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< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE GIVES FINAL APPROVAL TO BILLS TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis (Apr. 30) – The House gave final approval to a package of bills that are part of the House Democrats’ effort to combat the epidemic of opioid addiction. The House gave preliminary approval to Rep. Chris Kennedy and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s commonsense bill to examine alternatives to incarceration for individuals who need treatment for addiction instead of jail for drug-related offenses. The bill, a product of the opioid interim committee, also looks to provide behavioral & substance use treatment (MAT) to individuals who may already be incarcerated. “When we incarcerate people without providing treatment for their substance use disorders, we’re not actually addressing the real problem,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “By providing treatment, we increase the likelihood that people released from incarceration will be able to rebuild their lives and start contributing to society again.” “My sincere thanks to counselors, law enforcement and people across the state who came to support this bill. People are literally dying in jail because they are not getting the appropriate treatment for their substance use disorder,” said Rep. Singer, D-Boulder. “This bill provides a pathway that will help those struggling with addiction become productive members of society, not return as burdens to themselves, their families and taxpayers.” SB19-008 was approved on a bipartisan vote of 47-17. It heads back to the Senate for approval of amendments. The House also passed SB19-227, sponsored by Rep. Chris Kennedy and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. This bill authorizes schools to obtain a supply of opiate antagonists, specifies that a licensed or certified hospital may be used as a clean syringe exchange site, creates the opiate antagonist purchase fund and expands the household medication take-back program in the Department of Public Health and Environment. “While we work to reduce overprescription and increase access to treatment, we can also do more to prevent the spread of diseases and save the lives of those who have not yet sought treatment,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy. “Addiction is a public health crisis and we are stepping up and finding ways to save lives,” said Rep. Leslie Herod. “This bill will expand treatment and recovery options across the state.” SB19-227 was approved on vote of 40-24. It now goes to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO ENSURE CULTURALLY COMPETENT HISTORY IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS (March 5) – The House Education committee approved a bill by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver and Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, to ensure the inclusion of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans in civil government courses in Colorado’s classrooms. “Our state and our country are comprised of the diverse individuals and communities that have moved or immigrated here and those that have been here for many centuries. That is what makes us strong but for too long, these communities have been excluded from our teaching of history,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “With an increase in division among some of our communities, it would be beneficial for all children and youth to learn about each other’s background.” “Today, we heard from parents, teachers, administrators and school board members who confirmed what studies already show: teaching inclusive curriculum boost test scores and student engagement,” said Rep. Buentello. “I’m proud to sponsor this bill to ensure that the history taught in our state is truly inclusive and tells our country’s full story.” This bill would establish a sixteen member commission to provide recommendations to the Department of Education so that those standards and programs accurately reflect the history, culture, social contributions, and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the contributions and influence of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans and reflecting them accurately and inclusively. HB19-1192 passed on a vote of 8-5. The bill now goes to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back February 11, 2022 BILL TO PROTECT WILDFIRE INSURANCE CONSUMERS PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – A bill to protect Coloradans with wildfire insurance by updating standards to ensure consumers’ claims are paid in a timely manner passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee tonight by a vote of 10-2. HB22-1111 is a proactive approach to ensure homeowners displaced by wildfires receive a fair and comprehensive payout for lost property after deeply traumatizing/catastrophic disasters. “We’re working hard to update the law so future victims of catastrophic wildfire events like the East Troublesome Fire and the Marshall Fire receive the insurance payouts they’re owed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile D-Boulder. “This bill will make it easier for victims of fires to file and receive claims for lost property and living expenses after a disaster. Families displaced by wildfires are spending too much time waiting for next steps from insurance companies. This bill will streamline the process to get them on the road to recovery faster.” If passed, HB22-1111 would update a 2013 law standardizing what insurers will pay out in claims for lost property and additional living expenses after a declared wildfire disaster. More specifically, it would require insurers to pay disaster victims 65 percent of the value of the contents of their home up front without requiring the victim to do a comprehensive inventory of their personal property. Current law only guarantees 30 percent upfront, creating a burdensome process for many people to claim what they are owed after a deeply traumatizing event. The bill also puts in place several provisions that would streamline the insurance claims process for disaster victims. Due to climate change and dryer seasons, Coloradans are at risk for future wildfires. The Insurance Coverage For Loss Declared Fire Disaster would boost the number of insurance providers required to pay by 50 percent so displaced wildfire victims receive more for their destroyed homes and its contents faster. Previous Next

The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase and possess a firearm in Colorado to 21 years old. It passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back March 20, 2023 Bill to Reduce Gun Violence Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase and possess a firearm in Colorado to 21 years old. It passed by a vote of 7-4. “As a survivor of domestic abuse and gun intimidation as a young adult, I know how critical it is to ensure that nobody else is caught in the same life-threatening situation,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “My abuser and I were 19 years old when the violence began. I lived in crippling fear that he would one day use his gun on me and my son. Raising the age to 21 to purchase a firearm will reduce gun violence in our communities, prevent suicides among young people and help prevent situations like what happened to me from happening to more Coloradans.” “I remember teaching in my classroom the day of the Columbine massacre; my students were terrified that they could be next,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial . “Youth access to firearms has led to high rates of suicide and gun homicides. By increasing the minimum age for firearm purchase, we can protect Colorado kids and youth from senseless gun violence and improve public safety by reducing firearm-related homicides.” Currently, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun, but only 18 years old to purchase long guns. SB23-169 would raise the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21. The bill includes exceptions for 18-21 year olds to purchase a firearm who are on-duty peace officers or active military members. It also allows individuals under 21 to possess a firearm if they are attending a hunter’s safety education course or a firearms safety course, hunting with a valid hunting license and accompanied by a mentor, or for those who are active military members or on-duty peace officers. According to Everytown for Gun Safety , firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. Previous Next

Safety Net Providers on The Frontlines of Serving Communities in Denver and Across Colorado Are Nearing Financial Crisis < Back February 4, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: State Lawmakers, Lt. Governor Primavera & Colorado Health Care Workers & Providers to Discuss Comprehensive Plans to Protect Safety-Net Providers, Save People Money on Health Care DENVER — Today, as community health centers and other vital providers struggle to stay open amid tightening budgets, jeopardizing care for many Coloradans, Lt. Governor Primavera partnered with Representative Kyle Brown, Colorado health care workers, and providers to discuss a forthcoming piece of legislation to address the growing cost challenges faced by safety net health care providers while reducing health care costs for state employees and small businesses. “We’ve made progress in lowering the cost of health care and insurance for hardworking families but the reality is Coloradans are still paying too much. More work is needed, especially to support our low-cost, high-quality community health clinics,” said Lt. Governor and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, Dianne Primavera. “This new proposal is a common-sense solution that prioritizes affordability and access while ensuring our safety net providers can continue delivering care to those who need it most.” Coloradans with commercial insurance pay nearly three times what Medicare reimburses hospitals for the same care. Safety net providers include primary care and family clinics that provide critical health care to communities across Colorado – like seniors, hardworking families, and rural Coloradans. “We’ve made important progress to save Coloradans money on health care, and by tackling this issue, we can continue to drive down prices and reduce costs for Coloradans,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “New legislation I am sponsoring will support our local safety net providers, which often serve our more vulnerable community members, and save small businesses money on health care coverage. We’re making it easier for Coloradans to receive the high-quality health care they need, when they need it, while improving the financial health of our safety net and critical access providers.” “We’ve worked hard here in Colorado to bring down the cost of health care so that no matter how much you make or where you live, you can get affordable, quality care,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “With this legislation, we’re taking an innovative and proven approach to fund our safety net providers across the state, who are often the only medical providers in their regions. At the same time, our bill will cut insurance premiums paid by small businesses and their employees. By capping hospital payments at an amount below what private insurance can negotiate, but still above what those hospitals need to cover their costs, we can protect our budget while putting those savings directly into the pockets of Coloradans.” “While our multi-year efforts have saved Coloradans money on health care, cost continues to be a barrier to access care in Colorado” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “This legislation supports Colorado’s safety net providers, such as community clinics, that provide essential health care to our most vulnerable community members. This bill will drive down costs to the state, save small businesses money, and boost health care access for our neighbors.” “This bill is an innovative way to reduce health care costs for all Coloradans – from our cities to our rural communities,” said Senator Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “The same medical test or procedure should cost roughly the same thing no matter where you get it or what type of insurance you have, but under current law, health care corporations and hospitals can charge different amounts to different people. This bill is a step toward prioritizing affordable, accessible care for all.” The new bill, which will be introduced in the coming days following additional stakeholder conversations, will support safety net providers and reduce costs for small businesses by: Establishing reimbursement maximums for in-network (165% of Medicare) and out-of-network (150% of Medicare) on prices paid to certain hospitals through the state employee health plan and the small group market. Establishing a floor for primary care and behavioral health services (135% of Medicare) through the state employee health plan and small group market. A feasibility study is required to explore the option for local governments and school districts to participate in a similar reimbursement limit. The new bill will be introduced in the House. It will support safety net providers by redirecting funds to critical community health centers and providers that serve Coloradans where and when they need care. State employees and small business owners will save money on health care premiums and out-of-pocket costs without compromising care quality. This bill will also protect the state budget as tens of millions of dollars are expected to be diverted to the health care safety net and to help state employees with minimal impact on hospital margins. Similar policies in states like Oregon and Montana have proven effective, saving state employees money while relieving budget pressures. Colorado is poised to join these states in leading the charge for equitable and sustainable health care reform. Previous Next

< Back October 23, 2019 ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILLS TO IMPROVE STATE’S RECYCLING RATE Bills will incentivize development of new end-market users of recycled materials, create a public awareness campaign to increase recycling and establish a statewide organics management plan DENVER, CO — The Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee today advanced two bipartisan proposals to improve the state’s recycling rate. One bill incentivizes the development of new end-market businesses for recycled materials and creates a public education campaign on recycling. The second bill requires the state to develop a comprehensive organics management plan. “The two bipartisan bills we advanced today will put our state on the road to recycling more, trashing less and being better stewards of our environment and natural resources,” said Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee Chair Rep. Lisa Cutter (D-Evergreen). “Improving Colorado’s recycling rate, which is well below the national average, will continue our state’s progress addressing climate change and divert more waste from landfills. Without action, we will continue filling the ground with thousands of acres of waste, jeopardizing our air and water and risking our state’s reputation as an environmentally friendly place to live and visit.” “Our state’s low recycling rate means we rely heavily on landfills, which can harm our environment and will leave a lasting impact on the natural beauty that in many ways defines our state,” said Rep. Meg Froelich (D-Englewood). “Today, we passed two bipartisan bills and took a big step forward to address this critical issue. Our legislation will reduce waste by helping create new markets for recycled materials, establishing a public education campaign on recycling and increasing compost use in agriculture and other sectors.” “I’m proud that Fort Collins has the best overall recycling rate in Colorado, but we still have work to do to improve our statewide recycling rate, move towards ‘Zero Waste’, and act on climate,” said Rep. Jeni James Arndt (D-Fort Collins). “Our committee made significant progress today, advancing two bipartisan bills to incentivize recycling and ensure Colorado continues taking action to protect our environment.” Last April, Legislative Council approved Rep. Cutter’s request to create the Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee. Colorado only recycles about 17.2 percent of the state’s waste, a rate that hasn’t increased in recent years and is much lower than the national average of 35 percent. In 2016, the state set a goal of recycling 28 percent of its waste by 2021, which would divert an additional 1.5 million tons of waste from landfills. With the state’s population increasing and Coloradans producing more waste than before, the committee has been hearing testimony, conducting research and traveling to innovative recycling facilities in order to develop a path forward to improve Colorado’s recycling rate. The first bill the committee advanced creates a stakeholder group to study how to establish a recycling market development center. The center would support the development of businesses that process recyclable materials or reuse them in their products sold to consumers. Under the bill, the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board is authorized to create a formula to provide a partial reimbursement of local personal property taxes to businesses that reclaim or recycle materials. The bill also requires CDPHE to administer a statewide recycling education campaign to increase residential recycling across the state. The campaign aims to inform Coloradans about specific recyclable materials and recycling habits that can increase recycling rates and make the state’s recycling efforts more efficient. The second bill would establish a statewide organics management plan. This can help agriculture producers improve soil health, leading to enhanced crop value and production. The CDPHE will consult with stakeholders and submit the management plan by February 1, 2023 to the House Energy and Environment Committee, House Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee, Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee. Previous Next

< Back May 31, 2019 POLIS SIGNS BILLS TO STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT STUDENTS’ RIGHT TO EDUCATION (May 31) – Today, Governor Polis signed a package of bills that strengthen teachers in schools, create resources to better help students with dyslexia, and create better protections to prevent sexual misconduct at higher education campuses. Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill will create a pilot program that provides professional development training for school principals to build strong leadership in our education system and provide better support for educators and students. “We must ensure teachers in every district–including our rural districts–have the support they deserve in our classrooms,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Teachers must have access to the leadership support they need. When teachers are at their best, our students receive the best education.” Rep. McLachlan is the chair of the House Education Committee and is a former public school teacher in Durango. HB19-1002 represents the latest effort by Colorado lawmakers to implement the state’s blueprint to reducing Colorado’s teacher shortage. It builds upon a McLachlan-led bill, HB17-1003, which required the Departments of Higher Education (DHE) and Education (DOE) to put forth relevant policy recommendations to address the teacher shortage. The pilot program will provide preliminary analysis on the efficacy of providing professional leadership and development training to Colorado principals, an effort supported by strong academic and statistical research. Because it is a pilot program, lawmakers in both chambers will have the opportunity to review the pilot’s results and make a decision for how to move forward following its conclusion. Polis later signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, that directs the commissioner of education to convene a working group to analyze state and national data and practices concerning identification and support of students with dyslexia and to recommend dyslexia screening tools and processes. “Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities affecting children. However, our public school system does not have a unified way of diagnosing dyslexia,” said Rep. Buckner. “This law will implement an in-depth process to enact the most effective program for dyslexia students here in Colorado.” Finally, Gov. Polis signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner and Rep. Barbara McLachlan that would add more guidelines and protections around sexual misconduct and violence in higher education institutes in Colorado. “Our current policy has a problem when we are seeing studies that one in five women and one in 16 men experience sexual assault during college. And what’s even more troubling is that only about 12 percent of victims actually report their assault,” said Rep. Janet Buckner.. “Sexual misconduct poses a serious threat to the safety of our students and interferes with our students’ ability to learn. This law ensures a fair and consistent response to sexual misconduct in higher education settings and creates equal rights for reporting and responding to parties in an incident.” SB19-007 creates a fair and consistent response to sexual misconduct in higher education settings to ensure that all students know how to report abuse and know that the administrative process will be fair for both parties. It requires institutions of higher learning to adopt policies that clearly outline the process for survivors of sexual misconduct, to provide support services for survivors and to distribute information across campus to inform students of the institution’s policies and procedures. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Higher Education to convene a biennial working group that will study best practices in order to prevent and raise awareness surrounding sexual misconduct. “This law will help get rid of sexual violence and abuse on campus. While we are waiting for the federal government to adopt and clarify the law, we are making sure our state laws are ready to follow and maintain protections for survivors,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan. “This is not a one-size-fits-all law but rather puts minimum requirements for policies regarding reporting and procedures for investigations for all higher education institutions.” In 2017, the Trump administration rescinded guidance for institutions of higher education on how they should address sexual assault under the federal law, Title IX. The lack of federal direction means that states like Colorado have to step up to develop policies that promote and ensure the safety of students on campuses around the state or risk losing important protections. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill on a preliminary vote to give local governments and eligible entities the right of first refusal when multifamily properties are up for sale, creating opportunities to increase and preserve affordable housing stock. < Back March 6, 2023 Bill to Increase and Retain Affordable Housing Stock Passes House DENVER, CO - The House today passed a bill on a preliminary vote to give local governments and eligible entities the right of first refusal when multifamily properties are up for sale, creating opportunities to increase and preserve affordable housing stock. “The right of first refusal is crucial in preserving and creating affordable housing opportunities in Colorado,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins . “Currently, there are only 30 affordable and available rental units per 100 extremely low-income renter households in Colorado. This bill is a proven tool for local governments to be competitive against corporate developers, allowing sellers to receive market rate compensation for the sale of their property while communities retain long-term affordable housing.” “The right of first refusal can prevent the loss of affordable housing stock at a time when Coloradans need more affordable places to live and hedge funds continue to buy up housing and increase rents,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver . “Housing insecurity is a real threat for many Coloradans, impacting the health and safety of our lower-income communities. Under this bill, local governments will have the option to purchase buildings that go up for sale, providing them an additional tool to prevent the loss of housing that Coloradans can afford.” HB23-1190 would allow local governments and other eligible entities a chance to make an offer on a multifamily or mixed-use property listing before other potential buyers. To qualify under this bill, the property would have to consist of five or more residential units in urban counties and three or more residential units in rural or rural resort counties. If the city or county decides to purchase the property, they must match the sale price and maintain the property as affordable housing for at least 100 years. Sellers would be required to notify local governments of the intent to sell or of a potential sale. The local government would have 14 days to exercise the right to first refusal and another 60 days to make an offer on the property. Data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment across the state is $1,505, however the Colorado minimum wage is $13.56. In 2022, a worker would have to make $28.94 per hour to afford housing that did not surpass 30% of their income. The State Demographer suggests that 40,950 new housing units need to be built every year between now and 2030 for the housing market to return to a healthy level, but projects that we will only build around 35,000 per year between 2020 and 2030, demonstrating the need to maintain existing affordable housing options. Previous Next

SB25-236 improves efficiency and expands access to crisis response services by consolidating the Colorado Crisis Line and the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line < Back June 30, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Legislation to Streamline Crisis Response Services, Expand Access to Behavioral Health Care Takes Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to streamline access to crisis response services and expand access to behavioral health care will take effect on July 1, 2025. Sponsored by Senators Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, SB25-236 consolidates crisis response services by moving the Colorado Crisis Services Line under the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise. Starting July 1, 2025, any time someone calls or texts the Colorado Crisis Services line at 1-844-493-8255 or 38255, they will be connected to the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line for support and services, just as if they had called or texted 988 directly. “Streamling access to mental health care will help save more lives,” said Amabile. “Colorado has amazing crisis response services that help people during their difficult times, and this legislation makes them even stronger. Combining the two separate lines into one will make it that much easier for Coloradans to access quick, supportive services that help them get back on their feet.” “In Colorado, we’re taking steps to improve the efficiency of our crisis response, not tear it down,” said Sirota. “At a time when our youth are experiencing a worsening mental health crisis, the Trump administration plans to cut funding for the 988 crisis hotline, eliminating counselors specifically suited to help LGBTQ+ youth. This law streamlines access to crisis response services so that everyone in Colorado can receive the support they need during a behavioral health emergency.” “In Colorado, efficient government means cutting red tape, not cutting support,” said Bridges. “While lawmakers in Washington slash suicide prevention funding in pursuit of ‘efficiency,’ we’re taking steps to streamline our services and make sure every Coloradan is able to access the help they need in moments of crisis.” The Colorado Crisis Line was created by SB13-266 to respond to and assist individuals who are in a behavioral health emergency. The 988 Crisis Hotline is a national network of local crisis contact centers designated by Congress in 2020. Earlier this month, the Trump administration eliminated funding for specialized support on the 988 Crisis Hotline for young LGBTQ+ callers . Previous Next

< Back May 29, 2019 GOV SIGNS DEM BILLS TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY & EXPAND ACCESS TO BALLOT BOX Reps. Froelich, Lontine, Weissman, Esgar, Mullica delivering results (May 29) – Gov. Polis signed bills led by House Democrats to expand access to voting and protect democracy. First up was HB19-1278, Colorado Votes Act (COVA). This new law will expand access to voting and minimize long lines on Election Day. “While some states are passing restrictive election laws, Colorado again has expanded access to the ballot. Colorado voters are the winners after the signing of the Colorado Votes Act to modernize our elections,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “Many thanks go to Sec. Jena Griswold and the Colorado County Clerks Association for making this new law more effective.” Read more about how this new law will expand access to voting here . The Gov then signed a new law sponsored by Rep. Meg Froelich to increase voting access for people with disabilities. This important law will give voters with disabilities greater access to the ballot box in order to fit their specific needs. “It’s important that we provide equal and secure access to the ballot box for all Coloradans and stop the disenfranchisement of voters,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood when the bill passed the House. “We should never disqualify individuals from voting and participating in our democratic process based on a disability.” SB19-202 passed unanimously out of the House. The Gov then signed the Clean Campaign Act of 2019. HB19-1318 increases the transparency of money in elections consistent with the First Amendment to the United States constitution. “Coloradans have the right to be able to follow the dollars in our elections,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora when the bill passed the House. “All voters deserve to know who or what is trying to influence their vote. This bill will make Colorado a national leader in campaign finance transparency. I thank Secretary Griswold for working with us on this important reform.” This new law prohibits an issue committee or small-scale issue committee from knowingly accepting contributions from any natural person who is not a citizen of the United States, a foreign government or any foreign corporation that does not have the authority to transact business in this state. The Gov also signed Rep. Daneya Esgar and Rep. Kyle Mullica’s automatic voter registration bill will make Colorado voter rolls more accurate as information is updated. “Democracy works when we all get to participate and that’s what this new law does,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Our state has the leading elections system in the country and this is a way to improve it even more. This new law ensures our voter roles are secure, accurate, up to date and that everyone who is eligible to vote can vote.” Read more about how SB19-235 will streamline the voter registration process at the DMV, save counties money and reduce the opportunity for human error here . “Our democracy can truly thrive when we have the most eligible voters participate in our elections,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “We are breaking barriers to ensure a more accessible and inclusive election. Through this, we can continue to allow Colorado to take a lead in elections in our nation.” The Gov also signed Rep. Mike Weissman’s bill to better enforce Colorado’s campaign finance laws. “Unaffiliated voters, Republicans and Democrats are tired of the expanding influence of money in politics and are demanding a fix,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “This law will help give voters more confidence that the system works for them – not special interests and deep pocketed mystery money groups.” SB19-232 would codify within the Fair Campaign Practices Act the rules of the Secretary of State to enforce state laws concerning campaign finance. This includes specifying procedures for filing complaints, review of complaints by the elections division, processes for curing campaign finance law violations, the investigation of unresolved complaints, the conduct of hearings, audits by the division of campaign finance, and the issuance of advisory opinions by the Secretary of State. Together, these provisions create a robust system to make sure that political campaigns and organizations abide by Colorado’s disclosure Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Manny Rutinel that would make permanent the first-of-its-kind I Matter youth mental health program. SB24-001 passed by a vote of 9-4. < Back April 2, 2024 House Committee Passes Bill to Make I Matter Youth Mental Health Program Permanent DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Manny Rutinel that would make permanent the first-of-its-kind I Matter youth mental health program. SB24-001 passed by a vote of 9-4. “The I Matter Program has been critical in connecting Colorado youth to no-cost therapy, and I’m proud to carry this legislation to make it a permanent program in our state,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This program has helped over 11,000 kids receive therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and other mental health challenges. With this legislation, we can ensure that kids in every corner of our state can seek the care and resources they need.” “Mental health care is often difficult for families to afford or coordinate, which is why we must pass this bill to continue the no-cost mental health care services provided by the I Matter program,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “Access to mental health services should not be dependent on your family’s income. Our bill breaks down barriers that prevent kids from accessing the mental health care they need, so our kids can learn, grow, and thrive.” The popular I Matter connects youth with a licensed mental health therapist for up to six free virtual counseling sessions, but the program is currently set to repeal on June 30th, 2024. SB24-001 makes that program permanent, ensuring Colorado students can continue receiving quality mental health care at no cost to them or their families. The I Matter program was established in the 2021 legislative session and expanded by HB22-1243 . The legislature also passed a law in 2023 allowing school districts to offer mental health screenings in schools to support student’s access to mental health care. I Matter has served over 11,000 Colorado youth since 2021 and provided over 50,000 sessions. According to the Colorado 2023 Kids Count report , youth suicide in 2023 decreased 30 percent from the year before. Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senator Dylan Roberts today presented to the Frisco Town Council and highlighted recent legislation to make Colorado more affordable. < Back July 23, 2024 McCluskie Highlights Affordability Measures at Frisco Town Meeting FRISCO, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senator Dylan Roberts today presented to the Frisco Town Council and highlighted recent legislation to make Colorado more affordable. “Everyone in the high country should be able to live, work and learn in the places they love, but the cost of living in our communities is way too high,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We have focused on making housing, health care and child care more affordable. I’m proud that the successful reinsurance program I helped create has saved Coloradans over $2 billion on health insurance, and this year, we delivered bipartisan property tax relief that will lower taxes for families and small businesses.” Speaker McCluskie sponsored the bipartisan property package that will permanently reduce property taxes for families and small businesses. She also sponsored the legislation to create the successful reinsurance program, which is saving people money on health insurance and has had a drastic impact on lowering costs in the high country. McCluskie has also sponsored legislation to responsibly encourage more housing to reduce the cost of living in resort communities, authored successful laws to boost child care affordability , and referred a measure to voters to establish Colorado’s free universal preschool program. She also sponsored the new public school finance formula, which will result in a projected 12 percent increase for Summit County schools, over the next six years. Previous Next