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The House today passed bipartisan legislation to prevent suicides by regulating sales of sodium nitrite products. The bill passed by a vote of 60-4. < Back February 6, 2024 Amabile Suicide Prevention Bill Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation to prevent suicides by regulating sales of sodium nitrite products. The bill passed by a vote of 60-4. “Colorado is in a mental health crisis, and the growing frequency of suicide by sodium nitrite products indicates that these products are too easily accessible,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Some private online sellers are marketing concentrated sodium nitrite products as a way to complete suicide, profiting off of the mental health struggles of our loved ones and neighbors. This bill brings much needed regulation to these products so we can keep it out of the hands of people most susceptible to it and focus instead on getting them help.” Sodium nitrite “suicide kits” are easily accessible online and have been reported to be used by Colorado residents, especially youth, in recent years. Websites that sell these kits often have step-by-step instructions on how to use sodium nitrite to complete suicide. HB24-1081 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Catlin, would regulate the sale or transfer of products that contain 10 percent or greater of sodium nitrite. Sellers would be required to verify that commercial businesses require the product before a transaction could be made, and records of sales or transfers must be kept for three years. Violators could see $10,000 in civil penalties for a first violation, with up to $1 million for a second violation. Previous Next

Democratic Leadership and members of the Joint Budget Committee today released a statement responding to the Trump Administration’s freeze of more than $300 million of funding for child care and social services for the state’s most vulnerable. < Back January 7, 2026 Democratic Leadership, JBC Members Release Statement After Trump Freezes Child Care, Social Services Funding Democratic Leadership and members of the Joint Budget Committee today released a statement responding to the Trump Administration’s freeze of more than $300 million of funding for child care and social services for the state’s most vulnerable. Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, JBC Chair Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and JBC Member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder: “The Trump Administration’s callous decision to freeze more than $300 million will only make life more expensive for hardworking families. “Gutting programs that equip tens of thousands of Coloradans with resources to provide and afford child care is a direct attack on working families. The Colorado Works program directly helps low-income Coloradans afford everyday necessities, including food and clothing, and get ahead through job training. Federally supported programs strengthen Colorado’s economy and create strong pathways for workers to earn more and thrive. “We stand ready to work with Governor Polis and partners in our federal delegation to resist this lawless effort to freeze funding, and we sincerely hope that our Republican colleagues will put politics aside, get serious about making life in Colorado more affordable, and put families first.” This week, the Trump Administration froze funding for Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, known here as Colorado Works , which supports thousands of families across the state. The basic cash assistance component alone supports over 50,000 children. The Administration also froze funds for the Child Care and Development Fund and Social Service Block Grants, which are used to Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES CUTTER-WEISSMAN BILL TO EXPAND DISCLOSURE OF FUNDING IN CAMPAIGNS House Republicans vote to allow mystery ads to continue flooding campaigns (Mar. 8) — A bill sponsored by Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County and Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora to require expanded disclosure of funding behind campaign communications passed the House today. “I’ve had a twenty-five year career in public relations and communications, and have been a strong advocate for fair and ethical communications, ” said Rep. Cutter. “A healthy and functional democracy depends on transparency, so let’s do everything we can to ensure Colorado voters are fully informed.” The bipartisan SB19-068 would require listing the name of any person or entity that spends more than $1000 per year on electioneering communications on the communication itself, be it a television ad, mailer, or a distributed flyer. It would also increase transparency and accountability in elections by including electioneering communications that occur at any point between the primary and general election. “Voters get bombarded by political ads and mailers during elections from mystery sources, making it difficult for Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated voters to properly weigh the issues,” said Rep. Weissman. “Today, we took an an important step toward improving campaign disclosure laws. Coloradans deserve all the proper facts when they fill out their ballots.” The bill passed with a final vote of 39-23 with nearly every House Republican voting against it and now heads to the Governor’s desk. The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada and Sen. Jack Tate, R-Centennial. It passed the Senate with bipartisan support on a vote of 23-12. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 RX DRUG SAVINGS COMING TO CONSUMERS, EMPLOYERS, AND STATE GOV DENVER, CO– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Janice Rich to establish a competitive Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) marketplace, which will lower pharmacy benefit costs for Colorado state government, private employers, and consumers across the state. The bill passed by a vote of 11-2. “This bill is a win win–it will save consumers money on their prescription drug costs and save Colorado money, too,” said Health and Insurance Committee Chair Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver . “Using innovative technology, we can create a marketplace for pharmacy benefit managers that gets them to compete against each other to offer their services at a lower cost. House Democrats have made reducing the cost of prescription drugs and insurance a top priority, and this bill will help our state reduce costs while saving people money on their drugs.” HB21-1237 would establish a competitive marketplace for PBMs. Under the bill, the state would procure a technology platform that would allow PBMs to bid against each other in a reverse auction to secure state and private pharmacy benefit contracts. The state or private employers would then be able to select the lowest bidder. The bill creates a modern and transparent process to secure PBM contracts and allows for an audit of invoices to ensure PBMs are meeting their contract terms and to prevent consumers from overpaying. PBMs were created to help consumers save money on prescription drugs. However, often the PBMs negotiate discounts, but then keep the savings instead of passing them along to consumers. A reverse auction allows the state or employers to do an apples to apples comparison of each PBM’s pricing proposal. Initial estimates show the state could save between $6.7 million and $10.24 million a year. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Strengthening rural health care Mar 27, 2025 See more This story was originally published in the Vail Daily here . As we move through the 2025 legislative session, I am excited to share updates on the vital health care initiatives I am advancing to support our Western Slope communities. Health care accessibility, affordability, and quality remain top priorities for families across Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties. This session, I am championing several health care bills that address the unique challenges faced by our rural and mountain communities. Preserving access to rural independent pharmacies For many in our Western Slope communities, the local pharmacy is not just a place to pick up prescriptions — it’s an essential health care resource. That is why I am proud to sponsor HB25-1222 , which helps preserve access to rural independent pharmacies, a bill idea brought to me directly by a constituent in Oak Creek. This bill does a few things. First, it ensures fair reimbursement for rural independent pharmacies and allows the delivery of life-saving drugs by rural independent pharmacies to underserved communities. Next, it makes sure audit recovery practices are fair so rural independent pharmacies don’t close. Finally, it gives pharmacies much needed flexibility to serve their communities through remote operations. These protections will help ensure that our community members can continue to access vital medications and health care services close to home, without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays. Supporting our rural health care infrastructure Rural hospitals and health care facilities are lifelines for our communities, providing essential services that save lives and improve health outcomes. However, these facilities often face unique financial and operational challenges that can threaten their sustainability. That’s why I am sponsoring HB25-1085 , which modernizes outdated rules for Colorado county hospitals by allowing government officials to serve as board trustees, making board meetings more flexible, and extending budget deadlines. These common-sense changes were requested directly by a constituent wanting to support Colorado’s rural county hospitals to help them operate more efficiently and effectively. Building on this work, I am also proud to sponsor HB25-1223 , which establishes a task force to study the current capital needs of our rural and frontier hospitals. This legislation will help determine the financial resources required to bring these facilities up to date with existing standards and codes. By identifying these needs, we can make targeted investments to ensure our rural healthcare infrastructure remains strong for generations to come. Additionally, I am sponsoring SB25-078 , which allows nonprofit, small hospitals to enter into collaborative agreements with other hospitals to increase patient health care access. These partnerships will help smaller facilities leverage resources, share expertise, and ultimately provide better care for patients across our rural communities. Protecting our student athletes The health and safety of our young people is a top priority, and that includes during school sporting events. SB25-191 requires high schools — particularly at sporting events — to follow nationally recognized guidelines for all automated external defibrillators in schools. This means there will not be AEDs behind locked doors, and it will be widely known where AEDs are located. With sudden cardiac arrest being the leading cause of death among student athletes, these changes will help schools implement life-saving measures more efficiently. Every minute counts during a cardiac emergency, and having AEDs readily available at sporting events could save a life. Continuing our work together These health care initiatives address specific challenges our communities face while being mindful of our state’s fiscal realities. Each bill responds directly to feedback from health care providers, patients, and community leaders across House District 26, focusing on practical solutions that will make a real difference in people’s lives. As always, I believe we make the best policy when we listen to those closest to the issues. If you have insights about health care in our communities or thoughts on any of these bills, please share them with me. You can reach me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov or attend one of my upcoming town halls. For more frequent updates throughout the legislative session, join my newsletter by sending me an email. Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward! Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties. Previous Next

< Back August 29, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: STORY, CUTTER & TITONE JOIN LOCAL LEADERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR TOWN HALL ON ELECTION INTEGRITY Lawmakers tout Colorado Election Security Act championed by Colorado Democrats EVERGREEN, CO – State lawmakers, including Senator Tammy Story, D-Conifer, Representative Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton, and Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, recently held a town hall and community discussion on election integrity at the Evergreen Fire Rescue. The event was also attended by Commissioners Lesley Dahlkemper and Andy Kerr as well as Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder George Stern. Colorado is known for its free and fair gold standard election system, yet Republican-driven election conspiracies in recent years continue to threaten and undermine our democracy. The town hall discussion served as an opportunity for community members to raise their concerns about the impact of these misconceptions as well as learn about the work the state legislature is doing to ensure our elections remain free and fair while continuing to strengthen our democracy. “As state legislators, we must do everything in our power to strengthen our democracy and make sure our elections remain free and fair,” said Story. “Colorado leads the nation in election security, and with the Colorado Election Security Act signed into law this year, we made sure our gold standard election system is even stronger. Every Coloradan should feel comfortable knowing their vote counts and their vote matters. The actions we took this session and the actions we will take going forward will ensure that.” “Our democratic process has been dangerously damaged by lies, and it is more important than ever to stand firm for the truth,” said Cutter. “The truth is that elections in Colorado are amongst the most secure in the nation, and we acted this year to further strengthen our system. Public trust is imperative for a high functioning democracy, so we will continue to pursue commonsense policy solutions so all Coloradans have access to voting and can exercise that right without fear.” "When we passed the Colorado Election Security Act, we took critical steps to defend our elections from those using their positions to undermine and dismantle our free and fair election system," said Titone. "Colorado's voter access and election security are top-tier, and we're pleased to say people who tamper with election equipment or break the laws surrounding elections will be held accountable for their undemocratic actions." This year, Colorado Democrats passed the Colorado Election Security Act , which improves election security by, among other measures, prohibiting anyone from serving as an election official if they have been convicted of any election offense or any offense or conspiracy to commit sedition, insurrection, treason, or conspiracy to overthrow the government. The Colorado Election Security Act further secures Colorado’s gold standard elections by improving training for clerks and election workers, and penalizes anyone who interferes with or obstructs the notification of a potential violation, or retaliates against someone providing notice. The law also prohibits accessing electronic equipment or a reporting system without authorization, makes knowingly publishing passwords or other confidential information a class 5 felony, and directs the Colorado District and Supreme Courts to expedite scheduling and issuance of final rulings of any orders in connection with a violation of election code. Previous Next

< Back June 27, 2019 MARY YOUNG SWORN IN AS NEW GREELEY REPRESENTATIVE (June 27) – Mary Young, a school psychologist, was sworn in today at the state capitol as the next representative for Colorado House District 50 in Greeley, Evans and Garden City. A vacancy committee selected Rep. Young earlier this month. “I am honored and excited to represent the hardworking people and families of HD 50,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “I look forward to working on the core issues impacting our community, and to bring my experience to the table to improve mental health and K-12 education and expand access to services for individuals with disabilities.” “Representative Young brings a deep knowledge to the legislature with her experience as a school psychologist and a special education teacher,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “We are all proud to have her joining the team as we work towards bipartisan solutions for the problems facing Coloradans across the state.” Rep. Young has worked for years as a school psychologist and special education teacher. She holds a doctorate in school psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, a master’s degree in teaching from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame. Previous Next

House Democrats worked in a bipartisan way to deliver property tax relief while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, fire response, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. House Democrats worked in a bipartisan way to deliver property tax relief while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, fire response, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET

< Back November 30, 2020 Direct Aid for Small Businesses, Housing Assistance, Utility Relief, and Emergency Funding for Colorado’s Public Health Response Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Debate SOON DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide direct assistance to the Coloradans and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The legislation will next be considered on the floor for Second Reading. “Small businesses have faced some of the most challenging impacts of this crisis, struggling for survival while Washington fails to deliver the relief they desperately need,” said SB20B-001 sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We are doing everything we can to boost small businesses and help them through the winter months ahead until we have a vaccine and Congress passes additional relief. Cultural venues, artists and minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. This assistance will help the small businesses that have been hit hardest so that they don’t permanently shutter.” SB20B-001, sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, would send $57 million in direct aid, grants and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses – prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority owned businesses. Capacity limits have severely impacted small businesses across the state, especially bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. This bill will help these industries bridge the gap through difficult winter months ahead. The bill passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “Thousands of Coloradans are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and are facing agonizing decisions every day about which bills to pay and how to avoid being thrown out of their homes,” said SB2B-002 sponsor Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. D-Colorado Springs. “There is an astounding need for housing assistance to help Coloradans bridge the gap and avoid eviction or foreclosure. This assistance will directly help the Coloradans who have been hit hardest by this pandemic so they aren’t left behind as our state recovers.” “This assistance will help landlords, tenants, and homeowners who are facing the brunt of the pandemic get through the challenging months ahead,” said SB20B-002 sponsor Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This assistance will help Coloradans across the state avoid foreclosure and eviction and keep from falling farther behind. This critical relief will protect our recovery by preventing Coloradans from falling into homelessness and poverty.” SB20B-002, sponsored by Reps. Tony Exum, Sr. and Kerry Tipper, would provide $60 million for emergency housing assistance to landlords and households who are in financial need due to COVID-19. Of the funding, $1 million will support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter by providing critical legal assistance for housing related needs. The impending expiration of federal assistance programs such as enhanced unemployment benefits, leaves millions of Coloradans vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure in the coming months. In fact, according to recent surveys, over 40 percent of Coloradans are living in a household that is behind on their rent or mortgage and at risk of foreclosure or eviction. Finally, the bill puts in place a provision that seeks to ensure tens of thousands of unemployed Coloradans can continue to have access to the federally funded State Extended Benefits Program through December 26. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “We are determined in this special session to help Coloradans make ends meet through the tough winter months ahead,” said SB20B-003 sponsor Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Helping Coloradans heat their homes and keep the lights on will go a long way towards supporting hardworking families across the state. The end of this pandemic is in sight, and this assistance will make an important difference for those who need it most.” SB20B-003, sponsored by Reps. Monica Duran and Lois Landgraf, would appropriate $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to meet the 25 percent increase in applications that Energy Outreach Colorado has seen this year. As unemployment numbers remain high and federal resources have dried up, many Coloradans are at risk of losing their utilities – a dangerous outcome in the winter months. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “With promising vaccine trials shining a light on the end of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to ensure our public health systems are able to care for and protect Coloradans in the months ahead,” said SB20B-004 sponsor Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Ensuring these resources are available is an important investment in our medical professionals and the health and wellness of the people of Colorado.” SB20B-004, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, would allocate an additional $100 million to ensure the state can continue to protect public health while we await additional federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With many hospitals across Colorado reaching critical capacity in recent weeks, additional funds are needed to continue the state’s robust public health response. The bill passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. Sales Tax Relief, Broadband Expansion for Students, Child Care Support, and Food Pantry Assistance Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Action in House TONIGHT DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide sales tax relief to businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, expand broadband capacity for students, preserve and increase access to safe child care options, and support food pantries. The legislation is expected on the floor for Second Reading this evening. HB20B-1004 , sponsored by Reps. Alex Valdez & Kevin Van Winkle, would allow restaurants, bars, and food trucks to retain state sales tax they collect from November 2020 through February 2021. This will provide bars and restaurants up to $2,000 per location and limited to five locations for up to $10,000in tax relief each month to help them make ends meet. The legislation passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Colorado restaurants, bars and small businesses are struggling and need assistance now so our recovery can stay on track,” said HB20B- 1004 sponsor Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Only the federal government can deliver the kind relief our state needs most, but we are committed to using what limited state resources we have to boost our recovery and help as many hardworking families and small businesses as possible as we tackle the very challenging months ahead. This sales tax relief will provide immediate help to thousands of restaurants and bars that are facing capacity restrictions from COVID-19.” HB20B-1002 , sponsored by Reps. Cathy Kipp & Lois Landgraf would distribute $45 million to enable existing child care providers to keep their doors open and new providers to open and meet the needs of working parents, especially in child care deserts. Colorado’s economic recovery depends on its workforce having access to stable child care, but due to temporary closures and the increased costs of health and safety precautions for child care providers, many are on the brink of financial collapse. These grant programs are estimated to support 2,600 child care facilities, preserving child care for over 100,000 children and creating capacity for tens of thousands more. Moreover, research shows that for every dollar spent on early childhood programs, $2.25 is contributed to our state’s economy. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the House floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Safe and affordable child care options are critical for working families who are juggling the stressful and difficult challenges of working while caring for young ones,” said HB20B-1002 sponsor Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “These grants will keep thousands of child care providers open and provide critical funding to make facilities safer during the pandemic. Retaining this workforce is critical to ensuring Coloradans don’t have to choose between going to work and keeping their kids safe.” HB20B-1001 , sponsored by Reps. Mary Young and Matt Soper would dedicate $20 million towards increasing our state’s broadband capacity – connecting more students to their teachers so that they can learn safely in the months ahead. Internet access is absolutely essential for students during this difficult time. But many families who are struggling with financial stability simply can’t afford to cover the cost, while numerous school districts lack the infrastructure to educate their students remotely. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading “At a time when Colorado families are learning, working, socializing, and generally living online from their homes, what could be more important than expanding broadband use in schools,” said HB20B-1001 sponsor Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Every Colorado student should have access to a quality education, and in 2020 that means having a reliable internet connection. While we work to determine what the future of our childrens’ education will look like, expanding broadband access to every school in our state is a necessity.” HB20B-1003 , sponsored by Reps. Lisa Cutter and Rod Bockenfeld would devote $3 million to replenishing essential community services that increase access to food for Colorado families facing food insecurity. 1 in 3 Coloradans are struggling with hunger as more and more families are being forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Food banks, food pantries and their partners need additional assistance to meet the rising demands, especially as the December expiration for federal hunger relief looms. The legislation has passed the Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committee and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading tonight. “Across our state and our nation, hunger and food insecurity have only been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic,” said HB20B-1003 sponsor Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This direct support to food pantries builds on the work we did earlier in the year to bring us closer to a hunger-free Colorado. While we know there is a great deal of work left to be done, I’m proud that we are taking bold action to help hardworking families keep food on the table.” Previous Next