentor to many. I’d also like to recognize the former Speakers in attendance today: Finally, I’d like to recognize former legislators who are present: Thank you all for being here. A year ago, as I welcomed you to the start of the 72nd General Assembly, I wasn’t shy about our bold plans to work on behalf of the people of Colorado. In my speech, I promised that as Speaker, I would work to keep this body focused on investing in our state’s bright future, building an economy that works for all, and protecting the Colorado Way of Life. As I stood at this podium and accepted the Speaker’s gavel, I talked about the obstacles our state faces. I called on all of you to put your ideas, your passion, and your determination to work towards lowering the cost of health care, investing in education, building a fair economy, tackling climate change, combatting homelessness and the housing crisis, confronting the opioid epidemic, and reforming our criminal justice system. Your response? One of the most historic, productive sessions in our state’s history. 120 long days flew by as the legislature wrote, discussed, debated 598 bills and 4,500 amendments. We passed laws that that are moving our state forward and protect the Colorado way of life for years to come. We proved that although inaction and gridlock may have the federal government in a headlock, good government is alive and well in the Centennial State. While Washington D.C. gets itself stuck in the mud it’s so busy slinging, our state moves forward. While some in D.C. are still looking for ways to repeal the Affordable Care Act and strip health care away from millions of Americans, we joined together, Republicans and Democrats, and found innovative ways to save consumers money on health care — like our bipartisan bill to prevent surprise medical bills from costing families thousands. As Congress continues its decade-long failure to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, here at home we passed a first-in-the-nation bipartisan bill to cap the cost of insulin. Although it wasn’t always easy, we took on some of the biggest challenges our state faces. While the Trump Administration denies scientific consensus on climate change and actively undermines efforts to address it by rolling back environmental protections left and right, we fought hard to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, the mountains we hike, and the rivers we fish. We took a measure to the voters and successfully secured new revenue for our water plan and passed landmark oil and gas reforms to give our communities a say in what goes on in their own backyards. We set our state down a path towards a clean energy future and set bold targets that we intend to meet while keeping our economy and the future of Colorado workers in mind. As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to act on behalf of all Coloradans, to strive to address the very real and dire challenges that are facing too many in our state, and to invest in our future. That’s what our constituents sent us here to do. I don’t know of a single parent in Colorado who doesn’t want their children to have a better life than they did. At least I know I do — I want Leo and Ryder to grow up in a more just, more compassionate, and more conscientious world. As a mom, that means trying to lead by example and pass on the values that I’d like to see in the world around me. In this House, that means working to build an economy that works for all. That’s why I was so proud last year when we delivered on equal pay for equal work and created college savings accounts to help families plan for their childrens’ future. Our effort to build an economy that works for all didn’t end there — we strengthened renters’ rights and the rights of mobile home park residents and made one of the largest investments in affordable housing in our state’s history. Despite our state’s unique budget constraints, we managed to make significant investments in our future. We paid down the budget stabilization factor by $100 million, boosting investment in our classrooms. We passed a budget that included $20 million for rural schools and $22 million for special education programs. And just in case you’ve never heard Governor Polis speak, I’ll have you know we also expanded full-day kindergarten to every school district in our state. We did great things last year and truly made a difference in the lives of people in every corner of our state, from the Western Slope to the Front Range and from Southern Colorado to the Eastern Plains. We worked around the clock–literally–on behalf of our constituents because this House belongs to them. We work for the people, and there is more work to be done. This year, we will strive to create a more just economy and to make our state affordable for all. So as long as there are families facing the harrowing prospect or the cruel reality of homelessness, this House moves forward. As long as there are Coloradans making the impossible choice of paying for prescription drugs or paying for groceries, this House moves forward. As long as there are teenagers attempting to take their own lives or fearing a school shooting, this House moves forward. As long as our schools are underfunded and our classrooms are overcrowded, this House must move our state forward. Nationally, this year may go down as one of the most bitter and divisive our nation has ever been through. Obstructionism, corruption, and partisan logjams have driven Washington from bad to worse. And while I remain hopeful that a change will soon come in DC, I invite you to join me in taking matters into our own hands to prove once again that government can still work for the people. The interim has flown by, and as we begin this new session, I am asking you to do it all again. Come to this job with fresh ideas for how we can make our state more affordable. Work together with diverse stakeholders on all ends of the political spectrum to find solutions. Coloradans need and are demanding a more affordable state and a more just economy. Too many people are not feeling the benefits of our state’s growth. That’s where our focus should be. Every Coloradan should have the opportunity to share in our state’s prosperity. To get there, we’ll have to have hard conversations and make difficult decisions, together. We’ll need Republicans and Democrats alike to work hard, listen to stakeholders on all sides, and come to the table ready to work. My door is always open, and all ideas that will improve the lives of Coloradans are ready to be considered. We will need everyone at the table working to make housing, health care, and higher education more affordable. We need everyone at the table working to create a more fair and more rational criminal justice system. We need everyone at the table to enhance the rights of state employees to collectively bargain for better pay, better working conditions and benefits. We need everyone at the table to promote responsible gun ownership and move forward on gun safety initiatives that have already been adopted on a bipartisan basis in states across the country. We need everyone at the table working to heed the call on climate change * and* protect workers and communities impacted by a changing climate and energy economy. We need everyone at the table to deliver on our school safety initiatives and increase access to mental health support, especially in our schools. I have no doubt in this body’s ability to work together and find bipartisan ways to get things done. House members have already reached across the aisle to make sure that we tackle the epidemic of teen nicotine use in our state. Last year we promised to deliver on paid family leave. We brought our state closer than it’s ever been to guaranteeing that every working Coloradan can take the time off they need to care for a loved one or a newborn without fear of financial ruin. The time is now. We need stakeholders on every side of the issue to return to the discussion and work out a paid family leave program that is fiscally sustainable, workable for business, and makes a real difference for working families. We’ll also need everyone to come back to the table to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing this state — our retirement crisis. Our population is aging and our economy is changing. Forecasts show that 1 in 5 residents will be over 65 by 2050. Meanwhile, more and more people in Colorado are participating in the gig economy and taking nontraditional jobs. A modern and flexible economy requires a modern and flexible retirement savings system — and that’s what we aim to achieve. As we move forward this session, we must keep in mind the unique challenges that our state’s fiscal policies present. Colorado is handcuffed by a restrictive and antiquated law that doesn’t allow the state to benefit from our booming economy and doesn’t let us make the investments we need. Transparency in our budget is critical so that Coloradans can easily learn about where their dollars go. That’s why I’m excited to announce that here in the next few months, a visual, interactive display of the state’s budget will be available for the public on the General Assembly website. This is a critical step in providing Coloradans with an accurate and accessible picture of our state’s finances to increase their trust in how we prioritize these dollars because every single dollar counts. Given our state’s restrictions, we have to keep in mind that our state’s revenue is precious. Every single dollar must be spent wisely. This means being thoughtful about any permanent decisions we make that could have an impact on our state’s bottom line. Permanent tax cuts that only further inequalities, exacerbate the achievement gap, make our higher ed institutions less competitive, and hinder our ability to meet our already dire transportation needs will not put us on the path to becoming a more prosperous and equitable state. How we prioritize within our budget is of vital importance. We need to ensure that all of our dollars are being used in service to key goals. While we’ve made substantial investments in K-12 education funding by paying down the budget stabilization factor, we’ll remain focused on ways to bring it down even further and will continue working on longer term school funding solutions. This session, we will once again face the challenge of finding new money to invest in our state’s transportation system. Over the past few years we’ve made great strides to make multi-year commitments and find creative ways to set aside a significant amount of funding for transportation. But there is no secret pot of money hiding in the couch cushions; continuing these investments remains a challenging issue. If we are going to find actual solutions to invest more in transportation, members on both sides of the aisle will have to bring forward specific solutions that voters haven’t already rejected and that are serious attempts at bipartisan solutions. Past proposals like unspecified, across the board budget cuts to every department impacting programs from services for the disabled to food inspections to school funding, is not a realistic approach and is not the answer. Cutting Coloradans off Medicaid isn’t the answer. Members need to show us where they believe this money should come from and make good faith efforts to find common ground. I know this is an issue that every single one of us cares about, and if we’re going to make progress, we need to do it together. I know we can do this. From criminal justice reform to the great work coming out of the School Safety Interim Committee, we’ve seen incredible bipartisan progress on important issues. We must continue this progress for the people of this state. Investing in our future will also mean continuing to grapple with a host of difficult health care challenges as we attempt to lower costs and improve access and affordability across our state. While we work to keep Colorado healthy and strong, we won’t be dissuaded by a small chorus of loud voices who let their fear drive them to ignore the science of vaccines and endanger the lives of others. We’ll stay strong and move forward on issues that may be difficult but that require our action and attention, like abolishing the death penalty once and for all in our state. This session, we will continue our work to lower the cost of prescription drugs — an issue that affects Coloradans from the newborn nursery room to the hospice wing and at every point in between. We can and will increase transparency in drug pricing and address the root causes that have made the costs of prescription drugs soar. Our work is cut out for us. As long as we keep in mind who we are working on behalf of, our path forward will remain clear. So join me, bring your best ideas to the table and let’s get things done. On behalf of every veteran and every family struggling to afford the cost of housing, come to the table. On behalf of future generations of Coloradans and their right to enjoy our state’s natural treasures just like we have, come to the table. On behalf of every young person caught in an unjust criminal justice system, come to the table. On behalf of every child in an underfunded classroom in Colorado and on behalf of the teacher working to give those kids the best education possible, come to the table. On behalf of every person living with a chronic illness who’s rationed their prescription drugs because they couldn’t afford the cost, come to the table. Come to the table and let’s move Colorado forward together — towards prosperity, towards justice, towards progress! This will be my last session serving as your colleague and your Speaker. It will be my last session representing the wonderful people of the 13th district under the golden dome. And while there’s a great deal left to do and a great deal of new memories to make before I close this chapter, I can already tell you that working here with you all has been the honor of a lifetime. It is with immense pride that I declare the House open for business for the second regular session of the seventy-second General Assembly of the great State of Colorado. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES ROBERTS-MCCLUSKIE BILL TO HELP LOWER THE COST OF HEALTH CARE (Apr. 11) – This morning, the House Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee unanimously approved a bill address the high costs of healthcare in Colorado. The bill is sponsored by Western Slope Representatives Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. SB19-004 will strengthen Colorado’s laws to allow healthcare cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections like coverage for preexisting conditions. It will also allow the State Insurance Commissioner to work with groups seeking to create co-ops so that they can get their co-op up and running as soon as possible. The bipartisan bill will help lower healthcare costs by encouraging consumers to negotiate rates on a collective basis directly with providers and offer plans to individuals, business, and other groups that are more affordable than what currently exists on the market. “A key part of lowering the cost of health care will be the formation of health insurance co-ops across the state where consumers collectively negotiate rates directly with providers,” said Rep. Roberts. “This bill will authorize the formation of these co-ops across the state which could result in plans that are significantly cheaper than those available today.” “In the absence of federal solutions to the health care crisis we face, Colorado communities are finding creative, innovative approaches to making health care more accessible. Health care co-ops can be one more viable option to provide relief,” said Rep. McCluskie. “I’m proud of the bipartisan bills we’ve worked to pass this session to help provide solutions to health care challenges hardworking families face every day.” Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, is the Senate sponsor of the bill. The Senate approved the bill on a bipartisan vote of 34-to-1 earlier this month. SB19-004 now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

The House today passed the “Freedom to Read Act” by a vote of 42-22. < Back April 14, 2025 House Passes “Freedom to Read Act” DENVER, CO – The House today passed the “Freedom to Read Act” by a vote of 42-22. SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries. “Knowledge is power, and our bill preserves access to age-appropriate literature in Colorado public schools,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “This legislation creates a standard process to evaluate a book’s inclusion or removal from a library – further shielding our public school libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights. Schools are for learning, and our students deserve access to age-appropriate books that encourage them to think more broadly and critically about the world.” “Free societies don’t ban books. This bill maintains access to a wide range of literature, including books that share the experiences and voices of marginalized communities,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Books offer a window to the world where students can explore new places, discover different cultures and dive deep into a new experience. The freedom to read is a cornerstone to a strong democracy, and we’re making sure our students have access to age-appropriate literature.” SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a standard policy on the acquisition, use and removal of library resources. The policy would ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair and consistent process. Without a policy in place, a local school board or the Charter School Institute could not remove a library resource from its collection. SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation. Previous Next