The House passes three bills to address housing affordability, water quality, and rental protections < Back April 29, 2023 Housing Affordability, Rental Protections, and Mobile Home Water Quality Bills Pass House The House passes three bills to address housing affordability, water quality issues, and rental protections DENVER, CO - The House today passed three bills to increase flexibility in the housing affordability programs approved by voters by the passage of Proposition 123, improve water quality in mobile home parks, and reduce overbearing rental application qualifications, making it easier for lower-income communities to access housing. “From mountain communities to the Front Range, Coloradans are struggling to find housing that they can afford,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1304. “Voters approved of Proposition 123 in the 2022 election to direct resources to create more housing options for Coloradans that are affordable. This bill offers some flexibility for our mountain towns to address the housing shortage. I’m proud to deliver legislation that makes the path to homeownership easier for Coloradans around the state, and especially in rural and mountain communities.” HB23-1304 will ensure the housing affordability programs created through Proposition 123, which voters approved in the 2022 election, can be implemented effectively across the state and have the greatest impact by getting dollars out the door as soon as possible. The bill ensures that tribal governments can access Proposition 123 funds in addition to local governments. It also makes it possible for rural resort communities to access the historic funding of Proposition 123 to accommodate the high cost of living in these areas. Local governments across the state will also be able to partner with neighboring communities to reach their targeted growth rate of three percent. In 2022, voters approved Proposition 123, which created new housing affordability programs funded with surplus state income tax revenue. The proposition dedicated an estimated $300 million to help local governments purchase land for affordable homes, provide financing for low- and middle income multi-family housing and provide direct support to renters, supply debt financing for projects that qualify for housing tax credits, offer grants and loans for nonprofits to help people purchase homes, and fund programs for people experiencing homelessness. HB23-1304 passed the House by a vote of 61 to 4. “Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, sponsor of HB23-1257 . “Mobile home park residents in my district have been forced to live in conditions where their water is colored red and smells like sewage, which is staining their clothing, breaking appliances, and making them and their family sick. No one should have to live like this. Our legislation would improve Colorado’s water quality standards to ensure that mobile park residents have access to clean and safe water.” “Veterans, senior citizens, people with a disability, and racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented in mobile home park communities where residents often do not trust the water in their homes,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB23-1257 . “This legislation creates a framework to address water quality concerns to better protect vulnerable communities from water that can cause long term health problems.” HB23-1257 addresses water quality concerns in mobile home parks by establishing a water quality testing program and creates a path to remediation for mobile park owners to fix water quality issues discovered through the testing program. Under this bill, all mobile home parks must be tested by July 1, 2028. If the water test does not comply with drinking standards and contamination levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, mobile park owners would have to notify residents within 48 hours of receiving the test results in English, Spanish, and any other applicable language. The bill also creates the Mobile Home Water Quality Grant Program to help mobile home park owners, eligible non-profit groups, and local governments to address water quality and wastewater issues in mobile home parks. Mobile home park residents have been raising concern over the poor water quality in their homes in recent years. A 2022 study by the Colorado Latino Policy Agenda found that 30% of Latino Coloradans do not trust or drink the water in their homes, but that number rises to 40% with Latino mobile home residents. Water quality issues are especially difficult to remediate for mobile home park residents because they do not own the pipes or parts that connect their home to the water source. HB23-1257 passed the House by a vote of 45 to 18. “Sky-rocketing rent prices are quickly pricing Coloradans out of their communities,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of SB23-184 . “People are picking up second or third jobs to meet the often excessive income requirements that landlords require just so they have a place to live. By capping income requirements and setting a limit on security deposits, we can create more realistic housing opportunities for hardworking Coloradans that want to stay in their community.” “Senior Coloradans, Coloradans with a disability, and others that rely on a fixed income through public assistance programs are finding it increasingly difficult to qualify for housing because their income isn’t matching the rising cost of housing,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of SB23-184 . “People are desperate for housing, and some of our vulnerable Coloradans can’t just pick up additional work to offset the increasing cost of living. Our legislation is crucial in keeping our lower-income and fixed income communities healthy, safe, and housed.” Because there are no current regulations to prevent landlords from requiring prospective tenants to make three to five times as much as their annual rent, some hardworking Coloradans find it impossible to qualify for housing opportunities even if they can afford the rent through their income or housing assistance. SB23-184 would expand access to housing by limiting any minimum income requirement to two times the cost of the rent. For prospective tenants with a housing voucher or subsidy, this cap would only apply to their portion of the rent obligation, and landlords wouldn’t be able to inquire about or consider their credit score. Large security deposits can also price renters out of housing. This bill would break down cost-barriers by capping security deposits at two times the monthly rent. Although Coloradans who experience housing discrimination can sue or file a civil rights complaint, they’re not able to raise discrimination as a defense to an eviction. SB23-184 would further protect tenants from eviction by establishing that a violation of the bill's new prohibitions is an unfair housing practice and clarifying that fair housing violations, including source of income violations, are an affirmative defense to eviction. SB23-184 passed the House by a vote of 43 to 22. Previous Next

< Back April 14, 2023 Bipartisan Bill to SupportChild Care and Save Families Money Presses Forward DENVER, CO – Legislation to support child care facilities and save Colorado families money passed the House on a preliminary vote today. HB23-1091, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would extend the child care contribution tax credit through 2027. “Colorado’s child care system has been stretched thin, so we’re working to continue tax credits to support facilities and help make child care more affordable and accessible,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Having access to quality child care sets children up for success later in life, helps people get back to work and supports our growing state. Our legislation encourages charitable donations that invest in our community child care facilities, enhance children’s learning and ultimately save Coloradans money.” HB23-1091 would continue to encourage charitable contributions to uplift and support child care facilities in Colorado by saving Coloradans money. Specifically, this bill extends the child care contribution tax credit through tax year 2027. The credit would be available at 50% of the contribution amount up to $100,000 to Coloradans who make a monetary contribution to promote child care in Colorado. Tax credits are available to those who contribute to facilities, schools, or programs that provide child care, programs that train child care providers, and grant or loan programs for parents requiring financial assistance for child care purposes. Previous Next

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Back Rep. Cutter: $750 Colorado Cashback Checks coming to your pockets this August Aug 10, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Jeffco Transcript. Sen. Tammy Story, Sen. Jessie Danielson & Rep. Lisa Cutter For Coloradans all across the state, the past few years have been challenging to say the least. We’ve been dealing with the ongoing unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing housing costs, environmental catastrophes right in our backyards, rising inflation, and the war in Ukraine, which has caused soaring gas prices. We are all fighting the economic uncertainty and assimilating to our new reality. Many folks are struggling to stay afloat as they try to support their families and get by on a day-to-day basis – a reality that is hitting hard-working middle class people and communities of color the hardest. Basic necessities like housing, groceries, gas, and child care continue to increase in price, adding financial and emotional strain to our hard-working neighbors and community members. We have listened to your stories and understand you need help which is why we worked hard this year to deliver urgently-needed relief into your pockets through the Colorado Cashback Plan. As early as August, every Coloradan who has filed their income taxes will receive Colorado Cashback rebate checks in the amount of $750 for individuals or $1,500 for joint filers. Rather than waiting an additional year for you to receive these funds, Colorado Democrats – for the first time in state history – proactively passed legislation to expedite the process. That means you will get support now, when it’s most needed, rather than spring 2023. At the start of this year’s legislative session, we promised to fight to make our state a more affordable and accessible place to live, and we continue to deliver on that promise. We passed legislation to save Coloradans money on housing, healthcare fees, car registration fees and starting a business. We implemented free, universal pre-k to support our families and ended the tampon and diaper tax, which will help women and families. We also passed critical measures to close corporate tax loopholes and make our tax system more equitable. In fact, because of the commitment and steadfast leadership of Democrats in the Colorado Senate and House along with our strong economic recovery, 94 percent of single filers will receive even more money through the Colorado Cashback plan than they otherwise would. That means expedited refund checks are going directly to the hard-working Coloradans that keep our state moving forward, helping to alleviate the financial pressure folks are feeling and ensure that Colorado works for all rather than a select few. Coloradans who filed their taxes by June 30, 2022, can expect to receive their Colorado Cashback check in the mail beginning this August. These expedited checks are intended to help ease some financial burden, support your families, and help pay for things like gas, groceries and rent. For any questions related to the Colorado Cashback, please refer to tax.colorado.gov/cash-back. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, don’t worry – it’s not too late! Extended filers with a deadline of October 17, 2022 will receive their refund by January 31, 2023. Make sure you have your current address on record with the Colorado Department of Revenue as the checks will be mailed to your last known address. As your state elected officials, it is our duty to respond to your needs and ensure you have what you need to support yourselves and your families. We know how challenging the last few years have been and recognize the stress many of you have endured – we’ve felt it, too. That’s why we’re excited to deliver these checks directly to your wallets. Now and always, we will work to ensure every Coloradan has what they need to thrive. Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN VALDEZ BILL ON CDOT (Mar. 25) – The House unanimously approved a bipartisan bill that would create a study to help determine what is the best method to pay Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) engineer contractors, through an hourly rate or through a fixed bid amount. “This bill is about transparency and accountability, and will create fairness and efficiency for CDOT,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara. “We need to make responsible investments in transportation and this is a good government bill.” The current practice is for CDOT outside engineers that are contracted with an hourly rate. SB19-076 would create a study to see if changing the payment method to a fixed bid amount would improve current concerns of cost efficiency of CDOT projects. SB19-076 was also sponsored by Rep. Janice Rice, R-Grand Junction. It passed unanimously through the House and now heads back to the Senate to vote on the bill with the amendments added in the House. Then it will head to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

On January 1, 2024, laws to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injectors at $60 for a 2-pack, protect patients during intimate exams and improve eating disorder treatment go into effect. < Back December 18, 2023 Laws to Save Patients Money on Health Care, Protect Coloradans Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - On January 1, 2024, laws to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injectors at $60 for a 2-pack, protect patients during intimate exams and improve eating disorder treatment go into effect. “No one should ever have to choose between paying their bills and being able to afford their life-saving medication, which is why we passed a law that limits corporate price-gouging and makes EpiPens more accessible for all,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1002. “Currently, EpiPens can be as expensive as $700 for a 2-pack, even though it only costs the manufacturer $8 to produce. On January 1, our new Colorado law will limit the out-of-pocket price of an EpiPen 2-pack to $60, ensuring that Coloradans can afford and access their life-saving medication.” “Colorado families like the ones I represent on the Western Slope have been getting charged an arm and a leg for the EpiPens they rely on to save their lives in emergency situations, and it’s unacceptable,” Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, said. “Nobody should have to choose between paying the bills and affording their prescription drugs. This new law going into effect will lower costs and make life-saving EpiPens much more affordable for working folks.” “With the current price of an EpiPen 2-pack, hardworking Coloradans have to work over one additional week just to ensure they have medication that can save their life during an emergency,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1002. “Symptoms from food allergies can set in quickly, and price should never be a factor for people like myself that rely on emergency medication to keep them safe and alive. I’m proud that our new law will remove cost barriers that prevent many lower-income people and people of color from accessing the medication they need.” Epinephrine auto-injectors are commonly referred to by the trademark name “EpiPen”, which was acquired by one company in 2007. Since then, prices have increased over 660% to $690 for a 2-pack. Because Epi-pens expire a year after purchase, Coloradans have been forced to spend hundreds of dollars annually for medication that can save them from potentially lethal reactions. HB23-1002 creates the Epi-Pen Affordability Program, where uninsured Coloradans with a prescription can apply online through the Colorado Division of Insurance to obtain low-cost epinephrine auto-injectors. Under this bill, manufacturers would be required to provide access to the program on their websites. The bill also requires insurance carriers that provide coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors to cap the out-of-pocket cost to $60 for a 2-pack. HB23-1077 requires health care professionals, students, medical residents and trainees to obtain informed consent prior to a patient being sedated or unconscious before performing intimate examinations, unless in emergency situations. In addition to consent, health care professionals would only be able to perform intimate examinations if it is pertinent to the planned procedure. “This law is common sense - providers should have to get consent from patients to conduct invasive pelvic exams,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB23-1077. “Too many patients have woken up after a surgery to learn a non-consensual pelvic, prostate, rectal, or breast exam was performed on them, leaving them surprised and traumatized. With this law taking effect, Coloradans can have peace of mind that they won’t undergo exams that they did not consent to.” “Patients deserve dignity,” Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, said. “Previously, health care professionals jeopardized that by performing unauthorized intimate exams on patients. By requiring health care professionals to obtain consent from their patients before intimate exams are conducted, we’re ensuring patients are able to maintain control over their bodies, and maintain their dignity.” “Many people, like myself, were shocked to hear that it was legal in Colorado to perform intimate exams on a patient while they are sedated for medical training purposes,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB23-1077. “These non-consensual exams were a violation of a patients safety and trust in the health care system, and can force patients to revisit some of their worst traumas and cause unintended, long-lasting impacts. This law protects Colorado patients by requiring consent before any intimate exams are performed, giving them the ability to opt out at any point.” “Creating patient consent protections for intimate exams is simply the right thing to do,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “This important new law will ensure patients who have been put under anesthesia or who are unconscious during medical procedures aren’t unknowing or unwilling recipients of intimate exams.” Across the country, medical students and residents are performing unauthorized intimate exams , including pelvic exams for educational purposes, on patients under medical sedation for unrelated surgeries. Patients are not able to consent to these procedures and can experience extreme physical and behavioral trauma responses after learning about the performed exam. This law would create a clear process for obtaining patient consent and non-compliant medical and health care professionals would be subject to disciplinary action by their regulators or the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for not following that process. SB23-176 provides health care protections for those suffering from a diagnosed eating disorder. The law prohibits health insurance plans from using body mass index or any other weight standard when determining the medically necessary and appropriate level of care for a patient. It also prohibits retail establishments from selling over-the-counter diet pills to those under the age of 18-years-old without prescriptions. “Only 1 in 3 people who have an eating disorder will receive the treatment they need to have a healthy relationship with their bodies,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of SB23-176. “This law prohibits health insurance companies from denying eating disorder treatments based on outdated standards, like body mass index and ideal body weight. We’re eliminating harmful approaches so we can ensure the health and safety of Coloradans.” “This is a crisis with our youth. Hospitalizations for eating disorders among adolescents has increased by 100 percent since the onset of COVID. Women and LGBTQ+ youth are at particular risk of contracting an eating disorder because of the unrealistic expectations of appearance imposed on them by our society,” Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, said. “We must address outdated and harmful approaches to treating eating disorders and provide care that is respectful to each individual and on par with the latest research.” Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. According to Mental Health Colorado , one in ten Coloradans live with an eating disorder, showing that the need for action is clear. Previous Next

< Back March 11, 2023 Bill on Admissibility Standards for Youth Interrogations Advances in the House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to bar a juvenile’s statement from being admitted in court if law enforcement used deceptive practices during a custodial interrogation. It passed by a vote of 42-21. “Children and teens are especially vulnerable to tactics that deliberately include statements that interrogators know are untrue,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “One nationwide study found that 44% of kids falsely confessed to a crime, compared to only 13% of adults. Our children don’t have the tools to navigate the justice system and because of their developmental phase they struggle to fully process their surroundings. As a result we see children ending up behind bars instead of in the classroom. We’re bringing this bill so we can prevent Colorado kids from having permanent records over false confessions and crimes they didn’t commit so they can have the opportunity to build the bright future every child in Colorado deserves.” “As a criminal defense attorney, I’ve seen the distress that innocent kids experience when they’re accused of committing a crime,” said Rep. Said Sharbini, D-Brighton. “Requiring juvenile interrogations to be recorded allows the judge to determine if untruthful practices have been used in a juvenile’s confession or if they believe the real suspect is still walking free. Quickly identifying false confessions means that our law enforcement officers can focus on finding the actual perpetrator, keeping our communities safe from further crimes.” HB23-1042 makes a juvenile’s statement inadmissible in court if a law enforcement official knowingly uses untruthful practices during a custodial interrogation, unless the prosecution can prove that the statement was made voluntarily despite the untruth. It would require an interrogation to be recorded and would allow a judge to use the recording to determine if the statement or admission is voluntary and admissible. The bill would allocate $30,000 to fund interrogation training for law enforcement to improve understanding of juvenile development, strengthen techniques for building rapport with juveniles, and reduce the likelihood of false confessions. Previous Next

Legislation puts ‘people over parking’ to lower the cost of building new homes, increase Colorado’s housing supply, and reduce harmful air pollution < Back February 14, 2024 Joint Release: Colorado Democrats Unveil Bill to Reduce the Cost of Housing Legislation puts ‘people over parking’ to lower the cost of building new homes, increase Colorado’s housing supply, and reduce harmful air pollution DENVER, CO - Colorado Democrats today introduced legislation to make housing in Colorado more affordable and reduce traffic congestion by eliminating parking mandates that drive up the cost of building new housing, especially multifamily developments. “Requiring more parking spots than the market demands drives up the cost of construction, makes housing more expensive in Colorado, and puts more and more distance between homes and destinations," said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “We have quite literally paved paradise to put up a parking lot. With each new off-street parking spot adding potentially tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a new building, the evidence is overwhelming that eliminating minimum parking mandates will allow for more diverse housing stock, free up space for more transportation choices, and improve air quality. It's time for us to put people over parking, and ensure Coloradans can live, work, and play affordably throughout our great state.” “Addressing Colorado’s housing crisis requires an all-of-the-above approach - and with parking mandates eating up more and more space and money, it’s long past time we act to eliminate them,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “Parking minimums stifle housing development and act as barriers to building the new housing we need to bring down prices and get folks housed. This bill will make it easier to increase Colorado’s housing supply, and encourage practices that will reduce emissions and help us reach our climate goals.” “The research is clear, the actions we’re taking will keep rents from rising, reduce the cost of building new apartments, homes and condos, and will save people money on housing,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “There are eight parking spaces for every vehicle on the road, and most municipalities require up to three parking spaces per unit, which can add millions to the cost of building new multifamily housing. This common sense reform empowers consumers to choose the housing options that work best for them instead of continuing to force higher costs on builders, renters and homeowners for parking spaces they don’t need or want.” “This year we’re taking a multifaceted approach to combating the housing crisis in Colorado, and removing parking mandates that drive up housing costs is a key part of our agenda,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Studies have shown time and again that mandated parking minimums negatively impact health outcomes and the environment while slowing housing development and raising prices. I look forward to working on this commonsense solution that can improve affordability for the hardworking folks of Pueblo.” Beginning January 1, 2025, HB24-1304 would prohibit counties or municipalities from establishing or enforcing minimum parking requirements for residential or commercial properties within a metropolitan planning organization. Parking minimums increase home prices and rents by requiring developers to use valuable space for cars that may not be fully utilized and could instead be dedicated to more housing units. With new structured parking spaces costing $25,000 each in the Denver Metro in 2020, developers are disincentivized from building new residential projects or must reduce the number of units that are developed. Since the city of Minneapolis eliminated residential parking minimums in 2021, rents have only increased 1 percent , while Denver saw an average increase of nearly 5 percent in just the last two years. Research attributes the significant expansion of the housing supply in Minneapolis to the elimination of parking minimums. The oversupply of parking is also directly linked to higher vehicle miles traveled. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in Colorado, with cars contributing nearly 60 percent of the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified Denver and the Northern Front Range as having unhealthy levels of ground level ozone, which can lead to negative health impacts like asthma and bronchitis, especially for vulnerable Coloradans. Additionally, replacing wildlife habitat to build massive surface lots for parking harms the environment by increasing soil and water pollution, flooding, and the heat island effect. The bill does not impact parking spaces required for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2021 MAJOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BILLS ADVANCE Legislation would create the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, expand access to peer support and transition services, and require equal access to foster care services for LGBTQ youth DENVER, CO– The House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee today passed five bills to increase access to behavioral health and critical peer support and transition services. The committee also passed legislation to ensure LGBTQ youth have access to the full range of out-of-home placement services and programs. HB21-1097 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton, passed unanimously and would create the Behavioral Health Administration to ensure that every Coloradan experiencing behavioral health needs has access to timely, high-quality services in their communities that they can afford. It tasks the Department of Human Services with creating a plan for a single state entity that would be responsible for administering and overseeing behavioral health programs in Colorado. “Our landmark legislation will create the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration to help every person in our state have access to affordable mental health and substance abuse services in their communities,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley . “With this bill, we’re taking a major step forward to reform our behavioral health system and tackle the challenges that have prevented too many Coloradans from accessing critical mental health care.” HB21-1072 , sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich, would require an out-of-home placement provider to ensure fair and equal access to all available programs, benefits, and services offered by the provider. In addition, out-of-home placement must be provided in a way that is culturally responsive to the complex social identity of the youth. LGBTQ youth have faced barriers to access critical out-of-home placement services, with some denying services to LGBTQ youth. All Republicans on the committee voted to deny LGBTQ youth equal access to these critical services. “No young person in Colorado should ever be rejected from foster services because of who they are or who they love,” said Rep. Froelich, D- Englewood. “This bill would end discrimination foster youth programs and ensure that at-risk youth receive services that are appropriate and responsible to their identity.” HB21-1021 , sponsored by Representative Yadira Caraveo, passed unanimously and would improve access to peer-support professionals by authorizing HCPF to reimburse recovery support services organizations for peer support services submitted under the state’s Medicaid program. Peer support specialists are people with lived experiences who help others experiencing similar situations improve their conditions, typically in connection to substance abuse or trauma. Peer support services provide treatment outside of a clinical setting to help people experiencing a mental health condition. “Peer support specialists draw on their own life experiences to help people struggling with substance abuse or a mental health condition, often stemming from traumatic experience,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “I’m excited to see this bill move forward so that more Coloradans, especially veterans struggling with a behavioral health condition or Coloradans living with sexual trauma, can access the care they need.” HB21-1130 , sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Mary Bradfield, passed unanimously and would allow more individuals to access the community transition specialist program and expand the type of facility that can access the program’s services. These types of programs help people with behavioral health conditions transition from a treatment setting to a community living setting. “I’ve made access to behavioral health services one of my top priorities, and I am so happy to see all of these bills move forward today,” said Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee Chair Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “Today, we took a big step forward to expand access to critical services that help Coloradans transition from treatment to community living. We also started down the long road of finally creating the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, which will reform how mental health care is delivered in our state to improve access and affordability at a time when more Coloradans need this care.” HB21-1123 , sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Colin Larson, passed unanimously and would allow the disclosure of certain CAPS Checks (Colorado’s Adult Protective Services data system) in order to check for substantiated cases of adult mistreatment. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! SLATE OF BIPARTISAN EDUCATION BILLS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS BECOME LAW ARVADA, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed three bipartisan bills into law that support foster youth seeking higher education opportunities, better enable Colorado students to train for high-demand jobs, and increase funding for special education. SB22-008 , championed by Senators Zenzinger and Priola as well as Representatives McLachlan and McKean, helps college-bound students who have been in foster care afford the cost of attending college by requiring higher education institutions to waive their undergraduate fees and tuition. “Through no fault of their own, foster children typically face extraordinary challenges, and it’s our duty to help eliminate the ones that we can,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “Of all the assets we can provide for foster children, education is the one they can leverage most effectively. In the end, everyone benefits.” “This law ensures that Colorado does right by the thousands of youth in our foster care system by covering the cost of their degrees,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “We are serious about setting every student up for success and that includes kids in our foster system. I’m incredibly proud of our bipartisan efforts to make it easier for foster youth to chase their dreams and attend a higher education institution in Colorado.” To increase the likelihood of student enrollment in postsecondary education, the law also designates navigators at school districts and universities to serve as points-of-contact to help students choose programs, navigate the grant and tuition assistance programs, and submit applications. Polis also signed SB22-192 , championed by Senators Zenzinger and Simpson, and House Majority Leader Esgar and Representative Catlin, which streamlines educational pathways and better connects students with high-paying, in-demand jobs. “Expanding stackable credential pathways will set Colorado’s students up for success and help workers upskill and reskill to land the high-paying jobs they are seeking,” Zenzinger said. “Colorado students – adults and youth alike – need efficient and effective pathways to gain the experience and training necessary to earn a degree and, ultimately, a good-paying job. This new law will accelerate our economic recovery and help businesses fill the critical gaps in our state’s workforce.” “Sometimes life gets in the way of educational plans, so we’re revamping career pathways to be more efficient, flexible and attainable for Coloradans,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Our bipartisan stackable credentials law makes it easier for students seeking high-demand careers to have their on-the-job training and previous experience count toward degrees and professional credentials as they upskill and reskill. Whether you’ve taken a break from school or switched careers entirely, this law works to make sure Coloradans can enter and re-enter the workforce easier.” SB22-192 was developed based on recommendations by the state’s Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Task Force , which aims to make Colorado more affordable and create student success in today’s work environment. Finally, Polis signed SB22-127 , championed by Senators Zenzinger and Kirkmeyer as well as Representatives McCluskie and Larson, which increases funding for special education students by more than $80 million per year to help ensure that every Colorado student has the resources and support they need to thrive. “Every Colorado student deserves a quality, public education, but the current level of state support for schools just isn’t getting the job done,” said Zenzinger. “We’ve been working to fix that, and this new law will help us get critical resources to the classrooms that need them most while making sure every student, regardless of ability, has what they need to succeed.” “Education needs to be tailored to each and every student, which is why we allocated an additional $80 million for special education,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion. “Investing more in special education along with record investments in K-12 public schools through this year’s School Finance Act fills funding gaps in Colorado’s education system and better prepares all of our students for success.” SB22-127 dramatically increases funding for more than 100,000 Colorado special education students, from about $220 million per year currently to more than $300 million per year moving forward. This increase brings down student-teacher ratios, decreases class sizes, and helps schools provide the tailored assistance and support special education students need to learn and receive the quality education they deserve. Previous Next

< Back June 5, 2020 BILLS TO HELP COLORADANS MAKE ENDS MEET ADVANCE Committee passes legislation to provide, housing, utility, and behavioral health assistance; protect consumers from outrageous price gouging DENVER, CO — The House Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs today advanced four bills to provide direct assistance to hardworking families and improve access to essential needs, such as housing, utilities and behavioral health care. “Coloradans expect their leaders to deliver results, and that’s why I’m fighting to provide direct assistance to hardworking families to help them make ends meet,” said Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “With COVID-19 upending the lives of Coloradans all across our state, we’re channeling $20 million directly to families to help them afford to stay in their homes.” “Workers are footing the bill for essential protective equipment while some companies continue to charge exorbitant prices for masks and other necessary items without justification,” said Brianna Rep. Titone, D-Arvada. “Coloradans are trying to rebuild their lives and can’t afford to pay outrageous prices for essential goods and services. It’s time to give our state the tools we need to crack down on these deceptive and unfair practices that hurt Coloradans.” “Too many hardworking families are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet, which is why we’re directing $10 million in federal funding to lower utility bills and help Coloradans get through this crisis,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “We’re focused on how we can make a real impact and help our state get back on its feet.” “These are challenging times, and we’re seeing an enormous increase in the demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “I am grateful we will be able to use federal CARES Act funding to bolster our state’s behavioral health capacity so that more Coloradans can access the care they need.” HB20-1410: Coronavirus Relief Funds for Housing Cash Assistance ( Reps. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Tony Exum, Sens. Julie Gonzales and Rachel Zenzinger): Housing security for both renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to preserving the health and economic security of Colorado families. The bill provides $20 million in direct rental and mortgage assistance to Coloradans experiencing a financial need during these turbulent times, including $350,000 for legal aid for renters at risk of eviction. Passed 6-3 HB20-1411: Coronavirus Relief Funds for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment ( Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Sens. Brittany Pettersen and Rhonda Fields): The need for behavioral health services are compounded by the challenges associated with COVID-19 and the more than half a million individuals who have filed for unemployment in Colorado. Young people have been especially impacted–teachers are reporting an increased need for mental health support for students struggling with schooling at home. The bill allocates $15 million to critical mental health programs and substance abuse treatment within the Colorado Department of Human Services and Department of Public Health and Environment. Passed 8-1. HB20-1412: Coronavirus Relief Funds for Utilities ( Reps. Chris Kennedy and Lisa Cutter, Sens. Tammy Story and Rachel Zenzinger): While most utilities have implemented a moratorium on utility disconnections, the moratoriums do not address the difficulty that a household facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will have paying its utility bill once a utility’s disconnection moratorium is lifted. The bill allocates $10 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, which helps low-income Coloradans who are at risk of having their service shut off. Passed 6-3. HB20-1414: Protections Against Price Gouging ( Reps. Mike Weissman and Brianna Titone, Senators Brittany Pettersen and Mike Foote): Unfortunately, during times of emergency unscrupulous individuals sometimes try to take advantage of scarcity to raise prices on necessary goods to exorbitant levels. This bill establishes that a person engages in an unfair or unconscionable act or practice if they increase the cost of certain necessary goods or services an excessive amount, and empowers the Attorney General or local District Attorneys to enforce these consumer protections. Passed 6-3. Previous Next

< Back April 3, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES REP. HEROD’S BILL TO REINSTATE VOTING RIGHTS FOR PAROLEES Colorado would join 14 other states in allowing those on parole to vote (Apr. 2) — The House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, that would reinstate the voting rights of individuals on parole. “Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to voter turnout and voter enfranchisement. We should be very proud of that fact,” said Rep. Herod. “We have the ability today as a legislative body to re-enfranchise more voters. Parolees are hardworking individuals who pay taxes, raise their families, contribute to their communities, and it’s about time we allow them to fully participate in our democracy.” HB19-1266 clarifies that people who are on parole have completed their “full term of imprisonment” upon release from prison, thereby restoring their right to vote. The bill would restore voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans who are now disenfranchised. Parolees are currently denied the ability to vote because current law defines the “full term of imprisonment” to include the period of parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has stated that the state legislature has the authority to redefine the “full term of imprisonment.” The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 7-2 and now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back June 19, 2021 HISTORIC GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PACKAGE BECOMES LAW Bills to curb mass shootings, prevent gun violence and save lives signed into law DENVER, CO — Governor Polis today signed three gun violence prevention bills into law. The lifesaving new laws will create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, expand and improve our background check system, and allow local governments to implement higher gun violence prevention standards than those of the state. “This has been a banner year for gun violence prevention in Colorado,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB21-1299 . “Today’s bill signing is the culmination of months of hard work finding thoughtful, effective and commonsense ways to prevent mass shootings, promote gun safety and save lives. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention will help people learn about the tools available to them like how to file an Extreme Risk Protection Order and how to access mental health resources, and it will help inform gun violence prevention in our state for years to come.” “Communities like mine are being devastated every day by gun tragedies that amount to a true public health crisis,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1299. “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention responds to this need by offering community-driven solutions and providing Coloradans with the type of educational and mental health support that will save lives. I’m ecstatic to see Governor Polis sign our proposal into law today.” HB21-1299 establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention under the Department of Public Health and Environment. The Office would be responsible for conducting public awareness campaigns about gun violence prevention. It would educate the public about existing state resources and laws, including how to file an Extreme Risk Protection Order, how to access mental health resources and how to store firearms securely. The office would also fund proven community-based violence intervention programs that are focused on interrupting cycles of gun violence through competitive grants. Finally, the Office would be tasked with promoting research and presenting gun violence prevention tools and resources that would be available to the public and to create and maintain a database of research regarding gun violence in Colorado. “After a mass shooting ravaged my community earlier this year, I pledged to work to bring moments of action following our moments of silence,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB21-1298 . “Today’s bill signing is a resounding moment of action – a demonstration that we can do much more than offer thoughts and prayers. I’m incredibly proud of the work we did this year to curb gun violence and save lives.” “The epidemic of gun violence demands bold action, and that’s exactly what we delivered for the people of Colorado today,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1298 . “The new law created today will save lives and help us prevent mass shootings by making it harder for violent criminals to get their hands on deadly weapons. Today marks a great victory – I’m so grateful to the advocates and gun violence survivors who joined us today and have been standing shoulder to shoulder with us throughout the last few months of hard work.” HB21-1298 prohibits a person who has been convicted of certain violent misdemeanor offenses from purchasing a firearm for five years. These specific criminal offenses show a propensity for violence or illegal usage of a weapon and include charges like child abuse, hate crimes, cruelty to animals, sexual assault and third degree assault. The bill also closes the “Charleston loophole,” which allows an individual who may not have otherwise passed a background check to obtain a firearm if the results of said background check take longer than three days to process. This bill closes that loophole to ensure that everyone who purchases a firearm has first passed a background check. “Communities like mine deserve the right to establish higher standards for gun violence prevention,” said Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB21-256 . “Today, after months of hard work, we have officially returned this important and life saving tool back to our local governments. I’m so proud of the bold steps we’ve taken this year to address the crisis of gun violence.” “The new law created today ensures that Colorado’s longstanding tradition of local control extends to gun violence prevention,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB21-256. “We have done great work on gun violence prevention at the state level, but it makes sense to allow localities to implement additional solutions that meet their communities’ needs.” Current law prohibits a local government from enacting laws, regulations, or ordinances regarding the purchase, transfer, or possession of a firearm. Just ten days before the King Soopers shooting, courts struck down Boulder’s citywide assault weapons ban, which had been the result of years of advocacy from community members to help keep residents safer. SB21-256 adjusts the local prohibition by declaring the regulation of firearms a matter of both state and local concern, allowing local governments to set higher standards. Under this bill, local governments would have the authority to enact regulations governing the transfer or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm components and accessories that go above and beyond state laws on the subject. These three new laws are a part of a larger six-bill package on gun violence prevention passed by the legislature this year. Additional new laws include the Isabella Joy Thallas Act, which mandates the reporting of lost and stolen firearms, as well as two other laws to promote the safe storage of firearms and help keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers. Previous Next