Meeting the moment and governing responsibly in a crisis. Colorado Democrats passed responsible laws to protect the health and safety of hardworking Coloradans and get our state back on track. DOWNLOAD

The House Health & Insurance Committee today passed legislation to improve oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. It passed by a vote of 9-1. < Back March 14, 2023 Bill to Reduce the Cost of Prescription Drugs Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Insurance Committee today passed legislation to improve oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. It passed by a vote of 9-1. “Pharmacy Benefit Managers act as the middleman between health insurers, employers and patients, giving them a lot of power in determining the cost of prescription drugs,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora . “Strengthening the Division of Insurance’s ability to enforce the cost-saving legislation we’ve passed in recent years will hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers accountable for not following the rules. Colorado Democrats are committed to finding solutions that drive down costs so all Coloradans can afford their essential medication.” “Colorado Democrats have made significant strides in making quality health care more affordable, but these cost-saving measures are not as effective when Pharmacy Benefit Managers don’t act in accordance with the law,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton . “This legislation will require Pharmacy Benefit Managers to register with the state and create new tools to ensure that they follow the cost-saving measures and consumer protections we’ve created to save Coloradans money. Affordable access to prescription drugs and health care is essential in creating an equitable health care system.” HB23-1227 will ensure that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) follow through on critical cost savings reforms that the legislature has passed in recent years to save consumers money. This bill will provide the Division of Insurance (DOI) with more direct oversight over PBMs by requiring them to register and specifying that the DOI has the ability to enforce those reforms. This bill would grant the commissioner the power to investigate and impose penalties on PBMs for failing to comply with consumer protections such as charging pharmacies fees to adjudicate claims, clawing back money from pharmacies inappropriately, and discriminating against independent pharmacies versus PBM affiliated pharmacies. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 ENERGY CONSUMER PROTECTIONS BILL PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– Representative Mike Weissman’s bill to ensure that energy consumers who rely on retail electric coops for their power have a neutral, in-state arbiter to make judgements on disputes related to their rates was approved by the House Energy and Environment Committee. The bill would clarify the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) existing jurisdiction to make decisions on certain complaints received by retail electric coops against wholesale electric coops. The bill was approved by a vote of 9-2.. “Retail electric coops provide increasingly greener, more affordable, and more local power to consumers across our state, including many rural Coloradans,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “Our aim is to ensure fairness for energy consumers by clarifying and affirming the PUC’s jurisdiction to make decisions in specific disputes. I was proud to see the committee stand with consumers today.” HB20-1225 would affirm existing statute that gives the PUC authority to hear complaints related to unjust rates, charges, and tariffs. By clarifying this authority, the bill would prevent jurisdictional gaps and ensure that Colorado disputes are handled by Colorado regulators, instead of being taken to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, D.C.. This bill does not impact investor-owned utilities or municipal utilities. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to support immigrant communities and increase oversight of immigration detention facilities. < Back June 4, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: Bill to Support Immigrant Communities Amid ICE Overreach Becomes Law DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to support immigrant communities and increase oversight of immigration detention facilities. “Coloradans who look like me are being forcefully detained, injured and even killed by federal law enforcement,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We won’t let the federal government operate dangerous and inhumane detention centers without oversight, and our bill ensures facilities are regularly inspected. All Coloradans deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and this law establishes some important guardrails for detention centers and safeguards Coloradans’ privacy.” “The Trump Administration is abducting members of our community and holding them in secretive, unhealthy, and dangerous facilities. One of them is right in my district,” said Sen. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “That’s why we are taking action to improve transparency and oversight of these facilities. We all deserve the freedom to keep our families together and have due process under the law.” “Across the country, we’ve witnessed illegal detainments, mass deportations, and young children, even infants, being forcefully ripped from their families. Enough is enough,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “In Colorado, we’re strengthening existing privacy protections that we expect the governor to honor, and setting some much-needed parameters on federal detention centers. Under our new law, detention centers will be subject to frequent and regular inspections to not only promote better health and safety, but also more transparency for our community.” “As state legislators, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to keep our communities safe from the violent and unconstitutional overreach of ICE,” said Sen. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “We hear all too often about death, sickness, overcrowding, and other unacceptable conditions in ICE detention facilities, but there is almost no transparency. This law is about increasing oversight, ensuring frequent inspections, and protecting health and safety.” Last year, Democratic lawmakers passed SB25-276 to strengthen existing data privacy protections and clarify constitutional protections for immigrants. Importantly, HB26-1276 requires more oversight over detention facilities.This law also: Requires reporting on conditions in immigration detention facilities through frequent and regular inspections of the health and safety of facilities, in addition to unannounced inspections. Directs the Attorney General’s office to develop a model policy for sharing information with federal authorities when required by federal law. Requires current law enforcement to receive training on Colorado’s immigration laws to ensure they enforce state laws properly. This law is especially important now, as smaller detention centers that were previously used for short-term detention are now housing people for long periods of time without basic necessities. In a letter from the Colorado Democratic delegation to the Acting Director of ICE, the members stated that an individual was kept in a temporary holding cell for as long as 39 days. A report from earlier this year exposed the ICE facility in Aurora for dangerous, unhealthy living conditions. The report found that medical conditions are often ignored by immigration officers and 22 percent of respondents are food insecure. Governor Polis also signed HB26-1283 into law yesterday. This law, sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder and Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, and Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland and Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, will prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s government-issued identification card with federal law enforcement agencies except when otherwise required by state or federal law. Additionally, if an employer holds an employee’s ID or personal document with the intent of harassing or intimidating the employee, they could be charged with a bias-motivated crime. This law will help protect immigrant communities, especially workers employed in the service, hospitality, agriculture and construction industries. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Judy Amabile that would increase the success of eligible individuals referred from the criminal justice system by connecting them to an individualized care coordination plan in an effort to divert them from incarceration. HB24-1355 passed by a vote of 55-8. < Back April 26, 2024 Legislation to Reduce Competency Waitlist, Connect Coloradans to Mental Health Services Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Judy Amabile that would increase the success of eligible individuals referred from the criminal justice system by connecting them to an individualized care coordination plan in an effort to divert them from incarceration. HB24-1355 passed by a vote of 55-8. “The waitlist for competency services is so long that people who have not yet been found guilty of a crime are in jail longer than people who are convicted,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “This legislation will help address Colorado’s broken competency system so we can provide mental health services to people who need them. Not only will this better serve our most vulnerable, but it will also make our communities safer.” “People with mental health struggles are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, and they desperately need services,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “When a mental health disorder is left untreated, Coloradans are often sent to jail for a relatively low offense, limiting their ability to rehabilitate. Routing people to diversion programs instead of the competency system connects them to mental health services that can help prevent a crisis and reduce recidivism.” HB24-1355 would create the Bridges Wraparound Care Program to refer eligible individuals with mental health struggles from the criminal justice system into wraparound care services. A defendant can be eligible for the Bridges Wraparound Care Program if they consent to participate in the program, the district attorney and defense counsel agree that there is a reasonable cause to believe that the defendant will be found incompetent, and the defendant is not charged with a class 1, 2, or 3 felony, a level 1 and 2 drug felony, a sex offense, a crime of violence, or any offense described in C.R.S. 24-4.1-302 (1), unless the district attorney waives this requirement in the interest of justice. If the defendant is eligible and agrees to enter the program, the court will assign a coordinator within the program who will screen and access the defendant to create a plan for the defendant. After 182 days of care, the care coordinator will review the defendant’s progress and if the court finds the defendant is compliant with their care plan, the charges must be dropped. If the defendant has not complied with the individualized care plan but is engaged in the process, the court may continue the case for up to 91 more days. If the defendant is not engaged, the district attorney may end the defendant’s placement in the program and begin prosecuting the case. The bill would also require each judicial district to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the Bridges Wraparound Care Program with district attorneys, public defenders, the Department of Human Services, the Behavioral Health Administration, treatment providers, local behavioral health case management programs, and local behavioral health case management programs to come up with how they will provide treatment to individuals found eligible for this program. Previous Next

The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bipartisan bill that would make state grant programs and tax credits more accessible. HB24-1287 passed unanimously by a vote of 8-0. < Back March 7, 2024 Bipartisan Rural Grant and Tax Credit Accessibility Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bipartisan bill that would make state grant programs and tax credits more accessible. HB24-1287 passed unanimously by a vote of 8-0. “From workforce to wildfire mitigation, we’ve created numerous grant programs and tax credits with the basic benefits of being a Colorado resident which frequently are unknown and unused,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch. “Through this legislation, we’re making grant program and tax credit information more accessible to everyone, especially in our rural communities, so we can connect more Coloradans with these resources.” HB24-1287 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, would require state-funded or state-administered grant and tax credit opportunities to be made publicly accessible on a website. The bill would also create the Grant Assistance to Rural Communities Program to assist rural Coloradans in finding and applying for grants and tax credits. Previous Next

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