< Back May 11, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY New state agency would increase access to apprenticeship programs in Colorado DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would create a state apprenticeship agency to oversee, promote and ensure the quality of apprenticeship programs in Colorado. “Making sure workers have the tools and skills they need to get back to work will help Colorado recover faster and build back stronger,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Apprenticeship programs are a proven way to help train our workforce and fill positions in growing industries. By creating a state apprenticeship agency, we can help more Coloradans access quality programs, expand their careers, and get back to work.” “This bill will create good paying jobs and help Coloradans get back to work by creating a state apprenticeship agency,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “Coloradans across our state would jump at the chance to enter a quality apprenticeship program. These critical training opportunities lead to good jobs and careers, and by creating this agency, we can expand these programs to new and growing industries.” HB21-1007 , sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and David Ortiz, would establish a state apprenticeship agency. The agency will collaborate with the US Department of Labor to register and oversee apprenticeship programs at the state level, determine standards for apprenticeship programs, and ensure these standards are being met. It will work to promote apprenticeship programs so that more Coloradans can access these critical training opportunities, which to-date have jump-started the careers of nearly 2 million Americans in the last decade. Because Colorado does not have a state apprenticeship agency, apprenticeship programs are currently registered with the US Department of Labor. This new state agency would work with businesses and organizations offering apprenticeship programs to provide technical assistance to help them create and meet standards and provide more flexibility to ensure apprentices are learning the skills they need to advance in their trade. Twenty-five other states have state apprenticeship councils. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Lukens: Breakthrough legislative session Jun 12, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Craig Daily Press here . Two years ago, you elected me to serve in the Colorado State House and stand up for Northwest Colorado. From Vail to Rangely, Oak Creek to Maybell, I continue to keep my commitment to the people of House District 26 to deliver on the three Es: education, the environment and the economy. I continued my work from last year to accomplish these goals and delivered real results for Colorado this 2024 Legislative Session. Investing in our schools As a social studies teacher, it is critical that we give every student the resources they need to succeed. One of the reasons I ran for the Colorado House of Representatives was to eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor, and I am proud to say that this legislative session, we successfully eliminated the BSF. This commitment to our students and their future means that starting next year, our schools will have an additional $560 million to provide students individualized attention with smaller class sizes, pay our hardworking teachers what they deserve, and ensure that everyone is given the resources they need for the best learning environment. This commitment continues to our rural schools. For the first time, we created an ongoing rural school funding stream through a new “Rural Factor” within the School Finance Act . This adds almost $36 million for rural students’ success. In 2025, the State is committing an additional $225 million to the over 132,000 rural and remote students in Colorado, who will now have the adequate resources they deserve. I also supported landmark legislation that will make it easier and more affordable for students to attend college. Students and families making under $90,000 will soon be eligible for a tax credit that will cover the full cost of community college, or two years of a four-year degree. We also capped tuition increases at state universities to save families money. Protecting our vital water resources On the Western Slope, we know how vital our water is to survival. I am proud to report that legislators are serious about protecting this precious resource. As the snow melts and the water flows, we passed HB24-1379 , which restores critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. The State House and Senate unanimously passed SB24-197 , Water Conservation Measures, which will implement recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force to protect Colorado’s water supply. In order to maximize the water flowing through our homes, I sponsored HB24-1362 , a bipartisan bill to promote conserving graywater through water reuse in residential buildings. Economic prosperity Our working families are the backbone of the Western Slope from our teachers to our agricultural small business owners. This legislative session, there was strong bipartisan support to uplift the economy and support our families. I am proud that all of my bills boosting rural prosperity passed both the House and Senate and have been signed into law by Governor Polis. These bills boost our rural and agriculture economies, making it easier for folks to enter fast growing industries, and helping parents access affordable childcare. We also worked hard to make it more affordable to live in Colorado. We passed bipartisan legislation to reduce property taxes for homeowners and businesses. We also made the senior homestead property tax exemption portable so older Coloradans can downsize and save money if they want to without losing this tax break. Finally we extended tax breaks for senior housing costs, cut income taxes, and boosted tax credits for agriculture and businesses that hire in rural areas. I was proud to sponsor legislation that will create jobs and boost businesses along rail lines in formerly coal-dependent communities in our district. These business incentives will foster new development along the rail line between Craig and Steamboat to keep up investment on these tracks with the goal of establishing passenger rail service that will boost housing options, new industries, and jobs in our region. Uplifting our ranchers Our rancher and agricultural producers are the lifeline of Colorado and it is critical that we support them in all aspects of their business and health. This year, I sponsored SB24-055, a bipartisan bill that will create the Agricultural Liaison role within the Behavioral Health Administration to guarantee that farmers, ranchers, and other industry workers are not forgotten by the broader mental health industry. SB24-126, will provide additional state incentives to support conservation easements. By extending access to conservation easements, this bipartisan bill helps Colorado property owners sustainably manage their land. House District 26 Representing House District 26 – Eagle, Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties — truly is an honor. Taking your insights back to the State Capitol to help make our communities stronger is the greatest privilege I have ever had. None of this work would be possible without your support and engagement, so thank you for the thousands of emails, many phone calls, visits to the State Capitol, conversations on aisle four of the grocery store, questions during town halls, selfies at events and coffee meetings at our local coffee shops. I am excited to hear more of your insights in June at our upcoming Town Halls. Rep. Meghan Lukens represents District 26, which includes Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Eagle counties, in the Colorado House. Previous Next

< Back May 3, 2022 JOINT STATEMENT: RHEA SPONSORS CONDEMN DRAFT SCOTUS OPINION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE DENVER, CO – Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, Representative Meg Froelich and Senator Julie Gonzales today released the following joint statement on the draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade: We are devastated, but not surprised. This Supreme Court decision, if issued as drafted, will imperil the lives of those seeking an abortion and threaten the health, safety, and reproductive freedom of millions of Americans. States across the country will continue to pass restrictive anti-abortion legislation or outright bans, making abortion nearly impossible for some and sending doctors to prison for providing abortion care. We are grateful for the Democratic lawmakers who joined with us to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act to protect the right to abortion care in Colorado, and who understand that politicians shouldn’t interfere with patients’ private medical decisions. Colorado will not go back to a time when patients were forced to seek out unsafe abortions, putting their health and lives at risk. We will continue fighting to keep abortion legal for all Coloradans and the countless individuals who will be forced to travel to our state for care, or carry unsafe pregnancies to term. Sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, the Reproductive Health Equity Act updates Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights and establish a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. At least 519 laws to restrict abortion care have been introduced in 41 states so far this year according to the National Women’s Law Center . Colorado remains committed to ensuring abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible. Recently, House Democrats defeated three Republican-led bills that would have jeopardized that right, including: HB22-1079 , which would have placed an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal court rulings and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. In addition, it would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , which would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected abortion providers to imprisonment. HB22-1075 , which would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It also would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers. Previous Next

< Back Junie Joseph Majority Caucus Co-Chair Junie Joseph is serving her second term as the State Representative for House District 10, which includes most of the City of Boulder and a small part of Gunbarrel. She is also a member of the Energy & Environment Committee and the Appropriations Committee. Rep. Joseph has a passion for human and civil rights. She has worked in the human rights and development field where she offered her expertise on transitional justice issues in South Africa while working for a non-governmental organization as part of an academic research placement. She supported the mandate of the United Nations as an intern by providing both research and organizational assistance to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. She has also served as a global law and development fellow on a USAID project in Côte D’Ivoire, West Africa, promoting the rights of persons with disabilities to access the Ivorian Judicial system. Most recently, she worked as a Human Rights Officer within the United Nations Mission to the Central African Republic, serving internally displaced persons in the region of Bria. After returning from the Central African Republic, Junie moved to Colorado to study law. She holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Colorado Law. In addition to her law degree, Rep. Joseph holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Florida and a Master’s in Applied Human Rights from the University of York in England. Rep. Joseph is committed to equity and justice in her work. In her first session as a legislator, she passed gun violence prevention legislation, fought for criminal justice reform, and allocated funds to help Coloradans build wildfire-resilient homes.

< Back September 7, 2021 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS OF COLORADO CO-CHAIRS’ STATEMENT ON SB8 DENVER, CO– Representatives Lisa Cutter and Monica Duran, the Co-Chairs of Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado, today released the following statement on SB8, the Texas law that will ban abortions as soon as six weeks–before many women know they are pregnant: “The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado strongly supports reproductive rights and the freedom for women to choose what’s best for their bodies. We are outraged at the passage of SB8, the Texas law banning abortions at six weeks. This law is another way to suppress, control, and shame women over their healthcare choices. Despite last week’s unprecedented and unconstitutional attack on abortion rights, Colorado will remain a safe place for patients to access abortion. Coloradans understand that the strength and independence of women promote a healthier and more economically vibrant society by every measure. We will continue to actively work to safeguard women’s rights to have autonomy over their own bodies and uphold the Colorado way of life, putting the health and safety of women first.” Previous Next

The House today passed a bill that aims to improve perinatal health outcomes, especially in Black and historically marginalized communities. < Back May 4, 2024 Bill to Improve Black Maternal Health Care Coverage, Improve Birth Outcomes Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill that aims to improve perinatal health outcomes, especially in Black and historically marginalized communities. SB24-175, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Iman Jodeh, would require large employers to cover doula services. “Addressing the access gap in health care coverage is the first step we can take to reduce our country’s maternal mortality rate, which is far too high and disproportionately high for Black, American Indian and rural mothers,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “To improve health outcomes for expecting mothers, including those in rural and remote areas, we need to ensure they have access to a range of perinatal care and that it’s covered by their insurance.I’m proud to sponsor this bill to keep expecting mothers and their newborns safe.” “As a new mother myself, I want the best possible outcomes for all expecting mothers. Yet, our country’s maternal mortality rate reflects a different reality, especially for Black mothers,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh. “This bill works to combat the maternal mortality rate by encouraging hospitals to focus on improving their maternal or infant health outcomes, expanding insurance coverage for doula services and improving health equity training for birthing health care providers.” SB24-175 , passed the House by a vote of 49 to 11, would require large employer health benefit plans to cover doula services in alignment with Medicaid. The bill would also instruct hospitals that provide labor and delivery or neonatal care services to participate in at least one maternal or infant health quality improvement initiative. Under this bill, CDPHE would create a program that provides financial support to hospitals in rural areas, hospitals serving a higher percentage of Medicaid and uninsured patients, or hospitals with lower-acuity maternal and neonatal care. The department is directed to health outcome and disparity data, particularly among American Indian, Native Alaskan, and Black birthing populations. Lastly, the bill requires coverage of over-the-counter and prescribed choline supplements for pregnant people. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. According to the CDC, multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality of and access to health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. SB24-175 intends to address systemic racism in health care and develop better care for historically marginalized communities. Previous Next

< Back March 20, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN BILL TO REDUCE SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS FOR YOUNG KIDS (Mar. 20) – The House approved Rep. Susan Lontine’s bipartisan bill to reduce preschool and early elementary out-of-school suspensions and expulsions. In Colorado and across the country, young children are being removed from pre-school and early elementary grades at alarming rates “This is about addressing a civil rights issue for Colorado’s youngest learners. Suspensions and expulsions disproportionately impact children of color and children with disabilities and it’s time for that to end,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “This bill will help reduce the likelihood of dropouts, academic failure and an increased likelihood of entry into the criminal justice system.” Suspensions and expulsions result in the loss of valuable learning and enrichment time for Colorado’s kids. Young students, when they return to school, are often behind their classmates and more likely to be disruptive. The bill will help address behavioral issues of our young children in ways other than suspensions and expulsions to help them grow and succeed. In 2014 the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released data showing that black students are suspended and expelled at three times the rate of white students. That year, the Obama administration issued discipline guidelines aimed at reducing school suspensions of students of color. In 2018, the Trump administration and Sec. Betsy DeVos rescinded those guidelines. The bill aligns with national recommendations that seek to limit school removal for young children while promoting thoughtful exceptions that ensure school safety. HB19-1194 was approved on a bipartisan vote of 43-22 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would stabilize Colorado’s homeowner insurance market to create more affordable property insurance options. < Back April 22, 2025 House Advances Bill to Make Property Insurance More Affordable DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would stabilize Colorado’s homeowner insurance market to create more affordable property insurance options. “Finding insurance has been increasingly difficult for Colorado property owners, especially on the Western Slope, and this legislation would stabilize the insurance market to create more affordable coverage,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “From catastrophic wildfires to hail storms that cause billions of dollars of damage in minutes, extreme weather events can upend entire communities. This legislation would create more competition in the insurance market to drive down costs and save Coloradans money on their property insurance." “Colorado is one of the least affordable states for homeowners insurance, which is why we’re bringing this bill to make insurance more accessible and affordable for Colorado homeowners,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “After the Marshall Fire devastated my community, many Coloradans found it difficult to find affordable home insurance. Through this legislation, we’re helping Colorado homeowners protect their properties from damage and expanding insurance coverage options that work for hardworking Coloradans.” HB25-1302 would stabilize the insurance market by transferring a portion of catastrophic wildfire insurance risk to the Wildfire Catastrophe Reinsurance Enterprise, reducing volatility in the insurance market that drives up costs. The enterprise would also provide reinsurance payments to eligible insurers to mitigate their risk and losses in the event of a wildfire disaster. Colorado’s insurance market is statewide, however, competition is lagging. To boost competition and drive down costs, this bill would require insurance companies benefiting from the reinsurance program to provide coverage to homeowners living in high-risk areas. Additionally, the bill would provide grants to homeowners to help them protect their properties from hail damage by installing fortified roofs, which are better able to withstand hailstorms than traditional roofs. Speaker McCluskie passed a 2023 law creating the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan Association to ensure Coloradans with homes and commercial properties located in wildfire zones or otherwise subject to high-risk factors can receive homeowners or commercial property insurance. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters regarding the continuation of the Healthy School Meals for All program. < Back June 3, 2025 Bill to Continue Healthy School Meals for All Program Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters regarding the continuation of the Healthy School Meals for All program. “Colorado children should never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “The Healthy School Meals for All program has improved the health and educational success of Colorado students. Now, Colorado voters will be able to decide if we continue this program to reduce childhood hunger or will have to scale it back. At a time when Congressional Republicans are considering deep cuts to nutrition assistance, we should be doing all we can to make sure our students have food to eat in school.” “Kids in school should be thinking about their next math test – not worrying about going hungry,” said Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “In 2022, voters approved the Healthy School Meals for All program, which made a significant positive impact on Colorado students and their families. This law will allow the voters to reaffirm their support for our state’s children and their educational success.” “Every single Colorado kid, regardless of their income, should be able to eat a healthy, filling breakfast and lunch without worrying about the cost,” said Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. “The Healthy School Meals for All program has been extremely successful in Colorado – it has reduced the stigma associated with free and reduced lunch, helped Colorado kids succeed, and allowed families breathe a little easier with less strain on their budgets. This law empowers Colorado voters to decide on the future of this beneficial program.” HB25-1274 will refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters in the November 2025 election to determine whether or not to continue funding the program as is, increase funding for the program or scale it back. One ballot measure asks voters if they want the state to be able to retain and spend state revenue on the Healthy School Meals for All Program above the original estimate, which will otherwise need to be refunded to taxpayers who earn over $300,000 a year. The second ballot measure asks voters if they want to expand the program by further limiting tax deductions for those who earn over $300,000 a year. If at least one of the two measures is approved by Colorado voters, the law will extend the local school purchasing program, which is set to repeal after FY 2025-2026. In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition FF, creating the Healthy School Meals for All program to provide all Colorado students free breakfast and lunch. The program was funded by limiting income tax reductions for taxpayers who have a federal adjusted gross income of $300,000 or more. The 2025-2026 budget, approved by the Colorado General Assembly in April 2025, fully funds the Healthy School Meals for All program through the end of the year. As Colorado works to expand access to healthy school meals for children, Congress is considering the GOP budget proposal that would significantly pare back SNAP benefits for children and families. Under this proposal, state and county costs across Colorado are expected to increase by approximately $260 million annually. The GOP budget proposal also heightens eligibility requirements for food assistance programs, making it more difficult for Coloradans over 55 and families with children between 8 and 18 years old to receive the support they need. Previous Next

< Back November 10, 2021 MCCLUSKIE TAKES REINS OF THE JBC DENVER, CO — Representative Julie McCluskie today became the next chair of the Joint Budget Committee as the FY 2022-2023 budget process begins this morning. “It’s a true honor to lead the JBC as we craft a balanced budget that powers the Colorado comeback and boosts our economy in every community,” said JBC Chair Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m excited to lead the charge as we make significant investments in public education and make responsible decisions to protect critical services in the coming years. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass a budget that protects our Colorado way of life, helps our small businesses and forges a recovery that leaves no one behind.” Passionate about public education, Rep.McCluskie spent more than a decade working in Summit School District and has championed efforts to increase funding for public education and target resources to at-risk students. She has led efforts to boost workforce training programs, improve wildfire mitigation and response, increase higher education funding, expand access to affordable housing and has created new programs to improve teacher retention. In 2019, Rep. McCluskie passed landmark legislation to create the state reinsurance program that has successfully lowered the cost of health insurance, most drastically in rural parts of the state and in mountain communities. She chairs the School Finance Committee where she has focused on reforming the school finance formula to make it more equitable and student centered. Last session, she passed legislation to invest $50 million in workforce training programs to help workers learn the skills they’ll need to thrive. Born and raised in Colorado and a graduate of Colorado State University, Rep. McCluskie and her husband Jamie have spent most of their married years in the Rocky Mountains. They are proud parents of two children, Ian and Cait, and enjoy spending family time in Colorado’s great outdoors. Previous Next

< Back April 24, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Democrats working to lower the cost of health care (Apr. 24) –Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis’ bill to reduce the price consumers pay for prescription medications passed in the House Health and Insurance committee. The bill will allow the wholesale importation of prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for resale to Colorado pharmacies. “As a pharmacist, I know there are many Coloradans who are having to choose between feeding their families or the life-saving drugs they depend on,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “We’ve seen drug price increases of nearly 500 percent that are drowning patients. The ability to import prescription drugs from Canada will help lower the cost of health care for struggling families.” Rep. Jaquez Lewis is a licensed pharmacist. As amended in the Health and Insurance Committee, SB19-005 creates the “Colorado Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act” where the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will apply for a waiver under Federal law to contract with a vendor to design and implement a program to import prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for sale to Colorado pharmacies. The program design must ensure both drug safety and cost savings for Colorado consumers. “The federal government is failing to help lower the cost of health care, this is a commonsense approach that can help Coloradans and cut the cost of medication,” Rep. Jaquez Lewis added. SB19-005 passed on a vote of 7-4. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back Lori Goldstein Representative Lori Goldstein represents House District 29 of Westminster. Representative Goldstein has dedicated her life to public education. She also serves as the President of the Adams 12 Board of Education, which she has been a member of for six years. She had a robust 34-year career as an educator in Adams 12 as a science teacher, dean, special education teacher and then wrapped up her career as the president of the District Twelve Educators Association. Representative Goldstein recently rolled off of six years as the president of the CEA Retired. Representative Goldstein looks forward to serving the people of Colorado. She is serving on the Agricultural, Water and Natural Resources Committee and the Energy and Environment Committee.