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Learn more about how to contact the Colorado House Majority team. Contact Chief of Staff Rebecca Kisner rebecca.kisner@coleg.gov Deputy Chief of Staff Jarrett Freedman jarrett.freedman@coleg.gov COMMUNICATIONS Media Relations Director Mallory Feeney mallory.feeney@coleg.gov C ommunications Advisor Kaitlin Begin kaitlin.begin@coleg.gov OPERATIONS Advisor to the Speaker Elizabeth Brawn elizabeth.brawn@coleg.gov Legislative Aide Program Manager Feliz Sanchez Garcia felizsanchez.garcia@coleg.gov Advisor to the Majority Leader Gina Kelble gina.kelble@coleg.gov POLICY Senior Budget Policy Analyst Carl Plant carl.plant@coleg.gov Policy Analyst Jaclyn Davison jaclyn.davison@coleg.gov Policy Analyst Daniel McDonald daniel.mcdonald@coleg.gov Policy Analyst Miranda Martinez-Mundo miranda.martinez-mundo@coleg.gov Policy Analyst Colton Arciniaga colton.arciniaga@coleg.gov Legislative Coordinator Lenlee Davis lenlee.davis@coleg.gov

The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to expand eligibility for the successful CLIMBER (Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Recovery) program to better equip small businesses for success, create more good-paying jobs, and support local economies. HB26-1003 passed by a vote of 10-3. < Back February 4, 2026 Ricks, Camacho Bill to Create Jobs and New Small Businesses Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to expand eligibility for the successful CLIMBER (Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Recovery) program to better equip small businesses for success, create more good-paying jobs, and support local economies. HB26-1003 passed by a vote of 10-3. “Colorado Democrats believe in fostering an economy where small businesses and hardworking people can thrive, and our bill would help equip small businesses with the resources to create more good-paying jobs and flourish in their communities,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “Small businesses and workers are the backbone of Colorado’s economy, which is why we created the CLIMBER program in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to support small businesses across Colorado. Our legislation would make this a permanent tool by removing pandemic-era specific language so we can continue to support small businesses, workers and local economies.” “This bill will help grow our economy, boost wages, and support entrepreneurs as they start and grow their small businesses,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver. “The CLIMBER Program successfully helped sustain and grow small businesses during the COVID shutdowns, but between Trump’s tariffs and federal funding cut threats, businesses are facing new challenges. This legislation would make this support more accessible by allowing more small businesses to qualify for CLIMBER loans, helping keep Colorado communities resilient to economic hardship.” HB26-1003 , sponsored by Reps. Naquetta Ricks and Sean Camacho, would remove the COVID-19 recovery provisions of the Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Loan Program to make the program a permanent tool and expand eligibility for loans. The bill also aims to increase the accessibility of the Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Fund by lowering the matching ratio requirement. In order to support Colorado's small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado Democrats established the CLIMBER program in 2020 to offer small business loans with below-market interest rates. Under the program, small businesses with up to 99 employees may apply for working capital loans between $10,000 and $500,000. These loans can be used to hire more employees, start or expand brick-and-mortar storefronts, get new businesses off the ground and more. In fiscal year 2023-2024, the CLIMBER program loaned over $17 million and helped create or support nearly 1,900 jobs across the state. Rep. Ricks passed a law in 2024 to make the CLIMBER Program permanent and target resources and expertise to underserved businesses in order to secure favorable loans. The committee also passed HB26-1013 , sponsored by Reps. Emily Sirota and Javier Mabrey, to build on Colorado Democrats’ landmark ‘junk fees’ law. The bill would provide clarity for landlords and tenants around how utilities can be billed. Under the bill, landlords would be able to use ratio utility billing systems, as long as they meet certain requirements, including clearly communicating the use of this billing practice in the rental agreement and not charging tenants more than the amount they were charged by the utility company. HB26-1013 passed by a vote of 10-3. Last year, Colorado Democrats passed a law to save Coloradans money by cracking down on hidden ‘junk’ fees. The law requires businesses to be transparent about their pricing so consumers aren’t blindsided by undisclosed and excessive fees. In January 2025, the Federal Trade Commission called on the Colorado legislature to pass legislation to tackle these ‘junk fees.’ In their report , they found that consumers were paying double the price that was originally advertised on food delivery apps and over $1,700 annually on rental fees under the country’s largest single-family rental company. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to strengthen victim protections by preventing insurance companies from receiving victim restitution payments. HB26-1017, sponsored by Representatives Cecelia Espenoza and Yara Zokaie, passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back February 4, 2026 Bill to Strengthen Victim Protections Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to strengthen victim protections by preventing insurance companies from receiving victim restitution payments. HB26-1017, sponsored by Representatives Cecelia Espenoza and Yara Zokaie, passed by a vote of 7-4. “We’re prioritizing victims in Colorado law by removing insurance companies from the definition of victim in criminal restitution payments,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver. “This bill would clarify that unless an insurer is a direct victim, the method of seeking financial recovery is in civil courts.” “Restitution often becomes an unpayable debt that traps families in cycles of poverty and makes successful reentry harder,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “Insurance companies aren’t crime victims, and our bill makes them ineligible to receive restitution in criminal contexts. Insurance companies are sophisticated financial institutions that are structurally designed to absorb risk and loss, and granting them restitution serves no rehabilitative purpose." Currently, Colorado statute allows insurers of a victim of a crime to receive restitution payments in criminal cases. HB26-1017 would prohibit insurance companies from receiving these restitution payments. Insurers would be able to recover losses through the civil court system. Last year, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that a defendant in a drunk driving car accident incident was not liable for paying a car insurance company for damages to the victim’s car, however multiple judges have questioned whether lawmakers intended to allow insurance companies to seek restitution payments when they passed a 2003 law to clarify when it is appropriate for an insurance company to pursue crime victim restitution or a civil lawsuit. HB26-1017 would clarify in Colorado statute that insurers could not receive criminal restitution payments. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed the Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME) Act to streamline the process for many non-profits, schools and transit districts to build housing on their land to save Coloradans money on housing. HB26-1001, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Rep. Javier Mabrey, passed by a vote of 9-4. < Back February 4, 2026 Committee Passes HOME Act to Build More Housing Now DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed the Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME) Act to streamline the process for many non-profits, schools and transit districts to build housing on their land to save Coloradans money on housing. HB26-1001, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Rep. Javier Mabrey, passed by a vote of 9-4. “Colorado Democrats are exploring every avenue to create more housing now that hardworking Coloradans can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “We know that Colorado needs to build at least 100,000 more housing opportunities to meet growing demand. This legislation cuts red tape to build more housing on land in the heart of our communities. It will increase the supply of housing that is affordable by making it easier for nonprofit developers, schools and transit districts to build housing that is affordable on the land they own. This bill will lower housing costs and make it easier for Coloradans to find a place to live in their communities.” “We believe in an economy that works for everyone, and that means lowering costs for hardworking families and creating housing and homeownership opportunities that Coloradans can afford,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “It’s harder and harder for families to get ahead when they are spending so much on housing each year. This bill will bring down housing costs by making it easier to build more housing in our communities. This bill is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to drive down housing costs and lower costs for hardworking people.” Beginning December 31, 2027, HB26-1001 would streamline the process for building housing by allowing non-profit organizations, housing authorities, school districts, state colleges, Board of Cooperative Educational Services or universities and transit districts to build on their land. Under the “Housing Opportunities Made Easier Act” (HOME Act), local governments could not reject the construction of a residential development due to height, as long as the development is no taller than three stories or 45 feet or adheres to the height standards of the zoning district. These residential developments could also include childcare centers and facilities that provide recreational, social, or educational services to residents. HB26-1001 applies to land up to five acres. Exemptions to this bill would include land that is not connected to water and sewage treatment systems, land where state or federal regulations restrict residential housing and conservation easements. A 2022 report found that removing bureaucratic barriers in the permitting process can expedite the approval process by 28-percent . Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed legislation to ease the car buying and selling processes by allowing for the use of digital titles. < Back February 3, 2026 Boesenecker, Paschal Bill to Modernize Vehicle Titles Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed legislation to ease the car buying and selling processes by allowing for the use of digital titles. “This bill will modernize the car buying and selling process for Coloradans, making it more efficient for everyone involved,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “We’re already using digital titles in most instances, and there is no reason that it shouldn’t be allowed for out-of-state or all-cash purchases. This legislation would update Colorado law and streamline the use of digital titles.” “Transferring ownership of a car can be stressful, which is why I’m sponsoring this bill to update current Colorado law that requires physical titles for certain transactions,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “We already have the technology to use digital titles, but it’s not allowed in all circumstances. While paper titles will remain the standard, this legislation would add the option of e-titles for out-of-state and all-cash purchases to make the car buying and selling processes easier for Coloradans.” Currently, Colorado law allows electronic certificates of title to be used in nearly all vehicle transactions, only excluding those in which a party is located outside of Colorado or the purchaser buys a vehicle entirely with cash. HB26-1041 , sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Rep. Amy Paschal, would allow electronic certificates of title to be used in all vehicle transactions. HB26-1041 passed by a vote of 12-0. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2021 HOUSE APPROVES BALLOT ACCESS EXPANSION Legislation to create a multilingual ballot hotline and require certain counties to print ballots in languages other than English passes House on third reading DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bill to increase voter turnout and access by expanding access to multilingual ballots. The bill passed the House by a vote of 40-23. “Ensuring that more eligible voters thoroughly understand their ballots and are able to freely cast their vote is good for democracy and good for Colorado,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton). “Colorado’s elections system is among the best in the country and the world because it makes it easy for voters to participate in the democratic process while guaranteeing the integrity of our elections. Today we took a important step towards improving our gold-standard system by truly enfranchising eligible voters in Colorado who do not speak English very well but want to make their voices heard.” HB21-1011 would give all voters access to a hotline that would provide over-the-phone ballot translation in the top languages in which the census was offered. In addition, it would require that counties where a minority language is spoken by either 2,000 eligible voters or 2.5% of those eligible print ballots in that language, either on paper or electronically. 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 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 December 13, 2023 Speaker McCluskie Makes Committee Assignments DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today made committee appointments for the second regular session of the 74th General Assembly. These legislative appointments were necessitated in part by the resignations of Representatives Dickson, Michaelson Jenet and Gonzales-Gutierrez. “Committees are critical to the legislative process and where so much of our work gets done. With session just around the corner, these committee assignments lay the groundwork to continue doing the work Coloradans elected us to do,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Each lawmaker and the committees they serve on play an important role in crafting critical legislation that will uplift hardworking families, invest in public education, protect our water and air for future generations, and make Colorado a more affordable place to live and thrive.” The changes include a combined Health and Human Services committee, to take the place of the previously named Health and Insurance committee as well as the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services committee. House Democrats Committee Assignments for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly: Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Representative Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Appropriations Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Business Affairs and Labor Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Vice Chair, Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Education Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Vice Chair, Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Energy and Environment Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Vice Chair, Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder Representative Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Finance Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Vice Chair Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch Health and Human Services Committee (9-4) (This combined committee replaces the previously named Health and Insurance Committee and the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee) Chair, Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Vice Chair, Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Tim Hernández, D-Denver Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative David Ortiz, D-Littleton Judiciary Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Vice Chair, Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville Representative Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Vice Chair, Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Representative Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Legislative Audit Committee Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Previous Next

< Back May 6, 2022 PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ADVANCES Legislation will cut methane and toxic air pollution and invest a record setting $111.25 million toward air quality improvements DENVER, CO – The House advanced three bills today on a preliminary vote to improve air quality, address orphan wells and foster a healthier Colorado. “With some of the worst air quality in the country, Colorado needs a better understanding of where our toxic emissions are coming from and how we can reduce them,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB22-1244 . “This bill is personal–ethylene oxide emitted by a manufacturer in my community is potentially increasing the risk of cancer for my constituents. Our bill identifies these hazardous air toxics based on their health impacts and empowers Colorado’s air quality experts to require polluters to clean up their act.” “Some of our most disproportionately impacted communities, my neighbors, are breathing in Colorado’s most polluted air,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, sponsor of HB22-1244. “This bill improves the way we monitor air toxics in Colorado and takes a proactive approach to reduce these harmful emissions based on what is best for our health. Latino communities in Colorado are adversely impacted by poor air quality, one in three Latino children has asthma–this is our reality. Ongoing exposure to air toxics takes a devastating toll on our health and this bill protects vulnerable Coloradans and improves the air we all breathe.” Reducing Air Toxics Emissions: HB22-1244 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, would improve Colorado’s air quality through increased monitoring and regulation of hazardous air toxics. HB22-1244 requires the identification of priority air toxics and sets protective health-based standards to prioritize public health. The bill requires emissions control regulations to reduce toxic air pollution and establishes a framework for future permitting. Colorado is facing an air quality crisis. Last month, the Front Range was declared a “severe” violator of federal ozone standards by the EPA. Unlike ozone, the state does not currently have a plan to protect Coloradans from toxic pollution, HB22-1244 would establish a comprehensive approach to monitoring air toxics. “We are one step closer to passing a bill that prioritizes clean air, improves our health and builds a pathway toward a healthier future for every Coloradan,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of SB22-193. “We’re tackling air pollution from every angle including cutting back on industrial emissions, ramping up air monitoring equipment and electrifying transit. This is an investment toward a cleaner, healthier future for all of Colorado.” “Building a healthier Colorado starts with improving the air we breathe and this record investment is a step in the right direction,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB22-193. “Colorado’s disadvantaged communities and low-income neighborhoods are often exposed to higher rates of pollution and toxic emissions–our plan works to address that reality. This transformational investment to clean up our air will electrify school buses, cut down on industrial air toxics and fund more renewable energy projects.” Air Quality Improvements: SB22-193 , sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Alex Valdez, would provide funding for several different programs in the transportation and industrial sectors, as well as the Department of Public Health and Environment, to reduce emissions and improve Colorado’s air quality. The bill includes record investments in clean transportation initiatives and air quality monitoring and incentives. SB22-193 will invest $111.25 million to improve Colorado’s air quality. This includes: $65 million for the Electrifying School Buses Grant Program to help school districts and charter schools convert and replace fossil-fuel reliant school buses with electric-powered school buses. $25 million for the Industrial and Manufacturing Operations Clean Air Grant Program to help private entities, local governments, and public-private partnerships finance projects to reduce industrial emissions through different technologies such as beneficial electrification, renewable energy projects, and methane capture. $12 million for the Community Access to Electric Bicycles Grant and Rebate programs which will ease and accelerate the adoption of electric bicycles by providing businesses, local governments, and individuals discounted e-bikes and easier access to e-bike sharing programs. $7 million for increased and expanded aerial surveying and localized monitoring to help identify leaks at oil and gas facilities. $1.5 million for financing and incentives for cannabis producers to reduce their energy and water use. $750,000 for increasing access to transit for state employees. “Orphaned oil and gas wells are a major contributor to methane emissions in Colorado and a financial liability for taxpayers,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB22-198 . “This bipartisan bill would help reduce harmful emissions and Colorado’s carbon footprint by ensuring oil and gas operators contribute to cleaning up orphaned wells. Building a healthier Colorado includes improving our state’s methane emissions, and this bill addresses a significant source of those emissions.” Protecting Communities from Contamination from Orphan Wells: SB22-198 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Perry Will, aims to reduce methane emissions from abandoned, unmaintained oil and gas wells by creating a sustainable funding mechanism to plug, remediate, and reclaim orphan wells. Colorado has more than 200 orphaned wells and 500 orphaned sites, which leak methane and contribute to climate change. If passed, SB22-198 would create an enterprise within the Department of Natural Resources to fund, through annual per well fees paid by operators, the proper plugging and remediation of orphaned or abandoned wells. This bill works to complement the recent financial assurances rulemaking required in SB19-181 . Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2019 JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE FINALIZES BIPARTISAN COLORADO STATE BUDGET, DELIVERING FOR COLORADO AND SECURING $300 MILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING Denver, CO – Both the Colorado State Senate and House of Representatives today voted to pass the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, which begins on July 1, 2019. Democrats are putting forth a budget that makes historic investments in education and transportation. This budget for all responsibly manages tax-payer dollars, increases per-pupil funding by $327, and secures more than $300 million for transportation funding. In response to the budget’s passage, leaders from both chambers released the following statements: “This budget is the result of the hard work of our Joint Budget Committee members who reached across the aisle to find common ground so that we were able to make financially responsible investments into healthcare, transportation, education, and so many other priorities,” said Senate President Leroy M. Garcia. “This is what the people of Colorado elected us to do, and I am proud that both chambers decided to put Coloradans ahead of politics to pass this budget with bipartisan support.” “I thank the members of the JBC for their work on this responsible, bipartisan budget that will help invest in our future, expand opportunity for hardworking people in every corner of our state, and enhance our unique quality of life,” said Speaker KC Becker. “I am glad to see both sides of the aisle come together to agree on a budget that makes historic investments in education, transportation, and higher ed.” “I am proud of the budget we passed today,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “It was clear throughout this process that our JBC members were committed to working in a bipartisan manner to fund our state’s top priorities and address some of the most pressing issues across Colorado.” “The budget that was put forward is one that I feel all Coloradans can be proud of,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett. “This budget makes historic, bipartisan investments in some of our top priorities like full-day kindergarten, education, transportation, and higher education.” The budget secures $300 million for transportation funding and increases K-12 education funding by $325.9 million dollars, including $175 million dollars to implement full-day kindergarten and an additional $77 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor. The budget also makes critical investments to help lower the cost of healthcare and help Coloradans achieve greater economic security. The budget also invests $10 million in the water plan and $171 million in capital investments.The FY19-20 Colorado State Budget passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 41-to-22 and passed the Senate by a vote of 25-to-7. For more information about the budget, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-207 . Previous Next

< 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