Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to improve high-speed internet access. < Back May 22, 2024 Polis Signs Bills to Improve High-Speed Internet Access FORT COLLINS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to improve high-speed internet access. HB24-1334 and HB24-1336 aim to make broadband internet more widely available to Coloradans, especially those living in mobile home parks, multi unit homes, and rural and underserved areas. “Whether you’re working remotely, writing an essay for school, or you rely on the internet for telehealth services – everyone deserves access to high-speed internet,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “However, many Coloradans living in apartment buildings or mobile home parks are not connected to high-speed broadband internet. This law ensures that broadband providers, including infrastructure teams, are not turned away by owners of multi unit buildings or mobile home parks, and tenants aren’t denied access to broadband. We’re stepping up to ensure underserved areas of our state can more easily access the high-speed internet for work, school, health care or leisure.” “When it comes to broadband grants and applications, the process can be tedious and confusing for our rural broadband providers,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . “This law revamps the state-operated broadband grant program to make it easier for eligible recipients to find and apply for grants to install high-speed internet, especially in rural or underserved neighborhoods.” HB24-1334 prohibits a property owner of a multi unit building or mobile home park from denying a broadband internet service provider access to the property to install infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband service. The broadband service provider would be required to provide at least 60 days of notice to property owners prior to accessing the premises, and a property owner would maintain the right to manage access to the property, including the ability to make requirements of the provider to protect the safety, security, appearance and condition of the property. This law aims to improve high-speed internet access to those living in apartments, mobile home parks and other multi unit buildings. HB24-1336 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would streamline broadband grants, expand eligibility and target underserved areas. Specifically, this law transfers the duties of administering the High-Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM)to the Colorado Broadband Office to make it easier for applicants to apply for and secure grants to install broadband. Additionally, this bill modifies the types of projects that are eligible for HCSM funds, emphasizing middle mile infrastructure projects and projects in underserved areas. This law removes some of the red tape surrounding state-run broadband grants by allowing the Colorado Broadband Office to be the main office in charge of grant distribution and eligibility requirements until September 1, 2030. Previous Next

< Back June 8, 2021 HOUSE DIRECTS FUNDING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SENIORS, AND WORKFORCE PROGRAMS DENVER– The House today passed legislation to allocate American Rescue Act Funds to programs that serve survivors of domestic violence, seniors, and programs that help provide workers with the tools they need to find good jobs. “One of the most troubling and heartbreaking consequences of the pandemic was that it put victims of domestic violence in even greater danger,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of SB21-292. “As a survivor of domestic violence, I know firsthand how dire the need to fund support programs already was before the pandemic began. The federal funds we received this year gave us a unique opportunity to provide successful programs a boost and give survivors the support they need and deserve.” Sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Terri Carver, SB21-292 , allocates $15 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to several different victims services programs that assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Among these programs are the Domestic Abuse Program in the Department of Human Services, the Forensic Nurse Examiner Telehealth Program in the Department of Public Safety, and the Victims and Witnesses Assistance and Law Enforcement Fund, which will make its way to each judicial district. The bill passed 54-9. These programs help survivors hold property while keeping their addresses confidential and their homes secure, promote rapid rehousing so survivors can pay for the costs associated with moving, and provide flexible financial assistance for a variety of basic needs. Funds also pay for attorney fees in domestic violence court cases, and are channeled to anti-sexual assault and gender-based violence organizations across the state to provide community-based crisis intervention services and counseling. “Colorado’s population is aging, and our seniors were among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of SB21-290. “Building back stronger means ensuring that Coloradans of all ages have their basic needs met. The bill we passed today will help Colorado’s seniors stay housed, have better access to medical care, and obtain the nutrition support they need.” SB21-290 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, dedicates $15 million to support Colorado’s aging population. These funds will go towards a variety of senior-focused programs that will expand housing assistance, increase access to health services, subsidize nutrition programs, and improve transportation opportunities to medical appointments. The bill passed 50-13. “I’m proud of the responsible and forward-thinking process we’ve created to allocate American Rescue Plan Act funds,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “The recovery roadmap we developed will both help people in need now while also giving us time to seek input from experts and craft thoughtful proposals that will make the transformative changes our communities are asking for.” SB21-288 , which is sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar and Representative Alex Valdez and passed 42-21, creates the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021 Cash Fund to hold the funding the state is receiving from the federal act. It also details how the fund will operate. SB21-232 passed by a vote of 50-13. Sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Shannon Bird, the bill provides $15 million in grants through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI), which is estimated to serve at least 3,000 Colorado workers across the state who have completed a portion of their higher education but have not earned a credential. The program was established last year to support workers through the worst months of the pandemic. These grants under COSI provide workers who were laid off or furloughed, experienced decreased wages, or had a job offer rescinded with the skills, supports and credentials necessary to secure good jobs. The bill also helps institutions of higher education scale high-demand programs, helping to sustain a resilient state economy. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2020 JBC MEMBERS: ECONOMIC FORECAST SHOWS DIFFICULT BUDGET DECISIONS AHEAD DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts, both of which project lower general fund revenue compared to earlier estimates and which signal some tough budgetary decisions to come. “We knew this would be a difficult budget year, and it’s clear that uncertainty in the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic will make an already tight budget even tougher than we had anticipated just a few months ago,” said JBC Chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We remain committed to delivering a bipartisan and balanced budget that supports critical priorities for Coloradans in every part of our state, and will also be highly attuned to the immediate needs of the state as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health and safety are a key priority at this time.” “Like the rest of the nation, Colorado’s economy is taking a hit from the spread of COVID-19,” said JBC Vice-Chair Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “But we have worked under similar budget restrictions before and will continue to prioritize the most pressing concerns of Coloradans. The important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. No matter what happens, we will find budgetary solutions that address critical health concerns and support our community.” “We have had one of the strongest economies in the country, and I know that Colorado will get through the difficult months that lie ahead as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic,” said JBC Member Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The state of the economy is changing quickly, and it’s clear we’ll have significantly less revenue than we expected due to the pandemic. The committee will need to make hard decisions about what we can fund and how to support our critical priorities as we closely watch the state’s financial stability.” “As we continue to navigate this public health crisis, the JBC is committed to formulating strong budgetary plans that reflect the most urgent needs of working families,” said JBC Member Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “Now is the time to come together and build a budget that meets the moment—ensuring that those who are hit the hardest by this pandemic are able to access the relief they need. Looking forward, we will also be cognizant of how our state needs may shift and change in the coming year.” The forecast from Legislative Council staff estimates that General Fund revenue will grow by 1.4 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the previous fiscal year, a figure that was revised down from 4.1 percent in the December forecast. Relative to the December forecast, General Fund revenues are now expected to be $396.1 million less in FY 2019-2020 and $749.9 million less in FY 2020-2021 than anticipated in the December forecast. The new forecast also estimated that revenue will be below the Referendum C Cap by $247.7 million in FY 2019-20, $629.6 million in FY 2021-22 and $142.7 million in FY 2021-22, so TABOR refunds are no longer expected in these years. The forecast from the governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting anticipates General Fund revenues will grow by 3.3 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the previous fiscal year, a drop from four percent projected in the December forecast. The OSPB forecast estimates that revenue will be below the Referendum C Cap by $22.1 million in FY 2019-20 and $33.7 million in FY 2020-21, and will be above the cap again by $216.6 million in FY 2021-22. Revenue forecasts relative to the December estimate are down by $300 million for FY 2019-20, $400 million for FY 2020-21 and $370 million for FY 2021-22. Both forecasts acknowledge additional downside risk to the estimates due to the spread of COVID-19 and the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic. While the fundamentals of the state’s economy are strong, the forecast estimates near-term contraction of economic activity and an elevated risk of recession. The pandemic is anticipated to impact hospitality and tourism as well as service industries that drive state and local tax collections. Previous Next

< Back October 15, 2019 REP. TRACY KRAFT THARP WINS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF COLORADO’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Lawmaker was recognized for her efforts to foster economic development and promote small business growth DENVER, CO– Representative Tracy Kraft Tharp last Thursday received the Economic Development Council of Colorado’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her efforts to simplify tax rules for businesses and promote economic development. “Driving economic growth in our communities has been one of my top priorities, and I’m honored to have received this lifetime achievement award,” said Rep. Kraft-Tharp (D-Arvada). “From simplifying our tax code to creating and bolstering tax credits that drive investment, the laws we’ve passed have had tremendous and positive impacts on Colorado businesses. I am grateful to the Economic Development Council of Colorado and proud of the accomplishments that we’ve secured. Just like a rising tide lifts all ships, a growing economy has improved the of Coloradans across the state. Let’s keep it that way.” Kraft Tharp Receives 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from Economic Development Council of Colorado “The Economic Development Council of Colorado is proud to honor Representative Kraft-Tharp for this special recognition,” said Tammy Fields, Board Chair, Economic Development Council of Colorado. “Colorado is privileged to have legislators that demonstrate collaboration and strong leadership by advocating for important public policy which supports industry and economic development initiatives that strengthen Colorado’s economy.” Kraft Tharp was nominated for her work on several Colorado laws that simplified tax rules and promoted economic development and innovation. She was the prime sponsor of legislation to promote investment in advanced manufacturing companies, extend the state’s economic development commission and improve state sales and use tax rules. She also passed legislation to create a sales and use tax refund for clean technology and medical device firms with 35 employees or less (HB15-1180). In 2018, she sponsored and helped pass HB18-1350 , which expanded the state sales and use tax exemption to include products derived from scrap metal or end-of-life-cycle materials for remanufacturing or recycling into new metal stock. In 2017, Kraft Tharp sponsored HB17-1090 , which extended the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit, which allows a qualified investor to claim an income tax credit for investments in companies in the advanced manufacturing industry. In that same year, she sponsored legislation, HB17-1270 , which now allows state agencies additional discretion when imposing fines for minor violations on small businesses to take into account efforts they may have undertaken to cure the violation. With the Economic Development Commission set to expire, Kraft Tharp sponsored SB17-280 , which extended the commission until 2025 and provided $5 million for the Colorado office of economic development. Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2019 MCCLUSKIE’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO CREATE SPECIAL DISTRICTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES GETS HOUSE APPROVAL Bill will invest in Colorado’s young students (Feb. 26) – The House gave preliminary approval to bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion, to create special districts for the purpose of delivering early childhood development services. “This bill is about investing in our future and responding to the needs of our communities. Colorado is a local control state, and these local communities across the state are interested in working together to offer high-quality, early childhood development services,” said Rep. McCluskie. HB19-1052 provides community leaders the ability to work together to create efficient and effective programs tailored for communities. These early childhood services include early care and education, health and mental health care, and developmental support programs for children from birth to age eight. This bill passed on final reading with a bipartisan vote of 50-13. Rep. Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction is the co-sponsor of the bill. Previous Next

State lawmakers, led by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Lindsey Daugherty, today sent a letter to Colorado’s health insurance carriers urging them to honor former Friday Health Plan enrollees’ payments toward their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. < Back August 10, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Lawmakers Urge Insurance Carriers to Support Former Friday Health Consumers DENVER, CO – State lawmakers, led by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Lindsey Daugherty, today sent a letter to Colorado’s health insurance carriers urging them to honor former Friday Health Plan enrollees’ payments toward their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. The national bankruptcy of Friday Health Plans has meant Coloradans formerly enrolled in Friday plans are now in the position of needing to purchase new health insurance for the rest of this plan year. Kaiser Permanente and Denver Health have reached agreements with the Division of Insurance (DOI) to honor the payments Friday consumers have accumulated toward their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. In the letter, state lawmakers wrote, “ These types of nationwide financial failures are unfortunate and rare, but we do have mechanisms in place to protect Colorado consumers and providers. As we look closely at what transpired with Friday Health Plans, it’s clear that the health insurance industry has a role to play to secure the stability of the market, which is essential for carriers, providers, consumers, and businesses in our state. “Our hope is to see additional carriers come to agreements with DOI in the wake of Friday’s failure and for DOI to use every tool at its disposal to encourage the industry to honor consumers’ payments toward cost sharing obligations. If additional tools or incentives are necessary, we stand ready to help encourage a more robust market response to future failures of insurance plans in Colorado.” The full text of the letter is below: To the Colorado Association of Health Plans, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Kaiser Permanente Colorado: We write to you regarding the national failure of Friday Health Plans and the steps Colorado is taking to protect consumers and ensure continued health insurance coverage for former Friday enrollees. As you know, the national failure of Friday Health Plans has left many Coloradans in the position of needing to purchase new health insurance for the rest of this plan year. We commend the state for the actions taken to liquidate Friday in a careful and orderly way and continue coverage for impacted consumers. These proactive steps have included direct intervention from the Division of Insurance (DOI) to ensure provider claims are paid and legislation we passed to include Friday Health Plans in the Colorado Guaranty Association– the state’s backstop for health plans facing insolvency. In addition, we are encouraged that DOI has reached partnerships with Kaiser Permanente and Denver Health for these carriers to honor the deductibles, copays, out of pocket maximums and other cost sharing obligations incurred or accumulated by Friday Health Plan consumers while receiving additional funding through the state’s reinsurance program in return. The agreements with Kaiser and Denver Health will mean that Friday Health Plan consumers can obtain coverage from these carriers and these carriers will honor the payments consumers have made toward their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. In other words, their contributions toward copays, coinsurance and their deductible will be recognized by their new plans and be credited toward this plan year. This is meaningful, as 83-85 percent of Friday enrollees have access to Kaiser or Denver Health plans. We appreciate the pro-consumer engagement from these carriers. Our expectation is that additional carriers rise to the occasion to support Colorado consumers. Friday enrollees switching to plans with carriers other than Kaiser Permanente and Denver Health will not, as of now, see their deductible or out-of-pocket maximums honored by their new carrier, and we encourage consumers purchasing plans from these companies to file claims directly with Friday’s estate to recoup what they have paid toward their cost sharing obligations. A document with frequently asked questions and answers for former Friday enrollees can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cb2cK0Lm4Fy-VU_4j2BxF0UY2LNTEhS5/view These types of nationwide financial failures are unfortunate and rare, but we do have mechanisms in place to protect Colorado consumers and providers. As we look closely at what transpired with Friday Health Plans, it’s clear that the health insurance industry has a role to play to secure the stability of the market, which is essential for carriers, providers, consumers, and businesses in our state. Our hope is to see additional carriers come to agreements with DOI in the wake of Friday’s failure and for DOI to use every tool at its disposal to encourage the industry to honor consumers’ payments toward cost sharing obligations. If additional tools or incentives are necessary, we stand ready to help encourage a more robust market response to future failures of insurance plans in Colorado. Sincerely, Speaker Julie McCluskie Representative Andrew Boesenecker Representative Lindsey Daugherty, Chair, Health and Insurance Committee Representative Matthew Soper, Ranking Member, Health and Insurance Committee Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy Representative Judy Amabile Senator Janet Buckner Representative Kyle Brown Senator Lisa Cutter Representative Elisabeth Epps Senator Tony Exum, Sr. Representative Lorena Garcia Representative Cathy Kipp Senator Chris Kolker Representative Sheila Lieder Representative Meghan Lukens Representative Javier Mabrey Representative Karen McCormick Senator Kyle Mullica Representative David Ortiz Senator Dylan Roberts Representative Emily Sirota Representative Tammy Story Senator Tom Sullivan Representative Brianna Titone Representative Stephanie Vigil Representative Mike Weissman Senator Faith Winter Representative Steven Woodrow Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2021 BILLS TO PROTECT BORROWERS, USE STATE PROPERTY FOR HOUSING, RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVANCE DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed bills that would create consumer protections for mortgage borrowers and require the state to create an inventory of its unused property to determine if any buildings owned by the state could be transformed into affordable housing, renewable energy projects, or child care facilities. HB21-1282 , sponsored by Representative Mike Weissman, would regulate mortgage servicers, including requirements around notification, record keeping, examinations, inspections and enforcement, and a violation would be considered an unfair or deceptive trade practices. An assistant attorney general would be empowered to regulate the industry and receive complaints that could be acted upon. “After the financial collapse of 2008, we put in place rules to ensure that banks and other financial institutions play by the rules and can’t take advantage of consumers who use their products and services,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “But the financial sector has continued to evolve since then and Colorado is lagging behind many other states in oversight of non-bank mortgage servicers even as those entities handle an ever-larger share of the market. This bill ensures that non-bank mortgage services play by the rules and provides the Attorney General with the tools needed to investigate and stop abusive practices that threaten to harm Colorado homeowners.” HB21-1274 would require the state to create an inventory of all unused state-owned real property and determine if any of them could be used for affordable housing, renewable energy projects, or child care facilities. The department that owns the property would be authorized to solicit proposals from and enter into contracts with private partners to capitalize on the potential use of the property “All across Colorado, our state government owns unused properties that could be developed and turned into affordable housing, renewable energy facilities, or child care facilities – three types of projects that nearly every Coloradan wants to see more of,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “We need to put this land to use so that local communities can meet their housing and energy needs while also providing critical capacity for child care for working families.” Previous Next

The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on health care and support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers, especially in rural and underserved communities. < Back February 24, 2026 Bill to Lower Emergency Health Care Costs, Sustain Rural EMS Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on health care and support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers, especially in rural and underserved communities. “EMS shows up to every call they receive, but only get reimbursed when they transport patients to the emergency room,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “By allowing treatment in place and transport to a more appropriate setting, we save patients time and Colorado taxpayers money. This bill will provide additional resources to emergency response providers while saving both hospitals, health plans and consumers money and freeing up emergency room beds for those who truly need it." “Without proper reimbursement from health insurance companies, EMS in rural communities like mine are headed for financial collapse,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “When I worked as an EMT in Southwest Colorado, we provided on-site care to many patients, but EMS was not reimbursed for those calls because we did not transport the patient to the emergency room. This bill saves patients money by eliminating the need to flood the emergency room with non-emergent cases, freeing up EMS so they can continue to provide essential care to our communities.” HB26-1069 passed committee by a vote of 13-0. This bill would streamline funding for EMS in Colorado by reducing reimbursement red tape. EMS providers regularly provide essential on-site treatment, also known as treatment in place (TIP). On average, TIP costs significantly less than emergency room care and this bill seeks to expand TIP, saving time and money. However, EMS providers are only reimbursed by health insurance carriers if they transport a patient to an emergency room, even when that transport is not necessary. To help bridge some of the EMS funding gaps and reduce strain on health care providers, this bill would require private insurance and Medicaid to reimburse EMS for TIP. To save patients and the state money on health care and sustain EMS in rural communities, this bill permits reimbursable EMS transit when an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis is transported to an urgent care center. HB26-1069 also improves access to care by allowing Medicaid to reimburse for appropriate telehealth calls involving EMS. TIP limits the need for costly emergency room visits, saving the state and patients money on health care. For example, a federal TIP pilot program showed a 193-percent cost-to-savings ratio for Medicare members receiving TIP services instead of emergency room visits. On the Western Slope, a 2022 analysis of 911 calls in Eagle County revealed that TIP reimbursement accounted for a preliminary cost savings of $1,285.40 to the state per TIP call. If passed, HB26-1069 would save Colorado $2.1 million in FY 2026-27, $4.6 million in FY 2027-28 and $4.9 million in future years. Lastly, HB26-1069 ensures that social workers who co-respond in emergency settings are classified as first responders and receive the same benefits as EMS providers, which will strengthen workforce recruitment and retention, especially in rural or underserved areas. Previous Next

< Back June 10, 2020 HOUSE PASSES SAFE2TELL ENHANCEMENTS DENVER, CO — The House today passed HB20-1113, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, and Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, which would make enhancements to the state’s Safe2Tell Program. The bill passed 55-8. “Our students and teachers are under a lot of pressure right now, and that’s only going to continue when schools return to in-person learning,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This bill improves critical resources that our students rely on and will better connect them with the help they need.” “The Safe2Tell program is a national model for helping students, and it saves lives,” said School Safety Committee Chair Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work of our School Safety Committee. This bill will ensure that when a student reaches out for help, that they are connected with the behavioral health resources they need.” Safe2Tell, developed in Colorado after the Columbine tragedy, provides students a confidential way to report and talk with someone about behavioral health issues and has become a national model. Other states have taken Colorado’s lead, adapting the now 20-year-old program for new technologies and best practices developed in recent years. The Safe2Tell enhancements would include aligning the Safe2Tell program and the crisis hotline more closely to ensure that individuals in crisis can rapidly access crisis counseling. It would also align the processes for all types of incoming tips and adjust the annual advertising campaign to most efficiently raise awareness about the program and reduce its misuse. Finally, it would enhance law enforcement’s ability to prevent imminent physical harm. Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2020 BILLS TO PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS AND HELP EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL BECOME LAW Laws will protect water sources and firefighters from PFAS chemicals and provide benefits to Wildland firefighters and emergency response personnel COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — At Fire Station 8 in Colorado Springs this morning, Governor Jared Polis signed five bills that will better protect firefighters and Colorado communities from PFAS exposure, extend workers compensation benefits to first responders who experience audible trauma and provide critical health benefits to wildland firefighters. HB20-1119 , sponsored by Representatives Tony Exum and Lois Landgraf, sets stringent guidelines for the testing and use of PFAS-based firefighting foam in order to protect firefighters and prevent the chemicals from entering Colorado’s groundwater sources. The bill also requires the state to certify and register every facility that possesses, tests or uses PFAS fire fighting substances. SB20-181 , sponsored by Representatives Jonathan Singer and Hugh McKean creates a grant program to protect communities from PFAS contamination. “Our firefighters and crisis response professionals always put our communities first and are often exposed to dangerous or traumatic situations,” said Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “The legislation the governor signed today will protect our firefighters and our groundwater from toxic PFAS chemicals and provide important benefits to our 9-11 dispatchers, social workers and so many other Coloradans who respond to dangerous situations.” SB20-026 , sponsored by Representatives Jonathan Singer and Tony Exum, extends workers’ compensation benefits to crisis response professionals who audibly witnesses death or serious bodily injury, or the immediate aftermath of these events while on the job. Prior to this new law, those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of audible trauma were not eligible. “This bill guarantees that when any of us is at our worst, that our first responders will be at their best,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont. “Coronavirus has forced many Coloradans into crisis, and this bill guarantees whether or not our first responders hear or see the worst things imaginable, that the state of Colorado will have their back.” SB20-057 , sponsored by Representatives Marc Snyder and Lisa Cutter, provides wildland firefighters benefits for circulatory conditions in connection with a stressful or strenuous activity that took place while responding to an emergency. It also provides benefits for certain kinds of cancers to employees of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, who respond to wildfires in Colorado. “With the governor signing this bill today, our wildland firefighters, who confront enormous danger and face deadly health conditions as a result, will now have access to the critical health benefits they need,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “Every year, Colorado’s wildland firefighters step up to protect our communities and deploy around the world to fight some of the largest fires,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “They can face severe health conditions as a result of their services, and we owe it to them to provide health insurance that covers the care they need.” Previous Next

Legislation protects consumers from health insurer insolvency and adds biometric data protections to the Colorado Privacy Act < Back February 20, 2024 Bills to Improve Consumer Protections Pass House Legislation protects consumers from health insurer insolvency and adds biometric data protections to the Colorado Privacy Act DENVER, CO – The House today passed two pieces of legislation to improve consumer protections in Colorado. HB24-1258 passed by a vote of 43 to 17 and would ensure that Coloradans who reached their health care deductible and out-of-pocket maximums are credited by their new insurer if their old insurer goes out of business. HB24-1130 passed unanimously and would amend the Colorado Privacy Act to include protections for biometric data. “While it’s rare for health insurers to go bankrupt, we need to ensure Coloradans don’t lose the money they already spent reaching their deductible,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, HB24-1258. “This legislation protects Coloradans if their insurer files for bankruptcy by allowing them to credit any out-of-pocket payments and deductibles toward their new insurer. Our bill saves Coloradans money by not requiring them to pay their health care deductible twice and honors the health care payments they’ve already made.” “When Friday Health unexpectedly closed over the summer, it left thousands of Coloradans uninsured, frustrated and worried about the money they’d already spent reaching their health care deductible and out-of-pocket costs,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB24-1258. “This important legislation removes unnecessary barriers to receiving health care coverage and makes sure insurance companies honor previously paid out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles. We’re stepping up to protect Coloradans from insurer insolvency, save them money and make accessing everything from routine to life-saving health care easier.” HB24-1258 comes as a direct response to the recent Friday Health insurer shutdown and aims to protect and save Coloradans money by not requiring them to pay their health insurance deductibles twice. Specifically, Coloradans would be able to credit all out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles paid to a previous, out of business insurer to their new health insurer with a new benefit plan. “From fingerprint scanners to the facial recognition that unlocks our smartphones, our biometric data is intertwined with current and emerging technology,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1130. “Biometric data is incredibly personal, and this legislation would amend the Colorado Privacy Act to ensure our biometric data is protected and stored safely. This bill improves consumer protections of some of our most personal, individualistic data and reduces the risk of our biometric data being used improperly.” HB24-1130 , also sponsored by Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, would amend the Colorado Privacy Act to require protections for biometric data. Biometric data is highly unique to an individual and includes fingerprints, facial recognition used to unlock smartphones, and iris scanning. Specifically, this bill would require biometric data to be destroyed within a year of collection or upon request and stored at a higher level of security. Previous Next

The House today passed the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Sunset (HB26-1326). < Back May 11, 2026 Bill to Modernize the Public Utilities Commission, Protect Ratepayers and Improve Oversight Clears House DENVER, CO — The House today passed the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Sunset ( HB26-1326 ). This legislation would extend the critical functions of the PUC while modernizing the commission to meet the needs of consumers and businesses. “We need a dynamic, modern PUC to protect jobs, streamline services and protect ratepayers and consumers,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Our bill extends the critical functions of the PUC that Coloradans rely on, including transportation, utilities and cell services, while improving transparency and oversight of the commission. The PUC keeps Coloradans safe and connected, and we worked alongside rural and local leaders to ensure the commission can continue its important role.” “Our bill helps ensure the PUC is appropriately resourced and more efficient,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The safety and security of our transportation services and utility infrastructure is critical, and without this bill, the PUC will not be able to continue its important work. We’ve taken steps to modernize the commission in a way that protects ratepayers, strengthens transportation safety and continues Colorado’s clean energy transition.” HB26-1326 passed the House by a vote of 43-22. The PUC is the primary regulator of Colorado’s electric, gas, water, telecommunications and transportation services. Without this bill, the PUC would expire on September 1, 2026. In 2019 , the PUC Sunset established a minimum value for the cost of carbon pollution. This helped modernize benefits to ratepayers and improve Colorado's clean energy transition. HB26-1326 extends PUC's critical functions for another seven years while modernizing and boosting transparency within the agency. This will continue Colorado’s clean energy transition that will lower utility costs and foster new jobs. Meeting Colorado’s renewable energy goals To help Colorado meet its energy goals, this bill updates and streamlines clean energy reporting requirements and scheduling for utility companies. As amended, this bill would boost transparency and accountability by allowing the PUC to investigate how to streamline and integrate energy planning proceedings and report its findings to the General Assembly. The bill would also help electrical utilities secure more renewable energy assets, such as wind and solar, by requiring the PUC to conduct a study regarding the barriers companies face towards joint procurement, or collaborative purchasing for a large-scale investment. Safety improvements This bill takes steps to improve rail, pipeline and transportation safety and security in Colorado. Under HB26-1326, state rail oversight would be aligned with federal law for consistency. The bill also includes the creation of an oversight program that would review, approve and monitor the creation and implementation of passenger and freight rail in Colorado. The bill would also require TNCs to provide the commission’s contact information to riders for increased transparency. This bill would require PUC staff receiving public complaints to receive trauma informed training. HB26-1326 also requires activity buses, limos, and off-road scenic charters to receive scheduled inspections by the commission to ensure they are safe for travel. Modernizing telecommunications and protecting consumers Mobile, wireless, cellular, landlines and satellite telecommunications fall under the PUC’s purview and are charged a fee to provide service in Colorado to help maintain and expand our state’s telecommunications infrastructure. This bill extends the fee to include more telecommunications systems, including voice service providers (VoIP), such as Google Voice or Zoom Phone. To boost consumer protections and crack down on bad actors, this bill increases fees for companies that purchase the no-call lists and sell them to other companies. The PUC would also be required to conduct a study into this and other income-based energy assistance programs to improve funding access and equity. Improving local participation and engagement HB26-1326 would encourage more local participation and decision-making by requiring the PUC to hire staff dedicated to engagement and communications to ensure inclusiveness and consistency in public comment hearings. To further improve representation, the PUC would create an equity task force to represent the interests of disproportionately impacted communities, workers, and income-qualified customers. Previous Next