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With the legislative session just around the corner, I wanted to share an update about what I’ve been working on this summer and some of my goals for the next session. < Back Speaker McCluskie: Connecting with Colorado: Progress and Goals for Legislative Session Sep 29, 2023 See more This op-ed appeared in The Flume on Sept. 29, 2023 . With the legislative session just around the corner, I wanted to share an update about what I’ve been working on this summer and some of my goals for the next session. While in session, I must spend most of my time in Denver, but I always look forward to the summer months when I can reconnect with our community. Recently, I held town halls and constituent meetings in Park, Summit, Grand, Jackson, Lake, and Chaffee counties. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to drive across Colorado’s most beautiful district and connect with the hard-working local families who are the heart of our mountain and rural communities. In this last session, we worked to save Coloradans money on what are often the three most expensive costs for families: housing, health care, and child care. We also passed legislation to bolster Colorado’s workforce, protect our air and water, and increase education funding to historic levels. This past session, we delivered real resultson the issues that matter most to Coloradans by: Investing a record amount toward Colorado’s K-12 public schools, which equates to more than $10,600 in per-pupil funding, reducing the Budget Stabilization factor by $180 million and a $30 million investment for rural schools. Establishing the wolf depredation compensation fund to compensate livestock owners and agricultural producers for the depredation of livestock and working animals by wolves. Sending Proposition 123 dollars out the door as soon as possible to provide funding for affordable housing across Colorado’s diverse communities. Investing $45 million over two years for aspiring professionals in high-demand fields to receive free college toward short-term degrees and industry certificates. Creating an insurer-of-last-resort or FAIR Plan for individuals and businesses who can’t get property coverage in the traditional market due to the threat of wildfire. Establishing a Colorado River Drought Task Force, which will make policy recommendations for a collaborative solution to future drought on the Colorado River. I am immensely proud of the bipartisan progress that I and the rest of the legislature have made, but we know there is still a lot of work left to do. I remain focused on making sure the voices of rural Coloradans are heard clearly at the Capitol. I am committed to ensuring that people can live where they work, afford a health care plan that doesn’t break the bank, obtain accessible, high-quality childcare options, and have access to sustainable water for agriculture, municipal use, and outdoor recreation. I look forward to continuing discussions with community members to ensure voices are heard ahead of this upcoming legislative session. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at Julie.McCluskie.House@coleg.gov . Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2020 JBC ACTION POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 7 AT EARLIEST DENVER, CO — JBC Chair Representative Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Vice-Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, today released the following statements announcing that JBC action will not resume before April 7. “Between the challenges of balancing a budget with a constantly changing economy and the additional public health considerations during the pandemic, we feel it is necessary to put our budget-making on pause while we get a clearer picture of where things stand,” said JBC Chair Rep. Esgar. “Our communities, businesses and state and local governments are dealing with a pandemic, and we have to be able to respond appropriately to the needs across the state. The situation continues to evolve, and we want to ensure we’re making final budget decisions with the best information possible under these challenging circumstances.” “In the midst of this ongoing public health crisis, it is crucial that we put all of our focus on the immediate wellbeing of Coloradans,” said JBC Vice-Chair Sen. Moreno. “Creating a holistic budget for the state is dependent on a variety of factors that are in flux right now. So for the time being, we believe it would be premature to put forward a budget while so much remains uncertain. We will continue to work diligently to determine a path forward as this situation evolves.” JBC hearings are postponed until April 7 at the earliest, and JBC and legislative leadership will continue to monitor the situation to determine when it’s appropriate to resume. In the meantime, JBC members will continue gathering information and staff will continue working to prepare for budget decisions to begin again, with final decisions postponed until hearings resume. Previous Next

On August 6, 2025, Rep. Amy Paschal’s bipartisan law to encourage more geothermal energy production and save Coloradans money on their energy bill will take effect. < Back August 1, 2025 Paschal’s Law to Save Coloradans Money On Their Energy Bill Takes Effect DENVER, CO – On August 6, 2025, Rep. Amy Paschal’s bipartisan law to encourage more geothermal energy production and save Coloradans money on their energy bill will take effect. “Colorado’s abundant geothermal energy–the heat beneath our feet–can reduce heating and energy costs and save Coloradans and businesses money,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “This law will boost geothermal energy production while establishing strong protections for geologic carbon storage facilities. Diversifying our energy sources is important, and this law helps streamline geothermal permitting for homes and businesses.” HB25-1165 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, streamlines the geothermal energy production permitting process to improve the commercialization of this renewable energy source. Geothermal energy can be produced 24/7 and is a stable, renewable source of energy for heating and cooling businesses and homes. This law also establishes a long-term funding mechanism to ensure the safety of geologic carbon storage operations. Geological storage, a form of carbon capture and sequestration, is a climate change mitigation strategy that stores greenhouse gases underground. Beginning in 2026, this bill establishes a stewardship fee to be paid by operators of geologic storage to maintain the geological storage facility for the long term and help prevent leaks or damage. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to streamline the licensing and permitting process for food truck operators. < Back May 20, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Gov. Polis Signs Bill to Support Small Business DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to streamline the licensing and permitting process for food truck operators. “Food trucks are a great option for entrepreneurs who want to jump into the restaurant scene without high overhead costs,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “Colorado was recently added to the Michelin Guide, driving up interest in local talent who want to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. This law streamlines small business permitting so they can focus on making delicious food, not filling out paperwork.” “Small business owners and consumers across our state should have access to all of the innovative restaurant options Colorado’s hospitality industry has to offer,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “With this new law, arbitrary regulations and red tape won’t hinder the trailblazing restaurateurs across Colorado from supporting themselves and other small businesses.” “This new law modernizes food truck permitting to help Colorado small businesses thrive,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “The food truck scene is popular throughout Colorado, but barriers like duplicative licenses and stringent restrictions make it difficult to run a successful business. With this legislation, we’re making it easier for Coloradans to operate their food truck businesses to boost local economies and small business owners while ensuring health standards are met for consumers.” HB25-1295 , also sponsored by Senator John Carson, R-Douglas County, will establish reciprocity amongst the state and individual local governments for food truck licensing and permitting to cut red tape. Businesses are required to hold a valid fire safety permit and food safety license, and local governments will retain their authority to enforce their laws, regulations, and codes. Under the new law, if a food truck operator holds a valid fire safety permit from one local government, they can use that same permit to operate in other cities and counties across Colorado rather than having to obtain a separate one for each jurisdiction. The law requires local governments to honor these permits so long as basic health and safety standards are met, and the food truck provides a copy of the proper credentials to the local government whose jurisdiction they will be operating in at least 14 days before they start doing business there. Additionally, the new reciprocity provisions would also apply to Denver retail food licenses and state health department licenses, which will cut back the number of separate licenses food trucks are required to have to operate in multiple jurisdictions across the state. Under the law, a food truck with a valid state health department license is allowed to operate in Denver so long as it submits the necessary documentation to the city, displays the license while operating and complies with applicable local regulations. Possession of a Denver retail food license now also allows a food truck to operate in other jurisdictions, provided the truck complies with the local laws. Many food trucks have been able to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, including Mama Jo’s Biscuits and BBQ, Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs, Kiké’s Red Tacos and three-time James Beard Award nominee, Yuan Wonton. Previous Next

< Back February 24, 2020 MCLACHLAN’S RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT IMPROVEMENTS ADVANCE DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Rural Affairs and Agriculture today unanimously voted to approve Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bill to strengthen the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Grant program. The REDI program provides grants that strengthen and diversify rural economies and create new jobs. The bill has already passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote. “This bill gives a leg up to rural economies in communities like mine across the state,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango . “There is a clear need for the rural economic development funds this bill will continue to provide: since the program began, requests for grants from the REDI program have regularly exceeded the amount of funding available. I’m proud to be ensuring that these funds make it to the communities that need them most.” SB20-002 would codify and strengthen a successful existing program, REDI, in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), to be administered in collaboration with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The bill will ensure that the program continues to work and that certain improvements are made in order to ensure that rural economies are more successfully bolstered. In addition to formalizing the program in statute, SB20-002 would require that DOLA adopt rules for application procedures and timelines, criteria for a matching funds requirement, and performance and reporting requirements related to REDI. The bill would also require that DOLA report on the use of the REDI funds. ### Previous Next

SB24-233 would provide long-term property tax relief to save Coloradans money on their property taxes while protecting K-12 funding < Back May 8, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Make Colorado More Affordable, Reduce Property Taxes Passes House SB24-233 would provide long-term property tax relief to save Coloradans money on their property taxes while protecting K-12 funding DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy that would provide permanent property tax relief to homeowners and businesses while protecting funding for public schools. SB24-233, which passed by a vote of 57-6, will build on the billions of dollars in temporary savings the state has provided over the last three years. “After months of hard work on the Commission on Property Tax, I’m proud that we have come up with a long-term, bipartisan solution that will save Colorado homeowners and small businesses money on property taxes,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This legislation will responsibly reduce property taxes in a meaningful way to save people money while protecting school funding. Today we made clear that there is no reason for deep-pocketed special interests to move forward with ballot measures that would devastate our communities, school funding, and public safety resources.” SB24-233 is sponsored by members of the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy and Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock. The bill would ensure that Colorado homeowners won’t see an increase in their property taxes for 2024 and reduce statewide local taxes by more than $1 billion. In 2026 and beyond, the bill would reduce property taxes by seven to 10 percent compared to current law for homes valued at $700,000 or less. Annual savings would equal $300-$400 for a home valued at $700,000. Savings would depend on local mills and any changes in assessed home values. SB24-233 would also reduce the commercial property assessment rate to 25 percent by 2027, down from 29 percent. To offset revenue loss resulting from the next year of property tax reductions, the bill would backfill school districts, ensuring public schools remain fully funded. Finally, SB24-233 would protect Coloradans against future spikes in property taxes by capping local property tax growth at 5.5 percent starting in 2025, creating more certainty for homeowners and businesses. Local governments would still have the opportunity to temporarily or permanently opt out of the cap by a vote of the people. Previous Next

The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Naquetta Ricks that would expand hairstyle discrimination protections under the CROWN Act of 2020 to include hair length. HB24-1451 passed by a vote of 7-3. < Back April 22, 2024 Expanded Protections Under CROWN Act Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Naquetta Ricks that would expand hairstyle discrimination protections under the CROWN Act of 2020 to include hair length. HB24-1451 passed by a vote of 7-3. “I proudly passed the CROWN Act in 2020 to protect Coloradans’ right to express their identity and culture through their hairstyle, and this legislation will expand these protections to ensure no one can be discriminated against based on the length of their hair,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This bill would expand protections by making it explicitly illegal to discriminate against someone based on their hair length. Every Coloradan, especially Black, indigenous, and people of color, deserve the right to represent their culture through their hairstyle without facing repercussions.” “Hair discrimination has forced generations of Coloradans, especially women, to change their hairstyles to adhere to Western societal norms,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “Colorado legislators took a huge step in 2020 to pass the CROWN Act, creating protections for Coloradans who want to wear a hairstyle that’s rooted in their culture. Our legislation adds further protections from hairstyle discrimination to include hair length, allowing for more hairstyle options that are protected under the CROWN Act.” In 2020, Representative Herod sponsored the original CROWN Act legislation that explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture, hair type, and protects hairstyles like dreadlocks, twists, tight coils or curls, cornrows, bantu knots, afros and headwraps. HB24-1451 would add hair length to Colorado’s CROWN Act of 2020. In February 2024, a Texas judge ruled that a school had the right to discipline a student over his hair length because it was not explicitly protected under Texas’ CROWN Act. Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2023 Legislation to Fight Climate Change, Reduce Emissions Advances in House DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to propel Colorado’s clean energy transition forward and better combat climate change. SB23-016, sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Emily Siorta, would establish interim greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets and incentivize investments in electrification. “Every Coloradan deserves clean air and a livable climate, which is why we are passing this bold legislation to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “This legislation creates interim targets to help Colorado reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and incentivize the use of clean alternatives in our homes and businesses. This bill puts Colorado on a strong path toward meeting our climate goals and creating a healthier state for all of us.” “This bill will help us mitigate the effects of climate change and improve our air by encouraging electrification and supercharging our transition to a clean energy economy,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Coloradans are counting on us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide and bring our state closer to reaching our climate goals. This legislation establishes critical emission reduction goals that will work to protect our families and children for years to come.” SB23-016 would update the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals to match the latest climate science by adding interim targets, including a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 levels by 2035, and a new goal of 100% emissions reduction by 2050. To help reach these targets, the bill would require the Public Utilities Commission and local governments to consider and prioritize upgrades and additions to the state’s electric transmission infrastructure system, and conduct a study on transmission capacity to pave the way for electrification across the state. Local permitting for projects to renovate, rebuild, or recondition transmission lines would be expedited, and the construction would be subject to the state’s labor standards. To further expedite electrification, the bill would incentivize the retirement of a major local ozone contributor: gas-powered lawn equipment. SB23-016 creates an income tax credit worth 30% of the purchase price of electric lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and snowblowers and encourages climate-aware financial investing by requiring large insurance companies to complete a climate risk disclosure survey annually. Finally, the bill would expand the definitions of “pollution control equipment” and “clean heat resource” to include currently underutilized wastewater thermal energy, and enable Colorado to lead in carbon sequestration by allowing the state to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for Class VI injection well primacy. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. < Back March 10, 2025 House Passes Bill to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. HB25-1185 would establish a clearer process for parents to legally relinquish their rights while protecting the child's best interest. “No one should have to co-parent with their assailant, yet Colorado’s current law makes it nearly impossible for survivors to access the justice they deserve,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill bridges some of the gaps in current law to make sure survivors are not legally locked into co-parenting with their assailant. This bill prioritizes what’s best for the survivor and child by establishing a clearer process for relinquishing parental rights.” “Co-parenting with the person who sexually assaulted you can be traumatic, stressful and nightmarish for survivors,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “With the passage of this bill, we’re prioritizing survivors by creating an easier and clearer process for survivors to terminate their assailant's parental rights. We must take steps now to modernize and streamline Colorado’s juvenile court proceedings because survivors and their children are depending on it.” HB25-1185 passed the House by a vote of 62-0. This bill aims to protect survivors and children conceived through sexual assault. Specifically, this legislation outlines new procedures for parents who are a survivor of sexual assault to file a petition to prevent contact with the person who committed the assault. Additionally, it would set up clear guidelines for assailants to relinquish their parental rights, including all legal obligations, such as child support. The goal of HB25-1185 is to protect children conceived through sexual assault and ensure they receive the support they need, including their right to inheritance, unless adoption procedures follow. This bill updates current law by clarifying and reducing the number of requirements parents petitioning to relinquish their parental rights must prove in juvenile court. There are between 17,000 and 32,000 sexual assault-related pregnancy cases that occur in the United States each year, leaving survivors legally-bound to their assailant in some cases. This bill aims to remove and simplify legal barriers in Colorado to ensure survivors have access to court proceedings to protect them and their child. Previous Next

< Back May 24, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES SB22-148 will invest $5 million to build or renovate a behavioral health facility to provide behavioral health services DURANGO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law bipartisan legislation that will increase access to behavioral health care by investing $5 million to support the development of a behavioral health facility and better meet the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land based Tribes. SB22-148 , sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is part of the legislature’s ongoing commitment to addressing Colorado’s behavioral health crisis using $450 million in federal pandemic relief funds secured in the American Rescue Plan Act. “The Tribes are our partners and neighbors, and this is a long overdue investment in behavioral health,” Donovan said. “Everyone deserves mental health support in their communities, and this facility will support the Tribes’ efforts and help ensure that more Coloradans can access the critical care they need to thrive.” “Using once-in-a-generation federal funding, we are prioritizing the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land-based Tribes who often experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress without access to the proper resources,” said McLachlan. “This $5 million investment of federal funds will go directly toward the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for the purpose of creating or revamping a behavioral health facility to improve mental health outcomes and save Coloradans money on behavioral health care.” To further Colorado Tribes’ ability to provide culturally responsive behavioral health care in specialized facilities, this new law will provide a one-time $5 million grant to Colorado land-based Tribes to build or renovate a Tribal behavioral health facility for inpatient services and transitional housing. SB22-148 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

< Back February 18, 2022 REASONABLE INDEPENDENCE FOR CHILDREN BILL PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to foster youth independence in Colorado passed the House today on Third and Final Reading by a unanimous vote. HB22-1090, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Kim Ransom, would tighten the definition of child neglect giving kids reasonable independence to walk to school, ride their bikes and play in their neighborhood without adult supervision. “We’re working diligently to foster everyday independence for Colorado’s youth and this bill is a wonderful step in the right direction,” said Rep. Mary Young D-Greeley. “This bill makes it clear that there is no need to get the authorities involved when kids are out and about in their neighborhood, walking to school or playing on the playground. When youth are given independence they grow, learn and thrive and we’re pleased to pass legislation that empowers their right to independence.” HB22-1090 passed out of the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services unanimously and would tighten Colorado’s broad definition of neglect to exclude everyday activities deemed as reasonable independence that formerly would be constructed as neglect or abuse. This bill also aims to cut back on the amount of unnecessary involvement from child protective services and law enforcement officials. Colorado’s vague definition of neglect has left some parents worried that allowing their kids to walk to school alone could be misconstrued as neglect or abuse. HB22-1090 would allow parents to make family decisions when their child is “of sufficient maturity, physical condition, and mental abilities to avoid substantial risk of physical harm” to participate in activities without their supervision. Examples of these reasonable independence activities include playing outside, traveling to and from sports practices and staying home alone for a reasonable amount of time. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Eliza Hamrick to better support military families by expanding driver license extensions to dependents of active duty members. HB25-1083 unanimously passed by a vote of 63-0. < Back April 21, 2025 House Approves Hamrick Bill to Support Military Families DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Eliza Hamrick to better support military families by expanding driver license extensions to dependents of active duty members. HB25-1083 unanimously passed by a vote of 63-0. “As a former military spouse, I understand the importance of supporting and honoring military members and their families,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “Current law allows service members outside of Colorado to extend their expired license for up to three years, and this legislation would expand this benefit to dependents of military service members. I’m proud to sponsor this bill to better support Colorado military families and recognize the sacrifices they make for our state and country.” If a Coloradan’s driver license expires while they are on active duty outside of Colorado, current state law allows the expiration date to be extended for three years. Beginning January 1, 2027, HB25-1083 would also allow dependents of these service members to benefit from this three-year extension. Previous Next