SB25-014 would repeal unenforceable language from Colorado Statute that states that a marriage is valid only if it is between a man and a woman < Back March 25, 2025 Protecting the Freedom to Marry Passes Colorado House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to implement Amendment J and remove language from the Colorado Constitution banning same-sex marriage. SB25-014 passed by a vote of 45 to 14. All House Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 14 House Republicans voted against it. “This legislation will implement the will of the voters and protect marriage equality in Colorado,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “As the Trump administration continues to blatantly attack and demonize the LGBTQ+ community, this bill upholds marriage equality in Colorado. With the passage of this bill, we’re now one step closer to protecting the freedom to marry who we love.” “Colorado voters have spoken; they want marriage equality constitutionally protected in our state,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “In an era where the Trump administration continues to take aim at critical protections and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, Colorado is standing up to protect marriage equality. With this bill, we’re fulfilling the will of the voters and taking steps to protect marriage equality now and into the future.” SB25-014 will implement the will of the voters by repealing the provision in Colorado statute that states that marriage is valid only if it is between a man and a woman. That provision has been unenforceable since the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 and is now in conflict with the State Constitution. Voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment J in the 2024 election. Previous Next

< Back February 13, 2020 FROELICH’S BILL TO STREAMLINE RAPE KIT TRACKING AND BOLSTER RIGHTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS ADVANCES DENVER, CO — Representative Meg Froelich’s bill to improve how Colorado catalogues and maintains forensic medical evidence of sexual assault, known as rape kits, today was approved by the House Judiciary Committee. If enacted, the bill would begin the process of creating a rape kit tracking system, add victims’ rights provisions and give them more access to information about the status of their medical evidence. The Judiciary Committee approved the bill unanimously. “We need to do more to protect the rights of survivors of sexual assault,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “That means improving the rape kit processing and tracking system and making sure that victims of heinous crimes have the resources they need to track the status of their investigation confidentially and efficiently. This bill keeps us moving down a path towards doing right by survivors, and I’m proud to see it move forward today.” HB20-1228 would require the Department of Public Safety to research the creation of a system to track forensic medical evidence related to sexual assault cases, known as rape kits. The bill directs the department to develop rules to implement a system that allows victims to access information related to the status of this medical evidence, which must be retained until the assailant may no longer be prosecuted for the crime. If a conviction or plea has not been entered in a case, the bill requires the entity holding the medical evidence to notify the victim prior to the medical evidence being destroyed and to maintain the medical evidence for an additional 10 years if the victim objects to its destruction. It also includes provisions related to the confidentiality of the information in this system and requires medical professionals collecting evidence related to a sexual assault to notify the victim of the contact information for the nearest sexual assault victim’s advocate. ### Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES HANSEN-ESGAR BILL TO HELP CONSUMERS, WORKERS & ENERGY COMMUNITIES Bill could help lower energy bills and ensure Colorado leads on climate action (March 4) – The House gave approval today to Rep. Chris Hansen and Rep. Daneya Esgar’s bill to help lower the cost of energy bills, transition toward renewable energy, and support affected workers. As a result of market forces, Colorado workers and communities are being negatively affected by the closure of aging power plants. “We have a moral imperative to act on climate and ensure our state transitions to renewable energy sources in a responsible manner. This bill will help lower energy costs for consumers, enable reinvestment in low-cost renewable energy, and provide direct assistance to workers and communities impacted by the retirement of aging power plants,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. The Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act would offer job training and financial support to communities impacted by the decommissioning of power plants. “This commonsense bill is a win-win for workers and ratepayers and provides significant resources for energy communities and the families who live in them like Pueblo,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “It’s important that workers in energy communities receive the job training they need to stay in good paying jobs and this bill does just that.” The bill would have no impact on the state budget. “Coloradans are currently on the hook for the outstanding debt on aging power plants. The bill will help hardworking families save money on their energy bills and ensure transition help for workers when an aging power plant inevitably shuts down because of market force,” Rep. Hansen continued. “This legislation would allow ratepayers to refinance that debt at a much lower interest rate by authorizing ratepayer-backed bonds.” As utilities retire facilities, workers and communities where the plants are located can face economic challenges, and this bill creates a means of mitigating those challenges. HB19-1037 creates the opportunity for Colorado to take advantage of low-cost ratepayer-backed bonds. Bonds can be used if an electric-generating facility is being closed. From a portion of bond proceeds, the bill also creates and funds the Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Authority, which acts to mitigate impacts of plant closures on affected Colorado workers and communities. Twenty-one other states have laws in place allowing ratepayer-backed bonds to be used but this would be the first time in U.S. history that savings from the bonds would help workers and communities transition and cost taxpayers zero dollars in the process. HB19-1037 was approved by a vote of 40-23. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back January 22, 2019 HOUSE DEMS DISAPPOINTED IN SCOTUS MOVE TO UPHOLD TRUMP’S MISGUIDED TRANSGENDER MILITARY BAN (Jan. 22) – In a 5-4 decision, with the conservative members of the Supreme Court siding with the Trump administration, the court temporarily allowed the administration’s misguided ban on transgender Americans serving in the military to go forward. “Those who currently serve or want to serve in our military and defend our freedoms deserve better. We must recommit ourselves to tearing down barriers and rejecting division,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “My colleagues and I will continue to stand with our transgender service members.” Rep. Titone is the first transgender state lawmaker elected in Colorado history. She serves on the House Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee and the House Health and Insurance Committee. In 2017, the Colorado General Assembly’s LGBTQ caucus slammed the President’s tweet saying transgender people would be banned from the United States armed forces and reiterated their opposition today. “The highest court in the land should not help this administration carry out its divisive agenda. If someone wants to serve in our country’s armed services then that sacrifice should be celebrated, not rejected,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus. “Recently, we’ve made important progress for our LGBTQ community in Southern Colorado and our state. But we must continue working together to ensure protections against discrimination for all Coloradans.” Earlier this year, House leaders urged Senator Cory Gardner to oppose the nomination of now Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a key swing vote on the court. The five conservative Justices on the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil Gorsuch and Kavanaugh all sided with the Trump administration in this decision. 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

The House yesterday introduced legislation sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Lisa Frizell and Senator Dylan Roberts that will increase flexibility in the housing affordability programs approved by voters with the passage of Proposition 123 in the 2022 election. < Back April 21, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Bipartisan Bill to Improve Housing Affordability Introduced DENVER, CO – The House yesterday introduced legislation sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Lisa Frizell and Senator Dylan Roberts that will increase flexibility in the housing affordability programs approved by voters with the passage of Proposition 123 in the 2022 election. “We’re working hard to help Coloradans across the state find a place to live that they can afford,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The goal of this legislation is to effectively deliver on voters’ intent, while increasing flexibility for rural resort communities and addressing any potential administrative challenges with implementing the new initiatives. Every Coloradan deserves to live in the communities they work in, and this bill will help us build a Colorado for all by creating additional housing options that are affordable for hardworking people in all corners of our state.” "Folks who live in rural communities like the ones I represent know firsthand just how hard it is to find a home they can afford," said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. "This bill will ensure that the funds are distributed equitably to all corners of the state and deliver increased flexibility for rural and mountain communities to ensure the goals of Prop 123 are met so that more of our neighbors can afford to live in the communities where they work. I'm excited to see this important legislation move forward with bipartisan support, and to help ensure that every Colorado family has a safe and affordable place to call home." HB23-1304 will ensure the housing affordability programs created through Proposition 123, which voters approved in the 2022 election, can be implemented effectively across the state and have the greatest impact by getting dollars out the door as soon as possible. The bill ensures that tribal governments can access Proposition 123 funds in addition to local governments. It also makes it possible for rural resort communities to access the historic funding of Proposition 123 to accommodate the high cost of living in these areas. These communities will also be able to partner with neighboring local governments to reach their targeted growth rate of three percent. In 2022, voters approved Proposition 123, which created new housing affordability programs funded with surplus state income tax revenue. The proposition dedicated an estimated $300 million to help local governments purchase land for affordable homes, provide financing for low- and middle income multi-family housing and provide direct support to renters, supply debt financing for projects that qualify for housing tax credits, offer grants and loans for nonprofits to help people purchase homes, and fund programs for people experiencing homelessness. Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2020 GOV SIGNS BILLS TO DRIVE DOWN HEALTH COSTS AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE New laws continue the successful reinsurance program, facilitate health insurance enrollment, continue access to telehealth and protect health care for working older Coloradans Silverthorne, CO– Today, Governor Jared Polis signed four bills into law that will make health care more easily accessible and help Coloradans save money on critical services during a time when they need it the most. SB20-215 , sponsored by Reps. Kennedy and McCluskie, extends the state’s reinsurance program for an additional five years and creates a sustainable, long-term funding source for the program as its success has drastically lowered premiums for Coloradans who purchase their insurance on the individual market. The reinsurance program resulted in approximately 17 percent premium reductions along the Front Range and up to 30 percent premium reductions in Western Colorado. The bill also addresses premium costs for those who receive tax credits to purchase their insurance as well as Colorado families who cannot access affordable care due to the “family glitch” problem. “These are tough times for Coloradans, and we need to ensure that everyone in our state has access to affordable health care,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “The reinsurance program has lowered the cost of healthcare for Colorado families, often by thousands of dollars a year, bringing significant relief to our rural areas that have some of the highest costs in the country. I’m grateful Coloradans will continue to see these savings and that we were able to expand access to health care coverage for hard working families who will see lower premiums and costs.” “Access to affordable health care is vital during the COVID-19 pandemic and driving down insurance rates means more Coloradans have a little extra money to spend on essential goods,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood . “This law extends the successful reinsurance program, which is saving Coloradans money on their insurance premiums and increasing access to life-saving care. During these times, none of us can afford to be uninsured, nor should we have to make that choice.” The Governor also signed a number of other bills intended to facilitate enrollment for health coverage and expand access to care. Sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Perry Will, HB20-1236 facilitates ‘Easy Enrollment’ in health insurance for Coloradans who are uninsured. If they choose to opt-in to the program, the bill gives household members who filed taxes information about ways in which they could receive subsidized healthcare coverage. During the COVID crisis, telehealth has been a lifeline to many Coloradans who cannot see their doctor in person. SB20-212 , sponsored by Representatives Lontine and Matt Soper, continues critical access to telehealth services. The governor also signed SB20-033 , sponsored by Representative Lontine, which expands the state’s Medicaid buy-in program for working, disabled seniors who are 65 or older. “All Coloradans should have access to the affordable healthcare that they need, especially during this unprecedented public health emergency,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver . “These new bipartisan laws will help Coloradans enroll in affordable health coverage and also continue to access essential telehealth services, which lower costs and allow people to get the care they need while staying safe.” Previous Next

Bill aims to create more opportunities for Colorado voters to participate in vacancy elections < Back April 23, 2025 Bipartisan Legislative Vacancy Reform Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to reform Colorado’s vacancy process used to replace a senator or representative if they leave office before their term ends. HB25-1315, sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, passed by a vote of 55-9. “In a bipartisan way, we’re modernizing Colorado’s vacancy committee process to boost voter participation while filling vacancies efficiently,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We’ve heard the concerns surrounding our current vacancy process, and our bill limits the amount of time someone can serve before facing an election and subjects vacancy candidates to campaign finance laws. Lawmakers resign for many reasons, and this bill is the right balance between creating more opportunities for voters to weigh in and ensuring communities aren’t without representation during the legislative session.” HB25-1315 aims to increase transparency in the vacancy committee process and broaden voter participation when a legislative vacancy occurs. Under current law, vacancies in the General Assembly are filled by vacancy committee selection until the next general election. Colorado’s approach offers voters more opportunities to participate in the vacancy process than many other states, where governors or small commissions make the appointments. The legislative session begins no later than the second Wednesday of January and wraps up 120 days later. HB25-1315 would affect vacancies in the General Assembly in the following ways: If a lawmaker resigns during session or by July 31 in an even-year, the new vacancy committee process will take place, and then the selected candidate would run in the normally scheduled general election that November. If a lawmaker resigns after July 31 in an even-year, the vacancy would be filled first by the new vacancy committee process, and then there would be a new vacancy election in the following odd-year November election. If the seat was already on cycle for that even-year, the general election held in November of that year would continue as normal. If a lawmaker resigns during session or by July 31 in an odd-year, the new vacancy committee process would fill the seat until a new vacancy election can occur in November of that year. If a lawmaker resigns after July 31 in an odd-year, the new vacancy committee process would take place and fill the seat until the next general election in the even-year. In any scenario, lawmakers would only be able to serve one year before having to run in an election. To run for the vacancy, candidates could qualify by collecting signatures from 30 percent of the vacancy committee members or at least 200 same-party voters in their district. This process aims to improve ballot access for candidates. Unaffiliated voters and voters of the same party would be allowed to participate in the vacancy election. Vacancy candidates running in both the new vacancy committee process and the subsequent vacancy elections in November will be subject to campaign contribution limits and disclosure laws. Currently, candidates participating in the vacancy process are not subject to campaign finance laws. Under the bill, the number of precinct organizers serving on the vacancy committee would double and automatically include any county commissioners who are members of the political party and reside within the district. If a precinct committee person is appointed to fill an open position on the selection committee, they cannot participate in the process until 91 days after their appointment. The House also passed HB25-1319 by a vote of 52-12. This bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge and Minority Leader Pugliese, would apply the same vacancy committee process and subsequent vacancy elections to county commissioners. Previous Next

< Back June 28, 2021 LEADERSHIP SETS BIPARTISAN PROCESS FOR $850M HOUSING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ARPA FUNDS DENVER, CO — House and Senate legislative leadership today approved two resolutions to establish the processes that will produce recommendations on transformational changes Colorado can undertake to make housing more affordable and attainable and improve access to behavioral health care. “Colorado is creating a responsible, bipartisan process to allocate nearly $1 billion in federal funds for transformational changes that will make housing more affordable and improve our behavioral health system,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “We have this opportunity because our federal delegation and President Biden delivered critical relief for Colorado. I’m excited to formally kick off the process that will shape how Colorado uses American Rescue Plan Act dollars to recover from the pandemic and build back stronger.” “For Colorado to build back stronger than before the pandemic, we need an equitable recovery where everyone has an opportunity to succeed,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Creating more affordable places to live and improving access to behavioral health care will expand opportunity, improve the health of Coloradans and boost our economy. The process we created today will bring together lawmakers, experts and community leaders with a wealth of knowledge on these issues to chart a path forward for our state.” During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers worked collaboratively with Governor Polis to develop and advance the Colorado Comeback Roadmap to Building Back Stronger, which envisions investing nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to make housing more affordable and fix Colorado’s behavioral health system. HB21-1329 , signed into law on June 25, sets aside $400 million of ARPA funds for future housing efforts, and SB21-137 , signed into law today, sets aside $450 million of ARPA funds for future behavioral health investments. Under the bills, two task forces will make recommendations on policies that make housing more affordable, expand opportunities to build wealth through homeownership, address homelessness and increase access to behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Under the resolutions approved by the Executive Committee today, the behavioral health and housing task forces will be comprised of legislators and members of departments, with each task force supported by its own sub-advisory panel of stakeholders and experts. The sub-advisory panels and task forces will meet until the beginning of next year to develop and approve recommendations on transformational change in each of their respective issue areas. Legislative leaders will make appointments to the task forces by July 16 and to the sub-advisory panels by July 23. Each appointment to the sub advisory panels must meet specific qualifications. For example, the speaker’s appointments to the housing sub-advisory panel must include an individual with expertise in homelessness, an individual with expertise in non-profit housing development, and representatives from local governments. The Executive Committee also approved an RFI to select a facilitation firm to help manage, coordinate and support the work of both the task forces and the subpanels. The task forces will convene by early August for organizational meetings. The subpanels will then meet to analyze and discuss policies for consideration by the task forces. The task forces will start convening regularly during the late fall to discuss policies and ultimately to approve recommendations to be included in a final report to be sent to the legislature and Governor. The timelines for taskforce and sub-advisory panel meetings are flexible and intended to serve as a guideline. Previous Next

< Back December 22, 2020 GARNETT STATEMENT ON FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE DENVER, CO — Speaker-designate Alec Garnett today released the following statement after Congress approved a bipartisan COVID stimulus bill. “Out of work families and struggling small businesses in Colorado have been waiting for months for Congress to put politics aside and people first,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “While I’m glad that this stimulus package will begin to chip away at the enormous need we have in our state, it’s clear that a great deal of work remains to be done. I applaud and appreciate the efforts of the members of Colorado’s congressional delegation who fought for increased direct economic relief and aid to states and local governments, and I encourage Congress to pass this in the next bill. While this is a welcome start, we need more from Washington. Congress should take a page from Colorado’s book and put aside their differences to build back stronger.” Previous Next

< Back April 24, 2019 EFFORT TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING PASSES HOUSE EFFORT TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING PASSES HOUSE Around $150 billion is wagered illegally on sports every year in the U.S. (Apr. 24) – The House passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Majority Leader Alec Garnett that would legalize sports betting in Colorado. This bill would require voter approval if passed by the General Assembly. “Coloradans should have the option of betting on the Nuggets in the playoffs or the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup. This funding will go toward our most precious resource – our water and this is something everyone can get behind,” said Majority Leader Garnett, D-Denver. “It is our hope that this measure will help stamp out black market sports betting.” HB19-1327 would provide a master license to local casinos who can then contract with brick and mortar and/or internet sports betting operators to provide sports betting in Colorado. A 10 percent tax on net sports betting proceeds will be placed in a Sports Betting Fund. That fund will go towards the Water Implementation Cash Fund to support Colorado Water Plan projects that will keep our drinking water safe, our farms and ranches thriving, and keep our rivers healthy. If approved, the measure would go to on the 2019 November ballot. The Colorado Water Conservation Board will govern the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. Some of the eligible projects for these funds are water storage and supply projects, conversation and land use projects, engagement and innovation activities, agricultural projects and environmental and recreation projects. Organizations in support of this measure are the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the Colorado Municipal League, the Colorado River District, the Environmental Defense Action Fund, Western Resource Advocates, and Denver Water. The bill is sponsored by Minority Leader Patrick Neville. The Senate sponsors are Sen. Kerry Donovan and Sen. John Cooke. HB19-1327 passed out of House Finance committee with a bipartisan vote of 9-1. The House approved it on a vote of 58-6. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

SB24-184 creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail for Colorado < Back May 16, 2024 SIGNED! Legislation Aimed at Establishing Passenger Rail for Colorado Becomes Law SB24-184 creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail for Colorado DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation aimed at leveraging millions in federal infrastructure funding to bring passenger rail service to Colorado and expanding public transportation options across the state. SB24-184 , sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, alongside House Speaker Julie McClusike, D-Dillon, and Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, implements a congestion impact fee that will offset climate impacts and mitigate the congestion caused by rental vehicles. Revenue generated from the fee will create a sustainable funding source to be used as a matching source for federal investment opportunities for statewide rail, as well as other forms of public transportation. “For years Coloradans have been waiting for the promise of a fast, efficient passenger rail system that makes it easy, safe, and affordable to travel all across our great state,” Fenberg said. “Now, with the availability of critical federal funds through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver on that promise. I am excited to have championed this new law that will secure more efficient transit options while cutting emissions, reducing traffic, and connecting communities across Colorado.” “Once in a generation federal infrastructure funding is giving us the opportunity to build an expanded passenger rail system that will create the transportation options Coloradans have been asking for,” said McCluskie. “In addition to creating transit that reduces traffic and air pollution, passenger rail projects, including Mountain Rail, will create Colorado jobs and boost economies throughout the state. This law is a long time in the making, and I am excited to make significant progress towards passenger rail infrastructure.” “Expanding our transit system and making it easier for folks in my district to travel across our great state is a key priority of mine at the Capitol,” said Marchman. “Expanding passenger rail service will connect communities like mine with the rest of the state and save people both time and money on their commutes, all while emitting less pollution and reducing traffic. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to expand our transit options so that more Coloradans can get where they need to go safely and efficiently." “The Front Range Passenger Rail is a long time in the making, and this law will help us secure federal funding by creating a long-term funding mechanism to make expanded passenger rail a reality across Front Range communities,” said Boesenecker. “From Fort Collins and the Western Slope to Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Coloradans have been asking for more transit options. This law will build on existing transit systems and expand transit partnership opportunities to ensure we’re providing transportation services that work for the needs of our communities.” The law encourages RTD, Front Range Passenger Rail, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to coordinate efforts to secure the funding needed to establish passenger rail service from Denver to Fort Collins. It also directs the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) to use three studies in the near term to fund regionally important transit and rail projects originating from the Front Range Passenger Rail Service Development Plan, the Mountain Corridor Service Development Plan, and the Statewide Connectivity study that aims to build a more comprehensive statewide bus system, building on the successes of Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus. Finally, SB24-184 requires CTIO to create a new, multimodal strategic capital plan that aligns with CDOT’s ten-year plan, statewide transit plans, greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals, and other greenhouse gas reduction priorities and pollution reduction planning standards. Previous Next