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< Back Rep. Barbara McLachlan: Bipartisanship Accomplishments May 13, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Pagosa Daily Post. As we hit the 120th day of the 2022 session, I reflect on our accomplishments. After several nights working past midnight, then coming back to work early the next morning, survival right now feels like a major success. Some of our proudest bipartisan accomplishments include: Passing the School Finance Bill. It is a requirement every year, but this one felt great. It decreased the Budget Stabilization Factor by $182 million, which is now at its lowest amount since it started in 2009. Funding was raised on average $545 per student to a $9,559 per pupil total, and we paid our debt to Special Education. We know we have more to do, but we’re happy to keep this priority. Addressing the fentanyl crisis. Democrats and Republicans passed a bill with much tighter restrictions on drug possession. If a person is caught with more than 1 gram, they are now subject to a felony drug charge, but can turn that felony into a misdemeanor if they can prove they did not know any fentanyl existed. We appropriated money for test strips and lifesaving treatments, expanded addiction treatments in jails and added harsher punishment for dealers. The Senate and House agreed in a Conference Committee to pursue this strong, but compassionate language, and avoided unduly burdening the work of prosecutors and law enforcement. Supporting our county employees. Senate Bill 22-230, gives more than 36,000 workers the collective bargaining rights that private-sector and state employees in Colorado already have. Employees now have a seat at the table with Commissioners, and need to agree on their contract, giving them opportunities they did not have before. I ran one amendment exempting counties with populations fewer than 5,000 people, and voted to raise that number to 7,500. Lowering property taxes. With strong support, Senate Bill 22-238 passed, which will lower Colorado property taxes by $700 million over the next two years, saving the average homeowner $274 per year. The bill was crafted in response to several ballot measures which took much larger chunks out of the tax, but would have repercussions for the educators and local government employees who depend on it. Instead, this bill uses money from the general fund and TABOR surplus to save property owners money. Everyone who anticipated running ballot measures had to sign notarized documents saying they were standing down. Paying off a debt. Senate Bill 22-234 uses $600 million in federal pandemic relief funds to repay some of the money borrowed to support the unemployment insurance trust fund during the pandemic. This investment supports workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, saves lives and prevents an increase in fees to save businesses money. This is my last in-session column of the year. I thank our local newspapers for providing the platform to connect with constituents and appreciate the positive feedback I have received. Please keep in touch, as I look forward to our continued conversations and successes. Barbara McLachlan Previous Next

House Bill 1313 uses goals tied to HUTF funds to give local communities incentives to build more housing near transit < Back Reps. Jodeh & Woodrow: The state can and should encourage housing near transit with legislation this year Feb 28, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Denver Post here . House Bill 1313 uses goals tied to HUTF funds to give local communities incentives to build more housing near transit Every day, Coloradans grapple with the harsh realities of our housing crisis. Finding an affordable place to rent or buy feels like a dream out-of-reach for many. Recent polling shows that 95% of Coloradans say the cost of renting or buying a home in Colorado is a problem. You read that right; a January poll conducted by Keating Research of 1,277 registered voters in Colorado said 95% said affordable housing was a problem – ninety-five percent. Of the homes people can afford, they are farther and farther away from their jobs, the communities they grew up in, and the places they want to live. It’s time for action. Increasing the supply of housing close to transit is an important piece of the solution. Building near existing, new, and expanded public transit systems, safe biking and walking corridors, and job centers will save Coloradans money while protecting our environment. It’s a win-win for Colorado and critical to the future of our State. Enter House Bill 1313, a crucial bill that builds on the successes some localities have enjoyed in fostering transit-oriented communities. This bill is the product of months of participating in housing tours across the state and meeting weekly with a large group that included affordable housing advocates, transportation experts, local governments, city planners, environmental advocates, realtors, chambers of commerce, non-profit organizations, developers and policy experts (We like to call these meetings TOC Tuesdays). As a result, this bill is a thoughtful pathway to constructing housing Coloradans can afford in close proximity to transit and employment centers, thereby reducing housing costs and pollution while promoting vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. It’s a tangible way to ensure that the people we care about can continue to call Colorado home. Support for this initiative is overwhelming. According to the Keating poll, 68% of Coloradans back a hypothetical state law that promotes housing development near transit and commercial hubs. This sentiment resonates across party lines and in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike, underscoring the statewide urgency for action. There are many recognizable and successful transit oriented communities around the state and this bill will help more communities replicate that success. A few examples include Olde Town Arvada, served by the G Line commuter rail and includes a mixed-use district with multi-family residential, hotel, and retail. Sheridan Station, served by the W Light Rail Line, is in a residential district with multi-family homes, townhomes, and single-family homes. City Center & Ridgegate Stations in Lone Tree are served by light rail, which are in mixed-use districts with multi-family homes, office, and retail. By eliminating barriers to smart growth, the bill empowers local governments to address their housing needs effectively while providing financial incentives for municipalities that embrace this vision. At its core, the bill establishes locally-tailored goals, setting reasonable targets for jurisdictions to increase housing stock near transit and urban centers. Flexibility is key, allowing communities to meet these goals while preserving their unique character. Moreover, communities that work to achieve the goals of the bill will benefit from a new Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which mirrors federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funds, and will also get access to a Transit-Oriented Communities Infrastructure Fund. These resources support affordable housing construction and essential infrastructure development, ensuring that our communities thrive. The bill gives local governments a long runway and financial support to meet their goal, but if they struggle to reach their goal by December 1, 2026 the state can withhold Highway User Tax Funding (HUTF) from them. However, communities can apply for an extension if they demonstrate a plan to achieve their housing goals. They have until December 31, 2027, to meet these targets, after which they’ll be considered out of compliance with state law. If local governments don’t meet their goal, housing costs will rise, pollution will worsen, and traffic congestion will increase. That’s why this bill links HUTF with these forward-looking objectives. We recognize that development can carry a heightened risk of displacement. The bill includes strategies to promote affordability while mitigating the challenges created for existing residents. Through careful planning and state support, we can ensure that progress doesn’t come at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors. It’s time for action. By expanding housing options near transit, we pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future where Coloradans don’t need to drive hours every day to work. HB-1313 aligns our priorities with the bright future Coloradans deserve, incentivizing local governments to lead the charge. Let’s seize this opportunity to build a Colorado where everyone can afford to thrive, where housing is accessible, and where our environment is safeguarded for generations to come. Iman Jodeh represents District 41 in the Colorado House and Steven Woodrow represents District 2 in the Colorado House. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Story: Colorado’s broadband funding can be a boon for jobs May 29, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Gazette here . Colorado is slated to receive $826.5 million in federal funding through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, and this year released another $113 million from the state’s Capital Projects Fund, all to expand broadband access across the state. In addition to closing Colorado’s digital divide, this historic funding has the potential to create thousands of jobs in the process — but only if we hold the companies deploying it accountable to Colorado taxpayers. State legislators recently had the opportunity to put parameters around this nearly $1 billion broadband expansion that would have ensured the creation of long-term, good paying jobs, and promoted a safe build-out and a quality network. Despite sailing through both House committees, passing on the House floor, and passing in the Senate Business Affairs & Labor committee, the bill was purposefully held up on the Senate Appropriations calendar. Now, it’s up to Colorado’s Broadband Office to make sure those guardrails are established and that this historic funding creates good paying jobs in Colorado, while prioritizing a well-trained local workforce that will deploy broadband equitably and safely. Passing HB24-1245 would have been a guarantee to Coloradans everywhere that the state’s upgraded and expanded broadband infrastructure would last for generations to come. This bill would have ensured networks were built responsibly and sustainably by workers making family-sustaining wages and benefits. Across the country, we see internet companies cutting corners and jobs in the industry getting worse. Companies are outsourcing an increasing share of broadband deployment work to contractors, who are often, undertrained and unfamiliar with local infrastructure. When contractors are paid by the job, they often speed through the work, cutting corners and putting safety and quality at risk. While the companies might save a buck, it is our local governments and residents who pay the price: millions in repairs to infrastructure and private property damaged by contractors’ shoddy work, or even dangerous accidents that put residents and local businesses at risk. The bill would have required that the companies that receive public dollars to build broadband pay their workers a family-sustaining wage, also known as prevailing wage, which studies show promotes productivity, reduces injury rates, and helps address the shortage of skilled labor. While legislators failed to pass this law, the state’s broadband office has the power to hold ISPs to this higher standard. It’s crucial they do this now to ensure the money goes into Colorado’s economy, instead of to low-road contractors. Nearly a billion dollars are at stake, and Coloradans deserve a high quality network and high quality jobs, of which thousands will be needed for this massive investment to be fully realized in the years to come. Colorado’s Broadband Office can ensure a higher standard by collecting and publishing workforce plan information; prioritizing applicants that commit to using a directly hired, local workforce; and looking for applicants with robust in-house training programs. The Communications Workers of America, which boasts 3,552 members across Colorado, has made significant investments in its workforce development and apprenticeship programs to help meet this need. If we want to develop the workforce that will be needed to build and maintain these networks, we need to make sure these jobs are good jobs. Colorado has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity for jobs and to build a quality high-speed network that will last, but only by choosing to work with ISPs that invest in good jobs and a sustainable workforce. The stability created in communities by long-term, good-paying career-oriented jobs pays dividends in local economic growth. We cannot risk this historic opportunity to close our country’s digital divide with haphazard build outs by underpaid contractors who lack the training and experience needed to build a quality product. Statewide connectivity and good-paying jobs are things all Coloradans should be able to get behind, and that’s why it’s critical that the Colorado Broadband Office follow through. Sandra Parker is a lobbyist, organizer, and activist for the Communications Workers of America. She has been a union member and activist for 25 years. She is married and lives in Aurora. Rep. Tammy Story moved to Colorado in 1987 with her husband, Mike. For four years, she was a member and leader with the Jeffco Associations Legislative Forum, which is dedicated to discussions concerning education legislation with various stakeholders. Previous Next

< Back Speaker Julie McCluskie: A breakthrough session for the Western Slope May 18, 2024 See more This story was originally published in The Mountain Mail, which can be found here . What a year it has been under the gold dome. Lawmakers secured bipartisan victories on the issues we care about on the Western Slope. I was proud to lead the way on bipartisan legislation that will protect our water, increase funding for rural schools and boost rural economies. By working together the “Western Slope Way,” we delivered real results for high country communities. This year, we made Colorado more affordable by cutting taxes and saving people money on housing. We reduced property taxes, increased the senior homestead exemption and made it portable, created tax credits for families with children and extended income tax relief for senior housing costs. We also passed my bill to allow local governments to help convert short-term rental units to long-term rental or workforce housing to create more options people can afford. One of my proudest accomplishments in my entire time serving in the legislature is the new school finance formula I sponsored and that we passed this year. Colorado’s school finance formula has not changed since the early 1990s. For far too long, rural schools in Colorado have not received the funding they have needed, and a generation of students in our communities has not seen the resources in their classrooms that they deserve. The new formula we passed will increase funding for districts that serve more children in poverty and provide an additional $230 million to rural schools. Park County schools will see an increase of over 20 percent when the new formula is fully implemented. Salida will see a nearly 17 percent increase; Lake will see an increase of over 14 percent; Summit, Buena Vista and Platte Canyon will see 12 percent increases; and East and West Grand will see 28 and 17 percent increases respectively. School districts in our communities will finally see the equitable funding we have long needed, and I was proud to work with the school finance task force, school leaders and lawmakers in both parties to secure this bipartisan victory for the Western Slope, our students and our future. We also focused deeply on water issues. For Western Slope communities, the health of our waters is deeply tied to our way of life. From outdoor recreation and agriculture to tourism and high country industries, protecting our water is essential for our communities to thrive. Last year, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Sackett case left nearly 1 million acres of streams, wetlands and rivers in Colorado unprotected. I worked with Sen. Dylan Roberts, Rep. Karen McCormick, water advocates and industry partners to pass bipartisan legislation that will create certainty for communities by establishing state-level protections for our water. This new law will require permits for certain dredge and fill activities that pollute our waters while fully exempting agriculture and ranching. The legislature also passed bipartisan legislation I sponsored based on recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force to enhance our water supply and protect Colorado water user interests, and we referred a measure to voters to invest an additional $7 million per year into the state water plan instead of returning that money to casinos. I’m proud of the steps we took at the legislature to bridge the rural-urban divide, protect our Colorado way of life and invest in rural economies. We extended tax incentives for businesses to hire workers in rural communities, invested in rural behavioral health care access and rural hospitals and fixed longstanding issues with conservation easement tax credits to continue these critical protections and justly compensate landowners. Finally, I sponsored legislation that created new tax credits to spur business development and new jobs in rail-connected communities with formerly coal-based economies. This will help keep up investment in the rail line that connects Northwest Colorado and Denver. Another bill I sponsored that we passed establishes a funding stream for a potential passenger Northwest Rail route to link Craig and Hayden to Steamboat and eventually Winter Park and Denver along those tracks. I’m proud of the bipartisan results we delivered for Colorado and Western Slope communities. The laws we passed this year will save people money, increase funding for our schools, protect our water, support our agriculture industry and boost our rural economies. We focused on the issues that matter for Coloradans, and we did our work the “Western Slope Way” by coming together, listening to the people of our districts and putting Coloradans first. Julie McCluskie represents House District 13, which includes Summit, Grand, Jackson, Park, Chaffee and Lake counties, and serves as speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. Previous Next

< Back William Lindstedt Chair of the Finance Committee State Representative William Lindstedt is currently in his second term serving the people of the City and County of Broomfield and parts of Adams and Weld County in the Colorado House of Representatives for House District 33. He is the Chair of the Finance Committee and sits on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee. He’s a former assistant bench jeweler, public transit outreach advocate, community organizer, staffer in the Colorado House Majority, and former member of the Broomfield City Council. While serving on the Broomfield City Council during the COVID-19 pandemic, he championed assistance for local small businesses negatively impacted and emergency housing assistance for people struggling. He has helped create Broomfield’s Housing Authority, authored municipal campaign finance reform to limit the influence of big money in local politics, and made it easier for residents to vote by adding additional ballot drop boxes across the community. William also served as Chairman of the Broomfield Transportation Forum and as a Board Director of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. William grew up in Broomfield in a broken home. He knows what it’s like to need a hand up and how important community is to success. He now lives near where we grew up in Broomfield with his fiancee, Bria, and their retired racing greyhound, Pax.

With federal legislation stalled, Colorado leaders need to implement stricter rules to protect rail workers and communities < Back Rep. Mabrey & Sen. Cutter: Opinion: Increasing railway safety rules in Colorado is up to state lawmakers Jan 2, 2024 See more This op-ed was published in the Colorado Sun on Jan 2, 2024 Over the past few years, there have been a number of high profile train derailments, most notably the one in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. For several months this summer, we’ve worked alongside our colleagues on the Transportation Legislation Review Committee to craft Colorado legislation that will reduce the risk of railway accidents. When a train derailed onto Interstate 25 near Pueblo this fall and killed one man, it was clear our legislation was timely and important. The October derailment exemplifies the complex and far-reaching reasons we need to improve our rail system in Colorado. A single train accident can exert short- and long-term effects on our economy, environment, health and, tragically, can result in loss of life. In the Pueblo accident, 30 cars of a 124-car coal train derailed, spilling tons of coal onto I-25. The derailment caused a bridge to collapse, closed lanes for nine miles in both directions for days and killed a truck driver. Although the initial findings of the federal investigation show the derailment was likely due to a broken rail, what we know with certainty is this: There is an urgent need to address rail transportation safety in a way that ensures economic needs are met while prioritizing the safety of our communities and transportation workers. The threats of railway accidents aren’t isolated to the Front Range. Western Slope leaders and advocacy organizations have been fighting back against the proposed Uinta Basin Railway (UBR) for years. Although we are encouraged that the project is currently facing challenges in federal courts , if it were to move forward, it would result in a significant increase in hazardous materials transported through Colorado from Utah oil fields — alongside the Colorado River and through heavily forested areas. The UBR would service up to five, two-mile trains per day carrying billions of gallons of waxy crude oil every year. Compared to today’s operations, that would quintuple the volume of oil being transported. To put it in perspective, the volume of oil transported through Colorado from the UBR would be more than all oil transported in rail cars throughout the entire U.S. in 2022. Part of the route runs alongside the Colorado River for more than 100 miles through sometimes winding, narrow and difficult terrain. Over 40 million people rely on the Colorado River, including seven states and 30 tribal nations. Contamination of this critical waterway would be catastrophic, environmentally and economically. The Colorado River generates millions from our tourism economy every year. According to the Colorado River Outfitters Association, commercial river activity provided nearly a quarter-billion dollars in economic impact for Colorado in 2022. What’s more, wildfires are an increasing problem in Colorado, and the possibility of sparks causing dangerous wildfires in densely forested and hard-to-reach areas is deeply concerning. Improper railway safety puts our water quality, first responders, communities, tourism economies and wildlife at risk. To allow the UBR to move forward is not only risky, it’s dangerous. Regardless of whether this sweeping proposal advances, railroads transporting hazardous materials through our state should be required to take extra precautions to prevent derailments. If passed, the bill we are proposing will dramatically improve railway safety in the face of current and future threats and protect Colorado’s communities, ecosystems and economy. After months of discussions with experts, advocacy groups and concerned Coloradans, we’ve developed legislation that would take the following steps to improve safety: Limit the length of trains to 8,500 feet. Many trains run miles in length with only one operator. Shorter trains that are well maintained are less susceptible to derailments. Require the use of proven technologies, like wayside detectors and dragging equipment, to alert crews of defects that can lead to accidents. Proactive detection tools would promote the safe and efficient movement of goods across Colorado, and help stop accidents before they happen. Assist communities in preparing for inevitable accidents. Under our bill, railroads will have to provide training and safety drills on hazardous materials to local first responders, who are often the first ones on site after a wreck. Empower union members to report certain safety violations. It’s imperative that we establish an environment within Colorado’s rail industry where workers feel secure in coming forward to ensure their safety and the well-being of others. Ensure railroads have the insurance necessary to cover the costs of catastrophic accidents. If a railroad is carrying hazardous materials, then they should meet a minimum insurance requirement in case of incidents. Increased pressure to put profits over safety has put workers, our environment and communities at risk. The failure of the U.S. Senate to move forward with federal rail safety legislation — despite widespread bipartisan support — means it’s up to us to raise rail safety standards for Colorado. Sen. Lisa Cutter was elected to the Colorado Senate in 2022 to represent District 20 and serves as a member of the Transportation and Energy Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee. Rep. Javier Mabrey was elected to the Colorado House in 2022 to represent District 1 and serves on the Business Affairs and Labor and Judiciary Committees and the Committee on Legal Services. Previous Next

House Democrats responded to the most pressing needs of our state, check out our detailed End of Session Reports. Legislative Achievements '25 2025 Legislative Session READ MORE '24 2024 Special Session READ MORE '24 2024 Legislative Session READ MORE '23 2023 Special Session READ MORE '23 2023 Legislative Achievements READ MORE '22 2022 Legislative Achievements READ MORE '21 2021 Legislative Achievements READ MORE '20 2020 Legislative Achievements READ MORE '19 2019 Legislative Achievements

This Privacy Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when you use the service and tells you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. Privacy Policy for Colorado House Democrats Privacy Policy Last updated: July 13, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Privacy Policy Generator . Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. 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Colorado Democrats delivered results to support students, homeowners, renters and improve our air quality. House Democrats responded to the most pressing needs in Colorado and delivered results . During the breakthrough 2024 Legislative Session, we focused on gun violence prevention, fully funding K-12 public schools, improving air quality and reducing the costs for families. DOWNLOAD ONE PAGERS PARA ESPAÑOL, PRIMA AQUÍ DOWNLOAD REPORT

Meet Your House Democrats We are the Colorado House Democrats. With a historically large and diverse majority, we represent communities from the Front Range and the San Luis Valley to rural towns in the high country and Southwest Colorado. Our members are teachers, veterinarians, business owners, law enforcement officers, veterans, engineers, lawyers, advocates, and more. Our top priority is to make Colorado more affordable and protect our hard-fought rights and freedoms. We love Colorado and believe in public education, clean air and water, access to parks and a safe and just society. From our littlest learners to working families and eldest Coloradans, we think everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive. We’ve governed responsibly through challenging times and delivered results that move Colorado forward. These landmark laws prevent gun violence, support small businesses, address climate change and lower the cost of health care, child care and housing. We bolstered renters’ rights to reduce evictions, provided two years of free college and boosted the incomes of hardworking families with new tax credits. Colorado House Democrats reflect the diversity of our communities and are the right people to lead our state, protect our Colorado Way of Life, and uphold our promises to future generations. Julie McCluskie Speaker of the House Learn More Matthew Martinez Majority Whip Learn More Emily Sirota JBC Member Learn More Bob Marshall Learn More Eliza Hamrick Learn More Javier Mabrey Chair of Judiciary Learn More Monica Duran Majority Leader Learn More Elizabeth Velasco Majority Whip Learn More Kyle Brown JBC Member Learn More Brianna Titone Learn More Gretchen Rydin Learn More Jennifer Bacon Assistant Majority Leader Learn More Mandy Lindsay Majority Caucus Co-Chair Learn More Alex Valdez Chair of the Energy & Environment Committee Learn More Cecelia Espenoza Learn More Jacque Phillips Learn More Andrew Boesenecker Speaker Pro Tempore Learn More Junie Joseph Majority Caucus Co-Chair Learn More Amy Paschal Learn More Chad Clifford Learn More Jamie Jackson Learn More 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3

< Back November 30, 2020 Direct Aid for Small Businesses, Housing Assistance, Utility Relief, and Emergency Funding for Colorado’s Public Health Response Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Debate SOON DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide direct assistance to the Coloradans and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The legislation will next be considered on the floor for Second Reading. “Small businesses have faced some of the most challenging impacts of this crisis, struggling for survival while Washington fails to deliver the relief they desperately need,” said SB20B-001 sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We are doing everything we can to boost small businesses and help them through the winter months ahead until we have a vaccine and Congress passes additional relief. Cultural venues, artists and minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. This assistance will help the small businesses that have been hit hardest so that they don’t permanently shutter.” SB20B-001, sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, would send $57 million in direct aid, grants and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses – prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority owned businesses. Capacity limits have severely impacted small businesses across the state, especially bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. This bill will help these industries bridge the gap through difficult winter months ahead. The bill passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “Thousands of Coloradans are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and are facing agonizing decisions every day about which bills to pay and how to avoid being thrown out of their homes,” said SB2B-002 sponsor Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. D-Colorado Springs. “There is an astounding need for housing assistance to help Coloradans bridge the gap and avoid eviction or foreclosure. This assistance will directly help the Coloradans who have been hit hardest by this pandemic so they aren’t left behind as our state recovers.” “This assistance will help landlords, tenants, and homeowners who are facing the brunt of the pandemic get through the challenging months ahead,” said SB20B-002 sponsor Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This assistance will help Coloradans across the state avoid foreclosure and eviction and keep from falling farther behind. This critical relief will protect our recovery by preventing Coloradans from falling into homelessness and poverty.” SB20B-002, sponsored by Reps. Tony Exum, Sr. and Kerry Tipper, would provide $60 million for emergency housing assistance to landlords and households who are in financial need due to COVID-19. Of the funding, $1 million will support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter by providing critical legal assistance for housing related needs. The impending expiration of federal assistance programs such as enhanced unemployment benefits, leaves millions of Coloradans vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure in the coming months. In fact, according to recent surveys, over 40 percent of Coloradans are living in a household that is behind on their rent or mortgage and at risk of foreclosure or eviction. Finally, the bill puts in place a provision that seeks to ensure tens of thousands of unemployed Coloradans can continue to have access to the federally funded State Extended Benefits Program through December 26. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “We are determined in this special session to help Coloradans make ends meet through the tough winter months ahead,” said SB20B-003 sponsor Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Helping Coloradans heat their homes and keep the lights on will go a long way towards supporting hardworking families across the state. The end of this pandemic is in sight, and this assistance will make an important difference for those who need it most.” SB20B-003, sponsored by Reps. Monica Duran and Lois Landgraf, would appropriate $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to meet the 25 percent increase in applications that Energy Outreach Colorado has seen this year. As unemployment numbers remain high and federal resources have dried up, many Coloradans are at risk of losing their utilities – a dangerous outcome in the winter months. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “With promising vaccine trials shining a light on the end of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to ensure our public health systems are able to care for and protect Coloradans in the months ahead,” said SB20B-004 sponsor Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Ensuring these resources are available is an important investment in our medical professionals and the health and wellness of the people of Colorado.” SB20B-004, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, would allocate an additional $100 million to ensure the state can continue to protect public health while we await additional federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With many hospitals across Colorado reaching critical capacity in recent weeks, additional funds are needed to continue the state’s robust public health response. The bill passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. Sales Tax Relief, Broadband Expansion for Students, Child Care Support, and Food Pantry Assistance Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Action in House TONIGHT DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide sales tax relief to businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, expand broadband capacity for students, preserve and increase access to safe child care options, and support food pantries. The legislation is expected on the floor for Second Reading this evening. HB20B-1004 , sponsored by Reps. Alex Valdez & Kevin Van Winkle, would allow restaurants, bars, and food trucks to retain state sales tax they collect from November 2020 through February 2021. This will provide bars and restaurants up to $2,000 per location and limited to five locations for up to $10,000in tax relief each month to help them make ends meet. The legislation passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Colorado restaurants, bars and small businesses are struggling and need assistance now so our recovery can stay on track,” said HB20B- 1004 sponsor Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Only the federal government can deliver the kind relief our state needs most, but we are committed to using what limited state resources we have to boost our recovery and help as many hardworking families and small businesses as possible as we tackle the very challenging months ahead. This sales tax relief will provide immediate help to thousands of restaurants and bars that are facing capacity restrictions from COVID-19.” HB20B-1002 , sponsored by Reps. Cathy Kipp & Lois Landgraf would distribute $45 million to enable existing child care providers to keep their doors open and new providers to open and meet the needs of working parents, especially in child care deserts. Colorado’s economic recovery depends on its workforce having access to stable child care, but due to temporary closures and the increased costs of health and safety precautions for child care providers, many are on the brink of financial collapse. These grant programs are estimated to support 2,600 child care facilities, preserving child care for over 100,000 children and creating capacity for tens of thousands more. Moreover, research shows that for every dollar spent on early childhood programs, $2.25 is contributed to our state’s economy. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the House floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Safe and affordable child care options are critical for working families who are juggling the stressful and difficult challenges of working while caring for young ones,” said HB20B-1002 sponsor Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “These grants will keep thousands of child care providers open and provide critical funding to make facilities safer during the pandemic. Retaining this workforce is critical to ensuring Coloradans don’t have to choose between going to work and keeping their kids safe.” HB20B-1001 , sponsored by Reps. Mary Young and Matt Soper would dedicate $20 million towards increasing our state’s broadband capacity – connecting more students to their teachers so that they can learn safely in the months ahead. Internet access is absolutely essential for students during this difficult time. But many families who are struggling with financial stability simply can’t afford to cover the cost, while numerous school districts lack the infrastructure to educate their students remotely. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading “At a time when Colorado families are learning, working, socializing, and generally living online from their homes, what could be more important than expanding broadband use in schools,” said HB20B-1001 sponsor Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Every Colorado student should have access to a quality education, and in 2020 that means having a reliable internet connection. While we work to determine what the future of our childrens’ education will look like, expanding broadband access to every school in our state is a necessity.” HB20B-1003 , sponsored by Reps. Lisa Cutter and Rod Bockenfeld would devote $3 million to replenishing essential community services that increase access to food for Colorado families facing food insecurity. 1 in 3 Coloradans are struggling with hunger as more and more families are being forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Food banks, food pantries and their partners need additional assistance to meet the rising demands, especially as the December expiration for federal hunger relief looms. The legislation has passed the Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committee and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading tonight. “Across our state and our nation, hunger and food insecurity have only been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic,” said HB20B-1003 sponsor Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This direct support to food pantries builds on the work we did earlier in the year to bring us closer to a hunger-free Colorado. While we know there is a great deal of work left to be done, I’m proud that we are taking bold action to help hardworking families keep food on the table.” Previous Next

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