< 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

< Back September 1, 2021 SPEAKER GARNETT, REP. HEROD RESPOND TO INDICTMENTS OF AURORA OFFICERS AND PARAMEDICS DENVER, CO — Speaker Alec Garnett and Representative Leslie Herod today released the following statements after Attorney General Phil Weiser announced 32 indictments, including for manslaughter, of three current and former Aurora police officers and two paramedics involved in the death of Elijah McClain: “Today’s indictments of three current and former Aurora officers and two paramedics is the progress toward justice that the McClain family and our communities have waited far too long to see,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “I am grateful for the thorough investigation by the Attorney General’s Office and the Grand Jury. We haven’t seen the end of the road to justice in this case, but today was an important step in that journey." “Elijah McClain should be alive today, and while nothing will bring him back to his family and friends, I am encouraged that the Attorney General will now proceed with filing formal charges as a result of the grand jury indictments announced today,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Justice is moving forward because the people of Colorado elevated Elijah’s story to the entire world and demanded change and because of Sheneen McClain’s tireless fight for reforms and for Colorado’s first in the nation police accountability law. By bringing these charges – which include using ketamine as a deadly weapon – advancing criminal justice reforms and passing measures to hold law enforcement accountable, Colorado is making strides to advance the rule of law, improve trust in peace officers and ensure that those who break the law are held accountable.” Previous Next

< Back March 22, 2019 NO MORE SURPRISES: HOUSE GIVES FINAL APPROVAL TO BIPARTISAN BILL TO END OUT-OF-NETWORK BILLING (Mar. 22) – A bipartisan bill to address the out of control practice of sending consumers out-of-network bills, sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, was approved today by the House. “As a legislator, my job is to find a way to ensure Coloradans aren’t dealing with these surprise medical bills through no fault of their own,” s aid Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “I am responding to to the concerns of families, individuals and seniors who have been hit by these surprise and often expensive bills. We think this is a strong bipartisan solution to this problem.” HB19-1174 prohibits out-of-network billing by providers when the patient unknowingly received the care from an out-of-network provider or facility. It also requires providers to inform consumers of their rights regarding bills sent to them by out-of-network providers. The bill does not prohibit patients from incurring out of network costs when they intentionally go out of network for their care but puts safeguards in place to prevent unexpected medical bills in these situations. Out-of-network bills can be more than thirty times the average in-network rate. Fifty-seven percent of patients who encountered out-of-network bills paid the bills in full because they didn’t know of their right to fight these bills. This legislation is meant to help control costs in out-of-network billing situations by setting a reasonable rate of payment for these providers and facilities. The House approved the bipartisan bill on a vote of 60-4. The bill now goes to the Senate. The bill also has bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate by Sen. Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs. Previous Next

< Back February 2, 2023 House Committee Passes Bill to Improve Free Transit Program DENVER, CO – The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed a bill to improve the grant program that funds Colorado’s free transit rides during peak ozone season. HB23-1101 supports the continuation of last year’s successful Ozone Season Transit Grant Program. “The numbers are in; Coloradans took advantage of free public transit last August, and our bill improves this successful program for the coming years,” said Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “We were excited to see significant ridership increases across the state, and strengthening this program will further reduce passenger car trips, cut down on harmful emissions and support communities by saving passengers money on fares.” “In Colorado Springs alone, public transit ridership during August increased by more than 60 percent, and our bill builds upon this success to improve our air quality and cut down on harmful ground-level ozone,” said Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs . “Recognizing regional differences in peak ozone seasons, this legislation provides additional flexibility to transit agencies to improve and expand the free rides program this year.” HB32-1101 passed committee by a vote of 8-3 and improves the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program, which provides funding to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and transit associations throughout Colorado to offer free rides during ozone season. Last year, Colorado Democrats championed SB22-180 which allocated $28 million toward free transit during ozone season to improve Colorado’s air quality. HB23-1101 utilizes funding from this initial investment to enhance the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program for the next three years. This year’s bill also would allow transit agencies to use grant funding during different months of the ozone season, rollover leftover funding to make an impact in future years and use the funding for outreach and education. RTD released final August 2022 ridership numbers in the fall. Data revealed a significant increase in services, particularly buses within the district, during RTD’s 30-day Zero Fare for Better Air program. RTD also experienced a 36 percent ridership increase between August 2021 and August 2022 as well as a 21 percent ridership increase between July 2022 and August 2022. There were also significant increases in ridership in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and mountain communities. Previous Next

Legislation would promote responsible gun ownership, safe storage of firearms in vehicles < Back March 22, 2024 House Advances Legislation to Reduce Gun Thefts from Vehicles Legislation would promote responsible gun ownership, safe storage of firearms in vehicles DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to help prevent firearms from being stolen in vehicles by requiring them to be secured while unattended in a vehicle. “As a Western Slope legislator, I know how important responsible and safe gun ownership is for our rural communities and our way of life," said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. "This commonsense legislation helps reduce gun thefts from vehicles and reduces gun violence while respecting the 2nd Amendment rights of gun owners across the state.” “When someone steals a firearm, they bypass the protections we’ve put in place that consider factors like mental health struggles and a history of domestic violence before they’re handed a gun," said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. "Gun thefts from vehicles are on the rise, putting our communities at risk of preventable gun crimes. By requiring guns to be securely stored in vehicles when they are unattended, we’re preventing gun owners from losing their weapons and keeping guns out of the hands of the wrong people.” HB24-1348 would require firearms in unattended vehicles to be stored in locked containers that are out of plain view to help prevent them from being stolen. The bill would also require the Office of Suicide Prevention to include information for vehicle safe storage on its website and include vehicle safe storage information that must be displayed at gun stores. There are exclusions such as antique firearms, peace officers, military service members, and people engaged in hunting. Recreational vehicles and non-handgun firearms in a vehicle on a person’s private farm or ranch are also exempt. According to the Denver Police Department, 846 of the 1,221 guns that were reported as being stolen were stolen from vehicles in 2023. Of those stolen firearms, 61% were stolen without stealing the vehicle itself. Data from 2020 found that Grand Junction, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs had the highest rates of gun thefts from cars in Colorado. Colorado Democrats passed a 2021 law that promotes responsible gun ownership by requiring gun owners to properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present. The law also requires licensed firearms dealers to provide a locking device at the time of sale or transfer of all firearms. Federal law already requires that handguns sold by licensed dealers be sold with locking devices. Finally, the law created the charge “unlawful storage of a firearm” when a firearm is not stored safely and a juvenile or someone who is ineligible to possess a firearm is present, making it a class 2 misdemeanor. Previous Next