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Colorado Democrats worked hard to reduce property taxes and support hardworking families < Back Rep. Tisha Mauro: Delivering for Coloradans: A post special session debrief Dec 17, 2023 See more This op-ed was published in the Pueblo Chieftain on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Rising property values have led to many Coloradans facing unaffordable property taxes, especially for those on fixed incomes and our most vulnerable communities. In Pueblo, residential home values have risen nearly 40% . During our four day special session in mid-November, Colorado Democrats delivered short-term, residential property tax relief while protecting funding for schools, fire districts and libraries and without using any of the state’s TABOR surplus that must be refunded to taxpayers. Overall, this new law provides more than $430 million in residential property tax relief. Specifically, we increased the property value exemption for multifamily and single family residential properties from $15,000 to $55,000 and decreased the residential assessment rate from 6.76% to 6.7% for the 2023 tax year. This means that you can now deduct $55,000 right off the top of your home’s value before the application of the newly lowered residential assessment rate and local mill levies. For a residential property worth $350,000 – slightly higher than the median home value in Pueblo – a homeowner will save $246 on their property taxes. This is in addition to $200 in cost savings from bipartisan legislation passed in the last two years to address rising property taxes ( SB22-238 and SB21-293 ) for a total of $446 of property tax savings for 2023 from legislation passed at the state capitol. While immediate property tax relief took center stage, we also championed legislation to develop more long-term, robust property tax solutions. The Commission on Property Tax will be composed of legislators, a property tax administrator and different local government and community leaders to map out long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. In addition to property tax relief, the legislature also ramped up support for hardworking families. After paying rent, groceries and gas, we know many Coloradans’ budgets are squeezed. As we continue to tackle our state’s affordability crisis, three more bills we passed during the special session will put more money back into the pockets of families who need it the most. SB23B-003 increases TABOR refunds for hardworking Coloradans by issuing refunds in equal amounts of $800 per single filer or $1,600 for joint filers for all tax filers. If we had not taken action, the wealthiest Coloradans would have gotten much larger refunds, and the rest of us would have gotten less. Under this new law, nearly 60% of Coloradans and everyone making under $100,000 will receive a larger refund. In Pueblo, nearly 90% of our residents will receive a larger TABOR refund, which taxpayers will see added to their state tax refund this spring., Colorado Democrats also doubled tax relief for low-income working families to 50% of the federal earned income tax credit, which will provide $185 million in targeted tax relief to low-and-moderate income Colorado families. Nearly half of Pueblo’s population could be eligible for this increased tax relief. To make sure vulnerable children don’t go without food this summer, we also ensured access to an additional $35 million in federal funds to expand the Electronic Benefits Transfer program, which helps families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during summer months when child hunger is the most severe. Eligible Colorado families will receive $40 per child per month beginning in 2024. As evictions across our state rise, the need for emergency rental assistance is more dire than ever before. Emergency rental assistance works in two ways – it protects landlords from financial losses and prevents Coloradans from losing their homes. Coloradans facing eviction often have nowhere else to turn which leads to cycles of poverty, homelessness and myriad other life disruptions. During the special session, we stepped up to invest $30 million into emergency rental assistance, raising statewide assistance to $65 million this year. From Grand Junction to Denver and Pueblo and Fort Morgan, Coloradans statewide on the brink of eviction or late on their rent can take advantage of emergency financial assistance. We know this law will keep thousands of Coloradans housed in their communities and help many get back on their feet. Together, Colorado Democrats worked hard to champion thoughtful, impactful legislation that prioritizes our hardworking families while providing much needed property tax relief now. With the 2024 legislative session on the horizon, we are already gearing up, preparing legislation and working alongside community members to bring forward new ideas that will make Colorado a more affordable place for everyone to call home. Representative Tisha Mauro represents House District 46 which spans the majority of Pueblo County, including Avondale, Beulah, Colorado City and Rye. Previous Next

< Back November 1, 2021 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS OF COLORADO CO-CHAIRS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTUS SB8 ORAL ARGUMENTS DENVER, CO– Representatives Lisa Cutter and Monica Duran, the Co-Chairs of the Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado, today released the following statement on the US Supreme Court hearing on SB8, the Texas law that will ban abortions as soon as six weeks–before many women know they are pregnant: “While we strongly believe the Supreme Court should have stopped this anti-woman law from going into effect weeks ago, we hope the justices will do the right thing after hearing today’s oral arguments and put an end to this discriminatory policy. As Chairs of the Women’s Caucus, we will keep working to ensure that Colorado respects the rights of women and guarantees access to a full range of reproductive health care options, including abortion. While Texas uses SB8 as another way to suppress, control, and shame women over their healthcare choices, Colorado will safeguard women’s autonomy, privacy, and fundamental rights.” Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey that would protect individuals from being financially responsible for costs associated with rental agreements due to the death of a loved one. < Back March 4, 2025 Bipartisan Bill Prevents Landlords From Going After Family Members When Someone Dies DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey that would protect individuals from being financially responsible for costs associated with rental agreements due to the death of a loved one. “I’m excited that we passed our bipartisan bill to prohibit landlords from charging family members for damages and fees for early lease terminations due to a tenant’s death,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “When someone is grieving the loss of their loved one, they shouldn’t be on the hook for covering outstanding costs associated with the deceased’s rental agreement. This legislation helps protect Coloradans by preventing landlords from collecting thousands of dollars in fees and future rent payments after the death of a family member.” HB25-1108 , known as “Letty’s Act”, would prohibit a rental agreement from requiring a person to pay for certain costs if a rental agreement is terminated due to the death of a tenant. These costs include liquidated damages, rent payments for a period that is beyond the end of the month or more than ten business days after the unit is vacated, and the landlord is provided notice, or fees, damages, or penalties associated with an early termination of the rental agreement. A 2024 CBS story reported that a family was charged over $4,000 in fees and rent after their loved one died in her apartment, claiming that the death of the tenant meant that she broke her lease early. HB25-1108, also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, passed by a vote of 53-9. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILLS TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS More than one million Coloradans experience mental health or a substance use crisis each year (Apr. 26) – The House approved two bills today that expand services to people recovering from opioid addiction. HB19-1287 passed on second reading. The bill is a product of the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee. “There are real barriers for people who are seeking treatment and want to be in recovery. This bill will give them the tools to overcome these barriers,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “ Many individuals encounter barriers when trying to access treatment to overcome their addiction. This bill puts a system in place that is ready to help people, a system to help them navigate treatment and recovery options and a system that works for everyone involved.” HB19-1287 directs the Department of Human Services to implement a web-based tracking system to track available treatment capacity at behavioral health facilities and at programs for medication-assisted treatment and medical detoxification for substance use disorders. This bill also directs the Department of Human Services to implement a care navigation system to assist individuals to obtain access to treatment for substance use disorders, including medical detoxification and residential and inpatient treatment Lastly, the bill creates a grant program for substance use disorder treatment in underserved communities to provide services in rural and frontier communities, prioritizing areas of the state that are unserved or underserved. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 57-6. The House also passed HB19-1009 sponsored by Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, and Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont. “This bill is focused on people who are going through substance use recovery and they are at the end of that spectrum,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Through this, we are trying to reintegrate them back into the community and this gets rids of the barriers they face, such as access to housing.” This bill improves support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders by expanding housing assistance for people transitioning out of treatment, increasing oversight of recovery residences to ensure high quality care, and investing in recovery services for people who have sought care and treatment. “The majority of people with a substance use disorder are currently in recovery today. Supporting recovery is the right thing to do, costing the state far less in the long run,” said Rep. Singer. “This will play a huge role in ending the opioid crisis.” HB19-1009 passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be given at a later date. Previous Next

< Back February 21, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES MCCLUSKIE BILL TO NOTIFY STATE EMPLOYEES OF LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS Bill sails through committee 12-0 (Feb. 21) — The House Education committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon to notify state employees of their eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. “When we see that only one percent of eligible employees are using this program, we know that something isn’t right,” said Rep. McCluskie. “By increasing enrollment into this program, this no-cost, commonsense solution will help ease the student debt burden for tens of thousands of public employees.” The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is designed to support employees working in public service fields by forgiving the remaining balance of a borrower’s federal loans after they’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working for an eligible employer. Eligible employment includes jobs in government, military, law enforcement, public health and service, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and more. SB19-057 directs the Department of Personnel to distribute informational materials regarding the loan forgiveness program to eligible employees in the state so that they can enroll. The bill passed the committee 12-0 and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back March 3, 2020 COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO ENABLE MEDICAID MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN CLINICAL TRIALS Legislation would require Medicaid to cover the additional health care services necessary for clinical trial participation DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Health and Insurance today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Larry Liston to facilitate participation in clinical trials for Medicaid members. HB20-1232 passed by a vote of 10-0. “We need the makeup of our clinical trials to reflect the makeup of our communities,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Not only will this bill ensure Colorado’s clinical trial data is more accurate and applicable to a broader population, it will go a long way towards guaranteeing health equity in our state. Ensuring that the more than one million Coloradans on Medicaid can participate in clinical trials is good for them, for their families, and for Colorado as a whole.” Clinical trials are often the only treatment available for some conditions, but under current law, Medicaid participants face nearly impossible barriers to participate. When patients participate in clinical trials, the drug manufacturers cover all of the costs of the treatment, but do not cover the costs of health services necessary to participate, such as laboratory tests or physician follow up visits. HB20-1232 allows Medicaid patients to have their routine costs of care covered while they are participating in a clinical trial. Both private insurers and Medicare are already required to cover these services, but Colorado law doesn’t specifically require Medicaid to cover them. Inclusion of diverse participants is necessary to gather appropriate clinical trial data, and enrollment in clinical trials is particularly low among racial and ethnic minority patients as well as rural patients who make up a large portion of Colorado’s Medicaid beneficiaries. Guaranteeing coverage when Medicaid patients choose to participate in trials will help encourage participation of these underrepresented groups and will help to establish equal access to care for all Coloradans. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. HB25-1010 passed by a vote of 38-24, with no House Republicans voting in support of the bill. < Back March 10, 2025 House Democrats Save Coloradans Money by Cracking Down on Price Gouging DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. HB25-1010 passed by a vote of 38-24, with no House Republicans voting in support of the bill. “Price gouging hurts hardworking Coloradans and mom-and-pop businesses, which is why I’m sponsoring this legislation that will hold bad actors accountable,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent, and as a mom to three young children, I have personally felt the pressure facing so many of our Colorado families. By passing this legislation in the House today, Colorado Democrats are standing up against corporate price gouging to reduce the cost of everyday necessities.” “With corporate greed and profits driving prices higher on groceries and everyday necessities, Colorado Democrats are taking action to stop price gouging and save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “While the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and supply chain issues have impacted prices, bad acting corporations have taken advantage of these factors to jack up prices just to increase their profits. As Republicans in the legislature side with wealthy corporations, our majority is tackling the rising cost of living, putting an end to corporate price gouging, and making Colorado a more affordable place to live for all.” HB25-1010 would prohibit price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries during a market disruption. In this bill, price gouging is defined as a price increase of 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good during a declared disaster. A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Colorado Democrats passed a 2024 law , also sponsored by Rep. Brown, to prevent price gouging on rent after a natural disaster. The law was inspired after rents skyrocketed for Coloradans who lost their homes after the Marshall Fire, pricing vulnerable Coloradans out of their communities. Another law created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to limit Big Pharma price gouging of life-saving prescription drugs, helping lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2019 GRAY & JAQUEZ LEWIS ELECTRIC VEHICLE BILL ON THE MOVE Bill will help consumers and reduce carbon pollution emissions (Feb. 25) – The House Energy and Environment committee approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, that would extend the Electric Vehicle tax credit from 2022 to 2025 as it is currently set to expire in 2021. “We need to usher these vehicles at a time where they are the rule, not the exception,” said Rep. Gray. “We need to make sure we are supporting these vehicles, getting more of them on the road, and making a cleaner future for our state.” The state innovative motor vehicle income tax credit is intended to reduce the cost of alternative fuel vehicles and incentivize their purchase. This tax credit is especially accessible because customers may work with the auto dealer to receive the tax credit immediately at the time of purchase. Colorado is widely considered to be one of the best states to buy an electric vehicle. “The next several years are a critical time for the adoption of cleaner vehicles. The irrefutable scientific data says we must act now. More people driving cleaner cars will lead to cleaner air, improve public health and help protect our Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis. “This bill extends the innovative motor vehicle tax credits for the cleanest vehicles on the market. More Coloradans will be able to purchase or lease these vehicles and our communities will benefit from this growing technology.” 2018 was the fourth-hottest year on record and the five hottest years on record occurred in the past five years. Cars and trucks account for one-fifth of the United States carbon pollution emissions. The bill modifies the amount of the tax credit and extends the number of years the credit is available for the purchase or lease of an electric motor vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, an original equipment manufacturer electric truck and plug-in hybrid electric truck. The Auto Alliance has estimated that Colorado has just over 7,200 electric vehicles registered in Colorado. While small, support from this tax credit will help more drivers make the decision to go electric and thus reduce the amount of harmful carbon emissions in our atmosphere. HB19-1159 was approved by a vote of 7-4 now goes to the Finance committee. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to save consumers money and combat electronic waste. < Back March 12, 2024 Titone’s Right to Repair Electronic Equipment Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to save consumers money and combat electronic waste. HB24-1121, sponsored by Representative Brianna Titone and Steven Woodrow, would extend the current right to repair laws to certain electronic equipment, including cell phones, gaming systems, computers and televisions. “Cell phones are a part of our daily lives, we should have more choices on how to fix them when they break,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This bill would give consumers the tools they need to fix their broken electronics, saving them money and time on costly repairs. Right to repair laws, like this one, are important for empowering consumers and keeping e-waste out of our landfills. From tractors to mobility devices, I’m proud to carry another consumer-focused right to repair law through the legislature and save Coloradans money.” “Consumers should have the right to fix their stuff—computers and cell phones included,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “This bill strengthens our state’s right to repair laws so that consumers can access the tools and tech they need. This bill saves Coloradans money while reducing waste and pollution.” HB24-1121 would require certain digital electronic equipment manufacturers to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. Specifically, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and others would need to provide software and physical tools to consumers and independent repair providers upon request so they can fix their broken electronics. HB24-1121 passed the House by a vote of 39 to 18. Under this bill, OEMs can charge a fee for physical tools but software tools must be made available free of charge for the consumer. This bill aims to save electronics consumers money on necessary equipment repairs while speeding up the repair process. HB24-1121 also prohibits parts pairing, a technology used by manufacturers to program certain parts together which restricts the consumer's ability to independently repair their devices and allows OEMs to monopolize replacement parts. . Last year, Rep. Titone championed a first-in-the-nation law for the right to repair agricultural equipment. This law saves farmers and ranchers money and time on costly agricultural equipment repairs. In 2022, Representatives Titone and Ortiz passed two trailblazing right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users. These laws require wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts and software to consumers and eliminate the need for prior authorization to repair powered wheelchairs and other complex mobility devices for Medicaid recipients. These laws provided the framework for HB24-1121. Previous Next

The bipartisan Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Colorado Jail Standards today advanced three bills including legislation to expand grant opportunities to county jails, create guidelines for jails preparing to consolidate, and improve and modernize communications between those incarcerated and their attorney. < Back November 20, 2024 Jail Standards Interim Committee Advances Three Bills DENVER, CO – The bipartisan Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Colorado Jail Standards today advanced three bills including legislation to expand grant opportunities to county jails, create guidelines for jails preparing to consolidate, and improve and modernize communications between those incarcerated and their attorney. “This summer, the committee met with important voices in the judicial space, including spokespeople for county sheriffs, the Attorney General’s office, and criminal justice advocates, and we are ready to move forward with data-driven legislation that will improve the operational efficiency of our county jails,” said Senator-Elect and Chair Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bills 1, 2 and 3. “I’m sponsoring legislation that will bring more money into our county jails, save rural counties money and boost staffing by allowing them to consolidate their jails, and increase access to communication between incarcerated people and their attorneys. These changes will have a significant impact on both county jails and incarcerated Coloradans that will streamline operations, help address the workforce shortages in rural counties, and ensure Coloradans can access legal representation while incarcerated.” “Throughout the interim, we’ve worked alongside many advocates, attorneys and state agencies in the criminal justice arena to develop new, impactful policy to improve our state’s correctional facilities for everyone involved,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of Bills 2 and 3. “Of the bills we passed today, we are working to cut red tape so our county jails can make necessary safety improvements and have clear guidelines for consolidation. We’re also clarifying and modernizing laws surrounding incarcerated people’s right to no-cost, private phone calls and video communications with their attorney. These bills combined would improve our criminal justice system in Colorado.” Bill 1 , sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver and Senator-Elect Amabile, would support grants to maintain, repair, renovate and improve Colorado’s county jails. The bill expands the responsibilities of the commission to include jails in addition to court facilities. The goal of Bill 1 is to ensure Colorado’s county jails have a pathway to receiving grant funding they need to make necessary improvements to their facilities. Bill 2 , sponsored by Representative Garcia and Senator-Elect Amabile, would allow two or more counties to enter intergovernmental agreements to allow them to consolidate jail functions with the purpose of reducing high costs associated with staffing, liability, and operations. It would also make these counties with a population of less than 40,000 eligible for liability coverage under Colorado’s Risk Management Fund. Bill 3 , sponsored by Representative Garcia, Senator-Elect Amabile and Senator Gonzales, would improve communication between a person who is in custody and their attorney. This bill specifically allows those in custody to receive a reasonable number of telephone calls or interactive audiovisual conferencing from their attorney at no cost. The goal of Bill 3 is to improve and modernize communication pathways between those in custody and their attorney by clarifying the right in stature to have no cost, private and unrecorded phone calls or video calls. The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2025 session, interim bills will follow the standard legislative process. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis (May 2) – The House approved Rep. Bri Buentello and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s bill to require certain health care providers who have prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of their continuing education and prohibits a physician or physician assistant from accepting any direct or indirect benefits for prescribing a specific medication. “This is an important bill that will help us address the opioid crisis that is devastating parts of Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “ This bill will help our neighbors, our friends and any Coloradan who is struggling with addiction get the treatment they need.” SB19-228 requires a prescription for an opioid for outpatient use to bear a warning label; creates several grant programs to improve public awareness of the dangers of substance use disorders and improves youth treatment and pre-and-postnatal care for women. In addition, the bill introduces several other measures aimed at substance use disorder prevention. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont. “This bill will ensure local community agencies and medical professionals can help divert Coloradans from addiction before it starts.” The bill was approved on a bipartisan vote of 43-20. The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. < Back June 2, 2025 Signed! Bill to Improve Law Enforcement Training Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. “Colorado voters made it clear with Proposition 130 they want real investments in public safety,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “This bill delivers on that promise by responsibly investing in law enforcement recruitment, retention, and training over the next several years. Even in a tough budget year, made worse by federal chaos and uncertainty, Colorado’s budget reflects our commitment to public education, public health, and public safety.” "This law honors voter intent when they passed Prop 130 and increases the state’s investment in public safety,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Our law will invest $350 million to recruit, retain and train local law enforcement officers and ensure that families of first responders receive death benefits in the event their family member’s life is taken while in the line of duty. Our law ensures that the state is a partner in protecting the safety of every Coloradan and makes certain that local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to do their jobs well." SB25-310 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, will implement the voter-approved Proposition 130 by creating a funding mechanism for the distribution of $350 million for local law enforcement officer recruitment, retention and training. It makes a one-time investment of $500 million of the general fund reserve in PERA and reduces future general fund payments to PERA by the amount of interest earned. It will then divert that amount to the new Peace Officer Training and Support Fund each year, which will be distributed to local police departments. It also implements the death benefit required in Proposition 130 of $1 million to the surviving spouse, family member, or designee of any first responder who died as a result of injuries or an occupational disease sustained while performing their job, and creates the Death Benefit Fund. Previous Next