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Two laws will boost condo construction and ensure safe housing for renters < Back July 25, 2025 Legislation to Increase Affordable Condos, Expand Tenant Protections Goes Into Effect Two laws will boost condo construction and ensure safe housing for renters DENVER, CO – Legislation to reduce the cost of housing, expand homeownership opportunities through condo construction, and strengthen enforcement of landlord-tenant laws go into effect on August 6. HB25-1272 is sponsored by Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. The law reforms construction defect laws by encouraging condo builders to provide robust warranties and work with third-party inspectors to help prevent, identify, and correct any construction issues upfront, establishing clear guidelines for construction defect claims, and adjusting the statutes of limitation for construction defect claims. “From building equity and generational wealth to lowering housing costs, condos offer numerous benefits to Coloradans looking to buy their first home,” said Bird. “Rising rent and housing prices have made it nearly impossible for hardworking Coloradans to save enough money to buy a home at the median price tag of $550,000. After years of hard work, I'm thankful for everyone who worked closely with us to help craft this new law so we can spur new housing options that Coloradans can afford and offer more Coloradans a fair shot at the American Dream.” “HB25-1272 will make fair and balanced reforms to our construction defects laws, ensuring that high-quality homes are built, problems are fixed before sale and excessive costs that deter development can be reined in,” said Coleman. “This law is a proactive solution that incentivizes responsible development, making it a win-win for homeowners and builders alike. It’s intended to meet the demands of our communities, respond to changing demographics, and provide housing that is adaptable to different housing sizes and needs. With this law going into effect, we can create more attainable housing opportunities and ensure that more Coloradans can achieve the dream of homeownership.” “With a shortage of over 100,000 homes across our state and a decrease in condominium development, it's becoming increasingly difficult for first-time homebuyers to find housing they can afford,” said Boesenecker. “Offering a variety of housing options is a critical piece in making homeownership a reality for more Coloradans. With this law taking effect, we can increase the availability of high-quality starter homes in the market to create more affordable housing options that work for every budget.” “In Colorado’s mountain and rural communities, there are teachers, police officers, small business owners, nurses, and other crucial working folks who desperately want to be able to buy a home and put roots down, but there’s not any housing available for them to purchase,” said Roberts. “For years, construction defects laws have stunted the development of condos and townhomes, generally more affordable housing options for first-time buyers. This new law will change that and help ensure that we have a healthy mix of housing units, allowing more Coloradans to achieve their dream of homeownership.” Beginning January 1, 2026, the law creates the Multifamily Construction Incentive Program. Builders will be able to opt into this program if they offer a warranty for damage and defects and hire a third-party inspector to periodically review construction throughout the building process. In exchange for providing these additional safeguards upfront, builders in the program will receive additional protections against construction defect actions, which can be costly to litigate and discourage condo development. From 2007 to 2022, the number of condo developers working in Colorado declined by 84-percent in part due to the potential for expensive lawsuits. Meanwhile, the median age of first-time homebuyers in Colorado rose from 35 to 38 in the past year. SB25-020 is sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. This law will ensure safe housing and strengthen renter protections by expanding the Attorney General’s and local governments’ authority to enforce landlord-tenant laws. SB25-020 allows the Colorado Attorney General to seek any penalties or use any enforcement mechanisms available under landlord-tenant laws to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, as well as documentation requirements for housing agreements, and extends protections regarding bed bug infestations in residential homes. The law gives counties and municipalities the ability to enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce. “In recent years, we have worked hard to strengthen renters’ protections and level the playing field between tenants and landlords,” said Gonzales. “When apartment buildings fall into disrepair because of neglect and mismanagement, it throws tenants’ lives into chaos, jeopardizes safe living conditions, and disrupts their ability to simply get through their day. This new law empowers local governments and the Attorney General to enforce the laws we already have on the books by holding neglectful management companies who have a pattern and practice of disregarding our safe housing laws to account, with the goal of ensuring that all Coloradans can live in safe and healthy housing.” “As an Aurora legislator, I’m proud to sponsor this new law to ensure renters don’t have to spend multiple years fighting corporate landlords for basic rights,” said Lindsay. “When negligent landlords allowed several properties in my community to fall into disrepair, the city had limited tools to address the issues. This law builds on past work Colorado Democrats have done to ensure renters can live in safe conditions by empowering counties and municipalities to enforce tenant protection laws. No one deserves to live among rodents or without functioning heat or cooling systems, and this law will help ensure Coloradans have a safe place to live.” “For too long, bad actors in property management have ignored tenant complaints, neglected basic repairs, and left communities in crisis. This must end,” said Weissman. “Recent events in Aurora and Denver highlight the urgent need for stronger tools to protect renters. Violations of our state’s safe housing laws cannot be ignored – especially in a housing crisis where every rental unit matters. SB20 is narrowly focused on tackling cases of chronic neglect where tenants have been left without options for far too long.” “This law will hold negligent landlords accountable when they illegally ignore dangerous living conditions,” said Mabrey. “By giving the Attorney General, counties and municipalities more authority to enforce tenant protection laws, Colorado renters will have more advocates in their corner to fight for safe housing. Colorado Democrats are committed to not only making housing more affordable, but also ensuring that these affordable housing options are a safe and healthy place to live.” SB25-020 also establishes a process where, only in severe cases with a pattern of neglect, residential housing may be placed into receivership – a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The law outlines the process for receivership cases, including providing proper notice to parties, defining powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and establishing the process for ending receiverships. Previous Next

The House today passed Representative Meghan Lukens’ bipartisan bill to improve access to Colorado's state parks and wildlife areas. < Back April 11, 2024 Lukens’ Bipartisan Parks Access Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed Representative Meghan Lukens’ bipartisan bill to improve access to Colorado's state parks and wildlife areas. “With the passage of this bill, we are one step closer to saving Coloradans money on state park passes, and hunting and fishing licenses,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan bill makes recreational opportunities more accessible for older Coloradans and veterans with disabilities. Colorado’s state parks are teaming with wildlife, outdoor activities and top tier recreation opportunities; this bill helps improve access to our state parks so everyone can enjoy what our beautiful state has to offer.” SB24-161 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed the House by a vote of 58 to 2. This bill would make several changes to certain fees, requirements, and procedures related to licenses and passes issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The goal of SB24-161 is to make hunting, fishing and park passes in Colorado more accessible to those living with a disability and to save older Coloradans money on their passes. Specifically, the bill: lowers the age threshold for senior annual fishing licenses from 65 to 64 years of age; lowers the cost of youth big game and youth small game resident and nonresident hunting licenses by $0.25; Increases eligibility for discounted licenses to veterans with disabilities; allows CPW to establish a harvest permit surcharge of up to $5; and allows revenue from the Keep Colorado Wild pass sales to be used for capital construction costs. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and creates a tax credit for capital improvements. HB24-1295 passed by a vote of 10-1. < Back March 21, 2024 Bill to Boost Colorado Communities Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and creates a tax credit for capital improvements. HB24-1295 passed by a vote of 10-1. “The Community Revitalization Tax Credit offers significant help to many communities across Colorado to help them get housing and creative projects built,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. "Our legislation expands on our past grant program’s eligibility criteria, so we can fund many projects waiting for funding to revitalize communities and downtowns across Colorado. With this bill, we’re creating job opportunities and boosting small businesses and local Colorado economies.” “The Community Revitalization Grant Program has provided crucial funding for local communities in every corner of our state, helping local businesses stay in their community while creating essential housing and child care opportunities,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. "This bill would bolster the grant program, dedicating new funding that Colorado communities need to keep the unique character of their town while keeping up with the demand for workforce housing, commercial spaces, and other resources.” In 2022, Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod sponsored legislation to allocate $20 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created as part of the Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets, or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here . HB24-1295 would expand eligibility for the Community Revitalization Grant Program to include projects that are qualified for funding under the Space to Create Colorado Program. The Space to Create Colorado Program helps communities develop affordable housing opportunities, commercial spaces, community gathering spaces, childcare centers, non-profit organizations, and other projects that provide community resources. The bill also establishes a refundable tax credit program for tax years 2026 through 2032 for creative industries and mixed-use and creative-use spaces for the general public. The committee also passed HB24-1358 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Marc Snyder, that would modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. These dollars would help spur additional film production in Colorado, creating new jobs in the creative sector. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2021 HOUSE MOVES TO END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBTQ YOUTH AND PARENTS DENVER, CO– The House today passed HB21-1072, sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich, on second reading. The bill prohibits adoption agencies and foster youth service providers from discriminating against LGBTQ youth or prospective adoptive or foster parents. “No prospective parent should ever be denied the right to start a family, and no young person in Colorado should ever be denied the foster services they need because of who they are or who they love,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Today, as adoption and foster agencies across America update their policies to be more inclusive of LGBTQ youth and parents, we’re building on national momentum to make sure our laws are inclusive and lead to more warm, loving, tight-knit families.” HB21-1072, sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich, would require an out-of-home placement provider to ensure fair and equal access to all available programs, benefits, and services offered by the provider. The bill prohibits a foster service or adoption agency from denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or foster parent, or from delaying or denying the placement of a child on the basis of any real or perceived disability, race, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or any communicable disease, including HIV of the prospective adoptive or foster parent or the child. In addition, out-of-home placement must be provided in a way that is culturally responsive to the complex social identity of the youth. LGBTQ youth have faced barriers to access critical out-of-home placement services, with some denying services to LGBTQ youth. All Republicans on the committee voted to deny LGBTQ youth equal access to these critical services. Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2022 BILL TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS PASSES HOUSE Legislation will invest $50 million in federal pandemic relief funds toward preventing and responding to homelessness in the Denver-Metro DENVER, CO – The House passed a bill today to fund a homelessness navigation campus in the Denver-Metro. HB22-1378 passed by a vote of 40 to 22 and is part of the Colorado Democrats’ package of bills to prevent and respond to homelessness. “The pandemic has only accelerated our state’s homelessness crisis and this bill allocates $50 million in federal economic relief funds to provide proven human solutions,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora . “Our legislation meets our neighbors where they are and steps up to offer transitional housing, emergency shelter, medical care and skills training – all in one location. I am proud to sponsor legislation that will foster a navigation campus based on nationally-utilized strategies to prevent and address homelessness in our community.” “We need to diversify our tactics for addressing homelessness in Colorado, and this bill funds a one-stop-shop for our neighbors experiencing homelessness to get the services and resources they need,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial . “Whether someone is suffering from a substance use disorder, has struggled to keep a stable job, or is at-risk of becoming homeless, they can seek help at the navigation campus funded by this bill. Preventing homelessness starts at the local level and our $50 million investment in federal funds will jumpstart a navigation campus so Coloradans have resources and support right in their own neighborhood.” Denver-Metro Residential Campus : HB22-1378 , sponsored by Representatives Iman Jodeh and Tom Sullivan directs $50 million to local governments and nonprofits in the Denver-Metro area to build or acquire and then facilitate a regional navigation campus to holistically respond to and prevent homelessness. This campus will integrate emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing with behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, medical care, case management, employment and skills training and more – all in one location. Previous Next

Statewide Housing Challenge Needs a Statewide Solution < Back March 22, 2023 Legislative Leaders, Gov. Polis, Environmental Advocates, Local Government Officials, Business, Labor, and Community Leaders Launch Comprehensive Package to Create More Housing Now Statewide Housing Challenge Needs a Statewide Solution DENVER - Today, Governor Polis, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, Representative Iman Jodeh, Representative William Lindstedt, Representative Steven Woodrow, Representative Ruby Dickson, environmental leaders, local government officials, housing, business, and labor leaders launched a comprehensive plan to help create more housing now for every Colorado budget. Governor Polis, in partnership with the legislature, is focused on increasing housing options by cutting red tape and allowing and incentivizing efficient housing production that meets the needs of local communities. “By cutting red tape, legalizing more housing choices, strengthening property owners' rights, and planning for future growth, we can create more housing at a lower cost in Colorado communities near where people work or play,” said Governor Polis. “Thank you to this unprecedented broad coalition of business and labor, environmentalists and housing advocates, local elected officials and community leaders who have come together to support an effective Colorado solution to our housing challenges.” “Every Coloradan deserves a safe and affordable place to live, and this proposal will allow us to create a smart, holistic approach that will expand the menu of housing options families and communities are able to choose from,” said Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “Working Coloradans are tired of being priced out of where they live. This bill will cut red tape and expand our housing supply to make sure more Colorado families have a place to call home.” “This collaborative proposal will save Coloradans money on housing and make it easier for people across our state to find a place to live that fits their budget,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “Our housing shortage is driving up the cost of living, straining our economy and forcing people to leave their communities or commute further to work. We need to allow property owners the right to build different types of housing like ADUs, duplexes and triplexes to increase our housing stock and make housing more affordable while also respecting the character of local communities.” “From seniors who want to downsize to young adults looking to buy their first home, this plan will help Coloradans across the board find housing that works for them and their budget,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Seniors and essential workers like teachers, firefighters, nurses and child care providers deserve to live in their communities instead of being pushed out. Coloradans are depending on us to work together and pass meaningful and effective legislation that creates more options for property owners to build more and different types of homes that will drive down housing costs in our state.” “Colorado is growing, but artificial limits on who can live where are straining communities, contributing to long commutes and poor air quality, and costing families money on housing and so much more,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D- Broomfield. “Making sure Colorado has enough housing is a statewide concern that impacts every community and the economic well-being of everyone in our state. Lifting anti-growth laws will help us build the housing Coloradans need, improve our air quality and environment, and stop the irreparable harm to hardworking people from arbitrary limits that drive up the cost of housing.” “This bold legislation will reduce the cost of housing and allow Coloradans to build the homes they want and need,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial. “Policies that arbitrarily limit our housing supply have far-reaching consequences: they burden Colorado families with high housing and transportation costs, while making it harder to attract new businesses. Eliminating baseless limits on housing construction will save families money, create jobs, and make it easier for hardworking people to find a home in the communities they love. Coloradans are looking to us to craft commonsense policies that make our state more affordable, and this proposal will make a big difference in this effort.” The comprehensive plan establishes a framework for more housing in municipalities while providing flexibility for local leaders to implement the standards to meet their community's needs. The proposal establishes ways for the state and local communities to work together to develop strategies to meet housing goals more broadly and avoid regional imbalances in housing production. State lawmakers and the Governor were joined today by Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams, Boulder Mayor Brockett, Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue, Elise Jones who leads SWEEP, J.J. Ament CEO of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Cappelli, Executive Director, Neighborhood Development Collaborative, Rob Gould, President of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and Dennis Eulberg, Executive Director for Colorado Professional Fire Fighters. Earlier today , many environmental champions, housing advocates, the business community and labor leaders, local government officials, and community members offered their support for this comprehensive plan. The proposal also includes opportunities for local communities to implement solutions that are able to address unique circumstances and build on prior local efforts that address housing abundance and affordability. By creating more housing supply, this proposal will lead to increases in home options for every budget so that Coloradans can live in the communities they want without being priced out. The plan also helps us improve air quality, protect open space, conserve our water and plan for future growth while helping prevent displacement. The plan outlines goals to create more housing now including: Legalizing the ability to build more affordable housing types like ADUS, duplexes, triplexes, or townhomes. Incentivizing more multifamily housing in or near transit-oriented and walkable communities to lessen the number of cars on the road, improving air quality, reducing pollution, and saving people money on commutes. Cutting red tape and reducing building limitations to decrease building time and cost and giving more options and flexibility for homeowners to build on their land. Assessing statewide housing needs and identifying affordability strategies tailored to local and regional needs. Provide a framework for state, regional, and local agencies to strategically align investments and policies and track progress. Constructing more homes and creating jobs by eliminating arbitrary laws that prevent property owners from building the housing units local communities need. Many Coloradans are being forced out of their neighborhoods with no hope of ever living close to where they work, which means more congestion on our roads, more money spent on commuting, more pollution, and greater economic challenges. Aging seniors who want to downsize, young people living on their own, and first-time homebuyers can’t find homes because there isn’t enough inventory and the available homes are too expensive. If we don’t act now, we risk facing the point of no return and becoming like California. This is not a problem that can be solved by one city, town, or local government alone. This is a statewide crisis that needs a state-level solution. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis and the Department of Local Affairs recently announced the third round of Transformational Affordable Housing Grant recipients, including a $10,750,000 investment in House District 26 that is expected to create 333 new units in rural Colorado. < Back July 13, 2023 Lukens Applauds Over $10.5 Million in Grant Money to Make Housing More Affordable in Rural Colorado DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis and the Department of Local Affairs recently announced the third round of Transformational Affordable Housing Grant recipients, including a $10,750,000 investment in House District 26 that is expected to create 333 new units in rural Colorado. “This investment of over $10.5 million is expected to create hundreds of affordable homes that will reduce the cost of housing, save people money and make it easier for Coloradans in rural parts of our state to stay in the communities we love,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This round of funding will provide Routt, Eagle and Moffat counties with significant new resources to help our rural and mountain towns drive down the cost of living and boost our workforce with more affordable places to live.” In the 2022 legislative session, Colorado Democrats passed HB22-1304 and HB22-1377 to allocate over $280 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to develop more affordable housing units and to provide housing support and other essential services to unhoused people. One of the grant programs created from these laws, the Transformational Affordable Housing Grant program, aims to aid eligible applicants with the development, creation, and preservation of affordable housing opportunities throughout Colorado. The legislation requires half of the grant money to be made available to rural communities to give them a fair shot at accessing grant dollars so they can address rural housing shortages. In the recently announced third round of grant recipients, Moffat, Routt, and Eagle county recipients collectively received over $10 million in grant money. The grant program awarded: The Yampa Valley Housing Authority and Lone Tree Trust, LLC with $4 million to add 234 more workforce housing units in Steamboat Springs by developing for-sale condominiums and rental apartments, Colorado Mountain College with $2 million to build 36 units in Eagle County for residents who are at or below 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), The Eagle County Housing and Development Authority with $2 million to purchase 43 newly-constructed condominium units, and The Craig Housing Authority with $2.75 million to develop 20 new modular homes. In May 2023, the department awarded over $31 million in its second round of grants, including a $8.6 million investment to the Town of Hayden. This investment will fund a workforce housing project in Hayden that will create 129 new housing units in the Prairie Run Workforce Apartments. These rental units will offer housing between 80% and 160% AMI and will be all-electric with high efficiency electrical heating. Previous Next

< Back May 25, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: COMPREHENSIVE FENTANYL BILL SIGNED INTO LAW Bipartisan legislation significantly increases penalties on dealers and invests in proven public health solutions to save lives DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed comprehensive, bipartisan legislation sponsored by House Speaker Alec Garnett and Senators Brittany Pettersen and John Cooke to combat the fentanyl crisis and save lives. “This law is a bold response deploying both public safety and public health approaches to combat Colorado’s fentanyl crisis and save countless lives from this deadly drug,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This comprehensive plan cracks down on dealers peddling this poison in our communities and invests in proven public health strategies to prevent overdoses and deaths. For months, we worked with law enforcement, public health experts, Democrats and Republicans to craft this law, and it’s a major step forward toward saving lives.” “We are in the third wave of the opioid epidemic and in the worst overdose crisis in the history of this country. Fentanyl is the drug of choice for the cartels because it’s potent, cheap and easy to traffic,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood . “We need to go after the dealers who are poisoning our communities and provide training and resources to better equip law enforcement to investigate fentanyl poisonings while increasing access to desperately needed treatment and life-saving harm reduction tools. This law is about saving lives with a comprehensive public health and public safety approach, and will complement the work we’re doing to fix our broken behavioral health system throughout Colorado.” HB22-1326 is a comprehensive approach that includes both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers to save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. The bill will strengthen criminal penalties on individuals who are distributing fentanyl and bringing it into our state. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory substance use disorder (SUD) assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to help ensure people get the treatment they need. The bill focuses on compound fentanyl – fentanyl mixed with other drugs or substances – which is by far the most prominent form of fentanyl found in Colorado. It will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with substance use disorders. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties. The bill also gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Behavioral Health Administration in CDPHE. Individuals assessed as having a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment. HB22-1326 makes it a felony to possess more than one gram of fentanyl compound/mixture while creating legal guardrails for individuals who genuinely did not know they were in possession of this deadly drug. The new language says that if a defendant can successfully argue that they made “a reasonable mistake of fact,” then they will be sentenced with the lesser charge – a level one drug misdemeanor rather than a felony. The new felony, which is not prison eligible, also includes what is known as a “wobbler” provision that allows individuals who successfully complete treatment to have the felony moved down to a misdemeanor on their record. Additionally, once Colorado’s labs have the ability to test for the percentage of fentanyl within a compound, this bill turns on a no tolerance policy for the possession of pure fentanyl. Finally, the legislation creates a grant fund for law enforcement agencies to pursue investigations of fentanyl poisonings. This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address the root causes of fentanyl use and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this extremely potent drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Transformational Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system. This money will be used to buy and distribute fentanyl testing strips and Naloxone, a life-saving opiate antagonist that helps prevent overdose deaths; boost funding to harm reduction community programs across the state; and expand medication assisted treatment in jails to get people the help they need to get back on track. The bill will also provide additional funding to crisis stabilization and detoxification centers. While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl, so the State of Colorado can reach as many people as possible to raise awareness of this critical issue. Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES COLEMAN’S BIPARTISAN BILL ON HIGHER ED SUCCESS (Mar. 12) – Rep. James Coleman’s bill help invest in Colorado’s future and would enhance the ability of higher education facilities to help struggling students unanimously passed through the House Education committee today. “Our job at the state is to provide resources to elevate students and guide them towards success,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver. “Higher education is a powerful tool we have to lift people out of poverty and into middle class. Knowing this, we need to rectify the gap within our higher ed institutions. With this bill, students will have the opportunity to supplement their classes with additional academic support without it prolonging their degree completion.” Sponsored by Rep. Coleman, D-Denver, and Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton, HB19-1206 will require that higher education institutions do not simply enroll students in traditional remedial courses prior to college-level courses. Instead, it will require students to be offered supplemental academic institutions (SAI) that can also count toward college-level coursework and credits. Currently, students who are not college-ready according to academic assessments are placed in remedial college courses to prepare them for college-level coursework. As a result, students pay money to take remedial courses, which do not count towards their graduation requirements, which may prolong the time it takes to obtain a degree and increases the likelihood of dropout. SAI is a way to remedy the equity gap that exists between these students and students who are prepared to take college level coursework. Within the Colorado Community College System, SAI has shown promising results in Colorado by helping to increase the English pass rates from 36 percent to 7 4 percent and Math pass rates from 16 percent to 40 percent. HB19-1206 passed the committee unanimously and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Emily Sirota that would increase accessibility to tax credits that save Coloradans cash. HB24-1288 passed by a vote of 6-5. < Back March 4, 2024 Legislation to Increase Tax Credit Accessibility Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Emily Sirota that would increase accessibility to tax credits that save Coloradans cash. HB24-1288 passed by a vote of 6-5. “The Earned Income Tax Credit is a powerful anti-poverty tool that puts money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans, and there are more resources out there that can boost their incomes that they deserve,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “Our legislation would make these resources more accessible to Coloradans who may not make enough annually to file their taxes by making it easier for state agencies to do targeted outreach to uplift lower-income Coloradans.” “Social safety net services are important in helping lower-income Coloradans afford housing, child care, and groceries,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Some Coloradans don’t know that they qualify for certain tax credits that can put hundreds of dollars back into their wallets. This bill takes a proactive approach by notifying Coloradans about the resources they qualify for, making public assistance more accessible to those who need it the most.” Under HB24-1288 , the Department of Revenue would share the contact information of an individual who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and/or the Child Tax Credit with other state agencies so they can notify filers of other benefits that they may qualify for. Subject to the approval by the IRS, the bill also creates a program to identify and assist individuals who have not filed a federal income tax return for the 2022 income tax year to claim the state Earned Income Tax Credit. 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

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to improve safety and equity in the workplace by implementing critical anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. < Back April 25, 2023 Bills to Combat Workplace Discrimination, Improve Crime Victim Notifications Pass Committee DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to improve safety and equity in the workplace by implementing critical anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. SB23-172, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon passed committee by a vote of 8 to 5. “Workplace discrimination and harassment must not be tolerated, and we need to modernize Colorado’s outdated laws to protect workers, hold harassers accountable and create safer workspaces,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, D-Aurora . “Power and protection need to be on the side of the worker – and the POWR Act improves accountability so the state can hold harassers in the workplace for their actions. Survivors’ voices and concerns need to be taken seriously, which is why I’m also proud to champion legislation to prioritize survivors of crime by improving notifications regarding release from parole." “Harassment and discrimination persist every day in Colorado workplaces, which is why modernizing our laws to protect workers is long overdue,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, D-Denver. “We need to do everything we can to make it possible for Coloradans to earn a living and pursue careers without being harassed. The POWR Act improves accountability measures and works to create safer, more equitable workspaces. This bill will hold bad actors accountable so workers can thrive in the workplace free from harassment and discrimination.” SB23-172 , the Protecting Opportunity & Workers’ Rights (POWR) Act, would update the definition of harassment and specify that harassment does not need to be “severe or pervasive” to constitute a discriminatory or unfair practice. The bill also deters future harassment by modernizing language around non-disclosure agreements, expanding protections for people with disabilities, and adding marital status as a protected class. Eliminating the excessive “severe or pervasive'' hostile work environment requirements and replacing them with clear standards for “harass” and “harassment” considers the totality of the circumstances, and will allow survivors of discrimination and harassment to better pursue justice. The POWR Act also removes the language in the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) that permits employers to discriminate against people with disabilities or refuse to accommodate them if “the disability has a significant impact on the job.” Additionally, the bill establishes an affirmative defense for an employer if the employer meets certain requirements, including establishing a harassment prevention program, taking prompt action in response to a complaint, and keeping records of any complaints. The House Judiciary Committee also passed SB23-193 , sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, unanimously. SB23-193 aims to prioritize survivors by setting the offender’s release date for parole 15 days after providing notice to the victim. This bill would require the Department of Corrections (DOC) and any other state or local government agency, to provide survivor notifications in easy-to-understand language, using recommendations from victim advocates. If the victim chose to receive notifications, SB23-193 would work to improve communications between the DOC and survivors by giving them advanced notice of their offender’s parole release, in addition to their offender's discharge, transfer, escape, abscondence, unauthorized absence, or parole proceeding. Previous Next