SB26-040 updates the Prop 123 Affordable Homeownership Program to better meet families’ needs < Back June 23, 2026 Legislation to Create More Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to update the Affordable Homeownership Program created by voter-approved Proposition 123 will go into effect on July 1. SB26-040 , sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Representatives Katie Stewart, D-Durango, and Lesley Smith, D-Boulder, expands eligibility for qualified buyers and makes practical updates to serve every Colorado community and meet the reality of the 2026 housing market. “The Affordable Homeownership Program was designed in 2022, for a 2022 market with low interest rates and lower construction costs than what we see today,” said Amabile. “This new law updates the program to reflect today’s reality and provide the flexibility that Coloradans need. We’re taking a practical approach to make sure this program works as intended so more Colorado families can put down roots and achieve their dream of homeownership.” “This bipartisan law makes the Prop 123 Affordable Homeownership Program more responsive to the needs of our communities, especially in Colorado mountain towns like mine, where working people struggle to find affordable housing,” said Stewart. “When Colorado voters approved Prop 123, it created the Affordable Home Ownership Program to help first-time homebuyers with down payments and other financial assistance. This law, going into effect soon, makes crucial updates to the program to help more low- and middle-income Coloradans in rural areas qualify for homebuying assistance. “We’re expanding eligibility and flexibility for this Prop 123 program to deliver more housing assistance for hardworking Coloradans,” said Smith. “The Affordable Homeownership Program was created to help first-time homebuyers, especially to secure down payments. Unfortunately, interest rates and construction costs are higher than they were when the program was created. Our law makes necessary adjustments to the program so it can support Coloradans as intended and make homeownership a reality for more hardworking people.” The new law, also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, increases the allowable income threshold to qualify for the program to less than or equal to 120 percent of either the statewide Area Median Income (AMI) or the local AMI. This allows more people to qualify for the program, particularly in rural communities. Rising interest rates and insurance costs have also made it harder for Coloradans to meet the requirement that combined housing costs cannot exceed 35 percent of their income. The law raises that threshold to 38 percent for homebuyers receiving direct down payment assistance, and also creates a process to allow eligible organizations to seek a waiver of the housing cost limit entirely when a qualified buyer is not found after six months of advertising. Additionally, the law allows eligible organizations to temporarily rent units if they cannot be sold in a timely manner and creates more flexibility in the program rules. Beginning July 1, these updates will help ensure that the program is working as intended and serving as many Coloradans as possible. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 TIPPER-CARAVEO BILL TO CREATE 2020 CENSUS GRANT PROGRAM GOES TO GOVERNOR 2020 Census is at risk of being inaccurate (Apr. 29) – The House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Kerry Tipper and Rep. Yadira Caraveo that would create a committee to disperse funds around the state to ensure a complete count of all Coloradans across the state. The 2020 Census is underfunded and behind schedule. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. “I’m proud of the work that went into this bill because it’s critical that we count every person in Colorado, especially as our economy and population grows,” said Rep. Tipper, D-Lakewood. “Even a one percent undercount could result in the state losing out on over $630 million in transportation, healthcare and education funding.” Valid census data is tied to billions of dollars of federal funding allocations for Colorado. The state is estimated to receive over $1,480 per person annually from the federal government based on population numbers from the Census. Census dollars help fund transportation (public transit, road rehabilitation and construction); Head Start programs; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Nutrition Service, Health and human services programs, and more. “The census determines so much for Colorado, it impacts every level of government and our future and this bill will help us compete for valuable federal dollars,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “There’s billions of dollars at risk if we don’t get the count done right.” HB19-1239 creates an appointed bipartisan and diverse committee, administered by the Dept. of Local Affairs, to award grants to nonprofits and local governments to ensure a complete count across all of Colorado for the 2020 Census. HB19-1239 passed in the Senate by a vote of 20-14. It passed in the House by a vote of 40-24. Previous Next

< Back May 4, 2022 BIPARTISAN COMMUNITY SAFETY INVESTMENT ACT PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed two bipartisan bills that will improve public safety and prevent crime. “This legislation will address the rising crime we’re seeing in our communities and across the nation that has come as a result of the pandemic and the strain of the economic disruptions that followed,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “This bill focuses on proven strategies such as co-responder models and violence interruption programs to prevent crime before it happens and reduce recidivism. It also provides significant resources to law enforcement to recruit, train and retain a high quality, diverse workforce that reflects the communities they serve.” SB22-145 , the Community Safety Investment Act, is sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Perry Will. The bill will establish critical crime prevention programs and address workforce shortages in law enforcement. Research shows that crime prevention strategies that include collaboration between communities and local law enforcement are most effective. The bill will create three grant programs within the Department of Public Safety: The first grant program will provide $7.5 million over two years to community-based organizations and local law enforcement agencies to implement collaborative, data-driven intervention strategies such as co-responder programs, violence interrupter programs, early intervention teams, and restorative justice services in identified high-crime areas. The second grant program will provide law enforcement agencies with $3.75 million over two years to help recruit and retain staff, as well as improve training curriculums, including mental health training. The third grant program – the State’s Mission for Assistance in Recruitment and Training (SMART) policing grant – will provide $3.75 million over two years to help local law enforcement agencies recruit and train officers that better represent the communities they serve. The bill also establishes a front-end stakeholder crime prevention forum, and provides funding for oversight and administration within the Colorado Department of Public Safety which will administer the grant programs. It passed 8-3. “SB22-005 will help law enforcement departments recruit and retain qualified peace officers and will provide additional resources to help officers when they experience traumatic events,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “We’ve heard the tragic stories from officers who have witnessed horrific situations while serving their communities. It’s time we support them with the counseling services and peer support they need.” SB22-005 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Dan Woog, would direct $5 million to a program that helps law enforcement agencies retain and recruit qualified and trained POST-certified officers. The funding would expand access to behavioral health and counseling support for law enforcement officers to support peace officers and prevent peace officer suicide deaths. The bill passed 9-1. Previous Next

< Back February 12, 2020 BILL TO ABOLISH COLUMBUS DAY MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — The Colorado House today gave initial approval to a bill to eliminate state recognition of Columbus Day, a holiday named after the perpetrator of numerous crimes against humanity, and instead create a holiday that recognizes humanitarian Frances Xavier Cabrini. The new holiday would be the first state holiday named after a woman and would honor Cabrini’s tireless work on behalf of Colorado’s children. “Every year, for far too long, Columbus Day has brought pain to indigenous people in our state and around the country,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez (D-Adams County). “Today we took a step towards not only ending the pain caused by this holiday but also honoring Italian American icon Frances Xavier Cabrini. Cabrini Day would be the first state holiday in Colorado to honor a woman, and I’m proud that we are another step closer to making this a reality.” “We cannot continue to celebrate a man whose legacy causes so much pain and suffering to so many in our state,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn). “Holidays are a time to reflect on and celebrate the lives of great historical figures whose lives and values we would like to emulate. Columbus does not fit the bill and Francis Xavier Cabrini does; it’s as simple as that.” HB20-1031 would establish Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October as a state holiday. It would be a paid holiday for state employees, and the bill would remove state sanction of Columbus day, which occurs one week later. The holiday would recognize Cabrini’s humanitarian values and lifelong dedication to service, especially to the Italian American immigrant community, who faced discrimination and difficulty as they immigrated to America. She worked tirelessly to support the Italian-American community in the United States, including through several projects in Colorado. In 1904, Cabrini established Denver’s Queen of Heaven Orphanage for girls. In 1910, she founded a summer camp for the orphanage’s residents in Golden, Colorado. Currently, a shrine stands in her honor in the original location of the summer camp in Golden. The shrine includes the “Stone House”, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Columbus Day is one of the few holidays named after a person, and its continued existence perpetuates the pain and suffering he inflicted. He was responsible for the kidnapping, rape and murder of thousands. Over 50,000 indigenous people committed suicide rather than comply with his rule, and within two years of his landing in the Bahamas, over 125,000 people died, half the population. The bill aims to end the state sanctioned pain this holiday The bill passed on Second Reading this morning; the bill will still have to have a formal Third Reading vote before moving to the Senate. ### Previous Next

Members met with transit officials, inspected projects aimed at improving safety and reducing emissions on Colorado’s roads < Back October 6, 2023 Interim Committee Tours Front Range & Western Slope Transportation Projects Members met with transit officials, inspected projects aimed at improving safety and reducing emissions on Colorado’s roads DENVER, CO – Members of the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) recently toured sites across the Front Range and Western Slope to learn more about multiple projects underway to improve safety and reduce emissions on Colorado’s roads. “Strengthening our transportation infrastructure will make it quicker, safer, and cheaper for Coloradans to get to the places they want to go,” said Chair Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “From travel to the Denver airport to bussing around our mountain resort towns, we’re spending a couple days exploring all of the transportation options that Colorado has to offer to mark our progress and discuss future improvements that can save Coloradans money on transportation.” “Coloradans depend on a robust and functioning transportation system to get where they need to go, and the TLRC has been hard at work this interim on legislation to improve those systems,” TLRC member Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “It’s critical for us to see the impacts of our work to improve Colorado’s roads up close and in-person, and I look forward to using what we learned these past two days to craft future initiatives to help Colorado’s transportation system reach its full potential.” "All Coloradans deserve to move around the state safely and conveniently, and we can accomplish that by making more transportation choices,” said TLRC member Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “Public transit is not only a great way to reduce carbon emissions, but it also creates more opportunities for every budget and every lifestyle. Our tour around Colorado is helping us improve our transportation infrastructure to make it easier and cheaper for people to get around.” On Thursday TLRC members embarked on the tour aboard a bus from the state’s new “Bustang” fleet, Colorado’s intercity public transportation system which is growing quickly with an infusion of state funds from SB22-180 , sponsored by TLRC Vice Chair Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield The tour began with an inspection of Denver International Airport facilities, including a tour of DIA’s ‘green fleet’. DIA is a recipient of Clean Fleet Enterprise grants, funded by SB21-260 , also sponsored by Winter, to support the adoption of electric vehicles. Following that, the committee went on an e-bike tour of Boulder, hosted by Bicycle Colorado. Recognizing that e-bikes are an important emerging mode of nonpolluting transportation, last session the state funded a long-term $500 state-wide tax credit for e-bike purchases through HB23-1272 which comes online April, 2024. Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, who rode an e-bike for the first time on the tour, said “These things are fast and smooth, I can see why they’re replacing car trips for so many people — now we just need to make our streets safer to ride them on.” Following the e-bike tour, members visited Via Mobility to see how Via’s accessible transportation services help Coloradans get around outside the home. Finally, members visited Idaho Springs to inspect multiple projects along the I-70 corridor. Today, members continued their tour with a visit to Colorado Department of Transportation improvements on Berthoud Pass and other improvements underway on U.S. Highway 40. The committee met with leaders in Winter Park and learned about the growing bus system and multimodal plans underway including a free public gondola and opportunities for expanding passenger rail connections to the front range. Finally, members concluded their trip with a tour of the Frisco Transit Center and Summit County Transit operations center, a tour of the Idaho Springs Mobility Hub, and by inspecting projects along I-70, including Floyd Hill construction, peak shoulder lanes, and mountain express lanes. Earlier this week, the TLRC advanced five interim bills to improve infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians , improve child passenger safety , crack down on predatory towing carriers , create a statewide transit pass and provide free transit for Colorado youth , and strengthen railroad safety standards . Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES SULLIVAN-GALINDO BILL TO HELP GET COLORADANS INTO GOOD PAYING JOBS & EXPAND OPPORTUNITY Roughly three quarters of all CO jobs require post secondary higher education (Apr. 27) – The House approved a bill, sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan and Rep. Rochelle Galindo that would establish a directory with apprenticeship programs within the Department of Labor and it would include salary ranges, critical labor force data, licensure requirements, and other information potential enrollees should know before embarking onto a career pathway. “I firmly believe every hard working American should get a good-paying job no matter their education. There are currently nearly 200 sponsored apprenticeship programs, and that number is constantly evolving and growing,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “This directory can serve as a beneficial tool to help students and young adults grow in their technical training and enter into career fields that offer salaries without the debt of traditional college.” The bill also requires the department to distribute the directory to coordinate with local workforce centers, businesses, and education institutions to raise awareness of the apprenticeship programs so more Coloradans can access them. “This will help expand opportunity for students and accessibility for apprenticeship programs. When I visited various locations that offered these programs, the directors often said the only way they get the word out about these programs is through word-of–mouth,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley . “We need to get these opportunities out there for more students to join the workforce.” In 2018, it was estimated that building trades had a shortage of 60,000 workers in Colorado. The state’s construction industry alone will need at least 30,000 new workers to meet demand in the years ahead. SB19-171 passed on a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to support older Coloradans in the workforce. HB26-1010 passed by a vote of 47-18. < Back February 26, 2026 House Passes Bill to Support Older Coloradans in the Workforce DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to support older Coloradans in the workforce. HB26-1010 passed by a vote of 47-18. “From specialized training to employment access, older Coloradans need workforce resources tailored to them,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Colorado’s economy works best when workers have the tools they need to succeed, and this bill creates strong pathways to support older Coloradans. We’re taking steps now to ensure that older Coloradans have more opportunities to take on new roles and participate in workforce development recommendations.” “Older workers have talent, knowledge and lived experience that is vital to our growing workforce needs,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora . “With the passage of this bill, we’re prioritizing the participation, representation and support of older Coloradans in the workforce. This bill makes it possible for older Coloradans to have their voices heard regarding their workforce needs. When we equip workers with the resources and support they need to succeed, we can foster a stronger economy that delivers for hardworking people.” HB26-1010 would modify Colorado’s workforce policy to ensure older Coloradans have a seat at the table regarding workforce support and resources. This bill prioritizes representation by placing a worker who is 55-years-old or older on several commissions to ensure their perspectives and needs are considered in the workforce. HB26-1010 also requires the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Commission on Aging, and others to work collaboratively to support workforce development and examine issues related to employment access, training, support and services for older adults. Older adults are one of the fastest growing segments of Colorado’s workforce, yet they often report they’re looking for upskilling opportunities and struggle to find employment. While some data is available on older adults in the workplace, there are significant gaps in reporting. HB26-1010 would require data collection and reporting of Coloradans' participation in the workforce. Previous Next

Legislation would update Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by the passage of Amendment 79 < Back March 25, 2025 Bill to Implement Voter-Approved Protections for Abortion Care and Pregnancy-Related Services Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to implement voter-approved protections for abortion care and pregnancy-related services. “Coloradans believe it is your constitutional right to access the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion. This bill simply implements the voters’ will,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion care and access or restrict funding all together, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. To further reduce federal interference, our legislation reduces the state’s reliance on federal reimbursement for reproductive health care. This bill upholds the will of the voters to ensure your fundamental right to access life-saving abortion care is never ripped away.” “Voters made their voices loud and clear – abortion must remain legal and protected in Colorado,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Given the uncertain future of abortion access in our nation, Colorado Democrats stepped up in recent years to protect reproductive health care in our state. Importantly, this bill expands reproductive health care coverage, which means Colorado's public employees can receive the essential care they need without jumping through hoops. In Colorado, we trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference, and I’m proud to carry this bill through the House.” In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. SB25-183 would implement the will of the voters by updating Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage. SB25-183 passed committee by a vote of 9-4. Beginning on January 1, 2026, the bill would ensure that state employee health insurance plans cover abortion care and require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to authorize reimbursements for abortion care under publicly funded insurance, including community members with coverage through Health First Colorado, and the Reproductive Health Care Program. Amendment 79 won with 62-percent of the vote statewide. Of the 65 House Districts, Amendment 79 received at least 55-percent of the vote in 46 districts. In a Congressional breakdown , Amendment 79 won majority yes in six out of eight Colorado’s congressional districts, including CD-3. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2022 COMPREHENSIVE BILL TO PREVENT FENTANYL DEATHS HEARD IN COMMITTEE Legislation significantly increases penalties on dealers and invests in proven public health solutions DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today held a hearing on comprehensive legislation sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett and Rep. Mike Lynch to combat the fentanyl crisis and save lives. “This comprehensive fentanyl legislation will save lives by cracking down on the dealers peddling death in our communities and by investing in proven public health strategies that we know are effective,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Our targeted efforts will get this deadly drug off our streets, protect our communities from this poison and keep people alive. I’m disappointed there are people who would rather see this bill die for partisan political gain than work to save lives; lawmakers must come together to pass this life-saving legislation.” “We are seeing unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths in Colorado. The fentanyl crisis demands an aggressive response that will hold dealers accountable and remove this deadly drug from our streets, and that’s what this comprehensive fentanyl legislation will do,” said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. “This solution will save lives by giving prosecutors the tools we need to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. This legislation will allow us to respond aggressively to dealers who take Coloradans’ lives when distributing this drug, and I encourage lawmakers to pass this bill.” “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on fentanyl dealers to get this dangerous drug off our streets,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “Fentanyl doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat; people are dying in every community in our state. This bill is a comprehensive solution that will save lives and prevent fentanyl deaths.” “Colorado is confronting a deadly fentanyl crisis, and this comprehensive bill will save lives and prevent fentanyl poisonings and overdose deaths,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This bill will help ensure that people struggling with substance use disorders get the treatment they need to make a successful recovery. The bill deploys effective public health strategies that emphasize education and awareness, expand addiction treatment and give people the tools they need to protect themselves and others.” A comprehensive approach including both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers will save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. HB22-1326 will strengthen criminal penalties on any individual distributing fentanyl. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory SUD assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to ensure people get the treatment they need. The bill focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs or substances, and will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with an SUD. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties. The bill gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in CDPHE. Individuals assessed as having a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment. This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address root causes and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this more deadly drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system. While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. The proposal also makes opiate antagonists more widespread, which will help save lives by preventing overdoses. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 41-22. < Back February 5, 2025 House Passes Bill to Boost Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 41-22. “Coloradans with disabilities rely on certain accessibility features in going about their daily lives, and it’s important that new and renovated buildings such as schools and health facilities meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “With this bill passing the House today, we’re standing by our commitment to Colorado’s disability community by improving accessibility requirements in building codes throughout our state and supporting basic access to public buildings.” “The Americans with Disabilities Act has been law for over 30 years, yet gaps in enforcing those accessibility requirements continue to act as a barrier to Coloradans with disabilities,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. ”As a former local government official, I know this bill will benefit our communities by creating a guideline for local governments to follow when it comes to accessibility updates, mitigating lawsuits and making our communities more accessible for all.” Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments that adopt or amend a building code to ensure that they meet or exceed the accessibility standards set by the International Code Council and existing laws. The State Housing Board would also be required to meet or exceed these standards when it comes to substantial updates to uniform construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control would be responsible for ensuring that building codes for public schools and health facilities meet accessibility standards. Colorado Democrats have championed many laws in recent years to break down accessibility barriers for Coloradans living with disabilities, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to implement a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2019 MICHAELSON JENET BILL TO MODERNIZE CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT CLEARS COMMITTEE Teen vaping is an epidemic in Colorado (Feb. 27) — The House Health and Insurance committee passed a bill that modernizes the 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City would add hookah smoking, electronic smoking devices or e-cigarettes to the list of prohibited activities in indoor public places and workplaces. “Colorado teens are engaging in e-cigarette and vaping use at an alarming rate. As a parent of teenagers, I share the concern of moms and dads who are worried about this growing public health issue and how it is impacting their children,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “It’s time to show our young people that vaping is harmful for them, their peers and their long term health.” HB19-1076 looks to protect people of all ages against the dangers of secondhand smoking exposure from electronic cigarettes. It will also ensure that existing smoke-free laws are being enforced. In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called teen vaping an epidemic . In January of this year, the American Lung Association released the State of Tobacco Control report and gave Colorado a “B” grade for its smoke-free air citing Colorado’s use of electronic smoking devices indoor. The report also suggested strengthening state and local laws around youth access to tobacco products to raise “D” grade for Colorado’s funding for state tobacco prevention programs. The report found the state is spending only half the amount the Center for Disease Control recommends on prevention programs. The bill passed the committee 10-1 and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back December 18, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: ECONOMIC RECOVERY CONTINUES, BUT NOT FOR ALL DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the December economic forecasts, both of which project higher General Fund revenue compared to earlier estimates, but highlight continuing uncertainty and budgeting challenges ahead. “Today’s budget forecast shows a more positive outlook on our state’s recovery than previously expected, though significant challenges remain,” said JBC Chair Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “While we have made strides in Colorado to provide much-needed relief to our communities, circumstances have improved for some, while others — particularly low-income earners — continue to suffer. Before we can truly bounce back from this devastating public health crisis, we will need to work diligently to ensure that our most vulnerable communities have the support and resources they need to equally recover.” “This forecast shows Colorado’s economy is starting to bounce back, but it’s clear low-wage workers in our state are hurting and still have a difficult road ahead,” said JBC Vice-Chair Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Though we passed bipartisan legislation to help bridge the gap for those who are at the most risk of falling further behind, individuals, small businesses, restaurants and schools desperately need more federal assistance to get through the months ahead. We’re going to use every tool we have at the state level to help Colorado build back stronger. I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a balanced state budget that supports our schools and critical services and gets Colorado moving again.” “Today’s economic forecasts were reassuring because we are seeing an overall upward trend in our economic recovery that continues to be better than expected,” said JBC member, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “However, we are still far from pre-pandemic levels. CARES Act funds and our state-level COVID relief package have been helpful, but low-wage workers, the service industry, and many Colorado families are still in desperate need of economic relief, and all levels of government–particularly Congress–must do more to assist them.” “This has been a tough time for many Coloradans, particularly low-wage workers, and we’re going to do everything we can to help the people of our state recover and bounce back even stronger,” said JBC Member Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “I’ve heard from so many who are suffering right now. Coloradans who were already behind before are now further behind, even as our economy begins to turn around. We’ve targeted state assistance so that more Coloradans can have a fair shot to recover and bridge the gap until there is a vaccine and new federal aid. We’re going to continue prioritizing those who have been hit hardest by this pandemic, our communities of color, students and low-wage workers, and with additional state and federal resources, we will create jobs in Colorado and drive our economy forward.” The Legislative Council staff (LCS) December forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $12.15 billion in FY 2020-21 and $13.14 billion in FY 2021-2022 – a $775.7 million and $590.9 million increase from the September revenue forecast respectively. These upward revisions reflect a persistent improvement in the state’s economic outlook. However, Colorado’s recovery continues to be divergent in nature – reflecting a “K-shaped” rebound. This means that while some sectors and households are bouncing back to pre-recession levels, others continue to struggle. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $12.48 billion for FY 2020-21, which OSPB revised upward by $222 million relative to its September estimate. For FY 2021-22, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be close to $13.47 billion, which OSPB revised upward by $626 million relative to its September estimate. LCS and OSPB predict that revenue subject to TABOR will come in below the Referendum C cap during this forecast period, so TABOR refunds are not expected. Both LCS and OSPB also identified downside risks to the forecast including the possibility of long-term economic “scarring” as well as the short-term increase of COVID-19 cases. As stimulus programs expire, a pullback in consumption and investment is also a potential threat to economic instability. On the flip side, upside risks to the estimate were identified, driven by the anticipated COVID vaccine distribution, potential additional federal stimulus support, and sustained resiliency shown by innovations adopted across consumer and corporate behaviors. Previous Next