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The Insurance Rebate Reform Model Act would allow insurance companies to extend discounts to consumers < Back March 19, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Insurance DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on insurance. “We’re working to save Coloradans money on their insurance, and this bill ensures consumers can receive certain no-cost or discounted add-ons offered by insurance companies,” said Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton. “Whether it’s a security camera or flood detection system, there are many no-cost promotions or discounts offered to consumers through their insurance company. This bill updates Colorado’s anti-rebate law to ensure Coloradans can receive promotions, discounts and add-ons that save them money and provide peace of mind.” The Insurance Rebate Reform Model Act ( SB25-058 ) passed committee by a vote of 13-0. This bill aims to save Coloradans money on insurance by allowing insurance companies to extend certain discounts or rebates to consumers. Under current law, discounting the price of insurance below what is stated in the contract is considered a deceptive trade practice. This bill would update the regulatory framework to extend specific discounts while maintaining critical consumer protections. Under the bill, insurance companies would be able to offer discounts or rebates to consumers, if they relate to insurance coverage. In addition, the discounts or rebates must mitigate loss, enhance health or promote financial or wellness literacy. For example, a no-cost or discounted service tacked on to consumer insurance could be an electric system that protects against flood or fire, security cameras and motion detectors. The goal of SB25-058 is to ensure that consumers can benefit from no-cost or discounted insurance add-ons offered by insurance companies that will help keep them safer. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed a bill to streamline the construction of and expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for homeowners and renters.  < Back May 23, 2023 Polis Signs Bill to Expand EV Charging DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed a bill to streamline the construction of and expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for homeowners and renters. “There are many Coloradans who are interested in owning an EV, however it can be difficult to secure charging locations near their home or even in their neighborhoods,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our law builds up and expands EV charging infrastructure across our state so we can accommodate current and future EV owners. We’re committed to making EV use more accessible for all Coloradans because it cuts back on our greenhouse gas emissions, creates more jobs and saves people money.” “With more EVs on the road than ever before, Colorado needs to invest in EV-specific infrastructure to help meet growing demand and cut down our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “ This law breaks down barriers to owning an EV by creating more charging stations, which can be tough to secure if you’re living in an apartment. We’re setting into motion a plan to vastly expand EV charging across the state and save Coloradans money in the process.” HB23-1233 , sponsored by Representatives Tisha Mauro and Alex Valdez, removes barriers to EV ownership by improving access to EV charging, especially for renters and those living in multifamily housing. Specifically, HB23-1233 expands electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new construction to accommodate future and current EV owners. The law updates electric code requirements, removes burdensome parking restrictions for EVs, and provides property tax relief to Coloradans for EV charging stations. HB23-1233 is part of a broader legislative package to incentivize the advancement and adoption of clean energy technologies, accelerate the clean energy transition and make Colorado a leader in budding clean energy technologies. Previous Next

< Back July 30, 2021 GARNETT, ESGAR STATEMENTS ON THE PASSING OF GOVERNOR DICK LAMM DENVER, CO– House Speaker Alec Garnett and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar released the following statements on the passing of former Governor Dick Lamm. “Governor Lamm was a towering presence in Colorado politics,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “He made it his life’s work to protect our state’s natural treasures and ensure that our state remained a great place to live and work . He leaves behind a legacy of dedication and hard work, and while we didn’t always agree, I appreciated his mentorship and have always respected and admired Governor Lamm enormously. My thoughts today are with his wife Dottie and family. May he rest in peace.” “My most heartfelt condolences go out to Governor Lamm’s family today,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Governor Lamm was a public servant who knew how to reach across the aisle and put people over politics without compromising on his values. Despite the enormous loss that we feel today, Governor Lamm’s legacy of straight talking, hard working, and no-nonsense public service is alive and well.” Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2022 BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HEALTH CARE ADVANCE Bipartisan legislation would boost hospital transparency and improve protections from surprise medical bills DENVER, CO – The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed two bipartisan bills sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar that will increase hospital billing transparency and save Coloradans money on health care. “We’ve made tremendous progress saving people money on health care, and these two bills will save Coloradans even more money by improving protections against surprise billing, increasing hospital transparency and limiting debt collections from hospitals that aren’t transparent about what they’re charging,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “These bipartisan bills will ensure that hospitals are transparent and follow the rules when it comes to their billing, and they will protect consumers from unfair surprise bills that can cost them thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.” HB22-1285 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Patrick Neville, would save Coloradans money on their health care costs by increasing hospital transparency and prohibiting hospitals that are out of compliance from referring medical debt to collections. In July 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop detailed rules to increase hospital billing transparency. Hospitals must now publicly post their “standard charges,” which are the gross charges, discounted cash prizes, payer-specific negotiated charges, and de-identified minimum and maximum negotiated charges. Under the bill, hospitals that are not in compliance with federal hospital price transparency regulations will be prohibited from referring, assigning or selling medical debt to collectors, and they will be prohibited from using the courts to obtain a judgment for an outstanding medical debt. The bill would award damages to patients if the courts find that the hospital has violated the provisions of the bill HB22-1285 passed unanimously. HB22-1284 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Marc Catlin, would improve Colorado’s surprise medical billing protections by aligning them with recently passed federal legislation. The bill provides clarity to consumers, providers and insurance carriers about how to move forward with surprise billing protections. It adds balanced billing protections for post-stabilization services to ensure that patients are protected from surprise bills until they can consent and be safely transferred to an in-network facility. It mirrors the No Surprises Act’s notice and consent requirements to ensure that out of network providers and facilities provide notice to a consumer before a scheduled service, including an estimate of the total charges the consumer will be responsible for. Finally, it updates Colorado laws to allow for a 90 day period of continued coverage at in-network rates for transitional care. HB22-1284 passed unanimously. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2022 SIGNED! BILL TO INVITE COLORADO TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS GENERAL ASSEMBLY DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed a bill today that invites Tribal governments from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe to address a joint session of the Colorado general assembly on an annual basis. “Representation matters and this law makes space for leaders of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe to share their priorities and voices in the Colorado general assembly,” said Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Colorado is the home to generations of native Ute people, many of whom led and represented the people long before the legislature we know today existed. This law expands our state’s governmental inclusion and equity to ensure we’re listening to and representing all Coloradans.” SB22-105 , sponsored by Representative Barbara McLachlan and Senator Kerry Donovan, invites representatives from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to give an address to a joint session of the general assembly on an annual basis. This important law makes space for the Tribal governments of Colorado to share their priorities and voices with the general assembly. Previous Next

New medical school will strengthen Colorado’s health care workforce, increase access to care for Coloradans < Back September 30, 2024 Lieutenant Governor Primavera Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Medical School at University of Northern Colorado GREELEY - Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera celebrated the groundbreaking for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). This new Medical school, the third medical school in the state, will help support Colorado’s healthcare workforce, ensuring that Coloradans have access to high-quality care. The Lt. Governor joined UNC President Andy Feinstein, Greeley Mayor John Gates, UNC Board of Trustees Chairman Dick Monfort, and other community leaders for the groundbreaking. “I am thrilled to be here at my Alma Mater to celebrate this monumental opportunity for our students, our economy, and our future healthcare workers. The new College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNC will train 150 new doctors each year, ensuring our healthcare workforce is able to provide Coloradans with the high-quality care they deserve. As our state continues to grow, it is critical for communities in every corner of the state to have highly skilled providers to care for us and our family members,” said Lt. Governor Primavera. This new medical school will attract students from across the country to Colorado, strengthening the healthcare workforce and supporting Colorado’s economy. On May 1, 2024, Governor Polis signed HB24-1231 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty and Senators Barbara Kirkmeyer, and Kyle Mullica providing funding for Colorado’s third medical school, new veterinarian training facilities at CSU, and program expansions at MSU and Trinidad State. “I’m thrilled to be here as we begin construction on the new college of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This new medical college will serve as a strong economic driver for Greeley, as well as the surrounding communities, and help meet the medical workforce needs of our rural and underserved neighborhoods. At the legislature, we’ve taken historic steps to increase access to affordable health care and address our workforce shortages in the industry. Today is a historic day as we invest in the future of higher education health care projects and programs that will serve generations to come.” “Across the state, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of critical health care providers, which is why we are standing up a new medical college in Greeley to train the next generation of professionals in these fields,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony for the osteopathic medical college means we’re one step closer to training more critical health care providers in our state. I’m proud of our work to lower barriers for Coloradans who want to enter these professions and better serve our communities.” “This new medical school will be a hub that helps Coloradans get the training needed to provide care and serve their communities, filling critical health care jobs around the state. This groundbreaking is another important step and I can’t wait to see the doors open on this facility,” said Senator Barb Kirkmeyer. "Colorado is facing a critical shortage of healthcare providers, leading to gaps in care, longer wait times, and limited access to essential services in both rural and urban areas," said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. "As the only practicing nurse at the Colorado State Capitol, I’ve seen firsthand how urgent it is to strengthen our healthcare workforce. The establishment of the College of Osteopathic Medicine will be a game-changer in this effort. It will play a pivotal role in addressing our state’s healthcare challenges and ensuring that every Coloradan has access to the quality care they deserve to lead healthy, thriving lives." Previous Next

< Back June 9, 2020 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO BOOST LOWEST IN THE NATION IMMUNIZATION RATES FOR CHILDREN DENVER, CO — The House today advanced SB20-163, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn, and Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon as well as Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, on second reading. The bill would boost Colorado’s childhood immunization rates. “Vaccines are a crucial public health tool that has saved millions of lives throughout the course of history,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “Today we’re taking an important step towards improving our state’s vaccination rates to prevent the outbreak of preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles. By streamlining the immunization exemption process and improving our state’s low vaccination rates, we’ll be protecting vulnerable Coloradans like newborns, seniors, and the immunocompromised. As COVID-19 has taught us, an outbreak could happen at any moment and cripple our hospital capacity– there’s no time to waste.” “This bill is a simple, reasonable step forward towards improving public health in Colorado while protecting parental choice,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “I’m proud of the work that has been done on this bill and I’m glad that we were able to move forward with it today. Improving our state’s low immunization rates will go a long way towards preventing a tragic outbreak of infectious disease among Colorado’s children.” “Public health is about collective responsibility,” said Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “In order to protect our communities, we have to improve Colorado’s lowest-in-the-nation immunization rates for children. I am proud of this bill. As a member of the Black Caucus, I deplore any characterizations of this modest public health measure as anti-Black, and I completely repudiate those who have used this issue to sow discord and distrust in the Black community.” SB20-163 is designed to get more children fully vaccinated by the time they start kindergarten by encouraging those who do not vaccinate, but who have no objections to vaccinations, to immunize their children. The percentage of Colorado kindergartners vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella is the lowest rate in the country at 87 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This low rate makes our state particularly vulnerable to a measles outbreak. SB20-163 requires parents who choose not to vaccinate their children to present a standardized exemption form signed by an immunization provider or submit a confirmation form that they took a short online class about vaccinations before they send their children to school. The bill also streamlines the immunization exemptions categories by dividing them into medical and nonmedical exemptions, but makes no changes to who can choose to exempt their children or for what reasons. Lastly, SB20-163 would require all immunizing health care providers to use the state’s Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) data system, though providers wouldn’t be subject to a regulatory sanction for noncompliance. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2025 House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Address CBI Employee Misconduct DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation that would establish clear procedures for reporting misconduct in Colorado crime laboratories. HB25-1275, sponsored by Representative Yara Zokaie, passed unanimously by a vote of 65-0. “The CBI scandal has had devastating consequences for survivors of sexual violence, and it is crucial that we do everything we can to prevent this situation from ever happening again,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “This bipartisan solution will inform defendants if evidence in their case was implicated in the scandal, and gives them the opportunity to fight for the truth through post-conviction relief. With this bill passing today, we’re one step closer to a criminal justice system that is transparent and just.” HB25-1275 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, would establish a clear process within the CBI and the court system to address intentional and wrongful misconduct by crime laboratory workers. The bill would require crime laboratory employees who witness or discover misconduct or a wrongful action to notify their supervisor or the crime laboratory director within 14 days. It would also require both defendants and victims to be notified if there was lab misconduct in their case. Under the bill, defendants would have the right to return to court to challenge their conviction if the CBI misconduct interfered with substantial evidence in obtaining their conviction. Lastly, this bill mandates all crime laboratory directors to review all records to identify wrongful actions committed by current or former employees before July 1, 2025. Earlier this year, a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than 800 criminal cases dating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the 558-day wait to receive results for a sexual assault kit. HB25-1275 is a direct response to misconduct by CBI crime laboratory workers and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system. Previous Next

HB23-1212 works to increase apprenticeship participation among graduating high school students < Back March 23, 2023 Bill to Prioritize Apprenticeships, Boost Colorado’s Workforce Passes Committee HB23-1212 works to increase apprenticeship participation among graduating high school students DENVER, CO – Legislation to boost Colorado’s workforce by helping graduating students access apprenticeship passed the House Education Committee today. “Connecting graduating students with apprenticeships in high-demand trade industries just makes sense,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “There are many critical industries, including the construction and building trades, that need more qualified workers. Our bill would make it easier for students to find, apply and partake in apprenticeship programs in these high-demand fields and graduate with a clear pathway toward a good-paying job.” “Apprenticeship programs give Coloradans the tools they need to get started in a high-demand career,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Through apprenticeship programs, students can save money on training and education while preparing for good paying jobs of the future. Our legislation makes apprenticeship programs in the trades more accessible to high school students, helps fill workforce demand and boost Colorado’s economy.” HB23-1212 passed the House Education Committee by a vote of 10 to 1. This bill would direct the Office of the Future of Work, the Colorado Department Education and other state agencies to collaborate with schools and trade industries to create apprenticeship pathways for graduating students. HB23-1212 would also require the creation of an online job board for students,task the state with incorporating trades apprenticeships in career planning tools, and develop standards for individual career and academic plans for students registered in the program to better support job preparation. Colorado’s trade and construction industries are still experiencing workforce shortages following economic disruptions from the pandemic. This bill would help create a talent pipeline for graduating students to enter good-paying careers after graduation. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2021 HOUSE VOTES TO IMPROVE LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Rep. David Ortiz’s bill to strengthen state discrimination laws for people with disabilities passed the House on third reading DENVER, CO– The House today passed Rep. David Ortiz’s bill to improve Colorado’s discrimination laws for people with disabilities and ensure our government agencies and departments provide as much protection as that provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill passed by a vote of 55-8. “I came to the legislature to be a voice and an advocate for the communities I belong to and represent,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “I know first hand how badly Colorado needs to update and strengthen its protections for people with disabilities, and I’m proud we took this crucial step forward today. I’m fighting to ensure my brothers and sisters with disabilities have access to all areas of public life in Colorado, and starting with programs and services provided by their own government just makes sense.” HB21-1110 would strengthen current Colorado laws related to protections against discrimination on the basis of disability for persons with disabilities, including a provision to ensure all rules promulgated by Colorado departments are at least as strong as the ADA, the federal anti-discrimination law. It requires state agencies to develop an accessibility plan that enables an individual with a disability to access operable and understandable digital content with the same privacy and ease of use as individuals without a disability, and to be in full compliance with accessibility standards established by the Office of Information Technology by July 1, 2024. Other protections in this bill would include prohibiting a person with a disability from being excluded from participating in or being denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of any state or local government entity, including special districts. Previous Next

< Back May 18, 2021 LAWMAKERS, ADVOCATES SEEK TO CURB YOUTH ACCESS TO HIGH-POTENCY THC New legislation would advance research, address diversion, and educate consumers DENVER, CO – House and Senate sponsors of legislation to address youth access to high-potency cannabis products today joined Colorado parents, nurses, and students for a press conference ahead of the bill’s first legislative hearing. HB21-1317 is sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett; Representatives Yadira Caraveo, a physician, and Tim Geitner; and Senators Chris Hansen, Paul Lundeen and Kevin Priola. “For many years, I have been concerned about the impact of high-potency cannabis on the developing brain,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This bill will help us get the answers, and it will crack down on the loopholes that allow for easy diversion of high-potency cannabis to black and grey market where our youth are getting their hands on products that are intended for adults. We’ve heard from Colorado parents about the terrifying reactions their children have experienced. Additionally, because of the absence of federal studies, Colorado has a tremendous opportunity to be at the forefront of the research into high-potency concentrates.” “When I began seeing patients in clinic who were experiencing significant health issues after using high-potency products, I knew we had to take action,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician. “The absence of a robust federal research effort into the impact of high-potency THC on the developing brain means we still don’t have all the pieces. This bill will task the Colorado School of Public Health with reviewing research into high-potency products to identify gaps and future areas to study. The bill brings medical marjuiana recommendations for youth more in line with prescribing practices for pharmaceutical drugs to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and ensure that only our youth who truly need high-potency THC can purchase it.” “As a father of two middle school boys, I want to be able to watch them grow up without the fear of high concentrate products affecting their development,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “No one wants to see unintended negative consequences of high-potency THC concentrates, particularly when it comes to our teens and young adults. This bill is about implementing reasonable safety measures to preserve the health and development of our youth, while maintaining responsible, legal marijuana use and supporting world-class scientific research.” “It is time for our statutes to reflect what we know about the possible impacts of high potency marijuana, particularly on our youth, and to study and unlock a better understanding of some of the health issues that still confound us,” said Senator Paul Lundeen, R-Monument. “I look forward to listening to and considering all stakeholder input as this bill moves forward.” The bill would advance research into the impact of high potency marijuana on the developing brain, address diversion of cannabis concentrates purchased in the medical marijuana marketplace, and educate consumers about concentrates through safer packaging and public awareness campaigns. “This bill will make Colorado the first state to really dive in and research the impacts of high-potency marjiuana on the developing brain,” said Rep. Tim Geitner, R- Falcon. “What we’re seeing anecdotally is scary, and it shows how important it is for us to take action now to keep these products out of the hands of youth who shouldn’t have them. This bill will regulate medical cannabis to make it harder for Colorado teens to access high-potency marijiuana without impacting access for younger patients with medical needs.” Advances Research: The bill funds and advances critical research into the impact of high-potency cannabis concentrate products on the developing brain. It requires the Colorado School of Public Health to conduct a systematic review of the current scientific research into the physical and mental health effects of high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates and identify gaps for further research. Under the bill, a new scientific review council of doctors and experts will review the report and make recommendations to the General Assembly on appropriate evidence-based regulatory changes and the funding of additional necessary evidence-based research. “High-potency THC products are more readily available to our youth than ever before,” said Senator Kevin Priola, R-Adams County. “As the marijuana industry continues to innovate and advance, we need to make sure we understand the effects of these high-potency concentrate products on our still-developing teens. By monitoring and tracking the health impacts of high-potency THC products, we can ensure that Colorado remains a national role model in responsible cannabis legalization and use.” Addresses Diversion of High-Potency Products: The bill cracks down on “looping” and diversion by reducing the amount of medical concentrates someone can purchase in a day and requiring the Marijuana Enforcement Division’s seed-to-sale tracking database, METRC, to update at the point of sale, instead of at the end of each business day. Enhanced Doctor-Patient Relationship: The bill adjusts medical marijuana recommending practices by requiring doctors to specify a daily quantity authorization and to consider a patient’s mental health history when making a cannabis recommendation. For patients ages 18-20, the bill requires two physicians from different medical practices to diagnose the patient as having a debilitating or disabling medical condition after an in-person consultation, and the patient must attend a follow-up appointment every six months after the initial visit. Real-Time Medical Marijuana Purchase Reporting: Through a practice known as “looping,” consumers can purchase the daily limit at multiple dispensaries, circumventing the limits and increasing youth access to high-potency cannabis products. The bill would crack down on “looping” in the medical marketplace by requiring medical marijuana stores to immediately record transactions in the seed-to-sale inventory tracking system. This would allow the system to identify discrepancies with daily purchase limits, access and retrieve real-time sales data, and alert medical mariuana stores if a sale to a patient has exceeded their daily purchase limit for that business day. Reduced Daily Purchase Amounts: The bill would limit daily medical marijuana concentrate purchases to eight grams for patients 21 years and older and to two grams for patients between the age of 18 and 20. Patients who are homebound, for whom a physician has recommended a higher daily authorization, or for patients for whom going to a medical marijuana store on a daily basis presents significant physical or geographical hardship are exempt from these new limits. Consumer Education and Protection: The bill would better educate consumers about high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates by tasking the newly created Scientific Review Council with developing a public education campaign, requiring a pamphlet on the potential risks of overconsumption be included with every sale of concentrates, and by prohibiting advertisements targeted toward Colorado youth. The bill would require that each gram of non-liquid concentrates be separated into no less than ten equal-portioned amounts. 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< Back Jacque Phillips Rep. Phillips was a teen mom and a high school dropout. She waited tables while attending Aims Community College and went on to get a doctorate and a law degree. With the help of others and a lot of hard work, she became a special education attorney where she helps vulnerable students. Rep. Phillips remembers what it was like to struggle to make ends meet and will always fight for working families. Her priorities include making housing available as a path out of poverty, preserving our right to choose, ensuring economic and environmental justice for working people, and standing up for marginalized communities. She serves on the House Education and the Transportation, Housing and Local Government committees.