Search Results

< Back February 3, 2023 Water Efficiency and Resiliency Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to help commercial property owners better finance water and energy efficiency upgrades and improve the resiliency of their properties. HB23-1005 passed by a vote of 46 to 15. “We are one step closer toward making it easier for commercial property owners in Colorado to improve the efficiency of their buildings,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The C-PACE program is a widely-used, successful program to help commercial properties reduce water and energy usage. In the face of climate change, it is important building owners invest in resilient infrastructure and eco-friendly upgrades–our bill sets them up for success to reduce their carbon footprint.” “We know the C-PACE program is successful, and our bill modernizes the process so more property owners can improve the resilience and efficiency of their buildings,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “By expanding this favorable financing mechanism, more building owners can make property upgrades that help them save water, cut down on energy usage and build more resilient structures. Investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is a smart move, and our bill increases opportunities to take advantage of the C-PACE program.” HB23-1005 would help protect Colorado's environment and conserve water resources by expanding project eligibility and streamlining the financing process so more commercial properties in Colorado can take advantage of Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE’s) program for eco-friendly property upgrades and investments. The C-PACE program allows certain commercial and industrial buildings to finance energy improvement projects through a voluntary property tax assessment that is repaid over a 25-year term. Since 2016, the program has helped finance 116 different projects across the state, totaling almost $250 million in investments. The C-PACE program is currently utilized by 40 different counties , which make up 96% of Colorado’s commercial and industrial properties. Previous Next

On July 1, 2025, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco and Representative Michael Carter, D-Aurora goes into effect. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. < Back June 26, 2025 Bill to Increase Judges and Boost Access to Justice Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – On July 1, 2025, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco and Representative Michael Carter, D-Aurora goes into effect. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. “As a former deputy district attorney, I know how important it is to have an adequate number of judges serving our communities,” said Roberts. “Over and over again, we’ve heard from judges, attorneys, victims, and litigants who are hurting from an overburdened court system. Adding 15 new judges to Colorado’s judicial system is a major step forward that will help Colorado fulfill its fundamental duty to provide timely access to justice.” “The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed in our constitution, but the shortage of judges and other judicial staff makes it unrealistic to schedule cases in a reasonable timeframe,” said Carter. “When cases are continuously pushed back, justice for victims and their families is delayed, while potentially innocent Coloradans sit in jail awaiting trial. Our new law increases the number of judges, attorneys and other staff to cut down on wait times, protect the autonomy of judicial actors and improve access to justice.” SB25-024 , also sponsored by Sen. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, increases the number of district and county judges by 15 judges for criminal and civil court cases over the next two years. Beginning on July 1, 2025 and spread over the next two years, specific districts will be allocated the funding to hire more district and county judges. The new law also allocates funds for courts to hire public defenders, deputy district attorneys, sheriff deputies, behavioral health court professionals and support staff. Judicial Districts 4, 7, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 23 and Larimer, Douglas, La Plata, Mesa and Eagle counties will see at least one additional judge. Governor Polis and Lieutenant Governor Primavera have already made several appointments to fill the new judgeships, effective July 1, 2025. These include: Kelly J. McPherson to the 4th Judicial District Court, Sara S. Price to the 17th Judicial District Court, Stacy K. Guillon to the 23rd Judicial District Court, James X. Quinn to the 18th Judicial District Court, Kimbra L. Killin to the 13th Judicial District Court, and Richard E. Schmittel, Jr., to the La Plata County Court in the 6th Judicial District. In early 2025, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica Márquez made a plea to the Colorado General Assembly to add judges during the annual State of the Judiciary address. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado. < Back May 10, 2024 Polis Signs Bill to Create the Office of Rail Safety PUEBLO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado. “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver . “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.” "Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry." “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Senator Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs, said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.” HB24-1030 will create the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office will be required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office would be required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by: Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination; Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems; Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches; Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills to propel Colorado’s clean energy transition forward and better combat climate change. < Back May 11, 2023 SIGNED! Bills to Fight Climate Change, Create Pathways for Thermal Energy Technology DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills to propel Colorado’s clean energy transition forward and better combat climate change. “This bold law sets us on a strong pathway forward to cleaner air, reducing our carbon footprint and creating a healthier Colorado we can all enjoy,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB23-016. “We’re creating interim targets to help our state reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of clean energy alternatives to power our homes and businesses. Coloradans are counting on us to do the work to reach our state’s climate goals, and this law streamlines our tactics for a cleaner future.” “As the effects of climate change become more and more pronounced, it is obvious we must implement bold policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts on our climate and our environment,” said Sen. Chris Hansen, sponsor of SB23-016 and HB23-1252. “Coloradans are demanding action. With these new laws, we are tackling this challenge head on by reducing emissions through innovative technology and setting reasonable and achievable goals. I’m proud of our work that puts our state on a path to climate sustainability for generations to come.” “We’re committed to creating a healthier Colorado for the generations to come, and that begins with supercharging our transition to clean energy,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-016. “This law sets crucial greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals to improve the air we breathe across the state, and ensures our electrical grid is running smoothly. Reaching our climate goals requires dedication and coordination across sectors, and we’re establishing new standards that prioritize clean energy now and into the future.” SB23-016 updates Colorado’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 percent emissions reduction by 2050. To help reach these targets, this law requires the Public Utilities Commission and local governments to consider and prioritize upgrades and additions to the state’s electrical 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 percent of the purchase price of electric lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and snow blowers, which is provided to purchasers as a discount, and encourages climate-aware financial investing by requiring large insurance companies to complete a climate risk disclosure survey annually. Finally, the law 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. “Thermal energy heating and cooling systems are already being used across Colorado, and this law makes it easier for businesses and homeowners to take advantage of this cost-saving technology,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB23-1252 . “Expanding reliable thermal energy creates good-paying jobs, saves Coloradans money on their energy bills and works to improve our air quality along the Front Range.” “Adopting new clean energy technologies like thermal energy will help create jobs while lowering overall emissions,” said Sen. Tony Exum Sr., sponsor of HB23-1252. “Natural gas is driving up utility costs and putting a squeeze on Coloradans' budgets. With this new law, we are continuing to move away from polluting energy sources and instead adopt cleaner technology to move Colorado’s economy and climate goals forward.” “By using the heat beneath our feet, we can cut back Colorado’s reliance on fossil fuels,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB23-1252 . “Together, we’re expanding avenues for thermal energy technologies in homes and businesses across the state, which will save Coloradans’ money and bring us closer to our climate goals. We are working hard to attract and adopt clean energy technology that sets us on a path forward toward cleaner, healthier air.” Including Thermal Energy As A Clean Heat Resource: HB23-1252 continues Colorado’s work to reduce emissions from gas utilities by providing a pathway for wider adoption of thermal energy as a clean heat resource. This law aids in the transition away from expensive fuel commodities like natural gas and lowers utility costs for Coloradans. Thermal energy systems heat and cool buildings by circulating non-combustible fluids through a pipe network. Defining thermal energy as a clean heat resource allows the state to expand its usage, create new job opportunities, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and save Coloradans money on their utility bills. Previous Next

Legislation would ensure compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide < Back April 25, 2025 Bill to Ensure Safe Housing and Strengthen Renter Protections Passes Legislation would ensure compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation expanding the Attorney General and local governments’ authority to initiate and enforce landlord-tenant laws, ensuring safe housing and strengthening renter protections. SB25-020, sponsored by Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Javier Mabrey, passed by a vote of 40-23. “As an Aurora legislator, I’m proud to sponsor this bill to ensure renters don’t have to spend multiple years fighting corporate landlords for basic rights,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “When negligent landlords allowed several properties in my community to fall into disrepair, the city had limited tools to address the issues. This legislation builds on past work Colorado Democrats have done to ensure renters can live in safe conditions by helping counties and municipalities enforce tenant protection laws. No one deserves to live among rodents or without functioning heat or cooling systems, and this bill will help ensure Coloradans have a safe place to live.” “This legislation would hold negligent landlords accountable when they illegally ignore dangerous living conditions,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “By giving the Attorney General, counties and municipalities more authority to enforce tenant protection laws, Colorado renters would have more advocates in their corner to fight for safe housing. Colorado Democrats are committed to not only making housing more affordable, but also ensuring that these affordable housing options are a safe and healthy place to live.” SB25-020 would give the Colorado Attorney General authority to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, documentation requirements for housing agreements, and protections regarding bed bugs in residential homes. The bill would give counties and municipalities the ability to initiate and enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce. The bill would establish a process where, only in severe cases, residential housing may be placed into receivership - a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The bill outlines the process for receivership cases, including proper notice to parties, powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and the process for ending receiverships. Reps. Lindsay and Mabrey have championed numerous tenant protection laws, including legislation to prevent unnecessary and arbitrary evictions and strengthen residential lease agreements to protect renters from signing leases with harmful hidden language. They have also bolstered Colorado’s warrant of habitability law to ensure tenants have access to timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise and adding damage due to an environmental public health event to the list of conditions that make a property uninhabitable. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. HB24-1103 passed by a vote of 42-19. < Back February 13, 2024 House Approves Legislation to Bar the Use of “Excited Delirium” DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. HB24-1103 passed by a vote of 42-19. “An excited delirium diagnosis has typically been made when someone is in the middle of a crisis, and the response has led to avoidable and unnecessary repercussions, and sometimes death,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Medical professionals have spoken out about their skepticism of this term and making decisions based off a debunked diagnosis distracts us from solving the real issue at hand. Our legislation would ensure that we aren’t training law enforcement or emergency responders on excited delirium so we can focus on effective de-escalation responses.” “Excited delirium has historically been used to justify excessive force against Black Coloradans and people of color while avoiding accountability for the harm caused,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “By removing the term from law enforcement and first responder trainings, incident reports, and death certificates, we can hold people accountable for aggressive, and often lethal, interactions.” HB24-1103 would prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. The bill would also bar the terms “excited delirium syndrome”, “hyperactive delirium”, “agitated delirium”, and “exhaustive mania”. Last year, a 9NEWS investigation tied more than 225 deaths across the U.S. to the use of the term, including the death of Elijah McClain in Colorado. His death in 2019 gained national attention when paramedics injected him with a lethal amount of ketamine after believing he exhibited “excited delirium.” The paramedics and a police officer involved in the incident have since been convicted of criminally negligent homicide. In December 2023, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board unanimously voted to remove the term “excited delirium” from training documents. Organizations like the American Medical Association, the National Association of Medical Examiners, and the American College of Emergency Physicians have spoken out against the term. California passed legislation last year to ban the term from being used on a law enforcement officer’s incident report, on a death certificate or autopsy report, and in testimony in civil court. Rep. Herod also sponsored a 2021 law that prohibits law enforcement from compelling, directing, or influencing a paramedic to administer ketamine. The law set forth strict requirements before a paramedic can administer ketamine in a prehospital setting. Previous Next

< Back Jennifer Bacon Assistant Majority Leader Representative Jennifer Bacon is Assistant Majority Leader and represents House District 7, which includes the Denver International Airport and Denver’s far northeast neighborhoods. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education Committee. Lifelong advocate for youth, educational access and criminal justice reform, Assistant Majority Leader Bacon’s policy spanwide and prioritize making our state more equitable for all. During the 2023 legislative session, Assistant Majority Leader Bacon championed a law to extend Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) in Colorado to reduce gun violence. Other legislative highlights include extensive legislation to reduce air pollution, equal pay for equal work, improving workplace conditions, judicial reform, combating youth recidivism, and extended education programs to help all students succeed. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon is the Chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado.

< Back April 24, 2019 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ASK VOTERS TO RAISE TOBACCO TAX AND PUT FUNDING TOWARD EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE Nicotine smoking costs the state $1.89 billion annually in health care costs (Apr. 24) – Rep. Yadira Caraveo and Gov. Jared Polis joined public health advocates today unveil new legislation that would give voters the choice to raise taxes on tobacco products, including a new tax on liquid nicotine used for vaping. There is currently no excise tax on liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes. If approved by voters, the referred measure would raise more than $300 million, half of which would go toward education and half to health care. “Coloradans value the health of our children but we rank number one in the country for teen vaping,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “As a pediatrician, I understand the negative consequences nicotine has on brain development and the health of our young people. This measure will help decrease smoking and increase funding for early childhood education and health care.” Rep. Caraveo is the only medical doctor in the legislature. Numerous economic studies in peer-reviewed journals have documented that cigarette tax or price increases reduce both adult and underage smoking. In Colorado, 33 percent of students use tobacco products and 26 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes, which is twice the national average for teen vaping. One vaping cartridge contains the nicotine of a pack of cigarettes. Colorado’s current tobacco tax rate on cigarettes is one of the lowest rates in the country. The average state tobacco tax is $1.79 a pack. Colorado’s tax today is 84 cents a pack. “We know that taxing Tobacco products is the number one way to keep kids from smoking,” said Sen. Rhonda Fields, the co-prime sponsor. “This legislation will keep our kids healthy while investing the revenue in health and education.” Here is the text of HB19-1333. Previous Next

< Back October 1, 2020 REPRESENTATIVES PRAISE PARDONS FOR MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS DENVER, CO – Representatives James Coleman, D-Denver, Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, today released the following statements after Governor Jared Polis announced pardons for 2,732 Coloradans with state-level marijuana convictions, utilizing expanded authority granted through HB20-1424 . “Today, our state has taken a major step forward in securing justice for the thousands of Coloradans who have been living with a conviction on their record for a crime that no longer exists in our state,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver, the House sponsor of the legislation. “For too long, these convictions continued the injustices perpetrated under the discriminatory policy of marijuana prohibition, making it harder for Coloradans with convictions to find housing, employment or access critical services. Governor Polis’ decision to grant these pardons will finally bring justice to Coloradans who have been denied opportunity and have continued to be punished for possession of small amounts of marijuana long after the state rolled back its prohibition.” “This pardon is long overdue and will make a real difference in the lives of countless Coloradans,” said Colorado Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, who also championed the change. “Far too many people in our state have continued to suffer the consequences of a small mistake made decades ago while others profit off of the booming and legitimized cannabis industry. I’m proud to have played a part in the justice being served today.” “These convictions for marijuana possession, which disproportionately fell on people of color, have persisted on Coloradans’ records despite being in opposition to our fundamental values of fairness, justice and opportunity for all,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont, who advocated for creating the pardon authority under HB20-1424. “I’m proud our state is moving forward and righting this wrong.” Under HB20-1424, the governor has expanded authority to pardon a class of persons convicted of possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana. The conviction must be for a state-level offense. Previous Next

The House today passed SB25-010 to modernize health care communications. SB25-010 passed the House by a vote of 64-0. < Back February 18, 2025 House Passes Bill to Modernize Health Care Communications DENVER, CO – The House today passed SB25-010 to modernize health care communications. SB25-010 passed the House by a vote of 64-0. “Many consumers prefer electronic communications from banks and utility companies, why not make it more widespread for health insurance communications,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “With this bill, we’re helping provide timely health insurance information to patients, while keeping their personal data safe and protected. Our goal is to reduce administrative costs and improve Coloradan’s access to their health care information.” SB25-010 would allow consumers to opt in to receive and respond to electronic communications from health insurance providers. Additionally, the bill would allow employers providing insurance coverage to opt their employees in to receive electronic communications, in which case employees would be given an opportunity to opt out. Under the bill, carriers would still be required to send paper communications to any individuals that do not have access to the internet, and consumers could elect to receive paper communications. Previous Next

< Back February 1, 2022 BILL TO BOOST HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE ADVANCES DENVER, CO – The Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation that would boost the health care workforce by extending a tax credit for health care “preceptors,” mentors who coach and encourage new providers to enter the health care workforce. The bill passed committee by a vote of 9 to 2. “We’re working hard to boost Colorado’s health care workforce this legislative session,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie D-Dillon . “This tax credit will help build healthier, safer communities, especially in rural areas, by encouraging talented individuals to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, counseling, behavioral health and other frontline health care positions. If we learned anything from the pandemic it’s that we can’t do this alone, we need a strong health care workforce to help Colorado recover.” HB22-1005 builds on the existing state tax credit offered to preceptors working in rural communities by increasing the number of health care preceptorships eligible for the credit. This major expansion includes addiction counselors, pharmacists, registered nurses, clinical social workers and other high demand areas in Colorado’s health care workforce. The health care workforce shortage in Colorado has been exacerbated by the pandemic. This is especially true in rural communities that struggle to fill critical medical positions, including doctors and behavioral health professionals. The legislation increases the overall number of preceptors allowed to receive the credit and extends the credit until 2033. It is currently set to expire next year. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 REP. SULLIVAN’S BILL TO CONNECT STUDENTS WITH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS MOVES FORWARD Bipartisan legislation would connect students and school personnel with apprenticeship programs to facilitate placement in apprenticeships DENVER, CO— The House Committee on Education today advanced Representative Tom Sullivan’s bipartisan legislation to connect students and school personnel with apprenticeship programs. The bill passed out of committee unanimously. “Last year, we created the state’s first apprenticeship directory to collect and make available information about the hundreds of apprenticeships open to Coloradans,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “These programs are so important for teaching students the skills they need to work in good-paying jobs. This bill would ensure that we’re doing all we can to connect students and school personnel with these critical apprenticeship programs.” SB20-081, which is also sponsored by Representative Colin Larson, R-Littleton, would ensure that apprenticeship programs can better connect with interested students through school personnel. Currently, the state’s apprenticeship directory does not include contact information for schools. By adding that information, apprenticeship programs will be able to reach more students who may have an interest in learning a trade. The bill will help students and parents know who to talk to at their school if they are interested in these programs and who can help them determine which program might be right for them. It also aims to raise awareness of the availability of apprenticeship programs among school administrators who may not currently know that the directory exists. Previous Next