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The Colorado Office of Economic Development recently announced recipients of the Community Revitalization Tax Credit to support projects that provide housing, childcare, retail or other community spaces. < Back June 26, 2025 Stewart Praises Grant Award for Durango Childcare Center, Community Services DURANGO – The Colorado Office of Economic Development recently announced recipients of the Community Revitalization Tax Credit to support projects that provide housing, childcare, retail or other community spaces. “The Powerhouse is an important pillar of the community in Durango, and this tax credit will make improvements that all Southwestern Coloradans can benefit from,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “From child care to live music and weekly trivia, the Powerhouse provides a broad range of community services and activities. With the help of this tax credit, we can open up even more child care services and drive new investments that will benefit our community and create jobs.” The Powerhouse in Durango was awarded $1,080,000 in tax credits to make improvements to the museum, including: Renovating the child care center to meet statewide standards and build an outdoor playground, Developing a community gathering place and outdoor performance venue on the property. Adding indoor restrooms, multi-purpose meeting rooms and a storage space to the entryway in the museum, and Restoring the historic facade. The Community Revitalization Tax Credit (CRTC) was established by a 2024 law to create jobs and support local economies. Eligible projects can receive up to $3 million in tax credits. The tax credit will provide up to $50 million total, allowing up to $10 million a year in available tax credits for tax years 2025-2029. Learn more about the Community Revitalization Tax Credit here . Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 ENERGY CONSUMER PROTECTIONS BILL PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– Representative Mike Weissman’s bill to ensure that energy consumers who rely on retail electric coops for their power have a neutral, in-state arbiter to make judgements on disputes related to their rates was approved by the House Energy and Environment Committee. The bill would clarify the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) existing jurisdiction to make decisions on certain complaints received by retail electric coops against wholesale electric coops. The bill was approved by a vote of 9-2.. “Retail electric coops provide increasingly greener, more affordable, and more local power to consumers across our state, including many rural Coloradans,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “Our aim is to ensure fairness for energy consumers by clarifying and affirming the PUC’s jurisdiction to make decisions in specific disputes. I was proud to see the committee stand with consumers today.” HB20-1225 would affirm existing statute that gives the PUC authority to hear complaints related to unjust rates, charges, and tariffs. By clarifying this authority, the bill would prevent jurisdictional gaps and ensure that Colorado disputes are handled by Colorado regulators, instead of being taken to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, D.C.. This bill does not impact investor-owned utilities or municipal utilities. Previous Next

Op-Eds Jan 8, 2026 Rep. Froelich: Keeping the Craig coal power plant open will only hurt Colorado rate payers Read More Source Aug 7, 2025 Rep. Rebekah Stewart: Lakewood’s attempt to increase “middle housing” would be big step to address crisis in Colorado Read More Source Jul 16, 2025 Rep. Katie Stewart: Federal cuts and frozen funds threaten Southwest Colorado schools, hospitals, individuals and families Read More Source May 8, 2025 Rep. Meghan Lukens: Delivering results for the Western Slope Read More Source Mar 27, 2025 Rep. Meghan Lukens: Strengthening rural health care Read More Source Feb 25, 2025 Rep. Meghan Lukens: Supporting students and schools in our communities Read More Source Jan 17, 2025 Rep. Meghan Lukens: Getting to work for the Western Slope Read More Source Jan 14, 2025 Rep. Shannon Bird: The Colorado Opportunity Caucus puts paychecks first Read More Source Jan 5, 2025 Speaker McCluskie: Perspective: 2025 Legislative Preview Read More Source Sep 20, 2024 Rep. Weissman & Rep. Jodeh: If Trump brings his invective to Aurora, he should know we are proud to be the “The Ellis Island of the Plains” Read More Source Aug 27, 2024 Rep. McLachlan: Legislators work on tax relief, protecting funding during special session Read More Source Aug 25, 2024 Rep. Weissman: Here’s a plan to keep local property tax control local Read More Source Aug 20, 2024 Rep. deGruy Kennedy: Cause to celebrate state Rx affordability board milestone Read More Source Aug 20, 2024 Rep. deGruy Kennedy: After Colorado legislature’s latest special session is finished, we must restore local control over property taxes Read More Source Aug 20, 2024 Rep. Joseph: Rethink the Kids Online Safety Act to balance safety, freedom Read More Source Aug 7, 2024 Rep. Lukens: Increasing affordability across Colorado Read More Source Aug 1, 2024 Rep. McLachlan: 30 bills sponsored, signed in 2024 Read More Source Jun 17, 2024 Rep. McCormick: Ballot initiatives 144 and 145 will not help animals Read More Source Jun 12, 2024 Rep. McCormick: As a veterinarian and a lawmaker, please don’t let big businesses undermine Colorado pet care Read More Source Jun 12, 2024 Rep. Lukens: Breakthrough legislative session Read More Source 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 7

In special session, Dems eliminated corporate tax loopholes and protected access to services to responsibly close budget deficit caused by GOP’s corporate tax cuts < Back August 26, 2025 Dems Pick Up the Pieces from Trump’s Big Ugly Budget Hole In special session, Dems eliminated corporate tax loopholes and protected access to services to responsibly close budget deficit caused by GOP’s corporate tax cuts DENVER, CO – After Republicans in Congress blasted a billion dollar hole in Colorado’s state budget, Democrats responsibly picked up the pieces with a balanced approach that closed corporate tax loopholes and established a framework to cut spending where possible and use some of the state’s budget reserve to protect the core services people rely on. “Colorado Democrats have responsibly picked up the pieces from Trump and Washington Republicans’ big ugly budget, which any one of the GOP members of our Congressional delegation could have stopped,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Their bill gave corporations massive tax cuts that blew a billion dollar hole in our budget. We took a balanced approach that closed corporate tax loopholes, established a process to cut some spending, and used some of our rainy-day savings to protect funding for health care, roads and education. I’m especially proud that we were able to blunt some of the massive health care premium increases we expect to see on the Western Slope as a result of the Congress’s failure to act.” “The GOP’s federal budget handed out a billion dollars of corporate tax breaks while making life more expensive for everyone else through higher health costs, energy costs, and grocery costs,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “That’s why we returned to the Capitol: to stand up for Colorado families, listen to those on the frontlines of providing services, and work to maximize every dollar. I’m proud that we're leaving this special session having achieved a balanced, responsible response to the budget shortfall that closes corporate tax loopholes and protects services that Coloradans rely on rather than the interests of corporations.” “Trump’s budget bill handed out massive tax cuts to corporations at the expense of working people while raising costs on everyone, which is why it’s only fair that we closed corporate tax loopholes and preserved funding for education, health care and public safety,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Coloradans shouldn't lose out to protect corporations who just got $1 billion in tax cuts from Trump and the GOP Congress. In the special session we cracked down on offshore tax havens, eliminated special interest tax breaks, and protected the core services Coloradans rely on to get ahead and thrive.” “Trump and the Congressional Republicans’ big tax bill let corporations dodge nearly $1 billion in taxes that they owe Colorado to help pay for essentials like health care, schools, and roads,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “While they put corporations and the wealthiest Americans first, we chose the hardworking people of Colorado by closing corporate tax loopholes and protecting essential services.” Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes HB25B-1003 repeals special corporate tax breaks for insurance companies with a “Regional Home Office”: Under current law, insurance companies with a headquarters/regional home office (RHO) in Colorado can take a special tax break that allows them to pay a lower tax rate. To qualify, 2.5 percent of an insurer’s domestic workforce must be located in Colorado. While intended to incentivize job creation in the insurance industry in Colorado, the State Auditor found in March 2025 that the tax credit is not achieving this goal, and most insurance companies have actually eliminated jobs while claiming this special interest tax break that only exists for them. The bill repealed this corporate tax break. HB25B-1002 cracks down on foreign tax havens, offshore bank accounts, and tax loopholes for US companies that dodge Colorado taxes with foreign assets: Expand the list of foreign tax havens: Colorado applies extra scrutiny to companies incorporated in common tax havens like the Cayman Islands and Panama, requiring these companies to still pay Colorado taxes unless they can prove they are legitimately operating in the foreign country (see HB21-1311 ). Updated information about international tax avoidance has indicated additional countries used for this purpose, and the bill applies the extra scrutiny to these countries. No Colorado tax breaks for companies investing in other states: Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy created a special tax break for multinational businesses that keep their intangible assets in the US, including patents, software, and trademarks. As a federal credit, the majority of claims are from corporations whose assets aren’t even located in Colorado. If the state allows the changes to apply to Colorado taxes as well, it would give a larger Colorado tax break to corporations for investments in other states. The bill decoupled the state from this federal credit entirely. HB25B-1004 allows companies to pre-pay taxes at a discount: This bill allows an auction of a limited amount of future tax credits. Companies that buy the tax credits can effectively pre-pay a portion of their future taxes now, at a small discount, creating savings and flexibility for them while helping to fill the revenue hole created by H.R. 1 for the state. This was done in HB20-1413 to raise money for CLIMBER small business loans. Several of the tax giveaways in H.R. 1, such as the changes to business depreciation rules, are retroactive or front-loaded to have a much bigger impact in the current fiscal year (2025-26) than future years; allowing companies to pre-pay future taxes now partially offsets this effect. HB25B-1001 limits tax breaks for higher-earning business owners: Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy allowed certain business owners to deduct (not pay taxes on) 20 percent of “qualified business income” (QBI) through 2025. The QBI deduction applies to pass-through businesses, such as partnerships, S corporations, and real estate investment trusts. H.R. 1 made this deduction permanent and made some modifications. In 2020, Colorado decoupled from this federal tax change for business owners with incomes over $500,000 per year (or $1 million per year for joint filers), maintaining that they still needed to pay taxes on all of their business income ( HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 ). The bill for the special session makes Colorado’s decoupling permanent; without taking action, the decoupling is currently scheduled to expire after 2025. HB25B-1005 ends subsidies for collecting sales taxes by modernizing sales tax collection: Retailers and other companies that collect sales tax are currently allowed to retain a portion of that state sales tax, which was originally intended to cover the costs of collecting and remitting the tax. Currently, vendors can retain 4 percent of the sales tax they collect. Nowadays, electronic point-of-sale technology is ubiquitous even for small vendors, and it cheaply and easily automates the collection and payment of state sales tax. Since this burden has gone away, the bill repeals this subsidy – about one cent on every $10 of sales. Preserving Access to Services HB25B-1006 blunts large health insurance premium increases: With Congressional Republicans failing to extend the enhanced premium tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, average statewide premiums are projected to increase by 28 percent. In the Eastern Plains, premiums are expected to rise more than 33 percent. The Western Slope will see premium increases of about 38 percent. This bill invests in reinsurance to keep premium increases to a statewide average of 20 percent. SB25B-002 restores access to health care for Medicaid recipients at Planned Parenthood : H.R. 1 immediately removed Planned Parenthood from the federal Medicaid program, forcing PPRM providers to cancel thousands of appointments. Weeks later, a Temporary Restraining Order reversed this federal prohibition, though the issue is still working its way through the courts. This bill authorizes state-funded reimbursement to Planned Parenthood for certain services, including cancer screenings, birth control consultations, and STI checks. SB25B-003 preserves SNAP funding by adjusting Healthy School Meals for All ballot question: The GOP budget cuts the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and hundreds of thousands of recipients may now lose access to food. This bill amends the language of a ballot measure ( HB25-1274 ) that will be put before the voters this November. If it passes, it will allow funds raised for the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program to be used to support SNAP, so long as the HSMA program is fully funded first. Making Responsible Decisions for Colorado’s Fiscal Future SB25B-001 updates spending reduction processes during revenue shortfalls: Under current law, the Governor has broad unilateral authority to suspend programs and services during a revenue shortfall via executive order. The bill requires the Governor to notify the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of executive orders to reduce spending and requires the JBC to promptly meet to discuss the plan. The bill balances the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly by ensuring the JBC is involved in decision-making processes early on and by adding guardrails to the executive branch’s existing authority to help ensure that they continue to meet and implement legislative directives. The bill also updates the triggers requiring spending reductions to more accurately reflect economic pressures and the current status of the reserve, which Democrats have worked to build up to 15 percent since the COVID pandemic when it fell below four percent. In addition to the triggers in existing law, the bill adds that if a revenue estimate indicates that the state is on track to use an amount of the reserve equal to three percent of the general fund appropriations for that fiscal year (e.g. around $490 million for FY26), the Governor must take action to reduce spending. Previous Next

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

SB26-011 would ensure timely, reliable compliance with search warrants < Back March 13, 2026 Legislation to Protect Children Online, Improve Public Safety Advances SB26-011 would ensure timely, reliable compliance with search warrants DENVER, CO – The House today advanced bipartisan legislation on a preliminary vote to improve digital warrant response timelines for online platforms and keep communities safe. “This bill ensures that digital search warrants are taken seriously so families can hold bad actors accountable for dangerous online activity,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Weak requirements around delivering digital evidence make it nearly impossible for victims and their families to seek justice. By requiring social media companies to respond to search warrants in a timely manner, we can improve pathways to justice and protect our communities from further harm.” SB26-011 , also sponsored by Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, would establish and enforce specific requirements for how large online social media platforms must receive, acknowledge, and respond to search warrants issued by Colorado courts. The bill would cover social media websites, online services, or mobile applications that have at least one million monthly users, allow users to create profiles, and allow users to create or share content. Under the bill, these platforms must have a clear process for communication with law enforcement, provide a staffed hotline available to law enforcement 24/7, provide status updates on warrant compliance, and prominently post contact information for search warrant compliance on their homepage. They must also acknowledge receipt of a search warrant within eight hours and comply within 72 hours in most cases. These requirements would be enforced by the Attorney General or local district attorneys. Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2020 SULLIVAN BILL IMPROVES CO’S NATION-LEADING UNIVERSAL VOTE BY MAIL SYSTEM DENVER, CO — Legislation sponsored by Representative Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, to improve Colorado’s universal mail system today passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 37-24. “Colorado leads the way when it comes to universal vote by mail. Other states are following us because we’ve shown it is the most secure way to vote and greatly increases participation. Vote by mail strengthens our democracy and the voice of the people,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “No one should have to choose between risking their lives and their constitutional right to participate in our elections. This bill would ensure that all registered voters have the opportunity to vote by mail when unexpected issues come up with their ballots.” Colorado is one of only a handful of states that allows all voters to cast their ballot by mail. It has been recognized across the country as one of the most secure and successful ballot administration systems in the nation. The state’s universal mail ballot system means Colorado is uniquely positioned to safely administer upcoming elections and ensure that Coloradans can vote without risk to their health. HB20-1313 would improve the process for updating registration applications and records to ensure that new ballots are sent within an appropriate timeline. It would also permit a voter to obtain a replacement ballot if their ballot was destroyed, spoiled or not received for any reason. It requires counties to mail replacement ballots to eligible voters who update their address or register to vote after ballots have been mailed. Furthermore, the bill requires counties to mail ballots by First Class Mail if they are sent within 11 days of an election, ensuring they will be delivered on-time. Previous Next

HB25-1239 will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act < Back May 22, 2025 Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act HB25-1239 will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed a new law to strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws. HB25-1239 , sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Representatives Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, and Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) to protect vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities. “People with disabilities should have the same rights to seek damages after experiencing discrimination as any other protected group,” said Weissman. “This bill ensures that people with disabilities can be compensated for attorney fees, emotional distress, and other noneconomic harms if they experience discrimination or violation of their civil rights.” “Under threat from the Trump Administration, it’s more important now than ever that we strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws,” said Zokaie. “When someone is wronged, we have a duty to create a pathway to justice. With this new law, we’re upholding our shared values of fairness, dignity, and equality under Colorado law and better protecting Coloradans who experience discrimination.” “The cost of hiring an attorney prevents many Coloradans from pursuing justice after facing discrimination,” said Daugherty. “People with disabilities who are denied housing or turned away from public spaces deserve a clear path to hold wrongdoers accountable and access the support they need to move forward.” “This law addresses unreasonable deadlines, barriers to financial compensation and other gaps in the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act to strengthen protections for Coloradans who experience discrimination,” said Boesenecker. “From housing discrimination to inaccessible building entrances, Coloradans with disabilities have faced barriers to access for far too long. This law provides crucial recourse to people with disabilities and other victims of discrimination to ensure they can receive the justice they deserve.” This law comes from a task force established by the legislature in 2023 to study the rights of Coloradans with disabilities and make recommendations. HB25-1239 is the largest expansion of CADA enforcement rights since CADA was passed nearly 70 years ago. This new law will allow victims of discrimination to receive monetary compensation for unfair housing practices, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights under the CADA for all protected classes. Under the law, victims will be able to recover attorney’s fees and costs, and either recovery of actual monetary damages, non-economic damages of up to $50,000, or a statutory fine of $5,000 per violation per aggrieved party. Awards for damages for non-economic loss or injury will be limited to $50,000. A defendant will be entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the amount of the non-economic loss or injury if the defendant corrects the violation within 30 days of the complaint and did not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly cause the violation. Previous Next

< Back May 18, 2024 Gov. Polis Signs Two Bills to Support Students into Law COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two pieces of legislation to support Colorado students. SB24-164 will improve transparency surrounding higher education costs and reduce barriers to completing higher education degrees or certificate programs. HB24-1076 will create the Purple Star School Program to recognize K-12 public schools that provide support to military students and their families. “Throughout my time as an educator and Chair of the Senate Education Committee, it became clear that bolstering the ways students can transfer hard-earned credits is essential to improving student outcomes,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-164. “This new law is a pivotal step towards creating a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centric higher education system in Colorado. By prioritizing the needs of students, we can pave the way for greater educational outcomes and economic mobility for students and families.” “Creating a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centric higher education system in Colorado means we put students first,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB24-164. “This law will make it easier for students pursuing higher education in Colorado to understand the cost of their degree or certificate. It will also ensure that students transferring from a community college to a four year institution receive credits they deserve for the classes they’ve successfully completed.” SB24-164 is also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs. This law will make it easier to transfer college credits, improve transparency in higher education reporting, and ensure rights for students enrolled in postsecondary institutions. Transparency requirements include: Transparency of the cost of postsecondary education; Seamless transfer of general education and transfer pathway courses; Transparency regarding if credits are accepted or rejected from an institution; and The ability to appeal an institution’s decision not to accept transfer credits. A major challenge transfer students face is the transferability of postsecondary credits. On average, transfer students lose a full semester of credits, which translates to time and money lost. There are current methods that exist within Colorado’s higher education framework to ease transitions between higher education institutions such as transferable lower division courses, common course numbering, and guaranteed transfer pathways. SB24-164 will build on this framework by bolstering student rights and easing the transfer of course credits. “Children of military families are especially vulnerable to the changes that come with moving schools, making new friends and joining extracurricular activities mid-season,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB24-1076. “This legislation will help students that are part of military families during the transition process so they can focus on learning, growing and socializing within a program that fosters support.” “Military families make big sacrifices to support service members and their communities, and it’s critical that we support them as well,” Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076. “This new law will help uplift kids in military families by making sure they get the support they need to thrive at school. I’m proud to sponsor this law that will help military family members get connected to the support and resources they deserve.” “This important law uplifts our military families which strengthens communities, supports our workforce and recognizes the day-to-day sacrifices made by those who serve our nation and their families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076. “As the representative for a community with a long tradition of military service, the bill getting signed into law today will help ease the school transition for kids in military families, making it easier to call our great state home.” HB24-1076 , also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, establishes the Purple Star School Program to designate and recognize K-12 public schools that show a strong commitment to military-connected students and their families. The Purple Star School Program has been adopted by 42 other states and is proven to help military-connected students combat the academic and socio-emotional challenges they often face due to frequent relocation, transferring schools, parental deployment and changing environments. To qualify for the Purple Star designation, schools must: Designate a staff member as a Military Liaison, Maintain a website with resources for military-connected students and families, Maintain student-led transition programs, and Offer professional development opportunities relating to military-connected students. Previous Next

Representative Meghan Lukens today toured local nonprofit, Better Tomorrow, to learn more about their community-led efforts to support Coloradans at risk of harm.  < Back August 5, 2024 Rep. Lukens Tours Local Nonprofit STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – Representative Meghan Lukens today toured local nonprofit, Better Tomorrow, to learn more about their community-led efforts to support Coloradans at risk of harm. “Meeting with the team at Better Tomorrow was inspiring, thank you for having me,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “Their community-driven support helps Coloradans get connected to the resources they need, when they need it. Under the gold dome, and thanks to lawmakers like Majority Leader Monica Duran, we’ve invested more than ever before to support survivors of crime and domestic violence. From securing stable housing to legal representation, we know our community partners work tirelessly to keep the lights on and the doors open so they can continue to provide essential services to youth, survivors and their families.” During the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Lukens sponsored bipartisan legislation to create a program to provide short-term financial assistance for survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Specifically, the law helps survivors secure housing. Better Tomorrow manages four programs, Advocates of Routt County, Brighter World Child Advocacy Center, COMMA Projects, and Queer Futures, to provide support to youth, families and survivors of crime. Previous Next

< Back March 23, 2021 A DAY AFTER BOULDER TRAGEDY, GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION ADVANCES Previously scheduled hearing on Lost & Stolen Bill moves forward DENVER, CO– The House Judiciary Committee today advanced Representative Tom Sullivan and Leslie Herod’s bill to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands by requiring responsible gun owners to report to law enforcement when they realize their firearms have been lost or stolen. The committee hearing, scheduled weeks ago after the legislation had moved through the Senate, comes a day after a tragic mass shooting that took the lives of 10 people in Boulder, Colorado. The bill passed by a party line vote of 7-4. “This bill is about as commonsense and straightforward as gun safety legislation gets,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “By simply requiring that responsible gun owners alert law enforcement when a firearm may have made its way into the hands of a criminal, we truly can save lives. This piece of legislation is overwhelmingly supported by our constituents. 87 percent of Coloradans are in favor of reporting lost and stolen firearms — that includes 81 percent of Republicans and 86 percent of gun owners. This shouldn’t be a Democratic or Republican issue. It’s a life and death issue.” “Reporting lost and stolen firearms to law enforcement is a simple way to prevent crime and save lives,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “As we are tragically reminded of today, gun violence is a plague that we must work to end in Colorado and in our country. While gut wrenching mass shootings like the one that took place near my alma mater yesterday make headlines and capture the nation’s attention, everyday instances of gun violence quietly take lives in our communities every single day. That’s what this bill seeks to remedy. I refuse to offer victims of gun violence only thoughts and prayers. I offer them my action.” SB21-078 requires an individual who owns a firearm and has reasonable cause to believe that the firearm has been lost or stolen to report that firearm to a law enforcement agency within five days after discovering that the firearm is missing. A first offense for failure to make such a report is a civil infraction punishable by a $25 fine, and a second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $500 fine. The bill requires a law enforcement agency that receives a report to enter information about the lost or stolen firearm into the National Crime Information Center database and report the information to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 HOUSE PASSES SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION CONTRIBUTION LIMITS Legislation would limit contributions to $2,500 per individual donor DENVER, CO– The House today voted to pass Representative Emily Sirota’s bill to limit campaign contributions to $2,500 per individual donor. HB20-1066 would also limit contributions from political committees. The bill was approved by a vote of 40-24. “With money from wealthy special interests and out-of-state millionaires pouring into our school board races, it’s time to put common sense limits on how much individuals and political committees can contribute,” said Rep. Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m pleased to see the House move forward with this important legislation that will reduce the influence of high-dollar donors in our democracy and put our students first.” Unlike federal elections, Colorado House and Senate elections and county elections, there are currently no limits on campaign contributions in school board races. Spending in school board races in Colorado is growing rapidly, and donors, sometimes from out of state, are contributing tens of thousands of dollars to individual candidates, amounts substantially above federal and state contribution limits in other races. HB20-1066 would set contribution limits in school director elections at $2,500 per individual donor. These limits would be adjusted for inflation. Additionally, the bill subjects school board candidates to existing disclosure laws, including requiring school board candidates to file contribution reports in a similar manner to state House and Senate candidates. Previous Next