Search Results

< Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Getting to work for the Western Slope Jan 17, 2025 See more This story was originally published in the Craig Press here . As we begin the 2025 legislative session, I am honored to continue serving as your voice at the State Capitol, where my colleagues and I will spend the next 120 days tackling issues facing Coloradans. I am thrilled to share that the Speaker of the House, Julie McCluskie, appointed me as Chair of the House Education Committee, which holds special significance for me as both a teacher and legislator. I believe every Colorado student deserves the opportunity to thrive in safe, well-resourced schools. Additionally, I am excited to serve on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Water Committee, where I will ensure rural Colorado’s voice is heard. After spending months meeting with community members, leaders, and organizations, I am introducing several bills that address key challenges facing our communities. Building on last session’s achievements — which increased total education funding for K-12 schools by over $560 million and modernized our School Finance Act — my legislative priorities focus on education, rural healthcare, housing and making Colorado more affordable. Upcoming Legislation I am introducing several bills this legislative session, one of which was included in the first 10 House bills. The idea behind HB25-1006 came directly from the Eagle County School District and will help maximize resources by removing the current 10-year lease limitation on district properties when used for solar gardens or affordable housing. It is a win-win for meeting our climate goals and creating more housing in the high country. Across House District 26, I heard time and again concerns from educators regarding student cell phone use in schools. In my classroom, I have experienced how smartphones can impact student learning and mental health. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, I am championing legislation this session that would empower school districts to establish their own policies to help with student achievement and address mental health needs. Another bill I am working on will streamline the Division of Water Resources processes to improve water management across Colorado. The goal with this bill is to cut red tape while properly utilizing our valuable water resources. I am also working to strengthen protections for survivors of sexual assault by expanding the Civil Rape Shield Law which prevents unrelated details about a victim’s past to be included in civil court proceedings. Our Focus for 2025 From housing to child care, we have made important progress at the State Capitol to lower costs for working families. As we dive into this session, our focus remains clear — we are building upon our progress to make Colorado more affordable and safer while protecting your rights and freedoms, our investments in public education, and access to quality healthcare. With a tight budget year ahead, I’m committed to protecting our most vulnerable community members while maintaining crucial investments in education, healthcare and public safety. These priorities directly align with what I have heard from community members across House District 26, and I am excited to work alongside my colleagues to deliver results for our rural communities while ensuring Colorado remains a place where everyone can not only get by, but thrive. Please Reach Out As we dive into this legislative session, I remain committed to bringing our community’s pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to the State Capitol. The next four months will be filled with important decisions that impact our Western Slope communities. Your voice matters in this process, and I want to hear from you. Please reach out to my office at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov with your thoughts, concerns, or ideas, or join me at one of my upcoming town halls. Together, we can continue making our Western Slope communities even stronger. Rep. Meghan Lukens represents District 26, which includes Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Eagle counties, in the Colorado House. Previous Next

< Back June 30, 2022 HAPPY FISCAL NEW YEAR, COLORADO! House Dems highlight critical investments to move Colorado Forward in countdown to the new fiscal year that begins July 1, 2022. DENVER, CO – House Democrats today released a countdown to the Fiscal New Year, highlighting critical investments for FY 2022-2023 in K-12 education, behavioral health and housing, and wildfire mitigation and prevention. “Happy Fiscal New Year, Colorado!,” said JBC Chair Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m excited that school districts will receive nearly $550 more per student this year to improve K-12 education and that we are increasing state funding for schools that serve more at-risk and special education students. From saving people and businesses money to increasing access to behavioral health care and affordable homes, we’re making critical investments to meet the most pressing needs in our communities and protect the Colorado way of life. ” House Democrats’ Countdown to the Fiscal New Year: 10. $10 million for rural hospitals to improve health care services, increase access for rural patients, modernize health IT systems, and save people money on health care. ( SB22-200 ) 9. Nearly $900 million combined investment to save Coloradans money on housing and increase access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. ( Behavioral Health ; Housing ) 8 . Eight new laws that fund wildfire mitigation, response and recovery efforts in communities across Colorado and save homeowners money on wildfire mitigation. 7 . $700 million over two years for property tax relief for homeowners and businesses, helping save families money on housing and cutting costs for businesses statewide. The average homeowner will save $275 on their property taxes and many small businesses won’t see any increase at all. ( SB22-238 and SB21-293 ) 6. $600 million to save businesses money by replenishing the state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund that provided crucial benefits to workers during the pandemic. ( SB22-234 ) 5 . $550 more on average per student in state funding for K-12 public schools. This year, Colorado Democrats took a massive – and sustainable – step towards eliminating the budget stabilization factor and fully funding public K-12 education. The 2022 School Finance Act increases funding for public education by over $430 million. ( HB22-1390 ) 4 . Four million Coloradans will receive Colorado Cashback checks later this summer – $750 for single filers, $1,500 for joint filers! ( SB22-233 ) 3 . Three percent increase in funding for health care providers to help retain and attract the health care workforce Colorado needs. ( HB22-1329 ) 2. $200 million to respond to homelessness across the state, including investments in housing and services that help people find and maintain safe and stable living situations. 1 . One balanced budget investing in critical priorities to save people money, improve public education and protect the Colorado way of life! Previous Next

< Back April 3, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES REP. HEROD’S BILL TO REINSTATE VOTING RIGHTS FOR PAROLEES Colorado would join 14 other states in allowing those on parole to vote (Apr. 2) — The House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, that would reinstate the voting rights of individuals on parole. “Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to voter turnout and voter enfranchisement. We should be very proud of that fact,” said Rep. Herod. “We have the ability today as a legislative body to re-enfranchise more voters. Parolees are hardworking individuals who pay taxes, raise their families, contribute to their communities, and it’s about time we allow them to fully participate in our democracy.” HB19-1266 clarifies that people who are on parole have completed their “full term of imprisonment” upon release from prison, thereby restoring their right to vote. The bill would restore voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans who are now disenfranchised. Parolees are currently denied the ability to vote because current law defines the “full term of imprisonment” to include the period of parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has stated that the state legislature has the authority to redefine the “full term of imprisonment.” The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 7-2 and now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back February 8, 2023 Bill to Require Eco-Friendly Appliance Replacement Option Passes Committee This bill would allow Coloradans to replace broken gas appliances with electric appliances under warranty DENVER, CO – The House Energy and Environment committee passed legislation today that would allow homeowners to replace their under warranty gas appliances with electric appliances. HB23-1134 aims to give Coloradans more eco-friendly and energy efficient options when it comes to replacing their everyday appliances. “If your gas appliance breaks, you should be able to replace it under warranty with an eco-friendly electric option,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Our bill would give Coloradans the option of replacing their broken stove that relies on unpredictable natural gas prices with an electric equivalent. We’re giving Coloradans a choice when it comes to replacing gas-powered household appliances to help save them money and cut down on harmful indoor emissions.” “No one wants to deal with a broken water heater, but at least under our bill Coloradans have eco-friendly options when it comes to selecting a replacement,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “Our bill would give Coloradans the option of replacing their under warranty, unrepairable gas-powered appliances with electric models. Coloradans interested in making the switch from gas to electric appliances when their gas appliance is in need of replacement would have that option under this legislation.” HB23-1134 passed committee by a vote of 6-3 and would require home service warranty contracts that provide coverage for gas-fueled appliances to allow homeowners to replace them with electric-powered appliances if they are still covered under warranty. This bill aims to give consumers the option to replace their broken down gas powered appliances, including stoves, ovens, furnaces, HVAC systems, and water heaters, with an eco-friendly electric option. A growing body of research shows when used without proper ventilation, gas stoves emit unsafe levels of nitrogen oxides indoors. HB23-1134 would also require home warranty service contracts to describe minimum efficiency and performance standards for each gas-fueled appliance and for any electric replacements so consumers can make informed and cost-effective decisions. Previous Next

Legislation would save Coloradans money on housing by encouraging housing near transit options and supporting local efforts < Back March 7, 2024 Committee Approves Legislation to Incentivize Housing Near Transit Legislation would save Coloradans money on housing by encouraging housing near transit options and supporting local efforts DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to save people money on housing by building more housing near public transit, cycling and walking corridors, places of employment, and other centers of community. It would also provide financial support to cities, counties, and municipalities that meet their housing goals. HB24-1313 passed by a vote of 7-3. “We can all agree that housing affordability is at crisis levels in our state, and we have to act now,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “This legislation unlocks the door for more affordable housing near transit. Coloradans want and deserve shorter commutes and safe, walkable neighborhoods. This bill advances our climate and housing goals, and I’m grateful to the committee and all the stakeholders for helping us get this done.” “We all want a Colorado where our essential workers can afford their rent and families can buy a home, and this bill will help get us there,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Our bill reduces housing costs by removing burdensome barriers in order to encourage more housing near transit and job centers. It provides financial support to local governments that meet their housing goals. By building in a smart, strategic way, we can bring down the cost of living and prevent our loved ones and neighbors from being pushed out of our communities.” HB24-1313 would increase affordable housing options and help prevent Coloradans from being displaced from their communities by encouraging strategic housing development near transit and job centers. The bill empowers local governments to address Colorado’s housing needs and incentivizes them to build more housing by providing financial assistance to help meet their housing goals. It also aims to conserve our natural resources and improve our air quality to protect vulnerable communities from pollution-related health issues. The bill would establish Housing Opportunity Goals in areas close to transit services where qualifying cities and counties could build more housing. Subject jurisdictions would have the flexibility to decide where it makes sense to build more housing to ensure they are meeting the diverse needs of their communities. Jurisdictions could meet the Housing Opportunity Goals a number of different ways including increasing the maximum building height in multi-family and mixed-use zones, or allowing multi-family residences in commercial-only or single-family zones. Communities that meet their Housing Opportunity Goals would benefit from a new Affordable Housing Tax Credit and the Transit-Oriented Communities Infrastructure Fund to support their efforts in increasing housing opportunities near public transit, employment centers, safe biking and walking corridors. HB24-1313 applies to cities only if they are in Metropolitan Planning Organizations, have a population over 4,000, and have more than 75 acres of Transit Areas. Of the approximately 30 jurisdictions that would qualify under this bill, most are along the I-25 corridor. A recent poll found that 95 percent of Coloradans say the cost of renting or buying a home is a problem, with 70 percent saying that local governments aren’t doing enough to address this issue. Nearly 70 percent of Colorado voters also support a state law, like HB24-1313, to require cities and counties to allow more housing to be built near public transit and businesses and shopping areas while providing financial assistance for these projects. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation that would help Coloradans save money on their property insurance policies by requiring transparency in wildfire mitigation risk models and how they impact an individual’s insurance policy. HB25-1182, sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Kyle Brown, passed by a vote of 45-18. < Back March 20, 2025 House Passes Bill to Reduce Property Insurance Costs DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would help Coloradans save money on their property insurance policies by requiring transparency in wildfire mitigation risk models and how they impact an individual’s insurance policy. HB25-1182, sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Kyle Brown, passed by a vote of 45-18. “When Coloradans are properly informed about fire mitigation, they can be more strategic about the steps they take to protect their property from fire damage and correct any errors in their insurers’ records,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Insurance companies are increasingly using wildfire risk scoring and models to determine policy coverage and pricing, but the lack of transparency has left property owners confused about the policy decisions their insurers make. This bill promotes transparency and accountability in property insurance so Coloradans can take effective mitigation efforts that help bring down their insurance costs.” “Colorado Democrats’ fire mitigation laws help Coloradans protect their properties against wildfires, and this bill helps clarify how property owners can implement these strategies to drive down their insurance costs,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This legislation helps provide transparency behind wildfire risk score calculations so Coloradans can take the action they need to save money and protect their property from wildfire damage.” HB25-1182 would require an insurer to provide a written notice to each policyholder at the time of application, renewal, or nonrenewal. The notice would include plain-language explanations of the wildfire risk score or other classifications, a range of possible scores a property could be assigned, and the impact each mitigation action could have on a risk score or classification. Policyholders and applicants can appeal their wildfire risk model score, wildfire risk classification, or applicable mitigation discount if they believe it is inaccurate and can provide evidence of the mitigation efforts that should be considered. The insurer would notify the policyholder or applicant in writing of the right to appeal and acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 10 calendar days. They would be required to respond to the appeal with a reconsideration and decision within 30 calendar days. If an appeal is denied, the Commissioner can request a copy of the appeal and the insurer’s response. HB25-1182 would require insurers that consider parcel level and community wide mitigation efforts in their models to ensure that risk scores reflect actual resilience. An insurer that uses these models would be required to ensure property-specific mitigation actions and community-level mitigation activities or designations are accounted for in underwriting and pricing. If an insurer doesn’t incorporate these actions into their models, they shall provide discounts to policyholders who demonstrate these property or community-level mitigation actions. Previous Next

< Back November 20, 2022 Statements from the Colorado Springs House Delegation and the LGBTQ Caucus on the Shooting at Club Q DENVER, CO – Democratic Representatives and Representatives-elect from Colorado Springs and the Colorado LGBTQ Legislative Caucus Chair and Co-founder today released the following statements on the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs: Statement from Representatives-elect Stephanie Vigil and Regina English and Representative Marc Snyder: “This morning, our city is reeling. We are angry at this despicable violence targeting LGBTQ Coloradans, and heartbroken for the victims’ families and their loved ones. Club Q is a place of love and acceptance where people go to be themselves and celebrate life. To see that special place turn into a site of mass devastation is traumatizing. We will be here for the long road of recovery ahead for those who were injured in, witnessed, or responded to this violent attack. We will never stop fighting for our LGBTQ neighbors' freedom and safety in our community, and we will do everything we can to ensure we come together and heal from the pain and sorrow our city is feeling today.” Statement from Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, co-founder of the Colorado LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, and Majority Caucus Co-chair, Brianna Titone, Chair of the Colorado LGBTQ Legislative Caucus: “We are devastated. Club Q is a safe haven for LGBTQ Coloradans, and many of us have gone there over the years seeking solidarity and community. For that sense of safety to be shattered by this unspeakable act of violence impacts the entire LGBTQ community. On Trans Day of Remembrance, we have already been grieving the hate crimes that too often claim the lives of LGBTQ people simply because of who we are. From the acts of violence that target our community every day to the horrific shooting at the Pulse Nightclub, horrible tragedies like this have happened far too often, and they need to stop now. We must take urgent and meaningful action to reduce gun violence and prevent crimes that target and kill LGBTQ people.” Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2021 JUDICIARY SETS LIMITS ON USE OF KETAMINE DENVER, CO– The House Judiciary Committee today approved Representatives Leslie Herod and Yadira Caraveo’s bill to define the appropriate use of ketamine in law enforcement interactions. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Elijah McClain should still be alive today, and he’s not the only one whose life has been taken by the misuse of ketamine at a scene with law enforcement,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “We can’t allow the prehospital use of these drugs to go unchecked, and I’m glad we were able to come to a solution that works for Colorado. I am so grateful for the brave testimony of Elijah McKnight and others who shared their stories today. Passing this bill will help keep people safe and ensure that people are treated humanely by law enforcement. It’s the right thing to do.” “As a physician, I know that ketamine can have devastating, even deadly, consequences if used incorrectly,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “We shouldn’t be using these drugs lightly, especially outside of a hospital setting where a patient’s weight, medical history, and other relevant factors are unknown. The bill we advanced today will make law enforcement interactions safer and hopefully prevent tragedies like the ones we heard about in committee today.” HB21-1251 limits the use of ketamine to subdue an individual in pre-hospital settings. The federal government has scheduled ketamine as a controlled substance due to its associated risk factors, and emergency medical service providers, here referred to as ‘paramedics’ must seek waivers to administer ketamine since the drug is outside of their standard scope of practice. In one study , nearly a third of patients who received ketamine in a pre-hospital setting were eventually intubated, 16 times the rate of intubation when administered in an emergency department. Another study found that intubation was undertaken for 63% of patients who received ketamine in pre-hospital settings. The bill prohibits law enforcement from directing a paramedic to chemically incapacitate someone by administering ketamine except in limited circumstances. A paramedic must weigh an individual to ensure accurate dosage and if that’s not possible, at least two people present at the scene must agree with their weight estimation. The paramedic must be trained in the administration of ketamine and must attempt to obtain verbal authorization from a medical director before administering it. Lastly, there must be equipment on site to immediately monitor the vital signs and provide urgent transport. Among other changes, the bill requires a law enforcement officer to intervene and report to the POST board if they see another officer using ketamine on someone, which under the bill would constitute excessive use of force and could lead to permanent revocation of an officer’s POST certification if the incident results in death. Absent a justifiable medical emergency, a paramedic would be prohibited from using ketamine to sedate someone to aid in their arrest or restraint for alleged or suspected criminal conduct. Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2020 TELL COMMUNITIES WHEN TOXIC POLLUTION IS RELEASED! Legislation advanced to require public notification and direct outreach when toxic chemicals are released Denver, CO– The House Finance Committee today advanced Representatives Adrienne Benavidez and Alex Valdez’s bill to 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. The bill passed 7-4. “Our communities have a right to know when their industrial neighbors release dangerous levels of toxic and deadly chemicals into our air,” said Rep. Benavidez, D-Brighton. “Every Coloradan has a right to clean air and water, and the communities living in the shadows of these facilities, often communities of color and non-english speakers, must be immediately notified when dangerous chemicals are released.” “For too long, facilities that release toxic chemicals have repeatedly failed to provide timely and accurate information to the communities nearby. This needs to end,” said Rep. Valdez, D-Denver. “Our bill will require Suncor and other facilities that release toxic air pollution to notify their neighbors when they release harmful levels of deadly chemicals so that our communities have the information they need to respond appropriately and protect their health.” Toxic air pollution primarily affects those living and working closest to the facilities, which are primarily made up of minorities and lower income Coloradans. Some of these air toxins include Benzene, which can cause a variety of symptoms including respiratory complications, eye and skin irritation, headaches and more. Hydrogen cyanide , another chemical commonly released by factories, refineries and other such entities can cause damage to the central nervous system, which can cause headaches, dizziness, numbness, loss of vision and more symptoms. HB20-1265 requires 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 is supported by: Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) Sierra Club Conservation Colorado Colorado Latino Forum Earthjustice Western Resource Advocates Healthy Air and Water Colorado Environment Colorado CoPIRG Mi Familia Vota Together Colorado 350 Colorado Colorado Fiscal Institute Mothers Out Front Colorado National Parks Conservation Association Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILL TO ENSURE CULTURALLY COMPETENT HISTORY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS (May 28) – Gov Polis signed a bill by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, and Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, to ensure the inclusion of the history of American-Indians, Latinos, African-Americans and Asian-Americans in social studies courses in Colorado’s classrooms. “Our diversity is what makes our country and our state strong but for too long, individuals and communities that have moved or immigrated here and those that have been here for many centuries communities have been excluded from our teaching of history,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “With an increase in division among some of our communities, it will be beneficial for all children and youth to learn about each other’s background and to be able to see themselves in the history books.” HB19-1192 was signed at the Corky Gonzales Library in Denver. Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez is the granddaughter of Chicano leader Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales. Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, is the Senate co-prime sponsor. All three bill sponsors are Latinx women in their first year at the state legislature. “Teaching inclusive curriculum boosts test scores and student engagement,” said Rep. Buentello when the bill passed the House. “I’m proud to sponsor this bill to ensure that the history taught in our state is truly inclusive and tells our country’s full story.” This bill would establish a 16-member commission to provide recommendations to the Department of Education so that those standards and programs accurately reflect the history, culture, social contributions and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the contributions and influence of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans. Parents, teachers, administrators and school board members testified in support of the bill at the House Education committee hearing this year. ### Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2019 GOV SIGNS MCLACHLAN’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO RETAIN & ASSIST RURAL EDUCATORS (Mar. 25) – Gov. Jared Polis signed Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to help retain and assist rural educators today. “This bipartisan bill will help invest in our students and in our teachers. We must ensure teachers stay in our rural communities, in our state and in our classrooms,” s aid Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “I’m proud to stand up for our rural teachers and our students.” Rep. McLachlan is the chair of the House Education Committee and is a former public school teacher in Durango. SB19-009 sponsored in the House by Rep. McLachlan and Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida, provides financial incentives for educators to work in rural areas, where the teacher shortage is most severe. Under existing law, the department of higher education annually awards up to 40 stipends of not more than $2,800 to students enrolled in teacher preparation programs who agree to teach in a rural school or rural school district. The bill removes the limit on the number of stipends and increases the amount to $4,000. Previous Next

< Back April 19, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS BILL DENVER, CO – The House Transportation & Local Government Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to provide volunteer firefighters with more resources and tools to combat wildfires. “Colorado’s wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive — it is critical that we invest our firefighters so they have the tools they need to protect our land, homes and lives,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton. “The work of local fire departments will only become more difficult as climate change continues. So our bipartisan bill provides the funding our local fire departments need to upgrade old equipment, recruit new seasonal firefighters, improve training and address the behavioral health needs of our firefighters.” Resources For Volunteer Firefighters : SB22-002 , sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter and Perry Will would invest $5 million to better prepare local fire departments and their firefighters for wildfires. Specifically, this bill would make local volunteer fire departments eligible for reimbursement for wildland fire suppression activities, including equipment costs and volunteer firefighter recruitment, training and retention. Local fire departments will also be able to use funds from the Local Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Grant Program for the replacement or disposal of damaged or obsolete equipment. The bill also creates the Firefighter Behavioral Health Benefits Trust to provide behavioral health care services to firefighters and paid for by public employers. SB22-002 passed committee unanimously. As climate change elevates the threat of destructive wildfires in Colorado, this bill aims to provide funding to Colorado’s local fire departments so they have the resources needed to purchase necessary equipment, train seasonal firefighters and respond safely to wildfires. Previous Next