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< Back April 22, 2022 THREE WILDFIRE BILLS ADVANCE HOUSE Legislation will save homeowners money on wildfire mitigation, invest in statewide wildfire prevention efforts and ensure Coloradans displaced by wildfires receive fair insurance payouts DENVER, CO – The House advanced three wildfire bills today to build a healthier, safer Colorado. These bills move forward as Colorado faces the worst fire conditions in over a decade. “The time to act on wildfire prevention efforts is now,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, sponsor of HB22-1007 “My heart goes out to all those displaced by the recent wildfire in Monte Vista and yet this is another reminder of why we need to invest in prevention efforts to protect communities and build a safer state. Our bill saves homeowners money on removing debris, restoring fire damaged land and other mitigation efforts.” “Damage from wildfire trickles down our watersheds, endangering our access to clean drinking water and making it harder for agricultural producers to supply the products we need,” Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB22-1379. “Our bipartisan bill makes investments to improve our watersheds so we can protect Coloradans’ access to clean water and reduce widespread wildfire risk. We are taking steps to combat destructive wildfires in Colorado by protecting our watersheds.” “We are making it clear, Coloradans who’ve lost everything in a wildfire should receive the insurance payouts they are owed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB22-1111 . “This bill cuts the red tape for Coloradans displaced by wildfire, so they can file and receive insurance claims faster. Recovering after a wildfire is stressful enough, and our bill ensures Coloradans face fewer insurance barriers and have more time to rebuild.” Saving Homeowners Money on Wildfire Mitigation : HB22-1007 , sponsored by Representatives Donald Valdez and Mike Lynch, passed the House by a vote of 56 to 8 and would save people money on wildfire mitigation measures. The bill extends an existing income tax deduction and creates a state income tax credit to reimburse landowners for the costs incurred in performing wildfire mitigation measures on their property. A landowner with a federal taxable income at or below $120,000 is allowed a state income tax credit equal to 25% of mitigation costs, up to $625 per year. It also creates a grant program to fund local outreach efforts to communicate best practices in wildfire mitigation and prevention to landowners. Preventing Wildfires and Conserving Colorado’s Watersheds: HB22-1379 , sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Marc Catlin advanced the House on a preliminary vote and would invest $20 million to protect Colorado’s watersheds and reduce the risk of wildfires. HB22-1379 directs $20 million in federal pandemic economic relief funds to prevent wildfires and conserve Colorado’s watersheds through mitigation, watershed restoration and flood mitigation grants ensuring that Colorado can compete for other available water and wildfire funds. Insurance Coverage For Loss Declared Fire Disaster: HB22-1111 , sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile, concurred with the Senate amendments and the House repassed the bill by a vote of 54 to 10. HB22-1111 now heads to the Governor’s desk. The bill takes a proactive approach to ensure homeowners displaced by wildfires receive a fair and comprehensive payout for lost property after deeply traumatizing and catastrophic disasters. This bill would update a 2013 law by standardizing what insurers will pay out in claims for lost property and additional living expenses after a declared wildfire disaster. More specifically, it would require insurers to pay disaster victims 65 percent of the value of the contents of their home up front without requiring the victim to do a comprehensive inventory of their personal property. Current law only guarantees 30 percent upfront, creating a burdensome process for many people to claim what they are owed after a deeply traumatizing event. The bill also puts in place several provisions that would streamline the insurance claims process for disaster victims. Previous Next

Colorado’s federally recognized tribes joined the state legislature for third annual address < Back January 16, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: General Assembly Democrats Welcome Tribes for Annual Address DENVER, CO – The Colorado General Assembly today was joined by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe for their annual State of the Tribes. Chairman Melvin J. Baker of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe spoke to the legislature about their priorities, successes and challenges, and the importance of Colorado’s strong partnership between the Tribes and the state legislature. “We are honored to be joined by the leaders of Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes for the third annual State of the Tribes address,” said Senate President Coleman, D-Denver. “We are committed to partnering with the Tribes and following their lead on what is most needed in their communities. This address is a yearly reminder of our strong government-to-government relationship, and I look forward to working closely with Chairmen Manuel Heart and Melvin J. Baker during my time as Senate President.” “The State of the Tribes is an important tradition in the legislature and a crucial reminder of the needs and priorities of our Tribal communities as we kick off the legislative session,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I value collaboration with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe on many issues, most importantly on securing Colorado’s water future and uplifting the unique challenges of Tribal water access. I’m grateful for the leadership of Chairman Manuel Heart and Chairman Melvin J. Baker and I look forward to future conversations on how we can continue to collaborate on policies that impact the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes.” “It is crucial that we as legislators listen to and take action on the priorities of our Tribal partners, always recognizing the foundational principles of mutual recognition and respect of sovereignty,” said Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “It is my honor to partner with the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes on legislation to strengthen our partnership. The Chairmen mentioned several bills that I am proud to lead on, including the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment, strengthening the Indian Child Welfare Act, and enforcing Tribal court orders. I am also sponsoring legislation to protect wild bison and make the Indian Affairs Interim Committee permanent. I look forward to our continued collaboration this year and in years ahead.” "Today, we had the great privilege of welcoming back the leaders of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to address the General Assembly,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “As we work to strengthen our government-to-government relationship, addresses like this one allow us to learn more about the issues faced by Tribal communities. This year, through the American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee, we created a dedicated space to elevate tribal concerns and seek solutions. Reflecting on this third annual address, I look forward to continuing our great work and keeping an open line of communication between the sovereignty of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the state of Colorado.” “The State of the Tribes, now three years running, has become a highlight of the start of the legislative session,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “It reaffirms our commitment to an open and collaborative relationship between the legislature and our Tribal partners and is a unique opportunity for us to celebrate, listen to, and learn from Colorado’s Native American communities. The legislation I’m sponsoring that was mentioned during today’s address, SB25-009, will ensure the state recognizes decisions by Tribal courts, helping to honor the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and improving public safety.” “I’d like to thank the leaders of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for joining us at the capitol today – their remarks provided valuable and important insight,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “The annual address helps not only strengthen our relationship, but highlights the priorities of the Tribal communities. It’s important to remember, the Ute people were here long before Colorado’s statehood, and their voices and concerns deserve to be heard. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Chairman Melvin J. Baker and Chairman Manuel Heart for joining us for the third annual address as we foster a united pathway forward.” This year, the bipartisan American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee advanced three bills to extend the interim committee for an additional five years, reclassify bison as big game and recognize Tribal legal authority in arrest warrants and civil commitments. SB25-009 , sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would change Colorado state law to ensure that a state court gives full faith and credit to an arrest warrant and civil commitment issued by a Tribal court of a federally recognized Tribe with a reservation within the exterior boundaries of the state. Civil commitment orders include orders from law enforcement agencies, behavioral health facilities and health care providers. In 2022, SB22-105 , sponsored by former Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and former Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, created the annual Tribal Governments address to the General Assembly. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILLS TO HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR COLORADANS WHO NEED IT THE MOST Colorado is ranked near the bottom for behavioral health care (Apr. 30) – The House gave final approval to two bills suggested by the Behavioral Health Task Force to address the current mental health crisis facing Colorado. SB19-222, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, expands community based services, providing a safety net of comprehensive mental health care that could cover the entire state. “SB 222 is about implementing a vision for a system that can serve everyone, so Colorado’s jails don’t have to. When people with serious behavioral health disorders cannot access the treatment they need, other parts of our system are negatively impacted as we’ve directly seen in Pueblo,” said Rep. Esgar. “This is about helping the people in our communities who are the hardest to serve.” Rep. Esgar’s bill requires access to civil beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institutes at Fort Logan and Pueblo. It also requires a robust collaboration with all local enforcement jurisdictions and counties in the service area. SB19-222 passed unanimously. This bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. SB19-223, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, improves the process and provision of services for individuals who have been ordered for competency evaluation and restoration in the criminal justice system. “This bill will ensure that our criminal justice system adheres to constitutional requirements when questions of competency are raised,” said Rep. Weissman. “We can, and we must, and with SB 223, we will, address competency evaluations and restorations more quickly and efficiently. Together with SB 222, this bill help keep individuals with behavioral health issues from becoming entangled in our justice system.” Rep. Weissman’s bill is the primary legislative mechanism to codify the reforms set forth by the taskforce. It includes a series of reforms to help the Colorado Department of Health Services come into compliance with a mandated timeframe for providing competency services. It also requires the Department of Human Services to implement policies to prioritize in-patient treatment for those with the greatest need while providing community-based services for other patients. SB19-223 passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-4. Rep. Lois Landgraf is the secondary sponsor of both bills. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2020 AMBER ALERT NOTIFICATION READINESS BILL PASSES HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Donald Valdez’s bill to ensure Colorado’s AMBER Alert notification system stays up to date with the latest telecommunications technology. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 64-0. and has already passed the Senate unanimously. “I want to make sure that Colorado is as ready as it can be to stop tragedies from happening and protect our children and missing persons,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara. “Making sure our AMBER Alert systems are always up to date will help move us in the right direction.” SB20-079 requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to send AMBER Alerts using technological applications that promote the largest reach of community notifications. While Colorado’s current method of sending AMBER Alerts meets the criteria, this bill will ensure that Colorado’s AMBER Alert system keeps up with technological advances in the future to ensure the widespread receival of these critical alerts of missing children. Previous Next

House Speaker Julie McCluskie today delivered remarks to open the Second Session of the 75th General Assembly. < Back January 14, 2026 Speaker McCluskie Delivers Opening Day Remarks DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today delivered remarks to open the Second Session of the 75th General Assembly. Speaker’s Opening Day Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Good morning members! A warm welcome to the guests and dignitaries who have joined us, thank you for being here on opening day! First off, I want to take a moment to recognize the veterans here today, and those currently in our armed services - both in the chamber and in the gallery. Please stand or wave. We thank you for your service. I also want to be sure to give a huge thanks to the many people who keep this building and the legislature running: our aides and caucus staff, nonpartisan staff and clerks, our facility workers, and of course our sergeants. And let's not forget our Chief Clerk’s new Chief Responsibility – Baby Trevor! Congratulations to the Reilly family on your newest addition! More good news - Love is in the air! Not only did Rep. Lukens receive a big diamond ring atop the cliffs of Ireland… We also have some good news, from the press table for once – Seth, congratulations on your wedding! We all know that Hawaii can't possibly beat opening day at the Colorado State Capitol, so I'm sure it wasn't all that hard to get back on the plane. A lot has happened since we last gathered here. Every year changes, some changes and some years can feel harder than others. We are missing a colleague in our halls today. Senator Faith Winter served Colorado for twelve years before her tragic passing. I mourn her, as I miss her smile and warmth and her unwavering, steely dedication to fighting for what’s right. And last June, I saw with horror and a deep sadness that my friend, former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, had been shot and killed in their home. Melissa had been a support to me personally, a political force for good, and someone truly dedicated to making her home state of Minnesota better every day. Just months after Melissa's death, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of a crowd in Utah. Their murders crystalized even more powerfully for me that political violence is rising, and it flows downstream from the caustic rhetoric all around us. No matter how bitterly we might disagree on the important issues, we have to raise the decency in our discourse, together. I am heartened by the leaders on both sides who have had the courage to condemn political violence…violence can never be the price of democracy. Before we move on, I want to acknowledge that there are others we have lost…family members, friends, and constituents who are no longer with us. I invite everyone present to please stand if able, and take a moment of silence in recognition of those who have passed. Thank you. I love that we begin each legislative session at the start of the year. Just as our calendars flip to a new page, we come back to the Capitol with novel ideas, bright faces, and sometimes also a fresh blanket of snow. Fingers crossed on the last one – you know we need the moisture! I also come back to this building each year with a different perspective. In the high country, we say that you never step in the same river twice. I think that's true of our time at the Capitol, too. The river keeps moving, the challenges change. Though the last year has been hard in so many ways, as I look at all of you today, I see resilience. I see 65 representatives and dozens more staff who have faced real hardship – and have still shown up ready to work. That commitment renews my sense of purpose today. Today is the start of a new session. It is the start of 120 brand new days where we work together to make a difference. We won't ignore the havoc outside these walls, or the gloom, or bury our heads in the sand to avoid discomfort. But we will tune out the noise that's designed to capture attention for attention's sake. Coloradans have made it clear for years now that they simply do not care about the noise or performative outrage. They care about results. And here, in our Colorado, we deliver real results. Our Colorado is a bulwark against the chaos in Washington. Coloradans are looking for us to focus on what matters. What matters is that too many children live in poverty. And because of a single policy passed in this building, our Family Affordability Tax Credit, we cut child poverty by nearly 41% in one year – proof that it can be done. What matters is the $800 million budget gap that puts safety net programs at risk and we must turn over every stone to find the funding to sustain them. What matters is protecting the rule of law and upholding justice for the dignity and rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQ Coloradans and working families. What matters is that Coloradans' costs are too damn high. That is why I am fortified by the resilience in your faces today. We’ve got a steep mountain to skin, but the run will be worth it. In August, we faced the fallout from Congress's budget, which immediately blew a billion dollar hole in Colorado’s finances on top of new unprecedented threats to Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other essential services. In this moment, when the White House would hold Colorado hostage, I'm reminded of a Churchill saying: "You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will still have war." I fear this administration will target Colorado no matter what we do. So members, let’s do what’s right. It's plain that Colorado’s fiscal constraints make it hard to pivot quickly when costs rise unexpectedly or revenues disappear overnight. Medicaid costs are growing at twice the rate of what we are allowed to spend under TABOR, driven by long-term care for seniors, behavioral health services, and prescription drug costs – health care that every Coloradan might need. To be clear, this deficit is not reckless overspending. It is time to modernize our outdated fiscal structure, because our future shouldn’t be bound by a 30-year-old formula that doesn’t account for today’s realities. The math just isn't mathing for the people of our state. No one is coming to the rescue during our session. There are no easy buttons. Balancing this budget will require shared sacrifice and serious leadership. To the members of the Joint Budget Committee, Representatives Sirota, Brown, and Taggart: I know all of you have sleepless nights both behind you and ahead of you. Thank you for taking on this weighty responsibility. In the pain we're facing, I also see a chance to look beyond our budget, and find answers to the question Coloradans have been asking: How do we unrig our economy, so it works for everyone – not just the few, but the many? The promise of America is freedom and a fair shot. And the promise of the West goes further: it's progress. Progress comes from new ideas, and from the determination to see them through. We know hardworking people are struggling to stay ahead under the lingering effects of inflation and global tariffs. Now skyrocketing costs are sinking all boats. In Colorado, it's time to continue fighting for a new economy that brings back a shot at success for everyone. No one should be able to pull up the ladder behind them to keep other people down. That's not the Colorado way. It is not how we move forward. That's why this session we will do three things: lower everyday costs… protect our successes… and sustain targeted investments in our future. When we lower costs and create good paying jobs, we can keep building an economy: where working people have a fair shot. where entrepreneurs can take a risk and start a business, where small businesses are equipped to hire, compete and succeed. where farms and ranches are passed down to the next generation, instead of being sold off in pieces. On healthcare and housing especially, we need to cut right to the heart of what is making Coloradans' lives more expensive. That also includes working on childcare costs, the prices of everyday goods, and putting consumers first. When Congress let health care premiums surge, Colorado Democrats stepped up to stabilize our insurance market and blunt the devastating impact of these hikes. If Congress continues to fail to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, we’ll need to look at options once again to keep health insurance prices from spiraling. Colorado is a beautiful place to call home. We're lucky to live here. But the cost of renting or buying a home is making that dream almost impossible for working people. This year we will work to unlock innovative financing mechanisms to build more affordable housing, make it easier for nonprofits to build homes on land they already own and continue to reduce property insurance costs. We know that health care and housing represent the biggest squeezes on working people's budgets. That is why we keep coming back to these policy issues, with the fortitude to both make big changes and get it right. We're not just bringing back a fair shot for working people to thrive – we will also make sure our kids have more possibilities too. We have a lot to be proud of where our children are concerned. When I first entered the legislature in 2019, school finance was dire. Since then, we have raised the per-pupil funding for K-12 schools by 46%, brought total program funding up by $3 billion, and eliminated the budget stabilization factor. We didn't stop there. We secured free full-day kindergarten and launched universal pre-K. Universal preschool is not just saving thousands of families over $6,000 each year in child care, it's giving kids a head start on school readiness and social connection at a critical stage. Our next task is to unify education and opportunity, by bringing higher education, apprenticeships, and workforce pathways under one roof. Everyone must be equipped to start the career of their dreams. Our kids don't just deserve a top-notch education, and the skills to confront a changing world. We owe our kids, and our kids' kids, a liveable future by protecting Colorado’s pristine environments, land, air and water. And we owe it to rural communities and urban centers alike to invest in our renewable energy future. We must hold our ground on all the protections we've put in place, and fight the Trump administration's attempts to claw away our 8 million acres of public lands and auction them off. Coloradans agree, and we all agreed in this very chamber last year: our public lands are not for sale. And it's not just Coloradans who love their public lands: Katy Perry may have been our first pop star in space, but when those 11 minutes were up, she kissed the earth and she liked it. I'm immensely proud that Western Slope Democrats and Republicans have a tradition of bipartisan collaboration, especially on water rights and land protection – one I hope we continue. Together we can balance a clean, healthy environment with the needs of a growing state. This session we're going to protect our progress. But we will not forget about the other crucial part of the American promise: our freedoms. Coloradans' civil rights are not to be played with. We won't shove our immigrant and LGBTQ neighbors back into the shadows. We won't give up on disability access or voting rights. We are a model for abortion rights in the post-Dobbs reality, and we won't roll them back. We are a nation founded by immigrants and social outcasts. Diversity does make our state stronger, and it is un-American for the federal government to use masked vigilantes to arrest, detain, and evict people off the street on the basis of their skin color, language, gender, or very identity. Colorado will continue to stand against this betrayal of our values. We will remember Renee Good…and the wrongful detentions of Jeanette Vizguerra-Ramirez, Fernando Jaramillo-Solano and his children, and just so many others. Members: we have a lot ahead of us. Our budget situation especially will force us to concentrate on what truly allows Coloradans to thrive. The path forward is not always clear. But in Colorado we know how to trailblaze right through the brush. Our work for the year is just beginning. But as this is my final opening day speech… Thank God, says my husband. …I have to reflect for a moment on how far we have come. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished in the seven years I have been a part of this body. I am so proud of the results we have delivered often in partnership with Republicans: Poverty is down. Incomes are up. Tax rates are lower. School meals for free for every student. Protections now abound for public health and air quality in oil and gas operations. More people have health coverage thanks to reinsurance, the Colorado Option, and OmniSalud. We strengthened protections for renters, and passed breakthrough measures to build more housing. We’ve led on pragmatic gun violence prevention. We passed first-in-the-nation protections for our waterways, streams, and wetlands. AND: One year from now, the curtains will rise on the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder. Just like the Avalanche, and the Nuggets, and the Broncos, and someday soon, our women’s soccer and hopefully, women’s hockey - the big green machine has been a winning team. To our new faces today: Reps. Slaugh, Flanell, Goldstein, and Nguyen, welcome to the Thunderdome – I mean, the Gold Dome. Minority Leader Caldwell: Thank you for stepping up to lead your caucus. I look forward to growing our partnership this session. To my colleagues in their final year: Majority Leader Duran, Representatives Froelich, Sirota, Soper, Titone, Valdez, and Woodrow, thank you for your service. It's been real, it's been fun…alright yeah, it's been real fun at times. On a more personal note, it is the privilege of my life to be your Speaker. Thank you for your trust. I'm proud we have done the daily, nitty-gritty work to compromise and find solutions together. Majority Leader Duran: I am eternally grateful to have you in my corner. You are a legislator's legislator and a fearless advocate. We have traveled far together, and I know we’re not done yet. The Senate doesn't know what it's got coming. Thank you Monica, for everything. To my dear, wonderful family: just one more session. And I really mean it this time. You have been my collective rock through this incredible ride. Thank you for just being here and walking up the hill with me. And Susan, you are the bravest, toughest person I know - stay strong! "Thank you" isn't enough – but thank you all. Folks, we have big things to do this session. As we start each of the remaining 119 days in this building, I will keep some things in mind, and I hope you will too. Talk to each other, kindly whenever you can. Lead with laughter. Lead with compassion. Assume the best of each other, and in each other. Each of you can find common ground with the other people who sit in these chairs, no matter how strange walking that acreage together might turn out to be. Members..staff..and guests. We are present. We are organized. We are ready to take care of business. Welcome to the opening day of the Second Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly. Previous Next

< Back April 7, 2020 BECKER APPOINTS DEMS TO ECONOMIC STABILIZATION COUNCIL House Democrats to serve on four key committees Denver, CO– House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, today announced House Democrats’ appointments to the Governor’s Council on Economic Stabilization and Growth. House Democrats will serve on four of the eight sub-committees. Rep. Shannon Bird, vice-chair of the House Finance Committee, will join the Financial Services Committee. Rep. James Coleman, vice-chair of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, will join the Local, Rural, Women & Minority Led Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits-Entrepreneurs Committee. Rep. Dylan Roberts, chair of the House Committee on Rural Affairs and Agriculture, will join the Tourism Committee. Rep. Dominique Jackson, chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environment, will join the Energy Committee. “House Democrats are working around the clock to help constituents during this public health crisis,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “We’re organizing PPE drives, connecting constituents with critical state and federal resources and hosting virtual town halls with public officials. Helping our state right now is a team effort, and I know our members will bring valuable experiences and resources to the governor’s council.” The Governor’s Council on Economic Stabilization and Growth is looking at how COVID-19 is impacting all aspects of Colorado’s economy and will make recommendations to the governor on how to help families, businesses and communities through the crisis. Other committees include Infrastructure, Workforce and Education, Arts and Culture and Outdoor Recreation. Members of the legislature from both chambers and both parties have been appointed to the committees. Read more about the Council on their website . Previous Next

< Back January 14, 2021 HOUSE GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL TO TIME-SENSITIVE BILLS DENVER, CO — The House today gave initial approval to legislation that would modify the COVID-19 relief program for small businesses, extend limitations on debt collection actions, and recreate the Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Final passage of the legislation in the House is expected tomorrow morning. SB21-001: Modify COVID-19 Relief Programs For Small Business. This bill, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Shane Sandridge, R-El Paso County, makes minor tweaks to the COVID-19 small and minority business relief program that was established in last year’s special session. The legislation will help small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, especially minority owned businesses, receive timely relief through the program. SB21-002: Extending Limitations on Debt Collection Actions. This bill, sponsored by Representative Herod, would extend the debt collection protections enacted last session through June 1of this year. Without action, these critical protections for consumers who are facing tremendous hardship due to COVID-19 will expire in two weeks with our nation still in the midst of a public health and economic crisis. SB21-003: Recreate Occupational Therapy Practice Act. This bill, sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Colin Larson, R-Ken Caryl recreates the Occupational Therapy Practice Act to allow continuity in occupational therapy regulations to ensure that these professionals have the tools and guidance they need to be successful and serve the community. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILLS TO HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR COLORADANS WHO NEED IT THE MOST Colorado is ranked near the bottom for behavioral health care (May 20) – Gov. Polis signed two bills today at the Colorado Mental Wellness Network to address the current mental health crisis facing Colorado. SB19-222, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, expands community based services, providing a safety net of comprehensive mental health care that could cover the entire state. “SB 222 is about implementing a vision for a system that can serve everyone, so Colorado’s jails don’t have to. When people with serious behavioral health disorders cannot access the treatment they need, other parts of our system are negatively impacted as we’ve directly seen in Pueblo,” said Rep. Esgar. “These new laws are about helping the people in our communities who are the hardest to serve.” Rep. Esgar’s bill requires access to civil beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institutes at Fort Logan and Pueblo. It also requires a robust collaboration with all local enforcement jurisdictions and counties in the service area. SB19-223, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, was also signed today, and improves the process and provision of services for individuals who have been ordered for competency evaluation and restoration in the criminal justice system. “This bill will ensure that our criminal justice system adheres to constitutional requirements when questions of competency are raised,” said Rep. Weissman. “We can, we must, and with SB19-223, we will address competency evaluations and restorations more quickly and efficiently. Together with SB19-222, this bill will help keep individuals with behavioral health issues from becoming entangled in our justice system.” Rep. Weissman’s bill is the primary legislative mechanism to codify the reforms set forth by the taskforce. It includes a series of reforms to help the Colorado Department of Health Services come into compliance with a mandated timeframe for providing competency services. It also requires the Department of Human Services to implement policies to prioritize in-patient treatment for those with the greatest need while providing community-based services for other patients. Both bills were co-sponsored by Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2021 HOUSE DEMS PASS BIPARTISAN BUDGET TO HELP COLORADO BUILD BACK STRONGER DENVER, CO– The House today passed the Conference Committee Report on FY 2021-2022 Long Appropriations Bill (SB21-205) by a vote of 39-24. With the Senate repassing the budget by a vote of 28-6, it now heads to the governor. All House Republicans opposed the bipartisan budget, which passed the Senate with near unanimous support, and which helps Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The budget restores cuts to essential services, significantly boosts support for K-12 and higher education, and provides critical funding for the state stimulus package that will create jobs, boost rural Colorado, and grow our economy. “This bipartisan budget will help Colorado recover faster and build back stronger,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “I’m so proud of the work we did this year. By making historic investments in K-12 education, mental health services, and our state’s economic recovery, we’re enshrining our values in our budget and setting Colorado up for sustained economic success. This budget is a labor of love, the product of months of work from our colleagues, JBC members and, of course, our wonderful JBC staff.” “The state budget we gave final approval to today meets the moment and makes careful and robust investments to craft an equitable economic recovery for Colorado,” said JBC Member Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “After a year of economic uncertainty and turmoil, this budget truly charts the course for the Colorado Comeback- investing $800 million in our state stimulus plan and increasing funding for K-12 education by over $480 million. As we work to build Colorado back stronger, we are proactively ensuring that low income folks and communities of color aren’t left behind. This budget meets that goal.” Colorado’s $35.9 billion budget funds core state services, such as education, corrections, health care, and human services. A significant portion of the state budget comes from federal matching funds, with lawmakers having direct control of the state’s $13.1 billion General Fund. Last year, budget forecasts estimated the state would face a significant revenue decline, leading lawmakers to enact historic reductions while still prioritizing critical services and education. With the economy and state revenues recovering faster than anticipated, the budget returns funding to pre-pandemic levels while responsibly setting aside historic reserves for the future. Putting Students, Teachers, and Parents First Restores K-12 Funding, Cuts Budget Stabilization Factor Nearly in Half: The FY21-22 Long Bill brings the budget stabilization factor back to its pre-pandemic level of $572 million by increasing K-12 education funding by over $480 million. Resumes and Accelerates State Support for Institutions of Higher Ed: After being forced to nearly eliminate state support for institutions of higher education, lawmakers boosted funding in this year’s budget by $494 million to restore the prior year’s reduction. The bill also allocates an additional $100 million to be used for recruitment and retention including additional financial support for first generation, underrepresented minority, and pell eligible students. Increased Resources for Students: This budget prioritizes accessible teaching and learning resources for students to succeed including $3 million for state grants to public libraries and over $1 million to CDHE’s Open Educational Resources program which provides grants to institutions to develop educational programs using 100 percent publicly available teaching materials. The budget also appropriates $7..2 million to restore K-12 education grant programs including the behavioral healthcare professionals grant program, the K5 social and emotional grant program, the 9th grade success program, the school leadership success program, the AP exam fee grant program and the automatic enrollment in advanced courses program. Invests $160 Million in School Infrastructure (BEST Fund) and an additional $100 Million for the State Education Fund (SEF): After nearly eliminating funding last year for the Building Excellent Schools Today grant initiative, lawmakers this year will invest $160 million to construct, renovate, or maintain school facilities and structures. The SEF funds teacher recruitment, full-day kindergarten, early literacy programs, and helps finance public school systems across Colorado. Prioritizes the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation program: The JBC set aside $13.4 million for a teacher recruitment toolkit to be established in collaboration with the departments of education and higher education. The set aside includes restorations to CDE’s Quality Teacher Recruitment program and CDHE’s Educator Loan Forgiveness program. In addition, the budget restores CDHE’s teacher mentor grants program and the rural teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development program. Creating Jobs, Getting Colorado Back on Track, and Building Back Stronger $800 Million State Stimulus: The budget sets aside $800 million for the Colorado Recovery Plan , which will create jobs and boost the Colorado Comeback. Creating Jobs Through Investing in Capital Construction Projects: The bill tackles a substantial portion of the state’s capital project backlog by nearly doubling the long bill appropriation for capital construction, creating jobs through creating, maintaining and improving capital construction projects. The bill includes $217.4 million for the capital construction fund, initiating shovel-ready projects at institutions of higher education and across state government. Expanding Job and Skills Training Initiatives: The budget prioritizes workforce and training opportunities through a variety of programs including restoring CDHE’s Colorado First Customized Job Training program, DOC’s Transitional Work Opportunity program, and DHS’ Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program. Investing in IT Infrastructure & Transportation: This budget package makes significant investments in IT infrastructure including funding for the Office of eHealth Innovation’s Rural Connectivity project, updates to the states unemployment insurance system, and numerous investments in higher education equipment and technology to support increased virtual learning opportunities. In addition, with $124 million set aside for transportation, the budget sets Colorado on a path to address CDOT’s $9 billion project backlog. Addressing Health Disparities: The budget helps Colorado build back stronger by providing over $5 million to combat racial and income-based health disparities that are hurting Colorado communities. Boosting State’s Wildfire Response: After a historic wildfire season and with another one on the way, the budget appropriates $26.2 million for firefighting contracts, aircraft, personnel and state assistance for local response efforts. Building the Reserve and a New Rainy Day Fund: The budget sets aside historic reserves to mitigate downside risks to the forecast and creates a new rainy day fund to provide an additional safety net should state revenues collapse or should the state see a surge in caseload and demand for services. Supporting the Judicial Branch: Recognizing the rise in court cases once trials resume, the budget responsibly allocates funding to increase staffing within Judicial courts and probation as well as within the offices of the public defender, child protection ombudsman, and the public guardianship. The budget also sets aside funding to expand the Senior Judge program to help address the backlog of cases anticipated. Supporting Colorado’s Most Vulnerable Veterans: The budget provides $500,000 in Marijuana Tax Cash Fund to provide grants to enhance workforce center services for veterans, an increase of $200,000 over last year. The Colorado Recovery Act will provide $30 million for a start up loan fund, which will support veteran-owned small businesses. The budget includes $59.4 million for the veteran community living centers, and $425,000 for National Guard tuition assistance. Supporting Hospitals that Treat Uninsured Patients: The bill provides $48.2 million for hospitals that serve a higher share of low-income or uninsured patients. This funding draws down $27 million in federal funds. The funding supports several rural hospitals. Ensuring Coloradans Have Access to the Care They Need: With access to health care essential for every Coloradan, the budget affirms the state’s commitment to Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program. It provides $460.1 million for medical care and long-term services such as nursing homes and community-based services. The funds pay nursing home care, senior dental programs, behavioral health, and vaccine administration. Expanding Access to Mental and Behavioral Health: The bill provides nearly $60 million in additional funding to behavioral health programs, providing critical funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, wrap around services for children in crisis, and investments in IT systems to streamline eligibility and claims processing. Addressing the IDD Waitlist: The JBC allocated $22 million to protect essential Medicaid benefits including $15.5 million to the Adult Comprehensive Waiver to fund 667 spots on the comprehensive waiver waitlist for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previous Next

Bills would ensure free breast cancer screenings and reduce the cost of prenatal visits < Back May 2, 2025 House Passes Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Health Care Bills would ensure free breast cancer screenings and reduce the cost of prenatal visits DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills to save Coloradans money on health care. SB25-296, which passed by 59-5, would ensure patients receive free breast cancer screenings. SB25-118, which passed by a vote of 48-16, would save families money on prenatal visits. “As a rural legislator, I’m proud to carry these bills that will save Coloradans money on life-saving health care in every corner of our state,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, sponsor of SB25-296 and SB25-118. “Whether it is diagnostic health care or prenatal care, your budget shouldn’t determine whether or not you receive the services you need. These bills will save lives and ensure parents can access health care during pregnancy to set up their family for success.” “Breast cancer screenings can save lives,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of SB25-296. “We’re clarifying in Colorado law that diagnostic and follow-up appointments are also available at no-cost to ensure hardworking Coloradans can access life-saving health care.” In 2019, the legislature passed HB19-1301 to establish no-cost coverage for preventive breast exams. SB25-296 would build on existing law to ensure that follow-up diagnostic and supplemental exams are covered at no cost. The bill would also clarify existing statute to make high-risk breast cancer screening requirements clearer for providers, insurers, and patients. “Prenatal health care is important for families so they can address potential health concerns that can have long-term impacts on the parent and baby,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Barriers to care disproportionately impact women of color and low-income families, which is why we’re passing this bill to ensure Colorado families can receive prenatal care visits to provide quality and affordable health care.” SB25-118 would save expecting parents money on prenatal care. This bill would ensure that state-regulated insurance plans cover three prenatal care office visits. To save patients money, this bill would prohibit state-regulated insurance plans, except for individual and small group plans offered through Colorado Option, from imposing cost-sharing requirements, such as co-pays, on the first three prenatal visits. If signed into law, this bill would go into effect for plans issued or renewed after January 1st, 2027. Prenatal care is an important step in expanding access to health care, and helps support mothers who might experience pregnancy-related complications and can prevent emergencies. Previous Next

< Back April 28, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE CLEARS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Roberts to support workers and communities making the transition from coal-based economies. “We are going to direct $15 million to ensure that no community or worker is left behind as we transition from a coal-based economy,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “This funding will support workers, expand job retraining, and help build vibrant and resilient economies in parts of our state, including Southern Colorado, that are struggling as market forces move our nation away from coal.” “The legislation we advanced today is a vital step forward for transitioning communities and demonstrates our commitment to giving them the resources they need and deserve to help workers and diversify their economies,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “Towns like Hayden, Oak Creek, and Craig will be able to use this just transition funding to invest in projects that diversify rural economies, incentivize new energy jobs, and provide workers with supportive career services. I am so proud to fight for the towns in Northwest Colorado that will be able to use this crucial funding. This is the large investment in rural Colorado that our transitioning communities deserve, and I am thrilled this bill is moving forward with strong bipartisan support.” HB22-1394 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Dylan Roberts, passed by a vote of 51-12. It would fund the Office of Just Transition, which is working to boost communities and workers transitioning from coal-based economies. The bill supports coal workers to help them provide for themselves and their families, and access innovative education and training opportunities. It also distributes grants to communities to help them create vibrant, resilient and sustainable local economies. $5 million will go to support economic development and assistance to local businesses, and $10 million will go directly to workers and their families. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN REINSURANCE BILL TO HELP LOWER THE COST OF HEALTH CARE Reinsurance is a proven approach to helping cut health care costs (Apr. 8) – The House gave final approval to a bipartisan bill to help lower the cost of health care today. The chamber also voted in favor of a bill to increase medical assistance with rural EMTs. Coloradans on the individual market are struggling to keep up with the out-of-control costs of health care, particularly in rural areas of the state. By establishing a reinsurance program Colorado can stabilize the individual marketplace, increase health insurance participation and share the risks more broadly. “After all the work we’ve put into this, I am ecstatic to see this bill move into the Senate on its way to do what it’s intended to do — save Coloradans money on their health care. Reinsurance is a proven concept that will work to lower the cost of health insurance premiums, especially on the Western Slope,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This will have a meaningful reduction in health insurance rates on the individual market across the state. We don’t have any more time to waste. People are deciding between paying their mortgage and their health insurance right now.” Rising health care costs are driven in part by the underlying cost of care but are exacerbated by an insurance market that assigns the highest risks and highest costs to the individual market. This is particularly the case on the Western Slope and in rural Colorado, causing families and individuals to forgo health insurance coverage and putting them at major risk of medical debt if emergencies arise. Rep. McCluskie introduced the bipartisan bill in the House with Rep. Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction. Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, are the Senate sponsors. Recently, the Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), released an actuarial study on the reinsurance program. The Colorado Reinsurance Program Analysis looked at multiple scenarios that showed the expected reductions to the costs of medical claims through Medicare-reference-based pricing. These reduced costs lead to a statewide decrease in individual health insurance premiums of nearly 23 percent, or approximately $250,000,000. This bipartisan bill aims to reduce insurance premiums for individuals and families by January 2020 to provide much-needed relief to Coloradans, many of whom are paying up to a third of their income on monthly premiums. Our state, especially the Western Slope, has some of the highest health insurance costs in the country. The bill will establish three tiers, from the highest cost areas of the state to the lowest cost areas, in order to pass savings on to Coloradans. The first tier, consisting of regions in the state with the highest costs, will experience the greatest reduction in premiums, by 30 to 35 percent. The second tier will experience reductions in premiums by 20 to 25 percent. Finally, the third tier, regions with the lowest costs, will experience reductions in premiums by 15 to 20 percent. HB19-1168 passed on a bipartisan vote of 47-15. Republicans who voted in favor of this bill include bill sponsor Rep. Janice Rich, Rep. Marc Catlin, Rep. Lois Landgraf, Rep. Larry Liston, Rep. Hugh McKean, Rep. Matt Soper, Rep. Perry Will, and Rep. Jim Wilson. The House also approved SB19-052, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica. This bill would allow EMS workers to work under the medical supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse at a clinic or health facility. “This bill will allow for EMTs to come into health care facilities and clinics to help care for more patients, especially in rural clinics and cities that have hard-to-get-to facilities,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn . “Currently patients end up suffering because they have to drive further for care because clinics are closing down in their area.” SB19-052 passed unanimously. Both bills now head to the Senate. Previous Next