< Back May 11, 2021 HOUSE VOTES TO EXPAND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Reps. Yadira Caraveo and Julie McCluskie’s bill to remove barriers to allow survivors of sexual violence on Medicaid to access a full range of reproductive health care options, including abortion, closer to their homes. The vote was 39-24. “As a doctor, I won’t stand by and let the type of insurance coverage someone has, their income, or their zip code determine what kind of care they can have in Colorado,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “All women in Colorado should have access to the full range of reproductive health care, and this bill brings us a step closer to making that a reality.” “Survivors of sexual violence should have access to the reproductive care they need, regardless of their income level, zip code, or what type of health insurance they have,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Colorado has repeatedly defended women’s access to reproductive care,and now, we’re taking an important step forward to ensure that all women in our state have acces to the care they may need.” Current law only allows public funds to be used for abortion care in highly specific locations and requires that they only be performed by a physician – despite the fact that safe abortion care is offered in several out-patient care facilities across the state, including primary care offices, OBGYN offices, abortion clinics, etc. and are routinely performed by other kinds of certified healthcare providers like nurse practitioners. These restrictions solely and exclusively impact Medicaid-eligible sexual violence survivors because people with private insurance are not subject to facility or physician-only restrictions when seeking abortion care. SB21-142 would allow sexual violence survivors on Medicaid to access all reproductive care options closer to home by removing restrictions on the types of buildings where certain care is covered and removing the physician requirement barriers. Previous Next

< Back May 19, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILL TO INCREASE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ACCESS AND DIVERT COLORADANS IN NEED AWAY FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Legislation invests over $61 million to help folks get treatment for mental health and substance use support DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed SB22-196 , legislation that makes major investments in behavioral health services for individuals in – or at risk of becoming involved in – the criminal justice system. SB22-196 , sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, implements recommendations from the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force by investing nearly $62 million in early intervention and diversion efforts to get individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders into needed treatment rather than getting involved in the criminal justice system. “For far too long, Colorado has tried to arrest and jail our way out of the behavioral health crisis, and it simply hasn’t worked,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales. “Criminalizing people with behavioral health needs is the most expensive and least effective way to provide mental health care services to the folks who need it most. I am proud of the approaches we take in SB22-196 to intentionally intervene, deflect, and divert people out of the criminal justice system in order to get them the behavioral health resources they need.” “This bill makes significant efforts in proven programs to help divert people with behavioral health needs from the criminal justice system and connect them with critical services,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon. “Putting people in jail who need treatment won’t help them get better. The legislation signed into law today is an effective way to reduce recidivism and help Coloradans receive the treatment they need.” “Far too many Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders are struggling in jail cells without proper care and treatment to get them back on their feet, and that is simply unacceptable,” said Sen. Pete Lee. “Jailing folks with behavioral health needs will only exacerbate their condition and lead to more recidivism, which is why this new law helps ensure these individuals get the treatment they need before they enter the criminal justice system in the first place.” “Colorado’s behavioral health crisis is critical, and it’s leading to more people who need treatment but are instead channeled into our criminal justice system where they don’t get the necessary services to get back on their feet,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez. “This new law will divert Coloradans away from the criminal justice system and toward treatment because we know that these strategies are effective at addressing the root causes and helping avoid recidivism.” Nearly $51 million of the funding in this bill will go toward the Early Intervention, Deflection, and Redirection from the Criminal Justice System Grant Program at the Department of Human Services to support community responses to behavioral health and mitigate individuals’ involvement with the criminal justice system related to their behavioral health needs. The bill also directs $3 million to the Department of Corrections to provide medication-assisted treatment to individuals in custody in FY22-23 & FY23-24; $4 million to Judicial Department for pretrial diversion programs; and $3.5 million to the Behavioral Information and Data-Sharing Program in the Department of Public Safety to enable counties to integrate their jail data system to exchange behavioral health information with the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System. Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2021 GOV SIGNS $50M FOR WORKFORCE PROGRAMS AND CRITICAL EDUCATION BILLS DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to provide a $50 million boost to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative to be allocated to institutions of higher education across the state. He also signed important education bills that will set Colorado on the path to creating a more equitable school finance formula, improve diversity in the educator workforce and protect borrowers with private higher education education loans. “As a refugee, I’ve seen first-hand in our communities how we can foster economic opportunity and success by helping workers learn new skills and complete postsecondary education programs,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This funding will offer more Coloradans the opportunity to enter or return to higher education initiatives. Colorado’s institutions of higher education and postsecondary degree programs have a critical role to play in our recovery to revitalize our workforce, support businesses looking for workers and help workers thrive. I’m also proud that Governor Polis signed my bill to help improve diversity in Colorado’s educator workforce so that more students have a teacher that reflects their background and experiences.” “With the legislature significantly increasing school funding and boosting resources for schools with more at-risk and underserved students, this has truly been a historic year for school finance in Colorado,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Colorado is going to take a thoughtful approach to make our school finance formula more equitable and really dig deep to see how we can better identify underserved students and students living in poverty and provide districts the funding they need to set every Colorado student up for success.” HB21-1330 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie and Naquetta Ricks, uses federal funds to provide a $50 million boost to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative to be allocated to institutions of higher education across the state. The funding will increase access to robust pathways for workers to obtain news skills, earn higher wages and be prepared for the in-demand careers of the future. The bill seeks to rebuild and revitalize the state’s workforce by supporting students to complete their postsecondary credentials. The funding boost will be used to reverse the significant decline in enrollment in public higher education institutions, high rates of job loss and continuing unemployment, and the overall disruption to the workforce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides $1.5 million in grant funding to school districts to increase the number of students who complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) student aid applications before graduating high school. HB21-1325, sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Leslie Herod, creates a bipartisan interim committee to recommend changes to the school finance formula. The legislature set aside $90 million in the State Education Fund for the committee to use to implement the changes they recommend. Under the law, the committee shall consider how to modernize the formula to make it more transparent, equitable and student-centered. It must also look at improved methods of identifying students living in poverty and how to appropriately address small, remote and rural district funding. HB21-1010 , sponsored by Representatives Naquetta Ricks and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, takes a significant step toward improving Colorado’s educator diversity by creating a workgroup that would research ways to recruit, prepare, and retain educators from diverse backgrounds and make further policy recommendations to the legislature. A diverse educator workforce that reflects the identities of the students they teach can have an important impact on learning. “Colorado students will be better prepared for success by having educators that identify with their personal experiences,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. “We know that there aren’t enough people of color teaching in Colorado, and this effort will help our state do better. I’m also excited that borrowers with private student loans will now have enhanced consumer protections that are equal to those for federal student loan borrowers.” “Student loans are crushing far too many Coloradans with burdensome debt and payments that they are struggling to make every month,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Today, we are bringing new consumer protections to the private student loan market in Colorado to help level the playing field, make higher education more attainable and provide new recourse to borrowers harmed by predatory practices.” SB21-057 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Matt Gray, provides protections – similar to the protections granted for federal loans – to students who take out private loans for postsecondary education. Statewide, Colorado borrowers currently owe $9.1 billion in private student loan debt and that number is growing as the private student loan market grows. High rates of debt accumulation, especially as the cost of college has risen, widens an already large intergenerational debt and wealth gap between families of color and white families. Previous Next

< Back October 30, 2022 Speaker Garnett and Majority Leader Esgar Statements on Passing of Minority Leader McKean DENVER, CO – House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today released the following statements on the passing of House Minority Leader Hugh McKean. Statement from Speaker Garnett: Emily and I are shocked and heartbroken by the passing of Minority Leader Hugh McKean. We will miss his kindness, the joy that he brought to the capitol every day, and the care that he showed every person he ever met. Hugh was the very definition of a statesman– a genuinely nice guy who always wanted the best for our state and his constituents. His integrity and the deep respect with which he treated every member of the House were a model for every lawmaker he worked with. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Democratic Caucus are with Leader McKean’s family and loved ones. Statement from Majority Leader Esgar: Heather and I join our entire caucus and every Coloradan in mourning the sudden passing of my friend and colleague Leader McKean. Hugh worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents and cared deeply about our state and our future. In our roles as Majority and Minority Leader, we worked closely together every day, with a shared commitment to doing the people’s work. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his loved ones and the House Republican Caucus. ### Previous Next

< Back March 14, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: HOUSE AND SENATE VOTE TO SUSPEND GENERAL ASSEMBLY DENVER, CO — The six members of the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council – House Speaker KC Becker, Senate President Leroy Garcia, House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, House Minority Leader Patrick Neville and Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, today released the following statements after the General Assembly voted to temporarily suspend the legislative session until March 30, 2020, in the interest of public health: “We have jointly decided to suspend the General Assembly in order to protect the public, our state employees and our colleagues. Medical experts have been clear that social distancing is the most important tool we have to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19,” said House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “We must lead by example to protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immuno-compromised. When it is appropriate or necessary, we will come back and continue the work our constituents elected us to do.” “Today we made an important bipartisan decision to protect the health & safety of state employees and the community at large,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo . “I am proud that we were able to come together and rise to the occasion in solidarity. This is an unprecedented time in recent history and the decision to recess our session is not one we take lightly. But participation in the process is foundational to our democracy and we will not do the people’s work without their critical input.” “This decision was made with the recognition that there is a moral high ground that we must always consider when we are faced with unprecedented situations and decisions such as this,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “ We are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with state agencies, public health experts and the governor. We will continue to be informed by expert opinions and science, and we are closely watching the actions and recommendations of other states and the federal government. “The important work being done at the Capitol depends on both legislators and the public. With that in mind, we feel that it is in the best interest of all Coloradans to recess the session until citizens can safely participate in their democracy,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “This is an incredibly solemn moment for our state and frankly, the world. So I am grateful that we are acting in unity during this difficult time.” “We are entering unprecedented territory. To ensure the safety of the public as well as the General Assembly, it is necessary to take a brief two-week recess,” said House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock. “The situation surrounding COVID-19 has changed dramatically in the last week. In two weeks, we will reconvene and reevaluate where our state stands. There is still work that must be done, so we hope and pray that the situation around this public health crisis improves and we can once again safely return to the Capitol and complete the work of the people.” “I appreciate the bipartisan cooperation we have had in crafting the resolution to recess,” said Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, R-Douglas County. “This crisis has reminded us that while legislators have an important role in our state government, our being in session is not critical to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s better that we adjourn and relieve the public of the burden of advocating for or against legislation at the Capitol until this crisis subsides.” On Thursday evening, the legislature announced its plan following the Governor’s emergency declaration. Previous Next

The House today advanced two bills to require continuity of health care coverage and expand presumptive eligibility to include long-term care. < Back March 18, 2024 Bills to Increase Health Care Accessibility Pass the House DENVER, CO - The House today advanced two bills to require continuity of health care coverage and expand presumptive eligibility to include long-term care. “When Coloradans are transitioning to a new health care plan, they can be at risk of losing continued access to their current provider,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB24-093. “This legislation improves access to health care by streamlining coverage for the treatment of serious medical conditions when a consumer is transitioning to a new health care plan. We’re ensuring that people can receive the care they need when they need it.” If a person is disenrolled from their health plan and begins receiving coverage from a new insurance provider for certain existing courses of treatment, SB24-093 would require the new provider to cover the treatment as in-network until the course of treatment is completed or for up to 90 days. Qualifying medical circumstances covered by the bill include serious and complex medical conditions, pregnancy, and terminal illness. After the coverage timeframes outlined in the bill have been reached, the new insurance provider would be able to conduct a utilization review to determine continued treatment or authorize additional treatment. SB24-093 passed by a vote of 48-15. “The time it takes to determine a Coloradan’s eligibility for long-term care can delay people with health care needs, like those with disabilities, from receiving the care they need,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1229. “This bill is crucial in streamlining and simplifying the eligibility process, so Coloradans can receive necessary and immediate health care that keeps them healthy.” Beginning January 1, 2026, HB24-1229 would remove the requirement for a level of care assessment before a person can access long-term services and supports by allowing the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to collect any information required for federal authorization. HB24-1229 passed by a vote of 63-0. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2020 PASSED! REP. KIPP’S BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGHER ED GETS HOUSE APPROVAL The House today passed Representative Cathy Kipp’s legislation to improve and expand the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) by a vote of 51-13. “COSI brings enormous value to our students and our communities through matched public and private funding,” said Rep. Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “Today we ensured that COSI will continue to help students, who need it most, all over the state to successfully attain higher degrees for years to come. When we support our students, we all benefit. So far we have helped 75,000 students, and we can’t wait to see how many more will succeed with the help of this program.” The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative seeks to address two primary challenges: the accessibility and affordability of higher education. It increases accessibility by funding programs that help prepare students for postsecondary education and which support them throughout their education. It increases affordability by providing tuition support for community scholarships so that tuition costs aren’t a barrier to attending a postsecondary institution. As of 2017 , $27.6 million in state funds has leveraged $28 million in local, private, philanthropic funds to support more than 75,000 Colorado students. Additionally, over 30 student support programs serve COSI students and more than 6,000 students received scholarship assistance. According to the program , 89 percent of students who receive COSI scholarships continue their education to the second and third years, which is 25 percent higher than their peers who have not received any support. Current statute limits COSI’s ability to adapt to best practices. SB20-006 , which is also sponsored by Representative Mark Baisley, R-Roxborough Park, would give the COSI Advisory Board the flexibility needed to support students and institutions so that every COSI scholar has the guidance and aid to persist and complete their education. The bill removes the 10 percent funding restriction for state agencies and nonprofits to provide student success support services so that more students can access these critical wraparound services. It also allows more government agencies to receive funding such as colleges in addition to community organizations and related foundations among other things. The bill passed the Senate on February 13 by a vote of 32-0. Previous Next

Two laws improve hospital reporting and price transparency to save Coloradans money < Back June 2, 2023 Bipartisan Health Care Transparency Bills Become Law Two laws improve hospital reporting and price transparency to save Coloradans money DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed two bipartisan bills into law to increase transparency in hospital reporting requirements and increase price transparency for health care services to save Colorado patients money. "Colorado Democrats have been committed to making health care more affordable for Coloradans, and this new law will improve hospital transparency requirements so we can build future policies that save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB23-1226. “Hospitals can move money around and between states, making it hard to know where profits are going and why the cost of care continues to increase faster than inflation. With this new law, we’ll have a more thorough understanding of Colorado hospitals’ cash flow so we can craft cost saving measures for patients and businesses.” “In the communities I represent in Western Colorado, affordable health care can be too hard to come by or impossible to find,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, sponsor of HB23-1226. “I’m proud of our bipartisan bill to enhance hospital financial transparency reporting, increase compliance, and collect data that will give us the best information possible to help inform new policies to improve health care administration and save Coloradans money.” HB23-1226 , also sponsored by Republicans Senator Perry Will and Representative Matt Soper, builds off of hospital transparency legislation also carried by Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy in 2019 to bolster price transparency and reduce health care costs. Under HB23-1226, hospitals will have to disclose an annual summary of the hospital’s transfers of cash, equity, investments, or other assets to and from related parties, a hospital-specific statement of cash flow, a narrative report of capital investments greater than 25 million dollars, the salary and total compensation of the top 5 highest paid administrative positions of each nonprofit hospital, and more. The transparency data will identify underlying drivers of high hospital costs and strengthen data collection on the financial health and performance of Colorado hospitals. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will have the power to apply corrective action plans or fines to hospitals that do not comply with data collection procedures. Hospitals will also be required to provide patients with a detailed list of billed services and the associated charges and disclose the patient’s right to receive more detailed information about the billed services. “Coloradans deserve to know what their medical bills will look like before going into treatment or surgery,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-252. “We’ve made great progress in our work to protect consumers and lower the costs of health care, but there’s still more we can do. It’s time to take the next step and increase medical price transparency so Coloradans aren’t blindsided with big bills after receiving care.” “Price transparency for health care services is critical so Colorado patients aren’t blindsided by large hospital bills that they have no choice but to pay,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB23-252. “This transparency law allows patients to budget for inpatient and outpatient care, surgery, and prescription drug costs so they can receive the care they need at a price they can expect. We’re building the federal transparency requirement into Colorado law, which will save patients money on health care.” SB23-252 was also sponsored by Republicans Senator Kevin Van Winkle and Representative Anthony Hartsook. In 2022, the General Assembly passed legislation to prohibit hospitals from pursuing debt collection action against a patient if the hospital failed to comply with federal hospital price transparency laws during the patient’s treatment. Under the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule, hospitals must publicly post standard charges and provide an out-of-pocket cost estimator tool for patients. This bill builds on the federal transparency requirements by having hospitals post their Medicare reimbursement rates and requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to conduct performance assessments on Colorado hospitals to check for compliance. Any violation under SB23-252 is a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act . Previous Next

Representative Meghan Lukens and House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon today released the following statements on the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee. < Back August 12, 2024 Cell Phone Connectivity Committee Explores Challenges and Opportunities DENVER, CO - Representative Meghan Lukens and House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon today released the following statements on the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee . The bipartisan interim committee is investigating cell phone connectivity issues in rural and historically underserved communities to craft legislation for the 2025 legislative session. Chair Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs: “Effective cell phone connectivity is essential for public safety, job growth, and quality of life in rural communities. This committee is hard at work digging deep into the root causes of connectivity issues in our state to address gaps in service, especially rural and mountainous communities. “During today’s meeting we engaged with industry experts, including a community panel, that outlined some of the struggles and challenges in underserved communities. As we develop ideas for legislation, I am committed to working toward a future where everyone in our state can confidently rely on their cell phone in an emergency.” Committee Member, Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver: “Cell phone connectivity provides peace of mind, yet for marginalized communities in both urban and rural areas, it has become increasingly difficult to rely on cell phones when you need them the most. We convened the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee to take a hard look at the gaps in cell phone coverage in our state, including areas most affected by unreliable coverage and the impacts on Coloradans. “Solving connectivity issues will not happen overnight; however, committees like this one allow us to engage with industry experts and those most affected as we work toward crafting future legislation that sets Colorado on a path to more reliable cell phone connectivity.” Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to recognize emergency communications specialists, also known as 911 operators, as first responders. < Back January 31, 2024 Lieder’s Bipartisan Bill to Boost Public Safety, Recognize 911 Operators as First Responders Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to recognize emergency communications specialists, also known as 911 operators, as first responders. HB24-1016, sponsored by Representative Sheila Lieder, passed committee unanimously. “911 professionals are a lifeline in the public safety system and work to provide critical resources to those in crisis,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “This important legislation would reclassify 911 operators as first responders to recognize their dedication and service to Coloradans. 911 operators are the first ones to connect with a person in crisis, and this bill recognizes their above-and-beyond efforts to streamline public safety in communities across the state.” HB24-1016 , also sponsored by Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would define emergency communications specialists as first responders. Specifically, this would include emergency communications specialists who receive, triage, process, transmit or dispatch emergency and non-emergency 911 calls for public safety services. This also includes those emergency communications specialists who provide resources to field responders or emergency medical dispatch. Previous Next

Today Senate and House Leadership and Education Committee Chairs released statements following the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold up to $70 million in K-12 funding for Colorado schools – which had been previously appropriated by Congress for the 2025-2026 school year. < Back July 2, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership, Education Chairs Release Statements on Trump Withholding $70 Million from Colorado K-12 Schools DENVER, CO – Today Senate and House Leadership and Education Committee Chairs released statements following the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold up to $70 million in K-12 funding for Colorado schools – which had been previously appropriated by Congress for the 2025-2026 school year. In a letter to superintendents, Colorado Commissioner of Education Susana Cordova warned districts to “engage in contingency planning in the event that Colorado does not receive allocations by the close of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.” Earlier this year, Democrats passed legislation to create the Colorado Defense Fund and set aside $4 million to protect Colorado’s interests from federal efforts to freeze funding, halt contracts, or otherwise disrupt essential services for Coloradans. “This latest move by the Trump Administration is sending our school districts into financial panic. In Colorado, we worked together to sustainability and strategically increase public school funding,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “However, without these federal dollars, our schools, especially in rural and underserved areas, will be forced to lay off teachers and staff. The Department of Education isn’t just withholding competitive grants; they’re withholding dollars already set aside by Congress for the 2025-2026 school year. We cannot let this happen. I urge the Trump Administration to restore the funding so our school districts can continue to meet the needs of our students.” “Coloradans pay our share in federal taxes, and in return, our public schools rely on federal funding,” said President James Coleman, D-Denver. “The Trump Administration is withholding millions of already allocated dollars that have been budgeted for teacher training, afterschool and summer programs, and students learning English. Politics should never stand in the way of supporting our kids and their future.” “Public education is the cornerstone of a strong community, and we need these federal dollars working for our students in Colorado, not tied up in Washington D.C.,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “In Colorado, we stand up for our students and teachers. This is just another attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle our education systems and withhold federal funding from school districts and devoted educators, like my mom, who worked as a special education and bilingual teacher for years.” “The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold tens of millions of dollars of funding for students and teachers will devastate districts’ budgets that they just finalized,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “These programs – like after school care and English language learning programs – support some of our most vulnerable students and are critical to their future success and opportunity. This funding must be released and sent to schools as previously promised – it’s what Colorado students and teachers deserve.” “In Colorado, funding our schools is bipartisan, but this federal funding freeze will set our rural and underserved districts back,” said Chair of the House Education Committee Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “As a teacher, I know we are used to doing more with less, but this move jeopardizes funding for the upcoming school year for certain after-school programs and specialized support for students living with disabilities, and English Language Learners. Colorado needs this funding so our students can succeed in the classroom.” “This federal funding for K-12 schools was already appropriated and approved by Congress, but now Trump is withholding these critical dollars because we’re not kowtowing to his agenda,” said Chair of the Senate Education Committee Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “We have worked hard to support our students, schools, and teachers by boosting per pupil funding and creating the Kids Matter Fund, but school districts need the federal funding that was promised to them to make ends meet for this coming school year. The US Department of Education must release these funds and make things right for Colorado kids.” Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English on a preliminary vote that would help Coloradans receive the care they need by addressing gaps in crisis response resources. < Back March 12, 2025 Bill to Improve Colorado’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English on a preliminary vote that would help Coloradans receive the care they need by addressing gaps in crisis response resources . “All Coloradans benefit when our communities have the tools they need to provide life-saving behavioral health care,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “This legislation seeks to improve responses to behavioral health crises by facilitating collaboration between communities and behavioral health professionals, increasing inpatient care, and identifying areas of improvement. With our bipartisan solution, more Coloradans can benefit from the evidence-based treatment and resources that they deserve.” SB25-042 , also sponsored by Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, would help people experiencing a behavioral health crisis access care by extending inpatient mental health care coverage, compiling resources on effective crisis response programs, and collecting and reporting data on existing gaps. The bill would increase the number of covered days for inpatient mental health care from 15 to 60 and ensure that no one is prematurely discharged from an emergency mental health hold until they no longer meet the criteria for the hold. The bill would also direct the Department of Public Safety and the Behavioral Health Administration to convene a stakeholder group to identify existing resources and programs and compile and publish information on existing crisis response programs including alternative, mobile, and co-responder programs. The stakeholders must consult with representatives from communities that have existing resources and programs, behavioral health safety net providers, and community programs like domestic violence programs, substance use treatment providers, and law enforcement agencies. Lastly, the bill would require the Behavioral Health Administration to report on shortages and gaps within the continuum of care and funding opportunities. Previous Next