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The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to support families and youth. < Back May 2, 2024 Affordable Child Care, Increased Care for Foster Youth Advance House DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to support families and youth. HB24-1223, sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford and Lorena Garcia would streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance program. SB24-008, sponsored by Representative Mary Young, would provide additional resources to families, kin and relatives of foster youth. “Child care is a necessity to get parents back into the workforce so they can earn income that helps them keep a roof over their head,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1223. “This legislation would get Colorado parents connected to affordable child care so they can more easily juggle work, doctor appointments, and receiving an education that will help them advance in their career and support their family.” “Lack of access to child care can be a barrier that prevents parents from returning to work, which is why we’re passing this legislation to simplify the process to receive child care assistance,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1223. “This bill streamlines and simplifies the process parents have to take to benefit from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program so they can get their kids in affordable, quality care easier.” HB24-1223 would increase access to childcare through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) by creating a simplified universal application and limiting the application information to only what is necessary to determine eligibility. “We know that children and youth living with kinship care are more likely to experience positive outcomes, including educational, improved behavioral and mental health and stronger feelings of belonging,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of SB24-008 . “This legislation will remove barriers to kinship care by making it easier for relatives or others who have a significant relationship to the child to access certain resources such as housing, clothing and training. By directing financial reimbursement to non-certified kinship foster care, we can expand the pool of home like placements for our foster children and youth and increase access to certification.” SB24-008 , also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would provide additional resources to families and kin caring for youth and children involved in foster care. Specifically, this bill would extend foster care certification to kinship placements, allowing kin to access training, resources, and financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of children and youth in their care. It defines the differences between kinship foster care and non-certified kinship care homes and allows for emergency financial assistance to these placements in order to help meet a child’s basic care and needs. Kinship placements maintain family connections and provide normalcy and support for children who have been removed from their homes. Kinship care can promote safer and faster reunification with biological parents, and prevent further long-term involvement in the child welfare system. The bill is a result of recommendations from the 2023 Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee Report . Previous Next

Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. < Back July 1, 2024 New Law to Create the Office of Rail Safety Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. HB24-1030 , sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, creates the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office is 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 is required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. "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 Cutter. "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." “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Mabrey. “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.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Exum 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.” “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Mauro. “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.” 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 February 9, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES K-12 FUNDING BOOST, FY21-22 BUDGET SUPPLEMENTAL PACKAGE Supplemental package includes funding to support Boulder County, help fire departments purchase new safety equipment, open Sweetwater Lake State Park and get the new Department of Early Childhood up and running DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the FY21-22 supplemental budget package . The package of bills will boost funding for public schools, reduce the amount the state owes to school districts, provide grant funding to help fire departments purchase safety equipment, and kickstart efforts to get the new Department of Early Childhood off the ground and running. “The budget package will significantly increase funding for public education to prepare our students for success and ensure they have the resources they need in their classrooms to thrive,” said JBC Chair Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The package makes a critical investment to get the new Department of Early Childhood up and running and save Coloradans money on child care. I’m proud that we’re making additional resources available to our fire departments and especially excited that we’re doing everything we can to open our newest state park, Sweetwater Lake, as soon as we can.” “We’ve made tremendous progress to make school funding more equitable and direct additional resources into public education, and I’m excited to continue that work by further reducing the Budget Stabilization Factor and providing new funding for at-risk students,” said JBC Member Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This package makes responsible investments in public education, public safety, and critical health and pay equity evaluations to support Colorado’s workforce and boost communities all across our state.” School Finance: HB22-1186 will buy down the Budget Stabilization Factor by $68 million and provide an additional $91 million to districts to better serve at-risk students. By holding total program funding steady amidst an increase in property tax revenues and an enrollment decline, the legislature will reduce the Budget Stabilization Factor. As the legislature moves to improve how at-risk students are counted, the bill would significantly increase funding to districts with higher numbers of at-risk students. Department of Early Childhood: Years of hard work to save Coloradans money on child care is paying off. Starting next year, Coloradans are going to save money on child care. In 2020, the legislature put Proposition EE on the ballot, which voters overwhelmingly passed. Then in 2021, Democratic lawmakers created the Department of Early Childhood to implement universal Pre-K. Now, HB22-1197 will get the Department of Early Childhood up and running so it can launch universal Pre-K on the timeline voters expect. Firefighter Safety: As part of House Democrats’ commitment to build healthier and safer communities, HB22-1194 will direct additional resources to help our firefighters access the best equipment available. The bill makes $5 million available this year to provide grants to help local fire departments purchase safety and disease prevention gear. Marshall Fire Property Tax Reimbursement: As one of the many ways that the state is responding to the Marshall fire, HB22-1183 will transfer $3.7 million to the impacted counties to ensure they don’t face additional revenue shortfalls as a result of the devastation. Sweetwater State Park: Over the last few years, we have invested in exciting additions to our state park system and significant new resources to improve our parks. Soon we’ll be adding another beautiful classic Colorado open space for all Coloradans to enjoy. HB22-1177 will help open Sweetwater Lake State Park, the newest park in our system, even sooner. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would combat wage theft in all industries, boosting the economic security of Colorado workers by ensuring they are paid for their work. < Back April 1, 2025 Wage Theft Prevention Legislation Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would combat wage theft in all industries, boosting the economic security of Colorado workers by ensuring they are paid for their work. “Wage theft is the largest source of theft in our state, and we are standing firm so Coloradans can receive the money they have worked hard to earn,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Research shows that $730 million in wages are stolen from almost 440,000 hardworking Coloradans every year, with women and communities of color disproportionately becoming victims of wage theft. With this bill, we’re allowing workers to more quickly access their owed wages and strengthening protections for whistleblowers so workers can speak up without fear of retaliation.” “When employers refuse to pay their employee for the work they’ve already completed, it is the same thing as stealing money out of their wallet, and hardworking Coloradans can’t afford to forgo the paycheck that they worked for,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Wage theft hurts Colorado workers and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Our bill aims to provide better support for workers to ensure they can be fairly paid for the work they do.” HB25-1001 aims to protect workers who make wage theft claims and prevent wage theft occurrences by holding bad-acting employers accountable and increasing the wage theft claim cap. Currently, wage theft claims are capped at $7,500. The bill would increase the cap to $13,000 starting July 1, 2026, with that claim amount adjusting for inflation beginning in 2028. Wage theft can include not paying workers minimum wage, non-payment of wages, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime, and taking tips that were meant for the employees. The bill aims to expedite the process of receiving owed wages by allowing the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to pay victims more quickly. This will improve the investigative process and proactively identify violators. CDLE would also be able to crack down on worker misclassification, a technique used to avoid providing benefits and overtime wages. To deter employers from stealing wages, CDLE would be required to publish wage theft determinations and update a list of wage theft violators on the division’s website. Under the bill, CDLE would also report wage theft violations to licensing and permitting bodies and publicize consequences. HB25-1001 allows third parties to bring complaints on a worker’s behalf. The bill also extends anti-retaliation and discrimination measures for all workers who raise complaints allowing for similarly situated employees to speak up for others. Reps. Duran and Froelich have championed numerous bills to ensure workers receive the wages they’ve earned, including legislation in 2022 that ensures Colorado workers are able to recover legally earned wages. A 2022 report by the Colorado Fiscal Institute found that nearly 440,000 low-wage Colorado workers experience $728 million in wage theft annually. Workers of color and women are most likely to be victims of wage theft, and the most common industries for wage theft are retail, construction, and food service. Previous Next

Bills would protect LGBTQ+ community against gender-related bias-motivated crimes, place Colorado in compliance with state Title IX < Back May 6, 2024 Bills to Protect Coloradans from Gender-Related Crimes, Discrimination in School Passes House Bills would protect LGBTQ+ community against gender-related bias-motivated crimes, place Colorado in compliance with state Title IX DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to better protect Coloradans from gender-related, bias-motivated crimes. SB24-189, which passed by a vote of 45-17, would add transgender identity to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. The House also passed legislation that would better protect students by developing best practices for public schools to effectively respond to reports of harassment or discrimination. SB24-162 passed by a vote of 44-18. "Sadly hate crimes are on the rise in Colorado and the need for protections for LGBTQ+ Coloradans is very clear," said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-189. "This legislation bolsters protections for our transgender community by clarifying transgender identity as a protected class in our bias crime laws. We are working hard to protect all Coloradans from crimes that target them just because of who they are." SB24-189 , also sponsored by Matt Soper, R-Delta, would improve protections for Coloradans by adding the definition of transgender identity to the protected classes included in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. The bill also updates the definition of "sexual orientation" as used in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment statutes. This important legislation comes on the heels of recent data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which revealed the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+, anti-trans and gender non-conforming hate crimes ever reported. Additionally, the number of hate crimes based on gender identity increased by over 32 percent from 2021 to 2022. SB24-162 would require the Department of Education to partner with an organization to develop best practices and training related to discrimination and harassment in public schools, including protocols relating to notifying students and parents about school policies and procedures, and implementing trauma-informed responses. Additionally, the department would provide harassment and discrimination training program materials for schools. “Our educators know that creating a safe place to learn is important for the education of our students, but they need professional training to provide effective, trauma-informed responses,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-162. “Per the request of our schools and educators, we’re building upon our work last year to ensure schools and educators have the professional resources they need to support our youth against harassment and discrimination.” “Too many students have experienced harassment, racism, and sexism in school, and we must ensure that their classrooms are a safe and accepting learning environment,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-162. “Last year, we passed SB23-296 to clearly define what is considered harassment and discrimination in Colorado’s K-12 public schools. This new legislation aims to build on this law to create a stronger framework for harassment and discrimination policies to better protect students in every corner of our state.” Signed into law in 2023 and sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Leslie Herod, SB23-296 provides clear definitions for harassment and discrimination in K-12 public schools and requires schools to post notices describing how a student can report harassment or discrimination to the school. The law further requires schools to adopt procedures for investigating reports of harassment or discrimination and to grant an excused absence to a student for certain out-of-school appointments related to the student experiencing harassment or discrimination. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO CURB YOUTH ACCESS TO HIGH-POTENCY THC Legislation would advance research, address diversion, and educate consumers DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett and Representative Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician, on a preliminary vote that would address youth access to high-potency cannabis products. “Colorado is going to lead the way on addressing youth access to high-potency cannabis,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “ We are going to be at the forefront of looking at the science and the relationship between high-potency concentrates and the developing brain, taking on a role the federal government should have played years ago. This bill takes a measured, innovative approach to prevent Coloradans age 18-20 from purchasing massive quantities of concentrates and then diverting those products into the gray and black markets where our youth are buying them.” “As a pediatrician, I’ve seen first hand how young Coloradans have experienced significant health issues after using high-potency products,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician. “We have to take a look at how we can keep high-potency cannabis away from our youth who aren’t supposed to have access to it. This bill will make a big difference by strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and better educating consumers on high-potency products while ensuring we protect patients’ access to medical marijuana.” The bill would advance research into the impact of high potency marijuana on the developing brain, address diversion of cannabis concentrates purchased in the medical marijuana marketplace, and educate consumers about concentrates through visual representations of a recommended serving size and public awareness campaigns. Advances Research: The bill funds and advances critical research into the impact of high-potency cannabis concentrate products on the developing brain and on physical and mental health. It requires the Colorado School of Public Health to conduct a systematic review of the current scientific research into the effects of high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates and identify gaps in order to conduct new research. Under the bill, a new scientific review council of doctors and experts will review the report and make recommendations to the General Assembly on appropriate evidence-based regulatory changes and the funding of additional necessary evidence-based research. Addresses Diversion of High-Potency Products: The bill cracks down on “looping” and diversion by reducing the amount of medical concentrates someone can purchase in a day and requiring the Marijuana Enforcement Division’s seed-to-sale tracking database, METRC, to update at the point of sale, instead of at the end of each business day. Enhanced Doctor-Patient Relationship: The bill adjusts medical marijuana recommending practices by requiring doctors to specify a daily quantity authorization and to consider a patient’s mental health history when making a cannabis recommendation. For patients ages 18-20, the bill requires two physicians from different medical practices to diagnose the patient as having a debilitating or disabling medical condition after an in-person consultation, and the patient must attend a follow-up appointment every six months after the initial visit unless that patient is homebound. Real-Time Medical Marijuana Purchase Reporting: Through a practice known as “looping,” consumers can purchase the daily limit at multiple dispensaries, circumventing the limits and increasing youth access to high-potency cannabis products. The bill would crack down on “looping” in the medical marketplace by requiring medical marijuana stores to immediately record transactions in the seed-to-sale inventory tracking system. This would allow the system to identify discrepancies with daily purchase limits, access and retrieve real-time sales data, and alert medical mariuana stores if a sale to a patient has exceeded their daily purchase limit for that business day. Reduced Daily Purchase Amounts: The bill would limit daily medical marijuana concentrate purchases to eight grams for patients 21 years and older and to two grams for patients between the age of 18 and 20. Patients who had a medical marijuana card before the age of 18, patients who are homebound, for whom a physician has recommended a higher daily authorization, or for patients for whom going to a medical marijuana store on a daily basis presents significant physical or geographical hardship are exempt from these new limits. Consumer Education and Protection: The bill would better educate consumers about high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates by tasking the Colorado School of Public Health with developing a public education campaign, requiring MED to create a tangible education resource on the potential risks of concentrates and that shows visual representations of a recommended serving size be included with every sale, and by prohibiting advertisements targeted toward Colorado youth. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to ensure Colorado workers are compensated equally for their labor. < Back May 1, 2023 House Passes Equal Pay for Equal Work DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to ensure Colorado workers are compensated equally for their labor. SB23-105, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Bacon and Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez, would strengthen the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, bringing Colorado closer to closing the wage gap. “If men and women are doing the same job, they should be compensated the same for it, plain and simple,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “In Colorado, despite our progress, we’re still fighting to achieve pay equity and close the wage gap that inevitability hurts women and families. This legislation strengthens Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act by further breaking down wage barriers and helping women succeed in their careers.” “The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act is already law, yet women in Colorado are still earning less than men for doing the same job,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “We’re committed to helping communities hit hardest by the pandemic build back stronger, and that begins with equal pay for equal work. The wage gaps between Black women and white men are resounding, and our legislation takes steps to combat wage discrimination and ensure all women are paid fairly. The bill will foster an environment for women to advocate for better, fairer wages.” SB23-105 , passed the House by a vote of 41 to 21 and would strengthen Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act to ensure all Colorado workers are compensated equally for their labor. Specifically, this bill would require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to accept and mediate complaints, provide legal resources concerning alleged wage inequality, and to promulgate rules to further prevent wage discrimination. Previously the department was only authorized to do so; this bill provides a clearer directive accompanied with the resources and staffing to back it up. This bill would also require CDLE to investigate complaints or other leads concerning wage inequality, and to address the situation if the complaint is found to be valid as well as requiring employers to follow specific guidelines for job postings. SB23-105 would also extend the maximum period for which a person pursuing a wage discrimination complaint may receive back pay to six years, doubling what is currently allowed under state law. Previous Next

The House today on a preliminary vote passed two bills to protect reproductive rights in Colorado. < Back April 4, 2025 Pair of Bills to Implement Voter-Approved Abortion Protections, Strengthen Reproductive Health Care Advance DENVER, CO – The House today on a preliminary vote passed two bills to protect reproductive rights in Colorado. SB25-183 would update Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by the passage of Amendment 79. SB25-139 would strengthen Colorado’s shield law to protect patients and providers from out-of-state attacks on reproductive health care. “Colorado voters have spoken – abortion must remain safe, legal and protected,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of SB5-183. “Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion access or restrict funding altogether, Coloradans believe it’s your constitutional right to access the reproductive health care you need. This bill will expand access to life-saving reproductive health care, including abortion.” “It’s our responsibility to implement the will of the voters, and that’s what this bill does by further protecting and increasing access to abortion in Colorado,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB25-183 . “Nationally, the future of reproductive health care is uncertain, however, it’s clear Coloradans trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference. This bill implements the will of the voters and reduces barriers so public employees can access the essential reproductive health care they need.” “It’s time to fight back against out-of-state interference and Trump administration threats to restrict abortion and health care for LGBTQ+ Coloradans,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB25-129. “Whether you're a Colorado resident or not, this shield law will protect your fundamental right to access the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion.” “We’re reaffirming Colorado’s position as a sanctuary for safe, legal and protected reproductive health care by strengthening our shield laws,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB25-129. “Our bill expands Colorado’s shield laws to include telehealth and prescription label privacy. In the face of hostile, out-of-state attacks on our reproductive rights, we’re making sure Colorado has the ability to fight back and protect our patients and providers.” SB25-183 would implement the will of the voters by updating Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage. In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 (62 percent of the vote statewide ) to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. 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. SB25-129 protects providers by allowing a practitioner to request to have their name excluded from a medication abortion label. Instead of their name, the prescription would list the prescribing health-care practice. The bill would also prohibit Colorado entities, or a person or entity licensed or regulated by the state, from cooperating with hostile out-of-state investigations related to legally protected health care. Given recent legal action surrounding out-of-state abortion access, this bill fights back against hostile attacks to keep patients and providers safe while accessing legal health care. Additionally, the bill would enhance privacy protections for patients by placing restrictions on health data collecting and published reports published by the Office of the State Registrar. Previous Next

Lawmakers protect K-12 education, universal preschool, and core health care services while making difficult cuts to balance the budget < Back May 8, 2026 SIGNED! FY 2026-2027 Budget DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 state budget ( HB26-1410 ). This bipartisan budget protects K-12 education and core health care services while making reductions across state departments, lowering the state’s reserve, and reducing Medicaid spending to close a $1.2 billion deficit. “Our bipartisan budget protects K-12 education, health care, and universal preschool while making responsible reductions,” said JBC Chair Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “It is impossible to close a $1.2 billion budget deficit without making cuts to important programs, but TABOR requires trade-offs, a one dollar for one program or service is a dollar less for another. Despite difficult circumstances, we were successful in protecting the core services that Coloradans rely on.” “This year’s budget reflects a tough reality,” said JBC Vice Chair Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “TABOR’s rationing limit, the rising cost of Medicaid, and Trump’s cuts are crushing Colorado’s finances and families. We worked overtime this year to minimize the harm caused by these cuts. It’s not enough. That’s why Colorado voters will have the opportunity in November to solve these structural pressures and ensure all Coloradans have the opportunity to earn a good life.” “There is a bipartisan agreement that there are no easy places to cut more than a billion dollars from our state budget,” said JBC Member Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville . “Medicaid costs are rising far beyond what the state is allowed to spend under TABOR, and H.R. 1 created additional pressures on our budget. I’m incredibly proud that we were able to prevent Coloradans from being kicked off their healthcare coverage. This bipartisan budget required gut-wrenching cuts, yet we were able to protect core funding for K-12 education, health care and public safety.” “The Joint Budget Committee worked around the clock for months to finalize a budget that meets our constitutional requirements and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions in a very difficult budget year,” said JBC Member Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Many of the cuts required this year were painful and will have a direct impact on people’s lives. We did not make these decisions lightly. Ultimately, we were able to deliver a bipartisan budget that protects core Medicaid services, lifesaving nutrition assistance, and funding for education.” The state’s $46.8 billion budget includes $17.4 billion in general fund expenditures, a net increase of just $212 million from last year’s budget, which does not nearly cover increased costs in key sectors, especially Medicaid, which increased by $468 million. Democrats took action to invest in Colorado kids and students in this budget. The General Fund contribution to K-12 education will increase significantly this year, thanks to the Kids Matter Fund created by Colorado Democrats last year, which is forecast to invest more than $216 million in our schools next year. Democrats also increased funding by $14 million to continue free preschool access for all Colorado kids and increased funding by $38 million to implement the voter-approved Proposition MM to preserve access to free school meals for students. This budget protects core health care benefits and does not reduce Medicaid enrollment, preventing many Coloradans from losing health insurance. It also protects the Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption with $200 million in funding. Three main factors contributed to Colorado’s budget deficit. First, H.R. 1 created enormous new tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and slashed revenue for core state services. This required the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) to cut $200 million more from the budget to protect the Senior and Veterans Homestead Exemption. It also created a larger hole to fill in FY 2026-2027 by dipping into the state’s reserve in FY 2025-2026. Finally, it turned off over $1 billion in tax credits for families, taking money out of the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. Second, TABOR limits how much Colorado can invest in government services each year, and there is a constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget. When the costs of providing state services grow faster than the amount the state can spend each year under TABOR, cuts have to be made. Medicaid costs, prison caseload, and utilization of core services continue to grow substantially more than what the state can spend and what program experts previously forecast. Third, Medicaid costs are exploding year over year, far beyond what was forecast by nonpartisan legislative staff. Medicaid is growing at nearly nine percent per year, while TABOR constrains budget growth to about 3.2 percent for next year’s budget. Medicaid spending is increasing primarily due to inflation and higher costs for existing benefits, higher utilization of services, and higher provider rates, not new benefits or services. The largest growth has been in long-term care, prescription drug coverage, and pediatric behavioral health. To close the $1.2 billion budget deficit and deliver a balanced, bipartisan budget, lawmakers reduced health care spending, including a $270 million reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates and some services. This is in addition to the $90 million lawmakers already cut from Medicaid earlier this year. Additionally, lawmakers reallocated $570 million that was previously invested in state programs or services, lowered the state’s reserve by $340 million, and made $150 million in cuts across smaller state departments. Lawmakers found additional savings in state employee compensation and held contractor rates flat to save $120 million, reduced health disparity grants and water quality programs by $4.5 million, and made $9.3 million in caseload-based reductions to the early intervention programs at the Department of Early Childhood. One of the more difficult cuts for the JBC was to limit reimbursements to family members who serve as caregivers of Medicaid recipients. At 56 hours per week starting in 2027, reimbursement for family members who serve as full-time caregivers in Colorado will remain one of the most generous in the country at roughly $80,000 annually per caregiver. Many states only reimburse up to 10 hours. Lawmakers also made a reduction to the Cover All Coloradans program, which provides health care to pregnant people and young children, by reducing benefits. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2019 GOV SIGNS CUTTER’S MEDIA LITERACY AND SLAPP BILLS Media Literacy bill will help invest in the next generation of Coloradans (Jun 3) – Today, two of Representative Lisa Cutter’s bills were signed in Conifer by Governor Polis. The bills create a media literacy advisory committee within the Department of Education to help Colorado students become more educated about the media and the role it plays in our society, and protect Coloradans against lawsuits intended to impede their free speech. “As a country, our decisions are only as good as the information we take in to form our opinions,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Evergreen. “The media landscape has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Colorado’s students are facing the largest and most complex information landscape in human history and it’s crucial that we provide educators with the tools necessary to help our youth better understand the world around them.” HB19-1110 creates a media literacy advisory committee within the state Department of Education that will work with a consultant to study media literacy, including best practices and available resources, and then report back with recommendations for the House and Senate Education Committees. Cutter hopes to sponsor legislation in the future using these recommendations to implement media literacy studies in elementary and secondary education. At a March hearing on the bill, the Associated Press and Colorado Press Association testified in support of this bill, among others. A recent academic study shows that 82 percent of middle school students could not distinguish the difference between real news stories and advertisements. Later, Gov. Polis signed HB19-1324, sponsored by Rep. Cutter and Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster related to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). “These lawsuits are an abuse of our judicial system–to threaten people and instill fear in them,” said Rep. Cutter. “We should not be using the court systems against people, especially low-income people, who are simply exercising their right to speak up and this new law ensures that.” The bill establishes an expedited process for a court to follow in a lawsuit in which a person claims they were exercising their constitutional right to free speech or to petition the government. The bill also authorizes an award of attorney’s fees to defendants on this special motion to dismiss the lawsuit.. This new process will not only speed up the process but will also make sure that people exercising their free speech do not have to lose money defending their constitutional rights against these lawsuits. “Our legal system should not be used to frighten people away from the free exercise of their right to speak. This law protects free speech and makes sure that our legal system is not abused,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, an attorney by trade. 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

Policies would restrict grass turf in new developments, study green infrastructure feasibility, and legalize raw milk < Back November 1, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Water Resources Committee Advances Bills to Preserve Water Resources, Support Green Infrastructure Policies would restrict grass turf in new developments, study green infrastructure feasibility, and legalize raw milk DENVER, CO - The Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee today advanced bills to preserve water resources, build more efficient water systems, and ease restrictions on the sale of raw milk.Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water, with much of this being on non-native turf grass. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this new bill focuses on restricting its initial installation. Sponsored by Chair Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Vice Chair Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, Bill 6 would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting local governments and homeowners’ associations from installing or planting nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf on commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. Nonfunctional means areas like medians or parking lot perimeters which are seldom used; the policy makes no changes to the use of turf in functional areas like yards, sports fields and playgrounds. Additionally, the bill would impose the same restrictions on state facilities. “We have been hard at work this interim looking at ways to address Colorado’s water crisis and develop a number of solutions to conserve water and create more efficient systems,” said Roberts, sponsor of Bill 6. “Our new bill makes a simple change that will have major ripple effects. By restricting the installation of grass turf in new developments and nonfunctional areas, we can significantly cut down on nonessential water use and ensure we’re using our water as efficiently as possible.”“Water is our state’s most precious resource, and this legislation encourages conservation and natural landscapes,” said McLachlan, sponsor of Bill 6. “This bill would not allow local governments and HOAs to install new water-intensive lawns, artificial lawns or invasive plant species in nonfunctional areas, such as parking lots, to protect Colorado’s ecosystem and cut back on water usage. We must all do our part in addressing the water crisis and promoting more natural spaces that mitigate the impacts of climate change.”“Native landscapes are important for supporting Colorado’s ecosystem, which is teeming with plants, insects and animals,” said McCormick, sponsor of Bills 6 and 9. “This bill would prohibit local governments and HOAs from installing invasive species, turf and astroturf in nonfunctional areas which would help encourage water-wise landscaping. Together, we’re working to save Coloradans’ money, water and preserve natural landscapes. Another policy we passed today explores using green infrastructure for traditional wastewater systems, which could include anything from planting more native plants and trees to protecting our state’s wetlands. Green infrastructure is just one of many tools we have to improve wildfire mitigation, boost water quality and encourage natural cityscapes.” Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, Rep. McCormick, Sen. Simpson, and House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, Bill 9 would require the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), in collaboration with the University of Colorado and Colorado State University, to study the feasibility of substituting green nature-based infrastructure for traditional centralized wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. The study would determine if green infrastructure, a planned and managed network of natural green spaces, is a feasible alternative for water providers, would attract new sources of environmental-focused funding for water quality compliance and for water infrastructure projects, and would create cost savings for CDPHE and local water providers.The study would be completed by December 31, 2025. After completing the study, CDPHE would establish at least one pilot program to demonstrate the use of green infrastructure as an alternative compliance program supported with environmental-focused funding. “Why use chemicals to treat wastewater if nature can do it just as well?” asked Bridges, sponsor of Bill 9. “Today’s bill will give water experts the resources they need to see if we can naturally improve water quality enough to keep our residents safe while cutting costs for our communities, especially our small rural towns.” The committee also advanced Bill 15 , sponsored by Roberts, Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, which would legalize the sale of raw cow or goat milk when it is sold directly to consumers at the point of production, the consumer’s residence, or at a farmer’s market or roadside market. To sell raw milk, a raw milk producer must be registered with the state and comply with handling, storage, labeling, and transportation requirements for the sale of raw milk issued through rulemaking. Raw milk producers may face a civil penalty or embargo for violations of the program’s requirements.The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills. ### Previous Next