Search Results

< Back June 24, 2022 SPONSORS OF COLORADO’S LAW TO PROTECT ABORTION BLAST SCOTUS RULING TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE DENVER, CO – Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Meg Froelich, sponsors of Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act , today released the following statements after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Statement from Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo: “This decision by five Republican-appointed Justices is a travesty of justice, a perversion of our Constitution, and a tragedy for the American people. In a ruling that restricts the rights of all Americans and opens the door to ban marriage equality and contraception, the Court has stripped millions of women of our bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom, and the rights that have been the law of the land for over fifty years. We knew overturning Roe vs. Wade was a real possibility, which is why I lead the charge on the Reproductive Health Equity Act to protect abortion because we trust people to make their own, private medical decisions. It was signed into law in Colorado, but our fight isn’t over. We must continue our efforts to protect access to abortion in Colorado and support the countless individuals who will have to travel to our state for an abortion or carry unsafe pregnancies to term.” Statement from Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood: “For decades, Republican politicians and secretive outside groups worked to put conservatives in power on the Supreme Court in order to overturn Roe v. Wade and ban abortion. With this decision, ultra right-wing politicians are now free to impose their own beliefs on everyone else, send abortion providers and patients to prison, and put bounties on anyone who helps them. In large parts of our country, women have become second-class citizens overnight and no longer have the right to determine their futures and make decisions that impact their livelihoods. People in these states will be forced to carry pregnancies to term, travel out of sate, or seek potentially unsafe abortions, a burden that will disproprtinately fall on women of color and lower-income Americans. This disgraceful decision imperils the lives of those seeking an abortion and threatens the health, economic security and freedom of millions of Americans.” The Reproductive Health Equity Act updates Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights and codifies the fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. At least 519 laws to restrict abortion care have been introduced in 41 states so far this year according to the National Women’s Law Center . Colorado remains committed to ensuring abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible. Recently, House Democrats defeated three Republican-led bills that would have jeopardized that right, including: HB22-1079 , which would have placed an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal court rulings and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. In addition, it would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , which would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected abortion providers to imprisonment. HB22-1075 , which would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It also would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed Rep. Amy Paschal's bipartisan bill to encourage more geothermal energy production and save Coloradans money on their energy bill.  < Back May 27, 2025 SIGNED! Paschal's Bill to Boost Geothermal Energy, Lower Costs COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed Rep. Amy Paschal's bipartisan bill to encourage more geothermal energy production and save Coloradans money on their energy bill. “Colorado’s abundant geothermal energy–the heat beneath our feet–can reduce heating and energy costs and save Coloradans and businesses money,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “This bipartisan law will boost geothermal energy production while establishing strong protections for geologic carbon storage facilities. We’re taking steps today to bring low-cost renewable energy sources to market in Colorado to save consumers and businesses money on energy costs.” HB25-1165 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, streamlines the geothermal energy production permitting process to better commercialize this renewable energy source. Geothermal energy can be produced 24/7 and is a stable, renewable source of energy for heating and cooling businesses and homes. This law also establishes a long-term funding mechanism to ensure the safety of geologic carbon storage operations. Geological storage, a form of carbon capture and sequestration, is a climate change mitigation strategy that stores greenhouse gases underground. Beginning in 2026, this bill establishes a stewardship fee to be paid by operators of geologic storage to maintain the geological storage facility and help prevent leaks or damage. Previous Next

Law increases financial penalties for businesses that violate the law, incentivizes reporting and improves transparency < Back June 5, 2024 ICYMI: Legislation to Increase Penalties for Child Labor Violations Becomes Law Law increases financial penalties for businesses that violate the law, incentivizes reporting and improves transparency DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Judy Amabile into law administratively to ramp up financial penalties for businesses that violate child labor laws. “Over the years, Colorado has made important progress to improve child labor laws - but we must ensure violators are held accountable for their actions,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Under current law, businesses face small or non-existent fines for child labor violations that could be putting our youth at risk. Our law significantly increases financial penalties to hold bad actors accountable, and importantly, keep our youth safe. We’re also committed to protecting those who speak out about child labor violations from retaliation, and this bill sets up guidelines to ensure those whistleblowers are protected.” “We need to ensure our state’s child labor laws are working as intended – the health and safety of our youth depends on it,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This law encourages violation reporting, improves transparency around enforcement measures, and increases penalties for violations of these common sense protections. Outlined in the law are additional whistleblower protections to keep those who report child labor violations safe from retaliation. At the end of the day, we need to ensure our businesses are operating lawfully and our youth is protected, and this law brings us closer to that important goal.” HB24-1095 updates the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 and strengthens the penalty structure. Under current law, first-time child labor law violators face no fines or fines of only a few hundred dollars. This law raises the total range a violator may be fined for first and repeated offenses. HB24-1095 also removes legal disincentives that keep victims of child labor violations from reporting and protect child workers from employer retaliation. Previous Next

Legislation puts ‘people over parking’ to lower the cost of building new homes, increase Colorado’s housing supply, and reduce harmful air pollution < Back February 15, 2024 Joint Release: Colorado Democrats Unveil Bill to Reduce the Cost of Housing Legislation puts ‘people over parking’ to lower the cost of building new homes, increase Colorado’s housing supply, and reduce harmful air pollution DENVER, CO - Colorado Democrats today introduced legislation to make housing in Colorado more affordable and reduce traffic congestion by eliminating parking mandates that drive up the cost of building new housing, especially multifamily developments. “Requiring more parking spots than the market demands drives up the cost of construction, makes housing more expensive in Colorado, and puts more and more distance between homes and destinations," said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “We have quite literally paved paradise to put up a parking lot. With each new off-street parking spot adding potentially tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a new building, the evidence is overwhelming that eliminating minimum parking mandates will allow for more diverse housing stock, free up space for more transportation choices, and improve air quality. It's time for us to put people over parking, and ensure Coloradans can live, work, and play affordably throughout our great state.” “Addressing Colorado’s housing crisis requires an all-of-the-above approach - and with parking mandates eating up more and more space and money, it’s long past time we act to eliminate them,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “Parking minimums stifle housing development and act as barriers to building the new housing we need to bring down prices and get folks housed. This bill will make it easier to increase Colorado’s housing supply, and encourage practices that will reduce emissions and help us reach our climate goals.” “The research is clear, the actions we’re taking will keep rents from rising, reduce the cost of building new apartments, homes and condos, and will save people money on housing,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “There are eight parking spaces for every vehicle on the road, and most municipalities require up to three parking spaces per unit, which can add millions to the cost of building new multifamily housing. This common sense reform empowers consumers to choose the housing options that work best for them instead of continuing to force higher costs on builders, renters and homeowners for parking spaces they don’t need or want.” “This year we’re taking a multifaceted approach to combating the housing crisis in Colorado, and removing parking mandates that drive up housing costs is a key part of our agenda,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Studies have shown time and again that mandated parking minimums negatively impact health outcomes and the environment while slowing housing development and raising prices. I look forward to working on this commonsense solution that can improve affordability for the hardworking folks of Pueblo.” Beginning January 1, 2025, HB24-1304 would prohibit counties or municipalities from establishing or enforcing minimum parking requirements for residential or commercial properties within a metropolitan planning organization. Parking minimums increase home prices and rents by requiring developers to use valuable space for cars that may not be fully utilized and could instead be dedicated to more housing units. With new structured parking spaces costing $25,000 each in the Denver Metro in 2020, developers are disincentivized from building new residential projects or must reduce the number of units that are developed. Since the city of Minneapolis eliminated residential parking minimums in 2021, rents have only increased 1 percent , while Denver saw an average increase of nearly 5 percent in just the last two years. Research attributes the significant expansion of the housing supply in Minneapolis to the elimination of parking minimums. The oversupply of parking is also directly linked to higher vehicle miles traveled. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in Colorado, with cars contributing nearly 60 percent of the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified Denver and the Northern Front Range as having unhealthy levels of ground level ozone, which can lead to negative health impacts like asthma and bronchitis, especially for vulnerable Coloradans. Additionally, replacing wildlife habitat to build massive surface lots for parking harms the environment by increasing soil and water pollution, flooding, and the heat island effect. The bill does not impact parking spaces required for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY DENVER, CO– Representative Kerry Tipper’s bipartisan bill to give the Colorado Attorney General the authority to challenge certain business mergers or acquisitions under state antitrust statutes today was approved by the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 7-2. The bill has already been passed by the Colorado Senate. “It’s time to stop relying on the judgement of the federal government and give Colorado’s top prosecutor the tools to protect consumers and go after monopolies,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “Since 1992, the Colorado Attorney General’s office has been hamstrung by a law that requires them to accept the antitrust decisions of the federal government without giving them so much as a second opinion. We’re on track to bring that decision making power back to Colorado.” Under the Colorado Antitrust Act of 1992, the Colorado Attorney General is prevented from challenging mergers or acquisitions in the state if they have already been reviewed and not challenged by a federal department, agency, or commission. Colorado has been an outlier–the only state with such a law. SB20-064 , which is also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper R-Delta, would end this restriction and allow the Colorado Attorney General to protect Colorado consumers by challenging corporate mergers or acquisitions on behalf of the people of Colorado. This bill is assessed by nonpartisan staff to have no fiscal impact on the Colorado Attorney General’s office , as the AG’s office would be able to review and prioritize cases using existing resources. ### Previous Next

The 2023 School Finance Act invests a record $665 million more toward K-12 public education, commits to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor in the 2024-25 school year < Back April 27, 2023 House Education Committee Passes School Finance Act and Support for Preschool Providers The 2023 School Finance Act invests a record $665 million more toward K-12 public education, commits to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor in the 2024-25 school year DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed the 2023 School Finance Act, increasing per pupil funding by $1,018. This record investment toward K-12 public schools also reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by $180 million, mapping out a course to eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor by the 2024-2025 school year. “The 2023 School Finance Act is another record investment in our public schools that will improve educational outcomes for students,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, Chair of the House Education Committee, D-Durango . “This bill increases per pupil funding by more than $1,000 per student, and sets us on a path to eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor in the next two years. I’m also pleased that this legislation allocates more than $30 million specifically for rural school districts to help them hire more qualified teachers and set our students up for success. This bill reaffirms our commitment to funding and supporting our students, teachers, and schools.” “This year’s School Finance Act invests $665 million more in Colorado’s K-12 public schools to reduce classroom sizes, increase teacher pay and ensure schools have the resources they need to provide every student the high quality education they deserve,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “A strong public education system is essential for the future of our state, and this bill will improve our schools by increasing support for students and teachers while putting us on a sustainable path to fully fund K-12 education. I’m proud to champion this legislation that sets up our students to thrive.” 2023 School Finance Act : SB23-287 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Cathy Kipp, passed committee unanimously. This bill invests a record-breaking $665 million more in total program funding and raises the statewide average of per pupil funding by $1,018, up to $10,614 per pupil. It reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by $180 million, while committing lawmakers to fully eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor for the 2024-2025 school year. With this funding, school districts can reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide individualized support to help students succeed. Additional allocations include: $30 million specifically for large and small rural schools $10 million toward special education preschool support $1 million for gifted and talented universal screening for students $500,000 to support English language learning students and the translation of Individualized Education Programs program documents within special education $300,000 to reimburse schools for expenses related to replacing an American Indian mascot Supporting Universal Preschool Providers : The House Education Committee also passed SB23-269 unanimously. Sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens and Mary Bradfield, this bill invests $2.5 million in bonus payments for Universal Preschool (UPK) providers to support their programs, staff and facilities. “As Colorado gears up for Universal Preschool, providers across the state have been working tirelessly to support our youngest learners,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “This bipartisan bill will help recruit more providers and will send UPK providers a bonus to help them renovate spaces, purchase new educational materials, and support their staff. Each and every participating provider is vital to implementing UPK, and we’re grateful for all the effort and planning that goes into educating our children.” This bill would provide one-time bonus payments for early childhood care providers participating in Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program . The bonuses must be used to implement the UPK, or to maintain or expand infant and toddler care capacity. This bill will help ensure there are enough providers in the state so all families who want to participate in UPK can choose the right setting for their child, and provides support to child care providers in licensed community-based and home-based programs who are participating in state-run preschools for the first time. Yesterday, the Polis administration announced that more than 25,000 families who signed up for the first round of UPK Colorado have been matched with a provider, with more than 90-percent being matched with one of their top five providers. It is estimated that families who participate in UPK Colorado will save $6,000 per year. UPK sign up is available online on a rolling basis. Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2021 BILLS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH, ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND EXPAND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS SIGNED DENVER, CO– Governor Polis today signed seven bills into law to support the health and wellbeing of Colorado families. These include bills to improve maternal health, expand access to family planning services, address social determinants of health, and more. “This year, we set out to tackle one of the most pressing issues in health care: improving maternal health and addressing racial health disparities,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-181, 193, and 194. “The maternal health ‘momnibus’ package signed into law today seeks to improve the subpar perinatal and postnatal care available to American women. Knowing that Black and Indigenous women face even worse care and higher maternal mortality rates, the package addresses the issue with a strong focus on equity and closing the maternal care treatment gap.” “As a woman of color and a pediatrician, improving health equity in Colorado has always been one of my top priorities,” said Doctor Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, sponsor of SB21-181 and 009. “The bills signed today will help Black, Brown and Indigenous communities in Colorado access the care they need. In particular, one of the new laws signed will ensure that low-income women and women of color can access the reproductive health care and contraception options they need to stay healthy and well.” SB21-193 takes several steps to address maternal health inequality in Colorado. It ensures a pregnant person’s advance directive is honored the same way as one coming from a non-pregnant person, addressing what’s known as the pregnancy exclusion clause that was recently found unconstitutional by a federal judge. The bill also requires the Colorado Civil Rights Commission to receive reports regarding culturally incongruent maternal care provided to pregnant women or those in postpartum care, and it adds protections for pregnant people in jails and state correctional facilities. SB21-194 requires insurance carriers as well as state insurance plans to reimburse health care providers for services related to labor and delivery in a way that promotes high-quality, cost-effective care, prevents risk in subsequent pregnancies, and does not discriminate based on the type of provider or facility. Additionally, the bill seeks to amend the State Medicaid Plan, subject to federal approval, to provide 12 months of postpartum medical benefits to people who received these benefits during pregnancy. SB21-181 expands and improves the existing Health Disparities Grant Program and requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to prepare a biennial report on health disparities and how best to address social determinants of health for underrepresented populations. SB21-009 allows more Colorado families to make their own choices about when to start a family. The bill establishes the Reproductive Health Care Program, which would provide a 12-month supply of contraceptives and counseling services without prior authorization or co-pays to eligible individuals, regardless of citizenship status. Women who receive a year’s supply of oral contraceptive are 30 percent less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy than those who receive one or three-month supplies at a time. “Even before the pandemic began, far too many families and parents in Colorado were struggling to afford even the most essential supplies,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, sponsor of SB21-025 and 027. “Today, we’re one step closer to guaranteeing that no baby in Colorado has to go without diapers. We also expanded coverage for family planning services to ensure that all Coloradans are empowered to decide how and when they want to start a family. As a working mom myself, I know how impactful these new laws will be for parents all across the state.” “Diapers are a basic necessity for young parents,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-027. “And yet, almost a third of all parents across the country report struggling to afford the amount they need. The law created today will allow struggling families to obtain the diapers they need and focus on other needs for their young families. No baby in Colorado should go without essential supplies. SB21-025 , also sponsored by Rep. Perry Will, R-New Castle, would expand Medicaid coverage for family planning services to more individuals who are currently prevented from accessing care because they are just above the eligibility limit. The coverage would give more Coloradans the resources and information necessary to make decisions about how and when to start a family by providing counseling services, access to contraceptives, and information regarding available health care coverage. A majority of states across the country have already taken up the option to raise the Medicaid eligibility. SB21-027 would help new and recent parents care for their children by ensuring that diaper essentials are available to all low-income families in Colorado. The bill provides $2 million for this purpose and asks the Colorado Department of Human Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to administer diaper distribution centers. Despite the high cost of diapers and estimates that show about 1 in 3 U.S. families report needing more diapers, diapers cannot be purchased through public assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Woman, Infants, and Children program (WIC). “Early screenings and preventative care can massively improve health outcomes for Coloradans,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, sponsor of SB21-016. “At a time when far too many Coloradans, especially LGBTQ Coloradans, are having difficulties accessing critical health care services, we’re taking a bold step to ensure everyone can get the care they need.” “Preventative care, routine screenings and critical testing can mean the difference between life and death,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn, sponsor of SB21-016. “As an ER Nurse, I know the importance of diagnosing life-threatening conditions early. I’m proud that starting now, health insurance coverage won’t be a barrier to accessing preventative health care and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, like cervical cancer.” SB21-016 requires health plans to cover several critical preventative health services regardless of cost, such as osteoporosis screening, screenings for urinary conditions and sexually transmitted infection (STI) health care services, such as vaccinations for STIs. The bill would require coverage for diagnosis and treatment of STIs and contraceptive and family planning services. Importantly, it would reduce surprise billing for annual wellness visits by ensuring co-pay free coverage for STI testing and prevention, and closing gaps in family planning coverage. Previous Next

Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce < Back May 31, 2024 Gov Signs Family Affordability Tax Credit, Bill to Support the Care Workforce Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will create the Family Affordability Tax Credit to boost the incomes of hardworking Colorado families and create a state income tax credit for care workers to address the care worker workforce shortage. Beginning tax year 2024, HB24-1311 creates the refundable Family Affordability Tax Credit. This credit will be available to parents with children 16 and younger with a maximum of $3,200 for each child under 6, and a maximum of $2,400 for each child ages 6 to 16. The credit will be adjusted for income, inflation, economic growth, and unemployment. “This historic effort will significantly reduce childhood poverty in Colorado, boost the incomes of hardworking families, and help millions of Coloradans who are feeling the greatest impacts of the cost of living in our state,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB24-1311. “Tax credit policies that benefit children and families, who could see up to thousands of dollars back under this law, will ensure our tax code works for more Coloradans and help address childhood poverty. I’m proud to have carried this law to help Coloradans afford essentials like rent payments and groceries and boost the incomes of thousands of families across the state.” “Looking out for Colorado families means making sure they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent or affording other necessities,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield . “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’ll pass this year. I am extremely pleased to see this bill get signed into law, because it will cut child poverty in half while making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.” “There are over 133,000 Colorado kids living in poverty, and this law, coupled with the Earned Income Tax Credit, will dramatically cut our child poverty rate,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1311. “These tax credits boost the incomes of our lower and middle-income families so they can keep their children safe and healthy by accessing quality health care, school supplies, and fresh food. Our law will increase tax credits for Colorado parents and put millions of dollars back into the pockets of families with children.” “Working Coloradans need our support, and I am pleased to say that we have an opportunity to make a real, transformative difference for kids and families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver. “This bill will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give more Colorado families the resources they need to thrive.” The Governor also signed HB24-1312 which creates a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages. Taxpayers must have an income of $75,000 or less for single filers or $100,000 or less for joint filers to be eligible for this state income tax credit. “Care workers are essential in providing care to our loved ones like our children and our parents, and they often do not receive the benefits and recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This workforce is critical in supporting Coloradans in all industries and they are a crucial component of a thriving economy. This tax credit will allow us to recruit and retain these important care workers while boosting their incomes by over a thousand dollars so they can better afford their bills while staying in the care worker industry.” “Robust access to care work increases workforce participation, creates better care for those receiving it, and supports the emotional and physical health of family members who are providing unpaid care work,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Care workers are essential but aren’t treated that way. This new law is an important first step to valuing care work appropriately in Colorado.” “Whether you receive support after an accident or have someone who helps your aging relatives, we have all benefited from the work and support that care workers provide,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This law is a small token of appreciation that we can give care workers, especially our Family, Friend and Neighbor child care providers, so they can continue the important work that they do and encourage our care workforce to grow.” “Forty percent of Colorado’s care workers rely on public assistance – we must do more to support them,” said Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “HB-1312 supports the care workforce across their entire lifetimes and provides economic support to all care workers, not just one group. This law will have far-reaching positive impacts on both the stability of this industry and the well-being of Colorado’s families, communities and economy.” For tax years 2025 through 2028, this law creates a refundable state income tax credit of $1,200 for: Direct care workers who are employed by a long-term care employer or provide community-based services and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, Child care workers who are employed or licensed by an early childhood education program or a licensed family child care home and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, or Informal family, friend, or neighbor child care providers who provided at least 720 hours of care to children 5 and under, and are registered with the Department of Early Childhood’s Professional Development Information System. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to attract dentists and dental hygienists to Colorado. < Back April 9, 2024 Legislation to Boost Dental Care in Colorado Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to attract dentists and dental hygienists to Colorado. SB24-010, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, would create an interstate compact for certain dental professionals. “From routine check-ups to emergency care, dental health and hygiene impacts our overall well-being,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “With this interstate compact, we’re making it possible for dentists and dental hygienists licensed in another state to practice in Colorado and begin taking care of patients. I worked in the dental field for more than a decade, and this bill helps create new professional pathways for out-of-state dental professionals and improves access to critical and needed dental health care services.” SB24-010 , also sponsored by Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, passed committee by a vote of 12-0. This bill would create new professional pathways for out-of-state dentists and dental hygienists to gain licensure to practice. The "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact" creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed dentists and dental hygienists in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state to practice dental services. The compact would be enacted as soon as seven states join it. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for those in the dental practice by easing the state-to-state licensure process to increase dental services and access to critical health care in Colorado and would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. To participate in the compact, applicants must already be licensed dental professionals. Dentists and dental hygienists using a compact privilege to practice in Colorado must adhere to this state’s laws and regulations of practice, which are regulated by the Colorado Dental Board. SB24-010 only applies to dentists and dental hygienists, not dental assistants or expanded duty dental assistants. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws in recent years. This list does not include 2024 mobility compact legislation currently pending before the legislature, such as HB24-1096 for school psychologists and HB24-1002 for social workers. Previous Next

House Committees today passed three bills to support Coloradans seeking homeowners insurance in wildfire prone areas, mitigate wildfires and create job opportunities to improve forest health. < Back April 17, 2023 House Committees Pass Bills to Mitigate Wildfires and Support Homeowners DENVER, CO – House Committees today passed three bills to support Coloradans seeking homeowners insurance in wildfire prone areas, mitigate wildfires and create job opportunities to improve forest health. “In Colorado, we’re taking tremendous steps to not only mitigate wildfires, but make it possible for homeowners in wildfire prone areas to purchase property insurance,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1288. “We need to be prepared for the next wildfire disaster and our legislation to create a FAIR insurance plan makes sure Coloradans can receive proper homeowners and commercial insurance that protects their livelihood.” “As wildfires become more frequent and destructive, we need to do everything we can to ensure homeowners are properly insured in the wake of a disaster,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1288 . “Our legislation creates a pathway for homeowners in wildfire prone areas to receive insurance that protects their property, livelihood and the place they call home. Without this legislation, many Coloradans will be left with no homeowners insurance and we’re stepping up to make sure Coloradans’ property is protected from the next wildfire disaster.” HB23-1288 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie and Representative Amabile, passed the House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 8 to 1. This bill would create the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan Association, a nonprofit, unincorporated legal entity, to ensure Coloradans with homes and commercial properties located in wildfire zones can receive homeowners or commercial insurance. As destructive wildfires become more frequent in residential areas, many Coloradans struggle to find a private insurer that will cover their property at all. This bill would make sure Coloradans can find a carrier to insure their homes and commercial spaces as wildfires grow in frequency and destruction across Colorado. “We’re working to continuously improve Colorado’s wildfire response to protect our homes, businesses and neighborhoods,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB23-161 . “This legislation will allow Colorado to purchase a second Firehawk helicopter, reducing our state’s rapid response time to quickly combat and put out wildfires in difficult terrain and keep our communities safe.” SB23-161 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie and Minority Leader Lynch, passed the House Finace Committee by a unanimous vote. This bill would allow the state to purchase a second Firehawk helicopter, ensuring the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) has at least one Firehawk available for rapid response at all times. Firehawk helicopters are considered the most technologically advanced firefighting aircraft available and this bill would improve the state’s ability to respond to catastrophic wildfires. “Wildfires in Colorado are now a year-round threat and we need to ensure the state forest service has the workforce to keep us safe,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of SB23-005. “Colorado’s made important progress when it comes to wildfire mitigation, and we’re furthering our efforts to protect communities by boosting our state’s forest health workforce. This legislation streamlines workforce development and recruitment within the state forest service so we can continue to mitigate wildfires through excess brush removal and other tactics that help us maintain healthy, more resilient forests.” SB23-005 , sponsored by Representative Snyder and Minority Leader Lynch, passed the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resouces Committee unanimously. This bill would improve Colorado’s forestry workforce by directing the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on career opportunities in the industry for students in high school, and creates a workforce development program within the State Forest Service to increase internship opportunities within the timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation sectors. The bill will also bolster the state’s wildfire mitigation capacity development fund to create and expand forestry programs specifically at Colorado Mountain College, as well as community colleges, technical colleges, area colleges, and public institutions of higher education in order to increase the state’s forestry workforce. SB23-005 would also work to increase the number of qualified educators at these institutions to deliver a wildland fire prevention and mitigation course or program. Previous Next

On August 7, a bipartisan law goes into effect to save students money on higher education. HB24-1340, the Colorado Promise Act, creates a refundable income tax credit to cover the cost of two years of higher education for every family making under $90,000. SB24-104 will seamlessly connect apprenticeship programs with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and high school and career technical education (CTE) programs. < Back July 29, 2024 New Laws Go Into Effect to Make College Free for First Two Years, Bolster Colorado’s Workforce by Connecting Apprenticeships with Education System DENVER, CO - On August 7, a bipartisan law goes into effect to save students money on higher education. HB24-1340, the Colorado Promise Act, creates a refundable income tax credit to cover the cost of two years of higher education for every family making under $90,000. SB24-104 will seamlessly connect apprenticeship programs with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and high school and career technical education (CTE) programs. “As one of the first members of my family to go to college, I want to make it possible for every aspiring student to afford higher education and achieve their dreams,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB24-1340. “By creating the Colorado Promise, we will make higher education nearly free for two years for every family making under $90,000 per year. With this law going into effect, more students will be able to complete their degree and afford the cost of college, which for too many middle-income families is unaffordable.” “In my legislative career, improving education and creating opportunities for all of Colorado’s students has been a top priority,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1340. “The Colorado Promise is a historic opportunity to make higher education more accessible for students whose families make under $90,000 a year. I’m so proud to see this bipartisan legislation take effect. We’re one step closer to making affordable degrees a reality.” HB24-1340 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, supports two years of in-state college for students in families earning less than $90,000, making higher education more attainable for families. Specifically, this law creates a refundable state income tax credit for Colorado students in their first two years of attendance (based on credit hours accumulated) at any public Colorado institution of higher education. The credit provides reimbursement for the full amount of tuition and fees paid after accounting for any scholarships or grants the student received. The credit can be claimed by a parent or other taxpayer if the student is their dependent, and is available for the 2024-25 school year through 2031-32. SB24-104 will require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the CCCS to align high school CTE programs with registered apprenticeships, which includes things like working with apprenticeship sponsors on including credit for CTE programs completed. There are currently over 300,000 high school and community college students enrolled in CTE programs, and this will help more students progress into paid apprenticeships with concrete career pathways. These registered apprenticeship programs will focus on areas of workforce shortages, such as infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, education, or health care. “Currently, there is a gap between technical education and apprentice programs across the state,” said Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of SB24-104. “This new law bridges that gap by connecting students with quality apprenticeships that will give them the opportunity to earn as they learn.” “Colorado has amazing opportunities available for students who are interested in trade work, but the disconnect between their education and existing apprenticeship program requirements make it more difficult for them to complete their training,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of SB24-104. “With our new law going into effect, we can better ensure that students are going through training that aligns with apprenticeship requirements so they can get into the workforce quicker and build a strong career in their trade of choice.” While Colorado has made progress in advancing registered apprenticeships over the last several years, according to CDLE, apprenticeships make up only 0.1 percent of the state’s workforce. Reports show that students benefit from experiential learning opportunities, leading to higher grades, greater engagement, and stronger career-readiness. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2021 HOUSE PASSES SCHOOL FINANCE ACT, ADJUSTS FORMULA TO BETTER SERVE AT-RISK STUDENTS DENVER, CO– The House today passed the 2021 School Finance Act, annual legislation that sets funding levels for all of Colorado’s school districts and charter schools, by a vote of 60-5. “This year’s school finance act puts students and teachers first by significantly increasing funding for K-12 education,” said Education Committee Chair Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, a former teacher. “Everyone in the education community has been through so much the last year. I’m proud that we were able to come together to support our students, provide districts with the resources they need, and strengthen our school finance formula.” “Last year was difficult for students, teachers, and parents alike, but we’re turning the corner and making significant investments in K-12 education that will help Colorado build back stronger from the pandemic,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Grant programs, such as dropout prevention or literacy attainment initiatives, that we had to suspend last year are going to get the funding they need once again. We’re also making monumental changes to the school finance formula so that schools that enroll higher numbers of at-risk students and English language learners will receive more funding, making our school finance system more equitable and student-focused.” “I’m excited to see our years of work to make the school finance formula more equitable reflected in this year’s school funding bill,” said JBC Member Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We’re making important changes that will make school funding more equitable and student-focused. We have to do more to support the schools who are serving our most vulnerable students, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. By focusing on equity and directing additional resources to districts that serve more at-risk students, we can provide more children in Colorado access to the education they need to thrive.” SB21-268 makes changes to the school finance formula to direct additional resources to schools that serve higher populations of at-risk students and English language learners. It restores reductions to K-12 funding that the legislature made last year in the wake of dire budget forecasts that predicted significant revenue declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to actual funding levels in the current school year, the bill increases total program funding by $750.8 million. With the permanent changes to the school finance formula, total program funding will increase by another $623.8 million in the 2022-23 school year. Lawmakers last year were forced to increase the Budget Stabilization Factor due to pandemic-related revenue losses. Some of the impact of these reductions was blunted by the distribution of federal stimulus resources directly to school districts. This year’s School Finance Act restores the Budget Stabilization Factor to where it was before the devastation of the pandemic. By reducing the Budget Stabilization Factor, each school district in Colorado will see a fair and equal, per-pupil increase to the state share of total program funding they receive. The School Finance Act also restores funding to grant programs that were cut last year. These grant programs offer a number of critical services such as dropout prevention, literacy attainment, access to advanced placement courses, special education, bullying prevention and behavioral health support. SB21-268 also incorporates bipartisan adjustments to the school finance formula initially proposed in HB21-1325. The updated formula would include a factor for English Language Learners (ELL) to provide additional resources to schools that have a higher ELL enrollment. It adjusts the definition of “at-risk pupils” to include students eligible to receive reduced-price lunch. HB21-1325, sponsored by Representatives McCluskie and Herod, also advanced today on a preliminary vote. The bill as amended establishes a bipartisan interim committee process to recommend additional changes to the school finance formula. Previous Next