< Back April 12, 2024 Bill to Ban Assault Weapons Transfer and Purchase Sees Initial Approval in House Legislation would ban weapons of war to save lives in Colorado DENVER, CO - The House today gave preliminary approval to gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Representatives Tim Hernández and Elisabeth Epps to prohibit the manufacture, import, purchase, or sale of assault weapons and rapid-fire trigger activators. “Columbine High School, Aurora movie theater, Club Q, and the Boulder King Soopers shooting – Our state has endured too many tragedies that we can easily name that have been carried out with assault weapons,” said Rep. Tim Hernández, D-Denver. “As the youngest member of the Colorado General Assembly and a teacher, I feared every day that my school could end up in the news from a deadly attack. This legislation is one step we can take in the legislature to protect our communities, especially our students and educators, and save Colorado lives.” “The proliferation of weapons of war has wreaked havoc on our communities. This uniquely American epidemic requires bold solutions and state-level action," said Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver. "Policy choices created an environment where the real and present threat of a public mass shooting pervades every element of our lives. And it is making better policy choices—like banning the sale of assault weapons—that will help save Coloradans from preventable gun violence.” Beginning July 1, 2024, HB24-1292 would prohibit the manufacture, import, purchase, or sale of assault weapons and rapid-fire trigger activators. A violator who does not have a permit to sell shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $750 if attempting to make a private sale. A licensed gun dealer who violates this law shall be reported to the Department of Revenue where appropriate action may be taken as required by law. Exceptions include: U.S. military members, peace officers, or other government officers or agents, The manufacture, sale, or transfer of an assault weapon from a licensed firearms manufacturer to the U.S. military or entity that employs peace officers, Transfer of an assault weapon to a licensed firearms dealer or gunsmith for temporary maintenance, repair, modification, storage, or permanent disposal. Any federal, state, or local historical society, museum, or institutional collection that is open to the public, as long as the assault weapon is securely housed and unloaded A forensic laboratory or an agent or employee of the laboratory while on duty Armored vehicle entities and their employees, or A licensed gun dealer who has a remaining inventory of assault weapons as of August 1, 2024, and sells or transfers the remaining inventory only to a non-Colorado resident and the sale or transfer takes place out of the state. A study found that over 60 percent of Americans support an assault weapons ban. From 2010-2019, assault weapons were used in 34 percent of mass public shootings. Since 2020, that number has increased to 60 percent . Assault weapons have been used in numerous mass shootings including the Uvalde shooting, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and the Pulse nightclub shooting. The gunman in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, had multiple guns in his hotel room, including semi-automatic firearms with bump stocks that converted the weapon into a fully automatic firearm. He was able to fire between 400-800 rounds per minute , killing 59 people and wounding hundreds. An AR-15 assault rifle was used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, killing 20 students and six staff members. There, the shooter fired 154 bullets in less than four minutes . In the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, a semi-automatic rifle was used to kill five people and injure 19 others. If signed into law, Colorado will join California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington in passing an assault weapons ban. Previous Next

< Back March 1, 2021 SAFE STORAGE BILL ADVANCES; COMMITTEE VOTES TO SAVE LIVES, PREVENT TRAGEDIES DENVER, CO– The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bill to save lives and prevent accidental deaths by promoting responsible gun ownership and the safe storage of firearms when children are present. “In Colorado, a child is injured with a gun on average once a day, and a child dies at the hands of a firearm once a week,” said Representative Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) . “The shocking number of suicides and accidental deaths involving firearms in children and teens demands action. This bill will save lives by promoting the type of responsible behavior that the vast majority of Colorado gun owners like myself already practice. Safe storage saves lives.” “This bill is about protecting our children,” said Representative Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn) . “As the father of young kids, I’m committed to preventing the type of life-altering tragedies we heard about in testimony today from happening in the first place. Putting a simple and affordable lock on guns present in a home with children is a straightforward solution that will make our kids, teens and communities safer.” HB21-1106 seeks to promote responsible gun ownership by creating an educational campaign that will encourage gun owners, especially those with children in the home, to properly store their firearms. The bill also requires licensed firearms dealers to provide a locking device at the time of sale or transfer of all firearms. Federal law already requires that handguns sold by licensed dealers be sold with locking devices. Finally, the bill would create the charge “unlawful storage of a firearm” when a firearm is not stored safely and a juvenile or someone who is ineligible to possess a firearm is present, making it a class 2 misdemeanor. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2022 DEMS DEFEAT CONSPIRACY-DRIVEN GOP ELECTION BILLS DENVER, CO – Democrats on the State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee today defeated three GOP “commitment to conspiracies” bills that would undermine Colorado’s gold standard elections system. “Colorado Democrats will continue to stand up for our democracy and protect our gold standard election system,” said State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Allegations of widespread voter fraud have been repeatedly debunked, and the Republican bill sponsors tonight failed to offer a single shred of evidence of voter fraud or improperly cast ballots. Policies like these could lead to citizens being purged from the voter rolls and legitimate ballots being cast aside. We'll soon be scheduling a hearing for another Hanks bill that would eliminate mail ballots and early voting, dramatically reducing voting access for thousands of eligible voters. The threats to our democracy are real.” “Colorado Republicans are stuck on the Big Lie and are using it to restrict voting rights in our State. We won't let them,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “The bills we defeated today are based on the same conspiracies that the GOP is pushing across the country to make it harder to vote. Republicans in Colorado have made it clear that these are the bills they’d pass if they were in control. We should craft our laws based on facts, not delusions spread by the My Pillow guy.” HB22-1085 , sponsored by Representative Ron Hanks, would require unnecessary and costly ballots with unproven technologies. Under the bill, ballots must include expensive but ineffective fraud countermeasures such as a “secure holographic foil” and “multicolored invisible ultraviolet inks.” During the unofficial audit staged in Arizona, the company used UV lights to examine ballots for bamboo fibers that could serve as proof they were counterfeit. No such evidence was uncovered. HB22-1078 , sponsored by Representative Mark Baisley, would require Colorado to adopt federal elections standards, some of which are weaker than those currently in place in Colorado. In addition, it would require Colorado to purchase voting systems that have not yet been put on the market or tested by the state’s rigorous processes. HB22-1084 , sponsored by Representative Andres Pico, would inappropriately remove people from voting rolls in violation of federal law. The state has a robust process to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls and to update voter rolls when individuals move, making this legislation unnecessary. The legislation could lead to people being removed from voter rolls when they are, in fact, eligible to vote. The legislation is part of a package of bills on Colorado’s elections sponsored by Republican lawmakers. HB22-1204 , sponsored by Representative Hanks, was also referred to the State, Civic, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee and would end vote by mail and early voting in Colorado. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation that would streamline access to durable medical equipment and create guidelines for the legalization of medical psilocybin. < Back January 14, 2025 Bills to Increase Access to Medical Equipment, Psilocybin Medication Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation that would streamline access to durable medical equipment and create guidelines for the legalization of medical psilocybin . “As a former first responder, I know how important it is for Coloradans to access the medical treatment they need to live comfortably, which is why I’m carrying this bill to make it easier for people to receive life-saving equipment like wheelchairs and CPAPs,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, sponsor of HB25-1016. “This bill would allow occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment to their patients, cutting out the middle man and streamlining access to essential medical equipment, especially in rural areas where people have to travel further to see a provider.” HB25-1016 , which passed by a vote of 13-0, would allow occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment, like ventilators and wheelchairs, without requiring a prescription from a licensed physician leading to increased access to medical care and treatment. HB25-1063 , sponsored by Representative Kyle Brown and Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, would make a prescription medication that includes crystalline polymorph psilocybin legal to prescribe, dispense, distribute, possess, use, and market in Colorado upon its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Coloradans have shown support for natural psychedelic treatment options when they passed Prop 122, and this bill would help prepare Colorado’s medical industry to start prescribing synthesized psilocybin for Coloradans with certain mental health conditions,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB25-1063. “Research shows that this type of medication can have positive long-term impacts on people suffering from treatment-resistant depression or post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). This bipartisan bill creates guidelines for medical psilocybin treatments in the case that it is approved at the federal level to give Coloradans more controlled treatment options for depression, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, and other conditions.” Colorado became the second state in the nation to legalize psychedelic therapy when voters passed Proposition 122 in 2022. In June 2023, the FDA published guidance for researchers investigating the use of psychedelic therapy for medical treatment, stating that psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs have shown promising results when used to treat mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders. A Johns Hopkins study found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can relieve major depressive disorder symptoms in some adults for at least a year. HB25-1063 passed by a vote of 12-1. Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2021 STOCK SHOW FUNDING BOOST AND AG LOAN PROGRAM NOW LAW! DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed two bills into law to invest in Colorado’s agriculture economy and ensure the National Western Stock Show continues to call Colorado home. “The National Western Stock Show and similar agriculture events are not only crucial to our identity as Coloradans, they’re important job creators that are critical for our state’s economic success,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1262 . “The new law created today recognizes these contributions and stands up for Colorado agriculture by making an important investment in the Stock Show and other local events. I’m proud of all we did this year to ensure the Stock Show stays in Colorado for years to come.” HB21-1262 , also sponsored by Representative Mike Lynch R-Wellington, supports Colorado’s agriculturale industry by investing $25 million into the National Western Complex to ensure the Stock Show remains in Colorado –a staple to the state’s agricultural industry and Denver’s economy–as well as providing $3.5 million directly to the National Western Stock Show, $5 million for the State Fair, and $2 million to agricultural events across the state. “Individuals, families and entire communities across Colorado depend on the success of our agriculture industry for their economic wellbeing,” said Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee Chair Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB21-248 . “By creating the Agriculture Future Loan Program today, we’re giving farmers hit hard by COVID a boost and at the same time investing in the long term success of the industry. With careful investments like these, we’re working to set up Colorado’s farmers for decades of sustainable success.” SB21-248 , also sponsored by Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, would create the Colorado Agriculture Future Loan Program and direct $30 million of state stimulus funds into it. The Program is designed to provide low-interest loans to beginning farmers and ranchers and farm-to-market infrastructure loans and grants for businesses. Agribusiness provides more than 170,000 jobs in Colorado, this program is intended to ensure that this vital industry has a sustainable and prosperous future in the state. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. < Back May 29, 2025 Signed! Bill to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. SB25-007 , sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, encourages the use of prescribed burns as a wildfire resilience tool. “Because of the real impacts of climate change, we are living with an unpredictable and increasing threat of devastating wildfires,” said Cutter. “As a longtime member and current chair of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, I am committed to championing solutions that address all facets of this issue. Prescribed burning is an important tool in the toolbox to help protect Coloradans and our forests.” “Wildfire season is year-round in Colorado, and our communities need all the wildfire mitigation tools available,” said Velasco. “This law will make it easier for communities to conduct prescribed burns, which are a cost-effective way to reduce the amount of fuel available for a wildfire. Fire is a natural part of our ecosystem, and with the guidance of a certified burn manager, Colorado communities can take steps today to reduce the size and intensity of destructive wildfires in the future.” “We’ve learned so many lessons from the catastrophic wildfires of recent years, and among the most important of those is to be prepared,” said Marchman. “It is imperative that we strengthen our use of proactive, science-backed approaches like prescribed burns to address dangerous conditions and keep our forests healthy before we find ourselves in a disastrous situation.” Low-intensity fire, applied through prescribed burns overseen by burn managers, can reduce fuel loads and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. SB25-007 will strengthen Colorado’s wildfire mitigation efforts by encouraging controlled, prescribed burns. To keep communities safe, plans for prescribed burns must be reviewed by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. As recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee , this new law will compensate Coloradans if their property is damaged during prescribed burns. It will also address workforce shortages that are a barrier to expanding the use of prescribed fires by allowing interstate reciprocity in the certified burner program, which certifies individuals to conduct prescribed burns. Additionally, this law better allows utility companies to perform wildfire mitigation, broadening access to a financing mechanism that will reduce mitigation costs. To ensure state oversight, plans must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission. Previous Next

< Back December 10, 2020 SPEAKER-DESIGNATE GARNETT ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS DENVER, CO– Speaker-designate Alec Garnett today announced the chairs, vice chairs and committee appointments for the 11 House committees of reference, appointing seven new committee chairs. Of the 22 members in committee leadership, 13 are women. Rep. Jeni James Arndt, D-Fort Collins, will chair the Agriculture, Livestock and Water committee , formerly known as the Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee, and veterinarian Rep.-elect Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, will be the vice chair. “Agriculture, livestock and water have always been the lifeblood of our state, supporting jobs in every county in Colorado,” said Rep. Jeni James Arndt, D-Fort Collins. “We must ensure that our farmers and ranchers have the tools and resources they need to get through the pandemic and reemerge stronger. Our precious water resources require careful stewardship as we move into a water-short future.” Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, will chair the Business Affairs and Labor committee , and Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, will be the vice chair. “Colorado’s businesses and workers are the backbone of our economy, and we know they are struggling right now as COVID-19 spreads at dangerous rates and Congress refuses to help,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “In Colorado, we are going to support our businesses and prioritize the safety and health of our workers to help our state get through this crisis and build back stronger.” Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, will chair the Energy and Environment committee , and Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder, will be the vice chair. “We have a responsibility to protect our air and water, as climate change and worsening wildfires threaten our Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “In Colorado, we’ve made tremendous progress. We’re going to continue fighting for the environmental justice our communities deserve and to secure our planet for future generations.” Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, will chair the Finance committee , and Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, will be the vice chair. “We have a long road ahead to recover from this pandemic,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “A necessary part of our recovery is ensuring that small businesses and hardworking families get through these challenging months and bounce back stronger. We will do this by ensuring that our policies are smart, common sense and fiscally responsible.” Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, will chair the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services committee , formerly called the Public Health and Human Services Committee, and Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, will be the vice chair. “As a longtime champion of access to behavioral health, it breaks my heart to see how hard this pandemic has been on adults as well as children across our state,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “To build back stronger, we must ensure that every Coloradan has access to the mental and physical health care and support services they need to recover.” Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, will chair the Transportation & Local Government committee , and Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, will be the vice chair. “Our local governments are on the frontlines responding to this pandemic, providing testing, health care, and so many other critical services,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs. “To boost our economy, we have to work together in a bipartisan way to improve our transportation infrastructure and invest in our state’s future. It is an honor to chair this committee, and I look forward to working with Colorado’s cities, counties and towns to help our state get through this crisis. ” Following the precedent in which the members of the Joint Budget Committee are appointed to lead the Appropriations committee , Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, will be the Appropriations committee chair and Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, will be the vice chair. Rep. McCluskie will continue to serve as vice chair of the Joint Budget Committee and will chair that committee in the second year of the 73rd General Assembly. All seven majority lawmakers on the Appropriations committee are women. “With so many hardworking families and small businesses just barely hanging on, I know we have a lot of work ahead to help our state recover from this pandemic and build back stronger,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We’re going to have to make a lot of tough decisions due to our state’s limited budget, but I’m excited to see the legislation lawmakers are going to bring forward to help all Coloradans, especially those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, make ends meet and have a fair shot to succeed as our economy recovers.” Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, will continue to chair the Education committee , and Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, will be the vice chair. Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, will continue to chair the Health and Insurance committee, and Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, will continue to serve as vice chair. Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, will continue to chair the Judiciary committee , and Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, will be the vice chair. Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, will continue to chair the newly named State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs committee , and Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, will be the vice chair. Committee structure, leadership and majority caucus appointments are made by the Speaker. “House Democrats are humbled by the trust Coloradans have placed in us as we continue to govern responsibly through the worst public health and economic crisis our nation has seen in recent memory,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Our committee leadership reflects the diverse voices of all our communities. Together, we’re going to help Colorado build back stronger by forging an economic recovery where everyone has a fair shot to succeed and no one is left behind.” The complete list of Majority committee assignments is below: Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Jeni Arndt, D-Fort Collins Vice Chair, Rep.-elect Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara Appropriations Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver Vice Chair, Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon Rep.-elect Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge Rep.-elect Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood Business Affairs and Labor Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon Vice Chair, Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial Rep.-elect Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn Rep.-elect Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Education Committee (6-3) Chair, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Vice Chair, Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Energy and Environment Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Vice Chair, Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder Rep.-elect Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Finance Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Vice Chair, Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County Rep.-elect Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Health and Insurance Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver Vice Chair, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Rep.-elect Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn Rep.-elect David Ortiz, D-Littleton Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Judiciary Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Vice Chair, Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood Rep.-elect Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County Rep.-elect Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Vice Chair, Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver Rep.-elect Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Rep.-elect David Ortiz, D-Littleton Rep.-elect Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Vice Chair, Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Rep.-elect Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Rep.-elect Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Rep.-elect Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Transportation and Local Government Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs Vice Chair, Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield Rep. Jeni Arndt, D-Fort Collins Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara Previous Next

First-in-the-nation legislation to save farmers and ranchers money and time on costly agricultural equipment repairs goes into effect on January 1, 2024. < Back December 20, 2023 New Right To Repair Agriculture Equipment Law Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – First-in-the-nation legislation to save farmers and ranchers money and time on costly agricultural equipment repairs goes into effect on January 1, 2024. HB23-1011 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, and Senators Nick Hinrichsen and Janice Marchman requires agricultural equipment manufacturers to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. “Starting next month, farmers and ranchers across Colorado can save both time and money on fixing their own equipment,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “I’m incredibly proud of this first-in-the-nation right to repair law because without it, farmers are forced to wait weeks for repair technicians' availability and spend outrageous amounts on necessary repairs. Right to repair empowers Coloradans to fix their own equipment, and this new law helps get farmers and ranchers back to work faster when their equipment breaks.” “Colorado’s farmers play a critical role in our economy, but for too long when their equipment broke down, they were forced to use an authorized mechanic to get it fixed, costing them both extra time and money,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “That’s why I fought to give Colorado farmers the freedom to repair their equipment themselves or have an independent mechanic do the work. This new law will give Colorado farmers a leg up and save them time and money so they can focus on their important job of feeding the world.” “Family farmers and ranchers like the ones I represent need all the help they can get, and this new law is a great first step,” Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, said. “A broken tractor or combine during harvest season can be devastating, and makes an already difficult job that much harder. Farmers should be able to apply know-how and elbow grease to fix their own equipment instead of being forced to use an authorized dealer. I am thrilled that our bill to keep operations running smoothly and save Colorado ag producers critical time and money is going into effect.” As outlined in HB23-1011 , agricultural equipment manufacturers now need to provide necessary parts, software, firmware, tools or documentation to independent repair providers and owners at a fair and reasonable price. Colorado is the first and only state in the nation to secure a law for the right to repair agricultural equipment. Under this law, agricultural equipment manufacturers or dealers selling on behalf of the manufacturer must provide repair items at fair and reasonable costs. This law aims to save farmers and ranchers money on necessary equipment repairs while speeding up the repair process. Agriculture is one of the largest and leading industries in the state of Colorado. HB23-1011 is supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, the Corn Growers, Wheat Growers, Wool Producers, Fruit and Vegetable Producers, the Cattleman, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to make pesticide disposal and recycling easier and more affordable for Colorado’s farmers and ranchers. < Back May 26, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Bill to Benefit Colorado Farmers and Ranchers DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to make pesticide disposal and recycling easier and more affordable for Colorado’s farmers and ranchers. “This new law will help farmers and ranchers in my district and across Colorado who have been holding on to pesticides for decades because there aren’t safe, easy disposal options,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our law creates a new state-run program that brings safe, convenient and low-cost pesticide disposal directly to our communities. Colorado farmers and ranchers are good stewards of our land, and this law will save them time, money and hassle on proper pesticide disposal.” “This new law will keep our communities safe from pesticide contamination, protect Colorado’s land and waterways, and support farmers with an affordable and convenient way to safely dispose of pesticides and recycle containers,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “It’s specifically designed to meet Colorado’s needs through a public-private partnership with strong oversight.” “HB26-1111 saves farmers and ranchers money and protects our waterways and soil,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Without access to pesticide disposal programs, Coloradans risk contaminating our environment or exposing themselves to chemicals from accidental leaks. Our law brings safe, affordable pesticide disposal to our farmers and ranchers. I’m proud to sponsor this law because it not only supports our agriculture community, but protects our environment too.” “This new law creates a solution to a real challenge in our rural and agricultural communities that will save people money,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “In Colorado, we don’t currently have a system that allows for the responsible and affordable disposal of agricultural pesticides, leading to unsafe storage, contamination risks, and high costs for producers. These pesticides require specific handling and incineration protocols, leaving many producers in rural communities without any good options. This new law is a win-win, tailored to fill this gap to support Colorado farmers while protecting our land and water." HB26-1111 will offer farmers a new option to safely remove pesticides and containers that are no longer needed from their property. This law creates the Pesticide Product Disposal and Container Recycling Enterprise housed in the Department of Agriculture (CDA). This Enterprise will target large quantities of pesticides kept on agricultural properties by farmers and ranchers by creating an affordable method for pesticide disposal. Pesticide disposal and recycling facilities in Colorado are limited, dispersed, inconvenient and expensive for farmers and ranchers. Without access to pesticide disposal and recycling services, harmful chemicals often accumulate, which increases the risk of improper disposal or leaks that could contaminate Colorado’s soil and water. Beginning in 2027, HB26-1111 will create a new program that provides relief to our farmers and ranchers and protects our environment. Previous Next

< Back April 23, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES $90 MILLION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to expand access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. HB22-1281 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . “These federal funds offer us a once in a generation opportunity to expand access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “This legislation provides $90 million for local governments, nonprofits and community-based programs to fill critical gaps in behavioral health care in their communities. With this bill, Colorado’s children, youth and families will have better access to and save money on behavioral health care. I’m proud that a substantial portion of this funding will go directly toward expanding access to substance use disorder treatment across the state.” “Every community is different, has different circumstances and different needs when it comes to gaps in access to behavioral health care,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “The legislation we advanced today makes a $90 million transformational investment to make behavioral health care more accessible and affordable in our state. This bill encourages collaboration and supports local solutions. Importantly, this legislation ensures that funding reaches every corner of our state so that no community is left behind.” Community Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Gap Grants: HB22-1281 sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Naquetta Ricks, will ensure Coloradans across the state — including children, youth and families — have access to the behavioral health care they need. This bill will invest $90 million in grant funds for local governments and nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, community-based programs with the goal of filling regional gaps across the continuum of care and transforming behavioral health outcomes for families, children and youth living in Colorado. A floor amendment that passed today sets aside at least $15 million of the total $90 million grant funding to prioritize substance use disorder treatment and services. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez into law to make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. < Back May 15, 2025 Bipartisan Martinez Bill to Support Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Becomes Law EMPIRE, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez into law to make the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program permanent. “Habitat Stamps have funded conservation programs across Colorado to protect wildlife, fisheries and critical ecosystems so future generations can hunt, fish and enjoy our beautiful state,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Whether you’re coming from out-of-state or live right here in Colorado, everyone who hunts and fishes knows we have some of the best wildlife areas in the world, and we’re proud to keep them that way. Wildlife conservation ensures that hunting and angling can contribute to our rural economies for many years to come and protects our way of life.” The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program offers funding opportunities for landowners, local governments and conservation nonprofits that protect wildlife habitats, provide wildlife-related recreational access or sell their property to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The program, which is funded by hunting and fishing licenses, is currently set to sunset on July 1, 2027. SB25-049 , also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, continues the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program indefinitely. With support from Great Outdoors Colorado and federal funding, the program has secured over 290,000 acres of conservation easements and over 146,000 acres of public access. Previous Next

< Back May 19, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO PREPARE COLORADO YOUTH FOR SUCCESS AND IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY BECOME LAW Legislation aims to reduce youth recidivism, increase access to behavioral health care & improve school security HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law that aim to support Colorado youth by using early interventions to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system, improving school safety and supporting students’ behavioral health. HB22-1003 , championed by Representatives Daugherty and Gonzales-Gutierrez and Senators Coleman and Hinrichsen, will establish the Delinquency Prevention and Young Offender Intervention Pilot Grant Program to help keep kids out of the juvenile justice system. “Today, we’re making smart investments to increase community safety and improve outcomes for Colorado’s youth,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “This law directs funding toward collaborative, community-based programs that provide young Coloradans with the support and services they need. Community is the cornerstone to crime reduction and our law invests to uplift youth and build stronger neighborhoods.” “Part of preventing crime and creating safer communities involves investing in effective intervention and prevention programs to help stop criminal activity from happening in the first place,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “By investing in our communities, we can keep more youth out of the juvenile justice system and build a safer Colorado for all, while uplifting our youth so they have the support necessary to lead productive and meaningful lives.” “When it comes to public safety, we are investing in communities first,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “Our law will provide resources to community organizations that are working to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system in the first place. Through targeted intervention and support programs, we can help youth be set up for success and build safer communities in the process.” “As we continue to move Pueblo and Colorado forward, we’re committed to making investments that reduce crime and improve public safety,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “This bill will help local governments support our youth and reduce recidivism rates in our communities, which will ultimately give young people the support and resources they need and create safer communities across the board.” The Governor also signed HB22-1243 , championed by Representatives Exum, Sr. and Van Winkle as well as Senators Kolker and Hinrichsen, which invests $14 million to improve safety and support behavioral health in public schools. “Too many kids don’t know where to turn when they’re in a mental health crisis,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “We’re working hard to break down barriers that prevent people experiencing a crisis from getting support, and making sure every Colorado kid can get the lifesaving care they need. Together, we can work to end the stigma surrounding mental health, expand access to care, and save lives.” “Preparing our students for success means improving school safety and expanding access to behavioral health services,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs. “This law takes a multi-faceted approach by providing funding to foster and build safer school environments, as well as extending the successful “I Matter” program, which provides free mental health counseling to Colorado’s youth. Together, these programs will foster healthy learning environments and safer schools across Colorado.” “As we work to build a safer and healthier Colorado for all, we need to ensure that our schools are better equipped to keep students safe and connect them to the appropriate behavioral health care they need,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Our students have faced tremendous challenges over the last few years, and this bill will help them feel safer in the classroom while ensuring they have increased access to resources that will help them care for their mental health and well-being.” Finally, the Governor signed HB22-1120 , sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, which would reauthorize and make updates to the School Security Disbursement Program, which provides grants for local schools to implement school safety strategies, including physical improvements as well as school emergency response training and student threat assessment training for all school staff. Previous Next