Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts. < Back June 2, 2025 Gov Signs Duran, Hinrichsen Bill to Crack Down on Gun Theft DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts. “Whether a gun costs $100 or $10,000, it can cause tragic, irreversible loss, and the penalty for firearm theft should be the same across the board,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats have passed numerous bills to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands, but firearm theft acts as a loophole to these gun violence prevention measures and threatens the safety of our communities. Our bipartisan law ensures that the price of the weapon does not dictate the penalty of the crime, helping drive down gun violence and address the epidemic of firearm theft.” “One of my top priorities as an elected official has been to pass legislation that ensures every Coloradan can live in a safe and thriving community,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Firearm theft of any kind increases the risk of violent crime for everyone, and we must do more to prevent such crimes before they occur. This bipartisan policy has been a multi-year effort, and I’m proud that this year we were able to get it across the finish line and see HB1062 signed into law.” Currently, the penalty for firearm theft can range from a petty offense to a class 2 felony, depending on the value of the stolen firearm. HB25-1062 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, will make theft of any firearm a class 6 felony. Over 3,500 firearms were stolen in Colorado between 2019 and 2023. It is reported that 70-percent of those firearms were recovered, and criminal charges were filed.Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, including laws to require gun owners to report when their firearm has been lost or stolen and properly store their firearms when not in use, including in their vehicles . The legislature also cracked down on “ghost guns” to keep unregulated, untraceable firearms out of our communities. This year, Colorado Democrats passed a law to help firearm dealers identify firearms that have been reported lost or stolen or involved in a criminal investigation. Previous Next

On August 7, three new laws will go into effect to strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events, crack down on predatory towing, and improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers. < Back July 30, 2024 New Laws Go Into Effect to Boost Consumer Protections for Event Tickets, Predatory Towing and Improve Gig Worker Rights DENVER, CO - On August 7, three new laws will go into effect to strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events, crack down on predatory towing, and improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers. “Colorado is home to many great live music venues and multiple professional sports teams, and this consumer protection law will help prevent Coloradans from being taken advantage of by bad actors,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This law guarantees refunds for canceled events, ensures actual all-in prices are advertised and bans deceptive website sales to clarify consumer rights and protections in the ticket industry. We’re creating a Colorado that better serves consumers so they can fully enjoy their favorite events, from Nuggets games to Taylor Swift concerts.” “For too long, bad actors have made the ticket purchasing process overly complicated and difficult to navigate,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This year, I was proud to champion the effort to bring greater transparency to the ticket buying process and improve the experience for Colorado consumers. This new law will help Coloradans attend the concerts and sporting events they love with more ease and peace of mind.” “Unfortunately, most Coloradans have had negative experiences with the ticket industry that make it more difficult for them to attend concerts and professional sports games,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1378. “As a resident of downtown Denver, I know how important our local sports teams and big concert events are to local businesses. Our legislation will bolster protections for consumers, making ticket-buying a more secure process so Coloradans can feel better about their purchases.” HB24-1378 , also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, requires ticket sellers and resellers to guarantee refunds to ticket buyers and prohibits an operator from denying entry to ticket holders who purchased the ticket through a reseller. This new law expands what constitutes a deceptive trade practice, including: Displaying trademarked, copyrighted, or substantially similar web designs, URLs, or other images and symbols with the intent to mislead a purchaser, Selling a ticket to an event without disclosing the total cost of the ticket, or Increasing the price of a ticket after the ticket has been selected for purchase, except for adding delivery fees. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that additional fees on event tickets average 27 to 31 percent of the ticket’s price. HB24-1051 improves oversight, transparency and fairness in the towing industry in Colorado. Specifically, this law ends the practice of towing carriers patrolling, monitoring or policing properties to enforce parking restrictions on behalf of property owners. It also directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to promulgate new rules for towing carriers, including requiring carriers to disclose additional information necessary for effective oversight and meaningful reporting, beginning September 1, 2025. “Leveling the playing field amongst towing companies and everyday Coloradans is essential, and that begins with dismantling some of the financial incentives for towing companies,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB24-1051. “While the Towing Bill of Rights laid a strong foundation to protect vehicle owners, we’re doing more to improve transparency within the towing industry and prohibiting predatory towing companies from patrolling parking lots to look for vehicles to profit on. Today, we’re putting consumers first by requiring property owners to authorize residential non-consensual tows, outlining more guardrails for towing carries and making sure vehicles towed illegally are returned to the owner within 48 hours at no cost.” “When my car was wrongfully towed last summer, it showed me how the laws we had in place were being ignored and weren’t strong enough. Since then, I’ve heard from countless Coloradans who have shared their experiences as well, which was the reason to come back to the table and further strengthen Colorado’s Towing Bill of Rights,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1051. “It all worked out for me in the end, but you shouldn’t have to be a senator or know the law forward and backward just to be treated fairly. This legislation ensures towing companies aren’t hiding the ball when it comes to telling people their options and rights under the law. My hope is that with this law, we can better protect consumers and hold towing carriers responsible for following the law.” “Imagine waking up to find, through no fault of your own, that your vehicle has been towed – this is an unfortunate reality for many in our state,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB24-1051. “Our legislation works to break down financial incentives for predatory towing practices, specifically patrolling parking lots, and drastically improves consumer protections. Under this law, if a vehicle is illegally towed, the towing company will have to make it right by returning the vehicle within 48 hours at no cost to the owner. To ensure we’re leveling the playing field between Coloradans and towing companies, this law also outlines new rules for towing carriers to create a better state for us all.” “Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to improve consumer protections in the towing industry and for TNC drivers,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, sponsor of HB24-1051 and SB24-075. “In the years since, we’ve learned that we need to do more to ensure that towing companies are actually following the law as intended and that drivers have the transparency they deserve. I was proud to sponsor these laws that make much needed updates to our Towing Bill Rights and provide drivers with essential details about their work like pay and destination – both of which ensure greater fairness for Coloradans.” Importantly, HB24-1051 changes the incentive structure for towing companies by requiring the property owner to authorize non-consensual tows. Unauthorized vehicles will still be towed at the expense of the vehicle owner. Another portion of the law aims to ramp up consumer protections by requiring companies to return a wrongfully towed vehicle to the original location within 48 hours and at no charge to the vehicle owner, and improving parking lot signage to explain towing regulations clearly in both English and Spanish. The law also makes it a deceptive trade practice to conduct a non-consensual tow in violation of the law. In an effort to improve long-term transparency in the towing industry, HB24-1051 allows the PUC to suspend or revoke a towing carrier permit in certain circumstances and the law addresses conflicts of interest for members of the Towing Task Force . Gig work has risen over the last decade, but many workers struggle to make ends meet or plan for their financial future due to the volatile nature of their earnings and unjust terminations. SB24-075 addresses a number of issues gig workers and consumers face by requiring the following: Companies must disclose terms and grounds for termination or deactivation of drivers and communicate the reconsideration process; Companies must disclose the fare, distance, and direction to all drivers before they accept a ride, which can prevent last-minute ride cancellations initiated by drivers; Companies must disclose fare information to customers, including the total amount paid and how much of that the driver received; and Companies must disclose some ride and app activity-related information to the state of Colorado, such as total mileage driven, deactivations and reconsideration results, and more. “Gig workers deserve to know how much they will get paid before they accept a job, and this law will give them better clarity so they can make informed workplace decisions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-075. “This law improves gig workers’ rights while providing much-needed transparency to consumers so they know what their money is paying for.” “All workers deserve to know how much they get paid and what their job entails, but currently rideshare and delivery gig workers aren’t given that information,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-075. “Our new law gives basic rights to TNC drivers and provides much-needed transparency for customers.” “The gig economy has exploded in recent years, and we are addressing the lack of worker protections and consumer transparency to ensure fair wages and autonomy,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-075 . “This law aims to address these issues by requiring companies to disclose the distance, direction, and fare of a ride to drivers before they accept it and share fare information with customers so they know how much of their rideshare is going to their driver. Without this information, drivers and customers are left in the dark and are vulnerable to being over-charged or underpaid.” The law aims to provide transportation network company drivers with transparent information about tasks and earnings, and customers with the information needed to make decisions about how much to tip. Additionally, it will protect drivers by giving them a basic level of transparency about how deactivations are considered and can be appealed. Previous Next

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate President James Coleman, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez today released the following joint statement after a prominent podcaster urged violence targeting public officials: < Back June 18, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: Joint Statement: Democratic Leadership Condemns Calls to Violence DENVER, CO– House Speaker Julie McCluskie, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate President James Coleman, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez today released the following joint statement after a prominent podcaster urged violence targeting public officials: We are appalled and deeply concerned by a prominent Colorado podcaster’s calls to violence last night. Political violence is never acceptable, and it is a growing cancer on our democracy. We have lost beloved friends and respected colleagues who dedicated their lives to public service and speaking up for what they believed in. In this country, we must resolve our differences through respectful dialogue, understanding and the political process– never violence. We stand together in steadfast opposition to rising violent rhetoric and threats that put people at risk, and we urge Coloradans from all parties in all corners of our state to join us in condemning these despicable comments. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. < Back February 6, 2024 Legislation to Bar the Use of “Excited Delirium” Passes House Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. “When law enforcement is engaging with someone they identify as being in a state of excited delirium, it can escalate an interaction and lead to devastating outcomes, especially for people experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “ Despite widespread skepticism among medical professionals about the validity of this diagnosis, it has been used to rationalize use of force. By prohibiting the use of this debunked diagnosis going forward, we can continue to focus on de-escalation strategies that lead to better outcomes for Coloradans. “More than 50 percent of people who have died in the custody of law enforcement with an ‘excited delirium’ diagnosis are people of color,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “As in the case of Elijah McClain in Aurora, ‘excited delirium’ has been used to justify excessive force against people of color during police encounters. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and while our legislation can’t save his life, I hope it will help prevent other Coloradans from not surviving the encounters they have with law enforcement.” HB24-1103 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, would prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. The bill would also bar the terms “excited delirium syndrome”, “hyperactive delirium”, “agitated delirium”, and “exhaustive mania”. Earlier this year, a 9NEWS investigation tied more than 225 deaths across the U.S. to use of the term, including the death of Elijah McClain in Colorado. His death in 2019 gained national attention when paramedics injected him with a lethal amount of ketamine after believing he exhibited “excited delirium.” The paramedics and a police officer involved in the incident have since been convicted of criminally negligent homicide. In December 2023, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board unanimously voted to remove the term “excited delirium” from training documents. Organizations like the American Medical Association, the National Association of Medical Examiners, and the American College of Emergency Physicians have spoken out against the term. California passed legislation last year to ban the term from being used on a law enforcement officer’s incident report, on a death certificate or autopsy report, and in testimony in civil court. Rep. Herod also sponsored a 2021 law that prohibits law enforcement from compelling, directing, or influencing a paramedic to administer ketamine. The law set forth strict requirements before a paramedic can administer ketamine in a prehospital setting. Previous Next

Colorado Democrats today highlighted three bills that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on price gouging for necessities, ‘junk fees’ that add hidden costs, and rent algorithms that drive up housing prices. < Back January 23, 2025 Colorado Democrats to Crack Down on Junk Fees, Price Gouging, and Rent Algorithms to Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - Colorado Democrats today highlighted three bills that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on price gouging for necessities, ‘junk fees’ that add hidden costs, and rent algorithms that drive up housing prices. “These bills get at the heart of the concerns Coloradans bring to their kitchen table. As lawmakers, we are not putting paychecks first or saving Coloradans money unless we take on the greedy corporations who openly brag about lining their pockets with record profits while regular people struggle to get by. Well we are here to say enough is enough,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1004 and cosponsor of HB25-1090. “As an eviction defense attorney, I’ve seen how algorithms can increase rents by thousands of dollars a year while price gouging and hidden fees drive up costs on housing and everyday items. Colorado Democrats are taking action to push back against corporate greed and strengthen consumer protections to save people money. Our legislation will require transparency about the true cost of products and crack down on unfair practices that inflate rent and grocery costs so working people can hold on to more of their hard-earned money." Lawmakers today unveiled new legislation that will be introduced later today to crack down on junk fees. “Pest control, garbage collection, and payment method fees can add hundreds of dollars in monthly costs for renters, yet they are often not disclosed upfront, especially in rental agreements,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1090. “Too many Coloradans are blindsided by these ‘junk fees’ and only find out about these mandatory fees when they’re checking out online or paying their first rental payment. I’m proud to announce that we’re introducing this bill after years of hard work to make prices more transparent, crack down on excessive fees, and save Coloradans money.” “This bill will save Coloradans money by requiring transparency, allowing consumers to compare prices, shop around, and make informed decisions about how to spend their hard-earned money,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB25-1090. “It's not okay for consumers to expect to pay one price, only to be hit with hidden fees at checkout. Addressing deceptive pricing practices protects consumers, builds trust, and puts money back in Coloradans’ pockets.” “Tackling the issue of ‘junk fees’ has been a top priority for me at the Capitol, and I am proud to sponsor this legislation to improve price transparency and help small businesses compete against major corporations,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1090. “This year, we’re cracking down on arbitrary ‘junk fees’ that inflate prices far exceeding the price as it was advertised. This bill will help both consumers and small businesses, saving Coloradans hundreds of dollars a month and making business owners who act in good faith more competitive in the market.” “COVID reminded us that sometimes corporate bad actors hide behind economic disruptions to jack up prices and rip off consumers,” said Sen. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1090 and HB25-1010. “The years since COVID have illustrated that Coloradans deserve transparency about their purchases and protections beyond just declared disaster emergencies. That’s why I’m proud to sponsor legislation to protect working Coloradans by cracking down on surprise ‘junk fees’ that add hidden costs and empowering the Colorado Attorney General to take action against corporations who hike up prices beyond what economic realities justify.” HB25-1090 would improve transparency in pricing and save Coloradans money by: Prohibiting pricing information for a good, service, of property being offered, displayed, or advertised unless the total price is disclosed, with the exception of a government or shipping charge, Prohibiting the misrepresentation of the nature or purpose of pricing information, Requiring the nature or purpose of pricing information to be disclosed for a good, service, or property that is not part of the total price, and Prohibiting a landlord for requiring a tenant to pay certain fees, charges, or amounts. On January 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a letter to Governor Polis to provide information about the efforts they have made to address junk fees and called for the passage of legislation like HB25-1090, that works to combat these unforeseen costs. The FTC and the Colorado Attorney General have announced they are taking action against the nation’s largest multi-family rental property managers for using deceptive advertising and failing to disclose recurring fees. HB25-1010 would prohibit price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries. In this bill, price gouging is defined as a price increase by 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good within 90 days. “Corporations have used inflation and market conditions as an excuse to increase profits for food, diapers, and other household necessities that are essential in Coloradans' day-to-day life,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25-1010. “We must prioritize people over profits. Corporate greed is hurting families in every corner of our state, which is why I’m sponsoring this bill to safeguard our families and ensure our groceries remain affordable.” “Everyone has noticed that grocery prices have gone up while inflation has cooled, which is deeply affecting Colorado families who are just trying to provide everyday necessities for their families,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB25-1010. “Food, diapers, and toothpaste are non-negotiables on the shopping list, and it’s immoral for bad actors to take advantage of rising costs due to inflation to significantly increase their profits and stock prices. Colorado Democrats will not stand by as bad actors profiteer off hardworking Coloradans and drive up costs for families.” A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food prices have increased by 28 percent since 2019, outpacing inflation. HB25-1004 would save Coloradans money by regulating how algorithms are used in establishing rent prices, including prohibiting consciously parallel pricing coordination between two or more landlords. Rent algorithms have been shown to add an average of $130 per month to rental rates in the Metro Denver area. “There is clear evidence that corporations are using algorithmic pricing schemes and collusion to jack up rent prices and line their pockets while hardworking people struggle to find affordable places to live,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1004. “Our communities sent us to the Capitol to solve the most pressing issues, and that means cracking down on egregious strategies that manipulate the market to charge renters more. This bill aims to prevent corporations from unjustly colluding to increase their profits on the backs of hardworking Coloradans that need every dollar in their paycheck to pay for groceries, medication, and child care.” “Coloradans are burdened by high rents, which make it harder to make ends meet and puts families at risk of losing their housing,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1004. “This bill will put an end to the algorithms that corporations use to artificially increase rents, allowing us to create a more equitable market and ensure more Colorado families can afford a safe place to call home.” “Colorado families are tired of paying an arm and a leg for rent, and third party companies selling algorithmic price setting products that enable corporate landlords to form a monopolistic trust are making the problem worse, to the tune of $1,300 per year,” said Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB25-1004. “We’re working hard this session to protect renters and address Colorado’s housing crisis. This bill will prevent landlords from using systems that lead to price fixing, and will help save Coloradans money on housing.” A recent report found that coordinated rents from algorithmic pricing increase rent prices by $136 per month for Denver renters. In January 2025, Colorado joined a federal lawsuit to sue six of the largest landlords in the US for participating in algorithmic pricing schemes that harm renters. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also joined a federal lawsuit in August 2024 against RealPage, Inc. for allegedly using illegal agreements with landlords to carry out a price-fixing scheme that has cost Coloradans millions of dollars in rent payments. Previous Next

< Back August 10, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS LAW CHAMPIONED BY STORY, ROBERTS GOES INTO EFFECT New law will help communities better prepare for dangerous wildfires DENVER, CO – A new law, championed by Senator Tammy Story, D-Conifer, and Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, to ensure Colorado communities have the resources necessary to prepare for future wildfires, went into effect today. Many remote communities in Colorado face wildfire risk, but lack the necessary resources to fight fires. As a result, some fire districts rely on local, remote ponds in emergencies to quickly refill water tanks and suppress small fires, but first responders are not always able to use remote ponds for firefighting. SB22-114 preserves critical fire suppression ponds and ensures that communities at risk of dangerous wildfires are equipped with the resources necessary to suppress fires and keep residents safe. “The threat of wildfires continues to grow, and it’s important that we’re as prepared as possible to handle them,” said Story. “We worked hard this year to help prevent wildfires while making sure our neighbors have the tools and resources they need to rebuild and recover. This new law is just one of many policies we passed that will help us prepare for future emergencies and keep our communities safe.” “These days in Colorado, wildfire season lasts year round, which means we have to be prepared to respond at any moment and give our brave first responders every possible tool they need to do their jobs,” said Roberts. “That is why I worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass this new law that will ensure firefighters have access to water to fight fires effectively and supported many efforts this year to add critical funding resources for wildfire prevention, mitigation, and response.” During the 2022 legislative session, Colorado Democrats passed several measures to support rebuilding efforts after disaster emergencies , improve insurance claims processes following wildfire disasters , and fund efforts to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires . SB22-206 establishes two programs to help communities recover and rebuild following disasters. It allocates $15 million to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments rebuilding after a disaster emergency, as well as $20 million to cover costs related to rebuilding more resilient and energy efficient homes and structures and $15.5 million for improved wildfire firefighting resources. Colorado Democrats also passed HB22-1379 , which invests $20 million in federal pandemic relief funds to prevent wildfires and conserve Colorado’s watersheds through mitigation, watershed restoration and flood mitigation grants. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES SET OF BILLS TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY (Apr. 16) – The House approved a set of bills to ensure Colorado’s children have more security and safety in the food they eat. HB19-1171 sponsored by Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, would expand school meal programs. Colorado currently pays a forty-cent copay on reduced price lunches for K-8 students through the School Lunch Protection Program. The bill would expand copay coverage through high school. “Too many young students in our state often face food insecurities, which affects their learning abilities. Fourteen percent of high school youth report going without lunch,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will break down barriers, end stigma and put our students on paths to success. We must ensure teens and students are provided every opportunity to learn and grow.” This legislation will remove the stigma and lunch shaming young students face at school when they are unable to afford meals. When students skip meals it affects their academic performance. Rep. Michaelson Jenet is the co-prime sponsor of a new law SB18-013 that expanded the school meal program to grades 6-8. HB19-1171 passed with a final vote of 45-19. It now heads to the Senate. Another bill, HB19-1132, sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, establishes a grant program in the department of education (CDE) to encourage providers that are entitled to federal money for lunches for students to purchase food products from Colorado growers, producers, and processors. “Giving incentives to our Colorado schools to use food grown in our state not only benefits the schools, but also supports our local farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Buentello. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 53-11 and now heads to the Senate. Finally, the House also approved HB19-1202, sponsored by Rep. Rochelle Galindo, D-Greeley, and Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. The bill advances recommendations that strengthen healthy food access for all Coloradans through Colorado agriculture and local food systems and economies. “Hardworking Coloradans and our most vulnerable should be able to access healthy foods no matter their zip-code,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “Leveraging the purchasing power of our school districts and health care systems will create more marketing connections with producers to strengthen our food system.” HB19-1202 will combine the existing Food System Advisory Council with the Farm to School Task Force and places the reconstituted Colorado Food System Advisory Council within Colorado State University. Through this, the university can also look at increasing and strengthening WIC and SNAP retailers as it relates to the access to and provision of healthy foods. “We need to find a way to increase access to healthy food while also investing in our local, regional, and state economies,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “This bill will help increase access to fresh, healthy food for our most vulnerable communities and find sustainable markets for Colorado farmers.” HB19-1202 passed on a final, bipartisan vote of 42-22 and now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back January 15, 2021 HEROD: WE CAN’T LET MINORITY-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES FALL FURTHER BEHIND DENVER, CO — The House today passed SB21-001 on Third Reading and final passage by a vote of 47-16. “To build back stronger, we have to do what we can to keep the small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic from falling further and further behind,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Colorado for All means every Coloradan has equal access to the relief and financial support they need for their distressed business, but that hasn’t been the case. This bill is aimed at achieving that goal by allocating funds to disproportionately impacted businesses, particularly those owned by people who have faced historic inequalities and lack access to capital or financial resources. This bill helps remedy some discriminatory systems and gives these businesses a chance to weather the economic consequences of this pandemic.” SB21-001,sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Shane Sandridge, R-El Paso County, would make minor tweaks to the COVID-19 small and minority business relief program that was established during last year’s special session. The legislation will help small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, especially minority owned businesses, receive timely relief through the program, which is being challenged in a lawsuit that is preventing release of the funds. Minority-owned businesses have not only been disproportionately impacted by the current pandemic, they have faced historic discrimination and barriers to success. For minority-owned businesses, accumulating capital, purchasing property, and starting a business have always been more difficult due to the long-lasting impacts of discriminatory systems that are only exacerbated by the pandemic. These disparities are the result of generations of discrimination through laws and practices that restrict employment and housing opportunities, and limit access to loans and banking, practices which continue today. A 2020 report from the Federal Reserve Banks of Kansas City and Atlanta found that people of color face persistent and structural barriers to acquiring capital, knowledge, and market access to start and grow their business. It found minority-owned small businesses have higher loan denials and interest rates and lower profit margins than their counterparts. Research from the Brookings Institution shows that the PPP program initially relied on traditional banks and disfavored Black and Latinx-owned businesses, blocking access to the program for many. Finally, the US Securities and Exchange Commission concluded that COVID-19 is more likely to negatively impact minority-owned businesses because they are more likely to be in industries and sectors vulnerable to the pandemic, with employees at Latinx and Black-owned businesses far less likely to be able to work from home compared with white-owned businesses. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2023 Bills to Combat Deforestation and Improvement Wildfire Evacuations Advance in the House DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to help our forests recover from deforestation and better prepare communities for evacuations following a wildfire or other disaster. “Wildfires have not only devastated Colorado families, ranches, and businesses, but they have also ravaged our forests and caused thousands of acres of deforestation,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer, sponsor of SB23-1060 . “We’re taking steps toward more effective forest restoration by using Colorado-grown nursery seedlings to reforest burned areas and build climate-resilient watersheds. Allocating funding to the Colorado State Forest Service Nursery will help mitigate the risk of wildfires, protect communities and preserve our water resources.” HB23-1060 updates and expands the operations of Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) Nursery to help them meet seedling trees and shrubs conservation demands and increase reforestation efforts. In Colorado, seedlings are used for burned forest restoration, creating climate-resilient watersheds and forests and enhancing carbon storage. $5 million was allocated toward the CSFS Nursery last year from HB22-1323 and additional funding would help complete the upgrades and expectations of shade house structures, improve seed storage and seedling processing, amongst other needs that will help meet growing demand. “While Colorado continues to build more homes to keep up with growing demand, we must consider wildfire risk and evacuation plans to ensure the safety of all Coloradans during an emergency,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of HB23-1075 . “By studying best practices for evacuations, we can gather data to implement effective policy to protect Coloradans from wildfire threats and other dangers to public safety. This bill will help ensure that evacuations are orderly and quick and that communities understand what they’re supposed to do when a major fire breaks out.” HB23-1075 requires the Office of Emergency Management to conduct a study to identify and assess the availability of technology to help with evacuation and clearance time modeling in local emergency management plans. The study will also evaluate the feasibility of requiring developers to perform evacuation and clearance time modeling for proposed developments in a wildfire rise area. The study must be completed by December 1, 2023 and the Department of Public Safety would be required to report the findings during the 2024 legislative session. Previous Next

< Back February 13, 2023 Bill Closes Corporate Tax Loophole to Boost Food Assistance and Small Businesses DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to close tax loopholes that allow wealthy corporations to deduct business meal and drink expenses from their taxable income in order to expand access to healthy foods in lower-income and under-served communities and help small food retailers and small family farms. It passed by a vote of 7-4. “Everyday Coloradans don’t get a tax break on their lunches, and neither should wealthy corporations,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D- Aurora. “Hard-working Coloradans are pinching pennies to feed their families while CEOs get a tax break on their ‘three martini’ lunches. One in three adults living with children have reported skipping meals or eating smaller portions so their kids have enough food to eat. This bill would close this tax loophole and use the savings to provide food assistance to under-served communities and support our local farmers and food producers.” Currently, Colorado taxpayers collectively cover the cost of the “business meals deduction” because state tax deductions are linked to federal tax deductions. HB23-1008 would “decouple” from these federal income tax deductions, ending the resulting state tax loophole that allows wealthy corporations to deduct business meal expenses from their taxes. Ending these tax deductions would create revenue to reduce food insecurity for hard-working Coloradans and fund a tax credit to help our local farmers and food retailers access necessary equipment and better access market opportunities. This bill builds off bipartisan legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2022 to save Coloradans money on healthy foods. It allocates $1 million annually to the Healthy Food Incentive Fund, which provides healthy eating incentives for low-income Coloradans and makes it easier for these communities to access fresh, local fruits and vegetables. The fund created by the 2022 legislation supports programs including the Community Nutrition Incentive Program, which assists women, children, and older Coloradans in subscribing to weekly produce deliveries from a local farm; the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which doubles the value of SNAP benefits in participating markets and stores for fruits and vegetables; and the Community Food Access program, which allows more small retailers to acquire equipment to store and sell produce and supports small family farms in connecting their crops to market demand. HB23-1008 also creates an income tax credit for small food retailers and small family farms to cover 75% of the cost of new systems and equipment. Partnering with Colorado farms and food producers boosts revenue and cycles money into local economies. The Double Up Food Bucks Program provides a 2.5% economic multiplier, putting more money into the pockets of Colorado farmers and the local agricultural industry and expanding access to healthy foods. Increased subscriptions means that local farmers can afford to expand their operations, grow varied produce, and improve farming equipment. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2022 BILL TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HYGIENE PRODUCTS PASSED HOUSE DENVER, CO – Legislation to eliminate the state tax on essential hygiene products including feminine hygiene products and diapers passed the House today on Third Reading by a vote of 50 to 13. HB22-1055, sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Leslie Herod, would create a tax exemption for all state sales and use taxes on feminine hygiene products and diapers. “We’re removing the tax on dignity and saving Coloradans money,” said Susan Lontine D-Denver . “By eliminating the sales tax hygiene products, including diapers and period products we’re making these products more affordable to everyone who uses them. These items are essential to many families in our state and making them more affordable just makes sense.” “Too many Coloradans are going without necessary hygiene products, and something needs to be done,” said Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Eliminating the sales and use tax on period products, diapers and incontinence products makes these products more accessible and saves Coloradans millions of dollars in the process. This bill also paves the way towards destigmatizing hygiene products, so everyone can feel comfortable and confident in their bodies.” HB22-1055 , would create a tax exemption for all state sales and use taxes on feminine hygiene products, diapers and incontinence products. If passed, specific hygiene products would join other tax exempt essentials like food and medicine. The current sales and use tax on essential products falls disproportionately on communities of color and older Coloradans with fixed incomes. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to support outdoor recreation and rural economies. < Back May 27, 2026 Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Outdoor Recreation Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to support outdoor recreation and rural economies. “In communities like mine, outdoor recreation drives the economy, bolsters our workforce and supports local businesses,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “With this bill being signed into law, we’re taking steps to balance outdoor recreation, wildlife and our natural resources so that future generations can enjoy them as we do. This law improves collaboration among key conservation efforts, agriculture, private landowners and other public land users to maximize the outdoor recreation potential of Colorado and protect our open spaces.” “No agency is better positioned to hold recreation and conservation together than Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” said Sen. Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “This law gives them the coordinating capacity to engage partners, collaborate with tribal governments, and deliver the kind of strategic, integrated management that keeps Colorado’s outdoors from being loved to death.” Colorado’s lands support a $65.8 billion outdoor recreation economy. HB26-1008 directs stewards of our lands to collaborate with stakeholders from all different land-use backgrounds, from wildlife and natural resource advocates to agricultural communities and private landowners. Specifically, this law formalizes Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) role in leading Colorado’s outdoors strategy to support conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience in the state. The goal of HB26-1008 is to proactively streamline planning and management so that the state can continue to provide high-quality experiences to all outdoor users. CPW manages 43 state parks and over 350 wildlife areas, covering roughly 900,000 acres in Colorado. As the lead coordinator, CPW will ensure outdoor recreation needs are well-represented in its leadership and increase coordination to anticipate and respond to potential conflicts. The strategy prioritizes integrating data and metrics from existing efforts, partnering with local and federal agencies, and shoring up state capacity in this area. Previous Next