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< Back March 29, 2021 HOUSE APPROVES BALLOT ACCESS EXPANSION Legislation to create a multilingual ballot hotline and require certain counties to print ballots in languages other than English passes House on third reading DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bill to increase voter turnout and access by expanding access to multilingual ballots. The bill passed the House by a vote of 40-23. “Ensuring that more eligible voters thoroughly understand their ballots and are able to freely cast their vote is good for democracy and good for Colorado,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton). “Colorado’s elections system is among the best in the country and the world because it makes it easy for voters to participate in the democratic process while guaranteeing the integrity of our elections. Today we took a important step towards improving our gold-standard system by truly enfranchising eligible voters in Colorado who do not speak English very well but want to make their voices heard.” HB21-1011 would give all voters access to a hotline that would provide over-the-phone ballot translation in the top languages in which the census was offered. In addition, it would require that counties where a minority language is spoken by either 2,000 eligible voters or 2.5% of those eligible print ballots in that language, either on paper or electronically. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILLS TO HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR COLORADANS WHO NEED IT THE MOST Colorado is ranked near the bottom for behavioral health care (Apr. 30) – The House gave final approval to two bills suggested by the Behavioral Health Task Force to address the current mental health crisis facing Colorado. SB19-222, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, expands community based services, providing a safety net of comprehensive mental health care that could cover the entire state. “SB 222 is about implementing a vision for a system that can serve everyone, so Colorado’s jails don’t have to. When people with serious behavioral health disorders cannot access the treatment they need, other parts of our system are negatively impacted as we’ve directly seen in Pueblo,” said Rep. Esgar. “This is about helping the people in our communities who are the hardest to serve.” Rep. Esgar’s bill requires access to civil beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institutes at Fort Logan and Pueblo. It also requires a robust collaboration with all local enforcement jurisdictions and counties in the service area. SB19-222 passed unanimously. This bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. SB19-223, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, improves the process and provision of services for individuals who have been ordered for competency evaluation and restoration in the criminal justice system. “This bill will ensure that our criminal justice system adheres to constitutional requirements when questions of competency are raised,” said Rep. Weissman. “We can, and we must, and with SB 223, we will, address competency evaluations and restorations more quickly and efficiently. Together with SB 222, this bill help keep individuals with behavioral health issues from becoming entangled in our justice system.” Rep. Weissman’s bill is the primary legislative mechanism to codify the reforms set forth by the taskforce. It includes a series of reforms to help the Colorado Department of Health Services come into compliance with a mandated timeframe for providing competency services. It also requires the Department of Human Services to implement policies to prioritize in-patient treatment for those with the greatest need while providing community-based services for other patients. SB19-223 passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-4. Rep. Lois Landgraf is the secondary sponsor of both bills. Previous Next

43 House Democrats fighting for hardworking Coloradans at the Capitol and across our state by saving you money, building a healthier Colorado and preparing our students for success. COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS Colorado Democrats fighting for hardworking Coloradans at the Capitol and across our state LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS LATEST NEWS MEET YOUR COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS CAREERS During the productive 2025 Legislative Session, we passed legislation to save people money, improve public safety and protect the Colorado way of life in the face of threats from the Trump Administration and significant budget constraints. 2025 LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS Latest News SIGNED! Legislation to Support First Responders Through Affordable Housing Opportunities April 17, 2026 Today, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, to support first responders and help them afford to live in the communities where they serve. Read All Legislation to Support Students Advances April 17, 2026 Bills would expand awareness about mental health and concussions and save students money on college-level courses Read All ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee April 16, 2026 HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies Read All Committee Passes Bill to Expand Access to Abortion Care for College Students April 16, 2026 The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students. Read All Visit Our Newsroom Press Releases WE ARE COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS CONTACT US FIND MY REP SEARCH

Press Releases Apr 17, 2026 SIGNED! Legislation to Support First Responders Through Affordable Housing Opportunities Today, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, to support first responders and help them afford to live in the communities where they serve. Read More Apr 17, 2026 Legislation to Support Students Advances Bills would expand awareness about mental health and concussions and save students money on college-level courses Read More Apr 16, 2026 ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies Read More Apr 16, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Expand Access to Abortion Care for College Students The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students. Read More Apr 16, 2026 ICYMI: Hamrick Bill to Protect Student Athletes, Boost Awareness of Mental Health Passes Committee The House Health and Human Services Committee yesterday passed legislation to require youth coaches to receive training on the mental health risks from concussions, including depression, anxiety and suicide. Read More Apr 16, 2026 Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. Read More Apr 14, 2026 Bill to Support Survivors of Crimes Passes Committee SB26-095 would update Colorado law to improve transparency, strengthen survivor rights, and bolster trauma-informed procedures in court and law enforcement response Read More Apr 14, 2026 Legislation to Create More Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities Passes Committee SB26-040 would modernize the Prop 123 Affordable Homeownership Program to better meet the needs of hardworking Coloradans Read More Apr 14, 2026 Mobile Home Park Protections Bill Advances The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to strengthen Colorado’s Mobile Home Park Act to make mobile home park sales more fair and transparent. Read More Apr 13, 2026 Bill to Reduce Human-Bear Conflicts Passes Committee The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to keep Coloradans, visitors and the state’s bear population safe. Read More Apr 11, 2026 House Advances FY 2026-2027 Budget Lawmakers protect K-12 education, universal preschool and core health care services amidst a $1.2 billion deficit while making difficult cuts to balance Read More Apr 8, 2026 SIGNED! Bill to Prevent Out-of-State Farms from Using Pueblo Green Chile, Palisade Peach Labels HB26-1031 protects the integrity of Colorado’s agriculture industry, protects Colorado farmers from unfair competition Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 ... 214

Today, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, to support first responders and help them afford to live in the communities where they serve. < Back April 17, 2026 SIGNED! Legislation to Support First Responders Through Affordable Housing Opportunities DENVER, CO – Today, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, to support first responders and help them afford to live in the communities where they serve. SB26-053 , cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representative Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley, would expand eligibility for mortgage loans through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to include peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), correctional officers, 911 operators, port of entry officers, wildlife officers and their families who don’t qualify under current eligibility guidelines. “This new law is about taking care of those who take care of us,” said Mullica. “By expanding eligibility for Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s mortgage loans to first responders, we can help ensure that the folks who protect our communities can actually afford to live in the communities where they serve. When we have an opportunity to take care of our first responders, we should jump at that opportunity.” "Our new law will allow more first responders to qualify for affordable housing assistance to support those who give so much to our communities," said Clifford. "There is a concerning trend of first responders not being able to afford to live where they work. Our communities rely on first responders, and this law will expand an existing affordable housing program to save Coloradans money." This legislation would implement an income cap of 110 percent of the CHFA cap on other programs. CHFA’s existing home mortgage program offers access to fixed-rate mortgage loans for low- and moderate-income Coloradans. CHFA also provides homeowner education and down payment assistance to support working families as they live, work, and thrive in their communities. Previous Next

Latest press releases and op-eds from Colorado House Democrats. NEWSROOM PRESS RELEASES > OP-EDS > SIGNED! Legislation to Support First Responders Through Affordable Housing Opportunities April 17, 2026 Today, the Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, to support first responders and help them afford to live in the communities where they serve. SIGNED! Legislation to Support First Responders Through Affordable Housing Opportunities Legislation to Support Students Advances April 17, 2026 Bills would expand awareness about mental health and concussions and save students money on college-level courses Legislation to Support Students Advances ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee April 16, 2026 HB26-1283 would prohibit employers from confiscating and sharing an employee’s ID with federal law enforcement agencies ICYMI: Bill to Protect Vulnerable Workers Passes Committee

Bills would expand awareness about mental health and concussions and save students money on college-level courses < Back April 17, 2026 Legislation to Support Students Advances DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to support Colorado students. SB26-060 would require youth coaches to receive training on the mental health risks from concussions. HB26-1078 would expand low and no-cost college-level courses to high school students. “As a former educator and coach, I’ve dedicated my career to Colorado students, and these bills support our kids,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of SB26-060 and HB26-1078. “One of my bills protects students by expanding training for youth coaches, so they’re informed about the mental health risks from a concussion sustained by a youth athlete, including anxiety and depression. Another bill updates the definition of concurrent enrollment, so more students can save time and money as they begin building their careers. Colorado Democrats are committed to strengthening Colorado’s K-12 education system, and these bills meet the needs of our students to help them be successful.” SB26-060 is also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad. This bill, also known as the Alyssa Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act, would help keep student athletes safe by informing coaches and parents of the mental health risks of concussions. The bill also requires youth coaches to receive training on broader mental health issues, including wellness plans and the impact that coaches can have on students. Under current law, youth athletic coaches must complete a concussion recognition course and remove an athlete from play if they suspect the athlete has a concussion. This bill expands the training to include more information on the relationship between concussions and mental health for coaches at middle, junior and high schools. The general concussion course applies to youth coaches at public and private middle schools, high schools, clubs, leagues and recreation facilities. Additionally, this bill requires coaches to inform parents or guardians of athletes who sustain a concussion of possible changes in their mental health as a result of the concussion. Under current law, if a student is removed from play due to a suspected concussion, their parents or guardians must be informed and coaches must advise that the athlete seek an evaluation from a licensed healthcare provider. Mental health impacts of a concussion include mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal ideation. “By broadening the scope of concurrent enrollment to include off-campus courses offered by four-year higher ed institutions, more high school students can take advantage of this cost-saving tool,” said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB26-1078. “Our bill expands access to college-level courses to save students money and encourage them to try something new. Colorado’s higher education institutions are top-notch, and this legislation makes it easier for high school students to take advantage of concurrent enrollment.” HB26-1078 extends concurrent enrollment in Colorado to include off-campus courses offered by higher education institutions. Concurrent enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses, saving them money and time while accelerating their degree completion. Students can typically earn high school and college credits simultaneously for certain courses. Under current law, most off-campus courses are excluded from concurrent enrollment programs. This means only high school classrooms meet the concurrent enrollment course requirements. This bill modifies the narrow requirement by allowing higher education institutions to offer off-campus concurrent enrollment courses by following state and federal requirements and accreditation guidelines. Some examples of concurrent enrollment courses include English, history, speech, algebra and biology, This bill also applies to post-secondary technical and career education courses offered through area technical colleges, which are non-traditional, hands-on courses such as workshops, certificate classes, and skilled trades. HB26-1078 would create stronger career pathways for Colorado high school students by allowing them to explore hands-on and unique educational experiences while still completing their degree requirements. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students. < Back April 16, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Expand Access to Abortion Care for College Students DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students. “From shield laws to protect patients and providers, to enshrining the right to an abortion in our constitution – Colorado is a blueprint for safeguarding reproductive health care in a post-Dobbs era,” said Rep. Lorena Garíca D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Abortion is legal, but it’s not always accessible, and this bill makes it easier for college students to access abortion medication on campus. In Colorado, we trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference, and this bill champions reproductive freedom so students can make their own decisions about their future.” “Colorado has taken bold steps to ensure abortion remains safe, legal and protected in our state,” said Rep. Kenny Nguyen, D-Broomfield . “Despite major pushback from the Trump Administration to dismantle all abortion health care, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. Reproductive health care is health care, and this bill meets college students where they are to improve access to abortion medication. No one should have to jump through hoops to receive essential reproductive health care, and this bill streamlines access on college campuses.” HB26-1335 passed committee by a vote of 8-5. This bill would expand college students’ access to reproductive health care by requiring public and private higher education institutions with student health centers to provide on-site abortion medication services. If the college has an on-campus pharmacy, abortion medication must be available to enrolled students. If the college does not have a pharmacy on campus, health care providers would be required to submit a prescription for abortion medication to a pharmacy located off campus. The bill exempts higher education institutions from the requirement to stock or dispense abortion medication if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs or practices. Colorado Democrats have championed multiple laws to expand and safeguard abortion access in Colorado. This includes legislation to strengthen Colorado's shield laws , protecting patients and providers from hostile out-of-state actions. Last year, Colorado Democrats implemented the will of the voters by enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. < Back April 16, 2026 Martinez, Mauro Bill to Improve Funeral Home Transparency Passes DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to improve transparency with county coroners and their potential financial interests in funeral homes and mortuaries. SB26-105, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Tisha Mauro in response to the incident with the Pueblo County Coroner, passed by a vote of 62-0. “The tragedies that have been uncovered in death care companies are heartbreaking for Coloradans and their families. Our bill is one of many steps that we are taking to ensure that these injustices never happen again,” said Rep. Matt Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “County coroners’ financial ties to funeral homes and mortuaries should be disclosed. Our legislation would make the death care industry more transparent, giving Coloradans the certainty that their loved one is being treated respectfully.” “The Davis Mortuary incident last summer, among others in Colorado, has made Coloradans question who they can trust to handle the remains of their loved ones, ” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “We should be able to trust that funeral homes are using proper protocol, but these recent events have shaken that trust. Requiring county coroners to be transparent with their financial interests in death care businesses would aid in potential investigations and help rebuild trust in Colorado’s death care industry.” SB26-105 would require a county coroner to disclose if they own, work for, manage, contract with, or otherwise have a financial interest in a death care business. Under the bill, county coroners would post a notice on the coroner’s website and would be prohibited from taking official actions that would impact that business. The bill also changes the county population threshold for the certification requirements for coroners from at least 150,000 to at least 300,000 people. This would help alleviate problems for smaller counties where there may not be enough residents eligible to serve as their county coroner, according to current law. In 2022, the Colorado General Assembly passed a law directing the state to inspect and investigate funeral homes and crematories for malpractice based on complaints. A 2024 law requires regular inspections of Colorado’s funeral homes and crematories. When the state conducted an annual inspection at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo in August 2025, it found several mishandled bodies , some of which had been decomposing for over 15 years. The mortuary was owned by then-Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter, who is alleged to have used his position to direct deceased people without next-of-kin to his mortuary. The investigation is ongoing. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed a bill to drive down housing costs and save Coloradans money. HB26-1065 would fund transit infrastructure improvements and transit-oriented housing. < Back February 23, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Housing Costs, Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed a bill to drive down housing costs and save Coloradans money. HB26-1065 would fund transit infrastructure improvements and transit-oriented housing. “Affordable housing is crucial for Coloradans’ success, and creating housing and transit investment zones would help communities across the state build affordable housing near transit centers,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “By creating a funding mechanism to spur affordable housing and connective infrastructure near transit hubs, we’re making transit ridership a more attractive option for travel and encouraging more rental opportunities that Coloradans can afford. Our bill would provide this financial tool to local governments across the state, supporting both Front Range transit hubs and rural projects like mountain passenger rail and commuter routes on the Western Slope. This bill would make it easier to call Colorado home so everyone can enjoy the Colorado Way of Life.” “Colorado Democrats’ top priority is saving Coloradans money, especially when it comes to housing,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “From encouraging transit-oriented communities to removing parking minimum mandates, the legislature has passed laws to build in a strategic way that reduces our carbon footprint while reducing housing costs. This bill would build on our work to create more eco-friendly transportation options and boost housing that Coloradans can actually afford.” HB26-1065 , The Transit Investment Area Act, would create a new financing tool to improve transportation infrastructure and establish a tax credit to build more transit-oriented affordable housing. The bill would use tax-increment financing to allow local governments to invest state sales tax revenue into transportation infrastructure. Local governments, in partnership with transit agencies, would be able to apply to create a transit and housing investment zone. These zones would fund transportation infrastructure projects within 2 miles of a transportation facility, like safety improvements and centering transit stops within the community to increase ridership. Local governments would be required to suggest an annual limit on the amount of revenue that could be allocated to the transit investment project in the application process. Under the bill, the Colorado Economic Development Commission would also set an annual limit of the amount of revenue that can be allocated for a transit investment project. The bill would allow up to three transit investment projects to be approved in a calendar year, with no more than six projects funded through the bill in total. HB26-1065 would also create the Colorado Affordable Housing in Transit Investment Zones Tax Credit. This tax credit is reserved for projects that serve low- and middle-income housing within newly created transit and housing investment zones. The bill would allow up to $50 million in these tax credits per calendar year from 2027 to 2033 for a total investment of $350 million by 2038. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES JACKSON-GALINDO BILL TO HELP RENTERS Colorado ranks among lowest when it comes to renters rights (Feb. 27) – The House Transportation and Local Government committee approved Rep. Dominique Jackson and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill to allow sufficient time for tenants to make their rent payment or remedy a lease violation before getting evicted. “This bill will give people time to find the resources they need to stay in their homes, and that helps the renter as well as the landlord,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora. “Rental assistance is available, but people need more time to get that assistance. Homelessness is already a problem. Let’s help keep people housed.” Current state law does not allow sufficient time for tenants to make their rent payment or remedy a minor lease violation. Right now, Coloradans can have an eviction filed against them within three days of missing a payment. Three days is not enough time to find a new place to stay, to move out, or to find pro-bono legal resources to help postpone an eviction and leads to instability and homelessness or even job loss. Forced moves or evictions have a domino effect in communities across Colorado leading to homelessness, poverty and job loss. Housing instability benefits no one and often destabilize families, children’s education and local communities. “Hardworking families and individuals struggling to get ahead are being evicted for owing as low as $40. This bill ensures a tenant has sufficient time to make their rent payment,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “ This bill will help prevent the downward spiral into poverty that is so often associated with an eviction.” Under HB19-1118, tenants will now receive 10 days to pay their rent or address a minor lease issue before an eviction is filed against them, up from three days. Having an eviction record can make it close to impossible for an individual or family to secure housing in the future. Twenty-eight states give more notice before eviction than Colorado in the case of unpaid rent and 36 states provide more notice in the case of other lease violations. The bill passed committee on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2023 Legislation to Improve Colorado’s Air Quality Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote that would improve Colorado’s air quality and reduce harmful emissions. HB23-1294 would strengthen measures to reduce ozone and increase opportunities for public engagement to improve the permitting process. “Whether in Denver or along the Front Range, high levels of ozone are dangerous for our health, and it’s vital we address this problem and center the most impacted communities in our work,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Our legislation works to improve transparency around Colorado’s air quality issues and gives Coloradans a stronger voice when sounding the alarm on poor air quality in their communities. This bill is a step forward in our ongoing work to cut back harmful emissions and improve the air we all breathe.” “Ozone season brings poor air quality that makes it difficult for Coloradans to breathe, especially those with underlying health conditions or asthma,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “We’re stepping up to strengthen our permitting and enforcement processes so we can combat harmful emissions and prioritize Coloradans’ health. This legislation works to give Coloradans more input when it comes to the air quality in their own neighborhood through strengthening the public complaint process. We’re committed to helping Colorado reach its climate goals and cleaning up our air.” HB23-1294 works to protect communities from air pollution by bolstering the procedures and requirements for emissions permits in Colorado. There are thousands of “minor” sources - including many oil and gas wells - that are significant contributors to Colorado’s ozone problem.The American Lung Association recently ranked metro Denver’s ozone pollution as the sixth worst in the United States. The Denver Metro and Front Range area was recently downgraded by the Environmental Protection Agency to “severe” nonattainment status and a majority of Coloradans live in an area that fails to comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQs) for ozone. This bill works to improve public engagement in the permit enforcement process by elevating complaints by impacted communities and setting clear timelines for agency action in response to these complaints to better protect communities. The bill also strengthens consideration of cumulative impacts of oil and gas operations during the permitting process and would create the Legislative Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality to investigate the factors contributing to ozone pollution and identify policy solutions to improve air quality in the state. ### Previous Next