Law enforcement began an investigation into the 2025 Evergreen High School shooter’s concerning online behavior 75 days before the shooting < Back March 18, 2026 Story Bill to Improve Public Safety, Shorten Search Warrant Response Timelines Passes Committee Law enforcement began an investigation into the 2025 Evergreen High School shooter’s concerning online behavior 75 days before the shooting DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bill that would improve public safety by requiring social media companies to quickly respond to search warrants and report users to law enforcement if they engage in dangerous online behavior. HB26-1255, sponsored by Representative Tammy Story, passed by a vote of 7-4. “The Evergreen High School shooting was horrifying and preventable, and it has had a long-lasting impact on our community. I’m sponsoring this bill to bolster law enforcement’s ability to keep dangerous people from terrorizing our communities,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “Social media companies have access to important, life-saving information, and when that information can take over a month to get back to law enforcement agencies, it might be too late. We’re asking social media companies to better help us address public safety threats by requiring them to quickly respond to search warrants and notify law enforcement when a user poses a threat to the public. This bill could save lives and prevent communities from experiencing the horror of a mass shooting attack.” Currently, social media platforms must respond to a search warrant within 35 days. HB26-1255 would shorten this timeframe, requiring social media companies to acknowledge receipt of search warrants within eight hours and comply within 24 hours. The bill also requires these platforms to have a streamlined process to handle search warrants and maintain a 24/7 staffed hotline to coordinate directly with law enforcement. The bill also requires social media companies to report users to local law enforcement within 24 hours if they suspend, terminate or restrict a user for posting content that violates the platform’s policies. In September 2025, a student opened fire at Evergreen High School, injuring two classmates before taking his own life. Seventy-five days before the shooting, the FBI began an investigation in response to a tip from the Anti-Defamation League about an online user who was planning a mass shooting. This account was later reported to belong to the Evergreen High School shooter. The FBI filed three separate search warrants, beginning on July 5. The third search warrant, which sought information for the shooter’s home address, was completed hours after the shooting happened. In October 2025, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated that the delay was due to lengthy search warrant response timelines. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also stated that they believed that the shooter was “radicalized through an extremist network”, as he had concerning social media activity and referenced mass shootings like the shooting at Columbine High School and the 2014 shooting at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Two hours before the shooting, he posted images on his X account of his tactical gear, which featured extremist, alt-right symbols. Last month, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen introduced the Evergreen Community Safety Act of 2026 , which would require social media companies to comply with a search warrant within 72 hours. California passed a similar law in 2024 and New York is currently considering similar legislation . Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEES CLEAR THREE BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING, FAMILY TAX FILINGS Bipartisan legislation would invest $189 million in federal pandemic relief funds to create more affordable housing and assist families in tax filings DENVER, CO – Three bills to save Coloradans money won committee approval today. SB22-159 and SB22-160 are part of a package of bills recommended by the Transformational Affordable Housing Task Force to save Coloradans money on housing. SB22-182 uses federal economic relief funds to provide family tax filing assistance and education. “Mobile home park ownership can change hands fairly quickly – leading to skyrocketing lot-rent prices and sometimes displacement of park residents,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of SB22-160. “This legislation invests critical resources to keep mobile homes affordable by empowering mobile homeowners to purchase the land their homes sit on. Resident-owned communities are important for keeping Coloradans housed.” “Mobile homeowners are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, but often face an uphill battle when it comes to fighting high rent prices,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB22-160. “Our bill invests $35 million toward creating critical protections for mobile park residents so they can invest in their own communities and create the stability they need to keep their homes affordable.” Loan Program Resident Owned Communities: SB22-160 , sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Mandy Lindsay, passed the House Transportation and Local Government Committee by a vote of 8 to 5. This bill will invest $35 million into the newly created Mobile Home Park Resident Empowerment Loan and Grant Program Fund. The Fund will provide financing to eligible mobile home homeowners so they can purchase the land under their homes and convert into a resident-owned community. Additionally, the bill establishes a mechanism for nonprofits to receive grant funding to provide technical assistance to homeowners and help them build the capacity, resources, and know-how to organize and purchase their mobile home park. This bill will provide a critical financial tool for mobile homeowners across the state at risk of displacement or exorbitant lot rent increases that often occur when a park is sold from one for-profit owner to another. “Any way you slice it, Colorado needs more affordable homes and our bipartisan bill invests $150 million to create, modify and improve Colorado’s affordable housing stock,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of SB22-159. “This record investment in affordable housing leverages local and private investments to increase the supply of affordable housing in every corner of the state in a sustainable and adaptable manner.” Revolving Loan Fund Invest Affordable Housing: SB22-159 , sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Perry Will passed the House Finance Committee by a vote of 7 to 2. This bill will invest $150 million to create the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program to develop and integrate housing-related infrastructure, provide gap financing for affordable housing development projects, and preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable housing. “Colorado families have not been immune to the rising costs and pandemic pressures,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB22-182. “Our bill provides families with tax filing assistance and information so families can claim the tax credits they’re owed. Working together with local partners, we’ll ensure that Colorado families will receive the tax credits they are eligible for and be able to pay for groceries, rent and other necessities.” “Some Colorado families might not know they’re eligible for certain tax credits,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of SB22-182. “Our bill provides tax filing assistance and outreach to Coloradans so they can keep more of their paycheck and receive the tax credits they are owed. Economic education is an important tool for saving Colorado families money.” Economic Mobility Program: SB22-182 , sponsored by Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Mary Young passed the House Finance Committee by a vote of 6-5. This bill would save Coloradans money by providing $4 million to extend the successful Economic Mobility Program, which provides tax filing assistance for eligible Coloradans. Among other things, this program helps people claim tax credits, including the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which Colorado families may not know they are eligible for. SB22-182 aims to help low-income families and those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic by facilitating communication, training, and technical assistance in tax filing with state agency partners, public health agencies and community based organizations focused on economic mobility. This investment will increase awareness and enrollment in economic assistance programs available to low-income individuals and families. It will also provide grants to nonprofits, local public health agencies, and other community based organizations that help people access economic support. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to prohibit facility fee charges for preventative care and telehealth appointments to save Colorado patients money. < Back April 17, 2023 Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Hospital Costs Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to prohibit facility fee charges for preventative care and telehealth appointments to save Colorado patients money. “Surprise bills like hospital facility fees are making it more difficult for Coloradans to seek the care that they need because they can’t afford to be surprised by hundreds or thousands of dollars in hidden costs,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We need hospital billing to be more transparent for both health centers and Colorado patients so there is a common understanding of what the health care industry can charge and so patients know what to expect. By passing this bill to protect patients, Coloradans will save money and won’t be billed for many exorbitant facility fees.” “Preventative care is crucial to identify and address health care concerns before they become too aggressive to manage without expensive treatments,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Without preventative care, hospitals bear the cost of expensive services due to worsened health conditions, especially if the patient is unable to afford these emergency services. By prohibiting facility fees on preventative care and telehealth appointments, Coloradans will save money on care that keeps them healthy and alive and avoid surprise fees they can’t afford.” Some health care centers have started to charge patients hidden fees, often called a facility fee, on top of the health care services they are already being charged to cover operating costs. These fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars and are impossible for families to budget for, since there is no transparency as to how these fees will be applied. HB23-1215 prohibits health care providers from charging a facility fee for outpatient telehealth or preventative care. Health care providers would also be required to share information about facility fees to patients and post information on their property. The bill makes it a deceptive trade practice to not share facility fee information to patients. The bill also requires a report to be produced by December 1, 2023 that outlines the details of the impact of facility fees to better understand what these fees cover and how these fees impact patient cost and patient health. An annual report will also be required to improve data collection on facility fees and to increase transparency on the effects of these added costs. Previous Next

HB26-1007 would save Coloradans money on their energy bills by expanding access to cost-saving solar < Back March 5, 2026 House Passes Bill to Allow Plug-in Solar Panels HB26-1007 would save Coloradans money on their energy bills by expanding access to cost-saving solar DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to remove barriers to plug-in solar panels to save Coloradans money on their utility bills. HB26-1007 would establish safety standards for plug-in solar and meter collars and ensure that utilities accommodate their use to help Coloradans take advantage of cost-saving solar. “With the passage of this bill, we’re closer than ever before to make safe, plug-in solar options available to Coloradans,” said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder. “Our bill removes unnecessary barriers and establishes safety standards to make plug-in solar a reality for more Coloradans. Traditional solar rooftop solar panels aren’t an option for most renters, and this makes it easier for Coloradans to lower their utility bills by generating their own clean, reliable energy.” “Plug-in solar panels are a safe and helpful tool for saving Coloradans money on their utility bills,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood . “Our bill outlines necessary safety standards for plug-in solar devices and meter collars so more Coloradans can take advantage of this renewable energy source. Many renters are interested in solar, and this bill makes it easier for them to give solar a shot at an affordable price point and without unnecessary barriers.” HB26-1007 passed the House by a vote of 48-16. This bill expands access to renewable energy technology by making it easier for those living in apartments or shared spaces to benefit from cost-saving solar. HB26-1007 establishes protective guardrails on the types of plug-in solar products that can be used. Under this bill, all plug-in solar devices installed must meet the UL 3700 product safety standard. Plug-in solar, also referred to as balcony solar, can be plugged into a home electrical outlet and is more affordable than traditional rooftop solar. It consists of one to four solar panels plus an inverter and optional battery and is designed for simple, safe installation. Plug-in solar can be used to power household appliances and offer Coloradans alternative, reliable energy sources. To streamline solar installation, HB26-1007 encourages the use of meter collars. Meter collars are devices installed between an electric meter socket and a utility billing meter to provide immediate interconnection of customer-owned solar devices to the grid. Meter collars eliminate the need for a costly electrical panel upgrade, saving Coloradans money and time on solar installation. This bill outlines a safe, consistent and repeatable solar installation process with minimal disruption and short installation times to benefit Coloradans. Plug-in solar is common in Europe. For example, in Germany, approximately 4 million households have installed plug-in solar. If passed, Colorado would join Utah in becoming early adopters of safe, reliable, plug-in solar in the United States. Previous Next

On August 6, two laws sponsored by Representative Katie Stewart to waive Colorado's state park entry fees for enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and expand access to durable medical equipment go into effect. < Back August 1, 2025 Stewart Laws to Provide Free State Park Entry to CO Ute Tribes, Increase Access to Medical Equipment Take Effect DENVER, CO - On August 6, two laws sponsored by Representative Katie Stewart to waive Colorado's state park entry fees for enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and expand access to durable medical equipment go into effect . “Long before Colorado was a state, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe were stewards of the land now known as our state parks,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “This law ensures that enrolled members of the Colorado Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe can receive free entry to Colorado's state parks. From Mancos State Park in Southwest Colorado, to Golden Gate State Park in the foothills, this law is one part of the state’s continued commitment to honor and support the ancestral land reconnection for the longest continuous residents of our state.” HB25-1163 waives the entrance fee to all of Colorado’s state parks for enrolled members of the Colorado Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. There are 43 state parks in Colorado located in communities across the state. This law aims to formally recognize the profound cultural and spiritual connections Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe members have with the land. HB25-1163 will reduce barriers to accessing sacred outdoor space by modifying governmental systems that have historically excluded Indigenous people. The law is supported by leaders of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. HB25-1016 allows occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment, like ventilators and wheelchairs, without requiring a prescription from a licensed physician, leading to increased access to medical care and treatment. “Occupational therapists know what care their patients need, and this new law allows them to prescribe critical medical equipment to their patients,” continued Stewart. “When it comes to equipment like wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and monitors, lack of access impacts the health of Coloradans, especially for rural Coloradans with more limited access to health care providers. This law removes barriers to care by allowing occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment to address their patients' needs, streamlining access to care so Coloradans can receive the care needed to keep them safe and healthy.” Previous Next

< Back May 18, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SAVE PEOPLE MONEY ON HEALTH CARE Legislation significantly boosts number of inpatient beds for adults and youth, increases access to care for families and saves Coloradans money on prescription drugs DENVER, CO – Two critical bills from the legislature’s behavioral health package were signed into law today. They invest nearly $120 million to increase residential treatment options in Colorado and expand access to behavioral health care for youth and families. Governor Polis also signed legislation that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs and save Coloradans money on health care. Adult Inpatient and Residential Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1303 , sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Shane Sandridge and Senators Faith Winter and Jim Smallwood, invests $65 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment options. “Colorado needs more residential treatment options to ensure that people have access to the care they need, and that’s what the bill signed into law today will do,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Too many people are waiting for treatment and seeing their conditions worsen because there isn’t a treatment bed available for them. The legislation signed today will fund new beds across the state for people struggling with serious mental illness.” “Far too many of our neighbors are struggling to access the health care they need, and we must increase our capacity to support folks who require urgent, immediate care,” said Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster . “These new laws will provide additional inpatient and residential treatment beds for individuals in need, and help people save money and improve certainty for folks who rely on lifesaving prescription drugs, which will make a world of difference and allow more Coloradans to access the care they desperately need.” Currently, Colorado does not have enough residential treatment beds to treat individuals with serious mental illness, including individuals with co-occuring conditions or in need of civil commitment. The law supports the addition of 16 beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state. These beds will be available for adults with urgent behavioral health needs who need clinical support to become stabilized. They will provide integrated care to flexibly serve all populations, including individuals involved in the criminal justice system and those awaiting competency restoration services. “The legislation Governor Polis signed today will save Coloradans money on prescription drugs by requiring insurance companies and prescription drug benefit managers to pass on savings from manufacturer rebates to consumers,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “No one should have to choose between life saving medication and paying for everyday necessities. This new law will protect consumers and help ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to the treatment patients need.” Saving Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs: HB22-1370 , sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Iman Jodeh and Senators Faith Winter and Janet Buckner, 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 prescription drugs by requiring that 25 percent of health plans have a set dollar amount for co-pays instead of unpredictable percentage-based coinsurance. “This legislation prevents people from seeing their health coverage change when they are in the middle of lifesaving treatment and will help ensure patients have access to the medications they need,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We’ve taken historic action in recent years to bring down the cost of health insurance and save people money on health care, and I’m proud to see us take this important step forward today to save people even more on their prescription drugs.” The bill will save Coloradans money on prescription drugs by requiring insurance companies to pass along the savings from manufacturers’ rebates. The bill also bans health insurance companies from raising the out-of-pocket costs of someone’s prescription medications in the middle of their coverage and prohibits companies from dropping coverage of a medication a patient needs midway through the patients’ coverage. “Kids and families all across Colorado deserve access to quality behavioral health care, but our current system isn’t getting them the care they need,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “I am proud to champion these bills that will improve access to behavioral health care for youth in Colorado, lower the cost and improve access to lifesaving prescription drugs, and help make sure that every family in our state is able to receive the vital care they need to thrive.” Youth and Family Residential Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1283 sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Mary Bradfield and Senators Janet Buckner and Kevin Priola, will make it easier for families and youth to access residential and outpatient care in Colorado. “Colorado is facing a youth mental health crisis; we made expanding access to care for youth and families one of the major focuses of our behavioral health package this year,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Too many families can’t find options for treatment in Colorado so they are forced to send their kids out of state. I’m proud Colorado is making a historic investment to substantially increase our ability to care for our kids and provide the care they need to thrive.” Right now, Colorado does not have adequate capacity to serve children and youth with complex behavioral health needs. As a result, too many children are sent out-of-state to access treatment, far away from their families and support network. This bill will invest $54M to support intensive youth and family residential and outpatient care, ensuring that children, youth, and families can access behavioral health treatment and services they need right here in Colorado. Previous Next

< Back May 13, 2021 HOUSE MOVES TO RESTRICT LAW ENFORCEMENT’S USE OF KETAMINE DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Representatives Leslie Herod and Yadira Caraveo’s bill to define the appropriate use of ketamine in law enforcement interactions. The bill passed on second reading. “For too long, ketamine has been misused during law enforcement interactions and outside of medical settings, and it has had dangerous, even deadly, consequences for Coloradans,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “This bill represents a bold step forward in our efforts to improve policing in our state and ensure all Coloradans feel safe and protected by law enforcement.” “Ketamine is not a drug that should be used lightly or without being able to verify basic medical information like a patient’s weight, medical history, and other relevant factors.” said Doctor Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “Colorado has already lost far too many lives due to the misuse of this powerful drug. My hope is that by passing this bill we’ll prevent the type of tragedy that took the life of Elijah McClain and so many more from ever happening again.” HB21-1251 limits the use of ketamine to subdue an individual in pre-hospital settings. The federal government has scheduled ketamine as a controlled substance due to its associated risk factors, and emergency medical service providers, here referred to as ‘paramedics,’ must seek waivers to administer ketamine since the drug is outside of their standard scope of practice. Studies show that rates of intubation for people injected with ketamine in a prehospital setting are dramatically higher than when it’s administered in an emergency department. The bill prohibits law enforcement from compelling, directing or unduly influencing a paramedic to chemically incapacitate someone by administering ketamine. For a paramedic to administer ketamine in a prehospital setting with law enforcement present, the paramedic must weigh an individual to ensure accurate dosage and if that’s not possible, at least two people present at the scene must agree with their weight estimation. The paramedic must be trained in the administration of ketamine and must attempt to obtain verbal authorization from a medical director before administering it. Lastly, there must be equipment on site to immediately monitor the person’s vital signs and provide urgent transport to a hospital. Among other changes, the bill requires a law enforcement officer to intervene and report to the POST board if they see another officer using ketamine on someone, which under the bill would constitute excessive use of force and could lead to permanent revocation of an officer’s POST certification if the incident results in death. Absent a justifiable medical emergency, a paramedic would be prohibited from using ketamine to sedate someone to aid in their arrest or restraint for alleged or suspected criminal conduct Previous Next

House and Senate Democratic leadership today outlined some of the shared legislative priorities ahead of the 2025 legislative session. The 75th General Assembly begins on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. < Back January 7, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Lawmakers Outline 2025 Legislative Priorities DENVER, CO – House and Senate Democratic leadership today outlined some of the shared legislative priorities ahead of the 2025 legislative session. The 75th General Assembly begins on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. “It’s clear Coloradans trust Democrats because we have governed responsibly and delivered results on the issues that matter most, like making our state more affordable, protecting your rights and freedoms and prioritizing working families,” said House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “From lowering the cost of housing and health insurance to investing in public education and supporting Colorado agriculture, we’re focused on making our state a more affordable, safer place to call home. As we enter another legislative session, I am excited for Democrats and Republicans to find common ground once again and move Colorado forward.” “As I step into the role of Senate President, I’m focused on making Colorado a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive – where anyone can work hard, afford basic necessities like a safe place to live and high-quality health care, and earn a good life,” said Senate President-designee James Coleman, D-Denver. “I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for Coloradans. We’re prioritizing solutions to lower the cost of living, protect our freedoms including reproductive health care and voting rights, and ensure safe, thriving communities.” “I’m excited to get to work to lower costs for families, make our communities safer, and protect the Colorado Way of Life as the Trump Administration threatens to undermine our rights and freedoms,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “With a tight budget year ahead, we will be focused on protecting our most vulnerable and preserving the important investments we’ve made in health care, education and public safety. We will fight back against attacks on abortion rights, attempts to roll back protections that support our immigrant communities as well as clean water and air, eliminate health care coverage for Coloradans or repeal life-saving gun violence prevention legislation.” “Colorado Democrats are ready and excited to get back to work and tackle the issues that matter most to Coloradans,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Coming hot off the heels of the November election, we’re prepared to deliver results that Coloradans expect: more affordable and safer communities, access to high-quality health care, and support for the middle class. Additionally, we stand ready to be responsible and reactive to federal decisions that could erode our freedoms and threaten the Colorado we know and love.” From investing in public schools , reducing gun violence and cutting taxes to reducing the cost of housing , behavioral health care , higher education and child care, Colorado Democrats have delivered on the issues that matter most to Coloradans and working families. Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, Democratic lawmakers are preparing to build upon their efforts to make Colorado more affordable and safer, and meet the challenges of the Trump administration head on to protect shared freedoms, values and the Colorado way of life. Previous Next

The House today passed the “Freedom to Read Act” by a vote of 42-22. < Back April 14, 2025 House Passes “Freedom to Read Act” DENVER, CO – The House today passed the “Freedom to Read Act” by a vote of 42-22. SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries. “Knowledge is power, and our bill preserves access to age-appropriate literature in Colorado public schools,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “This legislation creates a standard process to evaluate a book’s inclusion or removal from a library – further shielding our public school libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights. Schools are for learning, and our students deserve access to age-appropriate books that encourage them to think more broadly and critically about the world.” “Free societies don’t ban books. This bill maintains access to a wide range of literature, including books that share the experiences and voices of marginalized communities,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Books offer a window to the world where students can explore new places, discover different cultures and dive deep into a new experience. The freedom to read is a cornerstone to a strong democracy, and we’re making sure our students have access to age-appropriate literature.” SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a standard policy on the acquisition, use and removal of library resources. The policy would ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair and consistent process. Without a policy in place, a local school board or the Charter School Institute could not remove a library resource from its collection. SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation. Previous Next

SB25-004 builds on past legislation to prevent gun violence and save lives < Back April 6, 2026 Signed! Bill to Expand and Improve Colorado’s Red Flag Law SB25-004 builds on past legislation to prevent gun violence and save lives DENVER, CO – Today Governor Polis signed into law legislation to expand Colorado’s existing “Red Flag” law and proactively de-escalate violent situations and save lives. SB26-004 , sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Representatives Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, expands the list of community members eligible to petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to include health care and education institutions. “In Colorado, our ‘Red Flag’ law has already helped prevent gun violence, but we can strengthen it to give more people the opportunity to save lives,” said Sullivan. “Adding health care and education facilities to the list of qualified petitioners for an ERPO helps ensure that trusted community members are able to reach those who are a danger to themselves or others sooner and stop more violence before it occurs.” “Our law will help prevent gun crimes and suicides to save countless Colorado lives while safeguarding people’s rights through a proven process,” said Froelich. “Colorado Democrats created our Red Flag law in 2019 to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. We’re strengthening this gun violence prevention law to save more lives and make Colorado a safer place to live for all.” “Colorado’s ‘Red Flag’ law exists to prevent gun violence so that families have the freedom to go to school, church, and the grocery store without fear,” said Gonzales. “Strengthening this already highly effective law will allow us to stop preventable acts of gun violence and save more Coloradans' lives.” “This new law refines Colorado’s Red Flag law to expand the use of this life-saving tool,” said Willford. “Co-responders often have the most direct contact and information about someone who is experiencing a crisis, and allowing them to file an ERPO petition means that the judicial system can make a more informed decision to remove access to firearms from an individual in crisis. Colorado’s Red Flag law saves lives, and our law makes it an even stronger tool to prevent gun violence.” SB26-004 adds co-responders and entities that employ or contract with specified community members to the list of those who may petition the court for an ERPO. It also adds health care facilities, behavioral health treatment facilities, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions as institutional petitioners that may petition a court for an ERPO. Passed in 2019, Colorado Democrats’ original ERPO legislation allows qualified individuals to petition a judge to temporarily remove a firearm from a potentially dangerous individual and interrupt gun violence before it has a chance to occur. In 2023, lawmakers passed legislation to expand the list of qualified individuals eligible to petition for an ERPO to include DAs and other law enforcement officials, licensed health care professionals, educators, and mental health professionals. In 2024, the most recent data available , there were 164 ERPO petitions filed in Colorado. Previous Next

< Back March 3, 2022 JUDICIARY PASSES BILL TO PREVENT IDENTITY-BASED CRIMES DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Dafna Michaelson Jenet to prevent identity-based crimes and build safer Colorado communities. The bill is part of the public safety package. “We've seen a scary increase in threats and crimes targeting specific communities, and this cannot continue,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Improving public safety is a top priority, and identity-based crimes have no place in Colorado. Our legislation will help law enforcement develop the tools and strategies they need to prevent and solve serious crimes that impact our entire community’s sense of safety.” “Crimes that target specific communities cannot be tolerated,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “We need new strategies and resources to counter violent threats that make entire communities feel unsafe. The legislation we are advancing will focus on preventing and intervening in identity-based violence by developing new capabilities and collaboration with community organizations and law enforcement.” HB22-1234 , which passed by a vote of 7-4, creates a grant program to prevent identity-based violence. The grants will focus on building strong communities and preventing acts of violence that target a specific population of people, and on building awareness of these crimes to prevent them from happening in the first place. The bill positions law enforcement to develop the strategies needed to solve serious crimes that have widespread ramifications on a community’s sense of safety. This could include projects that strengthen local collaboration and capabilities to prevent and intervene in identity-based violence. The bill is supported by the Department of Public Safety, One Colorado, the Counter Terrorism Education Learning Lab, the Center on Colfax, and Out Boulder County. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2019 SULLIVAN, GARNETT INTRODUCE LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Feb 14) – Today, Rep. Tom Sullivan and Majority Leader Alec Garnett were joined by survivors of gun violence, law enforcement officers and state legislators to unveil new legislation to prevent gun violence and protect first responders. “This is why I’m here – I’m here to help save lives and to make sure what happened to my family and my son doesn’t happen to others,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “This Extreme Risk Protection Order bill is about saving lives. I wear my son Alex’s jacket every single day I come to the state capitol. Watching your child’s body drop into the ground is as bad as it gets. And I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that none of you have to do that. I don’t care what party you belong to, I’m going to everything I can until this jacket falls off of me.” Rep. Sullivan’s son Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. “When an individual is in crisis, loved ones and law enforcement are often the first to see signs that they pose a threat to themselves or others. Extreme Risk Protection Orders can save lives by creating a way for family members and law enforcement to act before warning signs escalate into tragedies,” said Rep. Garnett, D-Denver. “This bill has some of the strongest due process provisions of any ERPO bill in the country. Coloradans refuse to maintain the status quo and refuse to simply live with the consequences of doing nothing to address the epidemic of gun violence.” This bill will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe.Through this bill, family or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks. After that, family or law enforcement could petition the judge for a full Extreme Risk Protection Order. 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, they could approve the protection order for up to 364 days. During this hearing, respondents will be provided legal counsel at no cost. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during the 364-day time period. The bill, which was introduced during the 2018 legislative session and which passed the House, is once again named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty last New Year’s Eve by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Deputy Parrish was just twenty-nine years old. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, spoke in favor of the bill at a press conference today. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Senators Lois Court, D-Denver, and Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, also spoke at today’s press conference, sharing a statement from Deputy Parrish’s parents Zack and Cris Parrish to remind us all of the need for this life-saving legislation: “It is incumbent upon us to support the Zack S. Parrish, III Law, a measure which will limit the accessibility that a mentally and/or emotionally ill person would have to obtain such weaponry. This is not about taking gun rights away from anyone; it is about protecting our first responders, families, and the community at large, thus reducing these tragedies in the future,” the Parrish family urged. Kaylee Tyner, a senior at Columbine High School spoke at the press conference and led a moment of silence in honor of the one year anniversary of the Parkland High School shooting. Thirteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Jane Dougherty of Littleton whose sister Mary Sherlach was killed in the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Conn. And who has been a leader on gun violence prevention efforts here in Colorado and in the capitol also spoke at today’s press conference. Colorado lost over eleven-hundred 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 Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) legislation was enacted. The text of HB19-1177 can be found here. Watch Rep. Sullivan’s remarks here. Previous Next