The Defending Against DOGE Act sets aside $4 million to Musk-proof Colorado from federal actions that threaten our Colorado way of life < Back April 15, 2025 House Advances Bill to Protect Colorado Taxpayers DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to protect Colorado taxpayers and critical state services from funding freezes and federal actions that threaten the Colorado way of life. The Colorado Defense Fund comes in the wake of recent adverse action by the Trump administration, including federal funding freezes, disruptions to essential services, and mass lay-offs. “This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans; it’s about standing up for Colorado and protecting our taxpayers from federal actions that threaten health care, early childhood education, water infrastructure and public safety,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Coloradans pay more in federal taxes than we receive back in federal funding. We deserve to have our federal dollars working for us in Colorado – not frozen by unelected billionaires in Washington.” “We’re taking steps now to protect our state so Coloradans can receive the federal programming and services they rely on and pay for,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster . “When the federal government freezes funding, Colorado taxpayers do not see that return on their investment. Federal funding helps fix our roads and improve access to rural health care, and Colorado needs the federal government to uphold its end of the agreement. This bill fights back against federal overreach and puts Coloradans first.” The Colorado Defense Fund ( HB25-1321 ) would set aside $4 million to protect our state’s interests from federal efforts to freeze funding, halt contracts, or otherwise disrupt essential services for Coloradans. Coloradans pay more in federal taxes than our state receives back in federal funding, making federal funding freezes even more painful for our taxpayers. The legislation stands up for Colorado, protects Colorado taxpayers’ return on investment, and minimizes the impact of volatile federal actions on our economy and the Colorado way of life. Under the bill, the governor could use funds to respond to federal action. This includes working to mitigate the impacts of disruptions in federal funding and responding to legal proceedings, inquiries, hearings and investigations initiated or threatened by the federal government. These funds could also be used to defend or protect state officers and employees acting in their official role. In January, the Trump administration, through the recommendation of Elon Musk’s DOGE, froze more than $570 million in federal funding to Colorado. In response, Colorado joined a 22-state lawsuit to restore federal funding. While most of the funding has been restored through a federal judge, more than $69 million in public safety grants are still being withheld by the federal government. Colorado’s ability to deliver on essential government services relies on $13.9 billion in federal funding. Sweeping federal action has caused uncertainty and disruption for Colorado. For example, the federal government recently revoked more than $250 million in federal public and behavioral health care funding and $25.6 million already allocated to address drought in the Colorado River Basin has been paused. Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: HOUSE, SENATE UNVEIL CHILD MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PROGRAM DENVER, CO – The House introduced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota (D-Denver) and Senator Tammy Story (D-Evergreen) to expand evidence-based behavioral health programs for young children experiencing chronic stress or trauma. Co-sponsored by Representative Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells) and Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Logan), this bill invests $2 million of one-time pandemic relief funding to improve behavioral health outcomes for our youngest Coloradans. “Stressful and traumatic conditions take a major toll on young children and can negatively impact long-term behavioral health and brain functioning,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “With this once-in-a-generation funding, we’re improving our kids’ behavioral health outcomes by investing in early intervention and home-based prevention tailored towards young children and their families experiencing chronic stress or trauma.” “Over the past several years, the pandemic has added new and increased stress to Coloradans’ lives, including young children,” said Sen. Tammy Story, D-Evergreen. “It’s essential that we provide robust behavioral health opportunities for Colorado’s kids. By investing in the mental health and well-being of our youngest Coloradans today, we’re supporting their brighter tomorrows.” HB22-1369 is one in a series of bills to invest millions in our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $2 million in pandemic relief funding to provide evidence-based behavioral health programs for children under the age of six-years-old experiencing chronic stress or trauma at home. Neurobiological research confirms that stressful experiences early in life can have destructive impacts on the brain, while nurturing relationships between children and caregivers provide a protective buffer from stress. The impacts of the pandemic exacerbated long-standing behavioral health challenges and made everyday life more difficult for Coloradans. This bill invests in a home-based prevention and early intervention mental health program for children and their families to address the psychological damage caused by chronically stressful experiences. The new Department of Early Childhood will work with non-profit behavioral health care organizations to implement this program. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed legislation that would save older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the senior homestead property tax exemption portable between primary residences. SB24-111, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Mary Young, passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back April 18, 2024 Bill to Save Older Coloradans Money, Make Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption Portable Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation that would save older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the senior homestead property tax exemption portable between primary residences. SB24-111, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Mary Young, passed by a vote of 11-0. “Seniors typically live on a fixed income, making them especially vulnerable to property tax increases as they also juggle other rising costs,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “The Senior Homestead Exemption is a useful tool to help Colorado seniors save money on property taxes, but current law only allows these property tax exemptions for long-term primary residences. Our legislation would make this property tax exemption portable so seniors can apply it to their new residence, so they can make housing choices that work best for their well-being and open up housing opportunities for new families looking for larger homes.” “Aging Coloradans should be able to move without risking their housing security and losing eligibility for senior property tax exemptions,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Downsizing or moving into a single-level home is often necessary for seniors to accommodate their changing needs. This important legislation would allow Colorado seniors to continue to benefit from senior property tax exemptions if they move, saving them money while allowing them to choose housing that best fits their needs.” SB24-111 would create a new subclass of property called "qualified-senior primary residence real property" for an individual that has previously qualified for a senior homestead exemption but has moved to a new home. For this new subclass of property—qualified-senior primary residence real property—the bill sets the assessed value of the property as the actual value minus 50 percent of the first $200,000 of that actual value, which is consistent with the relief provided under the current senior homestead exemption. This bill helps provide financial sustainability and housing security to seniors who no longer qualify for the senior homestead exemption because they moved residences. In a Colorado Coalition for the Homeless report, Colorado was ranked first for housing instability for older adults. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2019 HOUSE PASSES LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Mar. 4) – The House gave final approval today to the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This life-saving bill would provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The bill has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, the mental health community, advocates for gun violence prevention and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “My son Alex lit up rooms and was beloved. One of the reasons I ran for office was so I could tell all of you about Alex and about other victims and families of gun violence,” said Rep. Sullivan. “Today, the House stood up and did the right thing. This bill will give law enforcement and families the tools that they need to stop tragedies from constantly happening and save lives. ” Rep. Sullivan’s son, Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. Sullivan wears Alex’s jacket every day and wore it during the course of the debate in the House. “We have a choice between maintaining the status quo or putting forward meaningful change that can truly save a life and that’s an easy choice for me,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, “This carefully crafted bill has the support of the vast majority of Coloradans and will help save the lives of law enforcement and members of our communities.” HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during that time period. The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House with bipartisan support, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, testified at a Feb. 21 House hearing on the bill. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee during the hearing how the language in the bill is legal under the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Testimony in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Fourteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Colorado lost over 1,100 people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their ERPO legislation was enacted. The bill was approved on a vote of 38-25 and now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back June 16, 2022 GOVERNOR POLIS, BLACK DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS OF COLORADO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH DENVER — Juneteenth celebrations will take place across Colorado in the coming days and today Governor Polis and the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado commemorated this historic event and raised the Juneteenth flag at the State Capitol. “We are building a Colorado for All and Colorado is made stronger by the diversity of our people. It’s our shared responsibility to foster and protect that strength. Juneteenth is a celebration of joy and one of many shining examples of what a Colorado for All looks like,” said Gov. Polis. “Juneteenth is a commemoration of the end of slavery and honors freedom for all of us, and for the first time in Colorado history, we will celebrate this momentous day as an official state holiday,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “I was incredibly proud of the work we did this session to ensure Colorado properly recognizes Juneteenth, and know that it will help educate all Coloradans about the horrors of slavery, make space to celebrate the Black community, and lift up our ongoing work to make sure we don’t forget our past.” “This Emancipation Day reminds us of the atrocities our ancestors endured and how we must never give up hope in uncertain times,” said Rep. Herod, Chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, D-Denver . “Juneteenth uplifts the voices of the Black community and showcases our perseverance. I’m proud to recognize Juneteenth as Colorado’s 11th state holiday so it can finally receive all the formal celebration and reflection it deserves.” “Juneteenth is more than just a federal holiday we recognize in historical Black communities like Five Points where we march, eat good food and listen to good music,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “Celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday means Colorado not only recognizes that Black people are free, but that all people are free. It is a recognition that we not only desire for some Coloradans to prosper, but for all to prosper, and for all Coloradans, regardless of race or background, to earn a living wage, have an affordable place to call home, and get the equitable access to health care and education people need to move forward and thrive.” This May at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Gov. Polis signed a new law officially recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday and was joined by bill sponsors Rep. Leslie Herod, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Janet Buckner, members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, President of Colorado WINS Skip Miller, President of Juneteenth Music Festival Norman Harris, Cleo Parker Robinson, and community members. Juneteenth was recognized as a national holiday last year by the U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden. Legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in Colorado was first introduced this February and passed the legislature with bipartisan support. This new law was led by Senator Janet Buckner, Senator James Coleman and Representative Leslie Herod. State offices will be closed Monday June, 20, 2022 in observance of the holiday. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2023 House Dems Pass Bills to Reduce Premiums and Lower Drug Costs DENVER, CO - The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation that will save Coloradans money on health insurance premiums for Colorado Option plans and make prescription drugs more affordable. “We’re building on the success of the Colorado Option to continue to drive down health care premiums and make it easier to find high value plans on the exchange,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1224 .” The Colorado Option is helping Colorado families and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money and has increased access to high quality health care, especially for lower income people who have disproportionately faced barriers to getting the care they need.” “We’ve made bold progress to drive down the cost of health care and create new options for consumers,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB23-1224 . “The legislation we passed today ensures that excessive profits and administrative costs won’t be passed down to consumers while also improving the rate review process to ensure that these plans actually reduce premiums for consumers.” HB23-1224 , which passed by a vote of 8-1, will lower insurance premiums and make it easier for consumers to shop for high value standardized health plans that work for them and their families. The updates to the Colorado Option strengthen the Division of Insurance’s (DOI) ability to hold carriers accountable for the premium rate reduction requirements on Colorado Option Standardized Plans by granting the DOI to: Limit factors such as as excessive profit and administrative expenses; Structure the public hearings process efficiently while ensuring all parties have the opportunity to participate; Help consumers easily find and compare plans that could lower their out-of-pocket costs. “Colorado is leading the nation with innovative ways to save people money on prescription drugs and lower the cost of health care,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB23-1225 . "We established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2021 to ensure that consumers can afford the highest cost drugs. Now, we’re expanding these cost saving measures to reduce out-of-pocket prices for more medications by increasing the board’s efficacy and saving Coloradans more money on their essential prescriptions.” “Coloradans should never have to ration life-saving prescription drugs due to price gouging from big pharmaceutical companies,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1225 . “This legislation will limit out-of-pocket costs for more life-saving prescriptions and help more Coloradans avoid the difficult decision of paying for the medication they need and other necessities.” HB23-1225 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, increases the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to help lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Coloradans. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to evaluate and place upper price limits on the highest cost prescription drugs. The legislation introduced today will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to save people money on out of pocket prescription drug costs. It removes the limit on setting no more than 12 Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) per year in the first three years of the PDAB, and improves the criteria for selecting drugs for an affordability review. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2022 MCLACHLAN BILL SUPPORTS FOSTER YOUTH DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today unanimously passed legislation that will require higher education institutions in Colorado to pay for the tuition of foster youth in the state. “Colorado is raising thousands of youth in our foster care system, and it’s only right that we defray the cost of their degrees,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “We need to do everything we can to set up our youth to thrive and leave no one behind, and that’s what this bill does. SB22-008 will save students money on their higher education degrees and make it easier for foster youth to attend a higher education institution.” SB22-008 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Hugh McKean, would require higher education institutions to provide foster youth with financial assistance for the balance of their total cost of attending a higher education institution. It also establishes the foster care navigation office to help students select institutions and programs and assist students in completing their applications. Previous Next

2023-24 state budget includes investments in water, education, community behavioral health services and wildfire mitigation efforts < Back April 4, 2023 House Advances “Colorado for All” Budget to Help Communities Thrive 2023-24 state budget includes investments in water, education, community behavioral health services and wildfire mitigation efforts DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the FY 2023-2024 Long Appropriations Bill to invest in families, prepare our students for success, and build healthier communities across the state. The state’s $38.5 billion budget is a $1.2 billion increase over last year’s budget. Two-thirds of that increase is attributable to the end of enhanced federal Medicaid match rates, which are expiring as the declared COVID public health emergency ends. “Working together, we’ve crafted a balanced budget that strengthens our economy, supports hardworking Coloradans and their families, and prepares our students for success," said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “The priorities in this year's budget include more funding for our schools and teachers, support for our community behavioral health centers and more funding for public safety programs and our water resources. We're committed to governing responsibly, and that includes creating a budget that protects critical services, addresses the most pressing needs in our communities and moves Colorado forward." "This budget builds a stronger Colorado for all by investing in our schools and supporting the services that help our communities thrive," said JBC member Emily Sirota, D-Denver . "We're making significant investments to support those most in need, including jumpstarting Colorado's universal preschool program, boosting nutrition assistance for Colorado families and funding measures to address our workforce and housing needs. Coloradans across the state are counting on us to pass a budget that puts hardworking families first and builds an economy where everyone can thrive." The budget sets aside a total of $469 million in General Fund for one-time investments to address workforce-related needs, housing affordability demands, economic development initiatives and wildfire mitigation and response resources. The budget maintains a 15-percent ($2.3 billion) General Fund reserve to prepare for the next economic downturn, and designates $543 million in cash assets for the constitutionally required State Emergency Reserve to help Colorado respond to disasters like wildfires and floods. Preparing Students for Success Increasing Funding for K-12: Preparing our students for success and investing in Colorado’s public schools is a top priority this legislative session. In this budget, the total funding for public schools will increase by $485 million, including a record increase in per-pupil funding by $900 per student. Additionally, it includes a $1 million allocation for the School Transformation Grant Program, which trains and supports school leaders working to turn around academic performance in the state’s lowest performing schools. Final action on the budget stabilization factor, per pupil funding, and total program funding will come later in the session in the annual School Finance Act. Investing in Higher Education: The FY 23-24 budget also focuses on the needs of higher education by investing $145 million, a 10-percent increase year-over-year in funding toward state institutions, with a 5 percent cap for in-state tuition increase and additional funding for College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipends from $104 per credit hour to $116 per credit hour for full time students. Creating Healthier, Stronger Communities Supporting Health Care Providers: This state budget focuses heavily on ensuring Coloradans can live safe, healthy lives in communities across the state. Specifically, this includes a 3 percent provider rate increase , to help providers facing cost increases and implements the new 5 percent across-the-board increase for state employees, ensuring a $15 minimum wage for every state employee. Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care: To expand access to behavioral and mental health services for Coloradans, this budget allocates $80 million toward behavioral health community programs to help Coloradans access care in their neighborhood, and includes funding to implement the Office of Behavioral Health. Increasing Immunization Rates: The budget also includes $3.8 million to bolster staffing and operating expenses to implement a statewide media campaign to increase routine immunization rates through the use of a mobile clinic program. Housing Support: Everyone deserves a place to live, and this budget works to make critical investments to keep Coloradans housed including a $1.6 million in additional housing support that enable individuals to transition from institutions to living and thriving in their community, and $2.2 million to address factors contributing to youth homelessness. Saving Coloradans Money on Health Care: Primary Care Grants: To support uninsured or underserved patients, the budget includes a $14 million allocation toward the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s Primary Care Fund Program to increase access to health care services. Dental Benefits: The budget eliminates the annual $1,500 cap on the adult dental benefits. Eliminating Medicaid Co-pays: To better support Coloradans, the budget eliminates mandatory copay requirements for Medicaid patients accessing pharmacy and outpatient services. Supporting parents of new children: $1.7 million investment toward perinatal services, including new doula and donor milk benefits. Increasing Funding for Nutrition Assistance: The budget includes a $16.7 million investment to meet the increased demand for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), so Coloradans can access and purchase healthy foods. Safer Communities: To improve the safety and security of communities, the budget invests $5.4 million to help the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and $300,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Centers’ child abuse investigation fund. Investments for Wildfire Mitigation, Water Resources, and Parks, Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Wildfire Response: As Colorado combats harsh wildfires and record-breaking droughts, this budget provides badly-needed support to help our state better address. The budget provides $26 million to fund the acquisition of a second Firehawk helicopter which will improve the state’s ability to respond to catastrophic wildfires. Wildfire Mitigation & Defense: $5 million toward the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program to help our state conduct critical forest restoration. In order to better understand the origins of wildfires in our state, the budget also includes $3.2 million to increase resources for fire investigation and data collection. Colorado River & Water Plan: To proactively address the Colorado River water crisis and record drought, the budget includes a $1.5 million investment to help the state’s negotiating position and implementation of its interstate commitments related to the Colorado River. The budget also invests $6 million in the Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grant Fund to draw down $60 million in federal funds, and $12.6 million towards implementation of the state Water Plan. Parks & Wildlife Support: The FY 23-24 budget outlines investments in our natural areas to keep them safe, funded and accessible to more Coloradans. This includes investments to support Colorado’s state parks through increasing resources for the Department of Natural Resources to hire new staff and park rangers. As well as $1 million toward the Colorado Avalanche Information Center Fund to make outdoor recreation safer. The House will consider additional components of the budget package tomorrow to support facility schools, school safety initiatives and the Universal Preschool program, among other priorities. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to repeal Colorado’s statewide prohibition on rent stabilization, allowing local governments to use additional tools to address housing affordability in their communities. The bill passed by a vote of 40-24. < Back February 27, 2023 House Passes Bill to Lift Statewide Ban on Rent Stabilization DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to repeal Colorado’s statewide prohibition on rent stabilization, allowing local governments to use additional tools to address housing affordability in their communities. The bill passed by a vote of 40-24. “Skyrocketing rents are making it harder and harder for Coloradans to afford to live here while limiting their ability to save for homeownership,” Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver . “As an eviction defense and housing attorney, I’ve had clients kicked out of their homes because they can’t afford their rapidly increasing rent, despite working two full-time jobs. Giving local governments the ability to use rent stabilization measures will save Coloradans money on housing, reduce displacement, and help address our state’s housing crisis.” “Rural communities like mine are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of living, with educators, first responders, and hospitality workers being priced out of their homes, impeding their ability to serve their community,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “Solving our statewide housing crisis looks different on the Western Slope than it does on the Front Range. This bill would lift the statewide ban on rent stabilization, giving our rural areas the power to choose which tools work best for their community.” In 1981, the Colorado legislature passed a statewide rent stabilization ban, prohibiting local governments from enacting measures that would address how much rents could increase year to year. HB23-1115 would repeal the statewide ban, allowing local governments to have the choice to implement rent stabilization measures to make housing more affordable and reduce the tide of Coloradans being displaced from their communities. Data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the US Census Bureau show that counties with rent stabilization policies in place do not see lower housing development rates than counties without them. For example, Hudson County, New Jersey, which has rent stabilization, saw 51 permits per 1,000 residents between 2010-2018. In comparison, Pueblo, Jefferson, Boulder, and Arapahoe counties had fewer permits per 1,000 residents during the same time period. Previous Next

Bipartisan legislation will safeguard independent pharmacies that rural communities rely on < Back May 27, 2025 New Bipartisan Law Will Preserve Rural Access to Health Care Bipartisan legislation will safeguard independent pharmacies that rural communities rely on ALAMOSA, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to preserve access to pharmacies and health care in rural communities. “Health care access in rural communities is already limited, and this law works to preserve the local pharmacies that Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “From regular prescription refills to immunizations, pharmacies are a lifeline in our communities. This bipartisan law aims to maintain health care access for Coloradans in our part of the state by establishing fair reimbursement rates for rural pharmacies. It also permits telehealth for rural pharmacies to make it easier and less expensive for Coloradans to get the health care they need.” “Independent rural pharmacies are so important to the people who live in the rural and mountain communities that I represent. They rely on them for essential services like prescription refills, medical supplies, immunizations, and so much more,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco . “This bipartisan law will ensure fair reimbursement rates and audit recovery practices so that drug delivery for independent and rural pharmacies are adequate enough to level the playing field against corporate health care giants and safeguard essential health services.” HB25-1222 , also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, helps preserve access to rural health care by: Ensuring a fair reimbursement for rural independent pharmacies, Allowing the delivery of drugs by rural independent pharmacies to underserved communities, Clarifying fair audit recovery practices so rural independent pharmacies don’t close, and Allowing remote prescription evaluations for pharmacies to improve accessibility for Coloradans. For Coloradans living in rural communities, these modifications will maintain access to vital prescriptions and health care services close to home without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing, & Local Government Committee today unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to expand property tax exemptions for nonprofit housing developers to build up Colorado’s affordable housing stock. The bill passed by a vote of 12-0. < Back February 28, 2023 Property Tax Exemptions for Affordable Housing Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing, & Local Government Committee today unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to expand property tax exemptions for nonprofit housing developers to build up Colorado’s affordable housing stock. The bill passed by a vote of 12-0. “One of our main goals this session is to ensure Colorado workers like educators, first responders, and hospitality workers have the opportunity to buy a home within their communities,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield . “As the cost to purchase land rises, nonprofits and other affordable housing developers are increasingly reliant on tools that allow them to save on costs and contribute to our affordable housing inventory. Expanding on existing property tax exemptions for nonprofits incentivizes more affordable housing development, reducing financial barriers so more Coloradans can become homeowners and build wealth.” HB23-1184 , also sponsored by Rep. Lisa Frizell, expands property tax exemptions to include more nonprofit organizations that build and sell affordable housing and increases the Area Median Income to qualify for this housing from 80% to 100%. It also extends the exemption period from five years to 10 years to better reflect the development timeline for larger affordable housing projects. The bill would create a new property tax exemption for land owned by community land trusts and other nonprofit affordable homeownership providers that develop permanently affordable for-sale homes. This exemption only applies to the land and not the home. The National Low Income Housing Coalition ranked Colorado as the 8th least affordable state in 2022 and stated that the average renter needed to work 2.3 full-time jobs at minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom rental. Data from the American Community Survey demonstrates the racial inequality when it comes to homeownership with 71 percent of non-Hispanic White Coloradans owning their home compared to only 51 percent of Hispanic and 43 percent of Black Coloradans. Previous Next

< Back June 2, 2022 SIGNED! TRIO OF BILLS TO AFFIRM THE RIGHTS OF WHEELCHAIR USERS Legislation includes right to repair and rental vehicles with adaptive equipment DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law to protect the rights of wheelchair users and improve adaptive features in rental vehicles. HB22-1253 championed Representative David Ortiz and Senator Jessie Danielson will require rental car companies to provide leasers with an online option to secure a vehicle with adaptive equipment. “For me and the thousands of wheelchair users across Colorado, the three bills signed into law today go beyond our securing our mobility–they’re about health, safety and affirming our rights,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton . “We’ve taken action to improve transparency and accountability so we can rent a car, get our mobility device repaired in a timely manner and save money. The accessibility issues faced by the disability community are real and it places us and our families at risk. With Governor Polis’ signature, I’m proud to say we’ve taken the lead on breaking down accessibility barriers to create a safer, more equitable and healthier Colorado.” Under this new law, adaptive equipment such as hand controls, pedal extenders, left foot accelerators and spinner knobs will be available in rental vehicles upon request. This law will also protect disabled vehicle renters by allowing the recovery of damages if rental car companies violate the adaptive equipment requirement outlined in the law details. HB22-1031 sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Ortiz as well as Senator Rachel Zenzinger requires powered wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts, software and tools to independent repair providers and wheelchair owners. This is one of the first “right to repair” laws of its kind enacted in the country. “With the right to repair bills signed into law today, we’re making huge advancements towards a more equitable, healthier Colorado for all,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “Many wheelchair users, especially in rural Colorado, face long waits and unpredictability when it comes to repairs and routine maintenance on their mobility devices. The bills signed into law will expand repair options beyond the manufacturing companies and improve existing Medicaid rules, saving Coloradans who use wheelchairs money and time. Mobility isn’t something to take for granted and wheelchair users in Colorado deserve the freedom to repair their mobility aids.” HB22-1031 works in tandem with another bill Governor Polis signed into law today. HB22-1290 , championed by Representatives Titone and Ortiz and Senator Zenzinger, would improve existing Medicaid rules for repairing wheelchairs, adaptive seating systems and other mobility devices. This law eliminates the need for prior authorization for any repair of complex mobility devices for Medicaid recipients, including powered wheelchairs. This law will save Coloradans money on costly wheelchair expenses and repairs and expand access to an urgently needed service Previous Next