< Back September 18, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: AS COLORADO’S ECONOMY SHOWS PROMISING SIGNS OF RECOVERY, JBC REMAINS VIGILANT DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts, both of which project higher General Fund revenue compared to earlier estimates in June but substantial uncertainty and budgeting challenges ahead. “Today’s forecast has some good news for us, presenting a promising picture of an economy starting to recover from a huge economic hit,” said JBC Chair Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “However, these promising indicators of recovery should be taken with a great deal of caution. The recovery continues to be sensitive to the pandemic, and the substantial increased need for critical services for Coloradans along with the need to restore one-time budget cuts made this year mean we’re not out of the woods yet. The Joint Budget Committee will continue to monitor this volatile economy and respond to the impacts of the pandemic over the coming months. It’s up to all of us to help continue Colorado’s economic recovery — being responsible with mask use, social distancing and other public health precautions can help our state bounce back.” “The road to recovery was never going to be easy, but what’s more and more apparent is that not all Coloradans are recuperating equally. Low-wage workers have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and economic downturn. Without federal leadership, our economy is diverging into separate trajectories, with circumstances rapidly improving for select industries and the wealthiest among us, ” said JBC Vice-Chair Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “We need to combat this trend by creating more equity in our tax code and advocating for additional federal relief. Despite the crowing we’ve heard over an inflated stock market, the crisis is as serious today as it was in March for laid-off workers and struggling businesses.” “I’m proud of the work the Joint Budget Committee has done so far to stave off the worst effects of a historic budget crisis, but we’re not done yet,” said JBC Member Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Today’s forecast shows us that while we’ve seen our economy start to recover more quickly than expected, we’ll have to continue our work to protect critical services that support Coloradans who are struggling during these difficult times. Restoring the $1 Billion in cuts made to public schools, colleges and universities must be a top priority. I remain committed to protecting high quality public education in our state. This year we used federal stimulus funds to boost support for small businesses, housing and utilities assistance, and mental health services; we hope that Congress will prioritize additional funds for states so we can continue working to meet the unique needs of Coloradans.” “I am incredibly proud and hopeful for Colorado’s future. Unlike countless other states, we acted swiftly and decisively in response to the pandemic – protecting us from some of the most destructive consequences to our public health and economy. At the same time, it’s clear from this forecast that our fiscal future is still highly unpredictable in the wake of COVID-19. Some industries and sectors are rebounding strongly while others are still really struggling. So as we navigate the path forward, it’s important that we keep our lens wide and make sure no one is being left behind. But together, I’m confident we can prevent that from happening and build back an economy that works for everyone,” said JBC Member Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. The Legislative Council staff (LCS) September forecast estimates that revenues will increase by 10.3 percent in FY 2021-22 after falling 11.6% in FY 2020-21. Due in large part to the General Assembly’s efforts to close loopholes and curb tax breaks for corporations, General Fund revenues are now expected to be $893.8 million more in FY 2019-2020 and $542.1 million more in FY 2020-2021 than anticipated in the June revenue forecast, reflecting modest improvement in the state’s economic outlook. This upward revision is based on higher than expected collections in FY 2019-20 and increased economic expectations for 2020 and 2021. The LCS estimate indicates there is downside risk to the forecast from a prolonged economic recovery or a double-dip recession due to the resurgence of COVID-19, uncertain business and consumer behaviors, and the potential for increases in unemployment; the LCS economists highlighted that the forecast contains significant uncertainty and that the pandemic will guide the economic recovery. There is upside risk to the estimate driven by a faster economic recovery, a potential COVID vaccine, and additional federal stimulus support. The September forecast from the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting anticipates General Fund revenues will increase by 4.7 percent in FY 2021-22 after decreasing by an equal amount in FY 2020-21. OSPB’s September General Fund revenue forecast is up by $895.6 million for FY 2019-2020 relative to its June estimate due to higher than anticipated tax collections in July 2020 after the deferral of income tax filings from April to July. The OSPB General Fund forecast for FY 2020-21 is $1,532.8 million, or 14.6 percent higher than estimated in June. It is important to highlight that the revenue forecasts do not account for the $2.8 billion in one-time spending reductions the JBC made to balance the FY 2020-21 budget, program caseload growth, and inflationary pressures being placed on essential state services as we continue to respond to COVID, nor the potential fiscal impacts of ballot questions being referred to voters in November. Additionally, there is uncertainty around the availability and flexibility of federal funds in the coming fiscal year. Previous Next

Legislation aims to improve accountability under current law < Back May 3, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Safe Housing for Residential Tenants Bill Becomes Law Legislation aims to improve accountability under current law DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed into law legislation that updates existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. Colorado’s “warranty of habitability” law requires landlords to maintain a minimum standard of housing – however, in practice most renters suffering from unsafe living conditions haven’t received the repairs they need due to easily-exploited loopholes in the law. SB24-094 , sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, updates existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. “We have a Warranty of Habitability standard in Colorado to make sure our communities are living in safe housing, but unfortunately the law is not working as intended,” said Gonzales. “I hear from constituents suffering from unsafe conditions who are not able to get the issue fixed and don’t have access to any other relief- everything from infestations, no heating or cooling for extended periods of time, and fear and intimidation tactics that prevent tenants from taking action. It is beyond time for us to update and clarify the statute, and I’m thankful to see this bill get signed into law today.” “Every renter deserves for their home to be a safe place to live, yet loopholes in our tenant laws have left Coloradans in dangerous living situations,” said Lindsay. “These unsafe living situations negatively impact the health and safety of renters, and our current laws fail to hold landlords accountable for providing necessary repairs. With our new law, we’re clarifying our Warranty of Habitability laws to protect Colorado renters and ensure their right to safe and healthy housing.” “Loopholes in existing law are keeping Coloradans in unsafe living conditions, such as homes with mold, sewage leaks, or rodent infestations,” Exum said. “It’s time for Colorado to update these standards so tenants can have secure housing that is better suited to live, work, or raise a family.” “From broken elevators to no access to running water, Colorado renters have struggled with ongoing maintenance issues that make it difficult for families, elders, and Coloradans with a disability to live their day-to-day lives,” said Froelich. “No one should be forced to deal with these living situations. Our law will ensure that renters have the right to timely repairs for mold, vermin, sewage leaks, and other serious issues to avoid preventable housing-related health conditions.” SB24-094 modifies existing warranty of habitability laws by: Closing the timeframe loophole by setting deadlines for a landlord to complete necessary repairs: 14 days for many issues and seven days for more serious conditions that deal with life, safety, or health. Ensuring that notice of health or safety issues can be given to the landlord in many forms and clarifying that if a lease allows verbal notice, landlords are legally responsible for taking appropriate action once the verbal notice is given. Clarifying the process for arranging alternative lodging pending the completion of a necessary repair. Updating policies that allow for appropriate cooling in extreme heat, like ensuring landlords fix cooling units when they break, and allowing tenants to install their own cooling devices. Clarifying the current process by which a tenant may pursue a court order demanding compliance with the law or otherwise seek monetary damages. Additional changes include updating the civil process initiated by landlords or tenants regarding breaches, prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants, and provisions focused on children, older adults, and those with disabilities. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will strengthen Colorado’s workforce. < Back May 16, 2023 New Laws Strengthen Colorado’s Workforce, Create Stronger Pathways for In-Demand Industries CENTENNIAL, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will strengthen Colorado’s workforce. HB23-1212 improves access to apprenticeships for graduating high schoolers. HB23-1074 identifies strategies to better prepare Colorado workers for industry changes resulting from technology advances and automation. “We’re taking the necessary steps to boost our workforce by connecting graduating high school students to high-demand careers through apprenticeship programs,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1212. “This law makes it easier for Coloradans to search, apply and participate in apprenticeship programs that will lead to good-paying careers. This law is a win-win for aspiring professionals and critical industries in need of skilled, qualified workers.” “Apprenticeship programs can jumpstart a student’s future toward a good-paying career,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB23-1212. “Our law saves graduates money on educational training and builds stronger pathways toward high-demand industries. Across Colorado there are many industries searching for skilled workers, and our law helps fill workforce demands and strengthen our economy.” HB23-1212 directs the Office of the Future of Work, the Colorado Department Education and other state agencies to collaborate with schools and trade industries to create apprenticeship pathways for graduating students. HB23-1212 also requires the creation of an online job board for students, and the incorporation of apprenticeship opportunities in available career planning tools, including individual career and academic plans to better support job preparation for students. Colorado’s trade and construction industries are still experiencing workforce shortages following economic disruptions from the pandemic. This law helps create a talent pipeline for graduating students to enter good-paying careers after graduation and support Colorado’s workforce. “As our economy and workforce demands shift, we’re preparing now to ensure Colorado workers are not left behind,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1074 . “This law will identify opportunities for workers to use the skills they already have while transitioning to a more forward-looking economy. We cannot control how innovation and automation will change the labor market, but we can ease the workforce transition so more Coloradans can continue to work and thrive in their own communities.” “Our law creates and preserves jobs for workers in Colorado’s oil and gas industry and other skilled industries as we anticipate future workforce changes,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1074. “This workforce study will identify strategies to help workers enter new, up-and-coming career paths as technology-dependent industries adapt and grow with automation. We’re committed to help Coloradans prepare for the career of the future, and this law sets us on a pathway forward.” HB23-1074 creates a workforce study to help better prepare Coloradans for high-demand careers. Through this workforce study, The Office of Future Work (OFW) will partner with research institutions, employers and other stakeholders to explore industry transitions in oil and gas and in industries experiencing disruption due to automation. This law works to ease workforce transitions, identify appropriate interventions and define strategies to help Coloradans prepare and train for careers of the future. Previous Next

< Back July 10, 2020 COLORADO’S PREMIER VOTE BY MAIL SYSTEM GETS AN UPGRADE Gov signs bill to improve administration of late ballots, ensure destroyed or spoiled ballots do not stand in the way of a Coloradan’s right to vote. Denver, CO — Today, at the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Denver Metro Local, Governor Jared Polis signed Rep. Tom Sullivan’s bill to improve Colorado’s nation-leading vote by mail system into law. “As the nation discusses whether or not to adopt vote by mail– a proven, safe, and democratic system– Colorado is busy working to make our already effective process even better,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “This new law will make sure that all registered voters can cast a vote even when they have issues with their original ballots. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to make sure that health concerns don’t get in the way of any Coloradan’s constitutional right to vote.” Colorado is one of only a handful of states that allows all voters to cast their ballot by mail. It has been recognized across the country as one of the most secure and successful ballot administration systems in the nation. The state’s universal mail ballot system means Colorado is uniquely positioned to safely administer upcoming elections and ensure that Coloradans can vote without risk to their health. HB20-1313 , the bill signed into law today, would improve the process for updating registration applications and records to ensure that new ballots are sent within an appropriate timeline. It would permit a voter to obtain a replacement ballot if their ballot was destroyed, spoiled or not received for any reason if the voter requests a new ballot at least eight days prior to the election. The bill requires mail replacement ballots to be sent to eligible voters who update their address or register to vote at least eight days prior to an election, even if their original ballot has already been mailed. Furthermore, counties are required to mail ballots by First Class Mail if they are sent within 11 days of an election, ensuring they will be delivered to the voter in a timely manner. Previous Next

< Back August 6, 2024 Rep. Marshall Joins Tax Panel at National Conference of State Lawmakers LOUISVILLE, KY– Representative Bob Marshall spoke to a group of around 50 legislative and other tax experts from across the nation as a panel member at the Tax Task Force with the National Conference of State Legislators this weekend. During the presentation and panel discussion he highlighted efforts to simplify and improve Colorado’s property tax system and reduce property taxes on homeowners. “With rising property values leading to higher tax bills, we’ve taken bipartisan action to reduce property taxes on small businesses and homeowners,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch. “I was proud to sponsor and vote for bipartisan bills that improve our property tax collection system and exemptions for veterans with a disability. Our long-term property tax package brought together school districts, local governments, and fire districts to reduce property taxes in a responsible way that protects our schools and fosters a strong economy for everyone in our state.” The NCSL session explored “the ‘three-legged stool’ concept of a balanced state revenue system, focusing on income, sales, and property taxes” and how to achieve “a balanced approach that provides tax relief, promotes economic development, and maintains fiscal stability.” As a recognized tax expert with a LL.M. in Tax Law and having served with the Internal Revenue Service’s Large Business & International Tax Litigation division, Rep. Marshall’s comments and thoughts were well received by both the audience of tax experts and his fellow panelists who were the Chairs of their respective Finance Committees in the State Legislatures of Illinois, Indiana, and Kansas. A member of Colorado’s House Finance Committee, Rep. Marshall voted for the bipartisan property tax legislation, which provides a permanent property tax solution to reduce rates on homeowners and small businesses while protecting school funding. It also prevents future property tax spikes by capping property tax revenue. Rep. Marshall also sponsored legislation to cap property tax growth and improve the property tax exemption for disabled veterans. Previous Next

Initiative 144 and 145 will reduce pet care in Colorado < Back Rep. McCormick: As a veterinarian and a lawmaker, please don’t let big businesses undermine Colorado pet care Jun 12, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Denver Post here . Initiative 144 and 145 will reduce pet care in Colorado Forty years ago I swore a lifelong oath when starting my career as a veterinarian. Part of that oath affirms that I will use my scientific knowledge and skill to benefit society through the protection of animal health and welfare. It is with that oath, and my lifetime of service to animals and people that I must now sound the alarm to all Coloradans. There are two ballot initiatives being circulated collecting signatures for the fall ballot. These initiatives are being driven by big corporate interests from outside of Colorado. They are Initiative 144 and 145 and are being misleadingly sold to voters as a way to “increase access to veterinary care.” The General Assembly worked very hard this spring in a bipartisan, collaborative way, to develop a robust approach to how best to utilize tele-technologies like video calls in veterinary care. That bill was signed into law by the governor earlier this year, and it passed the House of Representatives unanimously. It is widely supported by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, farmers and ranchers, shelters and humane societies and animal caretakers. The bill strengthens and clarifies that veterinary telemedicine should supplement and not replace in-person care. We absolutely should use telehealth more and this law will make sure it is done right to protect pets. Initiative 144 also has to do with Veterinary Telehealth, but is a danger to pets. 144 would dismantle that well-structured law the governor just signed and eliminate the need for a doctor to ever see your animal in person. The ballot question essentially eliminates the most important tools your veterinarian has to get to the bottom of what is going on — their hands, eyes, ears, and nose. 144 would not benefit people or their animals and would create real safety concerns. It would only help corporate entities focused on profits, allowing them to push medicine to animal owners via online platforms. Animals would be the ones suffering in this situation as they would not be getting accurate care. The second ballot initiative, 145, also funded by outside corporate interests, will allow creation of a new animal health position called a veterinary professional associate or VPA. TA VPA is not licensed to practice medicine, has not gone through an accredited veterinary education program, has not passed a national exam, will not have sufficient liability protections, would not be able to prescribe medicines due to federal law, and will be under-trained through primarily an online master’s program. These VPAs would then be allowed to actually practice veterinary medicine on your pets, including surgery, diagnose diseases, interpret lab test results and prescribe a treatment plan, all without a license. Corporate interests want VPAs to practice medicine without the consumer protection safeguards that exist for licensed veterinarians. If this sounds crazy to you then you can understand my grave concern for the animals of our state for whom we are responsible. Skilled veterinary technicians are already more qualified than this contemplated VPA. They have comprehensive training, take a national exam and are regulated by the state. We passed another strong bipartisan bill to elevate and extend the skills of veterinary technicians with House Bill 1047. There has been over $633,000 granted to Colorado State University by Petsmart Charities to develop a veterinary mid-level position master’s degree. This degree program is not looking to be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) who is responsible for accreditation of every single College of Veterinary Medicine in the country, including CSU’s, and for every school that graduates Veterinary technicians. In order for this master’s degree to work for Petsmart, who partners with Mars,Inc./ Banfield vet clinics, would need ballot initiative 145 to get on the ballot and pass. There has been over $255,000 contributed toward the effort to get these Initiatives on the ballot by the Issue Committee called ‘All Pets Deserve Care’ registered with the Secretary of State. This entity received its largest single donation of $250,000 from Denver Dumb Friends League. The details into DDFL’s financials to know where the $250,000 came from is not publicly available. Mars, Inc. who owns Banfield and VCA veterinary hospitals across the nation have funded studies in the past that have fed a narrative that the U.S. needs to create a new veterinary position in order to keep up with the demand for veterinary care. These studies have been disputed by many reputable veterinary economists since. But the narrative has taken off and is fueling this push to create a new veterinary worker who in reality won’t be prepared to help animals. We need more veterinarians and more veterinary technicians. Let’s focus on solving that problem. Karen McCormick is a state representative for House District 11. Previous Next

Colorado Democrats worked hard to reduce property taxes and support hardworking families < Back Rep. Tisha Mauro: Delivering for Coloradans: A post special session debrief Dec 17, 2023 See more This op-ed was published in the Pueblo Chieftain on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Rising property values have led to many Coloradans facing unaffordable property taxes, especially for those on fixed incomes and our most vulnerable communities. In Pueblo, residential home values have risen nearly 40% . During our four day special session in mid-November, Colorado Democrats delivered short-term, residential property tax relief while protecting funding for schools, fire districts and libraries and without using any of the state’s TABOR surplus that must be refunded to taxpayers. Overall, this new law provides more than $430 million in residential property tax relief. Specifically, we increased the property value exemption for multifamily and single family residential properties from $15,000 to $55,000 and decreased the residential assessment rate from 6.76% to 6.7% for the 2023 tax year. This means that you can now deduct $55,000 right off the top of your home’s value before the application of the newly lowered residential assessment rate and local mill levies. For a residential property worth $350,000 – slightly higher than the median home value in Pueblo – a homeowner will save $246 on their property taxes. This is in addition to $200 in cost savings from bipartisan legislation passed in the last two years to address rising property taxes ( SB22-238 and SB21-293 ) for a total of $446 of property tax savings for 2023 from legislation passed at the state capitol. While immediate property tax relief took center stage, we also championed legislation to develop more long-term, robust property tax solutions. The Commission on Property Tax will be composed of legislators, a property tax administrator and different local government and community leaders to map out long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. In addition to property tax relief, the legislature also ramped up support for hardworking families. After paying rent, groceries and gas, we know many Coloradans’ budgets are squeezed. As we continue to tackle our state’s affordability crisis, three more bills we passed during the special session will put more money back into the pockets of families who need it the most. SB23B-003 increases TABOR refunds for hardworking Coloradans by issuing refunds in equal amounts of $800 per single filer or $1,600 for joint filers for all tax filers. If we had not taken action, the wealthiest Coloradans would have gotten much larger refunds, and the rest of us would have gotten less. Under this new law, nearly 60% of Coloradans and everyone making under $100,000 will receive a larger refund. In Pueblo, nearly 90% of our residents will receive a larger TABOR refund, which taxpayers will see added to their state tax refund this spring., Colorado Democrats also doubled tax relief for low-income working families to 50% of the federal earned income tax credit, which will provide $185 million in targeted tax relief to low-and-moderate income Colorado families. Nearly half of Pueblo’s population could be eligible for this increased tax relief. To make sure vulnerable children don’t go without food this summer, we also ensured access to an additional $35 million in federal funds to expand the Electronic Benefits Transfer program, which helps families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during summer months when child hunger is the most severe. Eligible Colorado families will receive $40 per child per month beginning in 2024. As evictions across our state rise, the need for emergency rental assistance is more dire than ever before. Emergency rental assistance works in two ways – it protects landlords from financial losses and prevents Coloradans from losing their homes. Coloradans facing eviction often have nowhere else to turn which leads to cycles of poverty, homelessness and myriad other life disruptions. During the special session, we stepped up to invest $30 million into emergency rental assistance, raising statewide assistance to $65 million this year. From Grand Junction to Denver and Pueblo and Fort Morgan, Coloradans statewide on the brink of eviction or late on their rent can take advantage of emergency financial assistance. We know this law will keep thousands of Coloradans housed in their communities and help many get back on their feet. Together, Colorado Democrats worked hard to champion thoughtful, impactful legislation that prioritizes our hardworking families while providing much needed property tax relief now. With the 2024 legislative session on the horizon, we are already gearing up, preparing legislation and working alongside community members to bring forward new ideas that will make Colorado a more affordable place for everyone to call home. Representative Tisha Mauro represents House District 46 which spans the majority of Pueblo County, including Avondale, Beulah, Colorado City and Rye. 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

< Back March 24, 2022 MULLICA’S BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY PASS COMMITTEE Representative Kyle Mullica sponsored two bills to save Coloradans money on housing and to provide licensing fee relief for nurses DENVER, CO – Two bills sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullica to save Coloradans money passed committee today. HB22-1282 would increase housing affordability, homeownership rates and create jobs through innovative housing solutions and is part of the package of bills from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. HB22-1298 would provide licensing fee relief for nurses. “Making housing more affordable is a top priority,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights . “We’re investing to build thousands of new, affordable homes across the state and boost homeownership in the process. This bipartisan bill will foster new construction and manufacturing jobs that result in more affordable homes for Coloradans. We’re also working to save our nurses money. Our health care professionals have been working tirelessly for more than two years to keep Coloradans safe and healthy. A second bill would cut fees for professional licensing or certification for nurses, aides and technicians so they can save money and have one less thing to worry about.” Innovative Housing Incentive Program: HB22-1282 , sponsored by Representatives Kyle Mullica and Mike Lynch, deploys $40 million to attract, encourage and support the construction of innovative forms of affordable housing to be built all across Colorado. Examples include modular, pre-fabricated, manufactured and other innovative forms of housing. This will quickly boost the affordable housing stock in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, as well as increase the rate of homeownership in communities that have traditionally lacked access to this important wealth-building tool. The legislation will also create jobs by incentivizing new innovative housing companies to manufacture and place their homes in Colorado. HB22-1282 passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee by a vote of 9 to 4. Fee Relief for Nurses: HB22-1298 , also sponsored by Representative Mullica, would provide licensure and certification fee relief for nurses, nurse aides and psychiatric technicians. Colorado’s health care workforce is experiencing a major shortage of qualified health care professionals. In addition, above-capacity patient levels and frequent exposure to COVID-19 have only added to the stress for health care professionals working at hospitals, assisted living residences and mental health facilities. This bill aims to save health care workers money on their professional licensing and certification. HB22-1298 passed the House Finance Committee by a vote of 7 to 3. Previous Next

Legislation would refer a constitutional amendment to voters on the November 2024 ballot to remove bail eligibility for people accused of first-degree murder < Back February 21, 2024 Removing Bail Eligibility for First-Degree Murder Cases Passes Committee Legislation would refer a constitutional amendment to voters on the November 2024 ballot to remove bail eligibility for people accused of first-degree murder DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to make first-degree murder defendants ineligible for bail. “This constitutional amendment makes it clear that for certain heinous crimes, bail should not be an option,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of HCR24-1002 and HB24-1225. “When there is strong evidence that ties someone to a murder, it’s in the best interest of the safety of Coloradans to keep them in custody until their case is adjudicated. If voters support this constitutional amendment, this bill would clarify in statute that people accused of first-degree murder aren’t eligible to be released on bail.” In 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in People v. Smith that defendants of capital offenses are eligible to be released on bail per language in Colorado statute. HCR24-1002 , also sponsored by Representative Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, would refer a constitutional amendment to Colorado voters on the November 2024 ballot to exempt the right to bail for first-degree murder cases when the proof is evident or the presumption is great. Voters would have to approve the constitutional amendment by at least 55 percent for it to be adopted into the Colorado Constitution. HCR24-1002 passed by a vote of 8-2. HB24-1225 , also sponsored by Representative Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, would make the conforming changes in Colorado statute if the voters adopt the constitutional amendment, exempting defendants who are charged with first-degree murder from bail eligibility when the proof is evident or presumption is great. HB24-1225 also aligns jury procedures for first-degree murder cases with other capital cases to allow 10 peremptory challenges during jury selection for the first defendant and an additional three for every defendant after. The bill, which also passed by a vote of 8-2, is contingent on the adoption of a state constitutional amendment created by HCR24-1002. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to improve public K-12 schools' indoor air quality by creating funding pathways for energy-efficient upgrades and partnering with highly skilled local contractors. < Back June 3, 2025 Signed! HVAC Bill to Support Schools and Skilled Workers DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to improve public K-12 schools' indoor air quality by creating funding pathways for energy-efficient upgrades and partnering with highly skilled local contractors. “There are many HVAC contractors throughout the state, and this bill ensures they’re considered when public schools update their heating and cooling systems,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “This law is good for workers and small businesses because it helps them secure HVAC maintenance contracts while creating safer air to breathe for Colorado students and educators.” “I served on my local school board for seven years, and I know firsthand how challenging it is to fund essential school infrastructure – especially HVAC systems that provide heating, cooling, and clean air,” said Sen. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Students deserve to learn in classrooms with healthy air quality and comfortable temperatures. This law gives school districts the ability to apply for funding for HVAC improvements, ensuring they can access the resources they need to create safe and productive learning environments.” “This law helps schools access previously unavailable funds to update their HVAC systems to help create healthier learning environments for students and teachers, said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “Our students and educators deserve heating and cooling that works – and this law helps ensure that HVAC maintenance is conducted by highly skilled workers, saving schools money in the long run. If a school decides to use federal or state dollars to pay for their HVAC installation or upgrades, they’ll need to consider contractors from the state-certified list, which helps prioritize locally sourced labor.” “Students and teachers need clean, healthy air and reliable heating and air conditioning to learn, focus, and teach to the best of their ability,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “This new law is a step toward dignity in the classroom and safer, healthier schools for Colorado while supporting local HVAC workers and small businesses.” HB25-1245 helps ensure Colorado’s public K-12 schools have adequate temperature control for students. This law outlines new requirements for the installation, inspection, and maintenance of heating, cooling and ventilation systems, also known as HVAC, in public schools. Specifically, if a school utilizes funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act cash fund, it is required to hire only from a certified list maintained by the state to perform the installation or maintenance of HVAC systems. By hiring skilled workers, the HVAC systems are likely to be more efficient and last longer, saving schools money in the long run. To encourage transparency and accountability, a certified contractor must prepare a detailed HVAC verification report within 30 days of completing any work and the school must retain the report for five years and make it available to the public upon request. This law only applies when schools or school districts utilize state or federal funding to install or maintain their HVAC systems. HB25-1245 prioritizes local HVAC contractors and supports small businesses. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2021 SPEAKER GARNETT: WE NEED TO BUILD BACK STRONGER; LET’S GET TO WORK House Convenes for First Session of 73rd General Assembly DENVER, CO– House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, today delivered his Opening Day Speech and outlined his vision for the 2021 legislative session and how the House can help Colorado rebuild and recover faster from the COVID-19 pandemic, saying: “Just getting back to normal won’t be enough. We need to build back stronger for ourselves and the people of Colorado. To build back a life that offers true economic opportunity and leaves no one behind. A life that affords us all a little more time to enjoy the things we love, because now, with a year under our belt, and a lifetime worth of empathy, we can all reflect on the things that matter most to us all: Food. Shelter. Safety. Justice. Equality. Prosperity.” In his speech, Speaker Garnett stressed the importance of cooperation and bipartisanship, saying in part: “My door is always open- to all of you. Good ideas have no party affiliation. I want to encourage and challenge all of you to put aside any cynicism you have faced, any fear that you can’t make a difference, any belief that our tools are too limited, too short-lived, too temperamental, and instead to step up.” Speaker Garnett identified the complex economic issues facing Colorado in the wake of the pandemic and outlined his vision for a stimulus package that invests in our state: “I am so determined to build on the progress we made last year and craft additional economic stimulus that is thoughtful, precise and that boosts our economy under the complex conditions we face.” The Speaker said that the legislature’s work would extend beyond COVID recovery work, and touched on a variety of policy areas, including housing, health care, transportation, protecting the environment, veterans issues and education, among several others. He closed by evoking the spirit of Colorado, instilling determination in his colleagues: “Some of our communities may feel battered today, but we are far, far from broken. Colorado is a state of upstarts and underdogs. Of fearless fighters and success stories. In this state, we climb soaring mountains, tame harsh winters and turn arid lands into fields of plenty. The uphill recovery and the many daunting tasks before us may be mighty, but if we keep our hand steady on the tiller, they are no match for us. With urgency and resolve, let’s recommit ourselves to doing the people’s business. Let’s get to work.” Tomorrow, the House and Senate will meet in a joint session to hear the governor’s State of the State address. Thursday, the chambers will convene again to receive the State of the Judiciary from the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. ### The speaker’s full opening day remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: Good morning and welcome to your State Capitol. It’s my pleasure to welcome the public, our families, and each of you here in the chamber to the grand opening of the Seventy Third General Assembly. I know this year is different. I know we all feel pressure to lead our State through an unparalleled crisis. I suspect much of the pressure you feel, like the pressure I feel, comes from our own experiences this past year. Like all Coloradans, we have watched friends and family struggle and face severe economic pain. We have seen businesses in our communities close — some temporarily and some for good. Some of our loved ones have faced health challenges. I know I’m not alone in having an immediate family member contract COVID. That was scary. And while hopefully like me, your loved ones have recovered, I know this is not the case for everyone. Even those who did, may be facing long-haul symptoms. Others may be struggling to pay back expenses. Before I go any further, I’d ask you to join me in holding a moment of silence to honor the thousands of Coloradans and hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. Thank you. I also want to take this moment to immediately thank Rep. Caraveo and Rep. Mullica for their service to those directly impacted by COVID. You all put yourselves directly on the front lines. And in a building full of ambition, we are all grateful for your willingness to put others ahead of yourselves in a real, life-risking way. In the last year, we’ve seen countless unsung heroes in every corner of our state step up to protect their communities. Every nurse, administrator, doctor or other health care hero in Colorado deserves every ounce of our gratitude, admiration, and respect. While these heroes have been at the forefront, we’ve all felt the effects of COVID-19, whether physically, financially or let’s face it, emotionally. COVID can be lonely. COVID can be cruel. It does not discriminate based on how good of a person you are – how much karma you’ve built up in your life. For all of us, COVID has taken away the day to day joys we all now so greatly appreciate and miss. There are the daily reminders of things we have had to leave behind. For some that may have been a morning routine at a local coffee shop or gym. For others still, it may have been giving up Sunday worship with our community or a weekly visit to our grandparents. I can’t speak to each of these sacrifices and losses, but I do know that we all want to get back to life as it was as quickly as possible. But just getting back to normal won’t be enough. We need to build back stronger for ourselves and the people of Colorado. To build back a life that offers true economic opportunity and leaves no one behind. A life that affords us all a little more time to enjoy the things we love, because now, with a year under our belt, and a lifetime worth of empathy, we can all reflect on the things that matter most to us all: Food. Shelter. Safety. Justice. Equality. Prosperity. Each of us — collectively — has an opportunity to be a part of something meaningful here. Of creating a new status quo where these values are a reality. But we won’t get far if we go at it alone, if we fixate on the differences between us instead of focusing on all the things that bring us together. Let me say off the bat, I am SO inspired and excited to work with each of you. I truly believe each of us has a unique role to play this session. Because as much as today’s speech is a reflection of the priorities I see for our body, it’s also an invitation to each of you to shape those priorities, to be part of those discussions, and help build back a stronger Colorado, together. My door is always open- to all of you. Good ideas have no party affiliation. I want to encourage and challenge all of you to put aside any cynicism you have faced, any fear that you can’t make a difference, any belief that our tools are too limited, too short-lived, too temperamental, and instead to step up. The question isn’t if we can make a difference. We absolutely can. The question is how we make a difference, and I turn that question to each of you. To think about the difference you want to make this year. And how I, as Speaker, can help you accomplish your goals. For me, the formula for creating lasting change in this building has been the ability to listen to others. Within my party, across the aisle, and with any stakeholder I sat down with. Listening is the most successful trait in almost any relationship, especially legislative ones. You may have heard me say this before, but some of my best friends are in this building. Many of these great friends oppose basically every policy position I have. And I oppose theirs. But that doesn’t mean we can’t work together respectfully. It doesn’t mean there aren’t moments where we can get big things done for the people of Colorado. In fact, learning to appreciate the difference between the politician and the personis what has allowed me to prioritize respecting others over taking policy disagreements personally. We have to make the effort to truly befriend each other and put our trust in our colleagues, even when we don’t see eye to eye on every policy proposal. It’s the only way we’ll conquer the enormous task ahead of us this year. I remember not too long ago, on a pre-COVID trip with a bipartisan group of colleagues, how a moment of exhaustion and vulnerability led to the group sharing things about ourselves, about our beliefs, our personal history, or faith. Representatives Neville, Esgar, and McKean were there, among others. On the first night of our trip, my wife, Emily, decided to share with the group that she was 6-weeks pregnant. This moment of trust brought us all instantly closer and made us not only better friends, but better colleagues as well. Well, sometimes life offers us a sweet chance at poetic repetition. So today in a bid to recreate some of the sense of family we created on that fateful trip, I want to share with you all, for the first time, that Emily is pregnant with our third. My central point is that we can find ways to build lifelong relationships with people in this building. Don’t be afraid to bring them in. To trust. To truly listen. Coloradans expect it, as they should. This session, our top priority will be to see our state out of the public health crisis and to work to usher in a swift economic recovery for Colorado’s hardworking families and small businesses. It’s our job to mend the damage done by COVID – 19 and the economic downturn it caused, but Coloradans rightfully expect us to do much more. Our job as legislators this year is to level the playing field and give Coloradans the tools and resources they need to forge this recovery on their own. To do so, we’ll need to help create a just and inclusive post-pandemic economy where every Coloradan has a fair shot at success. In order to ensure that we guide Colorado towards an economic recovery that is swift, precise and equitable we need to have a detailed understanding of the problem facing our state. And like so much else about 2020, the devastating economic downturn caused by COVID-19 was completely unprecedented . The impacts of this downturn have had disparate effects on individual business sectors and communities. Whereas industries like hospitality and retail were forced to conduct massive layoffs and continue to see their profit margins shrink, other sectors have bounced back much faster, and some even saw their businesses grow as COVID-19 changed the way consumers behave. The recession was different at an individual level too. While many were able to continue their work from home, unprecedented numbers of Coloradans lost their jobs and are still unemployed. Communities of color and low wage workers have been disproportionately impacted by the health effects, as well as the economic effects of this pandemic. People living in multigenerational households, many of whom are Black and Latinx, have had to face the impossible choice between keeping the jobs that help support their families or giving them up because of the health risk. Rural areas and urban centers were not affected in the same way. The Eastern Plains and the Western Slope were not affected in the same way. Fort Collins and Pueblo were not affected in the same way. And it’s our job to make right by every one of these communities. Let’s get to work. Of course, we are limited in our capacity to provide relief. So while we can’t fill every hole, we can certainly aim to provide support that is meaningful and helps hardworking Coloradans and businesses thrive yet again. That’s why I am so determined to build on the progress we made last year and craft additional economic stimulus that is thoughtful, precise and that boosts our economy under the complex conditions we face. I have reached out to all of you, Republicans and Democrats alike, and asked for your input on how we can best help our state build back stronger by investing in job creation, small business assistance, housing, rural economic development, child care, and other areas where equitable relief is badly needed. Thank you for the thought you put into these proposals. Now it’s time to turn common sense ideas into real, tangible change for hardworking families across the state. Today I call on each and every one of us to again put our differences aside and get economic stimulus to the finish line and out to Coloradans as soon as we can. If Representatives Sandridge and Herod can come together to cosponsor a minority business relief bill twice , AND speak kindly and personally about each other here at the well, then I’m confident we can literally do anything together. It feels almost impossible to think back so far in time, but let’s remember that before the pandemic, Colorado’s economy was thriving. New businesses were popping up across the state, big companies were relocating their workforces to our downtowns, and individuals from across the country set their sights on Colorado as a perfect place to live and work. However, our great success was not evenly shared among Coloradans. The economic scramble created by this devastating pandemic has given us a once in a generation opportunity to forge a just and inclusive economy where every Coloradan has a fair shot. But it’s up to us to harness the opportunity and make this equitable economy a reality for all. So building back stronger will mean finding compassionate and measured housing policies that put the interests of renters and working families at the forefront without upending our economy. With the federal eviction moratorium expiring soon, building back stronger will mean striking a compromise and finding a solution that avoids mass evictions, and allows time for the federal assistance to flow into the state to achieve a goal we all share – for people to keep a roof over their heads. We have to step up. To all the parents out there, to all the educators out there, thank you. This year has put teachers, students and parents through the ringer in a way we’ve never seen before. To the countless parents who balanced working remotely full time while also caring for young kiddos or overseeing remote learning, we celebrate you. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old at home and this year has me thinking that it’s probably easier to run a State Legislature than it is to run a childcare center. Although I bet there are quite a few similarities. Our greatest success in education policy has come when we’ve struck a balance between respecting the needs and interests of local school districts while setting the necessary statewide expectations to narrow the achievement gap, eliminate the COVID gap, and keep all of our students on the same page. This year, let’s listen to our teachers and commit together to restoring the cuts from last year’s budget, which will take a sizable bite out of the budget stabilization factor. And while we’re on the topic of education, it’s time we supported the next generation of Coloradans by making needed investments in higher education. We need to grow our talented workforce by training Coloradans for the jobs of the future instead of importing talent from other states. We need to step up and ensure the colleges and universities who serve our Latinx, Native American, and Black students are equitably funded. It’s long overdue. Building back a stronger Colorado will also mean being thoughtful and conscious about how we grow as a state. We need to make sure our infrastructure is ready to handle the growing crowds trying to make it to work on weekdays and out to the mountains on weekends. That’s why I’m committed to making this the year that we strike a meaningful deal on transportation and make the bold investment that is needed to future proof Colorado’s transportation future. I’m not the first Speaker in recent memory to stand here and say this will be the year we get transportation done, but with your help and hard work, I’m determined to be the last. At least for a while. In order to make sure our transportation deal is a lasting one, we need to invest in our local governments’ multimodal needs, fund CDOT’s ten year plan and get serious about actually repairing roads in our rural communities. At the same time, we’ll have to ensure that the electrification infrastructure is in place for the market based shift quickly moving us towards electric vehicles– we have no time to waste. It’s not only the inequalities in our economy that were brought to the forefront during this pandemic. COVID-19 has also highlighted and heightened the massive disparities created by our health care system. Our complex health care system creates corporations that win and patients that lose. While we have some of the finest physicians and hospitals in the world here in Colorado, far too many families are prevented from accessing this care because of the cost, even when it could save their lives. No parent should have to think about the balance of her bank account before taking her desperately sick child to the emergency room. No small business should face double digit small group cost increases year after year. And no oneshould put their health at risk by rationing prescription drugs because of the cost. The status quo is not working. At a time when a whopping 77% of Coloradans support us taking bold action to lower the cost of prescription drugs, inaction is not an option. That’s why this year we’ll make drug affordability a top priority and why we’ll work to improve our health care system and make quality health care accessible and affordable for all. The effects of a changing climate are no longer a hypothetical threat. They’re a devastating reality. Last year’s fire season consumed more than 625,000 acres of land, destroyed countless homes, threatened our rural communities, and cost the taxpayers upwards of $200 million in fire suppression. This year, we must prioritize funding for wildfire mitigation and prevention, and continue our creative bipartisan work on this issue. The cost of inaction on climate change is far greater than the cost of facing the problem head-on and making lasting change. That’s why I’m determined to build on our progress and continue working towards a clean energy economy that provides opportunities for workers and hope for our children’s future. Climate change is an urgent threat, and we need to treat it like one. And while we’re fighting the growing threat of climate change, let’s make a commitment to look after those who protect us against all other threats: our service members and veterans. Colorado has long been a destination and a haven for members of the armed services, veterans and military families. We have a culture of service here in Colorado, we have state of the art military bases and we have the Colorado quality of life that is so enticing to all. I’m determined to keep Colorado a great place for service members and veterans to live, and to make sure that we look after those who have sacrificed and risked their all to look after us. In the past few years, we’ve passed important, common sense gun safety measures that have no doubt saved lives in our state. In its first year, the Extreme Risk Protection Order law that was endlessly fear mongered has been working just as we intended. Reports show that a majority of the protection orders were filed by law enforcement, that groundless claims were rejected, and that countless Colorado lives were saved because of it. But the epidemic of gun violence persists, so our work must go on. This year, we’ll continue our efforts to promote responsible gun ownership and prevent tragedies and atrocities before they happen in the first place. Let’s get to work. Last year, we led the nation and passed a sweeping, bipartisan police accountability reform bill that is already making an impact across the state and setting an example for the rest of the nation. I’m committed to monitoring the progress of this new law and filling gaps where needed. Building back stronger means advancing justice in our communities through reforms that will ensure integrity and fairness in our criminal justice system, increase opportunity in Black and brown communities, and save lives. I’m proud to say Black Lives Matter. But it has to be more than a slogan, let’s make it a policy priority. The task ahead won’t be easy, but Coloradans still embody the pioneering spirit of the generations that came before us. My family were miners and farmers who moved to Colorado after the Civil War. My great grandfather graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1912 and mined in Eagle County. The other side were farmers in Brush, Colorado. My great uncle used to tell stories about why Coloradans on the eastern plains had front yards. “It wasn’t to have green grass or to keep up with the Jones. It was to make sure there weren’t rattle snakes within striking distance of the children.” My family, like all of your families, were tough, resilient, never backed down from a challenge and loved Colorado more than any other place in the Union. The challenges Colorado faces are daunting. There’s no denying that. In fact, this may be the most consequential year for this General Assembly in recent memory. But as I look out onto this body and at each of you here today, I’m confident that we’re the right bunch to get it done. This body is diverse in our backgrounds, our characters, our experiences, and our visions for the future of this state. I have always believed that our strength comes from this diversity. To overcome the great obstacles we face, we’ll need the perspectives and experience of rural cattle ranchers like Rep. Holtorf alongside urban entrepreneurs like Rep. Alex Valdez. We’ll need the grit and tenacity of the Pride of Pueblo, Daneya Esgar just like we’ll need the soft spoken Quaker wisdom of Loveland’s own Hugh McKean. And this year, we’re lucky enough to have in our midst certain backgrounds and perspectives that are gracing the Golden Dome for the very first time. Here with us today is Representative Iman Jodeh, the first Muslim lawmaker in Colorado. Representative Naquetta Ricks is here, proudly representing HD40 as the first African Immigrant in the legislature. And of course, Representative David Ortiz, a proud veteran and the first lawmaker in a wheelchair, has already brought change to the legislature, just with his very presence and representation. Last year, as we wrapped up what became known as the ‘COVID Session’ in June, I stood in the well and told you that sometimes we make history and sometimes history makes us. We did what we could to minimize the damage and get relief out the door quickly. History made us. Today, we have a greater understanding of this virus and how to handle it. Coloradans are being vaccinated as we speak and the end of this pandemic is finally in sight. Now, it’s our turn: we have a chance to make history by guiding Colorado towards a more prosperous, more just, and more equitable future. Some of our communities may feel battered today, but we are far, far from broken. Colorado is a state of upstarts and underdogs. Of fearless fighters and success stories. In this state, we climb soaring mountains, tame harsh winters and turn arid lands into fields of plenty. The uphill recovery and the many daunting tasks before us may be mighty, but if we keep our hand steady on the tiller, they are no match for us. With urgency and resolve, let’s recommit ourselves to doing the people’s business. Let’s get to work. Previous Next