Bill will prohibit deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers < Back March 9, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Democrats Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Deceptive Practices by Anti-Abortion Centers Bill will prohibit deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers DENVER, CO – Democrats today introduced legislation sponsored by Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, that will protect Coloradans seeking reproductive health care by prohibiting the use of deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers (AACs). SB23-190 , also sponsored in the House by Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, and Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, further makes prescribing, offering, or facilitating an “medication abortion reversal” unprofessional conduct for licensed or certified health care providers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes “medication abortion reversal” as “unproven and unethical,” and says that “claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards'' of care. “We’ve made tremendous progress in Colorado to protect reproductive rights, but marginalized communities like people of color, low-income folks, young people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and immigrants still struggle to obtain the care they need - and AACs only make matters worse,” said Winter. “AACs use deceptive advertising practices to lure folks in and steer people away from abortions and other time-sensitive care by not providing them with the full, medically accurate spectrum of options. I’m proud of this legislation to crack down on AACs’ deceptive practices and make reproductive health care more attainable and equitable for all Coloradans.” “Every patient deserves access to accurate medical information and the ability to make their own informed decisions about their reproductive health care,” said McCormick. “This bill protects Coloradans from anti-abortion clinics that offer misleading, deceptive and inaccurate claims about reproductive health care and ‘medication abortion reversal’ - a dangerous practice that has been proven ineffective. Coloradans shouldn’t have to question whether or not the reproductive health care services they’re receiving are based on facts and science.” “Anti-abortion centers present themselves as legitimate family planning reproductive health care clinics, but these fake clinics use deceptive advertising to draw in vulnerable people seeking care to harass them with biased and inaccurate information about abortions and contraceptives,” Marchman said. “People who go to these clinics looking for help report being shamed and lied to – the exact opposite of the safe and accurate care we are beholden to protect as elected officials. The Safe Access to Reproductive Health Care Package is a proactive step we can take towards a future where Coloradans’ freedom to access essential and affirming reproductive health care is truly protected.” “Anti-abortion centers are predatory and often target communities of color, creating substantial barriers for people trying to access reproductive health care. These deceptive practices exacerbate the already disproportionate lack of access to critical health services for lower-income Coloradans,” said Epps. “The anti-abortion movement is spreading dangerous disinformation on abortion and reproductive health care. People should be able to trust their health care provider and anti-abortion clinics stand in the way of safe, factual reproductive health care." In Colorado, AACs outnumber abortion-providing clinics 51 to 20. Further, AACs particularly target locations that may lack a comprehensive clinic, often posting Spanish-language billboards in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations and offering free services to low-income communities. Anti-abortion centers are the on-the-ground presence of the national anti-abortion movement. Also known as crisis pregnancy centers, anti-abortion counseling centers, or fake clinics, AACs pose as comprehensive reproductive health care clinics to intercept patients seeking abortion care, provide false information, and prevent people from seeking abortions. Previous Next

Latest press releases and op-eds from Colorado House Democrats. NEWSROOM PRESS RELEASES > OP-EDS > Economy remains resilient while Colorado households bear the cost of federal policies September 18, 2026 Diesel prices hit record level as Trump's war with Iran continues Economy remains resilient while Colorado households bear the cost of federal policies Willford, Wallace Commend SCOTUS Decision to Protect Mail-in Voting September 15, 2026 Chair of the House State, Civic & Veterans Affairs Committee Representative Jenny Willford, and Chair of the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Senator Katie Wallace, celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of President Trump's plan to tamper with mail-in voting ahead of the midterm election. Willford, Wallace Commend SCOTUS Decision to Protect Mail-in Voting Democratic Lawmakers Respond to EPA Decision to Dismantle Air Quality Protections September 15, 2026 Sponsors of HB26-1226, Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement yesterday. Democratic Lawmakers Respond to EPA Decision to Dismantle Air Quality Protections

< Back April 6, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO BOOST COLORADO’S WORKFORCE DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed a bill to boost Colorado’s workforce by making it even easier for a professional to transfer their credentials to the state of Colorado. “Colorado is open for business and we’re making it easier for qualified candidates to work in our state,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “This bipartisan bill would streamline the credentials transfer process so Colorado businesses and companies can attract highly-qualified professionals. We’re breaking down unnecessary barriers to employment to fill Colorado’s growing workforce with professionals in high-demand industries.” SB22-116 , passed out of the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee unanimously and would strengthen Colorado’s workforce by further increasing the efficiency of the existing credential portability program. Examples of transferable professional credentials include various health care professionals, veterinarians and certified public accountants, among others. The bill would also add a military occupational specialty, allowing those having served in certain military roles to qualify for a credential through the program. The bill expands on the progress of HB20-1326 , which created the occupational credential portability program within the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The program was created to enable regulators to more quickly and easily approve credentials for qualified individuals. Previous Next

Legislation would require jails to follow standards adopted by the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards < Back November 28, 2023 Interim Committee Approves Bill to Implement Statewide Jail Standards Legislation would require jails to follow standards adopted by the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards DENVER, CO – Today, the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards (Committee) voted to advance a bill that would help ensure individuals housed in jails across the state have a basic set of rights. Sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, Bill 1 would require jails to follow standards adopted today by the Committee that address and improve the rights of people incarcerated in jails, including access to health care, visitation, housing, discipline, and more. “In order to reduce recidivism and improve safety in our communities, certain quality standards must be met in Colorado’s jails,” said Fields. “With this bill, we are taking the first step towards implementing statewide jail standards and bolstering access to services that can better outcomes for incarcerated individuals. By involving a broad coalition on the Jail Standards Advisory Committee, we will develop a rounded approach to the continued improvement of incarcerated Coloradans’ rights.” “The conditions that incarcerated Coloradans experience in jail play a role in reducing recidivism and our overall public safety,” said Amabile. “Our 2022 legislation created an oversight committee to study possible changes we could make to standards in Colorado jails. The bill we advanced today extends the oversight committee’s role in continuing to revise jail standards and involving behavioral health professionals, law enforcement agencies, and county representatives to implement these new standards.” “Too often differences in Colorado jail standards result in a lack of appropriate care,” said Coleman. “By requiring jails to comply with statewide standards established by the Legislative Oversight Committee, we can better ensure that individuals' needs are being met and we can improve outcomes for those incarcerated in Colorado jails. I look forward to the work ahead to implement statewide standards and build on our progress of creating a more just criminal justice system.” “Coloradans who are in custody should not be subject to unsafe conditions,” said Garcia. “The Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards recommends new jail standards based on data and insight from criminal justice professionals to ensure that basic needs are met and dignity preserved. Our bill facilitates the implementation of these changes, creating a safer environment in jails and better outcomes for incarcerated Coloradans that reduce recidivism and cycles of incarceration.” The bill creates a Jail Standards Advisory Committee composed of sheriffs, county commissioners, the state public defender, and advocates. The Advisory Committee would be charged with conducting jail assessments to ensure compliance with the standards, establishing assessment standards and procedures, and submitting an annual report and recommendations to the Legislative Oversight Committee. The Attorney General’s office would conduct jail assessments in partnership with the Advisory Committee, and could conduct investigations regarding potential violations of the standards. Under the bill, the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety is required to create a list of funding assistance and resources for jails to offset the costs of complying with the new standards. Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2020 COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES FUNDING FOR FISHERS PEAK AND OTHER STATE PARKS DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Rural Affairs and Agriculture today unanimously approved Representative Daneya Esgar’s bipartisan bill to provide funding for Colorado’s State Parks, including Colorado’s newest State Park, Fishers Peak. ”Outdoor recreation and public land conservation are a crucial part of the Colorado Way of Life,” said Joint Budget Committee Chair Daneya Esgar. “Today we voted to make lasting, impactful investments in our State Parks, and I expect the return on this investment will benefit Colorado for generations to come. Fishers Peak State Park will bring meaningful economic growth and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities to Southern Colorado, and I’m proud to have played my part in making our newest State Park a reality.” SB20-003 , also sponsored by Rep. Perry Will, appropriates 6 million dollars to the Department of Natural Resources to open a new state park at Fishers Peak and to also improve infrastructure and amenities at existing state parks. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English that would reduce recidivism by improving access to quality behavioral health care in the criminal justice system. The bill passed by a vote of 6-5. < Back January 21, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Recidivism Through Behavioral Health Care DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English that would reduce recidivism by improving access to quality behavioral health care in the criminal justice system . The bill passed by a vote of 6-5 . “This bill will improve public safety by reducing recidivism rates and slowing the cycle of reincarceration,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “Unfortunately, many individuals in custody re-offend once released due to a lack of access to mental health services needed to stabilize and successfully reenter society. Supporting jails that provide behavioral health services and treatments for Coloradans with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, and overall behavioral health needs will make our communities safer and reduce the likelihood of someone reoffending.” HB25-1008 , also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, would allow for funding to be utilized to increase training opportunities for jail staff to provide services and treatments for various behavioral health disorders for Coloradans in custody. The Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services Program, established by a bipartisan law in 2018, provides behavioral health screening and access to services such as therapeutic treatment and psychiatric medication prescriptions to individuals in custody while supporting continuity of care within the community once released. The committee also passed HB25-1058 to update the procedures for not guilty by reason of insanity cases requiring the court, the Department of Human Services, and involved parties to determine whether a sanity examination requires the defendant to stay overnight or longer for further examination. If the defendant is at liberty on summons or on bond, this bill would allow the court to have broader authority during situations when a defendant is placed in custody in order to conduct the sanity examination. The bill passed by a vote of 8-2. Previous Next

< Back April 15, 2021 COLORADO WELCOMES MEETINGS & EVENTS INDUSTRY WITH OPEN ARMS Rep. Roberts’ bill would boost our economy and support small businesses in the tourism industry by providing an incentive for meetings & events to take place in Colorado DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today advanced Representative Dylan Roberts’ bipartisan bill to dedicate $10 million to create the Meeting & Events Incentive Program, which would provide rebates and incentives for individuals hosting events in Colorado. The bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $700 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed committee by a vote of 10-3. “Colorado’s booming hospitality and special events sectors took a massive blow when the pandemic delayed weddings, conferences, and large events of all kids,” said Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon . “As our economy safely reopens and these events start to be rescheduled, I want to ensure organizations, festivals, and families choose to book their special event in Colorado and this bill will make Colorado an even more attractive venue for these events. The Colorado special events sector employs at least 36,000 Coloradans and generates $1B annually in economic impact, and I can’t wait to see it come roaring back with a little help from this bill.” HB21-1263 would create the Meeting & Events Incentive Program within the Office of Economic Development & International Trade’s (OEDIT) Colorado Tourism Office (CTO). The program would provide rebates to incentivize planners to host events in Colorado, bolstering the tourism economy and industry, and supporting thousands of small businesses across the State. The bill appropriates $10 million for the program. Eligible events must generate at least 25 overnight stays. The bill stipulates that the Tourism Office must support events equitably and proportionally across the state and prioritize events with potential to generate local business earnings and tax revenues. Eligible events would receive up to a 10% rebate of the hard costs of the event and a 25% rebate of the COVID-19 related costs. Finally, a small portion of the funds may be used to provide up-front support to attract large events that impact multiple counties and have potential to generate significant economic impact. Previous Next

< Back April 25, 2019 GOV SIGNS HEROD BILLS KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL AND PROVIDING FREE TAMPONS IN JAIL Bills would eliminate cash bail for petty & traffic offenses, provide menstrual hygiene products to inmates for free (Apr. 25) – Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill today eliminating cash bail for minor offenses including having an open container, trespassing, and shoplifting less than $50 worth of goods. Sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Rep. Matt Soper’s, R-Delta, HB19-1225 was approved unanimously by the House and Senate. “Until tonight, thousands of Coloradans awaiting trial for minor offenses languished in jail simply because they couldn’t afford to get out. We were caging the poor and the homeless, not for their crimes, but for their poverty,” said Rep. Herod. “Poverty is not a crime.” The new bipartisan law goes into effect immediately and is expected to help more than 10,000 people avoid pretrial detention. The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado studied state court data and estimated at least 13,000 people a year would be released from jail as a result of this reform, helping with overcrowding at many Colorado jails. Pueblo County jail recently operated at 194 percent capacity and Alamosa County jail reported operating at 127 percent. Governor Polis also signed Rep. Herod’s bill to provide menstrual hygiene products to inmates in county jails free of charge. HB19-1224 was also approved unanimously in the House and Senate. Previous Next

Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Chair of the Commission on Property Tax, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to responsibly reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. < Back September 4, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Bipartisan Bill to Responsibly Reduce Property Taxes and Protect Colorado’s Future Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Chair of the Commission on Property Tax, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to responsibly reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. Using SB24-233 as the baseline, HB24B-1001 reduces assessment rates and lowers revenue caps. Also sponsored by House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, and Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, the new law also preserves flexibility for school districts and local governments by allowing them to carry forward unused growth capacity into the next assessment cycle while shielding taxpayers from dramatic spikes in value growth. “We are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, and with this new law we’re delivering additional property tax relief to homeowners and small businesses in a responsible way while protecting funding for our schools, parks, libraries and community institutions,” said McCluskie. “Two initiatives from wealthy special interests on the November ballot would de-fund schools, lengthen emergency response times, and strip health care away from our most vulnerable Coloradans. Stopping these measures with small changes to the bipartisan property tax package from last session is a win for Colorado, our schools and local governments.” “Building on the bipartisan success of SB24-233, this legislation represents the culmination of more than six years of work to craft sustainable, responsible property tax reform in the wake of the Gallagher repeal,” said Hansen. “This new law is the product of partnership, compromise, and a shared commitment to the people of Colorado. The Commission on Property Tax, local governments, schools, and countless other stakeholders all have been involved in a public discussion of an extremely complicated problem – resulting in policy that provides both meaningful relief to taxpayers and stability for essential community services. In recent years, we have been able to secure a stronger future for Colorado by ending the negative factor for education funding, establishing sustainable funding paths for higher education and Medicaid providers, and now with this policy, we can avoid the devastating impacts of Initiatives 50 and 108 and protect the progress we’ve already made.” Additionally, the new law: Reduces the local government revenue cap from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent annual growth, or 10.5 percent over one assessment cycle; Changes the school revenue sharing ratio to a 6 percent annual growth cap, or 12 percent over one assessment cycle; Allows voters to override the local government revenue cap at the ballot box and school districts to override the cap at the state-wide level; and Extends the backfill mechanism in SB24-233 for local government entities most impacted by this measure for one more year, through 2025. The law also directs the Commission on Property Tax to evaluate the property tax changes made in SB24-233 and HB24B-1001 and report on how Colorado’s tax code does or does not deliver relief to the people who need it the most. Importantly, the governor, in partnership with legislative leadership, has directed state departments to develop and recommend new ways to provide sustainable funding to fire districts, many of which are struggling to keep pace with increasing costs and demands on their services. In May, the General Assembly passed SB24-233 to reduce statewide local taxes by more than $1 billion, prevent future spikes in property taxes, and protect critical services that Coloradans rely on. HB24B-1001 makes minor adjustments to SB24-233 in order to avoid devastating ballot measures from wealthy special interests. Irresponsible ballot measures threatened to reduce revenue for public schools, fire departments, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, and public outdoor recreation by nearly $3 billion. They risked the major strides Colorado Democrats have made to boost public education funding and eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor, and could have led to deep cuts to emergency services. Previous Next

< Back June 25, 2020 BIPARTISAN BILL TO REMOVE RED TAPE AND SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO — Representative Shannon Bird’s bipartisan bill to streamline Colorado’s credentialing system for dozens of professions today was signed into law by Governor Polis. “The new law signed by Governor Polis today will remove red tape and ensure that Colorado is ready to welcome qualified job seekers and highly skilled professionals, including military spouses, from out of state,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “As we work to ensure that Colorado becomes the permanent home of Space Command, it’s crucial that we enact policies to make Colorado a great place for military families to live. That’s exactly what the Occupational Credential Portability Program will do. I’m proud that the legislature took such important steps this session to get Colorado’s strong economy back on track.” HB20-1326 creates the Occupational Credential Portability Program in the Department of Regulatory Agencies to streamline and centralize the credentialing of individuals licensed in another state. The bill will apply to professions ranging from doctors and veterinarians to electricians and barbers. The bill also relocates the existing occupational credential exemption for military spouses to the new occupational credential portability program and strengthens the exemption. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation that would fund transportation infrastructure projects to improve road safety and save Coloradans money on car insurance premiums and by preventing accidents. HB25-1303, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meghan Lukens, passed by a vote of 9-4. < Back April 1, 2025 Bill to Make Roads Safer Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation that would fund transportation infrastructure projects to improve road safety and save Coloradans money on car insurance premiums and by preventing accidents. HB25-1303, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meghan Lukens, passed by a vote of 9-4. “With pedestrian fatalities going up by 73 percent in the last decade, it’s clear that we need to take strong action to make Colorado roads safer for vulnerable road users,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Collisions not only threaten the health and safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, but they also drive up car insurance and health care costs. With this bill, we can create safer roads for all road users, saving Coloradans money and reducing costly and deadly accidents on our shared roads.” “As a Western Slope resident and legislator, I know how common it is to experience accidents with wildlife and other road hazards that delay travel and impact local economies,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Wildlife crossings and other collision prevention strategies have been proven to improve road safety, which we’ve seen on the Highway 9 wildlife crossing project near Kremmling that has helped reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 92 percent. Mountain communities would greatly benefit from transportation infrastructure improvements, and this bill will help save lives, protect wildlife, and reduce lost business revenue due to road closures.” HB 25-1303 would create the Crash Prevention Enterprise to fund transportation infrastructure improvements that improve road safety and prevent collisions between vehicles, vulnerable road users and wildlife. Projects that would qualify for funding under this bill include enhancing sidewalks and bike lanes, implementing traffic circles or other speed-reducing strategies, animal detection systems and other safety projects. To ensure transparency, the enterprise must publish its ten-year plan, maintain a public accountability dashboard to make project progress accessible, and present an annual report to the General Assembly regarding its activities and funding. A Smart Growth America report stated that every dollar invested in active transportation saves $24 in averted medical costs. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, every hour the I-70 mountain corridor is closed, surrounding communities lose up to $2 million in economic activity. Additionally, the estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is $313 million and the average cost of hitting a deer is over $23,500. Previous Next

< Back March 20, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILLS TO HELP COLORADO STUDENTS IB exam fee grant & financial aid assistance bills moving through legislature (Mar. 19) – The House Education committee approved two bills to expand state financial aid resources for ASSET students and provide assistance with the fees associated with International Baccalaureate exams. HB19-1196 sponsored by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, would provide Advancing Students for a Strong Tomorrow (ASSET) students the abilities to receive state financial aid. “Increasing the eligibility for state financial aid will particularly impact Colorado’s small, rural institutions that lack financial resources to supplement state financial aid for ASSET students,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez. “Improving access to higher education by increasing financial assistance will erase our equity gaps and also be an investment in Colorado’s future.” Currently, ASSET students are eligible for the College Opportunity Fund and institutional aid, but they are not eligible for state aid, including scholarships awarded by the state. The ASSET bill passed the legislature in 2013 with bipartisan support and makes the in-state tuition rate at state colleges and universities in Colorado available to all students, regardless of immigration status, who graduate from high school in Colorado after attending for at least three years. HB19-1196 passed by a vote of 8-5. The bill goes to the House floor. The committee also approved HB19-1222, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. It will allow funds in the advanced placement exam fee grant program to also be available to reduce or eliminate fees for the international baccalaureate exam for low-income students. “Students taking challenging IB coursework in high school are better prepared for the rigors of college classes and can earn valuable credits toward a college degree,” said Rep. McCluskie. “This bill will help reduce the financial pressure on low-income students so that they no longer have to stress about how they are going to afford their IB exams, but rather can focus on simply studying and passing these assessments.” The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a two-year high school program offered to 11th and 12th grade students that encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development. Around 50 percent of schools that are designated IB schools are state-funded, according to the Colorado Department of Education. “We have a chance at the legislature to assist with some of the burden for students who take the IB exams, ” said Rep. Cathy Kipp. “This is something that is already provided for low-income students who take Advanced Placement exams. We are simply extending it to students in the International Baccalaureate program.” The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 10-3. HB19-1222 now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next