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< Back Jacque Phillips Rep. Phillips was a teen mom and a high school dropout. She waited tables while attending Aims Community College and went on to get a doctorate and a law degree. With the help of others and a lot of hard work, she became a special education attorney where she helps vulnerable students. Rep. Phillips remembers what it was like to struggle to make ends meet and will always fight for working families. Her priorities include making housing available as a path out of poverty, preserving our right to choose, ensuring economic and environmental justice for working people, and standing up for marginalized communities. She serves on the House Education and the Transportation, Housing and Local Government committees.

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill that would incentivize the development of condominium and townhome units to create more affordable housing options. HB25-1272, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, passed by a vote of 12-1. < Back March 18, 2025 Construction Defects Reform Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill that would incentivize the development of condominium and townhome units to create more affordable housing options. HB25-1272, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, passed by a vote of 12-1. “From building equity and generational wealth to lowering housing costs, condos offer numerous benefits to Coloradans looking to buy their first home,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Rising rent and housing prices have made it nearly impossible for hardworking Coloradans to save enough money to buy a home at the median price tag of $550,000. After years of hard work, I'm thankful for everyone who worked closely with us to help craft this bill so we can spur new housing options that Coloradans can afford and offer more Coloradans a fair shot at the American Dream.” “With a shortage of over 100,000 homes across our state and a decrease in condominium development, it's becoming increasingly difficult for first-time homebuyers to find housing they can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Offering a variety of housing options is a critical piece in making homeownership a reality for more Coloradans. This legislation would help increase the availability of high-quality starter homes in the market to create more affordable housing options that work for every budget.” HB25-1272 aims to reform construction defect laws by encouraging condo builders to work with third-party inspectors to help identify and correct any construction issues upfront, establishing clear guidelines for construction defect claims, and adjusting the statutes of limitation for construction defect claims. Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill would create the Multi-Family Construction Incentive Program. Builders could opt into this program if they offer a warranty for any defect and damage and hire a third-party inspector to periodically review the construction throughout the building process. Builders in the program would be protected from construction defect action unless the claim has resulted in damage that meets the outlined criteria. Under HB25-1272, a homeowner who purchased a property built under the program would have six years to bring an action for damages if the builder provides a warranty that meets minimum coverage requirements. The homeowner would have a duty to mitigate damage alleged to be caused by a defect and notify the builder, who must offer a fix to any defect claims. If the issue is not resolved through this warranty process, the homeowner may proceed with a defect claim. The bill would exempt a construction professional participating in the program from liability for a damage or defect if they can prove the damage or defect was caused by: Certain weather conditions, an act of war, terrorism or vandalism, A homeowner’s unreasonable failure to timely mitigate damages or complete ongoing home maintenance, Misuse, abuse, or neglect after the sale to the claimant. From 2007 to 2022, the number of condo developers working in Colorado declined by 84-percent in part due to the potential for expensive lawsuits. Meanwhile, the median age of first-time homebuyers in Colorado rose from 35 to 38 in the past year. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to prohibit facility fee charges for preventative care and telehealth appointments to save Colorado patients money. < Back April 17, 2023 Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Hospital Costs Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to prohibit facility fee charges for preventative care and telehealth appointments to save Colorado patients money. “Surprise bills like hospital facility fees are making it more difficult for Coloradans to seek the care that they need because they can’t afford to be surprised by hundreds or thousands of dollars in hidden costs,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We need hospital billing to be more transparent for both health centers and Colorado patients so there is a common understanding of what the health care industry can charge and so patients know what to expect. By passing this bill to protect patients, Coloradans will save money and won’t be billed for many exorbitant facility fees.” “Preventative care is crucial to identify and address health care concerns before they become too aggressive to manage without expensive treatments,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Without preventative care, hospitals bear the cost of expensive services due to worsened health conditions, especially if the patient is unable to afford these emergency services. By prohibiting facility fees on preventative care and telehealth appointments, Coloradans will save money on care that keeps them healthy and alive and avoid surprise fees they can’t afford.” Some health care centers have started to charge patients hidden fees, often called a facility fee, on top of the health care services they are already being charged to cover operating costs. These fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars and are impossible for families to budget for, since there is no transparency as to how these fees will be applied. HB23-1215 prohibits health care providers from charging a facility fee for outpatient telehealth or preventative care. Health care providers would also be required to share information about facility fees to patients and post information on their property. The bill makes it a deceptive trade practice to not share facility fee information to patients. The bill also requires a report to be produced by December 1, 2023 that outlines the details of the impact of facility fees to better understand what these fees cover and how these fees impact patient cost and patient health. An annual report will also be required to improve data collection on facility fees and to increase transparency on the effects of these added costs. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2021 COLORADO COMEBACK BILLS ADVANCE Budget integrity, workforce development, support for unhoused individuals, state park investments, food bank funding, and economic relief all move forward DENVER, CO– The House today advanced several Colorado Comeback bills that will create jobs and help Colorado recover stronger by investing in workforce development initiatives, improving our state parks, expanding nutrition assistance, and ensuring Colorado’s budget is positioned to support the future growth of the state. SB21-027 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Kerry Tipper, would help new and recent parents care for their children by ensuring that diaper essentials are available to all low-income families in Colorado. The bill provides $4 million for this purpose and asks the Colorado Department of Human Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to administer diaper distribution centers. Despite the high cost of diapers and estimates that show about 1 in 3 U.S. families report needing more diapers, diapers cannot be purchased through public assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Woman, Infants, and Children program (WIC). The bill was amended to include $5 million in food pantry assistance that will be financed with federal ARPA funds. SB21-242 , sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, provides $30 million in federal funding for grants and loans for local governments and nonprofits to purchase underutilized hotels, underutilized motels and other underutilized properties for the purpose of providing shelter or affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Grant recipients, local governments and nonprofits are encouraged to invest in hotels and motels that are women and minority-owned, as well as those that are ADA compliant. The legislation also provides direct assistance to workers who were unable to receive prior federal and state relief. “Communities across Colorado are struggling to help people who are unhoused to find affordable places to live so they can get back on their feet,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “There are a lot of properties that could easily be converted into stable housing options. The bill we advanced today will channel $30 million in federal resources to provide shelter for Coloradans who need it, and it will provide direct assistance to workers who have been unable to receive pandemic relief in order to help more people avoid homelessness.” HB21-1330 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie and Naquetta Ricks, uses federal funds to provide a $50 million boost to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative. The funding will increase access to robust pathways for workers to obtain news skills, earn higher wages and be prepared for the in-demand careers of the future. The bill seeks to rebuild and revitalize the state’s workforce by supporting students to complete their postsecondary credentials. The funding boost will be used to reverse the significant decline in enrollment in public higher education institutions, high rates of job loss and continuing unemployment, and the overall disruption to the workforce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides $1.5 million in grant funding to school districts to increase the number of students who complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) student aid applications before graduating high school. “As a refugee, I know firsthand that Colorado holds tremendous opportunities for people who work hard to build successful careers and thrive,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “For too many Coloradans, however, the American Dream is becoming harder to achieve, and the pandemic has only set them back. The bill we advanced today will direct $50 million in federal funds to help workers and students complete degree and skills certificate programs so they can learn critical skills, find and fill good jobs, and bounce back stronger.” HB21-1326 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Perry Will, would invest $25 million in federal funds to improve Colorado state parks. The bill provides: $750,000 to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to support backcountry avalanche safety programs; $3.5 million to the Division of Parks and Wildlife to implement its statewide wildlife action plan and the conservation of native species; $2.25 million to the search and rescue fund for use by the Department of Local Affairs in consultation with the division to support backcountry search and rescue efforts; $1 million to the outdoor equity fund for use by the division to implement the outdoor equity grant program; $17.5 million for state park staffing and maintenance and infrastructure and development projects. SB21-288 , sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar and Representative Alex Valdez, creates the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021 Cash Fund to hold the funding the state is receiving from the federal act. It also details how the fund will operate. “The legislature is listening to our communities and charting a responsible course to spend federal stimulus funds in a way that ensures the voices of diverse stakeholders across Colorado are included,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “ This bill ensures we spend these resources consistent with what our communities expressed during the statewide listening tour. Colorado is going to set an example for how to put federal resources to use to make transformational changes that help our state recover faster and build back stronger.” SB21-289 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Shannon Bird, creates the Revenue Loss Restoration Cash Fund, which will hold $1 billion of the federal funds to fortify the state budget and maintain fiscal integrity as Colorado bounces back. The funds will be deployed in future budget years to support critical priorities, such as K-12 education, housing, seniors, state parks and agriculture programs. The funds essentially buy down future obligations now to bolster the long-term health of Colorado’s state budget. “One of the most responsible ways we can use federal stimulus funds is to buy down future budget items now–that way as our state grows, we’ll be able to protect funding for K-12 education, housing, seniors, state parks and critical government services,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “The $1 billion we’re saving now will help Colorado build back stronger over the long-run and ensure we have the resources we need to sustain our recovery.” SB21-291 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Kevin Van Winkle, creates the Economic Recovery and Relief Cash Fund to respond to the economic impacts of the pandemic. It allocates $848 million for economic stimulus and relief initiatives that will be recommended through a robust interim committee process involving a diverse set of stakeholders from across the state. Additionally, it directs $40 million to the Strategic Fund in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade in order to incentivise companies to create jobs in Colorado and small businesses to relocate to rural Colorado. “While we are thankful for the significant federal relief that has come to Colorado, we know that many businesses are still struggling to get back to where they were before COVID-19,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This important bill will allow us to take the next six to eight months to see where there are gaps in the existing relief and tailor policies that will help as many businesses and workers as possible.” SB21-243 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie, directs $21 million in federal funds toward the state’s emergency public health response. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2021 USE OF RESTRICTIVE HOUSING IN JAILS RESTRICTED BY THE HOUSE DENVER, CO– Today the House passed Representative Judy Amabile’s bill to prohibit local jails from placing certain individuals, like people with serious mental health disorders or pregnant women, in solitary confinement. The bill passed third reading by a vote of X-X. “The psychological stressors of solitary confinement are tantamount to torture, and can have deep, devastating consequences for minors and individuals with serious mental illness,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “By putting guard rails around the use of restrictive housing, we can prevent tragic suicides and instances of self harm. Incarcerated individuals don’t check their human rights at the county jail’s door- I’m proud that we voted in favor of a more compassionate criminal justice system today.” Multiple studies have shown that restrictive housing, also known as solitary confinement, can create psychological stress that clinically compares to the distress of physical torture. According to the National Commission on Correctional Health Care , prolonged solitary confinement is cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, and harmful to an individual’s health. A 2012 study commissioned by the US Attorney General found that “confined youth who spend extended periods isolated are among the most likely to attempt or actually commit suicide.” The Colorado Department of Corrections and Division of Youth Services both banned the use of long-term solitary confinement in 2017. HB21-1211 would prohibit local jails with a bed capacity of 400 beds or more from placing individuals in restrictive housing if they meet one of several characteristics, including if the individuals are under 18 years old, have a serious mental illness or neurocognitive, visual or auditory impairment, or are pregnant or in the postpartum period. The bill requires that when individuals are placed in solitary confinement involuntarily, jail staff checks on them multiple times an hour and notifies a medical or mental health professional within an hour of placement, as well as the individual’s legal representative or emergency contact within 12 hours of placement. To keep someone in solitary confinement for more than 15 days in a 30-day period would require the sheriff’s office to obtain a written court order. The bill also requires jails to keep records of data regarding individuals placed in restrictive housing. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill that aims to improve perinatal health outcomes, especially in Black and historically marginalized communities. < Back May 4, 2024 Bill to Improve Black Maternal Health Care Coverage, Improve Birth Outcomes Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill that aims to improve perinatal health outcomes, especially in Black and historically marginalized communities. SB24-175, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Iman Jodeh, would require large employers to cover doula services. “Addressing the access gap in health care coverage is the first step we can take to reduce our country’s maternal mortality rate, which is far too high and disproportionately high for Black, American Indian and rural mothers,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “To improve health outcomes for expecting mothers, including those in rural and remote areas, we need to ensure they have access to a range of perinatal care and that it’s covered by their insurance.I’m proud to sponsor this bill to keep expecting mothers and their newborns safe.” “As a new mother myself, I want the best possible outcomes for all expecting mothers. Yet, our country’s maternal mortality rate reflects a different reality, especially for Black mothers,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh. “This bill works to combat the maternal mortality rate by encouraging hospitals to focus on improving their maternal or infant health outcomes, expanding insurance coverage for doula services and improving health equity training for birthing health care providers.” SB24-175 , passed the House by a vote of 49 to 11, would require large employer health benefit plans to cover doula services in alignment with Medicaid. The bill would also instruct hospitals that provide labor and delivery or neonatal care services to participate in at least one maternal or infant health quality improvement initiative. Under this bill, CDPHE would create a program that provides financial support to hospitals in rural areas, hospitals serving a higher percentage of Medicaid and uninsured patients, or hospitals with lower-acuity maternal and neonatal care. The department is directed to health outcome and disparity data, particularly among American Indian, Native Alaskan, and Black birthing populations. Lastly, the bill requires coverage of over-the-counter and prescribed choline supplements for pregnant people. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. According to the CDC, multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality of and access to health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. SB24-175 intends to address systemic racism in health care and develop better care for historically marginalized communities. Previous Next

Legislation aims to leverage hundreds of millions of federal dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act and position state to meet climate goals < Back May 22, 2024 Governor Signs Bills that Revitalize Colorado’s Community Solar Program, Modernize Electric Grid Legislation aims to leverage hundreds of millions of federal dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act and position state to meet climate goals BOULDER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of legislation that revitalize Colorado’s community solar program , set new standards for equitable clean energy policy, and modernize Colorado’s energy distribution systems. SB24-207 , sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, as well as Representatives Alex Valdez, D-Denver, and Matt Soper, R-Delta, is a bipartisan law that will put Colorado in a strong position to leverage hundreds of millions of federal dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act to expand access to the clean energy transition, upgrade Colorado’s electric grid, and reduce energy costs. “Colorado has ambitious goals of rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity generation, building heating and cooling, water heating, and industrial fuel uses,” said Fenberg. “Our bills remove barriers to renewable energy, so every Coloradan who wants to access clean energy will be able to do so at a cost that won’t break the bank. With unprecedented federal funding opportunities through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, now is the time to revitalize Colorado’s grid and solar programs to meet our climate goals.” “Colorado is committed to meeting our renewable energy goals, and this new law will make it easier for Coloradans to harness renewable energy power, no matter what their living situation is,” said Valdez. “This is an exciting bipartisan bill that allows Coloradans to utilize solar power even if they don’t have rooftop access of their own, saving them money and helping Colorado transition to green energy.” “After the major power outages at the beginning of April, it was clear that utilities need to do more to guarantee energy resiliency during extreme weather or natural disasters,” said Hansen. “We need a strong electricity system to make sure we can reduce emissions, lower consumer costs, and improve reliability. A part of this also includes making Colorado’s community solar program more accessible to lower-income individuals and renters. Together, these policies will support our transition to clean energy while saving folks money on their energy bills” Community solar projects generate electricity that flows directly to the electricity grid. Community solar subscribers pay for a share of the electricity generated by the project, and then receive bill savings on their electricity bill in the form of a monthly credit. Community solar paired with storage alleviates stress on the grid and avoids costly transmission system upgrades. Colorado was the first state in the nation to pass community solar legislation - however, only one percent of Xcel’s customers are able to participate in community solar due to the program’s outdated design and limited size. The law improves the future of community solar in Colorado by: Requiring investor-owned utilities to continue allowing for the development of community solar projects; Reserving at least 51 percent of community solar projects for income-qualified residential subscribers; Delivering income-qualified residential customers a 25 percent bill credit discount, which increases to up to 50 percent with federal tax credits; Adopting subscriber enrollment methods and consumer protections; and Giving the Public Utilities Commission discretionary authority to evaluate community solar program requirements in 2028 and beyond. In order to accomplish Colorado’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meet state and federal decarbonization targets, Colorado’s electric grid needs updating. The second law, SB24-218 , also sponsored by Fenberg and Hansen, as well as Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, includes a suite of policy changes to modernize and prepare the electric grid for the future. Improving the distribution system helps communities and utility consumers electrify heating and cooling in buildings, accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and solar energy, and reduce air pollution. “Colorado Democrats are making significant progress on environmental protections, and this law helps our state prepare for more electrification,” said Duran. “It’s crucial that we continue our efforts to combat climate change, which is why we passed this law to better expand our capacity to distribute electricity, support our workers, and create jobs.” “Addressing the threats of climate change is a top priority of mine at the Capitol, and I am proud that our legislation is now Colorado law,” said Brown. “Renewable energy is on the rise, and we have to ensure our infrastructure is up-to-date to accommodate our new energy systems. This new law will boost our economy and modernize our electrical grid to ensure a safe and smooth transition to renewable energy.” Coloradans have faced delays when installing electric vehicle chargers or rooftop solar, and delays in meeting our larger transportation and building electrification goals will persist if the distribution system isn’t updated. The law directs investor-owned utilities with more than 500,000 customers (qualified utility) to modernize the electric grid to the benefit of customers and to achieve state energy goals by: Improving distribution system planning to ensure investments meet transportation and building electrification goals, support distributed energy resources, and prepare for a changing energy marketplace; Addressing the cost allocation for infrastructure upgrades to avoid one customer paying for the cost of a system upgrade that would support state electrification goals and benefit other customers; Providing a long-term structure for how utilities will recover costs for distribution system upgrades while maintaining rate stability; Making workforce investments to provide the skilled workforce required to achieve these infrastructure upgrades; Clarifying the process and timeline for accommodating beneficial electrification loads and connecting customer-sited distributed energy resources to the qualified utility electrical grid; Establishing a Virtual Power Plant program that can help save customers money by taking advantage of distributed energy resources; and Expanding the undergrounding of powerlines and other community benefit investments to avoid the risks of wildfires and power outages during severe weather events. 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On August 7, two new laws go into effect which will make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans, and will expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. < Back August 2, 2024 Bills to Improve Prescription Label Accessibility, Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - On August 7, two new laws go into effect which will make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans, and will expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. “The information on prescription labels provides important details that enable patients to safely and effectively take medication – we need to ensure blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans can readily access this information,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB24-1115. “If you can’t access the label of your prescription medication, it could lead to negative health consequences, even death. This law allows Coloradans to have agency over their health care by making sure prescription labels are accessible for blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans.” “All patients deserve to have access to accommodations that meet their unique needs so that they can consistently receive critical information about their medications,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “Prescription medications are critical to maintaining one’s health, and a lack of access to information about prescription medications can have serious, life-threatening consequences, such as accidentally taking an incorrect medication or dosage. This important new law will help blind, visually impaired, and print disabled Coloradans stay healthy and safe while maintaining their independence.” “Prescription labels outline important information related to dosage and frequency, and this law makes labels more accessible to blind or visually and print-impaired Coloradans,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1115. “Our law will increase reading accessibility of prescription labels so that blind, and visually impaired Coloradans can access the live-saving and critical information they need. We’re committed to improving accessibility throughout our state, and this law tackles prescription labels as an important part of that effort.” HB24-1115 will require a pharmacy to provide blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans with access to prescription drug label information. The law requires pharmacies to, upon request, provide patients with: An electronic label, like a QR code, on the container that can transmit the label information and instructions to the person’s accessibility device, A no-cost prescription drug reader that provides the label information in an audio format, Prescription drug label information in braille or large print, or Any other method recommended by the US Access Board. The law also permits a pharmacy 28 days to provide a specific method of access that they have not yet utilized, if requested by a patient. Additionally, it creates the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program to provide grants to pharmacies for the purchase of equipment used to create accessible prescription labels. “With this law going into effect, we’re boosting Colorado’s behavioral health care workforce,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1002. “Social workers are critical to the success of our state’s overall behavioral health care system, and we must do everything we can to attract and retain these skilled professionals. By creating a social work licensure compact, already licensed social workers can begin practicing in Colorado more quickly to give Coloradans the whole-person behavioral healthcare they need and deserve.” “The need for social workers in Colorado is clear, so we are working to break down barriers and allow more skilled professionals to join our workforce,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, sponsor of HB24-1002 . “When we support the behavioral health care needs of Coloradans, it’s a win-win for the safety of our communities and our economy.” “We need to use every tool available to us to improve behavioral health care access for Coloradans,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB24-1002. “This law makes it easier for licensed social workers in participating states to begin working in Colorado, which is particularly helpful for military spouses who often relocate. With this law going into effect, we’re removing barriers to entering Colorado’s behavioral health care workforce and streamlining care for Coloradans across the state.” HB24-1002 creates new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. Also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, this bipartisan law creates the "Social Work Licensure Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed social workers in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state. Previous Next

< Back June 6, 2020 THREE ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS PASS THE HOUSE Denver, CO– The House today passed three bills to increase fines and penalties to corporate polluters accountable, require public notification and direct outreach when toxic chemicals are released, and set stringent guidelines for the testing and use of PFAS-based AFFF firefighting foam in order to protect firefighters and prevent the chemicals from entering Colorado’s groundwater sources. HB20-1265 , Representatives Adrienne Benavidez and Alex Valdez’s bill would protect Colorado communities from toxic chemicals that are emitted from many refineries, factories, coal plants and other facilities. These air toxins heavily impact the communities that live close by and can cause a number of documented health complications. This bill would require facilities to conduct outreach in english and spanish and notify the surrounding communities when they release toxic levels of benzene, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide into the air. The requirement applies to anticipated or unanticipated incidents, including as a result of a malfunction, start-up, shutdown, upset or emergency. The bill passed 39-25. “Those who are most directly affected by toxic emissions are often communities of color, low-income communities, and non-English speaking communities,” said Rep. Benavidez, D-Adams County. “They have a right to know when industry releases dangerous toxic and deadly chemicals into the air their children breathe, and this bill will ensure that’s the case. Reverse 911 is simply notification!” “Knowledge is power, and today we voted to empower communities when their air in their neighborhoods has been poisoned with dangerous levels of toxins,” said Rep. Valdez, D-Denver. “Today we’re standing up for our neighborhoods, our families, and our state.” HB20-1119 , sponsored by Representatives Tony Exum and Lois Landgraf, sets stringent guidelines for the testing and use of PFAS-based AFFF firefighting foam in order to protect firefighters and prevent the chemicals from entering Colorado’s groundwater sources. Training and testing with AFFF fire fighting foam is one of the leading causes of PFAS contamination and exposure. HB20-1119 sets out clear guidelines for when AFFF fire fighting foam (PFAS-based firefighting foam) can be tested, requiring that all AFFF foam be collected and properly disposed of after testing so that it doesn’t enter drinking water sources. The bill also requires the state to certify and register every facility that possesses PFAS fire fighting substances and to create standards for the disposal and capture of these substances when they are used so that they do not contaminate groundwater. The bill passed 61-3. “PFAS chemicals put our firefighters and our communities at risk, and there’s more we can do to ensure that firefighters aren’t exposed to these cancer-causing chemicals and that they don’t end up in our drinking water,” said Rep. Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “This bill will help our state identify where PFAS is being tested and ensures that it is collected and disposed of properly so firefighters and our communities aren’t exposed.” Finally, HB20-1143 , sponsored by Reps. Dominique Jackson and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, would hold polluters accountable by increasing criminal penalties for the pollution of state waters and raising the maximum daily fine for civil air and water quality violations. The bill would also give the Attorney General jurisdiction over the aforementioned criminal complaints. The bill passed 40-24. “There’s no excuse for polluting the air we breathe and the water our children drink,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora. “Today we took a bold step forward towards holding big, corporate polluters accountable for infringing on the rights of Coloradans to enjoy clean air and water.” “Holding corporate polluters accountable is not just about protecting our environments, it’s about protecting our neighborhoods and our communities,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “Increasing civil violation fines and criminal violation penalties will not only ensure that those who pollute our air and water pay the right price, it will prevent future violations from happening in the first place.” Previous Next

< Back April 24, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES ROBERTS-JACKSON STUDENT LOAN SERVICER ACCOUNTABILITY BILL Coloradans issued over 1000 complaints against loan services in 2017 (Apr. 24) — The House approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Dominique Jackson that would help prevent fraud and misconduct, and improve transparency on student loan servicers. “By passing this bill we can ensure borrowers are not steered away from the best borrowing option for them and are not the victims of deception,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “This is one of the most pressing issues for my generation and people my age are growing frustrated with the inaction of their elected leaders on this issue. Student debt in Colorado has ballooned from $19 billion to over $27 billion in just three years – we can no longer wait to act. This is a crucial step that we can take for generations and generations to come and help borrowers repay their loans as quickly as possible.” This bill would include student loan servicers in the Uniform Consumer Credit Code to establish licensing requirements for these service providers. It also empowers the Colorado Attorney General’s office to field, review, and attempt to resolve any complaints by borrowers against service providers. “I put myself through undergraduate school and a very expensive graduate program. I took out a lot of student loans,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora, told the committee. “It’s not just my colleagues’ generation, it’s mine too. I don’t get to retire because I have this debt and I feel like I will die with this student loan debt.” In 2017, Coloradans issue over 1,000 complaints against loan service providers. That is a 78 percent increase compared to previous years, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. SB19-002 passed on a vote of 40-24 with every House Republican voting to leave student loan borrowers unprotected from fraud and misconduct. The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments. The Senate approved the bill on a bipartisan vote of 27-8 in March. The Senate sponsors are Sen. Faith Winter and Sen. Steve Fenberg. Previous Next

SB25-020 will increase compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide < Back May 29, 2025 ICYMI: Legislation to Ensure Safe Housing and Strengthen Renter Protections Signed Into Law SB25-020 will increase compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide DENVER, CO – Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill to ensure safe housing and strengthen renter protections by expanding the Attorney General’s and local governments’ authority to enforce landlord-tenant laws. SB25-020 is sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. It allows the Colorado Attorney General to seek any penalties or use any enforcement mechanisms available under landlord-tenant laws to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, as well as documentation requirements for housing agreements, and extends protections regarding bed bug infestations in residential homes. The bill gives counties and municipalities the ability to enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce. “In recent years, we have worked hard to strengthen renters’ protections and level the playing field between tenants and landlords,” said Gonzales. “When apartment buildings fall into disrepair because of neglect and mismanagement, it throws tenants’ lives into chaos, jeopardizes safe living conditions, and disrupts their ability to simply get through their day. This new law empowers local governments and the Attorney General to enforce the laws we already have on the books by holding neglectful management companies who have a pattern and practice of disregarding our safe housing laws to account, with the goal of ensuring that all Coloradans can live in safe and healthy housing.” “As an Aurora legislator, I’m proud to sponsor this new law to ensure renters don’t have to spend multiple years fighting corporate landlords for basic rights,” said Lindsay. “When negligent landlords allowed several properties in my community to fall into disrepair, the city had limited tools to address the issues. This law builds on past work Colorado Democrats have done to ensure renters can live in safe conditions by empowering counties and municipalities to enforce tenant protection laws. No one deserves to live among rodents or without functioning heat or cooling systems, and this law will help ensure Coloradans have a safe place to live.” “For too long, bad actors in property management have ignored tenant complaints, neglected basic repairs, and left communities in crisis. This must end,” said Weissman. “Recent events in Aurora and Denver highlight the urgent need for stronger tools to protect renters. Violations of our state’s safe housing laws cannot be ignored – especially in a housing crisis where every rental unit matters. SB20 is narrowly focused on tackling cases of chronic neglect where tenants have been left without options for far too long.” “This law will hold negligent landlords accountable when they illegally ignore dangerous living conditions,” said Mabrey. “By giving the Attorney General, counties and municipalities more authority to enforce tenant protection laws, Colorado renters will have more advocates in their corner to fight for safe housing. Colorado Democrats are committed to not only making housing more affordable, but also ensuring that these affordable housing options are a safe and healthy place to live.” SB25-020 also establishes a process where, only in severe cases with a pattern of neglect, residential housing may be placed into receivership – a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The law outlines the process for receivership cases, including providing proper notice to parties, defining powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and establishing the process for ending receiverships. Previous Next

SB25-200 will require universal dyslexia screening for early elementary students in Colorado < Back May 23, 2025 Bill to Support and Identify Elementary Students with Dyslexia Signed Into Law SB25-200 will require universal dyslexia screening for early elementary students in Colorado WESTMINSTER, CO – The Governor today signed into law bipartisan legislation to jumpstart early identification, support, and clear communication with parents or guardians for elementary school students with dyslexia SB25-200 is sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, and Matt Soper, R-Delta. This new law will require schools to either adopt a universal dyslexia screening tool or develop a process to identify students in early elementary grades who exhibit characteristics of dyslexia, adding to existing reading interventions in the Colorado READ Act . “Supporting students with dyslexia requires a different approach than supporting those with general reading challenges – they need specific tools to succeed,” said Kolker. “The vast majority of other states already require universal dyslexia screenings, and with this law, Colorado is stepping up. Early intervention is everything, and every child deserves the opportunity to succeed with the right information and support.” “Dyslexia is the most commonly diagnosed learning disability, yet Colorado schools do not have a universal screening process,” said Hamrick. “As a former teacher, I know early intervention is key to setting our students on a pathway to success. Our new, bipartisan law will require Colorado schools to implement a universal dyslexia screening to ensure our elementary students receive the support, resources and tools they need to thrive.” “My ‘why’ for this bill is my amazing daughter, who has dyslexia,” said Mullica. “Even as a family actively involved in her education, we struggled to get her the support she needed to thrive. The screenings schools currently use for reading challenges don’t go far enough, and one-size-fits-all interventions simply don’t work. By implementing universal, early dyslexia screenings through this law, we can ensure that no child – regardless of their background or circumstance – falls through the cracks.” According to the Colorado Department of Education, dyslexia affects about 15 to 20 percent of the population, making it the most commonly diagnosed learning disability. Early intervention for dyslexia significantly improves educational outcomes. Before this law, Colorado was one of only seven states that did not mandate screenings for dyslexia. Previous Next