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Legislation directs $3 million toward crime victim services < Back April 26, 2023 Bills to Protect and Support Crime Victims Pass House Legislation directs $3 million toward crime victim services DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to prioritize and support Colorado’s victims of crime. HB23-1107 provides funding to services and program that support crime survivors, including survivors of domestic and sexual assault. SB23-193 improves crime victim notification services. “As the need for survivor resources and assistance surges in Colorado, we are committed to allocating funding toward critical services that support survivors,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “For a time in my life, I wasn’t safe in my own home, and as I dealt with the displacement and hardship with a young son in tow, community-based programs like these helped me get back on my feet. Deaths from domestic violence are rising in Colorado – we need to do everything we can to fund the programs survivors rely upon.” HB23-1107 , sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, passed the House by a vote of 62 to 3. This bill designates $3 million to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program inside the Department of Human Services. This program directly funds community based domestic violence and sexual assault programs statewide. These programs provide critical services for victims and survivors of crime including shelter, counseling, forensic interviews and prosecution support. Agencies that assist survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as victims of crime have experienced a drastic increase in the number of individuals requiring services. The Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board’s report revealed an increase in domestic violence deaths in 2021 and domestic violence deaths are at an all-time high since Colorado began tracking this information in 2016. “The state of Colorado needs to prioritize the concerns and voices of crime survivors, and this legislation was drafted with them in mind,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “This bipartisan bill improves survivor notifications regarding offenders’ release from parole, adding a new notice where one is not currently provided under our Victim Rights Act. This legislation also directs that notices are easy-to-read for better awareness and protection of survivors of crimes." SB23-193 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, passed the House unanimously. This bill aims to prioritize survivors by setting the offender’s release date for parole 15 days after providing notice to the victim. This bill would require the Department of Corrections (DOC) and any other state or local government agency, to provide survivor notifications in easy-to-understand language, using recommendations from victim advocates. If the victim chose to receive notifications, SB23-193 would work to improve communications between the DOC and survivors by giving them advanced notice of their offender’s parole release, in addition to their offender's discharge, transfer, escape, abscondence, unauthorized absence, or parole proceeding. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to eliminate “swipe fees” to save small businesses money. SB26-134, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran, passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back May 5, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Save Small Businesses Money on Swipe Fees DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to eliminate “swipe fees” to save small businesses money. SB26-134, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran, passed by a vote of 7-4. “This legislation will save small businesses and restaurants thousands of dollars per year,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Right now, the most profitable credit card companies are charging small businesses a fee on the sales tax these businesses are required to collect. These ‘swipe fees’ add up quickly, costing small businesses tens of thousands of dollars a year while ongoing global instability, rising fuel prices and costly tariffs have created additional pressures. Prohibiting ‘swipe fees’ will protect jobs, boost workers’ incomes and save small businesses money to help build an economy where everyone has a fair shot to thrive.” “Colorado Democrats are committed to creating a more affordable Colorado, and this bill could save small businesses thousands of dollars on swipe fees,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Swipe fees disproportionately hurt small businesses. Our bill would stop credit card companies with $60 billion or more in assets from charging businesses swipe fees and ensure that those savings are dedicated to reducing prices for Coloradans and boosting employee pay. This would support minority-owned small businesses and support entrepreneurs who are finding creative ways to bring in money for their families.” Currently, credit card companies charge businesses a ‘swipe fee’ for electronic payments and card-based transactions. This fee includes both the transaction total and the sales tax that businesses must collect on behalf of the state and local governments. SB26-134 would prohibit large credit card companies from implementing this fee on the sales tax component of every transaction. The bill applies to credit card companies with assets over $60 billion. Businesses with over 500 employees must use any savings under this bill to reduce prices for customers or increase employee wages or benefits. Swipe fees can range from 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent of a transaction. In 2024, swipe fees on sales tax cost businesses over $217 million in Colorado. A 2026 Colorado Restaurant Association report found that SB26-134 could save Colorado restaurants over $26,000 a year. Previous Next

Pipeline safety legislation, sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Kyle Brown, passed the House Energy & Environment Committee today. < Back April 18, 2024 Story, Brown’s Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO – Pipeline safety legislation, sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Kyle Brown, passed the House Energy & Environment Committee today. HB24-1357 would address transparency and enforcement concerns about the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) Pipeline Safety Program. “This bill is about keeping our neighbors and environment safe from dangerous pipeline leaks,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “A recent state audit confirmed – pipeline operators are not being held to a high safety standard, jeopardizing people’s lives and livelihoods. We’re stepping up to ensure the Pipeline Safety Program is working as intended by increasing transparency requirements and establishing a minimum penalty amount for violators. Public health and safety is a top priority and this bill would require pipeline operators to check for and fix leaks in a timely manner.” “Damaged or leaky pipelines can pose a risk to public health and safety, and add powerful greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere that contribute to climate change,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This legislation ramps up the state’s enforcement, reporting and transparency regulations on pipeline operators so we can keep our communities safe. Minimum penalties for pipeline operators who violate the law will also help deter noncompliance. We’re serious about improving pipeline safety, and this bill gives the state the tools it needs to hold pipeline operators accountable.” HB24-1357 , which passed committee by a vote of 9-3, would require minimum penalty amounts for failure to follow rules designed to protect public health and safety. This bill would also limit the PUC's discretion for reducing or eliminating fines on violators and increase maximum penalty amounts. In 2023, the Office of the State Auditor produced a report that detailed six years of systemic failure of the Pipeline Safety Program, including failure to enforce safety requirements for 94 percent of instances of operator noncompliance. In addition to improving the efficacy of enforcement, this bill would also update pipeline reporting and transparency measures. Specifically, it would require the PUC to develop a user-friendly, public-facing website for pipeline safety data, including leak information, public complaints, and follow-up actions taken by the PUC in response. HB24-1357 would also improve public safety by requiring the PUC to engage in rulemaking to require pipeline operators to utilize advanced leak detection technologies, prioritize and fix leaks based on severity, and address owner responsibilities for abandoned or decommissioned pipelines. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote that would streamline the process for religious and educational institutions to build housing on their land. < Back March 5, 2025 House Advances ‘YIGBY’ Bill to Increase Housing Coloradans Can Afford DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote that would streamline the process for religious and educational institutions to build housing on their land . “With our housing shortage surpassing 100,000 homes , Colorado’s housing deficit is one of the worst in the country, and religious groups and schools that want to be a part of the solution should be able to build more homes that people can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “From supporting low-income communities to attracting quality educators, the missions of churches, synagogues, and schools often align with our state’s need for more housing. By cutting red tape, this policy is a meaningful solution that will open up thousands of acres of land across our state to help save Coloradans money on housing.” “As an attorney who represents Coloradans facing the threat of eviction, I’ve seen people in our communities struggle to stay safely housed despite sometimes juggling two or three jobs,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Colorado Democrats have passed laws to strengthen renter protections and lower the cost of housing, and this policy would work in tandem with these efforts to increase housing people can afford on underutilized land. We’re reducing barriers to build more housing and boosting opportunities for Coloradans to find a place to live that works for their budget.” Beginning December 31, 2026, HB25-1169 would allow faith-based organizations, school districts, and state colleges or universities to build housing and other community services on their land, regardless of current zoning laws. Under the bill, local governments could not reject the construction of a residential development due to height, as long as the development is no taller than three stories or 45 feet or adheres to the standards of the zoning district or standards that apply to contiguous parcels. Additionally, local governments could not restrict the construction based on the number of units, with some exceptions. Local governments could not apply standards that are more restrictive than the standards that they apply to similar housing developments in their jurisdictions relating to structure setbacks from property lines, lot coverage or open space, on-site parking requirements, number of bedrooms in a multi-family residential development, or on-site landscaping, screening, and buffering requirements. If zoning allows, these residential developments could also include child care centers and facilities that provide recreational, social, or educational services. Local governments would have the right to restrict these centers and facilities to the ground floor and limit them to 15 percent of the structures in the residential development. California passed a law in 2023 that makes it easier for higher education and religious institutions to build housing on their land, opening up over 170,000 acres of land to be developed into affordable housing or other uses. A church in Washington D.C., built 99 units for low-income families in addition to amenities like office space, a gym, and a culinary arts training program. An Atlanta church plans to build 300 affordable housing units , two schools, and 10,000 square feet of new retail space on their property. A 2025 report from the state demographer stated that housing grew in Colorado by 45,500 units while the population grew by 36,000. A recent Denver Post article reported that Denver rents fell 1.5 percent from the end of 2023 to the end of 2024 due to new housing units doubling the typical pace in recent years. They also noted that Denver renters are paying 3.5 percent less when the 2 percent annual rate of inflation is taken into account. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES RECORD SEALING BILL Bill would preserve public access to records when necessary and allow Coloradans a second chance to thrive DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Jennifer Bacon that would automatically seal records for low level offenses while preserving public access to records when necessary and in the public interest. “Punishment for an offense should end when the sentence does, but for many who have come into contact with our criminal justice system, court records can block access to housing or employment for a lifetime,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Without automatic record sealing, it can be expensive and often extremely difficult for Coloradans to truly have a second chance after they have served their sentence for a low level offense. This bill preserves access to criminal records when it is in the public interest to do so while allowing Coloradans the opportunity to fully return to life outside of our criminal justice system.” “In our system, just having an arrest record even if you were never charged keeps you from opportunities. Automatic record sealing is one of the most obvious tools we have to ensure that Coloradans have a real opportunity to successfully reenter society and thrive after leaving the criminal justice system,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The evidence is clear: clean slate laws like this help people access education, housing and employment, and reduce recidivism. For the Black and Brown Coloradans who have faced disproportionate impacts from our unjust criminal legal system, automatic record sealing is a necessary step to curb the systemic racism that often blocks pathways to success.” Two years ago the legislature passed HB19-1275, a bill that created a process for people convicted of low level offenses to petition the court to have their record sealed, by a vote of 91-6 across both chambers. Under HB21-1214, certain records for low-level drug offenses would be automatically sealed. The bill does not change the non-drug offenses eligible to be considered by a court for discretionary sealing and would still not apply to violent offenses, child abuse, or driving under the influence, among other exceptions in current law. It requires waiting periods of up to ten years depending on the offenses being considered by a court for sealing. With the exception of a life sentence, punishment in our criminal legal system is meant to be finite–meaning it ends. However, a criminal record follows a defendant for the rest of their lives, often impacting opportunities for housing or employment, even for minor offenses. Criminal records make it harder for people to re-integrate into their communities and create barriers to secure housing and employment. When record sealing is based on a petition system, the burden falls on the individual to be aware of their eligibility and to navigate a time-consuming and costly process to secure relief. Nearly half of Black men and almost 40 percent of white males are arrested by the time they are 23 years old. The bill, which is supported by the ACLU and Americans for Prosperity, shifts the onus of responsibility onto the system while still allowing records to be easily unsealed if there is an intervening factor, for example if the person who committed the offense is running for public office. Furthermore, comprehensive arrest data is collected under SB20-217 regarding the race, ethnicity and gender of every person arrested in Colorado in order to reveal patterns of discriminatory law enforcement practices. Previous Next

< Back January 27, 2020 LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ADVANCES Bipartisan interim committee legislation would expand tax deduction for mitigation efforts and raise awareness of mitigation resources available to landowners DENVER, CO– HB 20-1004 , bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Perry Will, today passed the House Committee on Rural Affairs and Agriculture by a vote of 11-0. The bill would help landowners in wildfire hazard areas protect their homes, by increasing outreach efforts between local experts and residents living in these areas. “We’ve heard from communities and residents that they often don’t know about all the resources available to them to protect their homes and other property from wildfires,” said Rep. Cutter (D-Jefferson County). “This bill would provide information on best practices and resources on wildfire mitigation available for landowners, as well as a tax credit for performing such mitigation on their properties.” Colorado currently offers landowners wildfire mitigation resources, but many residents in high hazard areas are unaware of the available resources and best practices. This bill would create a grant program to conduct outreach to landowners to spread information about the resources available to them and the best practices for wildfire mitigation. Local governments, special districts, tribal agencies, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits would be eligible for the grant funding. Currently, property owners can claim a tax deduction for 50 percent of the cost of wildfire mitigation measures up to $2,500. HB20-1004 would create a tax credit of 25 percent of the cost of wildfire mitigation efforts up to $2,500. For example, if a property owner spends $2,500 on mitigation efforts, they would receive $625 off their taxes. Previous Next

< Back February 5, 2020 TELEHEALTH EXPANSION MOVES FORWARD Legislation would enable community health centers to deploy telehealth and clinical pharmacy services for Colorado Medicaid members DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Public Health Care and Human Services today passed Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bipartisan bill to allow the state to reimburse federally qualified community health centers for telehealth and clinical pharmacy services provided to Medicaid recipients. “Community health centers offer vital services to some of our state’s most vulnerable populations, but right now they can’t offer telemedicine or clinical pharmacy services to Medicaid recipients because the state won’t pay for it,” said Rep. Caraveo (D-Thornton). “Telemedicine has created an incredible opportunity to provide affordable health care services to Coloradans in rural areas and to those who find it challenging to leave their homes. This bill will improve access to care and lower costs by facilitating greater use of telemedicine and clinical pharmacy services.” Telehealth connects patients to providers through live video and audio, which allows patients to get the care they need without traveling. Telehealth can lead to cost savings by improving access to primary care and by helping to avoid unnecessary trips to the ER. Clinical pharmacy services help patients manage chronic conditions that require medication, often several different drugs. Clinical pharmacists have proven effective at controlling chronic health conditions, improving outcomes, and reducing health care costs. Under current law, Medicaid will not reimburse federally qualified community health centers (FQHCs), commonly known as community health centers, for telehealth services unless both the patient and the provider are physically located in the same facility. Medicaid also will not reimburse for clinical pharmacy services. HB20-1092 , which is also sponsored by Representative Perry will, would allow the state to reimburse community health centers for both telehealth services and clinical pharmacy services. Community Health Centers offer high-quality and low-cost primary health care services to more than one in seven Coloradans. There are over 208 FQHC clinics in 42 counties across the state. These facilities provide care on a sliding fee scale regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. They serve 27 percent of the state’s Medicaid members and 25 percent of the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollees. In Colorado, these centers provide health care for 35,000 people experiencing homelessness and over 9,000 veterans. Because FQHCs use an integrated health care model, they often provide high quality care at a much lower cost, saving the state money. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Mike Weissman on a preliminary vote to improve court procedures and victim protections for domestic violence cases in municipal courts. < Back April 20, 2023 Improvements to Domestic Violence Cases, Access to Resources Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Mike Weissman on a preliminary vote to improve court procedures and victim protections for domestic violence cases in municipal courts. “As a survivor of domestic violence, I know how imperative it is to have comprehensive protections for victims while they seek accountability in court,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Our current law doesn’t hold county and municipal courts to the same standards for domestic violence cases and doesn’t require them to share case information between one another, letting past criminal activity fall through the cracks when considering the threat that an abuser poses to the victim and the community. By improving the way that municipal courts handle domestic violence cases, Coloradans will have equal protections and services under the law, no matter where they live.” “Municipal courts have jurisdiction over domestic violence cases in several large Front Range cities, but they aren’t required by law to have the same procedural requirements or Victims Rights Amendment protections as county courts do," said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “That means that over 1.5 million Coloradans aren't guaranteed the protections for domestic violence survivors that we’ve deemed necessary to keep victims safe and assist their recovery. This legislation would require municipal courts to provide the same victim protections and apply equivalent sentencing requirements as county courts to ensure that Coloradans receive equal treatment for domestic violence cases.” HB23-1222 would create new requirements for municipal courts for domestic violence cases. These requirements include that: Victims, victims’ families, and witnesses of a domestic violence violation will receive protections and rights under the “Victim Rights Act”, Sentencing, probation, and release on bond for a violation must be consistent with state law, Guidelines and standards are consistent with those adopted by the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board, and The prosecuting attorney that originally meets with the victim should make an effort to stay on the case throughout the proceeding. If there is a domestic violence violation, municipal courts would be required to issue a protection order, report the violation to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and search the CBI and National Crime Information Center System databases to identify potential past domestic violence violations. The Department of Public Safety would report the total number of reports and inquiries submitted to the CBI, the Colorado Crime Information Center database, and the National Crime Information Center database during the annual SMART Act hearing so the General Assembly can determine if further action can be taken to improve how domestic violence cases are handled. The Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (board) reported that there were 91 fatalities due to domestic violence in 2021, the highest the state has seen since the board was founded in 2017. By improving how municipal courts handle domestic violence cases and ensuring victims are afforded protections by the Victims Rights Act, Colorado can reduce and prevent domestic violence. Previous Next

Majority Leader Monica Duran today delivered the keynote presentation at the 36th Annual Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) Conference. < Back October 16, 2024 Majority Leader Duran Delivers Keynote Presentation for Annual Domestic Violence Conference KEYSTONE, CO – Majority Leader Monica Duran today delivered the keynote presentation at the 36th Annual Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) Conference. Majority Leader Duran’s presentation, “My Journey to Hell and Back”, highlighted parts of her personal, professional and political life. “I’d like to thank COVA for inviting me to deliver the keynote presentation at their annual conference – it’s truly an honor,” said Majority Leader Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Domestic abuse is difficult to talk about, let alone escape with a young son, and I wouldn’t be here today without the fearless advocates and resources that helped me get back on my feet. I’m beyond proud of our recent legislative efforts to support survivors and curb gun violence in Colorado. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which serves as both a reminder for how far we’ve come and how much further we must go to create a safer state for us all.” Majority Leader Duran has been a longtime advocate for survivors of domestic violence and violent crime. During the 2024 legislative session, Majority Leader Duran sponsored a law to strengthen protection orders for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual violence. She also sponsored important gun safety legislation, including laws to improve conceal carry permitting and expand extreme risk protection orders . In recent years, she passed laws that improved standards for domestic violence cases tried in municipalities , invested $48 million with a funding boost of $3 million toward survivor programs and strengthened requirements for certain domestic violence abusers to relinquish their firearms. In addition to passing vital survivor-forward laws, Majority Leader Duran has also been awarded the 2023 Domestic Abuse Survivor Heroes (DASH) Award from non-profit Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abuse, 2023 Violence Free Aquamarine Award and the 2024/2023 Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) Legislator of the Year Award. Previous Next

SB26-150 would implement the recommendations from the RTD Accountability Committee < Back April 28, 2026 Bill to Modernize and Improve RTD Passes Committee SB26-150 would implement the recommendations from the RTD Accountability Committee DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed legislation to modernize and improve the Regional Transportation District (RTD). SB26-150, sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Jamie Jackson, passed on a vote of 9-4. “RTD reform has been a big priority for me in the legislature, and I am excited that we are taking a big step to create a more robust and reliable transit system,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “The RTD Accountability Committee did a terrific job recommending necessary changes so we can create safe, accessible public transit across the Denver Metro Area. This bill implements recommendations from the committee to deliver on Colorado’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and get Coloradans where they need to go.” “Working people deserve high-quality transit systems, which is why we’re bringing this bill to improve mass transit safety, reliability and accessibility,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “The unfortunate reality is that RTD isn’t delivering, and after many years of waiting for improvements, time is up and Coloradans are rightly out of patience. We must reform RTD’s leadership to get this agency on the right track. Mass transit plays an important role in reaching our climate goals, saving Coloradans money on transportation and creating transit-oriented housing. This legislation will make changes to better align RTD with the needs of our communities.” SB26-150 would make a number of changes to the RTD board in order to create a governing board that is more functional and well-equipped to make decisions in pursuit of a world-class transit system. These changes include: Reducing the current 15-member board to nine, increasing efficiency and bringing it in line with the majority of transit boards in the country; Preserving five seats up for election, ensuring that the majority of the board remains democratically elected; Making the remaining four seats at-large appointments, ensuring that the board will have expertise in finance, land use, transportation planning, disproportionately impacted communities, and/or labor; Requiring one of the board members to be appointed in consultation with the Denver Regional Council of Governments and at least one board member to be an Amalgamated Transit Union member, guaranteeing that the voices of local governments and labor are represented; Raising board and chairperson salaries to attract high-quality candidates; and Increasing structure and clarity for the board by requiring that specific authorities and responsibilities be set for each board member. New RTD districts would be drawn in advance of the 2028 election, creating an entirely new board by January 1, 2029, with plans in place to achieve staggered turnover of the board starting in 2031. Additionally, the bill would require that RTD complete a study and adopt a plan for implementing improved paratransit services by December 31, 2027. The bill would also require a review of the new RTD board structure after 15 years, guaranteeing a review of the new structure to assess its effectiveness over time, including representation, expertise, ridership, and financial performance. The RTD Accountability Committee was created by SB25-161 , also sponsored by Rep. Froelich. As a result of the bill, the Committee delivered its recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor Polis earlier this year. Previous Next

Legislation would limit insurer-required prior authorization, improve health care transparency and remove barriers to accessing care < Back March 11, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Health Care Access Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to streamline access to health care. HB24-1149, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird, would modify requirements for prior authorization of certain procedures and prescription drugs so Coloradans can receive the care they need. “Insurance companies’ prior authorization requirements often delay care and cause health conditions to worsen or completely discourage Coloradans from seeking the health care they need,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Our bipartisan bill eases some of the current prior authorization requirements and keeps healthcare decisions between patients and providers. We’re also focused on improving health insurer transparency so patients will know what procedures, medications and prescriptions are covered.” HB24-1149 , also sponsored by Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, passed by a vote of 55-6. It would improve Colorado’s prior authorization requirements to streamline health care services, and procedures, and increase access to prescription drugs for patients. Due to health care insurer requirements surrounding prior authorization, 94-percent of physicians report care delays because of prior authorizations. This also leads to an overall increase in treatment abandonment by patients. This bill would help improve access to care by eliminating repeated prior authorizations for some patients, extending prior authorizations up to one year or the course of treatment and protecting patients from denials for approved care. To help improve consumer transparency, the bill also requires carriers, private utilization review organizations, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to: Publicly disclose information online about current prior authorization requirements including data on request determinations, exemptions, approvals, denials and prescription drug formularies Annually review and eliminate prior authorization requirements for services and drugs that are commonly approved Adopt a standard template to help patients understand their benefits Additionally, this bill would also streamline care by alerting prescribers about what preferred medications are covered, including the specific prior authorization criteria. The goal of HB24-1149 is to reduce barriers to accessing health care by reducing the prior authorization requirements, especially for patients seeking medication or treatment they have already been prescribed. Previous Next

The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to improve the safety of natural gas pipelines and make it faster, easier and less expensive for local governments to approve solar installation projects. < Back April 11, 2023 House Advances Bills to Improve Gas Pipeline Safety and Expand EV Charging DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to improve the safety of natural gas pipelines and make it faster, easier and less expensive for local governments to approve solar installation projects. “Many homes in Colorado rely upon natural gas, and this legislation works to improve safety and close gaps in maintenance requirements,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer, sponsor of HB23-1216. “Establishing maintenance responsibility and requiring documentation of inspections are just a few of the ways we can improve the safety of natural gas pipelines that service our homes and businesses. This bill protects Coloradans by ensuring regular inspections and creating a baseline for safely maintaining natural gas pipelines regularly.” "We're taking steps to ensure that natural gas pipelines are well maintained and regularly inspected to keep Coloradans safe," said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB23-1216. "This legislation will establish maintenance expectations, communications and documentation for pipelines so Coloradans have accurate and up-to-date information about the pipelines that service their homes, businesses and communities Safety is a priority and closing these gaps in maintenance requirements and upkeep is an important step that protects Coloradans." HB23-1216 , sponsored by Representative Tammy Story, would address the gaps in maintenance and inspections of natural gas pipelines to ensure public safety. This bill would direct the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules requiring a combination of inspections, maintenance responsibilities and written notice from a pipeline’s owner or operator to a natural gas consumer before March 1, 2024 to bolster accountability. Specifically, HB23-1216 would require inspections of gas meters and service regulators every 36 months, documentation of inspections and ensure specific placement of natural gas vents to ensure gas can properly escape. Additionally, this bill would establish an improved process to determine who is responsible for maintenance and repairs of existing service lines as well as clear written notice to consumers regarding future service line installation, maintenance and repair. “Many Coloradans are interested in owning an EV, however it can be difficult to secure charging locations near their home or even in their communities,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB23-1233. “This bill will expand EV charging infrastructure to accommodate new and future EV owners. By making EV use and ownership more accessible, we’re reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, creating jobs and saving Coloradans money.” “With more EVs on the road than ever before, it’s vital we invest in EV-specific infrastructure now to meet growing demand,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1233. “By expanding charging stations, we can break down accessibility barriers in our communities and across the state that hold people back from owning EVs. Our legislation sets in motion a plan to expand EV charging, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and save Coloradans’ money in the long term.” HB23-1233 , sponsored by Representatives Tisha Mauro and Alex Valdez, would remove barriers to EV ownership by ensuring Coloradans have access to EV charging, especially renters or those living in multifamily housing. Specifically, HB23-1233 would expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new construction to accommodate new and current EV owners. The bill would update electric code requirements, remove burdensome parking restrictions for EVs, and provide property tax relief to Coloradans for EV charging stations. HB23-1233 is part of a broader legislative package to incentivize the advancement and adoption of clean energy technologies, accelerate the clean energy transition and make Colorado a leader in budding clean energy technologies. Previous Next