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Bills would ensure free breast cancer screenings and reduce the cost of prenatal visits < Back May 2, 2025 House Passes Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Health Care Bills would ensure free breast cancer screenings and reduce the cost of prenatal visits DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills to save Coloradans money on health care. SB25-296, which passed by 59-5, would ensure patients receive free breast cancer screenings. SB25-118, which passed by a vote of 48-16, would save families money on prenatal visits. “As a rural legislator, I’m proud to carry these bills that will save Coloradans money on life-saving health care in every corner of our state,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, sponsor of SB25-296 and SB25-118. “Whether it is diagnostic health care or prenatal care, your budget shouldn’t determine whether or not you receive the services you need. These bills will save lives and ensure parents can access health care during pregnancy to set up their family for success.” “Breast cancer screenings can save lives,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of SB25-296. “We’re clarifying in Colorado law that diagnostic and follow-up appointments are also available at no-cost to ensure hardworking Coloradans can access life-saving health care.” In 2019, the legislature passed HB19-1301 to establish no-cost coverage for preventive breast exams. SB25-296 would build on existing law to ensure that follow-up diagnostic and supplemental exams are covered at no cost. The bill would also clarify existing statute to make high-risk breast cancer screening requirements clearer for providers, insurers, and patients. “Prenatal health care is important for families so they can address potential health concerns that can have long-term impacts on the parent and baby,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “Barriers to care disproportionately impact women of color and low-income families, which is why we’re passing this bill to ensure Colorado families can receive prenatal care visits to provide quality and affordable health care.” SB25-118 would save expecting parents money on prenatal care. This bill would ensure that state-regulated insurance plans cover three prenatal care office visits. To save patients money, this bill would prohibit state-regulated insurance plans, except for individual and small group plans offered through Colorado Option, from imposing cost-sharing requirements, such as co-pays, on the first three prenatal visits. If signed into law, this bill would go into effect for plans issued or renewed after January 1st, 2027. Prenatal care is an important step in expanding access to health care, and helps support mothers who might experience pregnancy-related complications and can prevent emergencies. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN REINSURANCE BILL TO HELP LOWER THE COST OF HEALTH CARE Reinsurance is a proven approach to helping cut health care costs (Apr. 8) – The House gave final approval to a bipartisan bill to help lower the cost of health care today. The chamber also voted in favor of a bill to increase medical assistance with rural EMTs. Coloradans on the individual market are struggling to keep up with the out-of-control costs of health care, particularly in rural areas of the state. By establishing a reinsurance program Colorado can stabilize the individual marketplace, increase health insurance participation and share the risks more broadly. “After all the work we’ve put into this, I am ecstatic to see this bill move into the Senate on its way to do what it’s intended to do — save Coloradans money on their health care. Reinsurance is a proven concept that will work to lower the cost of health insurance premiums, especially on the Western Slope,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This will have a meaningful reduction in health insurance rates on the individual market across the state. We don’t have any more time to waste. People are deciding between paying their mortgage and their health insurance right now.” Rising health care costs are driven in part by the underlying cost of care but are exacerbated by an insurance market that assigns the highest risks and highest costs to the individual market. This is particularly the case on the Western Slope and in rural Colorado, causing families and individuals to forgo health insurance coverage and putting them at major risk of medical debt if emergencies arise. Rep. McCluskie introduced the bipartisan bill in the House with Rep. Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction. Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, are the Senate sponsors. Recently, the Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), released an actuarial study on the reinsurance program. The Colorado Reinsurance Program Analysis looked at multiple scenarios that showed the expected reductions to the costs of medical claims through Medicare-reference-based pricing. These reduced costs lead to a statewide decrease in individual health insurance premiums of nearly 23 percent, or approximately $250,000,000. This bipartisan bill aims to reduce insurance premiums for individuals and families by January 2020 to provide much-needed relief to Coloradans, many of whom are paying up to a third of their income on monthly premiums. Our state, especially the Western Slope, has some of the highest health insurance costs in the country. The bill will establish three tiers, from the highest cost areas of the state to the lowest cost areas, in order to pass savings on to Coloradans. The first tier, consisting of regions in the state with the highest costs, will experience the greatest reduction in premiums, by 30 to 35 percent. The second tier will experience reductions in premiums by 20 to 25 percent. Finally, the third tier, regions with the lowest costs, will experience reductions in premiums by 15 to 20 percent. HB19-1168 passed on a bipartisan vote of 47-15. Republicans who voted in favor of this bill include bill sponsor Rep. Janice Rich, Rep. Marc Catlin, Rep. Lois Landgraf, Rep. Larry Liston, Rep. Hugh McKean, Rep. Matt Soper, Rep. Perry Will, and Rep. Jim Wilson. The House also approved SB19-052, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica. This bill would allow EMS workers to work under the medical supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse at a clinic or health facility. “This bill will allow for EMTs to come into health care facilities and clinics to help care for more patients, especially in rural clinics and cities that have hard-to-get-to facilities,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn . “Currently patients end up suffering because they have to drive further for care because clinics are closing down in their area.” SB19-052 passed unanimously. Both bills now head to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2020 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO ADDRESS YOUTH VAPING Bipartisan legislation would prohibit sales to those under age 21, license retailers, close the online sales loophole and prohibit electronic advertising outside stores, which targets teens DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representatives Kyle Mullica and Colin Larson’s bipartisan bill to address the youth vaping epidemic in Colorado by a vote of 39-22. HB20-1001 would raise the age of sale to 21; require cigarette, tobacco and nicotine product retailers to obtain a license; and increase enforcement to prevent underage sales. “We have to take action now to keep dangerous nicotine products out of the hands of our youth,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglen. “We’ve made a lot of progress reducing teen smoking, but the vaping epidemic is threatening the lives of young people across our state. Today, the House passed legislation to protect our state from a predatory industry that directly targets our youth and seeks to profit off young people’s addiction to nicotine products.” The bill would significantly enhance underage sales enforcement by requiring retailers to obtain a state license. Under current law, fines are often too low to dissuade retailers from cracking down on underage sales, and no process exists to suspend a retailer’s ability to sell nicotine products if they repeatedly sell products to minors. Under HB20-1001, the state could suspend a retailer’s license for repeatedly violating state law. The bill would also mandate more frequent compliance checks and move that responsibility to the Department of Revenue (DOR). In addition to raising the age of sale, increasing compliance checks and creating a robust enforcement mechanism, the bill would close a loophole that allows for the sale of vaping products online for shipment directly to consumers. The online loophole makes it far easier for Colorado youth to purchase vaping products and then sell them in schools. During the committee hearing, a nine year old testified about how easy it is for a fourth grader to buy vaping devices online and have them delivered directly. In an effort to further combat youth nicotine use, the bill would prohibit flashy advertising in stores that appeals to youth. It would also prohibit new tobacco product retailers from opening within 500 feet of a school. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and many youth who begin using vaping products transition to combustible tobacco products, such as cigarettes. Colorado has the highest rate of youth e-cigarette use in the nation, and 27 percent of Colorado high school students report that they use these products, a rate twice the national average. E-cigarettes emit cancer-causing chemicals and toxic heavy metal particles such as zinc, lead and nickel. Furthermore, nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that can harm adolescent brain development, including working memory, attention and learning. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2020 AMBER ALERT NOTIFICATION READINESS BILL PASSES HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Donald Valdez’s bill to ensure Colorado’s AMBER Alert notification system stays up to date with the latest telecommunications technology. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 64-0. and has already passed the Senate unanimously. “I want to make sure that Colorado is as ready as it can be to stop tragedies from happening and protect our children and missing persons,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara. “Making sure our AMBER Alert systems are always up to date will help move us in the right direction.” SB20-079 requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to send AMBER Alerts using technological applications that promote the largest reach of community notifications. While Colorado’s current method of sending AMBER Alerts meets the criteria, this bill will ensure that Colorado’s AMBER Alert system keeps up with technological advances in the future to ensure the widespread receival of these critical alerts of missing children. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2022 SIGNED! Bill to Provide Free Transit Services During Ozone Season, Improve Air Quality Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation that will create the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program to provide grants to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and transit associations that offer free transit rides during ozone season which will save Coloradans money on transportation and improve Colorado’s air quality. SB22 - 180 is championed by Senators Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Representatives Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Last summer Colorado had the worst air quality in the world, and we are taking immediate action to address it,” said Winter. “This new law will reduce local air pollution by offering free transit rides during peak ozone season, encourage transit ridership, and help us further our climate goals while giving Colorado families cleaner, healthier air to breathe.” “Denverites face some of the worst air quality in the world during the ozone season,” said Bacon. " Our law will help improve air quality by making public transit including buses, trains and the light rail free during peak ozone season, typically experienced in Colorado during the summer months. The goal is to incentivize Coloradans to use the public transit system, which will cut down on harmful emissions and help clean up our air while also supporting communities. This will increase access to transit and save riders money, as well.” “The top emitter of carbon is our transportation sector, and a key way to address it is by getting more folks to utilize our transit system,” Hinrichsen said. “This new law will increase access to public transportation while reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted during peak ozone season – an important step we must take to build a healthier Colorado for all and move our state forward." “Reducing vehicle emissions will help improve Colorado’s air quality,” said Gray. “This law increases multimodal transportation options and incentivizes ridership on our transit system in order to cut down on harmful emissions during the summer months. Together, we are improving the air we breathe to build a healthier Colorado for all.” SB22-180 invests $30 million into a transit services pilot project in the Department of Transportation to increase ridership on state-run transit services, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and reduce ground-level ozone. The top emitter of carbon pollution in Colorado is the transportation sector which includes personal vehicles. Free transit has increased transit use and can help rebuild ridership. The law allocates $28 million to provide grants to RTD and other transit agencies to offer 30 days of free transit during ozone season. The law also invests $10 million in the successful Main Street Revitalization Grant Program to fund projects that increase the use of transit and create better pathways for bikers and pedestrians. Previous Next

Meet Your House Democrats We are the Colorado House Democrats. With a historically large and diverse majority, we represent communities from the Front Range and the San Luis Valley to rural towns in the high country and Southwest Colorado. Our members are teachers, veterinarians, business owners, law enforcement officers, veterans, engineers, lawyers, advocates, and more. Our top priority is to make Colorado more affordable and protect our hard-fought rights and freedoms. We love Colorado and believe in public education, clean air and water, access to parks and a safe and just society. From our littlest learners to working families and eldest Coloradans, we think everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive. We’ve governed responsibly through challenging times and delivered results that move Colorado forward. These landmark laws prevent gun violence, support small businesses, address climate change and lower the cost of health care, child care and housing. We bolstered renters’ rights to reduce evictions, provided two years of free college and boosted the incomes of hardworking families with new tax credits. Colorado House Democrats reflect the diversity of our communities and are the right people to lead our state, protect our Colorado Way of Life, and uphold our promises to future generations. Julie McCluskie Speaker of the House Learn More Matthew Martinez Majority Whip Learn More Emily Sirota Chair of JBC Learn More Bob Marshall Learn More Eliza Hamrick Learn More Javier Mabrey Chair of the Judiciary Committee Learn More Monica Duran Majority Leader Learn More Elizabeth Velasco Majority Whip Learn More Kyle Brown JBC Member Learn More Brianna Titone Learn More Gretchen Rydin Learn More Jennifer Bacon Assistant Majority Leader Learn More Mandy Lindsay Majority Caucus Co-Chair Learn More Alex Valdez Chair of the Energy & Environment Committee Learn More Cecelia Espenoza Learn More Jacque Phillips Learn More Andrew Boesenecker Speaker Pro Tempore Learn More Junie Joseph Majority Caucus Co-Chair Learn More Amy Paschal Learn More Chad Clifford Learn More Jamie Jackson Learn More 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3

House Speaker Julie McCluskie today delivered remarks to open the Second Session of the 75th General Assembly. < Back January 14, 2026 Speaker McCluskie Delivers Opening Day Remarks DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today delivered remarks to open the Second Session of the 75th General Assembly. Speaker’s Opening Day Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Good morning members! A warm welcome to the guests and dignitaries who have joined us, thank you for being here on opening day! First off, I want to take a moment to recognize the veterans here today, and those currently in our armed services - both in the chamber and in the gallery. Please stand or wave. We thank you for your service. I also want to be sure to give a huge thanks to the many people who keep this building and the legislature running: our aides and caucus staff, nonpartisan staff and clerks, our facility workers, and of course our sergeants. And let's not forget our Chief Clerk’s new Chief Responsibility – Baby Trevor! Congratulations to the Reilly family on your newest addition! More good news - Love is in the air! Not only did Rep. Lukens receive a big diamond ring atop the cliffs of Ireland… We also have some good news, from the press table for once – Seth, congratulations on your wedding! We all know that Hawaii can't possibly beat opening day at the Colorado State Capitol, so I'm sure it wasn't all that hard to get back on the plane. A lot has happened since we last gathered here. Every year changes, some changes and some years can feel harder than others. We are missing a colleague in our halls today. Senator Faith Winter served Colorado for twelve years before her tragic passing. I mourn her, as I miss her smile and warmth and her unwavering, steely dedication to fighting for what’s right. And last June, I saw with horror and a deep sadness that my friend, former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, had been shot and killed in their home. Melissa had been a support to me personally, a political force for good, and someone truly dedicated to making her home state of Minnesota better every day. Just months after Melissa's death, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of a crowd in Utah. Their murders crystalized even more powerfully for me that political violence is rising, and it flows downstream from the caustic rhetoric all around us. No matter how bitterly we might disagree on the important issues, we have to raise the decency in our discourse, together. I am heartened by the leaders on both sides who have had the courage to condemn political violence…violence can never be the price of democracy. Before we move on, I want to acknowledge that there are others we have lost…family members, friends, and constituents who are no longer with us. I invite everyone present to please stand if able, and take a moment of silence in recognition of those who have passed. Thank you. I love that we begin each legislative session at the start of the year. Just as our calendars flip to a new page, we come back to the Capitol with novel ideas, bright faces, and sometimes also a fresh blanket of snow. Fingers crossed on the last one – you know we need the moisture! I also come back to this building each year with a different perspective. In the high country, we say that you never step in the same river twice. I think that's true of our time at the Capitol, too. The river keeps moving, the challenges change. Though the last year has been hard in so many ways, as I look at all of you today, I see resilience. I see 65 representatives and dozens more staff who have faced real hardship – and have still shown up ready to work. That commitment renews my sense of purpose today. Today is the start of a new session. It is the start of 120 brand new days where we work together to make a difference. We won't ignore the havoc outside these walls, or the gloom, or bury our heads in the sand to avoid discomfort. But we will tune out the noise that's designed to capture attention for attention's sake. Coloradans have made it clear for years now that they simply do not care about the noise or performative outrage. They care about results. And here, in our Colorado, we deliver real results. Our Colorado is a bulwark against the chaos in Washington. Coloradans are looking for us to focus on what matters. What matters is that too many children live in poverty. And because of a single policy passed in this building, our Family Affordability Tax Credit, we cut child poverty by nearly 41% in one year – proof that it can be done. What matters is the $800 million budget gap that puts safety net programs at risk and we must turn over every stone to find the funding to sustain them. What matters is protecting the rule of law and upholding justice for the dignity and rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQ Coloradans and working families. What matters is that Coloradans' costs are too damn high. That is why I am fortified by the resilience in your faces today. We’ve got a steep mountain to skin, but the run will be worth it. In August, we faced the fallout from Congress's budget, which immediately blew a billion dollar hole in Colorado’s finances on top of new unprecedented threats to Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other essential services. In this moment, when the White House would hold Colorado hostage, I'm reminded of a Churchill saying: "You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will still have war." I fear this administration will target Colorado no matter what we do. So members, let’s do what’s right. It's plain that Colorado’s fiscal constraints make it hard to pivot quickly when costs rise unexpectedly or revenues disappear overnight. Medicaid costs are growing at twice the rate of what we are allowed to spend under TABOR, driven by long-term care for seniors, behavioral health services, and prescription drug costs – health care that every Coloradan might need. To be clear, this deficit is not reckless overspending. It is time to modernize our outdated fiscal structure, because our future shouldn’t be bound by a 30-year-old formula that doesn’t account for today’s realities. The math just isn't mathing for the people of our state. No one is coming to the rescue during our session. There are no easy buttons. Balancing this budget will require shared sacrifice and serious leadership. To the members of the Joint Budget Committee, Representatives Sirota, Brown, and Taggart: I know all of you have sleepless nights both behind you and ahead of you. Thank you for taking on this weighty responsibility. In the pain we're facing, I also see a chance to look beyond our budget, and find answers to the question Coloradans have been asking: How do we unrig our economy, so it works for everyone – not just the few, but the many? The promise of America is freedom and a fair shot. And the promise of the West goes further: it's progress. Progress comes from new ideas, and from the determination to see them through. We know hardworking people are struggling to stay ahead under the lingering effects of inflation and global tariffs. Now skyrocketing costs are sinking all boats. In Colorado, it's time to continue fighting for a new economy that brings back a shot at success for everyone. No one should be able to pull up the ladder behind them to keep other people down. That's not the Colorado way. It is not how we move forward. That's why this session we will do three things: lower everyday costs… protect our successes… and sustain targeted investments in our future. When we lower costs and create good paying jobs, we can keep building an economy: where working people have a fair shot. where entrepreneurs can take a risk and start a business, where small businesses are equipped to hire, compete and succeed. where farms and ranches are passed down to the next generation, instead of being sold off in pieces. On healthcare and housing especially, we need to cut right to the heart of what is making Coloradans' lives more expensive. That also includes working on childcare costs, the prices of everyday goods, and putting consumers first. When Congress let health care premiums surge, Colorado Democrats stepped up to stabilize our insurance market and blunt the devastating impact of these hikes. If Congress continues to fail to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, we’ll need to look at options once again to keep health insurance prices from spiraling. Colorado is a beautiful place to call home. We're lucky to live here. But the cost of renting or buying a home is making that dream almost impossible for working people. This year we will work to unlock innovative financing mechanisms to build more affordable housing, make it easier for nonprofits to build homes on land they already own and continue to reduce property insurance costs. We know that health care and housing represent the biggest squeezes on working people's budgets. That is why we keep coming back to these policy issues, with the fortitude to both make big changes and get it right. We're not just bringing back a fair shot for working people to thrive – we will also make sure our kids have more possibilities too. We have a lot to be proud of where our children are concerned. When I first entered the legislature in 2019, school finance was dire. Since then, we have raised the per-pupil funding for K-12 schools by 46%, brought total program funding up by $3 billion, and eliminated the budget stabilization factor. We didn't stop there. We secured free full-day kindergarten and launched universal pre-K. Universal preschool is not just saving thousands of families over $6,000 each year in child care, it's giving kids a head start on school readiness and social connection at a critical stage. Our next task is to unify education and opportunity, by bringing higher education, apprenticeships, and workforce pathways under one roof. Everyone must be equipped to start the career of their dreams. Our kids don't just deserve a top-notch education, and the skills to confront a changing world. We owe our kids, and our kids' kids, a liveable future by protecting Colorado’s pristine environments, land, air and water. And we owe it to rural communities and urban centers alike to invest in our renewable energy future. We must hold our ground on all the protections we've put in place, and fight the Trump administration's attempts to claw away our 8 million acres of public lands and auction them off. Coloradans agree, and we all agreed in this very chamber last year: our public lands are not for sale. And it's not just Coloradans who love their public lands: Katy Perry may have been our first pop star in space, but when those 11 minutes were up, she kissed the earth and she liked it. I'm immensely proud that Western Slope Democrats and Republicans have a tradition of bipartisan collaboration, especially on water rights and land protection – one I hope we continue. Together we can balance a clean, healthy environment with the needs of a growing state. This session we're going to protect our progress. But we will not forget about the other crucial part of the American promise: our freedoms. Coloradans' civil rights are not to be played with. We won't shove our immigrant and LGBTQ neighbors back into the shadows. We won't give up on disability access or voting rights. We are a model for abortion rights in the post-Dobbs reality, and we won't roll them back. We are a nation founded by immigrants and social outcasts. Diversity does make our state stronger, and it is un-American for the federal government to use masked vigilantes to arrest, detain, and evict people off the street on the basis of their skin color, language, gender, or very identity. Colorado will continue to stand against this betrayal of our values. We will remember Renee Good…and the wrongful detentions of Jeanette Vizguerra-Ramirez, Fernando Jaramillo-Solano and his children, and just so many others. Members: we have a lot ahead of us. Our budget situation especially will force us to concentrate on what truly allows Coloradans to thrive. The path forward is not always clear. But in Colorado we know how to trailblaze right through the brush. Our work for the year is just beginning. But as this is my final opening day speech… Thank God, says my husband. …I have to reflect for a moment on how far we have come. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished in the seven years I have been a part of this body. I am so proud of the results we have delivered often in partnership with Republicans: Poverty is down. Incomes are up. Tax rates are lower. School meals for free for every student. Protections now abound for public health and air quality in oil and gas operations. More people have health coverage thanks to reinsurance, the Colorado Option, and OmniSalud. We strengthened protections for renters, and passed breakthrough measures to build more housing. We’ve led on pragmatic gun violence prevention. We passed first-in-the-nation protections for our waterways, streams, and wetlands. AND: One year from now, the curtains will rise on the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder. Just like the Avalanche, and the Nuggets, and the Broncos, and someday soon, our women’s soccer and hopefully, women’s hockey - the big green machine has been a winning team. To our new faces today: Reps. Slaugh, Flanell, Goldstein, and Nguyen, welcome to the Thunderdome – I mean, the Gold Dome. Minority Leader Caldwell: Thank you for stepping up to lead your caucus. I look forward to growing our partnership this session. To my colleagues in their final year: Majority Leader Duran, Representatives Froelich, Sirota, Soper, Titone, Valdez, and Woodrow, thank you for your service. It's been real, it's been fun…alright yeah, it's been real fun at times. On a more personal note, it is the privilege of my life to be your Speaker. Thank you for your trust. I'm proud we have done the daily, nitty-gritty work to compromise and find solutions together. Majority Leader Duran: I am eternally grateful to have you in my corner. You are a legislator's legislator and a fearless advocate. We have traveled far together, and I know we’re not done yet. The Senate doesn't know what it's got coming. Thank you Monica, for everything. To my dear, wonderful family: just one more session. And I really mean it this time. You have been my collective rock through this incredible ride. Thank you for just being here and walking up the hill with me. And Susan, you are the bravest, toughest person I know - stay strong! "Thank you" isn't enough – but thank you all. Folks, we have big things to do this session. As we start each of the remaining 119 days in this building, I will keep some things in mind, and I hope you will too. Talk to each other, kindly whenever you can. Lead with laughter. Lead with compassion. Assume the best of each other, and in each other. Each of you can find common ground with the other people who sit in these chairs, no matter how strange walking that acreage together might turn out to be. Members..staff..and guests. We are present. We are organized. We are ready to take care of business. Welcome to the opening day of the Second Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILLS TO HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR COLORADANS WHO NEED IT THE MOST Colorado is ranked near the bottom for behavioral health care (May 20) – Gov. Polis signed two bills today at the Colorado Mental Wellness Network 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. “These new laws are 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. SB19-223, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, was also signed today, and 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, we must, and with SB19-223, we will address competency evaluations and restorations more quickly and efficiently. Together with SB19-222, this bill will 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. Both bills were co-sponsored by Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2022 HOUSE PASSES TWO BILLS TO PROTECT WHEELCHAIR USERS DENVER, CO – Two bills to protect the rights of wheelchair users and improve adaptive features in rental vehicles today passed the House. “My wheelchair provides more than mobility, it’s a critical part of my health and safety,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “I’m proud we’ve passed two accessibility rights bills that affirm the rights of wheelchair users. These bills focus on transparency and accountability for providers so we have the right to repair our chairs in a timely manner and rent a car that’s accessible for us. The accessibility issues faced by the community that lives with a disability are real, challenging and place us and our families at risk. We’re taking the lead on breaking down accessibility barriers so we can create a safer, more equitable and healthier Colorado.” “We’re looking out for the rights of Coloradans who use wheelchairs,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Many wheelchair users, especially in rural Colorado, face long waits and unpredictability when it comes to repairs and routine maintenance on their mobility devices. Our bill would expand repair options beyond the manufacturing companies, saving Coloradans who use wheelchairs money and time. Mobility isn’t something to take for granted and wheelchair users in Colorado deserve the freedom to repair their mobility aids.” HB22-1031 , sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Brianna Titone, passed by a vote of 44 to 21. This bill would require powered wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts, software and tools to independent repair providers and wheelchair owners. Typically, wheelchair owners and users can only seek repair, modification and maintenance of their wheelchair from manufacturers. This market monopolization drives up costs for Coloradans and leaves them without their mobility device for longer. Under this bill, independent repair providers and owners would have the tools and manuals to perform regular maintenance, diagnostic or repair service themselves. This will save Coloradans money and allow them to get their mobility devices repaired sooner. HB22-1253 , also sponsored by Representative Ortiz, passed by a vote of 42 to 23. This bill would require rental car companies to provide leasers with an online option to secure a vehicle with adaptive equipment such as hand controls, pedal extenders, left foot accelerators and spinner knobs upon request. This bill would also protect disabled vehicle leasers by allowing the recovery of damages if rental car companies violate the adaptive equipment requirement in the bill. Previous Next

Package boosts funding for at-risk students, child care, behavioral health care and services for older Coloradans < Back February 7, 2024 House Advances Supplemental Budget Package DENVER, CO - The House today advanced the FY 2024-2025 Budget Supplemental Package on a preliminary vote. The package of bills includes $4.6 million for at-risk students, $11 million for child care and $69.4 million toward expanded access to behavioral health care treatment, including residential beds. Other top priorities in the package include funding for autism care for children, workforce housing, victims of crime, and senior services including Meals on Wheels. “From boosting child care to investing in public safety, this supplemental package delivers on our promise to Coloradans,” said JBC Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster . “These adjustments to our budget will make it easier for Colorado families to not only just get by, but thrive, and they increase support for at-risk students, children with autism spectrum disorder and healthy school meals. I’m proud of our bipartisan work to put Coloradans first and continue to responsibly balance our budget.” “This year’s supplemental package shows our dedication to building a Colorado that meets the needs of its people while responsibly working with the limited budget that we have,” said JBC Member Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m proud that our supplemental package makes critical investments to support our behavioral health workforce, boost education funding, save Coloradans money on energy efficient lawn equipment, and advance critical measures that will help us better fund our schools.” Each year, the legislature adopts a budget supplemental package to make mid-year adjustments to the 2023-2024 budget based on changes to caseload, pupil counts and other considerations. Supporting Education, Setting Students Up for Success HB24-1183 Boosting Funding for At-Risk Students . To support at-risk students in their educational journey, this bill funds over $4.6 million from the State Public School Fund. This bill helps school districts meet the needs of their at-risk students to help them succeed and graduate. HB24-1183 Reaching Educational Goals . To ensure that Colorado schools have the funding they need, HB24-1183 sets aside $2.8 million for two adequacy studies required by SB23-287 to better understand the level of funding Colorado schools need to provide the education students deserve. HB24-1205 Improving Youth’s Access to Books. This bill helps get more books into the hands of our youngest Coloradans by helping the Imagination Library reach its goal of providing one, no cost, book a month to children under the age of five. This bill specifically allows the Imagination Library of Colorado program to partner with other nonprofit organizations and book publishers to reach its goal. HB24-1206 Expanding the Healthy School Meals program . This bill would expand the Healthy School Meals program to include facility schools as well the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. This bill aims to ensure all youth have access to healthy, nutritious food during the school day. Boosting Childcare HB24-1182 Saving Families Money on Child Care. HB24-1182 allocates over $11 million of federal Child Care Development Funds money to the Child Care Sustainability Grant Program and the Early Care and Education Recruitment and Retention Grant and Scholarship Program. Increasing Access to Behavioral Health HB24-1187 Behavioral Health Services in the Criminal Justice System. This bill devotes $58 million to properly staff hospitals that house patients with pending criminal charges that require competency evaluations and services. HB24-1187 Boosting Mental Health Care. This bill supports mental health care by funding $13.1 million to Pueblo’s Colorado Mental Health Hospital so they can fill staff openings with contract staffers. HB24-1203 Increase Residential Treatment Beds. To ensure Coloradans can receive the behavioral health care treatment they need, when they need it this bill allocates $11.4 million for inpatient treatment beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan. HB24-1185 Provider Rate Increase for Child Autism Therapy. This bill meets the recommendations of the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee by offering $10.4 million to increase rates for child behavioral therapies with autism spectrum disorder. Improving Public Safety HB24-1214 Supporting Victims of Crime. This bill aims to support survivors of crime by boosting the Community Crime Victims Grant Program with a $4 million investment. This fund directly supports qualified victims of crime through assisting with emergency housing, child care and medical visits. HB24-1197 Protecting Places of Worship. To aid local places of worship, such as churches, synagogues, and mosques, in ramping up their security measures, this bill allocates $1 million toward the Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program. HB24-1181 Increase Workforce Housing for Correctional Staff. The bill allocates an additional $120,000 to the Department of Corrections to secure housing for up to 50 correctional employees in the greater Buena Vista area. HB24-1197 Boosting School Security. To help schools keep their students safe through improved physical security measures as well as advanced security training for their staff and teachers, this bill sets aside more than $200,000 in grant funding for local education providers and eligible nonprofits to apply for. Uplifting Communities HB24-1187 Providing Services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. Allocating $500,000 for the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind allows the state to meet the rising demand for the long-term needs of Coloradans and maintain accessibility services these communities rely on. Supporting Services for Older Coloradans HB24-1211 Ensuring Older Coloradans have Access to Nutritious Meals. Due to interruptions in federal funding, older Coloradans who use the popular Meals on Wheels food delivery program could experience a lapse in service. This bill offers $2 million in supplemental funding to the Meals on Wheels program and other senior services to ensure the thousands of Coloradans who rely on these programs can have access to healthy, nutritional meals. Reaching our Climate Goals HB24-1196 Saving Coloradans Money on Lawn Equipment . To save Coloradans money on electrifying their lawn equipment, this bill includes a $1.3 million grant renewal to help Coloradans transition to eco-friendly, electric lawnmowers, leaf blowers and other lawn equipment. HB24-1196 Protecting Colorado’s Water. The Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court decision left Colorado’s wetlands vulnerable to pollution and destruction. This bill allocates over $214,000 to ensure the state can educate on and protect Colorado’s water and ecosystems. Previous Next

New legislation tackles housing affordability, supports behavioral health care and prioritizes public safety < Back January 14, 2026 House Democrats Introduce First Ten Bills DENVER, CO – Colorado House Democrats today introduced the first ten House bills of the Second Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly. “Colorado Democrats are working to build an economy that rewards working people and where every Coloradan has a fair shot to achieve their dreams,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “From reducing the cost of housing, health care and child care to investing in our students, our first ten bills help address the most pressing issues our communities face. We believe in equipping workers with the tools and skills they need to land good-paying jobs. These legislative priorities highlight our commitment to making our great state more affordable, safer and healthier for all.” “We’re ready to get to work lowering costs for Coloradans, safeguarding your freedoms and fostering safer communities,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats are committed to making our state more affordable, boosting small businesses, and protecting our air and water. . Key legislation I am sponsoring will foster stronger, safer communities by putting survivors of crime first.” The HOME Act ( HB26-1001 , sponsors Representatives Andy Boesenecker and Javier Mabrey and Senators Tony Exum and Julie Gonzales) Creating housing options that Coloradans can afford is one of Colorado Democrats’ biggest priorities. The HOME Act would allow schools, nonprofit organizations, and transit districts to use underutilized land to build housing, breaking down barriers to building affordable homes near transit, local businesses and the heart of our communities. Improving access to behavioral health care ( HB26-1002 , sponsors Representatives Kyle Brown and Lindsay Gilchrist and Senators Matt Ball and Byron Pelton) Everyone deserves getting the behavioral health care they need, but Colorado’s workforce shortages can limit patient access. This bill will bring more behavioral health workers and substance use disorder experts into the workforce by expediting the credentialing process and updating licensing requirements for social workers. Saving small businesses money ( HB26-1003 , sponsors Representatives Naquetta Ricks and Sean Camacho and Senator Chris Kolker) This legislation would make the successful CLIMBER pandemic recovery loan program permanent to support small businesses, create more good-paying jobs and boost local economies. Making child care more affordable ( HB26-1004 , sponsors Speaker Julie McCluskie, Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, Senate President James Coleman and Minority Leader Cleave Simpson) To save families money on child care and spur the creation of more high-quality and affordable child care facilities in our community, new bipartisan legislation will extend an income tax credit that helps fund child care facilities. Worker Protection Act ( HB26-1005 , sponsors Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, Representative Javier Mabrey and Senators Jessie Danielson and Iman Jodeh) Our economy should work for everyone, especially hardworking people. To empower workers, increase wages and strengthen the middle class, this legislation would update the 80-year-old Colorado Labor Peace Act by removing the need for a second election to form a union. Improving higher education outcomes ( HB26-1006 , Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Matthew Martinez and Senator Dylan Roberts) To equip students with the education and skills they need to secure a good-paying job after graduation, new legislation will establish a thriving designation for post-secondary higher education institutions. This bill aims to boost Colorado’s higher education landscape and support students from diverse, low-income and rural backgrounds. Reducing energy costs with easy-to-access solar panels ( HB26-1007 , sponsors Representatives Lesley Smith and Rebekah Stewart and Senator Cathy Kipp) In an effort to expand access to solar energy, new legislation will remove barriers to ‘plug-in solar’ so more Coloradans, especially those living in apartments or in shared spaces, can benefit from cost-saving solar. Bolstering outdoor recreation and rural economies ( HB26-1008 , sponsors Representatives Meghan Lukens and Rick Taggart and Senators Janice Marchman and Janice Rich) From the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains and everywhere in between, Colorado’s public lands are essential to our way of life. Colorado supports a $65.8 billion outdoor recreation economy, and this bill improves collaboration between conservation efforts, agriculture, private landowners and other public land users. Prioritizing public safety and supporting victims of domestic violence ( HB26-1009 , sponsors Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Ryan Gonzalez and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Byron Pelton) Supporting crime survivors and keeping our communities safe are top priorities for Colorado Democrats. New legislation would require police officers responding to a domestic violence case to conduct a “lethality assessment” in their report. Based on the findings, the peace officer would immediately connect the victim with a victim advocate if they believe the victim is at risk. Supporting older Coloradans in the workforce ( HB26-1010 , sponsors Representative Jenny Willford and Jamie Jackson and Senator Jessie Danielson) Colorado’s economy continues to evolve and no worker should be left behind. New legislation will help ensure older Coloradans have more opportunities to grow and thrive in their careers by studying their participation in the workforce and ensuring they have a seat at the table when making recommendations to better support and uplift them. Previous Next

< Back April 28, 2022 TRANSFORMATIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BILLS ADVANCE HOUSE Legislation would fund the responsible gaming program and water preservation efforts DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee passed Speaker Alec Garnett’s bill today to promote responsible gaming and support Colorado’s watersheds. HB22-1402 would allocate more than $3 million to create a grant program to provide services to Coloradans experiencing problem gaming and boost funding for the Colorado Water Plan. “In the last two years, Colorado’s gaming industry has experienced significant growth and the excitement of sports betting has raised limits and boosted state revenue,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “As Colorado’s gaming industry adapts, it is our responsibility to make sure Coloradans have the recovery and treatment resources they need to combat a gaming problem – this bill does that and more. It takes us one step closer to the original goal of legalizing sports betting in Colorado which is to provide proper funding to the Colorado Water Plan; and thanks to the increase in revenue, we can direct millions toward preserving Colorado’s watersheds and building a safer, healthier Colorado for everyone.” Responsible Gaming Grant Program: HB22-1402 , sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett, passed committee by a vote of 9-2. The introduction of sports betting in Colorado in 2020 has led to major growth in the gaming industry, partly due to higher limits and additional games. This bill provides more funding for the responsible gaming grant program in the Department of Revenue (DOR) to promote responsible gaming and address problem gaming. The grant program will distribute funding to help Coloradans struggling with gaming problems with prevention, recovery and treatment resources. The grant funding can also be used for research purposes to aid the DOR in providing better support for Coloradans recovering from a gaming problem. The bill also allocates more funding for the Colorado Water Plan by limiting the number of free bets that Sports Betting Operators can offer tax-free. Under the bill with fewer tax-free bets, the additional money raised from taxes on gaming will be allocated toward improving Colorado’s watersheds and environment. Previous Next