The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Junie Joseph to save more Colorado lives from gun violence by prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. The bill passed by a vote of 9 to 4. < Back May 2, 2023 Legislation to Crack Down on Ghost Guns Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Junie Joseph to save more Colorado lives from gun violence by prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. The bill passed by a vote of 9 to 4. “Ghost guns bypass the life-saving firearm protections that the Colorado legislature has implemented in recent years to keep our communities safe from senseless gun violence,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “When someone evades a background check by assembling an unserialized firearm, it means that someone may have access to a gun even if they’re prohibited from possessing one. By requiring people to register unserialized firearm parts, we can keep dangerous weapons out of our communities and save more Colorado lives.” “Once someone has all of the necessary parts, they can put together a ghost gun in under an hour,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Because these weapons are unregulated and untraceable, it can be impossible for law enforcement to track down a suspect when a gun crime has been committed. This commonsense legislation will crack down on ghost guns to reduce crime and keep our communities safe by limiting access to dangerous, untraceable firearms.” SB23-279 aims to prevent further gun violence by cracking down on “ghost guns”, which are unregulated and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. Ghost guns are designed to avoid all gun laws and are available to purchase without a background check, serial number, sale record, or other protections. Under the bill, if an individual has an unserialized firearm, frame or receiver, they have until January 1, 2024 to have it serialized. A background check would be required before the owner could receive their item after it had been serialized. Serialization records must be kept and available for law enforcement. It also prohibits the possession of a “machine gun conversion device” which turns a firearm into a machine gun and imposes the same penalties as in current law for possessing a machine gun. Ghost guns are often constructed using unfinished frames or receivers and are easily accessible through a 3D printing device. Once assembled, ghost guns look, feel, and function exactly like traditional guns and are equally as deadly and dangerous. These weapons have been connected to suicides, homicides, mass shootings, robberies, and domestic violence throughout the country. Since 2016, the number of ghost guns used in crimes throughout the USA increased by 1000% , yet over 99% of those guns can’t be traced back to a user or owner. When a gun used in a crime is untraceable, it can be impossible for a gun violence victim and their family to seek accountability. Previous Next

< Back April 21, 2022 BILL TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY AT THE PUMP WINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee today approved legislation to save Coloradans money on gasoline by lowering vehicle registration costs and the anticipated statewide road usage fees. HB22-1351 invests one-time dollars to provide Coloradans relief now and keep transportation projects on pace. “A lot has changed with gas prices in the last few months and we need to respond to help Coloradans. With global events, supply chain challenges, and the war in Ukraine driving up the cost of gas, we are taking action now to save people money at the pump and when they register their vehicles,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “While gas prices are largely driven by national and global influences, we need to do what we can at the state level to reduce costs for Coloradans. This bill is a responsible approach to let Coloradans keep some money in their pockets when they register and fill up their car and keep our state on track to fix our roads and power our economies.” “Coloradans are feeling the squeeze when they fill up at the pump, so we are lowering vehicle registration and road usage fees to save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan D-Durango. “We are taking action to provide hardworking Coloradans relief when they need it the most while keeping our state’s infrastructure projects on schedule.” HB22-1351 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Barbara McLachlan will save Coloradans money by lowering vehicle registration costs and the anticipated road usage fees, a two-cent per gallon gasoline fee slated to go into effect in July. This bill invests one-time recovery funds to save Coloradans nearly $80 million on transportation costs. Specifically, this bill will save Coloradans $45 million at the gas pump and nearly $34 million in vehicle registration costs. This bill considers the effects that global factors, including pandemic recovery and the war in Ukraine, have had on the rising cost of gasoline. An amendment adopted by the committee extends the break on road usage fees by an additional three months, allowing the next General Assembly to look at economic conditions at that point in time to determine if a further suspension is necessary. HB22-1351 passed committee by a vote of 6-2. Previous Next

< Back July 16, 2020 BECKER, GARNETT: MASK UP, COLORADO! House Dem leadership supports Governor Polis’s executive order on masks Denver, CO — House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, and House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver, today released the following statements encouraging Coloradans to wear a mask following Governor Jared Polis’s announcement of a statewide order on face coverings and recent trends in hospitalization and infection rates. “Getting through this pandemic is a team effort,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “Wearing a mask is a tool to help us return to a more normal life, keep businesses open and avoid the devastating impacts that would come from having to close down again. Our economy, our health, and so much of what we love and enjoy about our state depends on us coming together and taking this step. I support the governor for his actions today to save lives.” “Whenever we’re around other people, we need to wear a mask–it’s just that simple,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “To stay on the right track and recover from this pandemic, we need to be smart and put on our masks. It helps our small businesses stay open, protects riders on public transit, and reduces your risk of contracting COVID-19 by 65 percent. This order is the right decision for Colorado, and I’m grateful for the leadership of so many counties, local officials and Governor Polis to encourage Coloradans to do their part. Mask up, Colorado!” Previous Next

On August 12, legislation led by Colorado Democrats to make energy and utility costs more affordable for Colorado families will go into effect. The new laws will improve energy assistance programs and boost geothermal energy development.  < Back July 22, 2026 Two Laws to Make Energy More Affordable Go Into Effect DENVER, CO – On August 12, legislation led by Colorado Democrats to make energy and utility costs more affordable for Colorado families will go into effect. The new laws will improve energy assistance programs and boost geothermal energy development. SB26-002 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, Senator Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, standardizes and improves energy assistance programs to ensure Coloradans have access to affordable, reliable energy. “No one should be spending an exorbitant amount of their income on utilities,” said Kipp. “Colorado families face difficult choices every month between rent, groceries, bills, and all the unexpected expenses life throws their way. This law is about ensuring that Coloradans who need energy assistance are able to access these programs in a simple, efficient way no matter what part of the state they live in or who provides their utilities.” “Coloradans are dealing with longer, hotter summers which can drive up utility costs,” said Willford. “No one should have to choose between paying their utility bill or feeding their family, which is why we are standardizing utility assistance programs so ratepayers can easily access support they qualify for. Affordability is top of mind, and our new law will streamline energy assistance programs to boost Colorado families.” “Every Colorado family should be able to keep the lights on and keep their home safe and functioning without breaking the bank,” said Exum. “The purpose behind this law has never wavered – to bring down energy bills for families who need it. This law standardizes utility assistance programs, increases their visibility, and simplifies the application process so that more Coloradans can benefit.” “Energy assistance programs need to be accessible, standardized and simple so Coloradans who qualify can save time and money,” said Velasco. “Our new law, going into effect next month, will knock down accessibility barriers to assistance programs so Coloradans can save money on their utility bills. We’re making sure energy assistance programs are available to Coloradans who qualify.” Starting August 12, SB26-002 requires all investor-owned gas and electric utilities in Colorado to have a standardized framework for energy assistance programs known as Percentage of Income Payment Plans (PIPP). It requires utilities to clearly post information about eligibility criteria and enrollment processes for the PIPP program on their websites and standardizes the name of PIPP programs across all investor-owned utilities to reduce confusion for customers. Under the new law, customers will be allowed to apply directly with their utility for the program, rather than having to first enroll in another assistance program. Utilities will determine an annual bill credit for the customer delivered either as an up-front annual credit or a monthly credit on their utility bill. To improve and expedite the application experience, utilities must inform applicants within 30 days whether they have been approved or denied for PIPP and the reason why. The programs will be under the oversight of the Public Utilities Commission, to which utilities must submit an annual report about their PIPP program. SB26-142 , sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, Senator Kipp, and Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, will help municipalities reach clean energy goals by streamlining the development of geothermal energy projects. “If we’re serious about meeting our goal of 100% clean energy by 2040, we need to capitalize on Colorado’s unique potential for geothermal energy,” Ball said. “This new law is an innovative and exciting step towards allowing local governments to develop more energy for themselves, making energy cleaner and cheaper for all.” “Geothermal energy–the heat beneath our feet–can lower utility costs and save Coloradans money in the long run,” said Joseph. “Our new bipartisan law, which goes into effect next month, will streamline geothermal energy projects at the local level. Once installed, geothermal is a low-cost renewable energy source that will save Coloradans money and bring us closer to our climate goals.” “Local governments know their needs best, and they should be able to utilize the energy that local industries produce as a byproduct,” Kipp said. “This legislation is a huge step forward for these municipalities who have been facing red tape and regulatory barriers in their pursuit of these projects and their clean energy goals.” SB26-142 expands the use of geothermal energy by removing barriers to allow local governments to more easily enter into agreements for new projects and create new pathways for geothermal innovation. Under the new law, local governments can enter into their own agreements to develop, operate, and finance geothermal energy projects and provide that energy outside their jurisdiction through collaboration with other local governments. Investor-owned utilities such as Xcel must also identify geothermal projects that would increase their generation capacity and include their findings in their electric resource planning filing with the PUC. Additionally, the law requires the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to collect data from orphaned oil wells for geothermal energy resources in the state and make recommendations for safe and effective development to the General Assembly by November 15, 2026. Colorado has been ranked as having the highest geothermal resource of all 50 states in the three to four kilometer depth range, but technology isn’t currently ready to extract this heat and generate electricity. This new law removes some of the red tape that has restricted development of geothermal energy in order to help the state reach its clean energy goals. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed two bills to support postsecondary education pathways and K-12 school staff. < Back March 21, 2024 Bills to Support Strong Career Pathways and K-12 Schools Sail Through Committee DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed two bills to support postsecondary education pathways and K-12 school staff. HB24-1364, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, would streamline career pathways for high school graduates. HB24-1264, sponsored by Representative Barbara McLachlan, would help school districts find more special services staff, such as nurses and social workers. “We’re working to establish strong career pathways that will not only meet our workforce needs but make it easier for Coloradans to secure good-paying jobs in the communities that they love,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This important legislation lays the groundwork for improving access to existing programs that offer college credits, industry credentials, or quality work-based learning experiences. When it comes to selecting a career, we’re making it easier for Colorado learners to receive the training they need to not just get by, but thrive in a good-paying job.” “Our state has many college credit, apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs already in place–this legislation makes it easier for Colorado learners to browse and access these programs,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “To meet our state’s workforce and education demands, we need to make it easier for our learners to plan and succeed. This bill directs our learners toward solid, good-paying career pathways by streamlining postsecondary education options. Together, we’re investing in our workforce, boosting local economies, and making it easier for our learners to find and succeed in a career that has significant growth and earning potential.” HB24-1364 , passed committee unanimously. This bill implements recommendations from the 1215 Task Force to help meet workforce demands and foster work pathways for Coloradans. HB24-1364 would create a detailed study to uncover the cost benefits of streamlining the administration and financing of postsecondary workforce readiness programs to state and local education providers. This bill would also lay the foundation of a data system to measure the impact and outcomes of education and workforce programs. The data collected by this program would be more accessible to learners, families, and other decision-makers when it comes to choosing a career pathway. “Removing barriers to entering the education profession is important to meet the needs of our school districts and more importantly – our students,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This bipartisan bill would extend educator grant programs to special service providers, such as school nurses, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, and even teacher apprentices. Our schools rely on talented, dedicated professionals to meet the needs of our students and this bill helps meet school workforce needs to help every student achieve and receive the support they need.” HB24-1264 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Caitlin, R-Montrose, passed unanimously. This bill aims to reduce barriers to entering the educator workforce by expanding eligibility for grants from the Educator Recruitment and Retention program to include special services providers and teacher apprentices. This bill also creates an online career portal for educators and local education providers to connect them to resources. The portal would be administered by the Colorado Department of Education and would provide access to loan forgiveness, stipends, career incentive programs, career pathway resources and open job postings. Previous Next

The Governor today signed two bills into law to restore access to Medicaid services for Planned Parenthood patients and to give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families.  < Back August 26, 2025 SIGNED! Legislation to Restore Access to Medicaid Services for over 10,000 Planned Parenthood Patients, Protect Food Assistance for Colorado Kids & Families DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed two bills into law to restore access to Medicaid services for Planned Parenthood patients and to give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families. SB25B-002 , sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, authorizes state funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers removed from the federal Medicaid program by H.R.1. This action will restore access to health care services for more than 10,000 patients in Colorado. “Republicans in Congress want you to believe their budget puts working-class Americans first, but the exact opposite is true – this budget is the largest cut to Medicaid in American history,” Bridges said. “Thousands of Coloradans on Medicaid who rely on Planned Parenthood had to scramble to find different providers or went without care altogether after H.R.1 passed. This legislation will restore access to that care and peace of mind to patients across our state.” “Health care shouldn't be political,” Bacon said. “The federal GOP budget bill targeted Planned Parenthood, threatening access to low-cost family planning and preventive care for all Coloradans in all corners of our state. All Coloradans, whether or not they are a Medicaid recipient, deserve access to reproductive health care. This new law is an effort to fight back against the largest cut to Medicaid in the history of our country and protect thousands of Coloradans from losing this essential health care coverage and access to the provider of their choice.” “Time and time again, and most recently, last November, Colorado voters have overwhelmingly said they will support and defend their right to reproductive health care,” Daugherty said. “Amidst a hostile national landscape, this legislation is yet another step we must take to protect Coloradans’ right to safe, accessible and affordable reproductive health care.” “Despite Coloradans’ overwhelming support of reproductive freedom, Congressional Republicans continue to attack access to life-saving health care,” Willford said. “When Trump’s budget was signed into law, it forced Planned Parenthood to immediately cancel every appointment for Medicaid recipients. While corporations enjoy their new tax breaks, Coloradans on Medicaid risk losing access to STI testing, cancer screenings and abortion care. I’m proud to stand up for Coloradans with this new law that will restore access to life-saving care.” SB25B-002 authorizes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use state funds to pay claims to organizations like Planned Parenthood, who were barred from federal Medicaid funding by Congressional Republicans’ H.R. 1, for certain services including cancer screenings, birth control consultations, and STI testing. In the event that federal action renders these entities eligible for reimbursements again, the law would no longer be in effect. H.R. 1 immediately removed Planned Parenthood from the federal Medicaid program, forcing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains providers to cancel thousands of appointments . Weeks later, a Temporary Restraining Order reversed this federal prohibition, though the issue is still working its way through the courts. SB25B-003 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Representatives Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, and Katie Stewart, D-Durango, modifies Proposition MM, which the Legislature referred to the November 2025 ballot, to give Colorado voters the opportunity to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to the Healthy School Meals for All program. “No child in Colorado should go hungry because they can’t afford a nutritious meal – at school or at home,” said Michaelson Jenet. “By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, Colorado voters will have the opportunity this November to help keep this life-saving program afloat, while fully funding Healthy School Meals for All Colorado students.” “Every Coloradan should be outraged that Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget offers significant tax breaks to mega corporations while jeopardizing food security for children and families,” Garcia said. “SNAP and Healthy School Meals for All are life-saving programs, and there will be crushing consequences if they are not fully funded. I am disappointed in our GOP federal delegation for voting for H.R.1, but this law gives Coloradans the opportunity to combat some of the cuts to food assistance programs and prevent children from going hungry.” “SB25B-003 builds on the will of the voters to ensure that no child in our state goes hungry, while also supporting our local economies,” said Wallace. “The Healthy School Meals for All program improves educational outcomes, supports farmers and ranchers, and reduces strain on families' budgets. With the additions in this new law, we can also help 300,000 Colorado households afford groceries each month. Ultimately, this legislation empowers Colorado voters to continue our state’s now proud tradition of ensuring none of Colorado’s children go hungry.” “It breaks my heart that over 600,000 Coloradans, especially children, will be impacted by the SNAP cuts under Trump’s budget bill,” Stewart said. “Families struggling with food insecurity should never have to worry about when their next meal will be, which is why Colorado Democrats helped create the Healthy School Meals for All program and have continuously invested in programs like SNAP and EBT. Our law adds SNAP to Proposition MM, giving Colorado voters the opportunity to continue programs that keep vulnerable Coloradans fed.” In June, Governor Polis signed HB25-1274 which referred two ballot measures, Propositions LL and MM, to Colorado voters to determine whether or not to continue funding the Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free, nutritious school meals to all public school students. In July, Congressional Republicans made unprecedented cuts to SNAP with the passage of H.R. 1, slashing millions from the program that helps families put food on the table. Now, more than 300,000 low-income Colorado families – including children, older adults, and people with disabilities – are at risk of going hungry. By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, voters will have the opportunity this November to fully fund the successful Healthy School Meals for All program and help fund SNAP. If Proposition MM passes, it could raise up to $95 million per year by limiting state income tax deductions for households earning over $300,000. These new revenues would first ensure that the Healthy School Meals program is fully funded, and then any remaining funds could support SNAP. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to distribute funds to help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage. < Back April 13, 2023 Snyder, Joseph Wildfire Resiliency Grant Program Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to distribute funds to help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage. “Wildfires can wipe out entire neighborhoods in just a couple of hours and have devastating consequences for communities throughout Colorado, including my hometown with the Waldo Canyon fire in 2012,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “This bill will save property owners money on effective firefighting strategies and proactive approaches to retrofit their home, barns, or other buildings on their property to be more resilient to wildfire while promoting education on wildfire resiliency.” “Colorado is ranked in the top five states with the highest wildfire risk, and what used to be a wildfire season is now a year-round threat,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts can save Colorado millions of dollars, while also greatly reducing displacement and the devastation of entire neighborhoods. This bill will create a grant program to help property owners harden their structures through strategies and technologies to mitigate the risk of wildfires.” HB23-1273 , which passed by a vote of 10-3, creates the Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program. Qualified homeowners can apply to the program to receive grant money to cover retrofitting or structural improvements to existing houses and other buildings. This grant program also expands to new-builds and rebuilds to make any structure on a homeowner’s property more resilient against wildfires. Wildfires have become an increasing threat in Colorado, with the three largest wildfires in Colorado history occurring in 2020 alone. The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) provides standards for building wildfire-resilient homes, including non-combustible roofing, underfloor protection, defensible space, and residential sprinklers. Previous Next

< Back May 24, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES SB22-148 will invest $5 million to build or renovate a behavioral health facility to provide behavioral health services DURANGO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law bipartisan legislation that will increase access to behavioral health care by investing $5 million to support the development of a behavioral health facility and better meet the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land based Tribes. SB22-148 , sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is part of the legislature’s ongoing commitment to addressing Colorado’s behavioral health crisis using $450 million in federal pandemic relief funds secured in the American Rescue Plan Act. “The Tribes are our partners and neighbors, and this is a long overdue investment in behavioral health,” Donovan said. “Everyone deserves mental health support in their communities, and this facility will support the Tribes’ efforts and help ensure that more Coloradans can access the critical care they need to thrive.” “Using once-in-a-generation federal funding, we are prioritizing the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land-based Tribes who often experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress without access to the proper resources,” said McLachlan. “This $5 million investment of federal funds will go directly toward the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for the purpose of creating or revamping a behavioral health facility to improve mental health outcomes and save Coloradans money on behavioral health care.” To further Colorado Tribes’ ability to provide culturally responsive behavioral health care in specialized facilities, this new law will provide a one-time $5 million grant to Colorado land-based Tribes to build or renovate a Tribal behavioral health facility for inpatient services and transitional housing. SB22-148 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

Bill to create three day waiting period advances < Back March 6, 2023 Legislation to Save Lives and Prevent Gun Violence Passes Committee Bill to create three day waiting period advances DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to save lives and reduce gun violence by creating a minimum three day waiting period to delay immediate access to a firearm. It passed by a vote of 7-4. “Waiting periods save lives by creating an opportunity to intervene or connect people who may be considering self harm or violence with care that can help them,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder . “I know from personal experience how a waiting period can prevent self harm. My son tried to purchase a firearm with the intent of committing suicide, and only our urgent action to try to stop the sale after I saw the transaction on his bank account saved his life. While no single bill will stop our epidemic of gun violence, common sense solutions like waiting periods, which are supported by data and evidence, will save lives.” “This legislation is one of many steps we’re taking this year to reduce gun violence in our communities and save lives,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Waiting periods are effective, with research showing that these laws reduce firearm homicide rates by up to 17 percent. Improving public safety is a priority for Colorado Democrats, and addressing the public health crisis that is gun violence in our state will help Coloradans feel safer no matter where they are.” Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a 7 to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in 2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, accounting for more than half of all suicides in the state. From 2014 to 2019 , the number of firearm deaths in Colorado was greater than deaths from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. Among firearm deaths, more than 75 percent were caused by intentional self-harm or suicide. Current law mandates that a background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred. Background checks can typically take less than three days to complete. HB23-1219 would require a gun purchaser to wait three days from the initiation of the background check or an approved background check, whichever is later, until they could be in possession of their newly purchased gun. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Transferring a firearm prior to the expiration of the waiting period would be a civil infraction punishable by a $500 fine for the first offense, and a $500 to $5,000 fine for a second or any subsequent offenses. The bill would not apply to antique firearms or to sales taking place between an active duty military servicemember, who is set to deploy overseas, and their family. Previous Next

< Back April 17, 2019 HOUSE PASSES HEROD-BECKER BIPARTISAN BILL TO PUT COLORADO KIDS ON PATH TO SUCCESS Children with college savings accounts are three times more likely to enroll in college (Apr. 17) — The House passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Leslie Herod with bipartisan support that would create a new strategy to incentivize and streamline the college savings process for every child born in Colorado. “Kids of color and low income families are less likely to consider going to college because they don’t think they can afford it,” said Representative Herod, D-Denver . “College Kickstarter Programs help address the economic and racial barriers to building wealth in this country, incentivizing savings and encouraging a families to invest in education at zero cost to the taxpayers. It’s time we push this forward.” Children with college savings accounts are twice as likely to go to college. With HB19-1280, a program will be created to help and encourage Colorado parents to open a College Savings Account (CSA) for their children. Beginning in 2020, $100 of seed money will be contributed to the CSA if an account is opened within the first five years of the child’s life. “The College Kickstarter program will create funding for a college savings account for every child born in Colorado,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “This will help give Colorado’s kids a running start and help us invest in our future. Ensuring hardworking families and individuals save for higher-ed is a win-win for our students and our state.” Research has shown that even having $50 in a college savings account has many long-term benefits related to educational and financial success. A 2018 report found that 35 percent of US parents aren’t saving for college for their children. Kids with CSAs are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. CSAs also help reduce student loans. One study found that college graduates whose parents had a college savings account borrowed $3,209 less on average in student loans. The bill passed the floor with a bipartisan vote of 42-20.Three Republicans, Rep. Janice Rich, Rep. Susan Beckman, and Rep. Shane Sandridge, supported the bill in committee but not on the House floor. The bill was unanimously approved out of the House Finance committee. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

The bipartisan Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee today advanced bills to improve health outcomes for Coloradans. < Back October 1, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Improve Treatment for People with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System Advance DENVER, CO – The bipartisan Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee today advanced bills to improve health outcomes for Coloradans. This includes bills to streamline juvenile justice services and support for Coloradans with behavioral health care needs in jail and those experiencing a mental health crisis. “Coloradans seeking help deserve well-resourced and widely available care,” said Chair Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of Bills 1, 4, 5. “I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will improve services for Coloradans in the juvenile justice system, provide behavioral health supports for people incarcerated in jails, and ensure Coloradans deemed incompetent by the judicial system have access to the behavioral health resources they need. These are all important ways we can support some of our most vulnerable Coloradans and equip them with the resources they need to heal.” “We know the criminal justice system can only exacerbate mental health crises, and these bills aim to intervene and provide Coloradans with the behavioral health care they need,” said Vice Chair Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bill 2. “The bills we advanced today work to streamline behavioral health care services, treatment, and support to those who need it the most, including juveniles and those considered incompetent. Healing and recovery is not possible without proper treatment and these bills work to improve access, build confidence in our justice system, and hopefully improve outcomes for those in our criminal justice systems.” “Too often, Coloradans in the criminal justice system who seek out behavioral health support are woefully underserved,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of Bill 4. “The more we can do to aid in the healing and recovery of folks in the criminal justice system, the better. That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation to bolster behavioral health resources for people incarcerated in jails and ensure they’re getting the support they need, when and where they need it.” “Without the correct treatment, medication and support – the mental and behavioral health of those in the criminal justice system can rapidly decline,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of Bill 1, 4, and 5. “The bills we passed today will help streamline services for our youth in the juvenile justice system, including treatment, rehabilitation and diversion, so they can spend time healing. Another bill we passed would extend behavioral health care services to those considered incompetent by a judge to ensure they’re receiving the treatment they need. This committee is focused on reducing recidivism and bringing the support directly to the people who need it the most, and I believe these bills bring us closer to that reality.” Bill 1 , sponsored by Sen. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. English, and Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, aims to support Colorado youth in the juvenile justice system by streamlining services. Specifically, this bill would improve juvenile justice diversion services, rehabilitation, the competency process and establish presentence credits. Bill 1 would also establish a community grant program to implement a mixed-delivery system of trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth. The goal of Bill 1 is to boost community intervention before youth become involved in the juvenile justice system, provide youth with better mental and behavioral health care resources if they are in the juvenile justice system and streamline support services. Bill 4 , sponsored by Rep. English, Rep. Bradfield, and Sens. Michaelson Jenet and Cutter would roll existing grant program funding in the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to provide complementary behavioral health services to Coloradans in jail. Bill 4 aims to improve behavioral health outcomes for Coloradans in jail by connecting them with the services, support and treatment they need on-site. Bill 5 , sponsored by Sen. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. English, and Rep. Bradfield would help connect Coloradans in the criminal justice system with the behavioral health care services they need, specifically if they are considered incompetent by a judge. This bill would clarify what courts must consider when setting bail for defendants declared incompetent to proceed. Additionally, under this bill, defendants would receive inpatient services from the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) for additional time after charges are dropped. If criminal charges are dropped against a defendant receiving inpatient services from the CDHS, the bill would allow the defendant to receive inpatient services for an additional 90 days. The committee also advanced two other pieces of legislation, including two more bills to create a crisis subcommittee and update technical language surrounding a ruling of Not Guilty by Reasoning of Insanity . The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2025 session, interim bills will follow the standard legislative process. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Tim Hernández and Elizabeth Velasco that would streamline the process to receive a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants. SB24-182 passed by a vote of 43-19. < Back May 7, 2024 Bill to Expedite, Streamline Driver’s License Process for New Immigrants Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Tim Hernández and Elizabeth Velasco that would streamline the process to receive a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants. SB24-182 passed by a vote of 43-19. "For undocumented people, the average wait time to get a drivers license is 12-30 months, but undocumented people still need to drive to work or drive their kids to school,” said Rep. Tim Hernández, D-Denver. “This bill allows us to address the needs of newcomers that have been present for decades but have only grown more clear from the recent influx of migrants across the state. I’m thankful to have been a part of taking oppressive barriers for our community away through this legislation." “The Colorado Road and Community Safety Act has made a significant impact on our immigrant communities by allowing all residents, regardless of their immigrant status, to qualify for a driver’s license or state ID,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We’re streamlining the eligibility process to limit hurdles for immigrants who use our roads.” SB24-182 would amend the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act to make it easier for new immigrants to obtain a driver's license or state identification card for residents who do not have legal resident status in the United States. This bill would change requirements to receiving a driver's license or state identification card by: Removing a requirement to file a Colorado resident income tax return for the prior year, Removing a requirement to demonstrate residence in the state for the previous two years, Removing a requirement to provide a documented social security number or individual taxpayer identification number, and Expand the list of acceptable identification documents to include a photocopy of a passport issued by the applicant's country of origin, a voter identification card with a photograph issued by the applicant’s country of origin, and other alternatives. Previous Next