HB24-1017 would establish critical statutory rights for foster youth, including freedom from discrimination, harassment and access to basic care < Back February 9, 2024 Bill of Rights for Foster Youth Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to establish a Bill of Rights for Foster Youth by a vote of 43 to 19. HB24-1017 outlines critical rights to empower and protect foster youth, including freedom from discrimination, harassment, access to basic care and freedom of gender, cultural and religious expression. “To empower our foster youth, we need to establish in statute their freedoms and rights,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “This legislation is about protecting our youth’s access to the personal care and education they deserve and the freedom to express themselves and not be discriminated against. I’m extremely proud of the role our foster youth played in developing this legislation, an important step toward giving them the tools they need to not only succeed, but thrive.” “Through my experience as a foster parent, I understand the sacred trust that must exist between the youth in our system and their host families in order to have the best outcomes for everyone involved,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . “This bill is about ensuring foster youth have full knowledge of the protections and rights their foster families are already obligated to provide them. Through this legislation, we’re helping empower the most vulnerable kids in our communities to be treated with respect, dignity and understanding.” HB24-1017 establishes critical statutory rights for youth living in foster care, requires county human service departments to provide written notice to foster youth about their rights, and clarifies the enforcement of these rights. The rights of foster care youth include: Access to education, basic essentials, and health care The right to confidentiality and privacy Freedom from discrimination or harassment Freedom of thought, cultural and ethnic practice, and religion Freedom to express gender identity Freedom from threats, punishment, retaliation for asking questions, stating concerns, or making complaints about violations of their rights Access to services, placements, and programs they are eligible for and notification of the benefits they are eligible for The ability to request information on how payments were used by individuals who accepted payments for the youth The right to receive appropriate placement and care, including being placed in a safe environment that is free of abuse, having their preferences regarding placement considered, and having providers who are aware of their history The right to timely court proceedings and effective case management The right to a timely notification to the Social Security Administration to initiate the transfer of benefits from providers to youth who are leaving the custody of the department The right to access and communicate privately with caseworkers, legal representatives, advocates, probation officers, and other professionals The ability to participate in legal proceedings and case planning Access to certain necessities and support that will allow them to be self-sufficient in their transition to adulthood Under this bill, the rights listed above would apply to foster youth including those who are ages 18 to 21 and participating in the Foster Youth in Transition Program. HB24-1071 requires that foster youth five years old and older receive written notice about their rights at their initial placement in foster care and that the written notice of rights in the youth’s primary language is updated at least annually, including if there is a new placement change. In 2021, Representative Daughterty championed legislation to establish two new programs within the Department of Human Services to prepare Colorado’s foster youth for life after their foster care placement. Previous Next

Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts < Back April 18, 2024 Committee Passes New School Finance Formula to Boost Student Success, Increase Equity in School Funding and Support Rural Schools Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts Committee also passes bipartisan bill to improve transparency into higher education costs and reduce barriers to completing higher education degree or certificate programs DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting Colorado students. HB24-1448, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, would update Colorado’s outdated and inequitable school finance formula by increasing funding for rural schools and at-risk, special education, and English Language Learner students. SB24-164, also sponsored by McCluskie, would improve transparency requirements for higher education institutions and increase the rights of higher education students seeking transfer credits. “Updating Colorado’s public school finance formula to be student-centered is a bold step toward improving equity in school funding and delivering a high-quality education to every student in Colorado no matter where they reside,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Building on the recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force and in collaboration with districts and education leaders across the state, this plan increases funding for the students with the greatest needs and provides additional resources to rural and smaller districts that have historically been underfunded. Investing in high-quality education means we’re fostering a lifetime of success for our learners, and I am incredibly proud of our bipartisan efforts to make education funding in our state more equitable and student-centered.” “For over 30 years, Colorado has used an inequitable school funding formula that is now outdated, and as a result, we haven’t been able to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The need to change the formula is clear, which is why we’re championing this legislation that puts students first. Using recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force, we’re making school funding more equitable by increasing funding for at-risk students, English Language Learners, and students in special education. Public education funding in Colorado is the highest it’s been in decades, and this bill overhauls the school finance formula to better meet the educational needs of every learner.” HB24-1448 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, is also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. It would update Colorado’s school finance formula which has not been significantly modified in over 30 years. The current formula, which is built around district-centered factors rather than student needs, is confusing and overly complex. It directs more funding to wealthier districts, rather than directing funds to low-income students, English Language Learners, or those in special education. State data shows that at-risk students, English Language Learners , and special education students are not achieving at the same levels compared to their peers, demonstrating that the current school funding formula from 1994 does not address and meet the needs of these students This legislation implements the spirit of the recommendations of the School Finance Task Force, which reached overwhelming consensus, in order to drive more resources to the students who need them the most, specifically at-risk students, special education students and English Language Learners. With hundreds of millions of additional dollars now going to public schools in Colorado, these changes, which would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and implement in a gradual phase-in over 6 years, will drive more of these new resources to historically underfunded districts with lower property wealth and that serve a higher number of at-risk students and English Language Learners. When fully implemented, there will be $852 million in the formula for our at-risk students, $142.7 million for English Language Learners, and $240 million in the formula for our Special Education students, in addition to the constitutionally-required $375 million in the Special Education categorical. Remote and rural districts would receive an additional $255 million under this formula, once fully funded. The new formula puts students first by increasing the student weights for at-risk, English Language Learners, and adding a new special education factor. At-risk, English Language Learner, and special education weights will all be set at 25 percent, an increase from the current 12 percent weight for at-risk, 8 percent weight for English Language Learners, and no weight for special education in the formula. The categorical funding for special education will continue to increase according to law and Amendment 23. The new formula is simpler and better accounts for district characteristics by fixing the “Order of Operations” to emphasize student needs. It removes the multiplicative factors that change the base funding per pupil, which currently creates cascading funding impacts throughout the formula that are challenging to track. Instead, factors that increase funding for small districts or districts with high cost of living will be additive and easy to understand. It also creates a new remoteness factor to support rural schools and will hold harmless any districts that drop below current law funding. Access the school finance simulator here to see individual school district impacts. SB24-164, also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, passed committee unanimously. This bill would make it easier to transfer college credits, improve transparency in higher education reporting, and ensure rights for students enrolled in postsecondary institutions. “Creating a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centric higher education system in Colorado means we can put students first,” added McCluskie. “This bill will make it easier for students pursuing higher education in Colorado to understand the cost of their degree or certificate and complete their education, and will ensure that students transferring from a community college receive the credits they deserve for the classes they have taken at other institutions.” Transparency requirements include: Transparency of the cost of postsecondary education; Seamless transfer of general education and transfer pathway courses; Transparency regarding if credits are accepted or rejected from an institution; and The ability to appeal an institution’s decision not to accept transfer credits. A major challenge transfer students face is the transferability of postsecondary credits. On average, transfer students lose a full semester of credits, which translates to time and money lost. There are current methods that exist within Colorado’s higher education framework to ease transitions between higher education institutions such as transferable lower division courses, common course numbering, and guaranteed transfer pathways. SB24-164 would build on this framework by bolstering student rights and easing the transfer of course credits. Previous Next

Senator Dylan Roberts, Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and Representative Karen McCormick, Chair of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement in response to a comment made by President Trump to purchase more Argentine beef.  < Back October 21, 2025 Roberts, McCormick Statement on Trump Administration’s Comments to Purchase More Argentine Beef DENVER, CO – Senator Dylan Roberts, Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and Representative Karen McCormick, Chair of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement in response to a comment made by President Trump to purchase more Argentine beef. Senator Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative McCormick, D-Longmont: “President Trump’s so-called ‘America First’ policies and his reckless trade wars are hurting Colorado’s hardworking farmers’ and ranchers’ bottom line. Trump’s latest suggestion to purchase more Argentine beef will only cause chaos and confusion in the U.S. beef markets, undercut cattle producers and do nothing to lower the cost of beef. Flooding the market with Argentine beef will harm cattlemen and women in Colorado, who have worked tirelessly to produce high-quality beef for, in some cases, generations. “Colorado has a rich history of cattle production, and we will not stand idly by while the Trump Administration continues to prioritize trade wars over Colorado farmers and ranchers. We call on President Trump to put American farmers first and allow our domestic cattle industry and rural communities to thrive.” Over the weekend, President Trump suggested the U.S. should purchase more Argentine beef to lower costs for American consumers. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics , beef prices in the U.S. have hit record highs, partially due to smaller herds, disease and tariffs. Trump’s trade wars have also affected soybean farmers. China, which was one of the largest buyers of U.S. soybeans, imported no soybeans from American farmers in September due to the high tariffs and trade tensions. The Trump Administration’s economic policies continue to raise prices for consumers. As outlined in the September economic forecast by Legislative Council Staff, tariffs paid soared to a near-century high of 8.2 percent in Q2. According to the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, cattle production is Colorado’s number one agricultural commodity , with 2.7 million head of cattle being raised by families in every county of Colorado. In total, direct and indirect impacts from this loss in beef exports are estimated to result in a loss of 265 jobs and $80 million of economic output in Colorado. Previous Next

Democrats passed legislation to save people money, improve public safety and protect the Colorado way of life in the face of threats from the Trump Administration and significant budget constraints. With Colorado at a crossroads, Democrats stood up for taxpayers and protected our investments in K-12 education, Medicaid and public safety amidst budget uncertainty and funding threats from Washington DC. DOWNLOAD ONE PAGERS PARA ESPAÑOL, PRIMA AQUÍ DOWNLOAD REPORT

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford and Lorena Garcia that would improve price transparency and allow Colorado families to request refunds on waitlist fees, application fees, and deposits if they don’t enroll their child in a child care center < Back March 11, 2025 Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Child Care Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford and Lorena Garcia that would improve price transparency and allow Colorado families to request refunds on waitlist fees, application fees, and deposits if they don’t enroll their child in a child care center. SB25-004 passed by a vote of 9-4. “Child care waitlist fees and deposits can cost families thousands of dollars, and if a family is not offered admission to a child care center, they should get their money back,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Parents and guardians want the best for their children, and sometimes that means paying waitlist fees for multiple child care centers. As a mom, I know how quickly these child care fees can add up, and the legislation we’re bringing today makes it easier for Colorado families to shop around without losing out on thousands of hard-earned dollars.” “Child care is necessary for parents who want to reenter the workforce, and they deserve transparency in the process of finding the child care center that best fits their needs,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “There are many reasons why parents would want to join multiple waitlists, and they deserve to know what the true costs they can expect when determining where to enroll their child. Colorado families already face many barriers to affordable child care, and improving price transparency and requiring waitlist and deposit refunds from child care centers that their child did not end up attending will reduce the cost of enrolling in child care for hardworking Colorado parents.” SB25-004 would require child care centers to provide a transparent fee schedule upon registration, when joining a waitlist, or at the request of a family. The bill would also require application fees, waitlist fees, or deposits to be refundable after six months if a child is not admitted and remains on the waitlist. A center may charge a deposit, but if admitted, the deposit must go towards the tuition of child care. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to efficiently conserve water by prohibiting nonfunctional turf or invasive plant species on certain property areas. < Back February 26, 2024 Landscaping Water Conservation Bill Clears House Committee DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to efficiently conserve water by prohibiting nonfunctional turf or invasive plant species on certain property areas. SB24-005 passed by a vote of 10 to 2. “Coloradans are counting on us to protect and conserve our freshwater resources,” said Rep. Karen McCormick. “This bill would cut back on unnecessary water usage on nonfunctional turf used in medians, greenways and parking lots. We’re taking steps to effectively manage our water resources and this bill sets Colorado on a path forward to conserving more water and embracing the natural landscape of our beautiful state.” “Taking steps now to preserve our precious water resources is a smart move,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan. “This bill would encourage water-wise landscaping and help us embrace the native plants and species that thrive in Colorado. Effective water management is important and if we can cut back on the amount of water we use to maintain nonfunctional turf near parking lots and medians we can better conserve this vital resource.” SB24-005 would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, common interest,and state property. This bill would also apply to other little-used areas like parking lots, medians, and transportation corridors. Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water. Much of this is used to grow nonfunctional turf, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. While some turf is used for parks, sports fields, and yards, much of it serves no community purpose, such as highway frontages and strips alongside industrial properties. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this bill focuses on limiting its installation in the first place. By transitioning away from nonfunctional turf, the bill encourages developers, city planners, and managers to choose plants that thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Previous Next

< Back February 24, 2022 BILL TO END TRANSCRIPT WITHHOLDING MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Naquetta Ricks to prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts because a student owes a debt to the institution passed the House today on Second Reading. “With this bill, we’re working to dismantle a debt collection tool that disproportionately affects low-income students and students of color,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “When post-secondary institutions withhold transcripts because of unpaid parking tickets, library fines or some other fees, students have a harder time entering the workforce or transferring schools. Holding the credits a student earned for ransom prohibits talented graduates from enlisting in the military, enrolling in nursing courses or applying for their dream job. This legislation will prepare our students for success and ensure Colorado’s workforce is stronger and more talented than ever.” “Transcript withholding is an unnecessary barrier for graduates entering the workforce,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This bill would prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts and diplomas from students with unpaid debts. Graduates have done the work and earned the credits, now let’s make it easier for them to prove it to future employers. Whether our students are applying for their first post-college job or enrolling in a new program, this bill prepares our students for success and moves Colorado forward.” HB22-1049 would protect students from transcript withholding when students owe an unpaid debt. It would also prohibit institutions from charging a higher fee or providing less favorable treatment in response to a transcript or diploma request because a student owes a debt. Debts protected by the bill range from unpaid fees to parking tickets, library fees and other minor costs students may not realize they owe. The bill also protects students with debt from tuition, financial aid funds, and room and board fees from having their transcript withheld when they apply for a job, credit transfer or financial aid. It also protects transcript withholding for those pursuing opportunities in the military and post-secondary institutions. Across the country, students owe approximately $15 million in unpaid balances, impacting over 6.6 million students. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 MORE COLORADANS TO SAVE MONEY ON HOUSING WITH HB22-1051 DENVER, CO – The House Transportation and Local Government Committee today passed legislation to make housing more affordable and save Coloradans money on housing. “We’re working hard this session to save Coloradans money everywhere we can, and that’s what this bill will do by increasing access to affordable housing,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Every Coloradan should be able to afford a place to live. This bill will help bring down the cost of housing so that more Colorado families can have a secure future.” HB22-1051 , which passed by a vote of 10-2, is sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Hugh McKean. It would extend the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Colorado Affordable Tax Credit program until 2034 and increase annual funding for the program from $10 million to $15 million. The tax credit program helps leverage private funds to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. According to CHFA , the tax credit program has directly supported the development of 8,294 affordable rental units and allowed CHFA to support 28,267 total units using state and federal funds. The development of these units is estimated to generate over $3.6 billion in economic activity for the state and support almost 24,000 jobs. The program is an important source of workforce housing and supports affordable housing in communities in all regions of the state. The tax credits generate over $1 billion in private sector equity investment in Colorado that otherwise would not have occurred. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed two bills to improve health care in Colorado. < Back February 27, 2024 Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs, Prevent Violence Against Health Care Workers Pass Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed two bills to improve health care in Colorado. HB24-1010 would streamline prescription drug access for Coloradans with chronic, complex, rare, or life-threatening medical conditions and save them money on life-saving prescription drugs. HB24-1066 would help prevent workplace violence against nurses, CNAs and other health care workers. “Health care decisions should be based on the health and safety of a patient, not dictated by profits for health care insurers,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1010. “Doctors are sometimes required to order medications for their patients through specific pharmacies, which leads to delays in care and additional costs. Our legislation saves Coloradans money on these medications and breaks down prescription drug access barriers to ensure that Coloradans can access the medication they need, when they need it.” HB24-1010 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed by a vote of 9-3. The bill would protect Coloradans’ access to critical provider-administered prescription drugs by breaking down unnecessary barriers, including added fees, that make it difficult for patients to access their life-saving medication. The bill would: Prohibit insurance carriers from requiring certain prescription drugs to be available only by specific pharmacies, or only at in-network pharmacies, Prevent insurance carriers from limiting or excluding provider-administered prescription drugs due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy, or Prohibit insurance carriers from imposing additional fees, copayments, or coinsurance due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy or if the provider-administered drug was not provided by a pharmacy in the carrier’s network. “Violence in the workplace should never be tolerated, and we’re stepping up to help protect our valued health care workers,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1066. “With verbal and physical aggression against our health care workers on the rise, this bill establishes procedures and protocols to prevent these instances and creates proper channels for reporting. No one should feel unsafe while on the job, and this bill works to protect our health care workers from violence.” “The majority of health care workers are reporting an increase in verbal abuse and physical aggression while they’re on the job,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor HB24-1066. “This bill takes the necessary steps to protect our health care workers from violence by incorporating evidence-based solutions, such as reporting channels and dedicated worker safety plans in facilities, to curb violence. Our health care workers have worked tirelessly the past few years to keep Coloradans safe and healthy, and this legislation is a step in the right direction to keep them safe from violence in the workplace.” HB24-1066 , passed by a vote of 12 to 1 and would work to protect health care staff from violence. This bill would require facilities, such as hospitals, nursing care facilities and assisted living residences, among others to establish a workplace violence prevention committee that documents and reviews violent incidents, develops and implements prevention plans for their employees, offers immediate post-incident services, and submits biannual incident reports to the Department of Public Health and Environment or the Behavioral Health Administration. The bill specifies that facilities must not discourage staff from reporting incidents to law enforcement. It also protects health care workers who choose to either report a workplace violence incident, advise a staff member of the right to report, or choose not to report an incident. HB24-1066 intends to curb the increase in violence against health care workers, including verbal aggression and physical violence . Health care workers are 5-times more likely to experience violence at the workplace compared to other workers. Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2021 BILLS TO SUPPORT SENIORS, INCREASE ACCESS TO GERIATRIC PROVIDERS SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will support older Coloradans by creating a new grant program to expand access to critical services and increase the number of health care providers in Colorado who provide geriatric care. “The bill Governor Polis signed today will dedicate $15 million toward projects that promote the health, wellbeing and security of Colorado’s seniors,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This funding will help seniors access food, critical health care and transportation services. It will also be used to implement best practices for preventing falls and managing chronic diseases.” “Colorado has one of the fastest growing senior populations in the country, which is why we need to act now to increase the number of providers in our state that specialize in caring for seniors,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “I’m proud that we were able to pass legislation this session that will incentivize health care providers with geriatric training or experience to commit to caring for older adults in areas where there aren’t enough providers.” “Estimates show that we are going to face a significant shortage of health care providers who treat older Coloradans,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “With Governor Polis signing this bill today, we are going to encourage more medical providers who treat older adults to come to Colorado and help improve access to care for seniors.” SB21-290 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield, dedicates $15 million to support Colorado’s aging population by expanding housing assistance, increasing access to health services, subsidizing nutrition programs, and improving transportation opportunities to medical appointments. SB21-158 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada and Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, changes the Colorado Health Service Corps Program, a loan repayment program, to include geriatric advanced practice providers. Under the bill, registered nurses and physician assistance with geriatric training or experience could participate in the loan repayment program on the condition they commit to providing geriatric care to older adults in health professional shortage areas. Colorado has an aging population. Colorado has the third fastest growing population over the age of 65, and Coloradans over age 65 are the fastest growing age group in the state. By 2050, the state demography office estimates that more than one in five Coloradans will be over age 65. Not only is there a national doctor shortage, but estimates also expect a significant shortage of providers who treat older patients. Previous Next

< Back February 2, 2023 House Passes Bill to Address Teacher Shortage and Boost Educator Workforce DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to address the teacher shortage by expanding the pool of student educators who qualify for state loan forgiveness and stipend programs. HB23-1001 passed on third and final reading by a vote of 52-11. “Every school district in Colorado is feeling the effects of the teacher shortage, and our bill eliminates financial barriers educators face when entering the workforce,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “Building on the work of last year, our bill expands the pool of educators who can take advantage of loan forgiveness programs and student educator stipends. Colorado’s teacher shortage is dire, and our bill works to get more qualified teachers in classrooms across the state.” “We’re tackling Colorado’s teacher shortage through a multi-faceted approach, and that includes breaking down financial barriers future educators face while entering the workforce,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Teacher’s across the state have echoed the same concerns; they’re facing considerable burnout and are overworked. In order to get more teachers in classrooms, our bill expands the number of educators who qualify for loan forgiveness and stipend programs. Investing in our teachers strengthens our schools and supports our students.” HB23-1001 is part of the Colorado House Democrats' first five bills. HB23-1001 builds upon last year’s work to save student educators money by expanding eligibility for financial assistance and offering loan forgiveness to a larger pool of educators who qualify for these state programs. This includes more than $52 million in federal pandemic relief funds for the student educator stipend program, the educator test stipend program, and the temporary educator loan forgiveness programs made possible through HB22-1220 . 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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