The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Lisa Feret to reduce workplace violence for health care workers. SB25-166 unanimously passed by a vote of 13-0. < Back April 8, 2025 Feret Bill to Reduce Workplace Violence Against Health Care Workers Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Lisa Feret to reduce workplace violence for health care workers. SB25-166 unanimously passed by a vote of 13-0. “Our health care workers have dedicated their livelihood to keeping our communities healthy, and they deserve to feel safe in their workplace,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “Health care workers experience higher workplace violence rates than police officers, which is why I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to incentivize hospitals to create a safer work environment for health care workers. This will help retain Colorado’s health care workforce so Coloradans can continue to receive the life-saving health care they deserve.” SB25-166 would add a workplace violence performance metric to the state’s quality incentive program and empower the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to consult with stakeholders to address workplace violence. In consultation with stakeholders, HCPF would develop workplace violence performance metrics, explore funding opportunities, and provide legislative recommendations. The group would include Medicaid providers, hospital associations, rural hospital representatives, nurse representatives, and relevant state agencies. HCPF would be required to consult with the Department of Public Health and Environment and other stakeholders by September 1, 2025. The bill would also empower HCPF to assess hospitals’ adoption of a formal workplace violence policy. Health care and social service workers experience the highest rates of workplace violence-related injuries and are five times more likely to be injured on the job compared to other industries. Previous Next

< Back June 27, 2019 KENNEDY ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT GERRYMANDERING DECISION (June 27) – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this morning on partisan gerrymandering, Assistant Majority Leader Chris Kennedy, who serves as the chair of the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, issued the following statement: “The Supreme Court’s decision today is devastating to our fundamental democratic principle of equal representation under the law, throwing the door wide open for states to advance partisan political gain over the interests of the people,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Over the past few years we have seen the Supreme Court erode the protections provided under the Voting Rights Act, and many states took swift action to restrict voting rights. Now politicians will be able to gerrymander with impunity, diluting the fair representation of underserved communities and drawing legislative maps to benefit their own parties. “Thankfully, here in Colorado we have established guardrails to help prevent partisan influence in redistricting, but in much of the rest of the country, no such protections exist. It now falls to the states to step up and implement safeguards to ensure that voters pick their elected officials, not the other way around, and our core democracy is protected.” The Supreme Court’s ruling today essentially declared that federal courts don’t have a role in protecting against political gerrymandering. In November 2018, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved legislatively-referred Amendments Y and Z to task independent commissions with drawing electoral maps for state legislative and Congressional districts. Previous Next

Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce < Back May 31, 2024 Gov Signs Family Affordability Tax Credit, Bill to Support the Care Workforce Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will create the Family Affordability Tax Credit to boost the incomes of hardworking Colorado families and create a state income tax credit for care workers to address the care worker workforce shortage. Beginning tax year 2024, HB24-1311 creates the refundable Family Affordability Tax Credit. This credit will be available to parents with children 16 and younger with a maximum of $3,200 for each child under 6, and a maximum of $2,400 for each child ages 6 to 16. The credit will be adjusted for income, inflation, economic growth, and unemployment. “This historic effort will significantly reduce childhood poverty in Colorado, boost the incomes of hardworking families, and help millions of Coloradans who are feeling the greatest impacts of the cost of living in our state,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB24-1311. “Tax credit policies that benefit children and families, who could see up to thousands of dollars back under this law, will ensure our tax code works for more Coloradans and help address childhood poverty. I’m proud to have carried this law to help Coloradans afford essentials like rent payments and groceries and boost the incomes of thousands of families across the state.” “Looking out for Colorado families means making sure they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent or affording other necessities,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield . “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’ll pass this year. I am extremely pleased to see this bill get signed into law, because it will cut child poverty in half while making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.” “There are over 133,000 Colorado kids living in poverty, and this law, coupled with the Earned Income Tax Credit, will dramatically cut our child poverty rate,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1311. “These tax credits boost the incomes of our lower and middle-income families so they can keep their children safe and healthy by accessing quality health care, school supplies, and fresh food. Our law will increase tax credits for Colorado parents and put millions of dollars back into the pockets of families with children.” “Working Coloradans need our support, and I am pleased to say that we have an opportunity to make a real, transformative difference for kids and families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver. “This bill will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give more Colorado families the resources they need to thrive.” The Governor also signed HB24-1312 which creates a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages. Taxpayers must have an income of $75,000 or less for single filers or $100,000 or less for joint filers to be eligible for this state income tax credit. “Care workers are essential in providing care to our loved ones like our children and our parents, and they often do not receive the benefits and recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This workforce is critical in supporting Coloradans in all industries and they are a crucial component of a thriving economy. This tax credit will allow us to recruit and retain these important care workers while boosting their incomes by over a thousand dollars so they can better afford their bills while staying in the care worker industry.” “Robust access to care work increases workforce participation, creates better care for those receiving it, and supports the emotional and physical health of family members who are providing unpaid care work,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Care workers are essential but aren’t treated that way. This new law is an important first step to valuing care work appropriately in Colorado.” “Whether you receive support after an accident or have someone who helps your aging relatives, we have all benefited from the work and support that care workers provide,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This law is a small token of appreciation that we can give care workers, especially our Family, Friend and Neighbor child care providers, so they can continue the important work that they do and encourage our care workforce to grow.” “Forty percent of Colorado’s care workers rely on public assistance – we must do more to support them,” said Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “HB-1312 supports the care workforce across their entire lifetimes and provides economic support to all care workers, not just one group. This law will have far-reaching positive impacts on both the stability of this industry and the well-being of Colorado’s families, communities and economy.” For tax years 2025 through 2028, this law creates a refundable state income tax credit of $1,200 for: Direct care workers who are employed by a long-term care employer or provide community-based services and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, Child care workers who are employed or licensed by an early childhood education program or a licensed family child care home and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, or Informal family, friend, or neighbor child care providers who provided at least 720 hours of care to children 5 and under, and are registered with the Department of Early Childhood’s Professional Development Information System. Previous Next

Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand < Back January 30, 2024 State Legislators Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand DENVER, CO - State legislators today unveiled bipartisan legislation to create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). “We need an all-hands approach to tackle Colorado’s housing crisis, and that includes allowing homeowners to have Accessory Dwelling Units on their properties,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “ADUs are typically a more affordable option for renters, and they give homeowners the freedom to use their property to house a family member or earn some extra income. By allowing ADUs to be built and offering financing to lower- and middle-income Coloradans, we can make it easier for Coloradans to afford to stay in the communities where they live and work.” “Colorado families and communities are begging for solutions to help address the housing crisis and build more homes for working Coloradans,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “Our bill will give more Coloradans the freedom and support they need to build ADUs on their property, allow more older Coloradans to age in place, and create more affordable housing options in our communities..” "The people of the state, as well as local governments, have been pleading with the legislature to address and provide solutions to the housing affordability crisis," said Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. "I am strongly of the belief that this bill, while not being the complete solution, will provide relief to the citizens of Colorado and justify why we have been chosen to legislate." “Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live, but too many families are struggling to afford the cost of housing in our state,” said Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “By giving folks the flexibility to build ADUs on their property, as well as providing grant funding to help cover construction costs, we can bring down housing prices and keep more Coloradans in the communities they call home.” HB24-1152 would allow homeowners in high-density areas to build an ADU and creates a new state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote the construction of ADU’s. The bill would provide eligible local governments with access to grants that support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate or ADUs intended to serve demonstrated housing needs in the community. The bill also provides grants to increase housing accessibility and availability for Coloradans with disabilities. Finally, the bill includes funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners with down payment assistance or to buy down interest rates on loans connected with ADUs. Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single family home properties. Previous Next

Legislation raises Colorado’s EITC federal match by 25 percent < Back November 20, 2023 Signed! Bill to Boost Colorado’s Earned Income Tax Credit Legislation raises Colorado’s EITC federal match by 25 percent DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Mary Young, D-Greeley, that puts more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for tax year 2023. HB23B-1002 expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for tax year 2023 to one of the highest state matches in the country. With the current state EITC at 25 percent, the average tax credit is $521. By increasing the EITC, families will see hundreds of additional dollars back in their wallets next year. “During this special session, we were able to deliver critical assistance to the Coloradans that need it most,” said Kolker. “This targeted relief refunds $182 million in a more equitable way. I’m proud of our work to successfully double the Earned Income Tax Credit, which will ultimately help lower-income, working families put food on the table, pay rent, and take care of their essentials.” “The Earned Income Tax Credit helps hardworking families that are the most at-risk for housing insecurity and poverty due to the rising cost of living in Colorado,” said Willford. “Boosting this credit will put more money back into the pockets of the people who need it most right now, who are disproportionately people of color, women, and people with a disability. Our legislation will bolster the economic security of the Coloradans feeling the brunt of our affordability crisis and make it easier for all Coloradans to call our state home.” “Studies have shown us time and again that the Earned Income Tax Credit especially helps communities of color and renters – much like the communities I represent,” Fields said. “In my district alone, there are over 15,000 low-income, hardworking Coloradans who benefit from this credit – and I’m glad that we are able to deliver this relief in time for tax season.” “This bill will boost the incomes of over 400,000 hardworking Colorado families, making it easier for them to afford rent, groceries, childcare, and other costs,” said Young. “Getting $182.5 million out to hardworking Coloradans will help grow our economy, support local business owners and enable more Coloradans to afford to live in Colorado.” The bill builds on legislation passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. The General Assembly passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which more than doubled the state's EITC and funded the Child Tax Credit for the first time in Colorado, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. Additionally, Colorado Democrats passed HB23-1112 last session to increase the Colorado EITC from 25 percent to 38 percent of the federal EITC for tax year 2024. The bill’s demographic note showed that EITC recipients were more likely to be women, people of color, and people living with disabilities. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis signed legislation yesterday to support working people and small businesses after Congress passed H.R. 1, which granted massive tax breaks to corporations while raising taxes on working families in Colorado. < Back June 5, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: ICYMI: Signed! Tax Credits to Boost Working Families and Restaurants DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed legislation yesterday to support working people and small businesses after Congress passed H.R. 1, which granted massive tax breaks to corporations while raising taxes on working families in Colorado. HB26-1223 , sponsored by Senators Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, repeals Colorado’s downloadable software exemption to ensure taxes on these products are consistent, no matter how or where they are purchased, funding tax credits for working families and providing relief to Colorado restaurants. “Before this law, software products were taxed differently depending on where they were purchased,” said Ball. “It was a patchwork system that simply didn’t make sense with the current way we make purchases in our modern, online society. By fixing this discrepancy, we’re putting money back into the hands of Colorado families and supporting restaurants.” “We’re repealing a tax exemption to ensure Colorado law is being equally applied, no matter your zip code,” said Boesenecker. “By modifying our tax code, we can put money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans and support local restaurants. Our law creates a new tax credit for hardworking families to make our state more affordable.” “This is a win-win-win for hardworking Coloradans, for local restaurants, and for modernizing our tax code,” said Roberts. “It is narrowly focused on one outdated statute that taxes software differently based on where and how it is purchased. By standardizing this inconsistency, we are funding tax credits that give hardworking Coloradans a chance to get ahead and give Colorado restaurants a much-needed boost by relieving them of sales tax burdens." “Colorado Democrats are making tax policy changes to put money back into the pockets of hardworking families,” said Woodrow. “Taxes on downloadable software should be applied the same, regardless of how it is purchased. This will help create a more equitable tax code that puts hardworking people first.” 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. With part of the revenue generated from closing this exemption, the law creates a new tax credit for hardworking families. The Family Affordability Credit (FAC) will go to families who would be eligible for the highly successful Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) in current law. That credit is temporarily deactivated due to the corporate tax cuts in H.R. 1. Estimates show families could receive up to $260 for each child under age six and up to $195 for each child between six and 16 because of HB26-1223. The law also funds tax relief for restaurants through a temporary sales tax deduction and permanent expansion of a utility tax deduction. In 2027 and 2028, for July, August, November, and December, restaurants, bars, and other food vendors will retain the state sales tax collected on up to $14,000 of taxable sales in that month. Additionally, before this law, certain restaurants were allowed to subtract 55 percent of their energy bills from their tax obligations. The law permanently expands this to allow restaurants to deduct 100 percent of gas and electricity purchases from their taxable sales. Previous Next

Legislation would stand up health care programs at higher education institutions in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver and Trinidad < Back April 17, 2024 House Passes Bill to Create Northern Colorado Medical School and Boost Health Care Training DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to help create a new medical college at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and support both health care and veterinary care at various higher education institutions across the state. HB24-1231, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty, passed by a vote of 42-17 and would help address health care workforce shortages in Colorado. “This critical bill will help create a new college of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado, which will help meet the physician workforce needs of our region, especially in rural and underserved communities across our state,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “From saving people money on health care to addressing critical workforce shortages, we’ve taken historic steps to increase access to health care Coloradans can afford. From CSU - Fort Collins and MSU Denver to Trinidad State College, this bill supports new higher education health care projects and programs that will serve generations to come.” “All across our state, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of critical health care and veterinary providers, which is why we are standing up new medical and veterinary programs to train the next generation of professionals in these fields,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “With this legislation, Colorado will be better positioned to train and educate future osteopathic doctors, veterinarians, nurses, and other critical allied health care providers. I’m proud of our work to lower barriers for Coloradans who want to enter these professions and better serve our communities.” HB24-1231 will stand up four projects related to health sciences education programs for medical professions. Specifically, the legislation would fund the: Construction of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University (CSU) Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College This legislation will jumpstart a second-of-its-kind medical program at UNC, which will streamline 150 new osteopathic doctors into the workforce each year and help address primary health care needs of Coloradans. The UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to generate $1.4 billion over the next 20 years in economic impact, with an estimated $500 million to remain in Weld County. The legislation will also provide funding to help higher education institutions train more nurses, veterinarians and other mid-level health care professionals. Colorado is facing a significant health care provider shortage that is causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities. HB24-1231 is the state’s largest higher education investment aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce so Coloradans can receive the health care they need, when they need it. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to boost public safety by streamlining the process for properly trained armed forces members to become peace officers. < Back February 12, 2024 Martinez Bill to Boost Public Safety Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to boost public safety by streamlining the process for properly trained armed forces members to become peace officers. HB24-1093 passed by a vote of 59 to 5. “This bipartisan legislation will improve public safety and help our communities fill open positions in law enforcement,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista . “This bill removes barriers for qualified members of the armed forces to become peace officers in Colorado. Peace officers in the armed forces are trained professionals, and this legislation streamlines the process to becoming a Colorado peace officer and creates a strong career path for those who served our country.” HB24-1093 , also sponsored by Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would streamline the process for qualified members of the armed forces to become peace officers in Colorado. Under current law, the Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board has the authority to grant a provisional peace officer certification to individuals that were authorized as peace officers in a federal jurisdiction, excluding the armed forces. This bill removes the armed forces exclusion so that members in the armed forces can transition to Colorado peace officers. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES BILL TO ADDRESS CAMPUS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT One in five women and one in sixteen men are sexual assaulted during college (Apr. 30) – The House Education committee unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner and Rep. Barbara McLachlan that would add more guidelines and protections around sexual misconduct and violence in higher education institutes in Colorado. “Our current policy has a problem when we are seeing studies that one in five women and one in 16 men experience sexual assault during college. And what’s even more troubling is that only about 12 percent of victims actually report their assault,” said Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “Sexual misconduct poses a serious threat to the safety of our students and interfere with our students’ ability to learn. This bill ensures a fair and consistent response to sexual misconduct in higher education settings and creates equal rights for reporting and responding to parties in an incident.” SB19-007 creates a fair and consistent response to sexual misconduct in higher education settings to ensure that all students know how to report and know that the administrative process will be fair for both parties. It requires institutions of higher learning to adopt policies that clearly outline the process for survivors of sexual misconduct, to provide support services for survivors, and to distribute information campus wide in order to inform students of the institution’s policies and procedures. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Higher Education to convene a biennial working group that will study best practices in order to prevent and raise awareness surrounding sexual misconduct. “This bill will help get rid of sexual violence and abuse on campus. While we are waiting for the federal laws to adopt and clarify the law, we are making sure our state laws are ready to follow and maintain protections for survivors,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This is not a one size fits all bill but rather puts minimum requirements for policies regarding reporting options and procedures for investigations for all higher education institutions.” In 2017, the Trump administration rescinded guidance for institutions of higher education on how they should address sexual assaults under the federal law, Title IX. The lack of federal direction means that states like Colorado have to step up to develop policies that promote and ensure the safety of students on campuses around the state or risk losing important protections. SB19-007 passed unanimously in the House Education committee. The bill now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. < Back April 21, 2023 House Advances Support for Universal PreK DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. HB23-1290, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Representative Emily Sirota, would refer a measure to the ballot to allow the state to direct all the revenue collected under a sales tax on tobacco and other tobacco products to support Colorado’s early childhood learners instead of refunding nearly $24 million to the tobacco industry. “The support for voter-approved universal preschool has been overwhelming because it will save families money, help parents get back to work, and boost learning opportunities for our youngest Coloradans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Supporting young learners sets them up for a lifetime of success, and funding universal preschool is one of the smartest investments we can make. The revenue collected from the tax on nicotine products has come in higher than originally predicted, and we want to confirm voters’ commitment to using these funds to provide preschool to all children in the state. That’s precisely what this legislation accomplishes.” “Universal preschool will be here in the fall, and the funds collected from the voter-approved Proposition EE made it possible for the state to begin to provide free, early childhood education to our youngest learners,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Colorado voters widely support free universal preschool, and our legislation reaffirms that commitment by asking them if the state may keep revenue collected from the special tax on nicotine and direct it toward UPK, rather than returning it to the tobacco industry. Studies show that preschool and early childhood education prepare kids for a lifetime of educational success.” HB23-1290 helps Colorado rise to the challenge of providing early education to every child in Colorado the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. The demand for universal preschool is high: more than 29,000 families and over 1,800 early care and education providers have already signed up to participate in the first year of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. Specifically, this bill would refer a measure to the ballot that asks voters to approve of the state keeping the excess revenue collected on tobacco and other tobacco products to fund universal preschool in Colorado. In 2020 Colorado voters approved Proposition EE, which created new excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine products to fund Colorado’s priorities - nicotine cessation programs, affordable housing, rural K-12 public schools, and Universal Pre-K. The new tax rates are designed to phase in over the next few fiscal years through 2027. When originally approved by voters with overwhelming support, it was estimated that this measure would raise $186.5 million in new tax revenue in the first year (FY 2021-22). However, actual revenues from the new tobacco taxes exceeded that predicted amount by $22 million. If passed, voters will see a measure on their 2024 ballots confirming the original intent of the voter-approved Proposition EE and clarifying that voters want the state to retain the full amount of nicotine sales tax revenue to put toward universal preschool. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2023 Legislation to Fight Climate Change, Reduce Emissions Advances in House DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to propel Colorado’s clean energy transition forward and better combat climate change. SB23-016, sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Emily Siorta, would establish interim greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets and incentivize investments in electrification. “Every Coloradan deserves clean air and a livable climate, which is why we are passing this bold legislation to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “This legislation creates interim targets to help Colorado reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and incentivize the use of clean alternatives in our homes and businesses. This bill puts Colorado on a strong path toward meeting our climate goals and creating a healthier state for all of us.” “This bill will help us mitigate the effects of climate change and improve our air by encouraging electrification and supercharging our transition to a clean energy economy,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Coloradans are counting on us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide and bring our state closer to reaching our climate goals. This legislation establishes critical emission reduction goals that will work to protect our families and children for years to come.” SB23-016 would update the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals to match the latest climate science by adding interim targets, including a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 levels by 2035, and a new goal of 100% emissions reduction by 2050. To help reach these targets, the bill would require the Public Utilities Commission and local governments to consider and prioritize upgrades and additions to the state’s electric transmission infrastructure system, and conduct a study on transmission capacity to pave the way for electrification across the state. Local permitting for projects to renovate, rebuild, or recondition transmission lines would be expedited, and the construction would be subject to the state’s labor standards. To further expedite electrification, the bill would incentivize the retirement of a major local ozone contributor: gas-powered lawn equipment. SB23-016 creates an income tax credit worth 30% of the purchase price of electric lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and snowblowers and encourages climate-aware financial investing by requiring large insurance companies to complete a climate risk disclosure survey annually. Finally, the bill would expand the definitions of “pollution control equipment” and “clean heat resource” to include currently underutilized wastewater thermal energy, and enable Colorado to lead in carbon sequestration by allowing the state to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for Class VI injection well primacy. Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2019 REP. CARAVEO ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR BILL TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH & SAFETY OF COLORADANS, GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES A VOICE House Energy & Environment committee to hold hearing on SB19-181, Protect Public Welfare Oil and Gas Operations on Monday (Mar. 15) – Rep. Yadira Caraveo announced her support for SB19-181, legislation to prioritize the health and safety of all Coloradans, empower local communities and protect our environment today. “As a lifelong Coloradan, and proud resident of Adams County since childhood, I cannot remain silent during one of the most crucial debates we have had in decades,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “As a proud Latina woman, I understand the disproportionate impact oil and gas development has on communities of color. I cannot let marginalized voices go unheard, especially when Republican Senators misappropriate the notion of “environmental racism” to divide us further,” Rep. Caraveo added. The bill is also sponsored by Speaker KC Becker and Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “I will use my expertise as the only doctor in the General Assembly to combat the misinformation surrounding the bill, and fight for a common sense approach to modernize our laws and give communities a greater say in oil and gas development,” Caraveo concluded. SB19-181 updates Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, giving local communities more of a voice, and ensuring clean air. This bill passed the state Senate by a vote of 19-15 on March 13. In addition to a strong stakeholder process around this bill, it was debated for over thirty hours over three public committee hearings and two floor debates in the Senate. The bill will go through three committee hearings in the House that are open to the public and two floor debates. Previous Next