The House today passed legislation to eliminate “swipe fees” to save small businesses money. SB26-134, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran, passed by a vote of 44-20. < Back May 6, 2026 House Passes Bill to Save Small Businesses Money on Swipe Fees DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to eliminate “swipe fees” to save small businesses money. SB26-134, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran, passed by a vote of 44-20. “We are passing this bill to save small businesses and restaurants thousands of dollars that they can use to grow their business, lower costs or increase workers’ wages,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Credit card companies charge a fee on the sales tax businesses are required to collect, which can cost thousands of dollars per year. This simple bill will help businesses and workers thrive and create opportunities for small retailers to compete and succeed.” “Swipe fees are lining the pockets of Wall Street banks while Colorado’s small businesses struggle to make ends meet. Every dollar matters for a small business, which is why I’m sponsoring this legislation to eliminate swipe fees on sales tax,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Small businesses, many of which are owned by people of color and first-generation Americans, are paying thousands of dollars to the largest credit card companies in swipe fees on sales tax that they are required to collect for state and local governments. That is money that could go to paying rent, making payroll and combating rising costs. Our bill puts an end to swipe fees on sales tax to save Colorado businesses money and help local economies thrive.” Currently, credit card companies charge businesses a ‘swipe fee’ for electronic payments and card-based transactions. This fee includes both the transaction total and the sales tax that businesses must collect on behalf of the state and local governments. SB26-134 would prohibit large credit card companies from implementing this fee on the sales tax component of every transaction. The bill applies to credit card companies with assets over $60 billion. Businesses with over 500 employees must use any savings under this bill to reduce prices for customers or increase employee wages or benefits. Swipe fees can range from 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent of a transaction. In 2024, swipe fees on sales tax cost businesses over $217 million in Colorado. A 2026 Colorado Restaurant Association report found that SB26-134 could save Colorado restaurants over $26,000 a year. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed two bipartisan bills that would expand access to community health services through Medicaid reimbursement and save patients and business owners money on prescription drugs. < Back May 10, 2023 SIGNED! Bipartisan Health Care Savings Legislation Become Law DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed two bipartisan bills that would expand access to community health services through Medicaid reimbursement and save patients and business owners money on prescription drugs. “As an emergency room nurse, I work hard each session to make life easier for Coloradans seeking affordable, quality medical care,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “This year’s efforts will keep more money in the pockets of hardworking families and help Coloradans afford the life-saving medication and care they need. I’m proud to see these critical bipartisan bills signed into law, and I look forward to seeing their impact for years to come.” “Rural communities like mine often rely on affordable health care services provided by community health workers to receive preventative, primary, and mental health care, but the current funding mechanism makes it more difficult for communities to offer these services ,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This bipartisan legislation Governor Polis signed into law today will allow for Medicaid reimbursement for community health services, connecting Coloradans to necessary affordable health care while also boosting our health care workforce.” SB23-002 , also sponsored by Republican Senator Cleave Simpson and Republican Representative Mary Bradfield, would save money on health care by providing a lower cost option for preventative health care and seeks Medicaid reimbursement for community health workers that would incentivize growth in the workforce. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) would be authorized to seek federal authorization from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicaid reimbursement for community health worker services, which would secure long-term funding to make urgently-needed care both easier to access and more affordable for the Coloradans who depend on it. Services provided by community health workers include preventative services, screening, assessments, behavioral or dental health-related services, health coaching, and advocacy. The bill requires HCPF to seek federal approval by July 1, 2024, and to begin implementing coverage once approval is received. “For every $100 spent at a pharmacy, $82 is evenly split between manufacturer profits and middlemen like Pharmacy Benefit Managers,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “Pharmacy Benefit Managers are charging employers one price for prescription drugs while reimbursing pharmacies much less and pocketing the difference. I’m proud that this legislation is becoming law today, so we can save business owners money on the prescription drug coverage they provide to their employees by prohibiting the pharmacy benefits industry from price gouging.” HB23-1201 is also sponsored by Republican Senator Jim Smallwood and Republican Representative Matt Soper. Currently PBMs can charge employers one price, but reimburse pharmacies less and keep the difference, a practice known as spread pricing. This bill makes it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for and increase transparency for employers into how PBM and carrier behavior impacts their costs. Previous Next

Rep. Titone has spearheaded multiple ‘right to repair’ laws in Colorado, including for  farm equipment and electric wheelchairs. < Back October 24, 2023 Titone Participates in White House Event on Right to Repair Rep. Titone has spearheaded multiple ‘right to repair’ laws in Colorado, including for farm equipment and electric wheelchairs. DENVER, CO – Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, today participated in an event hosted by the White House about state and federal efforts to strengthen ‘right to repair’ laws. Rep. Titone joined leaders from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, National Economic Council, Federal Trade Commission, and Environmental Protection Agency. “From agricultural equipment to mobility devices, right to repair laws are about providing people with the freedom to fix their own property and equipment,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “It was an honor to be invited by the White House to speak on some of the first-in-the-nation right to repair laws I’ve spearheaded during my time at the legislature, and I am hopeful my legislation and ideas can be a blueprint for other states. Right to repair saves people money, time, and gets them back to daily life faster, and I am hopeful that national right to repair laws are on the horizon.” During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Titone spearheaded HB23-1011 , which requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. Specifically, agricultural equipment manufacturers need to provide necessary parts, software, firmware, tools or documentation to independent repair providers and owners at a fair and reasonable price. Colorado is the first and only state in the nation to secure a law for the right to repair agricultural equipment. In addition to HB23-1011, Representatives Titone and David Ortiz, D-Littleton, passed two trailblazing right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users last year. These laws require wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts and software to consumers and eliminate the need for prior authorization to repair powered wheelchairs and other complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) s for Medicaid recipients. Previous Next

< Back March 2, 2020 MULTILINGUAL BALLOT ACCESS BILL PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO– The House today voted to pass HB20-1081 , Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bill to allow multilingual ballot access, by a vote of 41-20. The bill would ensure that counties with significant minority language speakers provide voters in these communities with ballots in their own languages. “A strong democracy depends on well-informed voters, and this bill will ensure that all Coloradans can fully understand their ballots,” said Rep. Caraveo (D- Thornton). “Improving ballot access and bringing more people into the democratic process while placing minimal responsibilities on our local governments is a resounding win for Colorado.” The bill establishes a hotline run by the Secretary of State’s office to provide access to ballot translation and requires the Secretary of State’s office to have the hotline available for the November 2022 election and for every general election and statewide odd-year election thereafter. County clerks are to make available minority language sample ballots when a language is spoken by at least 2,000 or 2.5 percent citizens of voting age who speak English “less than very well” in a county. These sample ballots would be available in-person beginning in November 2022 and for every general election and statewide odd-year election thereafter. There are over 80,000 Colorado voters who speak English “less than very well.”. Ballots are often difficult for minority language speakers to comprehend, even if they do speak and read some English. The United States has no official language. The federal Voting Rights Act only requires the counties of Conejos, Costilla, Denver, and Saguache provide election materials in both English and Spanish, limiting ballot access for Coloradans who are eligible to vote across the state who speak English “less than very well.” Previous Next

SB24-233 would provide long-term property tax relief to save Coloradans money on their property taxes while protecting K-12 funding < Back May 8, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Make Colorado More Affordable, Reduce Property Taxes Passes House SB24-233 would provide long-term property tax relief to save Coloradans money on their property taxes while protecting K-12 funding DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy that would provide permanent property tax relief to homeowners and businesses while protecting funding for public schools. SB24-233, which passed by a vote of 57-6, will build on the billions of dollars in temporary savings the state has provided over the last three years. “After months of hard work on the Commission on Property Tax, I’m proud that we have come up with a long-term, bipartisan solution that will save Colorado homeowners and small businesses money on property taxes,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This legislation will responsibly reduce property taxes in a meaningful way to save people money while protecting school funding. Today we made clear that there is no reason for deep-pocketed special interests to move forward with ballot measures that would devastate our communities, school funding, and public safety resources.” SB24-233 is sponsored by members of the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy and Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock. The bill would ensure that Colorado homeowners won’t see an increase in their property taxes for 2024 and reduce statewide local taxes by more than $1 billion. In 2026 and beyond, the bill would reduce property taxes by seven to 10 percent compared to current law for homes valued at $700,000 or less. Annual savings would equal $300-$400 for a home valued at $700,000. Savings would depend on local mills and any changes in assessed home values. SB24-233 would also reduce the commercial property assessment rate to 25 percent by 2027, down from 29 percent. To offset revenue loss resulting from the next year of property tax reductions, the bill would backfill school districts, ensuring public schools remain fully funded. Finally, SB24-233 would protect Coloradans against future spikes in property taxes by capping local property tax growth at 5.5 percent starting in 2025, creating more certainty for homeowners and businesses. Local governments would still have the opportunity to temporarily or permanently opt out of the cap by a vote of the people. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injector devices at $60 for a 2-pack and save Coloradans money on life-saving medications. < Back March 7, 2023 Bill to Lower Cost of EpiPens Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injector devices at $60 for a 2-pack and save Coloradans money on life-saving medications. “No Coloradan should have to choose between life-saving medication and putting a roof over their head,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Right now, one company has a monopoly over epinephrine auto-injectors, allowing them to price EpiPens at nearly $700 for a 2-pack despite only costing $8 for the manufacturer to produce. We’re passing this legislation to ensure that life-saving medication is more affordable and accessible for all Coloradans.” “The current prices for an EpiPen 2-pack are inaccessible for hardworking Coloradans, requiring nursing assistants, child care workers, and cashiers to work over 40 hours to pay for their life-saving medication,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Capping out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens will save families money and ensure that every Coloradan has equitable access to this essential medication.” An epinephrine auto-injector is a medical device that is used to dispense epinephrine, a hormone that quickly combats life-threatening reactions including swollen airways and rapidly dropping blood pressure. It is commonly used by people with moderate to severe allergies, in addition to other medical issues, to prevent a fatal anaphylactic reaction. Epinephrine auto-injectors are commonly referred to by the trademark name “EpiPen”, which was acquired by one company in 2007. Since then, prices have increased over 660% to $690 for a 2-pack. Because EpiPens expire a year after purchase, Coloradans have been forced to spend hundreds of dollars annually for medication that can save them from potentially lethal reactions. HB23-1002 was highlighted by the Colorado House Democrats as legislation that drives the key agenda for the 2023 Legislative Session. It creates the Epi-Pen Affordability Program, where uninsured Coloradans with a prescription can apply online through the Colorado Division of Insurance to obtain low-cost epinephrine auto-injectors. Under this bill, manufacturers would be required to post access to the program on their websites. The bill also requires insurance carriers that provide coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors to cap the out-of-pocket cost to $60 for a 2-pack. With over 500,000 Coloradans experiencing severe food allergies and over 430,000 Coloradans with asthma, this bill will help nearly a million individuals and families across the state get low-cost access to the emergency medication they need. This legislation is modeled after successful policy passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to limit profiteering off essential medication. Senator Dylan Roberts sponsored HB21-1307 , creating the Colorado Insulin Affordability Program and successfully reducing insulin prescription costs without shifting them to the marketplace or insurance policy consumers. The bill caps monthly insulin costs at $100, regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. Insulin is used similarly to EpiPens in regulating bodily reactions. Without insulin or EpiPens, individuals can experience dangerous and potentially fatal symptoms. Previous Next

< Back February 21, 2023 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Incarcerated Coloradans to Pursue College Credits DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez to allow incarcerated Coloradans to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education. HB23-1037 passed the House with nearly unanimous support by a vote of 61-1. “This bill is about preparing incarcerated Coloradans for success when they’re released from prison by giving them the tools they need to thrive,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez D-Monte Vista. “I’m beyond proud to champion this bipartisan bill that received nearly unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats. This bill will reduce recidivism in Colorado by creating pathways for incarcerated people to earn credits toward degrees and certificates that create opportunities for good paying careers after they have served their time.” HB23-1037 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would allow inmates sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to reduce their sentence by completing an accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited higher education institution while the inmate is incarcerated in the Department of Corrections (DOC). Specifically, inmates could receive one year of earned time for a bachelor's or associate's degree, 6 months for an earned credential or certificate of 30 credit hours worth, 18 months of earned time for a master’s degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. Right now, offenders in the DOC can reduce their sentence through earned time by participating in group living, counseling sessions and through specific work and training. Generally, inmates cannot reduce their sentence by more than 30 percent. This bill would add higher education to the list of ways inmates can reduce their sentence through earned time. HB23-1037 aims to encourage incarcerated Coloradans to pursue higher education and better prepare them for a high-earning career post-sentence. Access to education opportunities while in prison is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools to reduce recidivism. Colorado’s recidivism rate is 50 percent , one of the highest in the nation. A comprehensive, nationwide study showed that the recidivism rate among incarcerated individuals who earn associate's degrees is around 14 percent and just 5.6 percent for those who earn bachelor's degrees. These recidivism rates are significantly lower than interacted individuals who receive no education while in prison. Previous Next

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 April 10, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO WORKERS ‘Just Transition’ legislation would ensure state studies and prepares for future (Apr. 10) – The House Business Affairs & Labor committee approved Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill to create the Just Transition Office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to support the livelihood of coal transition workers, their families and their communities, and to help provide these workers access to training and job opportunities. “The time to take action on climate is now, but we cannot work towards a clean energy economy without also working on solutions to support workers who are affected by this transition,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “Workers and communities whose livelihoods are threatened by shifting economic tides and advancements in technology need support. We can support these communities in this transition and that’s the intention of this bill.” Due to market forces, Colorado’s power sector is transitioning toward renewable energy resources and natural gas. This bill would help ensure communities and workers who are going to be impacted by this market driven transition away from coal won’t be left behind. The bill provides critical benefits to workers who are laid off to help them get back up on their feet and provides workforce and economic development grants to communities whose residents and local economies are disproportionately impacted by the decline of coal. “HD-50 is a working class community. I’m the daughter of working people and work in a blue collar job myself. I understand the plight of working people and the struggles they go through every day,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “This bill is about looking out for workers whose livelihoods could be impacted by inevitable market shifts. We need to be responsive, compassionate and proactive for workers when addressing the transition.” The bill was approved on a vote of 7-3. The bill now goes the the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

The House today passed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick, to save farmers money and prevent livestock harm. < Back February 18, 2026 Bipartisan Bill to Save Farmers Money, Prevent Livestock Disease Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick, to save farmers money and prevent livestock harm. “Farmers and ranchers know that certain diseases or infections could wipe out their entire herd, and this bill saves both animal lives and money for our agricultural communities,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Every farmer and rancher wants to keep their livestock healthy, and this bill extends the permissible uses of a livestock disease management fund to include preventative education and collaboration. This bipartisan bill is good for our agricultural ecosystem, saves farmers money and limits the spread of harmful diseases amongst livestock.” HB26-1067 , also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, passed the House by a vote of 58 to 1. To save farmers money and help prevent the spread of livestock diseases, this bill would authorize the Department of Agriculture to expend money in support of agricultural workers preparing for and responding to certain emerging threats to livestock health. Under current law, the fund can only be used to reimburse a farmer or rancher if they are forced to euthanize their livestock after exposure to an infectious or contagious disease. This bill adds flexibility to the use of the fund so farmers and ranchers can take proactive measures to treat or prevent disease before it damages the herd. This bill also renames the fund to the "livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity" fund to reflect its new role in preventive action and in protecting healthy herds. Last year, the Trump Administration announced that it would quadruple the amount of beef the U.S. imports from Argentina, which drastically undermined Colorado beef producers during peak season. The Colorado Department of Agriculture recently warned farmers and ranchers about the New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly that is “a threat to the livestock industry” in Colorado. Bird flu, formally known as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, has been negatively impacting livestock in Colorado and across the nation. Previous Next

Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7. < Back July 29, 2024 New Laws to Prevent Student Overdoses, Expand Access to Health Care Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7. HB24-1003, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Mary Young and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will make opiate antagonists and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. SB24-034, sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman and Chris Kolker and Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Lorena Garcia, expands the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. “I’m so proud to have worked closely with the students from both Durango and Animas High Schools to create this life-saving law,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Too often, Colorado youth have seen their classmates suffer from the current opioid crisis, which is why our law will increase availability and training for the administration of opiate antagonists. The advocacy from these students on this topic will make a significant impact throughout our state and save countless lives, as they’ve seen the challenges their peers face.” “Our young people have not escaped being harmed by the opioid crisis that is impacting every corner of our state, and we must do more to protect them,” Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said. “This important legislation, which came to us from students who have been impacted directly by this terrible epidemic, gives schools more badly-needed tools to combat this crisis and will ultimately save lives.” “As a school psychologist, I understand how serious and common overdoses can be in our schools, and this new law will make it easier for schools to prevent these overdoses from becoming fatal,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Research shows that overdose education for students, teachers, staff, and families leads to increased involvement in treatment and this legislation empowers students, educators, and other school personnel to know how to respond to an overdose. This student-initiated law gives schools life-saving harm reduction tools to decrease the number of student overdoses across Colorado.” HB24-1003 , will allow trained bus drivers and other employees present on buses to administer certain medications, including opiate antagonists such as Naloxone, to students experiencing an overdose. This law also permits school districts to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses, and for trained students to possess and administer opiate antagonists on school grounds, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event. Additionally, HB24-1003 will allow schools to acquire and maintain a supply of testing strips designed to detect the presence of additional harmful components in an opioid, such as fentanyl. “School-based health centers deliver critical care where and when students need it,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “However, we still see gaps in care, especially in rural school districts. This new law will allow medical entities, in partnership with school districts, to use grant funding to support telehealth, mobile services and referrals for nearby services. This reduces barriers to care by bringing primary medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care directly to school communities.” “The School-Based Health Center Grant Program helps provide quality health care services to our youth and meet the needs of students in our state,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “Our new law extends this important program to also include telehealth services so every student seeking care can receive it in a convenient way that works for them.” “For years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has been instrumental in providing quality health care to students who need it most,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will help ensure every student seeking care can receive it in a timely, convenient manner. I’m thrilled to see us take another step forward to ensure every Colorado kid has the support they need to thrive.” “Expanding access to health care is critical, especially for our students and youth,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County . “This new law expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program so our students, regardless of their zip code, can receive the medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care they need.” SB24-034 will expand the successful School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Under current law, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. SB24-034 allows this program to work alongside other school-linked programs, such as telehealth and mobile health units. Previous Next

< Back June 1, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO FINANCE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS AND WEATHERIZATION SERVICES DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation to create jobs and help Colorado build back stronger by financing clean energy projects and weatherization services. These bills are a part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus, a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. “Renewable energy projects create jobs and help Colorado meet our climate goals,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “By making smart investments that stimulate our economy and get people back to work, Colorado is going to advance new energy projects and clean energy retrofits across the state and build back stronger.” “Colorado is going to lead the way on renewable energy projects that create jobs and protect our environment,” said Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont. “This innovative approach leverages state funding to draw down significant capital that will finance critical new clean energy and energy efficiency projects that will stimulate our economy and save consumers money.” SB21-230 , sponsored by Representatives Valdez and Burnett, passed by a vote of 42-21. The bill invests $40 million in clean energy finance initiatives through the Colorado Energy Office. The majority of the funds will go to the Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), which uses the “green bank” model already in operation in over a dozen states to finance clean energy projects and bridge the gaps between businesses and private capital providers. By leveraging limited public funds, the CCEF can draw over $120 million of total investment and create over 2,000 in Colorado communities most impacted by climate change. The remaining funds will be allocated to proven programs within the Colorado Energy Office that support clean energy retrofits, energy-efficient new construction, clean energy lending and funding for the installation of EV charging stations at facilities across the state. “Home weatherization saves property owners money on their utility bills, lowers energy use, increases comfort, and creates good jobs for workers in this critical industry,” said Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder. “This program will help thousands of Coloradans improve the energy efficiency of their homes through cost-effective services that also improve home values.” “New weatherization technologies, such as furnace safety testing or air sealing, help consumers save on their energy bills and reduce energy consumption,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Boosting resources for the Weatherization Assistance Program will create jobs, reduce emissions that harm our environment, and help lower-income Coloradans make important home improvements that will lower their energy bills and also help protect our environment.” The Colorado Energy Office’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers free weatherization support for Colorado’s low-income residents. WAP works to maximize energy cost savings for each client by providing them with cost-effective energy efficiency services. The program’s services focus on the home as a system and include a variety of measures that improve the home’s energy efficiency. These cost-effective services reduce wasted energy and lower heating bill costs, while improving the overall comfort and safety of a home year-round, they include things like air sealing, furnace safety testing, LED light bulb retrofits, and more. SB21-231 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Edie Hooton, passed by a vote of 43-20. The bill provides $3 million in additional funding to supplement the program’s $20 million budget. Under its current budget, the program only serves about 2,000 homes per year, although about 500,000 Colorado households could qualify. Previous Next