< Back May 13, 2021 PROTECTIONS FOR ENERGY & TELECOM UTILITY CONSUMERS PASS COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed legislation that would extend, improve, and rename the Office of Consumer Counsel, a division of the Department of Regulatory Agencies that represents the public interest in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission, federal agencies, and the courts. “Each year, the newly renamed Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate saves Coloradans over $100 million, protecting everyone in our state from unfair utility rate increases or bills that should never have been sent,” said Majority Leader Danaya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “By finally providing the Office with adequate resources, we will empower them to serve as our watchdog and stop utilities from taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers. This bill will make sure that Colorado consumers always have a voice at the Public Utility Commission.” SB21-103 , which is sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar, would extend the OCC for seven years and change its name to the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. It would also implement the recommendations of the sunset review to clarify that the OCC can participate in hearings before state agencies, engage on telecom issues before the PUC, conduct its own legislative affairs (separating the department from DOLA’s legislative efforts), and request and obtain documents that are critical for its work, particularly documents that may bring to light utility practices that increase costs on Colorado consumers. The Office of Consumer Council is the voice of residential, small business, and agriculture consumers of electric and natural gas proceedings before the PUC, federal agencies, and the courts. It advocates for safe, reliable and affordable utility services and achieves savings for consumers through participation in regulatory hearings and through settlements with utility companies that result in rate reductions, refunds, or reductions in proposed rate increases. The OCC has saved consumers $1.7 billion over the last 30 years and has saved consumers $113 million on average per year during the last five years. It has returned more than $63 in savings for every dollar it takes in to finance its operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCC has taken action to protect energy consumers. It worked to establish shut-off moratoriums; advocated for a moratorium on late fees, reconnection fees, and deposit requirements; and helped ensure that utilities extend repayment plans. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to preserve Colorado’s fresh water. < Back April 20, 2023 Water Conservation Legislation Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to preserve Colorado’s fresh water. HB23-1242 would require oil and gas operators to reduce, reuse and recycle water in their drilling operations. “Fresh water in Colorado is limited, and we’re working toward solutions that preserve this precious resource across our state,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins . “This legislation creates tools to increase the recycling and reuse of produced water in oil and gas operations. As we continue to combat the worst drought conditions of our lifetime, it’s vital for us to use every method at our disposal to preserve our water.” “Freshwater is precious, and we’re taking necessary steps to conserve it in Colorado,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “This legislation improves transparency and reporting in oil and gas operations that will help transition from using fresh water to recycled water. Clear actions outlined in this bill will save billions of gallons of water in Colorado and are essential to address these long term drought conditions that impact our day to day lives.” HB23-1242 directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules requiring operators to reduce, reuse, and recycle water used in oil and gas operations, and ensures operators regularly report the volume and source of the water used to the COGCC. Colorado and the entire west are facing the worst drought conditions in 1,200 years . Last year, oil and gas operations used nearly 24 million gallons of freshwater per well. Requiring oil and gas operators to use recycled water in lieu of using fresh water will save billions of gallons of fresh water for farmers and Colorado communities. HB23-1242 also establishes new transparency and reporting requirements for all water used, recycled, and disposed of by oil and gas operators. This reporting will enhance the Commission's and public’s understanding of how water is managed and disposed of in oil and gas operations. The bill also creates the Colorado Produced Water Consortium in the Department of Natural Resources to make recommendations for the recycling and reuse of significant water in oil and gas operations in line with the COGCC’s mission. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2022 RECYCLING IMPROVEMENT BILL WILL SAVE COLORADANS MONEY Bipartisan legislation would ease recycling for all Coloradans, improve Colorado’s waste diversion and cut down on excessive packaging DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bipartisan bill on a preliminary vote to transform Colorado’s recycling and waste diversion. The Producer Recycling Responsibility Program, sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter and Senators Kevin Priola and Julie Gonzales, would make recycling easier, more effective and save Coloradans money. “Colorado’s waste diversion rates are terrible and that’s through no fault of everyday Coloradans,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D- Littleton. “It’s time to rethink the way we recycle and our bipartisan bill would create an easier and more consistent recycling system to combat climate change, improve waste diversion, create a circular economy and save Coloradans money. It’s clear, our current recycling system isn’t working – and this bill revamps the way Colorado diverts waste to protect our planet.” The Producer Recycling Responsibility Program: HB22-1355 , would transform Colorado’s fractured approach to recycling by requiring producers to contribute, based on their product’s packaging, to a producer responsibility organization to create more coordinated management of a statewide recycling system. This bill aims to distribute the recycling responsibility from consumers and local governments to producers. Under the bill, producers will pay a fee based on the material used to package their products including cans, bottles, boxes, containers and shrink wrap. Revenue generated from producers would be used toward expanding Colorado’s recycling infrastructure, making it easier for Coloradans across the state to access reliable, no-cost curbside recycling. Colorado’s recycling programs are disjointed resulting in inconvenient, inconsistent and costly waste diversion. As a result, Colorado only diverts 15 percent of all recyclable materials from landfills every year, less than half the national recycling rate. Colorado also buries more than 5.9 million tons of recyclable materials in landfills that are worth $100 million. By increasing Colorado’s recycling rates, we can create a more reliable supply of materials for new products that support local communities and create a circular economy to save Colorado businesses and households money. This bill would centralize Colorado’s recycling system to save Coloradans money, remove barriers for consumers and expand recycling services and access for everyone, including Coloradans living in rural communities. HB22-1355 is based on successful international producer responsibility programs that have resulted in recycling rates of 70-80 percent in Canada and some European countries. Previous Next

The House today passed HB26-1028 to support students who speak more than one language. < Back April 22, 2026 Velasco, García Bill to Recognize Bilingual Students Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed HB26-1028 to support students who speak more than one language. “When our schools are tailored to students, we equip them with the resources and tools they need to not only get by, but thrive,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Our bill would make it easier for high school students to earn a bilingualism endorsement to share with colleges and future employers. In Colorado, we celebrate the diversity and cultural richness that make our state great, and by improving the language proficiency designations, we can make it easier for multilingual students to showcase their skills.” “Colorado’s public schools educate thousands of multilingual students, and this bill gives them the recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Soon, multilingual high school students in Colorado will have new opportunities to receive a bilingualism endorsement on their diplomas. Speaking more than one language can give students a competitive edge when it comes to college applications or landing their dream internship, and this bill helps multilingual students excel.” HB26-1028 , which passed the House by a vote of 44-20, would expand access to language proficiency designations to improve educational outcomes for high school students who speak more than one language. This bill would create a diploma endorsement for bilingualism, which would require students to speak, listen, and understand another language in addition to English. The bill also expands access to the State Seal of Biliteracy, which requires students to showcase their language skills more rigorously through writing exams and reading comprehension. Colorado's public schools educate 114,482 multilingual students, and this bill would help students display their language skills and set them on a strong pathway for future careers. Previous Next

< Back February 18, 2020 BUENTELLO’S BILL TO SAVE MORE VETERANS MONEY ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — Rep. Bri Buentello’s bipartisan bill to make it easier for service members, their families and veterans to receive in-state tuition at Colorado community colleges today was unanimously approved by the House Education Committee. “If you served our country and you want to go to school in Colorado, you should be able to receive in-state tuition without going through red tape,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo. “Recently discharged members of the military, veterans or military members and their families who move frequently often face significant bureaucratic hurdles when seeking to qualify for in-state tuition, and today we took an important step towards ending that.” HB20-1275 allows an active or honorably discharged member of the United States armed forces or one of their dependents to be eligible for in-state tuition status at a community college regardless of whether the person satisfies Colorado domicile or residency status. According to militaryspouse.com , military families relocate on average once every two to three years, leading to increased difficulties in satisfying residency requirements. Previous Next

Democratic Leadership and Joint Budget Committee members today responded to the Trump Administration’s immediate freeze of federal funding. < Back January 28, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership, JBC Members Release Statement on Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze DENVER, CO – Democratic Leadership and Joint Budget Committee members today responded to the Trump Administration’s immediate freeze of federal funding. Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, President James Coleman, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Senators Jeff Bridges and Judy Amabile, and Representatives Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota: “Today’s freeze on federal funding is a reckless decision that is already causing immediate and far reaching harm to Coloradans across the state. We are still working to understand the breadth of the impacts, but we know that critical food, housing, health and behavioral health care, child care, and anti-poverty services are currently in limbo, causing chaos and uncertainty for Coloradans, safety net service providers, and state and local governments, including law enforcement. Republicans and Democrats must be clear-eyed in this moment that this funding freeze is a brazen abuse of power that will likely have significant economic impacts and cause irreparable harm to Colorado kids, families, seniors, and everyone who calls our state home. We are proud that Colorado will be joining states from across the nation in a lawsuit that will attempt to blunt the impact of this funding freeze on people’s lives. We stand ready to assist in any way we can to prevent further harm.” Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 REP. SULLIVAN’S BILL TO CONNECT STUDENTS WITH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS MOVES FORWARD Bipartisan legislation would connect students and school personnel with apprenticeship programs to facilitate placement in apprenticeships DENVER, CO— The House Committee on Education today advanced Representative Tom Sullivan’s bipartisan legislation to connect students and school personnel with apprenticeship programs. The bill passed out of committee unanimously. “Last year, we created the state’s first apprenticeship directory to collect and make available information about the hundreds of apprenticeships open to Coloradans,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “These programs are so important for teaching students the skills they need to work in good-paying jobs. This bill would ensure that we’re doing all we can to connect students and school personnel with these critical apprenticeship programs.” SB20-081, which is also sponsored by Representative Colin Larson, R-Littleton, would ensure that apprenticeship programs can better connect with interested students through school personnel. Currently, the state’s apprenticeship directory does not include contact information for schools. By adding that information, apprenticeship programs will be able to reach more students who may have an interest in learning a trade. The bill will help students and parents know who to talk to at their school if they are interested in these programs and who can help them determine which program might be right for them. It also aims to raise awareness of the availability of apprenticeship programs among school administrators who may not currently know that the directory exists. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law that will make narrowly targeted updates to advance the Front Range Passenger Rail project, a train line that would connect communities from Fort Collins to Pueblo. < Back May 26, 2026 Bill to Update the Front Range Passenger Rail District to Pave the Way for Future Service Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law that will make narrowly targeted updates to advance the Front Range Passenger Rail project, a train line that would connect communities from Fort Collins to Pueblo. “Families in Fort Collins want an affordable, eco-friendly, and convenient way to travel along the Front Range,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “These communities are highly interconnected and our infrastructure should match how Coloradans live, work, and travel every day. This bill creates a strong foundation for this project to advance with accurate boundaries and community input.” “From Fort Collins to Pueblo, passenger rail is coming to Colorado,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “As we get closer to breaking ground on the project, we are narrowing in on details that will help make passenger rail a reality for the Front Range. From going to CSU games and a concert in Denver to commuting for work, the Front Range Passenger Rail will deliver a safe, dependable alternative to car travel.” “For my community in Pueblo, Front Range Passenger Rail means opportunities for employment, visiting family, and enjoying everything Colorado has to offer in a way that meets how Coloradans want to travel,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “This bill lays the groundwork for Front Range Passenger Rail to move forward, creating limitless opportunities for communities along the Front Range, including Pueblo.” “Passenger rail can open up more job opportunities and save Coloradans money on transportation,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs . “This law creates a clear path for the Front Range Passenger Rail to take shape, improving Colorado’s transportation options and infrastructure for the municipalities that have already opted into this rail system. Soon, voters around these stations will get a say on whether or not their community will have Front Range Passenger Rail. This project has been a long time in the making, and I am excited for the opportunities that this will open up for my community in Colorado Springs.” SB26-172 updates the Front Range Passenger Rail District boundaries to focus on municipalities that would be directly served by the rail line and remove municipalities outside of the service area. It also creates residency requirements for the district board members and adjusts how ballot measures are brought by the district, creating options for subdistricts within the district boundaries. Colorado Democrats established the Front Range Passenger Rail District in 2021 to lay the groundwork for a high-speed passenger rail system along the Front Range corridor. This past April, the future train was named “Colorado Connector,” after input from more than 25,000 Coloradans. Last week, the state and relevant governing boards reached an agreement with BNSF to advance to the design phase of the passenger rail project. Service is anticipated to begin by January 2029. Previous Next

< Back January 26, 2023 Water Efficiency and Resiliency Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed legislation to help commercial property owners better finance water and energy efficiency improvements, and increase property resilience. “We’re working to improve an already successful energy efficiency program so more commercial properties in Colorado can save money, on energy, and water,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Our bill expands the C-PACE program to help commercial properties cut down on their energy and water usage, and invest in resilient infrastructure in the face of more frequent and severe weather events caused by climate change. By expanding this favorable financing mechanism we empower building owners to modernize their infrastructure, increase renewable energy deployment and help create good paying jobs.” “We’re committed to preserving and protecting Colorado’s environmental resources, especially water, and our bill makes improvements to the C-PACE program so commercial businesses can improve their resilience and water efficiency,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “We know many commercial properties want to make water and energy efficiency upgrades, and our bill makes the process easier so businesses can begin their energy efficiency improvements sooner.” HB23-1005 passed committee by a vote of 8-3 and is part of the Colorado House Democrats' first five bills. HB23-1005 would protect Colorado's environment and preserve water resources by expanding project eligibility and streamlining the approval process so more commercial properties in Colorado can take advantage of Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE’s) financing 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. Previous Next

< Back May 6, 2021 BILL TO EXPAND BACKGROUND CHECKS, SAVE LIVES ADVANCES Judiciary Committee Advances gun violence prevention measure DENVER, CO– The House Judiciary Committee today advanced Reps. Judy Amabile and Steven Woodrow’s bill to strengthen Colorado’s gun transfer background check system by preventing individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors from obtaining a firearm for a period of time and closing the ‘Charleston Loophole’. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “When my community was devastated by the senseless actions of a troubled individual with a history of violence, I was left reeling and grasping for answers on how to prevent this from happening again,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “As the investigation continues, it has become clear to me that the shooter’s conviction of a violent misdemeanor should have been the red flag that prevented him from buying a deadly weapon. I’m proud to honor my community with action today.” “Child abuse, hate crimes, possession of an illegal weapon — these are the types of recent convictions that would stop you from obtaining a firearm under this bill,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “While I’m certain we’ll continue to encounter opposition on this legislation moving forward, an overwhelming majority of Coloradans agree it really shouldn’t be controversial. This bill is about saving lives, and ensuring that individuals with a history of violence have a more difficult time getting their hands on the type of weapon that can take a dozen lives in mere seconds.” HB21-1298 prohibits a person who has been convicted of certain violent misdemeanor offenses from purchasing a firearm for 5 years. These specific criminal offenses show a propensity for violence or illegal usage of a weapon and include charges like child abuse, hate crimes, cruelty to animals, sexual assault, and third degree assault. The bill also closes the “Charleston loophole”, which allows an individual who may not have otherwise passed a background check to obtain a firearm if the results of said background check take longer than three days to process. This bill avoids that by creating a state requirement for a firearms dealer to receive approval from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation prior to transferring a firearm. Previous Next

< Back January 9, 2020 SPEAKER BECKER REACTS TO TRI-STATE CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT DENVER, CO — Speaker KC Becker (D-Boulder) today issued the following statement reacting to an announcement from the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association outlining the retirement of all coal generation in Colorado and New Mexico: “I applaud Tri-State’s commitment to Colorado’s clean energy future and am impressed by the bold carbon emissions reduction target they set. Meeting our state’s targets requires immediate collective action, and I’m happy to see Tri-State take their role seriously. As our state transitions toward a clean, renewable energy future, we must always keep in mind that this change will bring difficult transitions for Colorado’s energy workers, their families and communities. A commitment to a clean energy future also requires a commitment to a fair and just transition for Colorado’s workers. Protecting and supporting workers and communities through these shifting economic tides remains a top priority for the legislature. I look forward to continuing to work with a broad array of stakeholders to find ways to support and protect working families affected by a changing energy economy. The Just Transition Office created by the legislature last year will work with impacted communities and worker representatives across the state on a plan to support those impacted by the transition away from coal.” Previous Next

< Back January 30, 2020 BILL TO GUARANTEE MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS CHECKS BILL ADVANCES Bipartisan legislation would reinforce Colorado as a national leader in mental health parity DENVER, CO– HB20-1086, sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Colin Larson, today passed the House Committee on Health and Insurance unanimously. By guaranteeing insurance coverage for annual mental health wellness exams, the legislation would cement Colorado as a national leader in mental health parity laws. “I’m excited that Colorado is now a big step closer to making annual mental health wellness exams accessible to all,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City) . “Too often, our state’s behavioral health system provides care in crisis situations after a mental health condition has gone untreated. This bill would prioritize preventative mental health care, just like we do for physical health care, so that Coloradans can get the care they need before they face a crisis.” HB20-1086 would require health insurance plans to cover an annual mental health wellness examination as a part of their coverage for preventative health care services. The coverage must be comparable to the coverage for a physical examination, comply with federal mental health parity laws, and not require any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. The legislation aims to further break down barriers to mental health care. Our current system often treats mental health on an expensive crisis-by-crisis basis. By enhancing access to preventative care, the bill would help provide treatment for mental health conditions before someone is faced with a crisis. It would also reduce the stigma around mental health by ensuring we value preventative mental health care in the same way we currently value physical health care. Colorado is experiencing a persistent and rising suicide rate while far too many residents report barriers to accessing the behavioral health care they need. Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death in Colorado. In 2019, 769,301 Coloradans were unable to get mental health services when needed, and 68 percent reported that cost and insurance coverage were barriers, according to the Colorado Health Access Survey. The legislation is supported by Mental Health Colorado, the Colorado AFL-CIO, the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, the Colorado Association for School Based Health Care, the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, and the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Previous Next