The House today passed a bill that would create more affordable places to live. SB23-001 passed by a vote of 50 to 15. < Back April 26, 2023 House Passes Bills to Build More Housing DENVER, CO - The House today passed a bill that would create more affordable places to live. SB23-001 passed by a vote of 50 to 15. “Public-private partnerships not only increase the supply of housing that works for all budgets, but they also create more good-paying construction jobs,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “We need all hands on deck to address Colorado’s housing crisis, and this is one of many approaches that we’re taking to tackle housing insecurity and create more options that Coloradans can afford.” “Colorado mountain towns are becoming increasingly difficult to afford for educators, construction workers, and everyone in between,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Land costs make up a large portion of the cost of housing, and this bill will make it easier to build housing that Coloradans can afford on state-owned land, helping us retain our workforce and boosting local economies.” SB23-001 would provide $13 million in funding for public-private partnership projects managed by the Public-Private Collaboration Unit within the Department of Personnel Administration to help develop affordable affordable housing on state-owned land so that Colorado workers like teachers and nurses can find housing that fits their budget. SB23-001 builds on work from previous sessions, including HB21-1274 and SB22-130 , regarding the inventory of underutilized properties and state-owned land. Previous Next

< Back February 3, 2023 Water Efficiency and Resiliency Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to help commercial property owners better finance water and energy efficiency upgrades and improve the resiliency of their properties. HB23-1005 passed by a vote of 46 to 15. “We are one step closer toward making it easier for commercial property owners in Colorado to improve the efficiency of their buildings,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The C-PACE program is a widely-used, successful program to help commercial properties reduce water and energy usage. In the face of climate change, it is important building owners invest in resilient infrastructure and eco-friendly upgrades–our bill sets them up for success to reduce their carbon footprint.” “We know the C-PACE program is successful, and our bill modernizes the process so more property owners can improve the resilience and efficiency of their buildings,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “By expanding this favorable financing mechanism, more building owners can make property upgrades that help them save water, cut down on energy usage and build more resilient structures. Investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is a smart move, and our bill increases opportunities to take advantage of the C-PACE program.” HB23-1005 would help protect Colorado's environment and conserve water resources by expanding project eligibility and streamlining the financing process so more commercial properties in Colorado can take advantage of Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE’s) program for eco-friendly property upgrades and investments. The C-PACE program allows certain commercial and industrial buildings to finance energy improvement projects through a voluntary property tax assessment that is repaid over a 25-year term. Since 2016, the program has helped finance 116 different projects across the state, totaling almost $250 million in investments. The C-PACE program is currently utilized by 40 different counties , which make up 96% of Colorado’s commercial and industrial properties. Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2020 BIPARTISAN OCCUPATIONAL CREDENTIALING BILL MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — Representative Shannon Bird’s bipartisan bill to streamline Colorado’s credentialing system for dozens of professions today passed the House by a unanimous vote. “I’m committed to taking responsible steps to get our small businesses up and running, our economy back on track, and Coloradans back to work,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “This bill will remove red tape and ensure qualified job seekers and health care professionals are able to practice their professions without undue burdens. The Occupational Credential Portability Program created by this bill will be yet another tool in our toolbox as we work to ensure Colorado’s strong economy bounces back as soon and as safely as possible.” HB20-1326 creates the Occupational Credential Portability Program in the Department of Regulatory Agencies to streamline and centralize the credentialing of individuals licensed in another state. The bill will apply to professions ranging from doctors and veterinarians to electricians and barbers. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to allow businesses to pre-pay taxes at a small discount, after a $1 billion hole was created in Colorado’s budget by recent federal tax changes. < Back August 28, 2025 Signed! Bill to Auction Future Tax Credits at Discount DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to allow businesses to pre-pay taxes at a small discount, after a $1 billion hole was created in Colorado’s budget by recent federal tax changes. HB25B-1004 , sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and Representatives Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood, and Sean Camacho, D-Denver, allows businesses to pre-pay taxes at a discount for future years when Colorado is anticipated to collect more revenue than the state’s spending limit under TABOR. “HB25B-1004 gives Colorado businesses a chance to save on future taxes while helping the state manage this year’s billion-dollar budget shortfall,” said Marchman. “It’s a practical approach that supports local economies, protects essential services, and makes sure businesses and communities both come out ahead.” “The billion-dollar revenue shortfall we’re facing from Congressional Republicans’ corporate tax breaks would require cuts to health care, public education, transportation and other essential services, which is why we took action with this special session to protect Coloradans and core services," said Stewart. “By allowing companies to pre-pay future taxes, we can boost revenue now to fund these services. We’re using all the tools in our toolbelt to address the crisis caused by Trump and Congressional Republicans when they passed a budget bill that hands out corporate tax giveaways at the expense of hardworking Coloradans.” “This new law lets Colorado businesses work with the state to save money now and protect the things we all rely on like K-12 public schools, roads, and health care,” said Snyder. “By prepaying future taxes at a discount, businesses can reduce long-term costs while helping the state weather the budgeting storm caused by Republicans in Congress. This law represents who we are as Colorado, where all of us chip in to keep our communities thriving.” “Unlike Republicans in Congress, Colorado Democrats are demonstrating that we prioritize the needs of our constituents, not the ultra-wealthy,” said Camacho. “Our legislation will allow businesses to pay their future taxes now, at a discounted price, to save them some money while protecting funding for services that all Coloradans rely on. This law is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to blunt the destructive impacts of Trump’s tax bill.” HB25B-1004 allows a one-time auction of future tax credits, giving companies the opportunity to buy tax credits to pre-pay a portion of their future taxes at a small discount. This saves businesses money, allowing companies to pre-pay future taxes now, and bolsters our state revenue to offset the immediate impacts of recent federal tax changes. This does decrease revenue in future years, but after 2025-2026 the state budget is forecast to be limited by the TABOR cap, not the amount of revenue collected, so this won’t cut deeper into state services. Previous Next

Increase would have been much higher without Colorado Democrats special session legislation which preserved coverage for nearly 30,000 Coloradans < Back October 28, 2025 Mauro Statement on GOP Congress Causing Health Premiums to Double in Pueblo, 75,000 Could Lose Coverage Increase would have been much higher without Colorado Democrats special session legislation which preserved coverage for nearly 30,000 Coloradans DENVER, CO – Representative Tisha Mauro today released the following statement after the Division of Insurance announced that 2026 health care premium rates will increase by 101-percent due to Congress’s failure to continue the enhanced premium tax credits. “With the GOP Congress failing to extend critical tax credits, health care rates are expected to increase significantly in Pueblo, which will have devastating consequences for Coloradans who can’t afford to pay an extra $1,000 a month for health care,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “While only Congress can fix this problem entirely, Colorado Democrats took action and passed a law to blunt some of the sharpest cost increases. Because of our action, premiums in Pueblo are nearly 13 percent lower than they would otherwise be. Still, Pueblo deserves better, which is why Congressional Republicans must act now so Coloradans don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for health care next year.” Statewide health care rates for individuals who purchase their own insurance are expected to increase by 101-percent due to Congressional Republicans’ failure to extend the tax credits. Open enrollment begins this Saturday, and Coloradans who want coverage in 2026 must choose their plan before December 15. Democrats have repeatedly urged Congress to extend the tax credits, which help make health care more affordable for around 225,000 Coloradans. In August, Rep. Mauro signed onto a letter to Colorado’s congressional delegation urging them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that were intentionally omitted from the GOP’s H.R. 1. The expiration of these tax credits on December 31 will lead to fewer people having health insurance and higher health insurance costs for everyone, including small businesses and Coloradans with employer-sponsored health insurance. If Congress extended the enhanced premium tax credits, the average premium increase would be 16-percent, instead of 101-percent, and some Coloradans would see no increase. Colorado Democrats have significantly lowered health care costs with the state’s reinsurance program, which has saved consumers over $2 billion, and Colorado Option health care plan, which offered the lowest or second lowest cost plan in Pueblo in 2025. A recent study by Brown University found that the Colorado Option reduced monthly premiums by $101, even for non-Colorado Option plans. The average family of four in Pueblo that chose the Colorado Option plan save d nearly $4,500 in 2025. Earlier this year, the Colorado General Assembly returned to the Capitol to combat some of the harm caused by Trump’s Megabill and Congress’s failure to extend the ePTCs. Colorado Democrats passed a law that will invest in Colorado’s reinsurance program and blunt some of the most severe cost increases from the expiring tax credits. This law reduces the statewide average premium increase from 174-percent to 101-percent, saving Coloradans $220 million on health care next year and preventing 28,000 Coloradans from being kicked off their health coverage. The law reduced premiums by over 13-percent in the Pueblo metro area. In 2025 in Pueblo County, the reinsurance program saved the average 40 year old individual over $6,600 and a family of four has saved nearly $25,000 from 2020 through 2025 due to the Reinsurance Program. Previous Next

SB25-196 would safeguard insurance coverage for preventive health care services in the event of federal action < Back April 16, 2025 ICYMI: Committee Passes Bill to Protect Insurance Coverage for Preventive Health Care DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services today passed legislation to proactively protect insurance coverage for preventive health care in the event of federal action. SB25-196 passed by a vote of 9 to 4, all four House Republicans voted against the measure. “A routine cancer screening can save a life; we can’t jeopardize Coloradans' access to this essential preventive health care,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “In the wake of federal threats to cut fundamental health care coverage, we’re stepping up to protect preventive health care in Colorado. Preventive care today means avoiding costly emergency events in the future.” “Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes for patients and save money on health care,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Despite the resounding benefits of preventive health care, recent federal attempts to strip away preventive health care coverage means Coloradans could lose coverage if we don’t act now. This bill steps up to protect health care coverage in Colorado so everyone can lead longer, healthier lives.” SB25-196 would give state insurance agencies the authority to reinstate guidelines on preventive care from federal agencies that existed in January 2025 or comply with recommendations by the Nurse Physician Advisory Task Force for Colorado Health Care (NPATCH). This includes the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or the Health Resources and Services Administration in the United States Department of Health and Human Services in the event that any of these agencies are repealed, dismantled, or disempowered. It would also permit the Commissioner of Insurance to consult the NPATCH in developing their recommendations about updates and modifications to the current list of preventive coverage. Since January, the Trump Administration has made devastating cuts to essential services for Americans. Recently, the administration cut $250 million from state health services, prompting measures such as this one to protect Coloradans’ access to health care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has laid a strong foundation to a healthier future for Americans by making health care coverage more affordable and prioritizing no-cost clinical preventive services. The ACA covers more than 100 preventive health care services, annual check ups, screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and some cancers. More than 44 million Americans rely on ACA health care coverage, including nearly 300,000 Coloradans . Previous Next

The House Appropriations Committee today passed legislation to combat child hunger by taking advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and providing students with nutrition assistance during summer break. < Back November 19, 2023 Bill to Combat Child Hunger Votes Through House Committee DENVER, CO – The House Appropriations Committee today passed legislation to combat child hunger by taking advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and providing students with nutrition assistance during summer break. “No child in Colorado should go hungry, which is why we’re taking advantage of federal funding to feed more kids across our state,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Colorado is stepping up to ensure more than 300,000 students have healthy food during the summer months through expanded EBT benefits. Our students deserve access to healthy, nutritious food even when they’re not in school, and this legislation sets our state on a path forward to combating child hunger.” “One in nine Colorado kids face hunger, and it only gets worse during the summer months without school meals, stretching families already strapped budgets,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County . “The federal government recently expanded summer nutrition assistance funding, and we’re jumping on this opportunity in Colorado to feed more children during the summer months. This program is a proven method to reduce childhood hunger. Our legislation will feed more than 300,000 Colorado kids during the summer, making it easier for our students to receive the food they need to grow and learn.” SB23B-002 , which passed by a vote of 7-4 would allocate an estimated $35 million to expand EBT benefits, which would help families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during the summer months when child hunger is most severe. Families with children eligible for the national free and reduced-price school meals program will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024, to be adjusted for inflation in following years. The Summer EBT Program was established in December 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, with the program beginning in the summer of 2024. By taking action now, Colorado is a national leader on this issue. Ten other states indicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they intend to do so next year, which would postpone their program’s start until 2025. Previous Next

HB23-1212 works to increase apprenticeship participation among graduating high school students < Back March 23, 2023 Bill to Prioritize Apprenticeships, Boost Colorado’s Workforce Passes Committee HB23-1212 works to increase apprenticeship participation among graduating high school students DENVER, CO – Legislation to boost Colorado’s workforce by helping graduating students access apprenticeship passed the House Education Committee today. “Connecting graduating students with apprenticeships in high-demand trade industries just makes sense,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “There are many critical industries, including the construction and building trades, that need more qualified workers. Our bill would make it easier for students to find, apply and partake in apprenticeship programs in these high-demand fields and graduate with a clear pathway toward a good-paying job.” “Apprenticeship programs give Coloradans the tools they need to get started in a high-demand career,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Through apprenticeship programs, students can save money on training and education while preparing for good paying jobs of the future. Our legislation makes apprenticeship programs in the trades more accessible to high school students, helps fill workforce demand and boost Colorado’s economy.” HB23-1212 passed the House Education Committee by a vote of 10 to 1. This bill would direct the Office of the Future of Work, the Colorado Department Education and other state agencies to collaborate with schools and trade industries to create apprenticeship pathways for graduating students. HB23-1212 would also require the creation of an online job board for students,task the state with incorporating trades apprenticeships in career planning tools, and develop standards for individual career and academic plans for students registered in the program to better support job preparation. Colorado’s trade and construction industries are still experiencing workforce shortages following economic disruptions from the pandemic. This bill would help create a talent pipeline for graduating students to enter good-paying careers after graduation. Previous Next

< Back February 20, 2020 GET COVERED! HEALTH CARE EASY ENROLLMENT ADVANCES Bipartisan legislation would facilitate enrolment in health plans DENVER, CO– Representative Susan Lontine’s bipartisan bill to establish a program that would make it easier for health care consumers to find affordable health care coverage today was approved by the House Finance Committee by a vote of 8-2. This measure would help connect uninsured Coloradans to coverage options that they may have been unaware of or for which they may not have known they were eligible. “Over 400,000 Coloradans are currently uninsured, and we believe many of them are already eligible for some type of financial assistance whether they know it or not,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver . “Determining eligibility through the tax filing process is a great way to connect uninsured Coloradans with the health care coverage that best fits their needs. I will continue to work to make this proposal a reality.” HB20-1236 establishes a program that allows Colorado taxpayers to opt into allowing information about their uninsured household members to be evaluated for eligibility for certain affordable health insurance plans. Specifically, the program would allow individuals to indicate on the state income tax filings that they’d like the Colorado health benefit exchange (Connect for Health Colorado) to assess whether uninsured members of their household are eligible for free or subsidized health care coverage, such as the Advanced Premium Tax Credit or the state’s Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The bill would also create the affordable health care coverage easy enrollment advisory committee to guide implementation of the program and study the feasibility of automatic enrollment. According to the Colorado Health Institute, more than half of Coloradans who don’t have health insurance qualify for public health insurance programs or subsidies such as premium tax credits or cost sharing reductions. One of the key reasons people may not enroll in coverage is that they don’t know how. This bill would allow Connect for Health Colorado to reach out to these individuals, if they checked the box on their tax return, and help them obtain free or subsidized coverage. The number of Coloradans eligible for subsidies but that haven’t enrolled in coverage has not fallen in recent years. ### Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. < Back June 3, 2025 Bill to Combat Predatory Vehicle Booting, Increase Consumer Protections Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. HB25-1117 , sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, and Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, will improve oversight, transparency, and fairness surrounding vehicle immobilization, including booting. “Booting can be a useful tool for property owners, but it must be done fairly, with clear rules and oversight,” said Joseph. “This new law protects Coloradans from predatory booting practices while giving responsible companies the clarity they need to operate legally and transparently. By empowering the Public Utilities Commission to oversee booting, we’re making sure companies follow the rules and consumers are treated with respect.” “Lack of oversight has enabled predatory and abusive practices in the vehicle booting industry, and it’s time for Colorado law to catch up,” said Gonzales. “In previous years, we have made important progress to protect Coloradans from predatory towing practices, and this law is a step toward doing the same for vehicle booting. It establishes clear guidelines including prohibiting indiscriminate patrolling of parking lots and providing advanced notice before a car is immobilized, ensuring that no Coloradan unfairly loses access to their vehicle.” “Right now, vehicle booting companies are taking advantage of a lack of regulations to immobilize Coloradans’ vehicles for profit,” said Boesenecker. “Our law cracks down on booting companies that patrol parking lots and authorize their own booting practices that typically end up costing Coloradans money and time. To improve transparency and strengthen consumer protections, booting companies would be required to give consumers a fair warning and place a written notice on vehicles at least 24 hours before immobilizing them.” “For most Coloradans, a car is not a convenience – it is a livelihood. Cars are how Coloradans get to work, buy groceries and medicine, and take their kids to school,” said Weissman. “This new law is about preventing abuse by the vehicle booting industry, which currently operates with very little oversight, and establishing basic protections for Colorado drivers like clear signage and access to a payment plan. These protections prevent predatory booting and ensure that hardworking Coloradans can quickly restore access to their cars.” The law gives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) additional oversight to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit to a vehicle booting company if the company is violating specific guidelines. Under the law, vehicle booting companies will be required to: Document a vehicle’s condition and the reason for immobilization before they immobilize it, Display the name of the company, the permit number, and a phone number of the company on each company vehicle used for immobilization, Not charge more than once for the removal of more than one immobilization device, and Remove an immobilization device if at least $60 of the total amount owed is paid. Additionally, vehicle booting companies must refrain from immobilizing a vehicle if: It has already been immobilized by another company, It is on private property, unless given appropriate permission, There is inadequate signage posted by the property owner, or Less than 24 hours notice has been given for a vehicle in a parking space or common parking area, with certain exceptions including if a vehicle is in a spot reserved for people with disabilities, is blocking a fire hydrant or roadway, or is in a spot designated for a specific individual. In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed landmark legislation to protect consumers against predatory towing practices, including HB21-1283 , HB22-1314 , and HB24-1051. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to prevent physical violence in a child care or public school setting and address adolescent substance use disorders. < Back March 15, 2023 Dem Bills Improve Safety and Well-Being of Colorado Kids DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to prevent physical violence in a child care or public school setting and address adolescent substance use disorders. “Current Colorado law doesn’t protect kids from being physically disciplined by their teachers at school or caretakers at child care,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB23-1191. “With this bill, we’re creating a safer environment for Colorado children to learn and grow. Parents should be able to send their kids to child care and school without fearing that they face corporal punishment, which many of us thought was something we left behind long ago.” HB23-1191 would prohibit an employee or volunteer in a public school, state-licensed child care center, family child care home, or a specialized group facility from using corporal punishment on a child under their care. Under the bill, corporal punishment would include willfully causing physical pain on a child. The bill passed by a vote of 48-16. “Substance use is an increasing issue for kids all over Colorado, and many of our teens don’t have the tools they need to prevent or stop addictive behavior,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1009. “We’re bringing students, parents, teachers, school administrators, licensed special service providers, and substance use medical professionals together to figure out how we can best address rising drug use in Colorado teens.” HB23-1009 , which passed by a vote of 45-19, would establish the Secondary School Substance Use Committee in the Department of Education to create, identify, or modify a practice for secondary schools to use to address substance use disorders in students. The practice would identify students who need substance use treatment, offer a brief intervention, and refer the student to substance use treatment resources. The committee would consist of students, teachers, licensed special service providers, school administrators, adolescent substance use medical professionals, representatives from state departments, and parents or legal guardians of students. To the extent practical, all of the members will represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the state and will have equal rural and non-rural representation. The Department of Education would be required to put together a report of the Secondary School Substance Use Committee’s findings and distribute it to every secondary school superintendent and chief administrator across the state. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to regulate Colorado’s funeral homes and crematories. < Back April 17, 2024 Bill to Regulate Colorado’s Funeral Homes and Crematories Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to regulate Colorado’s funeral homes and crematories. HB24-1335 would extend and expand regulations of the Mortuary Science Code to ensure Colorado’s funeral homes and crematories are regularly inspected by a state agency. HB24-1335 passed by a vote of 57 to 3. “We need to ensure our state’s funeral homes and crematories are safe, well-maintained and following the law,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “This bipartisan legislation would expand and extend the Department of Regulatory Agencies’ ability to inspect funeral homes and crematories. Colorado has been at the center of many egregious instances of fabricated cremation records and the mishandling of bodies. We need to ensure our funeral homes and crematories are operating within the law – our public health and safety depends upon it and our loved ones deserve it.” HB24-1335 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, would require regular, state-operated inspection of funeral homes and crematories. This bill expands and continues certain portions of the Mortuary Science Code in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which is scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2024. The bill also makes the following changes to the program: Requires inspection of funeral homes and crematories on a routine basis, including after businesses have ceased operations Allows inspections to occur outside business hours Expands rulemaking authority for DORA Adds failure to respond to complaints as a grounds for discipline Authorizes DORA to suspend the registration for persons who do not comply with orders following a complaint or investigation This legislation would extend the regulation of portions of the Mortuary Science Code for five years, until September 1, 2029. In addition to HB24-1335, another bill moving through the legislature ( SB24-173 ) would require a license to work as a funeral director, a mortuary science practitioner, an embalmer, a cremationist, or a natural reductionist. In recent years, several funeral homes and operators in Colorado have been at the root of disturbing instances of mishandling human remains and bodies. These bills aim to add consistent regulation of Colorado’s funeral home industry to ensure public health and safety. Previous Next