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< Back May 24, 2021 BETTER BALLOTS BILL ADVANCES Reps. Kennedy and Weissman’s bill to ensure voters understand the impact of the ballot measures they’re voting on passes State Affairs Committee DENVER, CO– The House State, Veterans, Military, and Civic Affairs Committee today advanced a bill to give voters more detailed information about the ballot initiatives they are voting on. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Today we took the first major step towards unrigging Colorado’s ballot initiative process,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Colorado’s voters are entrusted with the responsibility of making enormously consequential decisions for the future of our state, and it’s only fair that they have as much information as possible to guide those choices. Giving voters more accurate and detailed information about what they’re voting on should be an idea that everyone can agree on.” “Our current ballots are giving voters an incomplete picture of the impact of the decisions they’re making,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “This bill will provide voters with crucial information about how a specific ballot initiative will impact individual taxpayers and the public investments they care about. Today the State Affairs Committee voted in favor of better ballots and a more fair initiative process that trusts voters to decide for themselves what’s best for Colorado.” Under current law dating back to the 1992 TABOR law, ballot measures that would increase taxes are required to outline, in capital letters, how much revenue will be raised from said initiative. This bill would provide voters with even more information about the impact of ballot questions on taxpayers and taxpayer-funded programs. For example, the bill would require that for measures that either increase or decrease the individual income tax rate or the state sales tax rate, ballots show a table indicating the average tax burden change for taxpayers in each income bracket. The bill also requires that for ballot measures that reduce state tax revenue, the blue book sent to every voter shows the top three programs the revenue reduction impacts, as determined by nonpartisan legislative research staff. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2023 Hospital Community-Benefit Bill Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to bolster community-based health care services across the state. “Large non-profit hospital systems must invest in community-based programs to qualify for tax exemptions, but broad guidelines often leave communities without the services they need,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “By strengthening accountability for how hospitals spend resources in the community and requiring them to incorporate more feedback, we can ensure these investments reduce costs for consumers, increase access to critical services and improve public health.” HB23-1243 centers hospitals’ community benefit spending around local under-privileged communities by incorporating community feedback into the community benefit implementation plan and restricting the amount of out-of-state spending that can be counted as “community benefit” spending. The bill would also require each reporting hospital to seek feedback from their community during its annual proposed community benefit implementation plan, submit a detailed report about any discussions or decisions at the annual meeting, make the report public, and execute a community benefit plan that addresses the needs of the community as discussed in the annual meeting to better understand the impact of the spending has on the health of Coloradans. Under the bill, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) would be required to hold stakeholder meetings to ensure low-income residents, people of color, people with disabilities, people with serious mental illness, and others experiencing disproportionate health outcomes are fairly represented in the hospital’s community benefit spending plan. HCPF would also create an annual report that summarizes the estimated federal and state tax exemptions of each reporting hospital, establish a minimum annual community investment requirement, and sets compliance requirements for hospitals. HCPF would be able to apply corrective action or fines for reporting hospitals that do not abide by the guidelines set by this bill. Additionally, the bill enhances existing public meeting requirements and ensures representation from the tribal council and Urban Indian Organization who have hospitals within their communities. Institutions of higher learning will also be represented to help bring meaningful input into discussions on spending. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Emily Sirota to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care. HB25-1328 passed by a vote of 43-22. < Back April 28, 2025 House Approves Bill to Boost Incomes, Address Home Care Workforce Shortage DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Emily Sirota to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care. HB25-1328 passed by a vote of 43-22. “This bill uplifts the voices of home care workers, who are more often women and women of color, to ensure they have safe working conditions and earn a livable wage,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Our legislation would implement recommendations crafted by care workers, employers and direct care consumers to create a home care industry that works for all Coloradans. I’m proud to stand by both home care workers and patients to improve everyday life for our residents.” “We’re supporting the direct care workforce to ensure Coloradans have access to the quality health care that they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our state is falling behind when it comes to providing in-home care services for aging Coloradans, which is why we’re addressing the home care workforce shortage. This bill works to respond to the needs of our care workforce to support working families and create a strong, qualified in-home care workforce.” HB25-1328 would implement recommendations from the Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board, including: Requiring the board to investigate how health care benefits for direct care workers compare to other industries and how to reduce costs, Establishing a free “Know Your Rights” training, including information regarding wages, rules for travel time, how to file a complaint, current state and federal laws and where they can find more information, Investigating violations related to training and labor standards and fining employers who violate direct care workforce regulations, and Creating a website and communication platform that includes various trainings, information on worker’s rights, access to benefits, recruitment opportunities and other information. The Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was created by legislation , sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and address the workforce crisis. Rep. Sirota sponsored a 2024 law creating a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp to increase special education funding. SB23-099 passed by a vote of 57-6. < Back April 21, 2023 Boost to Special Education Funding Passes House DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp to increase special education funding. SB23-099 passed by a vote of 57-6. “Increasing special education funding is critical to help schools cover the costs of providing learning support, speech therapy, and other services to our students that need additional help to succeed in school,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This legislation improves special education funding so that our schools aren’t burdened with fronting the cost of special education services on their own, creating a better learning environment for all students.” SB23-099 , also sponsored by Rep. Lisa Frizell, increases funding by over $40 million for special education services for public schools, including charter schools, to better support students’ needs. Increased per pupil funding from this bill will help lower student-teacher ratios, reduce class sizes and help provide more tailored and individualized assistance to students. Per pupil special education funding includes funding for students with at least one disability who need significant support in school. This bill increases per pupil special education funding up to $6,000 per student to improve education services to learners within special education. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Kyle Brown on a preliminary vote to make it easier for eligible confined Coloradans to vote. < Back May 3, 2024 Legislation to Increase Voting Access Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Kyle Brown on a preliminary vote to make it easier for eligible confined Coloradans to vote. “The right to vote is guaranteed by the constitution, yet eligible voters in our jails and detention centers have expressed that they often do not have the tools to exercise this right,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “We know that Coloradans who are Black, Indigenous and people of color are overrepresented in our criminal justice system, and when they are prevented from voting, their voices are not heard. This legislation helps address the gaps in voting access by creating clear guidelines for county clerks and sheriffs that will make it easier for Coloradans, regardless of their confinement status, to use their voice in our democratic process.” “Folks who are incarcerated have rights, and this bill seeks to make it easier for them to exercise their right to vote,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Low levels of voter turnout in our jails show that there are not enough resources or education about voting access in confined spaces. I’m proud to carry this legislation to ensure that eligible voters will have the opportunity to engage in our democratic process.” SB24-072 would require county clerks and county sheriffs to create and implement a plan to facilitate in-person voting for eligible voters in county jails and detention centers. Under current law, U.S. citizens over the age of 18 who are not currently serving time for a felony conviction are eligible to vote. While Colorado has a robust vote-by-mail program, voters in jails and detention centers face extreme barriers in accessing the ballot. In the 2020 general election, out of an estimated eligible population of 5,205 confined voters, only 557 individuals (6.97 percent) received a ballot. In the 2022 general election, there was an estimated eligible population of 4,876 confined voters, but only 231 individuals (4.73 percent) received ballots. SB24-072 would mandate at least one day of in-person voting at each facility, alleviating the pressure on these voters to navigate the complexities of voting eligibility, and helping ensure every eligible citizen is provided the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to create jobs and boost rural economies. < Back February 1, 2024 Lukens’ Bipartisan Bill to Boost Rural Economies Clears Committee DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to create jobs and boost rural economies. HB24-1001, sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens, will extend the Rural Jump-start Program until 2031. “Rural economies are driven by local business, and this bill will help ease economic barriers for new small businesses and create jobs in rural Colorado,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “For Coloradans on the Western Slope, small businesses serve as a hub for community and a cornerstone for our rural economies. This bipartisan bill continues the successful Rural Jump-start Program, which offers small businesses grants and tax credits to grow, hire, and retain workers. Investing in rural Colorado is critical for our communities and makes our state stronger.” HB24-1001 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, passed committee unanimously. This bill aims to extend income tax credits and grants available to businesses and their employees that participate in the Colorado Rural Jump-start Zone Program and Grant Program. Under this bill, the Grant Program would extend through June 2026 and the Jump-start Zone Program, which includes the business tax incentives, would extend through 2031. These successful programs are designed to reduce the costs of starting a new business or hiring new employees in rural economic jump-start zones . HB24-1001 would play a crucial role in boosting rural economies, supporting small businesses, and creating new jobs in all four corners of the state. Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2019 GOV. SIGNS MCLACHLAN-ROBERTS BILL TO PROTECT CLEAN WATER (Apr. 5) – This week, Gov. Jared Polis signed Rep. Barbara McLachlan and Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bill to help prevent water pollution from future hardrock mining operations in Colorado. “This is good for our environment, and keeps a thriving mining industry moving forward,” said Rep. McLachlan, whose district was impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill. “We can’t go back in time but we can ensure we have a brighter, safer future and one that protects our precious water.” “Mining is a part of our history and always has been. For a long time, it has shaped our economy, our water rights system, and our communities,” said Rep. Roberts. “However, water is our state’s most precious resource and must be protected. This new law will modernize our hard-rock mining laws to protect clean water and ensure that taxpayers are never left on the hook for a private company’s spills.” Mining operations have polluted more than 1,600 miles of Colorado rivers and streams, and our state is one of just seven that allow “self-bonding,” which allows mines to operate with insufficient recoverable assets, leaving taxpayers vulnerable to potential cleanup costs. HB19-1113 will ensure that when new mining permits are issued, sufficient and secure bonds are in place to ensure cleanup and better protect public health and the environment. The new law will end self-bonding for hardrock mines in Colorado and will explicitly include water quality protection in the calculation for the amount of bonding required. It will also require mining license applicants to set an end date for the cleanup of their operation, so that they can no longer just to do water treatment into perpetuity. Numerous small business owners, rafting outfitters, farmers, local elected officials and others from across western and southern Colorado testified at a House hearing in support of the bill and it passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. < Back June 3, 2025 Bill to Combat Predatory Vehicle Booting, Increase Consumer Protections Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. HB25-1117 , sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, and Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, will improve oversight, transparency, and fairness surrounding vehicle immobilization, including booting. “Booting can be a useful tool for property owners, but it must be done fairly, with clear rules and oversight,” said Joseph. “This new law protects Coloradans from predatory booting practices while giving responsible companies the clarity they need to operate legally and transparently. By empowering the Public Utilities Commission to oversee booting, we’re making sure companies follow the rules and consumers are treated with respect.” “Lack of oversight has enabled predatory and abusive practices in the vehicle booting industry, and it’s time for Colorado law to catch up,” said Gonzales. “In previous years, we have made important progress to protect Coloradans from predatory towing practices, and this law is a step toward doing the same for vehicle booting. It establishes clear guidelines including prohibiting indiscriminate patrolling of parking lots and providing advanced notice before a car is immobilized, ensuring that no Coloradan unfairly loses access to their vehicle.” “Right now, vehicle booting companies are taking advantage of a lack of regulations to immobilize Coloradans’ vehicles for profit,” said Boesenecker. “Our law cracks down on booting companies that patrol parking lots and authorize their own booting practices that typically end up costing Coloradans money and time. To improve transparency and strengthen consumer protections, booting companies would be required to give consumers a fair warning and place a written notice on vehicles at least 24 hours before immobilizing them.” “For most Coloradans, a car is not a convenience – it is a livelihood. Cars are how Coloradans get to work, buy groceries and medicine, and take their kids to school,” said Weissman. “This new law is about preventing abuse by the vehicle booting industry, which currently operates with very little oversight, and establishing basic protections for Colorado drivers like clear signage and access to a payment plan. These protections prevent predatory booting and ensure that hardworking Coloradans can quickly restore access to their cars.” The law gives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) additional oversight to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit to a vehicle booting company if the company is violating specific guidelines. Under the law, vehicle booting companies will be required to: Document a vehicle’s condition and the reason for immobilization before they immobilize it, Display the name of the company, the permit number, and a phone number of the company on each company vehicle used for immobilization, Not charge more than once for the removal of more than one immobilization device, and Remove an immobilization device if at least $60 of the total amount owed is paid. Additionally, vehicle booting companies must refrain from immobilizing a vehicle if: It has already been immobilized by another company, It is on private property, unless given appropriate permission, There is inadequate signage posted by the property owner, or Less than 24 hours notice has been given for a vehicle in a parking space or common parking area, with certain exceptions including if a vehicle is in a spot reserved for people with disabilities, is blocking a fire hydrant or roadway, or is in a spot designated for a specific individual. In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed landmark legislation to protect consumers against predatory towing practices, including HB21-1283 , HB22-1314 , and HB24-1051. Previous Next

< Back December 22, 2020 GARNETT STATEMENT ON FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE DENVER, CO — Speaker-designate Alec Garnett today released the following statement after Congress approved a bipartisan COVID stimulus bill. “Out of work families and struggling small businesses in Colorado have been waiting for months for Congress to put politics aside and people first,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “While I’m glad that this stimulus package will begin to chip away at the enormous need we have in our state, it’s clear that a great deal of work remains to be done. I applaud and appreciate the efforts of the members of Colorado’s congressional delegation who fought for increased direct economic relief and aid to states and local governments, and I encourage Congress to pass this in the next bill. While this is a welcome start, we need more from Washington. Congress should take a page from Colorado’s book and put aside their differences to build back stronger.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado. < Back May 10, 2024 Polis Signs Bill to Create the Office of Rail Safety PUEBLO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado. “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver . “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.” "Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry." “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Senator Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs, said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.” HB24-1030 will create the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office will be required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office would be required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by: Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination; Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems; Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches; Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations. Previous Next

< Back July 13, 2020 BILLS TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC SIGNED INTO LAW Governor signs bills to address opioid harm reduction and improve substance use disorder treatment Denver, CO — Today during a virtual bill signing Governor Jared Polis signed three bills to support Coloradans affected by opioid addictions and other substance use disorders into law. The bills will address harm reduction practices and enhance access to treatment for substance use disorders, including within the criminal justice system. SB20-007 , sponsored by Representatives Bri Buentello and Jim Wilson, requires insurance carriers to provide coverage for the treatment of a substance use disorder (SUD) in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine or other evidence-based guidelines. It also encourages access to medical or SUD treatment services, including recovery services, to people participating in prescribed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for a SUD and prohibits courts, probation or community corrections from prohibiting MAT as a condition of participation or placement. Finally, it authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to ensure that insurance carriers’ formularies include medications for MAT and coverage for opioid antagonists, such as naloxone (Narcan). “The opioid crisis was already a serious public health issue, and the pandemic has only made matters worse for our communities,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “This bill, and the larger opioid epidemic package we passed this year, will help get Coloradans who are working to overcome substance use disorders the treatment they need to break through. I’m proud of the work we did this year for Southern Colorado and other areas of our state that have been hit hard by this crisis.” HB20-1065 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Leslie Herod, aims to lower the rate of opioid overdoses and related deaths and better prevent the spread of communicable diseases that can be associated with the injection of illicit opioids. It would protect people who act in good faith to respond to overdoses by administering an opiate antagonist, such as naloxone, that has expired. The bill would also require insurance plans to reimburse hospitals that provide opiate antagonists to counteract overdoses that often occur upon discharge. To help prevent communicable diseases, the bill would allow pharmacists to sell clean syringes and remove a regulatory barrier to operating syringe exchange programs. HB20-1017 , also sponsored by Reps. Kennedy and Herod, seeks to support incarcerated individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder. The new law encourages the Department of Corrections (DOC), private contract prisons, local jails, and Department of Human Services (DHS) facilities to make available at least one opioid agonist and one opioid antagonist to a person in custody with an opioid use disorder throughout the duration of the person’s incarceration or commitment. It also allows a person to turn in any controlled substances at a safe station without being subject to arrest or prosecution, and requires those staffing safe stations to evaluate a person’s need for medical attention. Finally, it also requires correctional facility officials to provide post-release resources for inmates to help prepare inmates for release and reintegration into their communities and to give favor to inmates in record sealing requests to those that have completed a substance use disorder treatment program. “Substance use disorder has ravaged and devastated our communities, and we have no time to waste in fighting back,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “These bills will keep more Coloradans alive by focusing on harm reduction and access to treatment, including for incarcerated Coloradans. Currently, Colorado’s largest treatment facilities are our jails and prisons– this cannot stand. Our state can’t incarcerate addiction away. Instead, we must focus on treatment and providing needed support. These bills take important steps forward and will no doubt save lives, but a great deal of work remains to be done.” Opioid use disorder is impacting communities across Colorado. The state recorded 543 opioid overdose deaths in 2018. Data tracking the number of pills dispensed per person shows that some Colorado counties have rates that are higher or at the same level as some of the hardest-hit states, such as West Virginia and Kentucky. A 2018 estimate from the White House Council of Economic Advisers found that the opioid epidemic has cost the US $2.5 trillion from 2015 to 2018. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2021 NEW LAWS SUPPORT COLORADO’S VETERANS Bills to create a veterans suicide prevention program, veterans mobile support unit, veterans hiring preference, and rename Lincoln park to honor our veterans signed into law DENVER, CO– Governor Polis today signed four bills to support veterans and make sure Colorado remains a great place to live for those who served our country. “One of my top priorities when coming to the legislature was to use my voice to ensure my brother and sister veterans are given the care and support they’ve earned,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB21-1065, SB21-129 and SB21-032 . “Today’s bill signing demonstrates the incredible progress we made this year, helping veterans find good jobs, preventing veteran suicides, and providing a lifeline for rural and homeless vets going through tough times. We have a world-premier, all-volunteer fighting force, and to keep it that way we need to be proactive about ensuring veterans can go on to thrive after their service.” “Colorado is home to more than 400,000 veterans, and this year we worked hard to ensure Colorado remains a great place for veterans to live,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1257. “Watching these four bills be signed today, I feel extremely proud of the legislative results we were able to deliver for veterans this session. While renaming a beautiful part of the Capitol grounds in honor of our veterans is only a small sign of our appreciation, it represents the legislature’s commitment to looking out for those who selflessly served our nation.” HB21-1065 allows a private employer to give a preference to a veteran or the spouse of a veteran when hiring a new employee as long as the veteran or spouse is qualified for the job. To address higher rates of unemployment among post-9/11 veterans, the employer’s policy must apply to veterans who have been discharged in the last 10 years. Establishing a veterans hiring preference policy would be optional for employers. The bill includes safeguards against discrimination by still allowing a job applicant who is in a protected class to file a discrimination claim. This ensures that the bill will encourage the hiring of veterans without having unintended discriminatory impacts against women and people of color. Furthermore, the bill would offer businesses creating the hiring preference educational tools to help them navigate anti-discrimination laws so they can implement the policy fairly. SB21-129 will create a veteran suicide prevention pilot program in the Department of Human Services to reduce the suicide rate and suicidal ideation among veterans. The program would provide free, confidential behavioral health treatment for up to 700 veterans and their families. Services would be provided through agreements with nonprofit organizations. SB21-032 will provide funding to establish a mobile veterans support unit to serve as a point of contact for veterans in rural areas and those veterans experiencing homelessness. The unit will distribute supplies, transport veterans who do not have access to transportation services, and work with the Office of Economic Development to offer business and job opportunities to veterans. The bill provides funding for a veteran-owned or veteran-focused organization to purchase a vehicle and operate the program. HB21-1257 , also sponsored by Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, honors Colorado’s veterans by changing the name of Lincoln park and Liberty park in the Capitol complex to “Lincoln veterans’ memorial park”, and provides a small amount of funding to facilitate the name change. Previous Next