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Colorado Democrats worked hard to reduce property taxes and support hardworking families < Back Rep. Tisha Mauro: Delivering for Coloradans: A post special session debrief Dec 17, 2023 See more This op-ed was published in the Pueblo Chieftain on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Rising property values have led to many Coloradans facing unaffordable property taxes, especially for those on fixed incomes and our most vulnerable communities. In Pueblo, residential home values have risen nearly 40% . During our four day special session in mid-November, Colorado Democrats delivered short-term, residential property tax relief while protecting funding for schools, fire districts and libraries and without using any of the state’s TABOR surplus that must be refunded to taxpayers. Overall, this new law provides more than $430 million in residential property tax relief. Specifically, we increased the property value exemption for multifamily and single family residential properties from $15,000 to $55,000 and decreased the residential assessment rate from 6.76% to 6.7% for the 2023 tax year. This means that you can now deduct $55,000 right off the top of your home’s value before the application of the newly lowered residential assessment rate and local mill levies. For a residential property worth $350,000 – slightly higher than the median home value in Pueblo – a homeowner will save $246 on their property taxes. This is in addition to $200 in cost savings from bipartisan legislation passed in the last two years to address rising property taxes ( SB22-238 and SB21-293 ) for a total of $446 of property tax savings for 2023 from legislation passed at the state capitol. While immediate property tax relief took center stage, we also championed legislation to develop more long-term, robust property tax solutions. The Commission on Property Tax will be composed of legislators, a property tax administrator and different local government and community leaders to map out long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. In addition to property tax relief, the legislature also ramped up support for hardworking families. After paying rent, groceries and gas, we know many Coloradans’ budgets are squeezed. As we continue to tackle our state’s affordability crisis, three more bills we passed during the special session will put more money back into the pockets of families who need it the most. SB23B-003 increases TABOR refunds for hardworking Coloradans by issuing refunds in equal amounts of $800 per single filer or $1,600 for joint filers for all tax filers. If we had not taken action, the wealthiest Coloradans would have gotten much larger refunds, and the rest of us would have gotten less. Under this new law, nearly 60% of Coloradans and everyone making under $100,000 will receive a larger refund. In Pueblo, nearly 90% of our residents will receive a larger TABOR refund, which taxpayers will see added to their state tax refund this spring., Colorado Democrats also doubled tax relief for low-income working families to 50% of the federal earned income tax credit, which will provide $185 million in targeted tax relief to low-and-moderate income Colorado families. Nearly half of Pueblo’s population could be eligible for this increased tax relief. To make sure vulnerable children don’t go without food this summer, we also ensured access to an additional $35 million in federal funds to expand the Electronic Benefits Transfer program, which helps families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during summer months when child hunger is the most severe. Eligible Colorado families will receive $40 per child per month beginning in 2024. As evictions across our state rise, the need for emergency rental assistance is more dire than ever before. Emergency rental assistance works in two ways – it protects landlords from financial losses and prevents Coloradans from losing their homes. Coloradans facing eviction often have nowhere else to turn which leads to cycles of poverty, homelessness and myriad other life disruptions. During the special session, we stepped up to invest $30 million into emergency rental assistance, raising statewide assistance to $65 million this year. From Grand Junction to Denver and Pueblo and Fort Morgan, Coloradans statewide on the brink of eviction or late on their rent can take advantage of emergency financial assistance. We know this law will keep thousands of Coloradans housed in their communities and help many get back on their feet. Together, Colorado Democrats worked hard to champion thoughtful, impactful legislation that prioritizes our hardworking families while providing much needed property tax relief now. With the 2024 legislative session on the horizon, we are already gearing up, preparing legislation and working alongside community members to bring forward new ideas that will make Colorado a more affordable place for everyone to call home. Representative Tisha Mauro represents House District 46 which spans the majority of Pueblo County, including Avondale, Beulah, Colorado City and Rye. 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

< Back May 2, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS AND RESTAURANTS MONEY Legislation will save restaurants $40 million this summer and save Coloradans money on health care and prescription drugs DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills that will save Coloradans and restaurants money. HB22-1406, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Dylan Roberts, will save restaurants $40 million this summer by allowing retailers to retain some of the sales tax they collect. HB22-1370, sponsored by Representatives Iman Jodeh and Emily Sirota, will save Coloradans on health care and prescription drugs. “Restaurants were some of the hardest hit businesses during the pandemic, and while public health restrictions have been lifted, they are now facing new challenges from rising costs to a tight labor market,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This legislation will save thousands of restaurants and retailers $40 million this summer to help them address rising costs and fill the open positions that they need to grow.” “Restaurants are the lifeblood of our communities and local economies across the state. Helping them save money helps all of Colorado,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts. D-Avon. “The legislation we passed today will save restaurants up to $70,000 per restaurant and $40 million statewide this summer, which they can use to cover expenses, expand their business, pay their workers more and reduce costs for consumers.” HB22-1406 passed by a vote of 58-7. The bill will save nearly 9,000 restaurants and retailers nearly $40 million this summer by allowing them to deduct up to $70,000 from their net taxable sales, saving businesses about $2,000 in sales tax collections in July, August and September of this year. “With too many Coloradans suffering from the high cost of prescription drugs, we’re making necessary reforms to ensure that savings from prescription drug rebates are passed on to consumers instead of pocketed by highly profitable insurance companies,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “The legislation we passed today will make health insurance more dependable and protect consumers from out of pocket expenses that they weren’t expecting.” “No one should have to pay health care bills because their coverage changed in the middle of their plan year without notice or their consent,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “This legislation will save Coloradans money on health care and prescription drugs and ensure that people have access to the care and medications their doctors recommend.” HB22-1370 passed by a vote of 42-23. The bill makes prescription drugs and health care more affordable and dependable. The bill ensures doctors are in charge of a patient’s treatment instead of insurance companies by limiting when a patient has to try and fail a treatment that their insurance company prefers before they can get what their doctor recommends. The bill ensures that patients know what they’ll be expected to pay for services by requiring that 25 percent of health plans have a set dollar amount for co-pays instead of unpredictable percentage-based coinsurance. The bill will save Coloradans money on prescription drugs by requiring insurance companies to pass along the savings from manufacturers’ rebates. The bill also restricts health insurance companies from raising the out-of-pocket costs of someone’s prescription medications on the individual market in the middle of their coverage and prohibits companies from dropping coverage of a medication a patient needs midway through the patients’ coverage. Two-thirds of Coloradans are not confident they can pay for their usual health care needs with their existing coverage and more than half of all Coloradans worry about affording the medication they need to stay healthy. Colorado Democrats have prioritized saving people money on health care and have passed landmark legislation, including creating the Colorado Option and Prescription Drug Advisory Board, that will save Coloradans money on health care. Previous Next

< Back June 8, 2022 POLIS SIGNS ROBERTS’ BILL TO INCENTIVIZE WATER-SAVING TURF REPLACEMENT Law will save property owners money, conserve water, and create jobs DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed Representative Dylan Roberts’ legislation to save property owners money on water-conserving turf replacement. “This new bipartisan law is a win-win: it will save Coloradans money on their water bills and reduce water use in the metro areas, all while promoting the innovative landscaping industry, ” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “Water is the most precious resource we have, supporting industries and local economies in every part of our state. As a rural representative, I know that it is not fair to rely solely on the agriculture industry and rural Colorado for our water conservation goals. This turf replacement program is a proactive approach to water conservation that will give property owners new tools to join our efforts to conserve our state’s precious water.” HB22-1151 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Marc Catlin and Senators Jeff Bridges and Cleave Simpson, requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop a statewide program to financially incentivize property owners, including local governments, special districts and nonprofit associations, to voluntarily replace non-essential irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping. Water-wise landscaping includes replacement turf and drought-tolerant plants that require less water to grow. This law aims to cut down on the amount of water used to maintain non-native grasses on private and commercial lawns, school fields and other ornamental outdoor spaces like road medians. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES EXPANSION OF RURAL BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE (Apr. 26) – The House Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee approved Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bill to expand the broadband infrastructure in Colorado, especially in rural areas. “Access to the internet is an indispensable part of our lives and it’s important we create equity between the rural and urban areas,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “Improving broadband infrastructure will help close the digital divide in communities on the Western Slope. We can save millions of dollars on new infrastructure if we allow electrical easement holders to deliver internet services to communities.” Rep. Roberts is the Chair of the Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee. This bill allows electrical easement holders to lease existing fiber resources on these easements for the purpose of delivering broadband internet services to communities. It will allow the utilization of dark fiber by providers to connect areas without having to spend money on costly new infrastructure or easement negotiation. In parts of rural Colorado, broadband services are inadequate and in some instances nonexistent. Similar legislation has been passed in Indiana, Missouri, and Tennessee. The bill passed the Senate on a 35-0 vote. SB19-107 passed the committee on a bipartisan vote of 9-1. It now heads to the House floor. The Senate co-prime sponsor is Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. Previous Next

< Back March 3, 2021 MEDIA LITERACY FOR STUDENTS MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO– The Education Committee today advanced a bipartisan bill to make media literacy resources available to students and to incorporate media literacy into curricula. The committee approved the bill on a vote of 6-3. “In this digital age of social media and 24 hour news, our children have more access to information and misinformation than ever before,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter (D-Jefferson County) . “Today we took an important step towards providing our kids with the tools they need to become responsible consumers of information. What could be more important than making sure we agree on the facts before discussing the best ways to move our communities forward. This isn’t about taking sides or choosing which opinion has more merit– it’s about teaching our kids how to tell facts from fiction.” “It can be challenging for anyone, of any age, to tell the difference between truth, opinion, and lies online and on social media,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, (D-Durango) . “Teaching media literacy in classrooms will empower Colorado’s young people to responsibly assess the information presented to them. Media literacy is good for our communities and our democracy. I’m proud we moved forward on this important proposal today.” HB21-1103 directs the state board of education to ensure media literacy is incorporated into reading, writing and civics standards. It also tasks the Colorado Department of Education with creating an online resource bank of materials related to media literacy and, if resources allow, supporting school districts in implementing media literacy curriculum upon request. Previous Next

The Governor today signed into law legislation that will better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. < Back August 28, 2025 Bill to Increase Oversight & Collaboration Between Executive & Legislative Branches During Revenue Shortfalls Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed into law legislation that will better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. Previously, the Governor had broad unilateral authority to suspend programs and services during a revenue shortfall via executive order. SB25B-001 now requires the Governor to notify the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of executive orders to reduce spending and requires the JBC to promptly meet with the executive branch to discuss the plan. Earlier today, JBC met to hear from Governor Polis and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting on his executive order to suspend certain spending during the current fiscal year. “Strong collaboration between the executive and legislative branches helps to create a more efficient government,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “This new law improves collaboration during times when it is arguably most important, times when the state faces revenue shortfalls that require spending reductions. This is a step in the right direction to ensuring the General Assembly has a stronger voice in these critical decision-making processes.” “When Congressional Republicans passed Trump’s tax bill last month, it immediately blew a billion-dollar hole in this year’s state budget, putting us in a position to make difficult spending cuts,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “The law signed today strengthens collaboration by bringing the Joint Budget Committee to the table, when previously the Governor had sole power to make cuts to programs and services during a revenue shortfall. With this law, we can encourage a more balanced approach to fill the revenue hole that was caused by the reckless federal GOP budget.” “In times of economic uncertainty, the executive and legislative branches must work together to do what’s best for the people of Colorado,” said Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “The Joint Budget Committee works year round to ensure that we’re budgeting responsibly, and it is only right that we have a seat at the table when the Governor is making spending reductions. This legislation is critical to ensuring that collaboration and updating spending reduction triggers to better reflect the current size of our reserves, which Democrats have worked hard to build up since the COVID pandemic.” “Because of Trump’s corporate giveaways, we are forced to make cuts to our budget. This legislation will help us make well-informed, data-driven decisions to minimize the harm caused by Congressional Republicans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Creating a responsible and thoughtful process to reduce state spending is a much better approach than the legislature rebalancing the budget on the fly, without any analysis from our nonpartisan staff, data or input from the Joint Budget Committee. We’re balancing the Governor’s authority, improving transparency and updating spending reduction triggers to better serve the people of Colorado.” The bill balances the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly by ensuring the JBC is involved in decision-making processes early on and by adding guardrails to the executive branch’s existing authority to help ensure that they continue to meet and implement legislative directives. The bill also updates the triggers requiring spending reductions to more accurately reflect economic pressures and the current status of the reserve, which Democrats have worked to build up to 15 percent since the COVID pandemic when it fell below four percent. In addition to the triggers in existing law, the bill adds that if a revenue estimate indicates that the state is on track to use an amount of the reserve equal to three percent of the general fund appropriations for that fiscal year (e.g. around $490 million for FY26), the Governor must take action to reduce spending. Previous Next

< Back April 6, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: AURORA DELEGATION STATEMENT ON FIRING OF POLICE CHIEF WILSON DENVER, CO – The Aurora Delegation in the Colorado General Assembly today released the following statement on the firing of Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson: “The firing of Aurora’s police chief will set back the critical and long overdue efforts currently underway in Aurora to ensure accountability and integrity in our police department. In 2020, we provided the Attorney General with the authority to investigate the department, which led to the finding that Aurora Police engaged in a longstanding pattern and practice of racist policing. Chief Wilson has been working hard to build a police force that reflects the diversity of our community and hold officers accountable for racially biased actions. Her firing in the middle of these efforts sends a terrible message to the police force and to the community about Aurora’s commitment to reforming these practices. “We commend Chief Wilson for her steadfast commitment to making our communities safer and rebuilding our community’s trust in our city’s police department. She held officers who engaged in misconduct accountable, and refused to tolerate the status quo that the Attorney General’s investigation found consistently endangered the lives of Black and Brown people in Aurora. We will not go back. Aurora needs a police chief who will continue these critical reforms to eradicate the department’s clearly documented pattern of racist policing and targeting of people of color.” The members of the Aurora Delegation are Representatives Iman Jodeh, Naquetta Ricks, Mandy Lindsay, Mike Weissman, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Senators Rhonda Fields and Janet Buckner. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Junie Joseph to save more Colorado lives from gun violence by prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. The bill passed by a vote of 9 to 4. < Back May 3, 2023 Legislation to Crack Down on Ghost Guns Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Junie Joseph to save more Colorado lives from gun violence by prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. The bill passed by a vote of 9 to 4. “Ghost guns bypass the life-saving firearm protections that the Colorado legislature has implemented in recent years to keep our communities safe from senseless gun violence,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “When someone evades a background check by assembling an unserialized firearm, it means that someone may have access to a gun even if they’re prohibited from possessing one. By requiring people to register unserialized firearm parts, we can keep dangerous weapons out of our communities and save more Colorado lives.” “Once someone has all of the necessary parts, they can put together a ghost gun in under an hour,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Because these weapons are unregulated and untraceable, it can be impossible for law enforcement to track down a suspect when a gun crime has been committed. This commonsense legislation will crack down on ghost guns to reduce crime and keep our communities safe by limiting access to dangerous, untraceable firearms.” SB23-279 aims to prevent further gun violence by cracking down on “ghost guns”, which are unregulated and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. Ghost guns are designed to avoid all gun laws and are available to purchase without a background check, serial number, sale record, or other protections. Under the bill, if an individual has an unserialized firearm, frame or receiver, they have until January 1, 2024 to have it serialized. A background check would be required before the owner could receive their item after it had been serialized. Serialization records must be kept and available for law enforcement. It also prohibits the possession of a “machine gun conversion device” which turns a firearm into a machine gun and imposes the same penalties as in current law for possessing a machine gun. Ghost guns are often constructed using unfinished frames or receivers and are easily accessible through a 3D printing device. Once assembled, ghost guns look, feel, and function exactly like traditional guns and are equally as deadly and dangerous. These weapons have been connected to suicides, homicides, mass shootings, robberies, and domestic violence throughout the country. Since 2016, the number of ghost guns used in crimes throughout the USA increased by 1000% , yet over 99% of those guns can’t be traced back to a user or owner. When a gun used in a crime is untraceable, it can be impossible for a gun violence victim and their family to seek accountability. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2022 BILL TO IMPROVE MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House today passed SB22-095, which would improve missing persons investigations, by a vote of 46-17. “We need to get serious about helping victims and their families get the justice they deserve,” Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez D-Denver . “Improving case filings and communication among departments will cut the red tape associated with missing persons investigations and will fast track the investigation process. For too many, justice and resolution to their cases has taken far too long, especially for Black, Indigenous, and women of color who are missing. This bill will significantly improve missing persons investigations in Colorado.” “Filing a missing persons report needs to be more streamlined so investigations can begin quicker,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Too many missing people, especially people of color, are not getting the justice they deserve because their cases are severely underreported and under investigated. Our bill will ensure that departments across the state are communicating with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and accepting reports. Nearly one-third of the missing women and girls in the U.S. are Black. We need to rework the system so we can get justice for these victims.” SB22-095 , sponsored by Representatives Gonzales-Gutierrez and Bacon, would improve missing persons investigations by clarifying when Colorado law enforcement departments must accept a missing persons report. Under current law, departments are required to accept a report submitted in person if the missing person resides in the agency’s jurisdiction or was last believed to be in the agency’s jurisdiction. The bill expands this requirement to include missing persons who are Colorado residents or were last believed to be in Colorado. It also requires reports to be accepted if they are submitted over the phone or electronically. If the missing person is an adult, the agency must notify the Colorado Bureau of Investigation within eight hours (down from 24 hours), and if the missing person is a child, the agency must notify CBI within 2 hours. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed into law a bill that will create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing more homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). < Back May 13, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: SAVING Coloradans Money on Housing! Gov Signs Bill to Legalize ADUs DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed into law a bill that will create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing more homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). “Coloradans are relying on us to pass effective legislation to tackle the housing crisis, and this law gives homeowners the tools to create more housing opportunities,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1152. “From housing aging relatives to renting out extra space, ADUs offer alternative housing options that can save Coloradans money on housing and legalize alternative home-care placements. This is an important bipartisan law that makes it easier for Coloradans to live near their jobs, schools, and loved ones.” “Colorado families and communities are desperate for solutions to help address the housing crisis and build more homes for working Coloradans,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, sponsor of HB24-1152. “Our bill will give more Coloradans the freedom and support they need to build ADUs on their property, allow more older Coloradans to age in place, and create more affordable housing options in our communities.” “Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live, but too many families are struggling to afford the cost of housing in our state,” Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1313 said. “By giving folks the flexibility to build ADUs on their property, as well as providing grant funding to help cover construction costs, we can bring down housing prices and keep more Coloradans in the communities they call home. HB24-1152 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, allows homeowners in subject jurisdictions to build an ADU with fewer obstacles and creates a new $5 million state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote and streamline the construction of ADUs. The grant program would enable local governments to support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate, and the construction of accessible ADUs. Finally, HB24-1152 provides $8 million in funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners in ADU-supportive jurisdictions build ADUs, including with down payment assistance, affordable loans, and buying down interest rates on loans for the conversion or construction of ADUs. Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single-family home properties. Previous Next

< Back March 5, 2020 GA DEMS UNVEIL COLORADO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE OPTION DENVER, CO– Today, Representative Dylan Roberts, Senator Kerry Donovan and Representative Chris Kennedy unveiled innovative, first-in-the-nation legislation to lower the cost of health care and increase consumer choice by creating the Colorado Affordable Health Care Option. “Today, we have introduced a bill that will give Coloradans relief they deserve: lower insurance premiums and real choice on the individual health insurance market,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “After several years of work with our constituents, consumers, hospitals, insurers, and many others, we are excited to introduce this bold step forward for our state. The Colorado Option will provide choice and competition for Colorado families, and the status quo of being forced to pay outrageous premiums because it’s the only option will be over.” “The health care industry isn’t working for Coloradans. Everywhere I go I hear people struggling with not being able to access or afford the care they need,” said Sen. Donovan. “The Colorado Affordable Health Care Option is a unique, balanced solution that works to address the high cost of healthcare by asking big hospitals to be part of the solution to increase choice and lower costs. I came to Denver with the promise to put my constituents first and that is what I am doing with this bill.” “Colorado families are struggling to afford the cost of health care and are working harder and harder to get ahead as hospital corporations make record profits,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “By creating the Colorado Option, we’re giving consumers a new choice for insurance that will cover the services they need at a lower cost.” From fostering health care cooperatives to ending surprise medical billing, House and Senate Democrats have passed innovative legislation that has saved consumers money. However, despite these gains, Colorado families still pay too much for health insurance, and 22 out of 64 counties have only one health insurance carrier. Furthermore, research shows that one-fifth of Coloradans do not seek care because of affordability concerns. To lower the cost of health care and increase competition, this bill creates the Colorado Affordable Health Care Option. As a public-private partnership, this health insurance plan would be available to Coloradans who purchase their coverage on the individual market. The Colorado Option will offer a similar benefit design and structure to existing plans offered on the exchange. The plan works to reduce premiums by seven to 20 percent, depending on the region, by holding down the state’s near highest-in-the nation profit margins at the largest hospitals. The plan will be widely available across the state– increasing competition, options, and access to affordable health care. Previous Next