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The House today passed a resolution that would allow Colorado voters to decide if property tax decisions should be determined at the local level. HCR24B-1001 passed by a vote of 44-19. < Back August 28, 2024 House Approves Local Control Over Local Property Taxes DENVER, CO – The House today passed a resolution that would allow Colorado voters to decide if property tax decisions should be determined at the local level. HCR24B-1001 passed by a vote of 44-19. “There should be local control of local taxes,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Colorado communities have diverse needs and ideas for how property tax revenue can best serve their communities, and it doesn’t make sense for Aurora voters to make property tax decisions for Coloradans in places like the San Luis Valley and vice versa. Statewide property tax decisions fail to meet the unique needs of all of our communities. This resolution would allow voters to decide if their communities should make the future property tax decisions that impact them.” Property tax revenue pays for local government services like schools, fire and emergency response, and public safety, and does not support state government services. If passed, HCR24B-1001 would refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters for the 2024 November election to ensure local control of property tax decisions. Any statewide voter initiative that affects or limits property tax revenue or spending would have to be approved by the voters in a local government jurisdiction for the initiative to be applied in that local government. Previous Next

Senate Bill 1 supports innovative, affordable housing projects through public-private partnerships < Back May 20, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Accelerate Affordable Workforce Housing Projects Senate Bill 1 supports innovative, affordable housing projects through public-private partnerships DOWDS JUNCTION, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed a bill to encourage innovative, affordable workforce housing projects through public-private partnerships. SB23-001 , sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, provides $13 million in funding to help develop affordable workforce housing on state-owned land so that Colorado workers like teachers, nurses, and everyone in between can find housing that fits their budget. “Across Colorado, local communities are exploring innovative projects to ensure everyone can have access to an affordable place to call home near where they work,” Roberts said. “This bill will help catalyze many projects across the state by eliminating one of the biggest barriers to affordable housing development: the cost of land. By allowing public-private partnerships access to underused state land, we can expect hundreds of new affordable housing units across the state in the coming years, including 80 units in my home of Eagle County. I am thrilled this bill is being signed after moving forward with bipartisan support.” “We need to utilize every tool we have to address Colorado’s housing crisis, and by allowing public-private partnerships with this new law, we can increase housing opportunities while also creating more well-paying construction jobs,” said Bird. “This new law will make it easier for Coloradans of any budget or zip code to find an affordable place to call home.” “The housing crisis is a top concern for the people of Colorado and the legislature alike,” said Zenzinger. “Constructing workforce housing was a key part of this year’s comprehensive work to address housing availability and affordability. Teachers, nurses, and everyone who helps keep our state running deserve to have an affordable place they can call home. Senate Bill 1 will be incredibly helpful in our efforts to ensure Coloradans can afford to live where they work.” “Rural towns like mine are struggling to keep up with housing demands, which is displacing essential workers that are necessary to maintain the health of our communities,” said Lukens. “Land is a significant cost when it comes to building housing, so we’re allowing for public-private partnerships using state-owned land to make it easier to build housing that Coloradans can afford, helping us retain our workforce and boosting local economies.” SB23-001 builds on work from previous sessions, HB21-1274 and SB22-130 , regarding the inventory of underutilized properties and state-owned land. Of the total funding, $2 million will go towards the Dowd Junction project to facilitate development of 80 two-bedroom units, and $11 million will fund similar projects across the state. Previous Next

43 House Democrats fighting for hardworking Coloradans at the Capitol and across our state by saving you money, building a healthier Colorado and preparing our students for success. COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS Colorado Democrats fighting for hardworking Coloradans at the Capitol and across our state LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS LATEST NEWS MEET YOUR COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS CAREERS During the productive 2025 Legislative Session, we passed legislation to save people money, improve public safety and protect the Colorado way of life in the face of threats from the Trump Administration and significant budget constraints. 2025 LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS Latest News ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee April 16, 2026 HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies Read All ICYMI: Hamrick Bill to Protect Student Athletes, Boost Awareness of Mental Health Passes Committee April 16, 2026 The House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday passed legislation to require youth coaches to receive training on the mental health risks from concussions, including depression, anxiety and suicide. Read All Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes April 16, 2026 The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. Read All Bill to Support Survivors of Crimes Passes Committee April 14, 2026 SB26-095 would update Colorado law to improve transparency, strengthen survivor rights, and bolster trauma-informed procedures in court and law enforcement response Read All Visit Our Newsroom Press Releases WE ARE COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS CONTACT US FIND MY REP SEARCH

The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. < Back April 16, 2026 Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. “The tragedies that have been uncovered in death care companies are heartbreaking for Coloradans and their families. Our bill is one of many steps that we are taking to ensure that these injustices never happen again,” said Rep. Matt Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “County coroners’ financial ties to funeral homes and mortuaries should be disclosed. Our legislation would make the death care industry more transparent, giving Coloradans the certainty that their loved one is being treated respectfully.” “The Davis Mortuary incident last summer, among others in Colorado, has made Coloradans question who they can trust to handle the remains of their loved ones, ” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “We should be able to trust that funeral homes are using proper protocol, but these recent events have shaken that trust. Requiring county coroners to be transparent with their financial interests in death care businesses would aid in potential investigations and help rebuild trust in Colorado’s death care industry.” SB26-105 would require a county coroner to disclose if they own, work for, manage, contract with, or otherwise have a financial interest in a death care business. Under the bill, county coroners would post a notice on the coroner’s website and would be prohibited from taking official actions that would impact that business. The bill also changes the county population threshold for the certification requirements for coroners from at least 150,000 to at least 300,000 people. This would help alleviate problems for smaller counties where there may not be enough residents eligible to serve as their county coroner, according to current law. In 2022, the Colorado General Assembly passed a law directing the state to inspect and investigate funeral homes and crematories for malpractice based on complaints. A 2024 law requires regular inspections of Colorado’s funeral homes and crematories. When the state conducted an annual inspection at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo in August 2025, it found several mishandled bodies , some of which had been decomposing for over 15 years. The mortuary was owned by then-Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter, who is alleged to have used his position to direct deceased people without next-of-kin to his mortuary. The investigation is ongoing. Previous Next

Latest press releases and op-eds from Colorado House Democrats. NEWSROOM PRESS RELEASES > OP-EDS > ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee April 16, 2026 HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee ICYMI: Hamrick Bill to Protect Student Athletes, Boost Awareness of Mental Health Passes Committee April 16, 2026 The House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday passed legislation to require youth coaches to receive training on the mental health risks from concussions, including depression, anxiety and suicide. ICYMI: Hamrick Bill to Protect Student Athletes, Boost Awareness of Mental Health Passes Committee Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes April 16, 2026 The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes

Press Releases Apr 16, 2026 ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies Read More Apr 16, 2026 ICYMI: Hamrick Bill to Protect Student Athletes, Boost Awareness of Mental Health Passes Committee The House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday passed legislation to require youth coaches to receive training on the mental health risks from concussions, including depression, anxiety and suicide. Read More Apr 16, 2026 Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. Read More Apr 14, 2026 Bill to Support Survivors of Crimes Passes Committee SB26-095 would update Colorado law to improve transparency, strengthen survivor rights, and bolster trauma-informed procedures in court and law enforcement response Read More Apr 14, 2026 Legislation to Create More Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities Passes Committee SB26-040 would modernize the Prop 123 Affordable Homeownership Program to better meet the needs of hardworking Coloradans Read More Apr 14, 2026 Mobile Home Park Protections Bill Advances The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to strengthen Colorado’s Mobile Home Park Act to make mobile home park sales more fair and transparent. Read More Apr 13, 2026 Bill to Reduce Human-Bear Conflicts Passes Committee The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to keep Coloradans, visitors and the state’s bear population safe. Read More Apr 11, 2026 House Advances FY 2026-2027 Budget Lawmakers protect K-12 education, universal preschool and core health care services amidst a $1.2 billion deficit while making difficult cuts to balance Read More Apr 8, 2026 SIGNED! Bill to Prevent Out-of-State Farms from Using Pueblo Green Chile, Palisade Peach Labels HB26-1031 protects the integrity of Colorado’s agriculture industry, protects Colorado farmers from unfair competition Read More Apr 7, 2026 Lawmakers Unveil Legislation to Make Property Insurance More Affordable Today Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, highlighted new legislation to stabilize Colorado’s homeowners insurance market and make property insurance more affordable through the creation of a grant program to fortify roofs against costly wind and hail damage. Read More Apr 7, 2026 Signed! Bill to Expand and Improve Colorado’s Red Flag Law SB25-004 builds on past legislation to prevent gun violence and save lives Read More Apr 2, 2026 Bill to Protect Colorado Nonprofits from Federal Threats Passes SB26-009 would allow Colorado nonprofits that have had their federal tax-exempt status revoked for political reasons to maintain their exemption from state sales tax Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 ... 213

Learn more about the Colorado House Democrats, including meeting minutes and locations. Meetings & Minutes Meeting minutes and notices prior to August 22, 2024 can be found in the archive. April 16, 2026 8:30 AM Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026 8:00 AM Appropriations Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 15, 2026 8:00 AM Education Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 8:00 AM Judiciary Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 8:00 AM Health and Human Services Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 8:30 AM Transportation, Housing, and Local Government Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 13, 2026 9:00 AM House Democrats Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 13, 2026 8:00 AM Finance Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 8:00 AM Judiciary Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 8:15 AM Transportation, Housing, and Local Government Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 8:00 AM Health and Human Services Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes April 6, 2026 9:00 AM House Democrats Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes

< Back April 17, 2019 MICHAELSON JENET BILL TO MODERNIZE CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT GETS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL IN HOUSE Teen vaping is an epidemic in Colorado (Apr. 17) — The House passed a bill that modernizes the 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet would add hookah smoking, electronic smoking devices or e-cigarettes to the list of prohibited activities in indoor public places and workplaces. “Colorado teens are engaging in e-cigarette and vaping use at an alarming rate. As a parent of teenagers, I share the concern of parents who are worried about this growing public health issue and how it is impacting their children,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “It’s time to show our young people that vaping is harmful for them, their peers and their long term health.” HB19-1076 protects people of all ages against the dangers of secondhand smoking exposure from electronic cigarettes. It also ensures that existing smoke-free laws are being enforced. In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called teen vaping an epidemic . In January of this year, the American Lung Association released the State of Tobacco Control report and gave Colorado a “B” grade for its smoke-free air citing Colorado’s use of electronic smoking devices indoor. The report also suggested strengthening state and local laws around youth access to tobacco products to raise its “D” grade for Colorado’s funding for state tobacco prevention programs. The report found the state is spending only half the amount the Center for Disease Control recommends on prevention programs. The bipartisan bill passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

< Back Naquetta Ricks Chair of the Business Affairs & Labor Committee Rep. Naquetta Ricks is the Colorado State Representative for House District 40 and the first Liberian-American to be elected to a US State Assembly. She is the co-founder and President of the African Chamber of Commerce of Colorado, USA and the founder of the African Economic Development Center (AEDC). In 1980, Representative Ricks fled a bloody military coup with her mother and sister and settled in Aurora, Colorado. She knew the value of education when she arrived in America and worked hard to achieve her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She also received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. She is a graduate of Leadership Denver and Leadership Aurora. Representative Ricks has been recognized by the Colorado Black Round Table, the historic National Council of Negro Women, and the Colorado Black Educators Association receiving various accolades including the "Salute Award." Representative Ricks is fighting for policies that expand the quality of life for Colorado residents by expanding apprenticeships, continued access to education, and affordable housing. Her goals are to grow businesses, make healthcare more equitable, and be a voice for the marginalized. She is also serves as the Chair for the Business Affairs & Labor Committee and a member of the State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee. When she is not doing legislative work, Representative Ricks is running her successful mortgage brokerage business.

< Back March 4, 2019 HOUSE PASSES LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Mar. 4) – The House gave final approval today to the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This life-saving bill would provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The bill has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, the mental health community, advocates for gun violence prevention and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “My son Alex lit up rooms and was beloved. One of the reasons I ran for office was so I could tell all of you about Alex and about other victims and families of gun violence,” said Rep. Sullivan. “Today, the House stood up and did the right thing. This bill will give law enforcement and families the tools that they need to stop tragedies from constantly happening and save lives. ” Rep. Sullivan’s son, Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. Sullivan wears Alex’s jacket every day and wore it during the course of the debate in the House. “We have a choice between maintaining the status quo or putting forward meaningful change that can truly save a life and that’s an easy choice for me,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, “This carefully crafted bill has the support of the vast majority of Coloradans and will help save the lives of law enforcement and members of our communities.” HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during that time period. The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House with bipartisan support, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, testified at a Feb. 21 House hearing on the bill. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee during the hearing how the language in the bill is legal under the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Testimony in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Fourteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Colorado lost over 1,100 people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their ERPO legislation was enacted. The bill was approved on a vote of 38-25 and now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back April 4, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A COLORADO STATE HOLIDAY DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to make Juneteenth a Colorado state holiday. SB22-139, championed by Representative Leslie Herod and members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado , commemorates the day when enslaved Black people were freed after Union Soldiers arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the effect of the Emancipation Proclamation. “It’s time we make Juneteenth a state holiday in Colorado,” said Chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “This significant Emancipation Day has been celebrated by the Black community for generations and deserves statewide recognition, celebration and reflection. I’m proud to champion this important legislation that not only educates Coloradans on the atrocities of slavery, but makes way for voices of the Black community. The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.” SB22-139 passed commitee by a vote of 10 to 1 and would make Juneteenth an official state holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger and Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and declare the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved Black people. Juneteenth is also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and Emancipation Day. This significant day in history became the 11th federal holiday in June 2021 and is also known as the country’s second Independence Day. Previous Next