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< Back May 26, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN BILLS TO INVEST IN STUDENT AND WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS Legislation includes nearly $91 million in federal pandemic relief funds to align postsecondary credential programs with today’s jobs and expand in-state tuition for more students DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills to better align postsecondary programs, save students money on higher education tuition and improve educational outcomes for Coloradans. HB22-1350 was crafted based on recommendations from the Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Task Force . “Every Coloradan should have access to educational opportunities that set them up to thrive, and these new laws prioritize our workforce needs and students’ success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m incredibly proud to stand behind two bills Governor Polis signed into law to address workforce needs in the high country and across Colorado by creating high impact postsecondary credential programs and reducing the cost of higher education for Colorado high school graduates. When given the right tools, our students can grow, achieve and secure better paying jobs, and that’s what this legislation is designed to do.” “Industries across the state continue to face workforce shortages as they recover from the pandemic’s effects on the economy,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “Investing in our workforce will have a transformational effect on workforce shortages today and well into the future. We are delivering Colorado the workforce it needs to continue moving our economy forward.” The Regional Talent Development Grant Program, HB22-1350 , establishes a $91 million grant program to build and scale successful partnerships between employers and postsecondary institutions to fill good jobs in growing industries. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representative McCluskie and Senator Bridges, as well as Representative Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction and Senator Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, utilizes federal pandemic relief dollars to foster regional talent development initiatives to fill good jobs in growing industries. The program takes a regional approach to build and scale successful partnerships between employers and postsecondary institutions. These partnerships will create new pathways into high-skilled and high-demand industries, especially in industries with staffing shortages. Governor Polis also signed HB22-1155 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Perry Will, R-New Castle and Senators Dominick Moreno and Julie Gonzales, to expand access to in-state tuition for Colorado high school students. “The cost of higher education shouldn’t deter Colorado’s students from pursuing a postsecondary degree at one of the excellent colleges and universities in the state,” said Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “By expanding the pool of students who qualify for in-state tuition, we lower the cost of education and empower students to make decisions for their future based on their goals rather than the price tag.” “We know that access to higher education can be transformational for a young person’s life, but during the pandemic we saw a significant decrease in enrollment,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Immigrant Colorado high school graduates should be able to access our public higher education institutions in the same manner as their U.S. citizen friends and neighbors. This is a common sense, bipartisan measure, and it also has the benefit of being good for our economy, particularly in corners of the state that are desperate for young, educated workers. I was honored to work alongside a broad coalition of business groups, higher education institutions, and immigrant rights organizations to get this bill signed into law.” Under current law, students must reside in Colorado for at least three years before they are eligible for in-state tuition. This bipartisan legislation changes the requirement to allow any student who graduates from a Colorado high school and has resided in the state for one year to receive in-state tuition. The bill would expand in-state tuition to more Colorado students and families, saving them money on higher education tuition. Previous Next

The House Health and Insurance Committee today unanimously passed legislation to improve patient access to necessary prescriptions by limiting the number of drug trials needed in step therapy protocol to receive prescription coverage and allowing for pharmacy dispensing machines so Coloradans can access their prescription outside of a pharmacy’s business hours. < Back February 28, 2023 Prescription Accessibility Bills Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health and Insurance Committee today unanimously passed legislation to improve patient access to necessary prescriptions by limiting the number of drug trials needed in step therapy protocol to receive prescription coverage and allowing for pharmacy dispensing machines so Coloradans can access their prescription outside of a pharmacy’s business hours. “Step therapy, also commonly known as “fail first", requires patients to try treatment options preferred by their insurance company before they can receive coverage and access to medication prescribed by their doctor,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1183 . “This process can take weeks or months depending on the medication and can worsen symptoms and quality of life, especially for patients with a life-threatening or chronic disease. This bill puts doctors and patients in the driver's seat, encouraging prioritization of evidence-based solutions to medical issues over cost-effective drugs preferred by insurance companies.” “This legislation expands step therapy exemptions to include Medicaid recipients so they can access the same quality health care that Coloradans with private insurance have,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1183 . “Last year, we passed legislation to reduce administrative burden, save Coloradans money on unnecessary care, and improve health outcomes. Aligning step therapy protocols will streamline health care, save Coloradans money, and provide quality and immediate patient-focused care.” In 2022, Representatives Iman Jodeh and Emily Sirota passed a bill limiting when a patient has to try and fail a treatment preferred by their insurance company before they can access the treatment originally recommended by their doctor. HB23-1183 would require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to exempt patients with serious or complex medical conditions from the step therapy requirement if the alternative drug would likely cause negative side effects, the alternative drug is unlikely to be effective based on the patient’s history, or if the patient is already using a prescription that has clinical documentation of being effective. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 10-0. The bill is accompanied by HB23-1130 , which prohibits state-regulated insurance plans from requiring patients to try more than one alternative drug before the insurance company can cover the originally prescribed medication for certain mental health conditions. The bill was recently passed by the House Health and Insurance Committee and will be heard next in the House Appropriations Committee. “Rural and lower-income communities often live in “pharmacy deserts'' where they have limited access to pharmacies to receive their essential medication,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of HB23-1195 . “Many pharmacies are only open during business hours, making it nearly impossible for working class Coloradans to get their prescription due to their work schedule. This bill would allow for pharmacists to remotely dispense prescriptions from a dispensing machine placed within a health care facility, creating more health care jobs and improving patient accessibility.” HB23-1195 would allow pharmacies to operate automated prescription dispensing machines so patients could access their medication when the in-person pharmacist is off-duty. The machines would be placed only in a health care facility and would be live monitored to prevent theft. The medication would already be stocked in the machine and patients would be able to discuss the prescription with a live remote pharmacist. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 11-0. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. < Back May 6, 2025 Bill to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. SB25-007 would encourage wildfire mitigation efforts. “Wildfire season is year-round in Colorado, and our communities need all the wildfire mitigation tools available,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “This bill would make it easier for communities to conduct prescribed burns, which are a cost-effective way to reduce the amount of fuel available for a wildfire. Fire is a natural part of our ecosystem, and with the guidance of a certified burn manager, Colorado communities can take steps today to reduce the size and intensity of destructive wildfires in the future.” SB25-007 is also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. Low-intensity fire, applied through prescribed burns overseen by burn managers, can reduce fuel loads and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. SB25-007 would strengthen Colorado’s wildfire mitigation efforts by encouraging controlled, prescribed burns. To keep communities safe, plans for prescribed burns must be reviewed by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. As recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, this bill would compensate Coloradans if their property is damaged during prescribed burns. It would also address workforce shortages that are a barrier to expanding the use of prescribed fires by allowing interstate reciprocity in the certified burner program, which certifies individuals to conduct prescribed burns. This legislation better allows utility companies to perform wildfire mitigation, broadening access to a financing mechanism that will reduce mitigation costs for utility ratepayers. To ensure state oversight, plans must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission. Previous Next

Representative Brianna Titone today led over 75 bipartisan elected officials in Colorado in sending a letter to Montana legislators asking for Rep. Zooey Zephyr to be allowed back into the chamber. < Back May 1, 2023 Titone Leads Bipartisan Letter to Montana Legislators DENVER, CO - Representative Brianna Titone today led over 75 bipartisan elected officials in Colorado in sending a letter to Montana legislators asking for Rep. Zooey Zephyr to be allowed back into the chamber. In their letter, the elected officials wrote: Your actions strike at the heart of our democracy and the rights of Montanans to have their voices heard. Removing Representative Zephyr from the House chamber is yet one more attempt to erase trans people and silence them in the face of increasing violence, threats to their lives, and laws that seek to deny their humanity and basic human rights. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to act with integrity and defend our democracy, and we are deeply concerned with erosion of democratic norms we see proliferating in statehouses across the country. Representative Zephyr should be allowed to remain in her seat in your chamber for the remainder of the session. Regardless of your personal stance on these issues, she is still a colleague and a duly elected and sworn representative of the people of Montana. Her voice is no less important than your own. The full text of the letter is below: Members of the Montana House of Representatives: We, the undersigned Colorado elected officials, express our extreme dismay at your decision to prohibit Representative Zooey Zephyr from participating in the legislative process and representing her district. We rise in support of a lawmaker who is doing what she has been charged to do: Stand up and speak out on behalf of constituents on issues directly impacting them. As elected officials, we know very well that our work can be full of passion and emotion when lives are on the line. In the case of Representative Zephyr, she was right to speak with strong words of advocacy for those Montana residents who are struggling to get the care, understanding, and respect they so desperately need. Her words were spoken passionately, but they alone did not cross any lines of decorum. It is a fact that LGBTQ+ youth– who are relentlessly persecuted, ostracized, and denied basic rights–are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, according to the CDC. Representative Zephyr placed a spotlight of truth on the very real damage proposed legislation could have on Montanans who are already struggling with discrimination and growing fear of physical harm. The decision to ban her from the chamber and prevent her from speaking is a drastic overreaction in response to her speaking truth to power. Your actions strike at the heart of our democracy and the rights of Montanans to have their voices heard. Removing Representative Zephyr from the House chamber is yet one more attempt to erase trans people and silence them in the face of increasing violence, threats to their lives, and laws that seek to deny their humanity and basic human rights. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to act with integrity and defend our democracy, and we are deeply concerned with erosion of democratic norms we see proliferating in statehouses across the country. Representative Zephyr should be allowed to remain in her seat in your chamber for the remainder of the session. Regardless of your personal stance on these issues, she is still a colleague and a duly elected and sworn representative of the people of Montana. Her voice is no less important than your own. Signed, Representative Brianna Titone, Statewide Officials Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young Colorado State Senators and Representatives House Speaker Julie McCluskie Senate President Steve Fenberg House Majority Leader Monica Duran Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno Rep. Ruby Dickson Rep. Jenny Willford Rep. David Ortiz Rep. Kyle Brown Rep. Sheila Lieder Rep. Cathy Kipp Rep. Lindsey Daugherty Rep. Steven Woodrow Rep. Mary Young Rep. Barbara McLachlan Rep. Meg Froelich Rep. Lorena Garcia Rep. Steph Vigil Rep. Jennifer Lea Parenti Rep. Michael J. Weissman Rep. Mandy Lindsay Rep. Junie Joseph Rep. Karen McCormick Rep. Said Sharbini Rep. Elizabeth Velasco Rep. Regina English Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez Rep. Elisabeth Epps Sen. Lisa A Cutter Rep. Tammy Story Rep. Naquetta Ricks Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet Rep. Andrew Boesenecker Rep. Iman Jodeh Rep. Emily Sirota Rep. Shannon Bird Rep. Marc Snyder Rep. Meghan Lukens Rep. Jennifer Bacon Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy Sen. Janet Buckner Sen. Julie Gonzales Sen. Nick Hinrichsen Sen. Janice Marchman Rep. Eliza Hamrick Rep. Matthew Martinez Rep. Ron Weinberg Sen. Rhonda Fields Sen. Faith Winter Rep. Javier Mabrey Rep. Judy Amabile Rep. William Lindstedt Sen. Rachel Zenzinger Rep. Leslie Herod Rep. Bob Marshall Rep. Rick Taggart Rep. Tisha Mauro Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis Sen. Chris Hansen Sen. Dylan Roberts Sen. Jeff Bridges Rep. Alex Valdez Sen. Jessie Danielson Sen. Tony Exum Local Government Officials Castle Pines City Councilman Roger D. Hudson Broomfield Mayor Guyleen Castriotta Arvada City Councilmember Randy Moorman Arvada City Councilmember Lauren Simpson Erie Trustee Emily Baer Erie Trustee Daniel Hoback Erie Mayor Justin Brooks Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann Greeley City Councilor Tommy Butler Greeley City Councilor Member Deborah L DeBoutez Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2022 INCENTIVES FOR WATER SAVING TURF REPLACEMENT PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Marc Catlin to incentivize water saving landscaping today passed the House Agriculture, Livestock & Water Committee by a unanimous vote. “This bill is a win-win: it will help Coloradans save money on their water bill and it will help our state conserve our most valuable resource: our water,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts D-Avon . “This turf replacement program is a proactive approach to water conservation that we can all get behind. As we continue to face historic drought for years to come, we cannot rely solely on the agricultural industry for our water conservation goals, we need the whole state to step up. This bill gives our metro areas the tools to join our efforts to conserve our state's precious water.” If passed, HB22-1151 would require the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop a statewide program to financially incentivize property owners, including local governments, special districts and nonprofit associations, to voluntarily replace non-essential irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping. Water-wise landscaping includes replacement turf and drought-tolerant plants that require less water to grow. This bill aims to cut down on the amount of water used to maintain non-native grasses on private and commercial lawns, school fields and other ornamental outdoor spaces like road medians. HB22-1151 would incentivize turf owners to voluntarily replace their traditional turf with drought-tolerant plants, shrubs, bushes and turf. This legislation is an effort to divert less water from rivers and reservoirs for the use of landscape watering. Previous Next

< Back April 1, 2020 CO SUPREME COURT RULES GA CAN PAUSE DURING EMERGENCY, RESUME LATER Court rules in favor of the GA’s position that during a public health emergency declaration, legislative days do not have to be counted consecutively DENVER, CO — House Democratic Leadership today released the following statements after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the General Assembly’s position on the question submitted in the in the interrogatory : “I’m happy to see the court affirm our position today,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “From the beginning, our priority has been to protect the health and safety of all who work, visit, and frequent the Capitol. This is an unprecedented time that calls for thoughtful action. We will continue looking at the data and talking to public health experts to determine when it is safe to come back to the Capitol. Once we do return, we’ll need everyone at the table to solve our most difficult challenges.” “I’m glad the Court allowed the General Assembly some flexibility during this unprecedented time. This means that when it’s safe to do so, we will come back and continue the people’s work,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “It’s still too early to know when we will be able to reconvene the session, but when we do, we’re committed to listening to legislators from all parties, businesses, communities and Coloradans from across the state on how we can get our economy back on its feet.” With this ruling, the General Assembly will be able to count only “working calendar days” toward the 120-day limit, in the context of this public health disaster emergency. The legislature was faced with the difficult decision to protect public health and potentially fail to meet the people’s need for legislation, or meet the public’s interests by continuing to work on legislation while ignoring the danger to the public. To resolve this question, the General Assembly asked the Supreme Court if legislative days must be counted consecutively during a public health emergency, as determined by the governor, or whether the legislature can suspend operations to be resumed at a later date where they left off. The Interrogatory, posed by HJR20-1006, asked the court to determine if the General Assembly should be forced to either reduce the length of the session and thereby fail to meet its responsibility to serve the citizens of the state by passing legislation in the public interest, or jeopardize the constitutionality of that legislation, including the state’s annual budget. Three additional briefs were filed in support of the General Assembly’s position: A combined brief from the Governor and Attorney General; a second brief from the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO); and a third combined brief from the ACLU of Colorado, Adams County Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio (in his individual capacity), AFT Colorado, Bell Policy Center, City of Aurora, City of Northglenn, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Club 20, Democrats for Education Reform, Denver District Attorney, Good Business Colorado Association, Interfaith Alliance Colorado, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, Metro Mayors Caucus, SEIU, Sixth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Towards Justice, and Women’s Lobby of Colorado. Previous Next

House Speaker Julie McCluskie today introduced legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. HB24-1379 is also sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Karen McCormick.  < Back March 20, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Legislation to Protect Streams, Rivers and Wetlands in Colorado Introduced DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today introduced legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. HB24-1379 is also sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Karen McCormick. “This Colorado approach to protecting our streams, rivers and wetlands will provide certainty to communities, sustain our water quality, and ensure future generations can enjoy the great Colorado outdoors we all love,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Clean water is our most precious resource on the Western Slope–necessary for everything from our booming outdoor recreation economy and agriculture industry to high country breweries, ski resorts and increasing household demand. I’m proud Colorado is stepping up to secure our water future after the Supreme Court removed important protections and left our waterways in jeopardy.” “Protecting Colorado's threatened water supply is a key priority for the communities I represent on the Western Slope, and is far too important to be left in limbo, which is why we're taking action now," said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. "This critical bill will help us protect our precious water resources while appropriately balancing the agricultural and community needs in our state." “Water is a precious resource and is critical to our economy and way of life. I am committed to protecting Colorado’s water today and building a more water-efficient, sustainable, and resilient future. Today, we further our commitment to protect Colorado’s water for the next generation of Coloradans,” said Governor Polis. The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to define waterways of the United States and the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate discharges from dredge and fill activities into waters that meet that definition. The May 2023 US Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA redefined what constitutes waters subject to federal regulation and placed an estimated 60 percent of Colorado wetlands at risk of losing protections. “Protecting our vital freshwater resources is one of the most important things we can do as Colorado lawmakers,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Everyone from our farmers and ranchers to the native plants and animals that call Colorado home, rely upon our rivers, streams and wetlands. This important legislation provides certainty and clarity for businesses and landowners while protecting Colorado’s watersheds–securing our water future for generations to come.” The legislation introduced today protects Colorado waters that are not federally protected. The permitting framework is based on well-established approaches already used by the Army Corps of Engineers and will provide clarity on when a permit is needed. Normal farming and ranching activities, such as plowing, farm road construction, and erosion control practices would not require a permit. "As demands on water resources increase, and the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, Colorado will be wise to step up its efforts in wetland preservation," said Gregory Hill, fourth-generation farmer, Yuma County. "Speaker McCluskie and Senator Roberts are stepping up where the courts have left off. I applaud their leadership to fill in the gap in regulation left by the Supreme Court, and to regulate and preserve our wetlands and all the benefits provided by them. Until the recent decision, the Army Corps’ permitting program safeguarded the vast majority of Colorados’ state waters from pollution caused by dredge and fill activities. Dredge and fill activities involve digging up or placing dirt and other fill material into wetlands or surface waters as part of construction projects. These operations are necessary in many infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, housing developments, flood mitigation, and utility pipelines. The legislation provides a way for these projects to move forward and to protect Colorado’s water resources. "As the owner of a brewery in a resort town I depend on cold, clean water to craft award-winning beers. Clean water allows me to run my business, create jobs and contribute sales tax revenue for my community. Our town depends on clean water for a multitude of tourist activities that bring people from all over the world. We need to protect our waterways and wetlands. House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senator Dylan Roberts' bill is a needed remedy to a terrible decision by the U.S. Supreme Court," said Tom Caldwell Co-owner and Head Brewer at Big Trout Brewing Company, Winter Park, Colorado. "The Supreme Court’s Sackett decision threatens my community's water supply and resilience to climate change, especially those already living with disproportionate impacts of polluted water," said Steve O'dorisio, Adams County Commissioner (District 4) and member of Governor Polis' WOTUS Task Force. "I applaud Speaker McCluskie and Senator Roberts for introducing HB24-1379 . This legislation creates regulatory certainty allowing for responsible development to occur in a manner that also protects the wetlands and streams which are critical to providing safe, affordable, drinking water for all." Previous Next

< Back September 20, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Economy Continues to Grow DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts. “Colorado’s economy continues to grow with new jobs being created every day, our unemployment rate well below the national average, and continued wage growth outpacing inflation,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Colorado is making strides to bring down the cost of living and make our state more affordable as housing costs and nationally high gas prices continue to impact Coloradans’ quality of life. I’m excited to get to work crafting a balanced budget that keeps our state’s economy strong, invests in education, improves public safety, and responds to the needs of Colorado’s families while continuing our state’s responsible growth into the future.” “Today’s forecast shows us that, despite some turbulence, Colorado’s economic outlook remains positive,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin the process of drafting next year's budget, we remain focused on supporting Colorado’s families by investing in priorities like housing, health care, and education, and ensuring that Colorado remains on a sound and sensible economic path now and into the future." “These forecasts will guide our work as we begin to develop next year’s budget and prioritize our limited state resources toward the issues that matter most to Coloradans – increasing funding for public schools, protecting our air and water, and building an equitable economy that delivers for Colorado’s working people,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m committed to continuing our work to provide high quality, free universal preschool, improve our air quality, and invest in the critical services our communities need to thrive.” “My top takeaway from this forecast is something that everyone already knows: housing is far too expensive in Colorado, and we have to do more to address it so that more families can afford to live here,” JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. "This forecast will help guide our discussions as we roll up our sleeves and get to work crafting a budget that will lower the cost of housing while meeting the needs of families and communities across our state. I am proud of the work we’ve done to support Coloradans during this volatile economic period, and I look forward to continuing our work to set Colorado on a path to further economic success.” Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.8 percent, with total employment growth clocking in at around 1.4 percent. Workers in the mountain region, which includes Colorado, saw 7.2 percent wage growth – the highest among US regions, and business activity remains near historic highs. The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.44 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $306 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $324 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier June revenue forecast. The LCS forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.49 billion for FY 2024-2025, an $82.3 million decrease from the June forecast. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion for FY 2022-2023, a $223 million increase over the June forecast. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB revised up its projected General Fund revenue by $793 million to $17.3 billion. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18.3 billion, an increase of $137.8 million as compared with the June forecast. The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn and that the risk of a near-term recession has dissipated. Factors that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation, an expanded labor force, and a rebound in real wages boosting consumer spending, and more accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include persistent inflation leading to further restrictive monetary policies, deteriorating household finances limiting consumption and continued geopolitical and trade uncertainty. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES PAID FAMILY LEAVE BILL (Apr. 26) –The House Finance committee approved Rep. Matt Gray and Rep. Monica Duran’s bill, SB19-188 Family Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), that will ensure a seamless implementation of the best possible FAMLI policy for Coloradans. The plan creates an outline and execution schedule that lays the groundwork for the implementation of a strong, robust paid family leave policy for Colorado workers and businesses by 2024. “This has always been about helping hardworking families and individuals and this bill will help us reach that goal,” said Rep. Gray, D-Broomfield. “For too many Coloradans, their only option is unpaid leave. It’s past time to provide answers to one of the most critical issue affecting families today.” The implementation plan is comprised of a number of analyses that will ensure the program is administered efficiently, effectively, and fiscally responsibly, including: A family and medical leave implementation task force, which will be appointed by July 1, 2019 . A report prepared for the taskforce with results from a third-party study and recommendations from experts in the field by October 1, 2019 . An independent actuarial analysis completed by December 1, 2019 . The implementation plan also requires an analysis of the feasibility of contracting with a third party to administer parts of the program as an alternative to administration by the state. “I escaped domestic violence to save myself and my son but lost a job, lost a home, and was homeless. In that moment I made a promise to myself that if I was ever in position to make a difference and be a voice for others, I would step up and do it, and this plan is a step in the right direction,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “No one should ever be forced to choose between feeding your family, keeping your home or your job.” The plan does not change the timeline for when Coloradans can start receiving benefits from the program. These analyses will assist in the preparation of legislation in the 2020 legislative session establishing paid family leave in Colorado. Following the establishment of the program, education and outreach will begin on January 1, 2022, the funding stream will be established on January 1, 2023, and benefits will be provided beginning on January 1, 2024. The bill does require that the General Assembly grant permission for implementation of the program by legislation. Eighty eight percent of Coloradans do not have access to paid family leave, and even unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is inaccessible for 64 percent of working people. That means most Coloradans do not have time off to recover from a serious illness, to care for a sick family member, or to welcome the birth of a child. They are often forced to choose between their jobs or taking care of sick loved one. SB19-188 passed on a vote of 7-3 It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

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

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

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