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

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

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

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

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to eliminate arbitrary caps on housing development that drive up costs for families in order to save people money on housing, improve our environment and increase our housing supply. The bill passed by a vote of 9-2. < Back April 5, 2023 Lindstedt, Dickson Bill to Eliminate Growth Caps Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to eliminate arbitrary caps on housing development that drive up costs for families in order to save people money on housing, improve our environment and increase our housing supply. The bill passed by a vote of 9-2. “ Anti-growth laws in some communities hinder Colorado’s bold efforts to address our crushing housing shortage and accommodate rapidly growing communities throughout the state ,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “ Housing that is affordable for Coloradans of all incomes is becoming increasingly difficult to find . As a former city councilor, I know how growth caps increase demands on neighboring communities, especially for critical services like education, water, and police and fire. By eliminating arbitrary growth caps, we can increase our housing supply, reduce our carbon footprint, and protect hardworking Coloradans from these exclusionary measures.” “Smart housing plans save Coloradans money, limit air pollution, and support a thriving workforce,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial. “Arbitrary housing growth caps imposed by a handful of jurisdictions impact the entire state. These caps reduce housing options close to where Coloradans work-- forcing sprawl, air pollution, and long commutes. This bill will create good jobs, support local businesses, and drive down costs for Colorado families.” HB23-1255 would prevent local governments from enacting and enforcing housing growth restrictions that limit housing development to a certain number of building permits or approvals without a transparent process and fair consideration of a proposal’s merits. Under the bill, local governments would not be required to accept any specific developments or projects, but they would not be able to reject a proposal simply due to an arbitrary growth cap. There are exceptions in cases of a declared disaster emergency. This bill was introduced alongside SB23-213 in March 2023 with Governor Jared Polis, climate champions, local government officials, economic development organizations, labor groups, and housing affordability advocates to announce Colorado’s plan to address the statewide housing crisis. The bills aim to create more housing supply for every budget so Coloradans can afford to stay in their communities without being priced out. These policies also improve air quality, protect open space, conserve water, create jobs and help local communities plan for future growth. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 SIGNED! BILLS TO CREATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADMIN. AND PREVENT SUICIDE DEATHS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will expand access to behavioral and mental health services for Coloradans and reduce suicide deaths. “The tragedy and devastation of a suicide death or attempt is something that far too many Coloradans have endured,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Today, we’re taking a great step forward with a comprehensive approach to reduce youth suicide deaths and ensure our communities have the resources they need in the aftermath of a suicide attempt to prevent future tragedies.” “Far too many of us have seen firsthand just how devastating and widespread the impact of a suicide can be on a community,” said Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. “This bill empowers the Suicide Prevention Commission to proactively prevent, intervene, and react to suicide in Colorado by recognizing and addressing the full scope of the problem. We are meeting the moment with the urgency it requires and I’m proud to see the bill signed into law.” HB21-1119 , which is sponsored by Representatives Daugherty and Rich and Senators Donovan and Coram, expands the Crisis and Suicide Training Grant Program to include “‘train-the-trainer” programs at public schools and funds peer-to-peer specialist programs that help students support their classmates. The bill incorporates postvention and follow-up care into the state’s comprehensive suicide prevention approach to support individuals and communities in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Importantly, CDPHE will update the department’s suicide prevention resources to include region-specific information for primary care providers on how to recognize and respond to suicidal patients, including information that can be shared with patients and information for health facilities to share upon a patient’s release. Research shows that people who have known someone who died by suicide were 1.6 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, 2.9 times more likely to have a plan for suicide themselves, and 3.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide. Suicide has become a far more common cause of death among peace officers, medical professionals, and school-aged children. Children or adolescents who know about a friend’s suicide attempt are nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide themselves. “Too many Coloradans have suffered because our state has not addressed gaps in our behavioral health system that prevent people from accessing the care they need,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “Today, Governor Polis signed legislation to create the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, bringing about critical reforms to address gaps and access challenges in our health system to ensure that Coloradans can get the mental health care services they need. This new administration will oversee and administer behavioral health programs in Colorado, creating a more comprehensive approach to connect services with those who need them.” “Mental and behavioral health is critical to Coloradans’ wellbeing, but too often it is treated as a luxury rather than a necessity – with prohibitive costs restricting access to those who need care the most,” said Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “HB-1097 sets the groundwork for a more connected, convenient mental health system in our state so that people can receive high-quality, professional help no matter their income level. I am incredibly proud to see this bill signed today and look forward to the difference it will make for our state.” HB21-1097 , sponsored by Representatives Young and Pelton and Senators Fields and Gardner, would create the Behavioral Health Administration to ensure that every Coloradan experiencing behavioral health needs has access to timely, high-quality services in their communities that they can afford. It tasks the Department of Human Services with creating a plan for a single state entity that would be responsible for administering and overseeing behavioral health programs in Colorado. Previous Next

< Back June 18, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: LATINO AND BLACK CAUCUSES PRAISE SCOTUS DECISION ON DREAMERS DENVER, CO – The Colorado Latino and Black Caucuses today released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration cannot immediately end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. “The Trump Administration’s decision to end the DACA program was a cruel and unjust betrayal, and it would have destroyed the lives of thousands of Colorado families. Dreamers make up the fabric of this state and this country. Today’s Supreme Court decision is historic and welcome news that will allow our country’s DREAMers to continue living and working in their communities without fear. “We urge Congress to quickly pass legislation to establish permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for all DREAMers. Furthermore, we denounce any attempt by the administration to continue using DREAMers as a bargaining chip in negotiations over immigration reform and the president’s border wall. We stand with DREAMers!” There are over 15,000 Dreamers in Colorado, and nationally, nearly 700,000 participate in the DACA program. Colorado Latino Caucus Members: Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Latino Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Robert Rodriguez, Latino Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Adrienne Benavidez Rep. Bri Buentello Rep. Yadira Caraveo Rep. Monica Duran Sen. Leroy Garcia Sen. Julie Gonzales Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis Sen. Dominick Moreno Rep. Kerry Tipper Rep. Alex Valdez Rep. Donald Valdez Colorado Black Caucus Members: Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, Black Caucus Chair Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, Black Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora Rep. James Coleman, D-Denver Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora Sen. Angela Williams, D-Denver Previous Next

SB26-064 would prioritize first-time farmers and ranchers and protect vital land and water resources < Back March 11, 2026 Bipartisan Bill to Support First-Time Farmers and Ranchers Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick to make it easier for first-time farmers and ranchers to jumpstart their careers. SB26-064 passed the House by a unanimous vote of 65-0. “This bipartisan bill uplifts the next generation of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Farmland is expensive, and it can be difficult for beginner farmers to get their foot in the door. This bill would ensure that new farmers and ranchers are prioritized in state-operated loan programs. To safeguard our water and natural resources, this bill also expands loan eligibility to water conservation districts. Farmers and ranchers are excellent stewards of our land, and this bill reduces barriers to entering Colorado’s ag industry.” SB26-064 is also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta. To help farmers and ranchers to secure loans, this bill would support the new generation of farmers by financing their startup costs. SB26-064 would also expand loan eligibility for the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program to include water conservancy, water conservation, and water, sanitation and irrigation districts, and ditch and reservoir companies. This expansion would make it easier for land stewards to protect vital resources, including water. Additionally, SB26-064 upholds Colorado’s agriculture future by enabling qualified companies, farmers and ranchers to use this financing tool to purchase at-risk farmland and protect it. This would help guarantee farmland’s long-term protection. According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado is experiencing a nation-leading loss of agricultural land, with 1.6 million acres taken out of production in the last five years. This bill aims to protect Colorado’s farmland by making it easier for farmers and ranchers to secure financing. Previous Next

Three bills would close corporate tax loopholes to lower taxes for hardworking people and lift families out of poverty < Back March 9, 2026 Colorado Dems Put Hardworking People Over Corporations and the Very Wealthy Three bills would close corporate tax loopholes to lower taxes for hardworking people and lift families out of poverty DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed three bills to rebalance Colorado’s tax code and put working people first after Congress passed H.R. 1, which granted massive tax breaks to corporations and the ultra-wealthy while raising taxes on working families in Colorado. The bills would create a new tax credit for hardworking families. The Family Affordability Credit (FAC) is modeled after the highly successful Family Affordability Tax Credit. In recent years, Democrats in Colorado have expanded the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and created the Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) to boost the incomes of hardworking Colorado families and lift children out of poverty. A 2026 report found that the EITC, CTC and FATC cut child poverty by 37-percent and family poverty by 32-percent. These tax credits were entirely turned off for the next tax year due to H.R. 1, raising taxes on families, and forecasts show H.R. 1’s revenue impacts may reduce the credits in future years, too “Corporations and the very wealthy shouldn’t get massive tax cuts in Colorado while families are plunged into poverty, but that’s exactly what’s happening because of the Republican budget Congress passed last year. Our package of bills will put money back into the pockets of hardworking people by closing special interest corporate tax loopholes,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB26-1222. “The Family Affordability Tax Credit is one of the most powerful tools that we have to drive down child poverty, but when the federal GOP passed H.R. 1, that tax relief was completely shut off. Colorado Democrats are fighting back with these tax policies to ensure that Colorado’s tax code works for Colorado children and families.” Beginning for 2026 taxes, HB26-1221 , HB26-1222 and HB26-1223 would create a new Family Affordability Credit that could be taken in addition to the CTC, EITC and FATC. The bills are revenue neutral – the credit will adjust based on available revenue, so that families receive all the benefits from modernizing the tax code. HB26-1221 prioritizes working families and ensures corporations and high-earners pay their fair share by closing tax loopholes that offer deductions for top executives’ salaries. HB26-1222 mitigates the harm of H.R. 1 and would decouple Colorado’s tax code from four new federal tax deductions to rein in these corporate tax breaks at the state level only, especially for out-of-state investments. HB26-1223 would tax software the same, regardless of how it is acquired. The new credit is projected to provide a substantial benefit for families, with initial estimates of hundreds of dollars per child under the age of six for each of the bills. Prioritizing Working Families: HB26-1221 would limit a tax loophole that allows corporations to deduct the salaries of their CEO, CFO and the next eight highest-paid executives—up to $1 million each—as ‘operating expenses,’ even if the executive doesn’t reside in Colorado. The bill limits this deduction to $250,000 per salary. HB26-1221 passed by a vote of 6-4. “Colorado Democrats are closing a corporate tax giveaway on million-dollar salaries to rebalance Colorado’s tax code toward hardworking Coloradans,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1221. “Last year, Trump and the federal GOP passed H.R. 1, giving a free lunch to CEOs by gutting the most successful anti-poverty tool in our state’s history. We have a choice to make– protect tax breaks for corporations or lower taxes for working families. The choice is clear for us. We’re demanding corporations pay their fair share to put money back into the pockets of Colorado families and cut child poverty.” “Colorado Democrats believe in an economy where working people have a fair shot, but Congress’s H.R. 1 raised taxes on families and plunged children into poverty,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1221. “We’re limiting a tax loophole to ensure that the biggest corporations are not getting tax breaks on top-earners’ salaries while the federal GOP just shut off FATC. Our legislation will rein in this loophole to create a tax code that puts working people first.” HB26-1221 would also lower the percentage of net operating loss deductions that corporations can deduct from their Colorado taxable income and shorten the length of time that they can carry those losses forward before claiming them, a technique that corporations use to avoid paying taxes year after year, even while making significant profits. Mitigating the Harm of H.R. 1: HB26-1222 would de-couple Colorado’s tax code from four new federal business tax breaks created or expanded by H.R. 1, including certain write-offs and deductions for interest expenses on debt, especially for multi-national corporations. The bill would essentially deny these new tax cuts for corporations at the state level. HB26-1222 passed by a vote of 7-3. “H.R. 1 not only offered corporate handouts to the wealthiest earners and corporations, but it also shut off a tax credit that reduced child poverty by 40-percent,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB26-1222. “Colorado Democrats believe that the people in our state deserve a tax code that rewards hardworking people. This bill mitigates some of the harms caused by H.R. 1 by limiting these new corporate tax breaks at the state level and instead deliver tax relief for lower- and middle-income Coloradans.” Downloadable Software : HB26-1223 would repeal the downloadable software exemption to ensure taxes on these products are consistent, no matter how or where they are purchased. HB26-1223 passed by a vote of 6-5. “We’re making Colorado’s tax code consistent and fair,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB26-1223. “The tax exemption on downloadable software has not been evenly applied, with consumers being taxed differently depending on the way that they purchase the product. We’re eliminating confusion around this tax exemption to create a more equitable tax code.” “This bill makes Colorado’s tax code more equitable so everyone can expect to be taxed equally on downloadable software,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1223. “The same product should be taxed the same regardless of how it is purchased, and making this change can also put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of middle and lower income families.” The Colorado Office of the State Auditor reported that the antiquated sales tax exemption for certain downloadable software was being applied unevenly across the state, with 14-percent of vendors not applying the exemption at all. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS CELEBRATE IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD TO FUND COLORADO OPTION Landmark bill will save Coloradans money, improve access to health care COLORADO – Colorado Democratic lawmakers today are celebrating news that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Colorado’s Section 1332 Innovation Waiver Request for the Colorado Option , a landmark bill signed into law last year that will save Coloradans money and improve access to health care across the state. Sponsored by Reps. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, the Colorado Option will lower health care costs for individuals, families, and small businesses across the state by creating a new standardized health insurance plan for consumers on the individual and small group markets, and by requiring health insurance carriers to bring premiums down by 15 percent over three years. “The Colorado Option will be an affordable and quality insurance plan in every county of the state. Coloradans – especially in rural and mountain communities like mine – have faced soaring health care costs for too long and that is why we worked so hard to make this plan a reality,” Roberts said. “This waiver means we can move forward with the Colorado Option and make quality, affordable health insurance plans for individuals and small businesses in every part of the state a reality.” “I want to thank CMS for their partnership in making the Colorado Option a reality. This groundbreaking idea will cut the cost of health care and increase access for all Coloradans and small businesses – relief we need in Colorado’s high country and across the state,” Donovan said. “I am proud that the Colorado Option will bring more affordable and quality health care to rural communities, people of color and small businesses across our state,” Jodeh said. “We have been working toward this day for a long time, and CMS’ approval of Colorado’s waiver is an important step toward full implementation of the Colorado Option and achieving meaningful cost savings for Coloradans.” Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits a state to apply for a State Innovation Waiver (also referred to as a Section 1332 waiver) to pursue innovative strategies for providing residents with access to high quality, affordable health insurance while retaining the basic protections of the ACA. CMS’ waiver approval is a critical step that will allow Colorado to use up to $135 million in federal funding to provide a new, affordable health insurance option that will save consumers money and help more Coloradans access and afford the critical health care they need to thrive. Previous Next

< Back April 25, 2022 BILL TO BOOST COLORADO’S EMERGENCY STOCKPILE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House passed a bill today that would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE). HB22-1352 passed by a vote of 42 to 21 and aims to create a healthier, safer Colorado. “We are preparing now so Colorado has the proper supplies and personal protective equipment needed to keep us safe during the next national emergency or pandemic,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. “Boosting Colorado’s stockpile of masks, gloves and other medical grade PPE will ensure our health care professionals have the tools they need to safely care for Coloradans. We are focused on creating a healthier, more prepared state and this bill invests nearly $2 million to stockpile PPE.” HB22-1352 , sponsored by Representative Mullica, would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials and PPE to be available for distribution after the governor has declared a disaster emergency. Facial masks, medical gloves, eye protection and other PPE worn by health care professionals are necessary for treating patients and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. This bill will invest nearly $2 million to stockpile medical-grade PPE in Colorado so hospitals, vaccine clinics and other medical sites can have access to the protective equipment to keep them safe. Schools, community centers and other organizations can also receive stockpiled PPE which will be distributed via state agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was charged with maintaining the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE and associated warehouses. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has since maintained a 60-day stockpile of five key PPE product categories to dispatch to state agencies as needed. This bill ensures Colorado has adequate PPE supplies for the next pandemic or declared national disaster. 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