< Back June 8, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO SAVE SENIORS $100 MILLION ON HOUSING 140,000 Colorado seniors can now claim new refundable tax credit for housing DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed HB22-1205 , which will save seniors money on housing by creating a temporary new income tax credit. “Coloradans are feeling the pressures of rising costs from pandemic-induced inflation, supply chain challenges and rising gas prices, so we made saving people money our top priority this session,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “We reduced property taxes, made record investments to bring down the cost of housing, and passed legislation to put more money into people’s pockets. With this law, 140,000 low-income Colorado seniors save $100 million on housing. This will cut taxes and directly boost the incomes of older Coloradans who rent their homes or haven’t owned them long enough to qualify for the senior homestead exemption.” “This year we took important steps to alleviate the pressure many families are facing due to pandemic-induced inflation and the rising cost of living, and this new law is a key component of that progress,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver . “This measure will save older Coloradans millions of dollars on housing, make Colorado a more affordable place to live, and ensure seniors can remain in the communities they have called home for years.” “This new law will put $100 million back into seniors’ pockets, save seniors money on housing, and help vulnerable Coloradans afford the rising cost of living in our state,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “With so many Coloradans facing rent increases, higher property taxes, or an unaffordable home market, we passed a package of bills this session to save people money on housing. In addition to the new tax credit signed into law today, Governor Polis has signed bills into law to reduce property taxes by $274 on average and direct $428 million in federal funds to build more affordable homes, develop middle-income housing, and construct innovative and modular homes.” “Rising housing costs are putting folks all across Colorado in a bind, and it’s hitting those on fixed incomes, like many seniors, especially hard,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “This new law will give those folks immediate relief by creating a new tax break that will save thousands of Colorado money on housing and help them stay in their homes and their communities.” HB22-1205 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Mike Weissman and Senators Chris Hansen and James Coleman, will save Colorado seniors over $100 million on their housing costs by creating a new refundable income tax credit. Seniors with incomes under $75,000 who have not claimed the senior homestead exemption will be eligible for the tax credit through their 2022 income tax returns. The credit starts at $1,000 for taxpayers with incomes below $25,000 and phases out slowly by $10 for every $500 of income above $25,000. Because the credit is refundable, taxpayers will receive the benefit even if the credit exceeds their tax liability. According to the bill’s fiscal note prepared by nonpartisan staff, nearly 60,000 Coloradans will receive the full $1,000 credit, and up to 77,000 additional Coloradans will see tax relief under the law. The chart below from the bill’s fiscal note shows the tax credit amount as it phases out by income level. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed a bill that would help prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed out of their hard-earned money. The Adults’ Security and Safeguards from Exploitations in Transactions Act passed by a vote of 8-3. < Back February 26, 2026 ASSET Act to Protect Older Coloradans from Being Scammed Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed a bill that would help prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed out of their hard-earned money. The Adults’ Security and Safeguards from Exploitations in Transactions Act passed by a vote of 8-3. “Rapidly changing technology has increased elder fraud by 46-percent, which has had devastating consequences on older Coloradans who have spent their whole lives building up their savings,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver. “Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions are well-positioned to notice when a withdrawal or transfer looks suspicious, allowing them to step in when they think their client is being scammed. Our bill fights back against financial exploitation, protecting Coloradans from being scammed out of their hard-earned money.” “Scams are more sophisticated than they have ever been before. Scammers specifically target seniors, who often live on a fixed income, costing them nearly $75 million in 2024 alone,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “We believe that taking the extra time to examine suspicious banking activity could be the difference that protects Coloradans' money. This bill would not only protect vulnerable Coloradans from fraud, but it would also help prevent fraud by improving education around scams.” HB26-1110 , the Adults’ Security and Safeguards from Exploitations in Transactions Act (ASSET Act), would help prevent older Coloradans and other vulnerable people from being defrauded by scammers. Under the bill, bank and credit union professionals would notify authorities and could pause transactions for additional review if they have reason to believe that their client is the victim of financial exploitation. The bill would also offer legal protection for these professionals if their action, or failure to act, was in good faith. In 2024, Coloradans aged 60 years old and older reported losing over $74 million to scams. They were also the age group that experienced the most scams. With 3,125 Coloradans experiencing fraud, the average amount lost per scam was almost $24,000 per person. In 2025, Colorado Democrats passed a law , also sponsored by Rep. Jackson, that protects Coloradans from scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks, which target the elderly and other vulnerable populations. The law established a transaction limit of $2,000 per day for new customers and $10,500 for existing customers to help limit the amount of money that scammers can steal. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2021 RICKS, GONZALES-GUTIERREZ TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE EDUCATOR DIVERSITY DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Reps. Naquetta Ricks and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to promote diversity in Colorado’s educator workforce on second reading. “Colorado’s student population is growing more and more diverse by the year, and our educator workforce hasn’t kept up,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver (Northside). “We know how impactful it can be for young students of color to see their own backgrounds and identities reflected in their role models, and this bill will start us on a path toward ensuring that’s the case for every child in our state. As a product of public education myself, I understand exactly how impactful this bill will be.” “I firmly believe that education is the key to a bright future, but I know first hand how difficult it can be to chart your own path to success when none of your teachers look like you,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “I want to ensure that all of Colorado’s students have the opportunity to learn from educators who look like them and share their backgrounds. This bill will examine the barriers we face and will get us closer to that goal in the near future. A vibrant, diverse workforce is good for students, good for educators, and good for Colorado.” HB21-1010 would create a workgroup that would research ways to prepare, retain, and recruit diverse educators and make recommendations to the Senate and House Education Committees. The Department of Higher Education and the Department of Education would choose members of the workgroup, which must include a diverse group of representatives from relevant agencies and organizations as specified in the bill. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2022 SCHOOL SAFETY AND STUDENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BILLS ADVANCE DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed four bills to boost school safety and improve student access to behavioral health services. “These bills continue our important work to improve school safety, expand access to behavioral health care for students and prepare our students for success,” said Rep. Tony Exum D-Colorado Springs. “This bill gives our public schools the resources they need to make classrooms and school spaces safer by protecting school grounds. It also extends the successful I Matter program, which is currently offering free mental health counseling sessions to Colorado youth across the state.” HB22-1243 , which passed committee unanimously, would invest $14 million toward improving the security and safety of public schools and is part of Colorado Democrat’s Public Safety Package. This bill allocates $6 million to the School Security Disbursement Program over two years, which will be reauthorized by HB22-1120. Based on recommendations of the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force, it also puts $2 million in ARPA funding toward the behavioral health care professional matching grant program and $6 million towards extending the popular I Matter program beyond its scheduled repeal in June 2022. This investment will pave the way to serve youth with free counseling sessions for another two years. “For years, we’ve been working to take a multi-pronged approach to improve school safety that includes both increased access to behavioral health and critical investments in our schools,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City), former chair of the 2019 School Safety Interim Committee. “Extending the I Matter program is the right move. Colorado students across the state are taking advantage of free counseling sessions. I’m proud of each and every young person who has bravely participated in the I Matter program, and I hope by extending the program we can reach even more youth statewide.” Three additional school safety bills also passed the House Education Committee unanimously. HB22-1120 , sponsored by Representatives Kevin Van Winkle and Patrick Neville would reauthorize and make updates to the School Security Disbursement Program, which provides grants for schools to install monitoring equipment and security systems at entrances and exits. Grants can also be used for school emergency response training and student threat assessment training for all school staff. HB22-1274 , sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Colin Larson, would continue the Colorado Interagency Working Group on School Safety, a 14-member group dedicated to enhancing school safety through the cost-effective use of public resources, which is currently set to expire on September 1, 2022. If passed, this bill would continue the group’s work indefinitely. HB22-1275 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Colin Larson, would continue the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board which helps in providing resources, training and technical assistance to foster safe and secure learning environments as well as early intervention to prevent crisis situations. The board is set for repeal on September 1, 2022. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2022 COLORADO MOVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO UNIVERSAL PRE-K! DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota and Speaker Alec Garnett to create the Department of Early Childhood and deliver universal preschool to Colorado kids that will save families money and prepare our youngest students for success. “Decades of research shows that early childhood education is critical for our kids and is one of the most effective tools we have to set up the next generation of Coloradans to thrive,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “This thoughtful proposal, which relies on collaboration with local communities and a broad array of providers, was unanimously approved by the Early Childhood Leadership Commission. Coming in 2023, every four year-old in Colorado can start free high quality preschool that will lay the foundation for a childhood full of learning.” “Universal preschool is going to save families money and prepare our youngest learners for success,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Early childhood education gives kids a leg up and sets the foundation for years of learning. With this legislation, we’re creating a one-stop-shop where every family can access 10 free hours of quality preschool. Colorado families have said loud and clear that they need more early childhood options, and I’m proud to say we’re delivering on our promise to create universal preschool in Colorado.” HB22-1295 establishes the Department of Early Childhood to elevate early childhood education and ensure early childhood care is easy to navigate for Colorado families. The bill will make universal preschool a reality for hardworking families, parents and kids. The new Department of Early Childhood will streamline the early childhood system, making it easier for families to find and access providers by creating a single application for early childhood programs. The program will provide 10 hours per week of free, high-quality preschool to every child the year before entering kindergarten starting in the 2023 school year, saving families thousands of dollars. The legislation supports mixed delivery preschool options, prioritizing quality, and respecting parent choice, while strengthening and supporting local infrastructure to best serve each community’s individual needs. Speaker Garnett and Representative Sirota sponsored legislation in 2020 that established a unified early childhood system after voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition EE by a two to one margin to provide voluntary, high-quality preschool to Coloradans. The legislation is based on recommendations from early childhood education community leaders, parents, and providers that received unanimous approval from the Early Childhood Leadership Commission . Previous Next

< Back September 14, 2020 BILLS TO SUPPORT HARDWORKING COLORADANS AND HELP OUR STATE PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES GO INTO EFFECT DENVER, CO — 126 new laws passed during the 2020 legislative session will go into effect today, including laws to help Coloradans succeed professionally and academically and laws to ensure that our state is prepared to deal with the crises we face today and those that may occur in the future. “Despite a budget crisis, an interrupted session, and a global pandemic, we accomplished a great deal for the people of Colorado this year,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “From giving rural economies the boost they need to persevere through COVID and beyond, to creating professional and educational opportunities for Colorado’s young people, we worked to make real change for real people this year. I’m proud that the bills going into effect today will make us better prepared to respond to the changing needs and challenges facing our people.” “This year has taught us that we can’t always plan for the issues we’ll have to face in the future, but we can certainly do our best to set ourselves up for success,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “I’m proud that by making it easier to access wildfire risk mitigation grants and donate food to those who need it most, as well as giving our troops a pay raise when they support us in the toughest of times, we’re helping to make Colorado even more resilient in the years to come.” New laws to deal with the crises facing our state, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-present threat of wildfires are going into effect today: Representatives Tony Exum, Sr.’s bipartisan SB20-091 , which would increase the minimum daily pay for state military forces when they are called to serve during emergencies. SB20-090 , sponsored by Representatives Daneya Esgar and Brianna Titone, which allows food pantries to expand their sources for goods by allowing food donations from correctional facilities and agricultural producers. Representative Julie McCluskies bipartisan HB20-1057 , which makes it easier for lower-income communities, nonprofits and fire districts to receive wildfire risk mitigation grants. As Colorado families continue to adjust to the new normal of working from home and online classes, Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bipartisan SB20-126 will expand and improve access to childcare for Coloradans by ensuring that homeowner associations can’t prohibit the operation of a licensed family child care facility so long as the facility complies with other HOA regulations applicable to all residents. Among the bills going into effect today are several laws to support rural Colorado recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the lingering effects of the last recession: HB20-1003 , the bipartisan bill sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts, will expand on the successful Rural Jump-Start program to help boost economic development in rural Colorado. SB20-002 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Bri Buentello, strengthens and cements the successful Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) to ensure that the program continues and make improvements to spur rural economies. The bipartisan HB20-1137 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie, helps small rural communities get the resources they need to develop and establish broadband technology, which is even more important amidst the pandemic. Many big ticket items from the 2020 legislative session will go into effect today, including: The Crown Act , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Janet Buckner, which seeks to prevent discrimination on the basis of hairstyle. HB20-1031 , Representative Adrienne Benavidez and Kyle Mullica’s bill to replace Columbus Day with a new state holiday honoring Frances Xavier Cabrini. The new holiday will be celebrated later this year on October 5. Lastly, three major bills to expand professional opportunities and help all Coloradans succeed become effective today: Two bills sponsored by Representative Tom Sullivan, SB20-081 and SB20-120 , will improve apprenticeship programs and make it easier for students to access and complete these apprenticeships, leading them to greater opportunities and good, well-paying jobs in the future. SB20-006 , the bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp, will expand access to higher education for Colorado’s students by improving and bolstering the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI). The full list of bills and their effective dates can be found on page viii of the 2020 legislative digest . Previous Next

HB23-1272 saves Coloradans money with more than $60 million in annual tax credits and exemptions to businesses and consumers for decarbonization investments < Back April 6, 2023 Clean Energy Tax Incentives Win Committee Approval HB23-1272 saves Coloradans money with more than $60 million in annual tax credits and exemptions to businesses and consumers for decarbonization investments DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans’ and businesses money by expanding tax incentives for clean transportation, heat pumps, geothermal energy, and industrial emissions reductions. This bill is part of a broader legislative package to incentivize the advancement and adoption of clean energy technologies that build upon federal initiatives to maximize Colorado’s ability to benefit from federal funds, create good-paying jobs and help the state meet its climate goals. “This monumental legislation is pivotal in helping Colorado reach its climate goals while significantly lowering energy costs for businesses and families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “From e-bikes and electric vehicles, to geothermal heating and cooling systems, this bill shepherds clean energy tax incentives to improve our air quality and save Coloradans money. We’re committed to investing in innovative clean energy sources to power our economy and heat our buildings, and this bill builds upon federal investments to help Colorado utilize the latest technology to meet our climate goals and transition to more sustainable energy sources .” “Our bill makes it easier for Coloradans to implement some of the impressive clean energy tools and technologies that not only save them money, but bring us closer to reaching Colorado’s climate goals,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “This bill offers consumers significant tax credits to reduce the cost of electric vehicles, prioritizes incentives for clean energy sources, and will attract new businesses to create good-paying jobs. This bill is good for consumers, businesses, the economy and our planet.” Tax Incentives to Advance Decarbonization : HB23-1272 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3. This bill would reduce the costs of clean energy technologies for residents and businesses across Colorado through tax incentives. This includes incentives for investments in geothermal electricity development and high-efficiency heat pumps, and for measures to reduce industrial pollution. It would also extend and expand tax credits for electric trucks and passenger vehicles and discounts on electric bikes to help increase adoption of cleaner transportation methods. Specifically, this bill builds upon the federal incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Job Acts to help Colorado maximize the impact of federal dollars. Tax incentives in HB23-1272 are expected to exceed $60 million with individual elements ramping up or down over time depending on available technologies. The bill: Extends and expands the innovative motor vehicle tax credits and creates an additional $2,500 credit for certain electric passenger vehicles. Continues the innovative truck tax credit for electric and plug-in hybrid electric trucks, with the credit ranging between $5,000 and $12,000 depending on the truck’s weight until 2032. Creates a refundable income tax credit for the sale of qualifying e-bikes if the retailer offers a $700 discount to the customer. Designs a refundable income tax credit for the installation of heat pump technology in residential and nonresidential buildings. The credits will vary based on the type and use of the heat pump. Establishes the refundable industrial clean energy tax credit to implement greenhouse gas emissions reductions at qualifying large facilities. Creates the refundable sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility tax credit worth up to $1-5 million annually for the costs of constructing a SAF production facility. Previous Next

On August 7, two laws to support rural health care and increase the availability of telehealth services in rural and underserved areas will go into effect. < Back August 2, 2024 New Laws to Support Rural Health Care, Increase Availability of Telehealth Services Go Into Effect DENVER, CO – On August 7, two laws to support rural health care and increase the availability of telehealth services in rural and underserved areas will go into effect. SB24-055 , sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, improves access to behavioral health care in rural Colorado by creating a new Agricultural and Rural Community Behavioral Health program that will work to better connect farmers, ranchers, and their families to behavioral health care. The program will partner with the Behavioral Health Administration, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and stakeholders to work directly with behavioral health care providers and liaisons to provide support to agricultural industry workers and communities throughout Colorado. “Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and their families are struggling to get the behavioral health care they urgently need, and the results have been disastrous,” said Marchman. “Everyone deserves to have behavioral health care created by and for their own communities. This new law will bolster our ongoing efforts to close the rural mental health gap, and ultimately help save lives across our state.” “Coloradans living in rural and mountain communities, like mine, deserve access to high-quality health care – including mental and behavioral health care,” said Lukens. “We’re taking steps to expand mental health care support for our farmers and ranchers in their communities. Mental health matters in every corner of our state, and this new law will improve access, outreach, and connection for our farmers and ranchers to receive the behavioral health care they need.” Also sponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle and Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, SB24-055 establishes a working group and centralizes existing grant programs within the Colorado Department of Agriculture to better address the root causes of behavioral health issues in rural and agricultural communities. Farmers, ranchers and those in the agriculture industry currently rank fourth in the state for the highest suicide rate. This law aims to connect farmers and ranchers with tailored behavioral health care resources. Sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, SB24-168 d irects the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to reimburse the use of telehealth remote monitoring for outpatient services for Medicaid patients and provide coverage for continuous glucose monitoring devices. Also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, the new law creates a grant program to assist rural and shortage area providers in obtaining remote telehealth monitoring equipment. Funds from the grant program could also be used for training staff on utilizing remote monitoring equipment. “Expanding access to health care is critical, especially in our rural and mountain communities,” said McCluskie. “Members of my family live with diabetes, and continuous glucose monitors have made living with this disease better for all of us and ensured strong health outcomes for my husband. To help ensure everyone has access to the health care they need when they need it, our law works to expand and encourage telehealth options. This new law also establishes a grant program to help our hospitals and providers implement telehealth technology and better serve our community members.” “Coloradans in my district know firsthand how challenging and expensive it can be to access critical health care services,” said Roberts. “During my time in the legislature, I’ve worked hard to deliver high-quality, affordable health care services to underserved and rural areas and this law expands access to remote health services and continuous glucose monitors, which have proven to be successful at ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right place, at the right time and save so much money in the long-run.” “For many of the residents living in my district, the nearest hospital is miles and miles away, making it hard to receive high-quality health care when they need it,” said Martinez. “This law expands telehealth services into rural and underserved communities like mine so everyone can access the treatment and care needed to live a healthy life. Our bipartisan law also creates a rural-specific grant program to help our health care providers locate and implement telehealth remote monitoring technology in their practice.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed bipartisan legislation into law to establish a framework for age attestation on digital platforms. < Back June 4, 2026 ICYMI: Paschal, Ricks Bill to Protect Children Online Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed bipartisan legislation into law to establish a framework for age attestation on digital platforms. “In an era where children are given phone access at a young age, it is crucial that we strengthen online protections to keep children safe,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “We have protections in place to prevent targeted advertising and profiling of minors online, but without accurate age attestation, it is difficult to deploy these protections. Our new law creates guidelines around age data collection to apply age-appropriate protections for minor users while ensuring that third-party companies cannot get their hands on this information.” “From social media platforms to game apps, this law helps create a safer online environment for Colorado children,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “In today’s world, it is nearly impossible to prevent children from accessing the internet. This law helps online platforms accurately apply protections based on the age of the user, giving parents another tool to protect their children online.” SB26-051 establishes a framework for operating systems to send age bracket information to apps without requiring users to submit sensitive personal identification documents. The law requires an operating system provider to collect an account holder’s age or birth date upon account set-up and translate that information into certain age brackets. These operating system providers must share the age bracket information with application developers to help them determine the age range of the user, including whether the user is a minor. These operating system providers and app developers are not allowed to share this age data with third-party companies, or to collect any data not directly related to determining age range. SB26-051 also establishes penalties for non-compliance, including up to $2,500 for negligent violations and $7,500 for intentional violations for each impacted minor. The Colorado Privacy Act was created in 2021 to improve data privacy protections. The law allows people to opt out of data collection on websites and requires companies to be transparent about the data they collect. It also enhanced these protections for minor users, requiring data controllers to be sensitive to data processing, targeted advertising and profiling of minors. Previous Next

Legislation creates a bipartisan commission to identify long-term solutions to rising property taxes < Back November 28, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Develop Long-Term Property Tax Solutions DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, that creates a bipartisan commission to develop long-term solutions to rising property taxes in Colorado. HB23B-1003 creates the Commission on Property Tax to outline plans for long and short-term property tax relief and to evaluate property tax ballot initiatives filings for the 2024 election. The bipartisan Commission includes legislators, county commissioners from across the state, a property tax administrator and different local government, business, and community leaders representing constituencies impacted by property tax revenue. The goal of HB23B-1003 is to map out potential long-term solutions to property taxes that have been rising since Coloradans voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. “Steep property tax increases over the past several years have hit Colorado homeowners hard, especially economically vulnerable folks like seniors and those on fixed incomes,” Fenberg said. “The legislation we passed during the special session delivers meaningful short-term relief, but this is not a short-term problem. We’re committed to working in a bipartisan way to find long-term, comprehensive solutions to address property taxes in Colorado, and this task force ensures we’ll do so hand in hand with partners across the state.” “I’m proud of the responsible property tax relief we delivered for Coloradans this special session and look forward to more long-term solutions that will make our state more affordable,” said Snyder. “The task force, outlined in my legislation, will be composed of bipartisan local and statewide leaders and will develop ongoing short-term and long-term solutions to rising property taxes. Everyone deserves to thrive in their communities, and this law is an important step forward in our mission to create a Colorado everyone can afford.” “Democrats have worked hard to meet the moment and answer the Governor’s special session call by delivering short-term property tax relief to Coloradans,” said Mullica. “Steep property tax increases have stretched families’ budgets for several years now, and if we don’t find a long-term solution it’s only going to get worse. That’s why I’m working on legislation that will convene a bipartisan Commission made up of balanced representation to develop long-term, transformational solutions to rising property taxes that will make Colorado more affordable in the years to come.” Under HB23B-1003, the Commission will convene by the week of December 18, 2023, and deliver an initial report to the General Assembly and Governor by March 15, 2024. Previous Next

Two new laws go into effect on August 7. HB24-1267 creates clear policies and procedures for metropolitan districts to abide by, improving accountability and consistency when enforcing their policies on homeowners. HB24-1337 protects homeowners’ association (HOA) residents against having to pay excessive attorney fees that can result from enforcement actions against unit owners and creates new safeguards against foreclosure. < Back August 1, 2024 New Laws to Protect Homeowners in Metro Districts, Prevent HOA Foreclosures Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - Two new laws go into effect on August 7. HB24-1267 creates clear policies and procedures for metropolitan districts to abide by, improving accountability and consistency when enforcing their policies on homeowners. HB24-1337 protects homeowners’ association (HOA) residents against having to pay excessive attorney fees that can result from enforcement actions against unit owners and creates new safeguards against foreclosure. “Metro districts are a tool used to help keep up with the increasing demand for housing in our communities, and we must ensure that homeowners in these districts are protected from preventable foreclosures and hefty legal fees when conflict arises,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1267 and HB24-1337. “Like HOAs, metro districts may conduct design review and covenant enforcement, unfortunately leading to some homeowners being foreclosed on due to fines and fees over decisions like the material used for their roof. Our new laws will encourage metro districts and homeowners to work together to settle disputes to avoid unnecessary foreclosures and ensure that Coloradans won’t be on the hook for paying exorbitant attorneys fees racked up by HOAs.” “Keeping families housed is a key priority of mine,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1267 and HB24-1337. “A lack of transparency and confusing, hard-to-follow rules in metro districts and HOAs alike can saddle homeowners with large fines and make it hard for folks to stay in their homes. These new laws will give homeowners greater agency and protection from foreclosure to keep more Colorado families housed.” “Housing affordability is a serious issue for Coloradans. Foreclosures due to unreasonable HOA repayment requirements threaten housing security for thousands of families,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1267 and HB24-1337. "Our law will create a right of redemption, allowing Colorado homeowners the right to purchase the property back rather than watching their home and hard-earned equity go to the highest bidder for pennies on the dollar. Another law also goes into effect that will require greater transparency from metro districts when they enforce their policies on residents, preventing homeowners from having their house foreclosed on due to unpaid fines and fees resulting from covenant enforcement, keeping Coloradans housed.” “Metro districts can be an important tool in helping create more badly-needed housing for our communities – but too often homeowners in metro districts face entirely preventable foreclosures,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1267. “By creating more avenues for dispute resolution and creating clearer rules and practices, we can help ensure a fair process for foreclosures and keep more of our neighbors in their homes.” Beginning August 7, 2024, HB24-1267 prohibits a metro district from foreclosing on a lien based on a resident’s delinquent fees or other charges owed to the metro district. It will also require metro districts to create rules and guidelines that they must comply with when conducting covenant enforcement and design review, including establishing a fair process that gives an owner notice and an opportunity for a hearing. HB24-1267 also protects residents’ property rights by allowing them to display flags and signs, modify their property to accommodate a person with a disability, park an emergency vehicle in a driveway, remove vegetation for fire mitigation purposes, use a rain barrel, operate a family child care home or install renewable energy devices such as solar panels. Currently, homeowners associations (HOAs) can require a homeowner to reimburse the HOAs for collection costs and attorney fees without starting a legal proceeding. HB24-1337 would limit the reimbursement amount for attorney fees to 50 percent of the underlying payment owed or $5,000, whichever is less. The bill also prohibits foreclosing on a lien if the homeowner is in a bankruptcy civil action or if the homeowner is in compliance with a payment plan to pay off the collection owed. It also requires the HOA to take specific actions before foreclosing on a home, ensuring foreclosure is the last resort. “Home ownership is supposed to create generational wealth, but right now the housing crisis is creating generational debt,” said Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1337. “This law helps ensure HOA foreclosure is a last resort while lowering legal costs and providing Coloradans with the opportunity to buy back their property and stay in their communities. It’s a great step to improving financial and housing stability in Colorado.” The law also creates a right of redemption for properties in an HOA that have been foreclosed on, which would allow unit owners, tenants, nonprofits, community land trusts, and other entities the opportunity to purchase the property before it is transferred, which will help keep wealth in families and communities. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English into law to prevent physical violence in a child care or public school setting. < Back April 20, 2023 Signed! English Bill to Improve Safety and Well-Being of Colorado Kids DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English into law to prevent physical violence in a child care or public school setting. “It’s a surprise to many that Colorado law does not already protect children from being physically disciplined by educators or school personnel,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs . “Corporal punishment can negatively impact physical and mental health, lead to poor educational outcomes, and cause an increase in violence and trauma in our children. Governor Polis signed my bill into law, so parents can have peace of mind that the safety and mental health of their children in schools are at the forefront of our mission in Colorado and that children will not be subjected to corporal punishment, but a high-quality education they deserve.” HB23-1191 would prohibit an employee or volunteer in a public school, state-licensed child care center, family child care home, or a specialized group facility from using corporal punishment on a child under their care. With this bill, corporal punishment would include willfully causing the infliction of physical pain on a child. The bill passed the House by a vote of 48-16. Previous Next