The House Education Committee today passed two bills to support postsecondary education pathways and K-12 school staff. < Back March 21, 2024 Bills to Support Strong Career Pathways and K-12 Schools Sail Through Committee DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed two bills to support postsecondary education pathways and K-12 school staff. HB24-1364, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, would streamline career pathways for high school graduates. HB24-1264, sponsored by Representative Barbara McLachlan, would help school districts find more special services staff, such as nurses and social workers. “We’re working to establish strong career pathways that will not only meet our workforce needs but make it easier for Coloradans to secure good-paying jobs in the communities that they love,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This important legislation lays the groundwork for improving access to existing programs that offer college credits, industry credentials, or quality work-based learning experiences. When it comes to selecting a career, we’re making it easier for Colorado learners to receive the training they need to not just get by, but thrive in a good-paying job.” “Our state has many college credit, apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs already in place–this legislation makes it easier for Colorado learners to browse and access these programs,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “To meet our state’s workforce and education demands, we need to make it easier for our learners to plan and succeed. This bill directs our learners toward solid, good-paying career pathways by streamlining postsecondary education options. Together, we’re investing in our workforce, boosting local economies, and making it easier for our learners to find and succeed in a career that has significant growth and earning potential.” HB24-1364 , passed committee unanimously. This bill implements recommendations from the 1215 Task Force to help meet workforce demands and foster work pathways for Coloradans. HB24-1364 would create a detailed study to uncover the cost benefits of streamlining the administration and financing of postsecondary workforce readiness programs to state and local education providers. This bill would also lay the foundation of a data system to measure the impact and outcomes of education and workforce programs. The data collected by this program would be more accessible to learners, families, and other decision-makers when it comes to choosing a career pathway. “Removing barriers to entering the education profession is important to meet the needs of our school districts and more importantly – our students,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This bipartisan bill would extend educator grant programs to special service providers, such as school nurses, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, and even teacher apprentices. Our schools rely on talented, dedicated professionals to meet the needs of our students and this bill helps meet school workforce needs to help every student achieve and receive the support they need.” HB24-1264 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Caitlin, R-Montrose, passed unanimously. This bill aims to reduce barriers to entering the educator workforce by expanding eligibility for grants from the Educator Recruitment and Retention program to include special services providers and teacher apprentices. This bill also creates an online career portal for educators and local education providers to connect them to resources. The portal would be administered by the Colorado Department of Education and would provide access to loan forgiveness, stipends, career incentive programs, career pathway resources and open job postings. Previous Next

The Governor today signed two bills into law to restore access to Medicaid services for Planned Parenthood patients and to give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families.  < Back August 26, 2025 SIGNED! Legislation to Restore Access to Medicaid Services for over 10,000 Planned Parenthood Patients, Protect Food Assistance for Colorado Kids & Families DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed two bills into law to restore access to Medicaid services for Planned Parenthood patients and to give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families. SB25B-002 , sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, authorizes state funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers removed from the federal Medicaid program by H.R.1. This action will restore access to health care services for more than 10,000 patients in Colorado. “Republicans in Congress want you to believe their budget puts working-class Americans first, but the exact opposite is true – this budget is the largest cut to Medicaid in American history,” Bridges said. “Thousands of Coloradans on Medicaid who rely on Planned Parenthood had to scramble to find different providers or went without care altogether after H.R.1 passed. This legislation will restore access to that care and peace of mind to patients across our state.” “Health care shouldn't be political,” Bacon said. “The federal GOP budget bill targeted Planned Parenthood, threatening access to low-cost family planning and preventive care for all Coloradans in all corners of our state. All Coloradans, whether or not they are a Medicaid recipient, deserve access to reproductive health care. This new law is an effort to fight back against the largest cut to Medicaid in the history of our country and protect thousands of Coloradans from losing this essential health care coverage and access to the provider of their choice.” “Time and time again, and most recently, last November, Colorado voters have overwhelmingly said they will support and defend their right to reproductive health care,” Daugherty said. “Amidst a hostile national landscape, this legislation is yet another step we must take to protect Coloradans’ right to safe, accessible and affordable reproductive health care.” “Despite Coloradans’ overwhelming support of reproductive freedom, Congressional Republicans continue to attack access to life-saving health care,” Willford said. “When Trump’s budget was signed into law, it forced Planned Parenthood to immediately cancel every appointment for Medicaid recipients. While corporations enjoy their new tax breaks, Coloradans on Medicaid risk losing access to STI testing, cancer screenings and abortion care. I’m proud to stand up for Coloradans with this new law that will restore access to life-saving care.” SB25B-002 authorizes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use state funds to pay claims to organizations like Planned Parenthood, who were barred from federal Medicaid funding by Congressional Republicans’ H.R. 1, for certain services including cancer screenings, birth control consultations, and STI testing. In the event that federal action renders these entities eligible for reimbursements again, the law would no longer be in effect. H.R. 1 immediately removed Planned Parenthood from the federal Medicaid program, forcing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains providers to cancel thousands of appointments . Weeks later, a Temporary Restraining Order reversed this federal prohibition, though the issue is still working its way through the courts. SB25B-003 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Representatives Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, and Katie Stewart, D-Durango, modifies Proposition MM, which the Legislature referred to the November 2025 ballot, to give Colorado voters the opportunity to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to the Healthy School Meals for All program. “No child in Colorado should go hungry because they can’t afford a nutritious meal – at school or at home,” said Michaelson Jenet. “By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, Colorado voters will have the opportunity this November to help keep this life-saving program afloat, while fully funding Healthy School Meals for All Colorado students.” “Every Coloradan should be outraged that Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget offers significant tax breaks to mega corporations while jeopardizing food security for children and families,” Garcia said. “SNAP and Healthy School Meals for All are life-saving programs, and there will be crushing consequences if they are not fully funded. I am disappointed in our GOP federal delegation for voting for H.R.1, but this law gives Coloradans the opportunity to combat some of the cuts to food assistance programs and prevent children from going hungry.” “SB25B-003 builds on the will of the voters to ensure that no child in our state goes hungry, while also supporting our local economies,” said Wallace. “The Healthy School Meals for All program improves educational outcomes, supports farmers and ranchers, and reduces strain on families' budgets. With the additions in this new law, we can also help 300,000 Colorado households afford groceries each month. Ultimately, this legislation empowers Colorado voters to continue our state’s now proud tradition of ensuring none of Colorado’s children go hungry.” “It breaks my heart that over 600,000 Coloradans, especially children, will be impacted by the SNAP cuts under Trump’s budget bill,” Stewart said. “Families struggling with food insecurity should never have to worry about when their next meal will be, which is why Colorado Democrats helped create the Healthy School Meals for All program and have continuously invested in programs like SNAP and EBT. Our law adds SNAP to Proposition MM, giving Colorado voters the opportunity to continue programs that keep vulnerable Coloradans fed.” In June, Governor Polis signed HB25-1274 which referred two ballot measures, Propositions LL and MM, to Colorado voters to determine whether or not to continue funding the Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free, nutritious school meals to all public school students. In July, Congressional Republicans made unprecedented cuts to SNAP with the passage of H.R. 1, slashing millions from the program that helps families put food on the table. Now, more than 300,000 low-income Colorado families – including children, older adults, and people with disabilities – are at risk of going hungry. By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, voters will have the opportunity this November to fully fund the successful Healthy School Meals for All program and help fund SNAP. If Proposition MM passes, it could raise up to $95 million per year by limiting state income tax deductions for households earning over $300,000. These new revenues would first ensure that the Healthy School Meals program is fully funded, and then any remaining funds could support SNAP. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to distribute funds to help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage. < Back April 13, 2023 Snyder, Joseph Wildfire Resiliency Grant Program Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to distribute funds to help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage. “Wildfires can wipe out entire neighborhoods in just a couple of hours and have devastating consequences for communities throughout Colorado, including my hometown with the Waldo Canyon fire in 2012,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “This bill will save property owners money on effective firefighting strategies and proactive approaches to retrofit their home, barns, or other buildings on their property to be more resilient to wildfire while promoting education on wildfire resiliency.” “Colorado is ranked in the top five states with the highest wildfire risk, and what used to be a wildfire season is now a year-round threat,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts can save Colorado millions of dollars, while also greatly reducing displacement and the devastation of entire neighborhoods. This bill will create a grant program to help property owners harden their structures through strategies and technologies to mitigate the risk of wildfires.” HB23-1273 , which passed by a vote of 10-3, creates the Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program. Qualified homeowners can apply to the program to receive grant money to cover retrofitting or structural improvements to existing houses and other buildings. This grant program also expands to new-builds and rebuilds to make any structure on a homeowner’s property more resilient against wildfires. Wildfires have become an increasing threat in Colorado, with the three largest wildfires in Colorado history occurring in 2020 alone. The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) provides standards for building wildfire-resilient homes, including non-combustible roofing, underfloor protection, defensible space, and residential sprinklers. Previous Next

< Back May 24, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES SB22-148 will invest $5 million to build or renovate a behavioral health facility to provide behavioral health services DURANGO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law bipartisan legislation that will increase access to behavioral health care by investing $5 million to support the development of a behavioral health facility and better meet the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land based Tribes. SB22-148 , sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is part of the legislature’s ongoing commitment to addressing Colorado’s behavioral health crisis using $450 million in federal pandemic relief funds secured in the American Rescue Plan Act. “The Tribes are our partners and neighbors, and this is a long overdue investment in behavioral health,” Donovan said. “Everyone deserves mental health support in their communities, and this facility will support the Tribes’ efforts and help ensure that more Coloradans can access the critical care they need to thrive.” “Using once-in-a-generation federal funding, we are prioritizing the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land-based Tribes who often experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress without access to the proper resources,” said McLachlan. “This $5 million investment of federal funds will go directly toward the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for the purpose of creating or revamping a behavioral health facility to improve mental health outcomes and save Coloradans money on behavioral health care.” To further Colorado Tribes’ ability to provide culturally responsive behavioral health care in specialized facilities, this new law will provide a one-time $5 million grant to Colorado land-based Tribes to build or renovate a Tribal behavioral health facility for inpatient services and transitional housing. SB22-148 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

Bill to create three day waiting period advances < Back March 6, 2023 Legislation to Save Lives and Prevent Gun Violence Passes Committee Bill to create three day waiting period advances DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to save lives and reduce gun violence by creating a minimum three day waiting period to delay immediate access to a firearm. It passed by a vote of 7-4. “Waiting periods save lives by creating an opportunity to intervene or connect people who may be considering self harm or violence with care that can help them,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder . “I know from personal experience how a waiting period can prevent self harm. My son tried to purchase a firearm with the intent of committing suicide, and only our urgent action to try to stop the sale after I saw the transaction on his bank account saved his life. While no single bill will stop our epidemic of gun violence, common sense solutions like waiting periods, which are supported by data and evidence, will save lives.” “This legislation is one of many steps we’re taking this year to reduce gun violence in our communities and save lives,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Waiting periods are effective, with research showing that these laws reduce firearm homicide rates by up to 17 percent. Improving public safety is a priority for Colorado Democrats, and addressing the public health crisis that is gun violence in our state will help Coloradans feel safer no matter where they are.” Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a 7 to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in 2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, accounting for more than half of all suicides in the state. From 2014 to 2019 , the number of firearm deaths in Colorado was greater than deaths from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. Among firearm deaths, more than 75 percent were caused by intentional self-harm or suicide. Current law mandates that a background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred. Background checks can typically take less than three days to complete. HB23-1219 would require a gun purchaser to wait three days from the initiation of the background check or an approved background check, whichever is later, until they could be in possession of their newly purchased gun. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Transferring a firearm prior to the expiration of the waiting period would be a civil infraction punishable by a $500 fine for the first offense, and a $500 to $5,000 fine for a second or any subsequent offenses. The bill would not apply to antique firearms or to sales taking place between an active duty military servicemember, who is set to deploy overseas, and their family. Previous Next

< Back April 17, 2019 HOUSE PASSES HEROD-BECKER BIPARTISAN BILL TO PUT COLORADO KIDS ON PATH TO SUCCESS Children with college savings accounts are three times more likely to enroll in college (Apr. 17) — The House passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Leslie Herod with bipartisan support that would create a new strategy to incentivize and streamline the college savings process for every child born in Colorado. “Kids of color and low income families are less likely to consider going to college because they don’t think they can afford it,” said Representative Herod, D-Denver . “College Kickstarter Programs help address the economic and racial barriers to building wealth in this country, incentivizing savings and encouraging a families to invest in education at zero cost to the taxpayers. It’s time we push this forward.” Children with college savings accounts are twice as likely to go to college. With HB19-1280, a program will be created to help and encourage Colorado parents to open a College Savings Account (CSA) for their children. Beginning in 2020, $100 of seed money will be contributed to the CSA if an account is opened within the first five years of the child’s life. “The College Kickstarter program will create funding for a college savings account for every child born in Colorado,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “This will help give Colorado’s kids a running start and help us invest in our future. Ensuring hardworking families and individuals save for higher-ed is a win-win for our students and our state.” Research has shown that even having $50 in a college savings account has many long-term benefits related to educational and financial success. A 2018 report found that 35 percent of US parents aren’t saving for college for their children. Kids with CSAs are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. CSAs also help reduce student loans. One study found that college graduates whose parents had a college savings account borrowed $3,209 less on average in student loans. The bill passed the floor with a bipartisan vote of 42-20.Three Republicans, Rep. Janice Rich, Rep. Susan Beckman, and Rep. Shane Sandridge, supported the bill in committee but not on the House floor. The bill was unanimously approved out of the House Finance committee. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

The bipartisan Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee today advanced bills to improve health outcomes for Coloradans. < Back October 1, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Improve Treatment for People with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System Advance DENVER, CO – The bipartisan Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee today advanced bills to improve health outcomes for Coloradans. This includes bills to streamline juvenile justice services and support for Coloradans with behavioral health care needs in jail and those experiencing a mental health crisis. “Coloradans seeking help deserve well-resourced and widely available care,” said Chair Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of Bills 1, 4, 5. “I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will improve services for Coloradans in the juvenile justice system, provide behavioral health supports for people incarcerated in jails, and ensure Coloradans deemed incompetent by the judicial system have access to the behavioral health resources they need. These are all important ways we can support some of our most vulnerable Coloradans and equip them with the resources they need to heal.” “We know the criminal justice system can only exacerbate mental health crises, and these bills aim to intervene and provide Coloradans with the behavioral health care they need,” said Vice Chair Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bill 2. “The bills we advanced today work to streamline behavioral health care services, treatment, and support to those who need it the most, including juveniles and those considered incompetent. Healing and recovery is not possible without proper treatment and these bills work to improve access, build confidence in our justice system, and hopefully improve outcomes for those in our criminal justice systems.” “Too often, Coloradans in the criminal justice system who seek out behavioral health support are woefully underserved,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of Bill 4. “The more we can do to aid in the healing and recovery of folks in the criminal justice system, the better. That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation to bolster behavioral health resources for people incarcerated in jails and ensure they’re getting the support they need, when and where they need it.” “Without the correct treatment, medication and support – the mental and behavioral health of those in the criminal justice system can rapidly decline,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of Bill 1, 4, and 5. “The bills we passed today will help streamline services for our youth in the juvenile justice system, including treatment, rehabilitation and diversion, so they can spend time healing. Another bill we passed would extend behavioral health care services to those considered incompetent by a judge to ensure they’re receiving the treatment they need. This committee is focused on reducing recidivism and bringing the support directly to the people who need it the most, and I believe these bills bring us closer to that reality.” Bill 1 , sponsored by Sen. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. English, and Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, aims to support Colorado youth in the juvenile justice system by streamlining services. Specifically, this bill would improve juvenile justice diversion services, rehabilitation, the competency process and establish presentence credits. Bill 1 would also establish a community grant program to implement a mixed-delivery system of trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth. The goal of Bill 1 is to boost community intervention before youth become involved in the juvenile justice system, provide youth with better mental and behavioral health care resources if they are in the juvenile justice system and streamline support services. Bill 4 , sponsored by Rep. English, Rep. Bradfield, and Sens. Michaelson Jenet and Cutter would roll existing grant program funding in the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to provide complementary behavioral health services to Coloradans in jail. Bill 4 aims to improve behavioral health outcomes for Coloradans in jail by connecting them with the services, support and treatment they need on-site. Bill 5 , sponsored by Sen. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. English, and Rep. Bradfield would help connect Coloradans in the criminal justice system with the behavioral health care services they need, specifically if they are considered incompetent by a judge. This bill would clarify what courts must consider when setting bail for defendants declared incompetent to proceed. Additionally, under this bill, defendants would receive inpatient services from the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) for additional time after charges are dropped. If criminal charges are dropped against a defendant receiving inpatient services from the CDHS, the bill would allow the defendant to receive inpatient services for an additional 90 days. The committee also advanced two other pieces of legislation, including two more bills to create a crisis subcommittee and update technical language surrounding a ruling of Not Guilty by Reasoning of Insanity . The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2025 session, interim bills will follow the standard legislative process. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Tim Hernández and Elizabeth Velasco that would streamline the process to receive a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants. SB24-182 passed by a vote of 43-19. < Back May 7, 2024 Bill to Expedite, Streamline Driver’s License Process for New Immigrants Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Tim Hernández and Elizabeth Velasco that would streamline the process to receive a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants. SB24-182 passed by a vote of 43-19. "For undocumented people, the average wait time to get a drivers license is 12-30 months, but undocumented people still need to drive to work or drive their kids to school,” said Rep. Tim Hernández, D-Denver. “This bill allows us to address the needs of newcomers that have been present for decades but have only grown more clear from the recent influx of migrants across the state. I’m thankful to have been a part of taking oppressive barriers for our community away through this legislation." “The Colorado Road and Community Safety Act has made a significant impact on our immigrant communities by allowing all residents, regardless of their immigrant status, to qualify for a driver’s license or state ID,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “We’re streamlining the eligibility process to limit hurdles for immigrants who use our roads.” SB24-182 would amend the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act to make it easier for new immigrants to obtain a driver's license or state identification card for residents who do not have legal resident status in the United States. This bill would change requirements to receiving a driver's license or state identification card by: Removing a requirement to file a Colorado resident income tax return for the prior year, Removing a requirement to demonstrate residence in the state for the previous two years, Removing a requirement to provide a documented social security number or individual taxpayer identification number, and Expand the list of acceptable identification documents to include a photocopy of a passport issued by the applicant's country of origin, a voter identification card with a photograph issued by the applicant’s country of origin, and other alternatives. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES EXUM’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECT HEALTH OF FIREFIGHTERS AND COLORADANS (Apr. 11) – The House Energy and Environment committee approved Rep. Tony Exum’s bipartisan bill to protect firefighters from the dangerous impacts of the manmade Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFA) which they use on a daily basis. “As a former battalion chief, I saw not only how often we used this material during training but also the health damage it caused to our firefighters,” said Rep. Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “When we used this material, it would frequently contaminate our drinking water. It’s past-time we do something to protect our courageous firefighters and protect the health of people in our communities.” PFA substances are used to battle high-heat fires. The EPA has deemed this material toxic as it stays in the body for two to seven years upon exposure. HB19-1279 would prohibit the use of PFA during firefighting training exercises and includes a fine for compliance failure. The money collected from these fines would go to the Local Firefighters Safety and Disease Prevention Fund. Finally, it also created the Firefighters Foams and Personal Protection Equipment Act which prohibits the use of PFAs, requires companies to inform consumers if their equipment has been treated with this hazardous material, and requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) to conduct surveys to learn if any stations are using this material. HB19-1279 passed with a bipartisan vote of 8-2 and now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Previous Next

< Back July 1, 2021 SIGNED! FRONT RANGE RAIL AND JUST TRANSITION BILLS BECOME LAW DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed two bills into law to invest millions into helping communities transitioning away from coal and to lay the groundwork for the development of a passenger rail to connect Colorado from our Northern to our Southern borders. Both of these bills were sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar. “The two new laws created today have been longstanding priorities of my Southern Colorado constituents for years,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB21-1290 and SB21-238. “Creating the framework for front range rail today will allow us to take advantage of federal transportation funds efficiently and keep Colorado connected from North to South. At the same time, making a major investment in the Office of Just Transition will go a long way toward supporting coal-dependent workers and families in communities like mine. I’m so proud of the work we did this session to create a more prosperous and connected Colorado for all.” The Office of Just Transition was created by the legislature in 2019 to support coal workers, employers and communities as they plan for the future closings of coal plants and mines upon which their communities depend. As market shifts, consumer choices and environmental policies move our state toward renewable energy, the Office and the Just Transition Action Plan was created to support coal transition communities. HB21-1290 , also sponsored by Rep. Perry Will, R-New Castle, will invest $15 million of state stimulus funds into the Office of Just Transition. Of that amount $8 million will go to the Just Transition Cash Fund and $7 million to the newly created Coal Transition Worker Assistance Program account within the fund. The new law requires the Office of Just Transition to use these funds to implement the Just Transition Action Plan and provide funding for existing programs that make targeted economic development investments in coal transition communities for business retention, creation, expansion and attraction; infrastructure investments; and strategies for attracting increased investment in these communities. The Coal Transition Worker Assistance Program’s share of the funding will be allocated to programs that directly assist coal transition workers, including apprenticeship programs, financial planning support, tuition reimbursements, job search assistance, on-the-job training, or other strategies to help impacted workers. “The framework created today gets us one step closer to making Front Range Rail a reality,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, sponsor of SB21-238 . “In addition to keeping Colorado connected, a passenger rail between our Front Range communities will revitalize local economies, improve congestion on our highways and help us lower emissions. After today, Colorado will be uniquely prepared to receive federal transportation funds and put them to work for our constituents right away.” SB21-238 creates the Front Range Passenger Rail District and tasks it with conducting the necessary research, development, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the Front Range Passenger Rail system, which would connect Coloradans living and working along the I-25 corridor. The new law outlines funding options and authorizes the District to pursue a sales and use tax that would be subject to voter approval. The District will be overseen by a board of directors that are instructed to work closely with RTD and Amtrak to ensure the passenger rail and transit systems are compatible and work well for travelers. The law ensures Colorado will be in position to benefit from the federal government’s proposed investment in railroad development. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law that will prevent wildlife collisions. < Back May 27, 2026 Signed! Legislation to Improve Road Safety, Fund Wildlife Crossings DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law that will prevent wildlife collisions. SB26-141 , sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, will c reate an optional $5 collision prevention fee during annual vehicle registration, creating reliable and dedicated funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure. “There’s very little that we can do in government that is over 90% effective – but wildlife crossings are that rare solution,” said Roberts. “This infrastructure is proven to reduce collisions with wildlife, protect humans and animals, and save drivers money. I’m proud to sponsor this bipartisan solution to create a sustainable, voluntary funding source that will make our roads safer, especially in rural Colorado.” “The success of the Kremmling wildlife crossing has made it clear that wildlife crossings help prevent dangerous accidents,” said McCluskie. “Wildlife collisions are common on the Western Slope, which not only makes road travel risky, but also drives up car insurance costs and impacts Colorado’s ecosystem. Our new bipartisan law creates more opportunities to build wildlife crossings, saving lives and protecting Colorado wildlife.” Also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, the law will dramatically reduce motor vehicle crashes with wildlife by authorizing an optional $5 fee that will be collected during annual vehicle registration beginning in 2027. The fund will be used to construct wildlife collision prevention infrastructure including overpasses, underpasses, jump-outs, and fencing, and will also allow Colorado to leverage federal matching funds for these projects. A portion of the funds will also benefit the Wildlife Cash Fund, administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to conserve habitat on either side of the crossings. Collisions with wildlife can be fatal, damage property, and create financial burdens. In 2024, at least 3,500 crashes with animals occurred on Colorado roads. From 2010-2025, these tragic accidents resulted in 52 motorist fatalities and over 400 serious injuries. The total estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is over $300 million . Wildlife crossings have been shown to reduce these collisions by more than 90 percent . Previous Next

The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase and possess a firearm in Colorado to 21 years old. It passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back March 20, 2023 Bill to Reduce Gun Violence Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase and possess a firearm in Colorado to 21 years old. It passed by a vote of 7-4. “As a survivor of domestic abuse and gun intimidation as a young adult, I know how critical it is to ensure that nobody else is caught in the same life-threatening situation,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “My abuser and I were 19 years old when the violence began. I lived in crippling fear that he would one day use his gun on me and my son. Raising the age to 21 to purchase a firearm will reduce gun violence in our communities, prevent suicides among young people and help prevent situations like what happened to me from happening to more Coloradans.” “I remember teaching in my classroom the day of the Columbine massacre; my students were terrified that they could be next,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial . “Youth access to firearms has led to high rates of suicide and gun homicides. By increasing the minimum age for firearm purchase, we can protect Colorado kids and youth from senseless gun violence and improve public safety by reducing firearm-related homicides.” Currently, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun, but only 18 years old to purchase long guns. SB23-169 would raise the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21. The bill includes exceptions for 18-21 year olds to purchase a firearm who are on-duty peace officers or active military members. It also allows individuals under 21 to possess a firearm if they are attending a hunter’s safety education course or a firearms safety course, hunting with a valid hunting license and accompanied by a mentor, or for those who are active military members or on-duty peace officers. According to Everytown for Gun Safety , firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. Previous Next