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Legislation aims to improve accountability under current law < Back May 3, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Safe Housing for Residential Tenants Bill Becomes Law Legislation aims to improve accountability under current law DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed into law legislation that updates existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. Colorado’s “warranty of habitability” law requires landlords to maintain a minimum standard of housing – however, in practice most renters suffering from unsafe living conditions haven’t received the repairs they need due to easily-exploited loopholes in the law. SB24-094 , sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, updates existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. “We have a Warranty of Habitability standard in Colorado to make sure our communities are living in safe housing, but unfortunately the law is not working as intended,” said Gonzales. “I hear from constituents suffering from unsafe conditions who are not able to get the issue fixed and don’t have access to any other relief- everything from infestations, no heating or cooling for extended periods of time, and fear and intimidation tactics that prevent tenants from taking action. It is beyond time for us to update and clarify the statute, and I’m thankful to see this bill get signed into law today.” “Every renter deserves for their home to be a safe place to live, yet loopholes in our tenant laws have left Coloradans in dangerous living situations,” said Lindsay. “These unsafe living situations negatively impact the health and safety of renters, and our current laws fail to hold landlords accountable for providing necessary repairs. With our new law, we’re clarifying our Warranty of Habitability laws to protect Colorado renters and ensure their right to safe and healthy housing.” “Loopholes in existing law are keeping Coloradans in unsafe living conditions, such as homes with mold, sewage leaks, or rodent infestations,” Exum said. “It’s time for Colorado to update these standards so tenants can have secure housing that is better suited to live, work, or raise a family.” “From broken elevators to no access to running water, Colorado renters have struggled with ongoing maintenance issues that make it difficult for families, elders, and Coloradans with a disability to live their day-to-day lives,” said Froelich. “No one should be forced to deal with these living situations. Our law will ensure that renters have the right to timely repairs for mold, vermin, sewage leaks, and other serious issues to avoid preventable housing-related health conditions.” SB24-094 modifies existing warranty of habitability laws by: Closing the timeframe loophole by setting deadlines for a landlord to complete necessary repairs: 14 days for many issues and seven days for more serious conditions that deal with life, safety, or health. Ensuring that notice of health or safety issues can be given to the landlord in many forms and clarifying that if a lease allows verbal notice, landlords are legally responsible for taking appropriate action once the verbal notice is given. Clarifying the process for arranging alternative lodging pending the completion of a necessary repair. Updating policies that allow for appropriate cooling in extreme heat, like ensuring landlords fix cooling units when they break, and allowing tenants to install their own cooling devices. Clarifying the current process by which a tenant may pursue a court order demanding compliance with the law or otherwise seek monetary damages. Additional changes include updating the civil process initiated by landlords or tenants regarding breaches, prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants, and provisions focused on children, older adults, and those with disabilities. Previous Next

< Back Javier Mabrey Chair of the Judiciary Committee Representative Javier Mabrey was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives for his first term in office on November 8, 2022. He is the representative for Colorado House District 1, which encompasses Denver’s southwestern neighborhoods. He serves as the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the Business Affairs & Labor Committee during the legislative session, and the Committee on Legal Services year round. Javier's mother raised Javier and his brother Thomas on her own in south Denver, and her only source of income was her social security disability check. Javier and his family know what it means to struggle, to rely on food banks, and eventually face homelessness. Javier dropped out of high school after his family dealt with housing instability and homelessness. He went back to school to become an advocate for families like his. He worked his way through community college washing dishes and delivering pizzas before going to Berkeley Law School to pursue a career representing tenants facing eviction. After law school, Javier helped found a non-profit focused on keeping Coloradans in their homes. Since 2020, Javier's organization has represented thousands of Coloradans facing eviction and successfully advocated for significant policy changes to help renters in Colorado. He now works as an eviction defense attorney and community organizer. Rep. Mabrey has continued his work to address Colorado’s housing crisis by carrying legislation that increases habitability requirements for rental properties to protect tenants from living in a housing unit that may cause negative impacts to their health. He has also successfully passed policy to address gun violence and the rising cost of health care by passing legislation that caps the price of a 2-pack of EpiPens at $60 and allows gun violence victims to seek accountability in court.

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Regina English and Junie Joseph that would make certain civil legal services more accessible and affordable to Coloradans. The bill passed by a vote of 62-2. < Back March 4, 2024 Legal Representation Equity Bill Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Regina English and Junie Joseph that would make certain civil legal services more accessible and affordable to Coloradans. The bill passed by a vote of 62-2. “Legal services like legal separations can be costly, especially when attorney fees get added to the bill,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. "Our legislation would codify into Colorado law that licensed legal paraprofessionals can perform certain civil services, making legal access more equitable for low-income Coloradans, seniors, people with disabilities, and other communities that can’t easily afford these services.” “Money should not stand in the way of someone accessing the legal services they need to move forward in life,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. "By allowing licensed legal paraprofessionals to practice a limited scope of law, our legislation ensures that more Coloradans, regardless of their economic status, can access legal representation for important life-changing matters.” In March 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court adopted a rule change that would allow legal paraprofessionals to apply for a license enabling them to represent clients in some civil matters. HB24-1291 would codify the regulation of licensed legal paraprofessionals into Colorado law. Under the bill, a licensed legal paraprofessional would be able to represent a client in: A legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage, or dissolution of marriage or civil union, A matter involving the establishment or modification of child support or maintenance, Seeking, modifying, or terminating a civil protection order, A name change, and A request to amend a birth certificate to change the sex designation of an adult. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation that would eliminate administrative court fees for justice-involved juveniles and their families. HB25-1294, sponsored by Representatives Jamie Jackson and Junie Joseph, passed by a vote of 41-23. < Back March 31, 2025 House Passes Bill to Eliminate Court Fees for Youth, Reduce Recidivism DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would eliminate administrative court fees for justice-involved juveniles and their families. HB25-1294, sponsored by Representatives Jamie Jackson and Junie Joseph, passed by a vote of 41-23. “People of color and low-income communities are disproportionately more likely to be involved in the justice system, and excessive fees make it increasingly difficult for them to break cycles of incarceration,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Eliminating administrative fees helps make Colorado’s juvenile justice system more equitable so we can set up Colorado youth for success.” “This legislation helps reduce youth recidivism and financial burdens on Colorado families,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Our bill builds off a bipartisan law to eliminate certain court fees that can be debilitating for justice-involved youth and their families. This is one step we can take to create a more equitable justice system and make our communities safer for all.” The Colorado General Assembly passed a 2021 law to ban certain court fees and fines for juveniles who are in the juvenile justice system and their families. It also removed outstanding juvenile fee debt. The law is set to be repealed on June 30, 2025. HB25-1294 makes this law permanent to save Colorado youth and their families money on court fees. The bill would continue to eliminate fees, surcharges, and costs such as late penalty fees, prosecution costs and fees related to community service. Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2020 HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION TO ALLOW REMOTE VOTING DENVER, CO — The House today passed a resolution, sponsored by Majority Leader Alec Garnett and Reps. Adrienne Benavidez and Brianna Titone, to allow the Speaker to change House rules to allow for remote participation in the House during a declared public health disaster emergency. The measure would allow Representatives who are at high-risk of severe complications from COVID-19 to represent their constituents without risking their lives. The resolution passed by a vote of 38-24. “As we return to the legislature, House Democrats are focused on taking responsible steps to get our state and our economy back on track,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This resolution will allow members who have serious public health concerns to perform the duties of their office without putting their lives at risk, and I’m proud to see it pass today.” “Democracy can not be put on hold, even during a pandemic,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Brighton. “The voters knew what they were doing when they chose their Representatives, and their decision must be respected by this chamber by allowing them to participate without risking their lives. This resolution will allow for exactly that.” “Unprecedented times call for innovative solutions, and that’s exactly what this resolution represents,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Remote participation will allow lawmakers to represent their communities without risking their lives so we can responsibly pass legislation that helps Coloradans get back to work safely, supports hardworking families and small businesses, and protects our communities.” HR20-1002 authorizes the Speaker of the House to promulgate regulations to allow members of the House to participate remotely in the legislative proceedings of the House in the event of a declared public health emergency. It does not allow for a rule change that would enable participation in committees. Under this resolution, members participating remotely would be counted as being physically present during House proceedings and any action taken by a member participating remotely has the same legal effect as if the member were physically present. At least 15 other states have passed resolutions allowing for remote legislative participation, and several more have authorized changes in legislative proceedings in response to COVID-19. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Froelich: Keeping the Craig coal power plant open will only hurt Colorado rate payers Jan 8, 2026 See more This op-ed was originally published in the Denver Post here . The president’s eleventh hour executive order to keep the coal-fired Unit 1 at the Craig Station in operation is the combination of this administration’s signature way of governing: disregard for science, climate change denial, dismissal of economic impact to rate-payers, misunderstanding of history, attempts to roll back progress, and overall imperiousness. Unit 1 was on track to cease operations at the end of 2025. While this was a win for the public health and the environment, the five utilities that own it had decided in 2016 that the cheapest option was to retire and replace the aging plant. In the decade since utilities decided to retire Craig 1, they have been busy building new resources to replace the plant. Our Colorado health and safety, as well as affordability of power for consumers, is dependent on making steady progress towards our clean energy goals: retiring dirty and expensive coal plants and moving towards a clean, breathable future. Colorado has transition plans in place that have been negotiated with our utilities, environmental advocates, workers, and residents. The Public Utilities Commission’s decisions and the energy-generation plans of our utilities are carefully considered to take into account the costs to rate-payers, just transitions for workers, and the necessary steps towards a clean energy future. The Trump Administration doesn’t appear to care about any of that. As with the recent similarly ill-conceived and heavy-handed veto of the Arkansas Valley Conduit clean water project funding, Trump prioritizes superficial, punitive, Executive actions. All of us suffer from his callousness and idiocy whether our Congresspeople are from his party or not, whether we voted for him or not. Our beautiful Colorado air, land and water must be protected. Our children don’t deserve record asthma rates, our residents deserve clean drinking water, and our outdoor enthusiasts deserve safe recreation. Trump’s actions are not well thought-out, careful policy decisions. From dismantling scientific research institutions in Colorado to increasing our utility rates, his revenge tour will have real impacts on people’s lives, including those who voted for him. It is worth noting that Venezuelan crude oil will not lower energy costs. We are years away from having the capacity to refine this very heavy, dirty petroleum and we do not use oil to power our electric grid. Our environmental organizations have sought legal recourse and will continue to do so. As Legislators we will also continue to protect our State from his disastrous whims. Meg Froelich is a state representative in the Colorado General Assembly and Mike Weissman is a state senator. Previous Next

SB23-190 would protect patients by prohibiting deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers and unproven so-called “medication abortion reversal” < Back March 30, 2023 House Advances Bill to Prohibit Deceptive Practices at Anti-Abortion Centers SB23-190 would protect patients by prohibiting deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers and unproven so-called “medication abortion reversal” DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to protect those seeking reproductive health care by prohibiting the use of deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers (AACs). Part of the Safe Access to Protected Health Care legislative package, SB23-190 cracks down on AACs, also known as crisis pregnancy centers, posing as comprehensive reproductive health care clinics that mislead patients seeking abortion care. "This legislation will protect patients seeking reproductive health care from deceitful, misleading practices touted by anti-abortion centers,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “AACs are known to use deceptive advertising to lure patients in under the guise that they offer the full range of reproductive health care when they do not. These practices put patients at risk, limit their access to care and mislead patients about the so-called ‘medication abortion reversal’ which is medically unethical and unproven. Patients across Colorado deserve access to honest, factual medical information so they can make informed decisions about their own reproductive health care.” “In Colorado, we support your fundamental right to the full scope of reproductive health care, including abortion,” said Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver. “Abortion is legal, but legality doesn’t equal equitable access. Our most marginalized communities are disproportionately targeted by the deceptive advertising practices some anti-abortion centers showcase. There is no room for misinformation or deception when you are seeking medical care, and our legislation makes sure AACs are open and honest about the type of care they provide.” Prohibiting Deceptive Practices at Anti-Abortion Centers: SB23-190 would make it a deceptive trade practice to share information or advertise providing abortion care, emergency contraceptives or for referrals of either of these services when the service is not actually provided. This bill also clarifies that the administration of a “medical abortion reversal” by a health care profession is unprofessional and will be subject to discipline. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes “medication abortion reversal” as “unproven and unethical,” and explains that “claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards'' of care. Earlier this legislative session, Colorado Democrats on the House Health and Insurance Committee defeated HB23-1150 which would have required physicians and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to spread and maintain information about the so-called “medication abortion reversal”. AACs particularly target locations that may lack a comprehensive clinic, often posting Spanish-language billboards in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations and offering free services, such as ultrasounds and counseling, to low-income communities. In Colorado, AACs outnumber abortion-providing clinics 51 to 20 . Anti-abortion centers are the on-the-ground presence of the national anti-abortion movement, posing as comprehensive reproductive health care clinics to intercept patients seeking abortion care, provide false information, and prevent people from seeking abortions. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2019 GOV SIGNS SINGER-DURAN FOSTER SIBLINGS BILL OF RIGHTS (May 20) – Gov. Jared Polis signed a bipartisan bill today sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer and Rep. Monica Duran that outlines protections for siblings when they are placed in foster care passed unanimously out of the House. “Siblings share a special, lifelong bond often being each others’ first friends, and foster care should not change people’s status as siblings,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont . “These kids are survivors of abuse and have done nothing wrong. This bill says we should do everything in our power to keep siblings connected to each other.” HB19-1288 strongly emphasizes the importance of the sibling relationship to youth in foster care. It outlines protections that siblings should receive, such as placing siblings together, having regular contact and communication, and having their relationship encouraged despite their involvement in the foster care system. “Many studies have shown that relationships with siblings benefit their emotional and mental well-being,” said Rep. Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This new law was brought to us by foster youth who got through the horrible experience of being ripped away from their siblings. We need to keep these kids together and avoid any further mental trauma to them.” Previous Next

< Back Manny Rutinel Representative Rutinel is an environmental attorney, entrepreneur, first-generation American, and the proud son of a single mother. He represents House District 32, which includes the great people of Commerce City, Welby, and other unincorporated areas of Adams County. Rep. Rutinel's priorities are environmental justice, affordability, and civil rights. Rep. Rutinel received his J.D. from Yale Law School. After law school, he was an Attorney for Earthjustice, fighting to hold corporate polluters accountable. Before law school, Rep. Rutinel was an economist for the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he also served as a First Responder in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. He holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Florida. He serves as a member of the House Energy & Environment Committee.

< Back February 5, 2019 HOUSE PASSES BUENTELLO-KIPP BILL TO INCLUDE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GRADUATION RATES Bill headed to Senate following 62-0 vote (Feb. 5) – The House overwhelmingly approved Rep. Bri Buentello and Rep. Cathy Kipp’s bill to require Colorado schools to count students who are enrolled in special education and who complete the minimum graduation requirements in state-and-local high school graduation rates. “Every student across Colorado deserves to be counted when they complete high school,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo. “We shouldn’t punish school districts and this bill would allow for students like my son, who is on the autism spectrum, to be counted toward the graduation rate.” Currently, special education students who have met the minimum graduation requirements, but who will continue receiving transition services in a district, do not count towards the school and district’s graduation rates until they leave the system. “This straightforward bill will help school districts and students alike,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “We will continue working to ensure our students and schools are given every opportunity to succeed.” Rep. Kipp is a former member of the Poudre School District Board of Education. HB19-1066 was approved on a vote of 62-0. The bill now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2021 COLORADO PROUD GETS A BOOST DENVER, CO– The House Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee today passed legislation by a vote of 11-0 to help Colorado agriculture producers increase sales in markets across the globe. “CO Proud promotes buying locally grown, raised, and processed food and Rural agricultural products. It teaches and educates consumers that when they buy Colorado Proud they are receiving high-quality fresh products and helping Colorado’s economy, farmers, ranchers, greenhouses, manufacturers and processors. Colorado Proud has helped our state’s agriculture producers sell their products all across Colorado, the US and the world,” said Rep Donald Valdez, D- La Jara. “This bill is going to help rural Colorado recover faster from the pandemic and build back stronger. I’m proud that we were able to come together in a bipartisan way to give Colorado Proud a boost and help our farmers sell their goods in markets all across the globe.” Colorado’s robust agricultural sector has been the backbone of our economy for decades, and the pandemic has burdened the industry with unique challenges that require additional resources to overcome. To accelerate the economic recovery of our agricultural and rural communities, SB21-203 , which is sponsored by Representatives Donald Valdez and Rod Pelton, provides $2.5 million to the Department of Agriculture for the Colorado Proud program. Colorado Proud provides new opportunities for Colorado’s food and agricultural producers to increase sales globally and helps support the growth and resiliency of Colorado food systems. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2019 GOV POLIS SIGNS BIPARTISAN BUDGET FOR ALL (Apr. 18) – Gov. Jared Polis signed the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, which begins on July 1, 2019. Democrats are putting forth a budget that makes historic investments in education and transportation. This budget responsibly manages taxpayer dollars, increases per-pupil funding by $327, and secures more than $300 million for transportation funding. “I want to thank the members of the JBC for all the work they’ve put into writing this fiscally responsible, forward-thinking budget that delivers on our priorities,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “I’m proud that our transparent process and hard work has brought us to this moment and to a budget that will lead us to a strong economic future.” “I’m proud of the bipartisan, responsible budget my colleagues and I presented and worked together to pass. I worked to bring a Southern Colorado perspective – a Pueblo perspective – to the state capitol and this process,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar of Pueblo and vice-chair of the Joint Budget Committee. “This budget reflects Colorado’s values and with it we are supporting hardworking people and giving them the tools they need to get ahead.” “I could not be more proud of the balanced and bipartisan budget that we have laid out for Colorado’s future,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This budget is proof that we can work together to pass a financial blueprint for our state that invests in important priorities like education and transportation while making sure we have the means to afford these investments in the long run.” “Coloradans should all be proud of this carefully balanced and comprehensive budget,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. “While some in Washington push divisive and economically destructive trade wars, my colleagues and I put forth a budget that makes historic, bipartisan investments in education, transportation and finally ensures kids and parents have access to full-day kindergarten.” The budget secures $300 million for transportation funding and increases K-12 education funding by $325.9 million dollars, including $175 million dollars to implement full-day kindergarten and an additional $77 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor. The budget also makes critical investments to help lower the cost of healthcare and help Coloradans achieve greater economic security. The budget also invests $10 million in the water plan and $171 million in capital investments. The FY19-20 Colorado State Budget passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 41-to-22 and passed the Senate by a vote of 25-to-7. For more information about the budget, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-207 Previous Next