< Back May 17, 2021 BILL TO IMPROVE COLORADO ELECTIONS MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO– The House State, Civic, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee today advanced legislation to improve Colorado’s gold standard elections system. “Colorado leads the nation when it comes to ballot access and election security,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “One of the hallmarks of our system is that we are always looking at how we can make it better. While Republicans in the legislature have made multiple attempts this year to dismantle Colorado’s vote-by-mail system and restrict access to voting, Democrats have steadfastly protected Colorado’s gold standard election system, and now we’re making it better.” “The bill we passed today will improve Colorado’s election system by implementing the recommendations and findings of a group of bipartisan, statewide election officials,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “It improves drop boxes and voter services and prohibits disruptive electioneering tactics near polling locations. Importantly, the bill increases transparency in recall efforts and makes it easier for Coloradans to complete their voter registration online using the last four digits of their social security number if they don’t have a driver’s license.” SB21-250, sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Yadira Caraveo, stems from the recommendations and findings of Colorado’s sixty-four county clerks, the Secretary of State, and other stakeholders. It makes clarifications, adjustments, and improvements to ensure Colorado’s election system remains the gold standard. The bill will improve access to drop boxes and Voter Service and Polling Centers, streamline Colorado’s voter registration system, and increase transparency in recall elections. Additionally, it clarifies and expands prohibitions on electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place in order to protect against partisan election interference. Specifically, the bill ensures that voters who are in dropbox lines at 7:00 PM are allowed to drop off their ballots, the same way voters who are in line by 7 PM at a voter service and polling center are able to cast a ballot. It also allows greater public input into the location of drop boxes. The bill clarifies what constitutes “electioneering” and ensures that voters may not be challenged for frivolous reasons unrelated to their eligibility. The bill modernizes the voter registration system to create a process for voters to register online with the last four digits of their social security numbers should they not have a driver’s license, requiring that information be matched and checked against the social security database in real time before proceeding to register the voter. The bill also requires institutions of higher education to provide information to enrolled students on their eligibility to vote and how to register to vote or update their address during the first full week of fall semester and the last full week of spring semester. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill that would incentivize the development of condominium and townhome units to create more affordable housing options. HB25-1272, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, passed by a vote of 12-1. < Back March 18, 2025 Construction Defects Reform Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill that would incentivize the development of condominium and townhome units to create more affordable housing options. HB25-1272, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, passed by a vote of 12-1. “From building equity and generational wealth to lowering housing costs, condos offer numerous benefits to Coloradans looking to buy their first home,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Rising rent and housing prices have made it nearly impossible for hardworking Coloradans to save enough money to buy a home at the median price tag of $550,000. After years of hard work, I'm thankful for everyone who worked closely with us to help craft this bill so we can spur new housing options that Coloradans can afford and offer more Coloradans a fair shot at the American Dream.” “With a shortage of over 100,000 homes across our state and a decrease in condominium development, it's becoming increasingly difficult for first-time homebuyers to find housing they can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Offering a variety of housing options is a critical piece in making homeownership a reality for more Coloradans. This legislation would help increase the availability of high-quality starter homes in the market to create more affordable housing options that work for every budget.” HB25-1272 aims to reform construction defect laws by encouraging condo builders to work with third-party inspectors to help identify and correct any construction issues upfront, establishing clear guidelines for construction defect claims, and adjusting the statutes of limitation for construction defect claims. Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill would create the Multi-Family Construction Incentive Program. Builders could opt into this program if they offer a warranty for any defect and damage and hire a third-party inspector to periodically review the construction throughout the building process. Builders in the program would be protected from construction defect action unless the claim has resulted in damage that meets the outlined criteria. Under HB25-1272, a homeowner who purchased a property built under the program would have six years to bring an action for damages if the builder provides a warranty that meets minimum coverage requirements. The homeowner would have a duty to mitigate damage alleged to be caused by a defect and notify the builder, who must offer a fix to any defect claims. If the issue is not resolved through this warranty process, the homeowner may proceed with a defect claim. The bill would exempt a construction professional participating in the program from liability for a damage or defect if they can prove the damage or defect was caused by: Certain weather conditions, an act of war, terrorism or vandalism, A homeowner’s unreasonable failure to timely mitigate damages or complete ongoing home maintenance, Misuse, abuse, or neglect after the sale to the claimant. From 2007 to 2022, the number of condo developers working in Colorado declined by 84-percent in part due to the potential for expensive lawsuits. Meanwhile, the median age of first-time homebuyers in Colorado rose from 35 to 38 in the past year. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation, sponsored by Representatives Gretchen Rydin and Amy Paschal, to prevent discrimination by transportation network companies (TNCs) against riders with a disability. < Back May 6, 2026 Rydin, Paschal Bill to Combat Rideshare Discrimination Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation, sponsored by Representatives Gretchen Rydin and Amy Paschal, to prevent discrimination by transportation network companies (TNCs) against riders with a disability. HB26-1043 would ensure that TNC drivers understand and follow federal anti-discrimination law. “Many Coloradans with disabilities, especially those with service animals, in my community rely on rideshares to get around. This bill fights back against the discrimination they’ve been experiencing,” said Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton. “Federal law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, and our bill ensures that rideshare drivers are educated on federal law and prohibits them from refusing to drive a customer with a disability. I’d like to thank the Colorado Center for the Blind for its commitment to this issue. No one should be refused service for their disability, and this bill protects riders, requires more TNC transparency and removes barriers to reporting driver violations.” “We’ve heard first-hand accounts of rideshare drivers refusing to transport Coloradans with guide dogs and other mobility devices,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “Our bill ensures that TNC drivers are informed of federal anti-discrimination law and makes it easier for riders with a disability to report a driver who violates the law. For Coloradans who are blind, rideshares are sometimes the only transportation option they can utilize, and this bill ensures that they are not discriminated against.” HB26-1043 would help prevent rideshare discrimination against people with disabilities. Cancelling on customers who have guide dogs or use mobility devices solely because of their dog or mobility device violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). HB26-1043 would make it easier for riders to report violations while ensuring drivers are aware of their obligations under the law. This bill will also increase TNC transparency and penalize TNCs that violate federal law. The bill passed the House by a vote of 46-18. The bill requires TNCs to provide education and training to their drivers about their legal requirement not to refuse to transport riders with service animals. The training must be completed within six months of the driver’s onboarding with the TNC, or six months after the bill goes into effect for current TNC drivers. To remove barriers to reporting violations, TNCs must provide a mechanism to easily report a driver’s refusal to transport a disabled person directly on the TNCs’ platform. This legislation also boosts transparency by requiring TNCs to provide monthly, rather than annual, reporting of service denial violations by their drivers to the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Aggregated monthly reports would need to be made publicly available by the PUC with all personally identifiable information removed. Additionally, TNCs that violate anti-discrimination law or the provisions of the bill could be fined up to $1,300 per violation. To encourage TNCs to actively prevent violations, the PUC may consider good faith efforts and the number of reported violations by TNC drivers when determining penalties. If drivers have a demonstrated need to refuse rides to particular riders, such as a severe dog allergy, they can be granted accommodations by the TNC under current disability law. In the fall of 2025, the United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit against rideshare companies for discriminatory practices against riders with disabilities. In the lawsuit, the DOJ alleges that TNCs have failed to prevent drivers from cancelling rides when the rider has a mobility device or a guide dog. Previous Next

< Back January 4, 2019 SPEAKER KC BECKER DELIVERS OPENING DAY REMARKS Good morning and welcome to your state capitol. It is one my greatest honors to stand before you today. I want to thank the constituents of my district which stretches from the Wyoming border in the north, to Mount Evans in the south– from Boulder to Kremmling – from Jackson, Grand, and Gilpin to Clear Creek and Boulder counties. It’s an honor to represent you. Thank you to Majority Leader Alec Garnett and to our entire leadership team who will help lead our chamber over the next two years. You all are awesome. Minority Leader Neville, congratulations on being selected to lead your caucus once again and I hope to work together with you to serve the people of our great state. I would also like to congratulate Representative Kyle Mullica and his family who welcomed the birth of a new baby girl, Autumn Grace, this week. I look around this chamber and see many new faces…and a lot more Democrats… I’d like to welcome our first years and returning legislators. No matter your party, we are all here because we want Coloradans to succeed. Running for office or stepping forward to participate in public service is never easy. So on behalf of this chamber and our state, I extend thanks to you and your families and friends who have agreed to let us borrow you for the next two years. Your support is key to our shared success. Together, we are driven to build a fair economy that expands opportunity for all, to invest in our future, and to protect the Colorado Way of Life. Today, we open the first regular session of the 72nd General Assembly. Members, pack your energy and ideas with you every day because you are about to have some of the longest days wrapped into the shortest four months you’ll ever know. Your patience will be tested, your sleep will shorten, your family will miss you and your waistline may grow. But believe me the future is worth the fight and your efforts are worthwhile. This November, Coloradans made history by electing the first Jewish and openly gay Governor. We made history by electing a record number of people of color to our state legislature. And we made history by electing 33 women to the House including 25 in the Democratic caucus alone and the first transgender representative in state Herstory. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Unaffiliated voter, I think we can all agree that this chamber is sending a strong message that when people participate in democracy, their government is more reflective of their state’s diverse background and ideas. It is our shared hope that the number of women and people of color who were motivated to step forward and run for office will inspire the next generation of Coloradans to pursue public service and become more involved. I am honored to accept this gavel and look forward to working with you all. Now -I’ve watched a few of my predecessors break a few gavels trying to keep this chamber in order so let’s all hope this is the only gavel we need this session… …but based on past experience, Marilyn please have a backup ready. It is not lost on me that I am the third consecutive woman to serve as Speaker and the fourth in our state’s rich history. Standing before you today, I know I won’t be the last. I would be remiss if I did not thank those who have blazed a trail ahead of us including I also want to acknowledge my father-in-law and sister-in law, Ed and Shaun who are here today and my awesome parents, who unfortunately can’t be here today. I am grateful for the care and love they gave to me and my siblings – three of whom are here with me now Karen, Alicia and Elle. I’m most grateful that my parents decided to let me spend my summers as a teenager in the Rockies. I was a Florida girl discovering the vast and transformative place that is the West. Until then I had never seen mountains. I had never seen snow. Actually, it was hailing when I said “oh my god snow” and my now lifelong friend turned to me with a smirk on her face and said “you dummy, that’s not snow, it’s hail.” I truly fell in love with the West and feel lucky to call Colorado home. My husband Miles and I have built our lives and family in Boulder. I’m thankful for the love and support of Miles and our two boys – Ryder and Leo – who are here with us today. 11 years ago, Leo had just been born, he was 7 weeks old when the market tanked and I was laid off from my job. I think about how much has changed in those 11 years. I certainly had no idea then that a run for local office would end up with me standing here before you as the Speaker of the House. But a lot more has changed since Leo was born. Amazon was a fledgling company. There was no bitcoin. No Lyft. No Ikon Pass. No marijuana store fronts. No negative factor. No Affordable Care Act. and Representative Rochelle Galindo was still in high school. 11 years ago, there were only 36 women serving in the House and Senate combined. Each year brings new issues to us at the capitol. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. We’ve gone from a deep recession to a thriving state. But the advantages of Colorado’s growth and economic prosperity of the last 5 or 6 years haven’t been felt by every corner of our state. Unemployment statewide is low and the President might be tweeting about the stock market – at least when it’s up – but many of our neighbors still find it hard to get ahead and they struggle with the rising cost of living. Hardworking families are trying to save for the years down the road or even for the coming months. And they are often one tragedy or paycheck away from financial distress. That means we need to give them the tools they need to get ahead. Last session, we passed bills to help Coloradans with the high cost of child care, increase the construction of affordable housing, and connect more Coloradans to the good, high-paying jobs our economy is now producing in great numbers. But it’s not enough. We are a state built on the value that people who work hard should be treated fairly. That means finally passing paid family leave because no one should have to risk financial ruin – or lose their job – to care for a new child or sick relative. It also means that women and people of color should be paid equally for equal work. We are committed to fighting for every Coloradan to be treated with the dignity, fairness and the respect they deserve. Despite significant efforts from legislators on both sides of the aisle, the rural-urban divide continues to be a challenge. While Colorado’s economy is working for some, it’s not working for everyone in rural communities and the legislature must do more to ensure that our successes touch all parts of our state. That means taking steps in rural Colorado to reduce the cost of health care and kick starting more economic development to get more people into good paying jobs. We must keep building on the bipartisan successes of workforce development programs in communities across the state. Access to affordable housing continues to be out of reach for many people. That means we need to invest state dollars in our affordable housing trust fund. It is my hope and the hope of many in this chamber that we work together to problem solve and expand opportunity. We are also committed to protecting the Colorado way of life, And I cannot think of a more important challenge for us to take on than climate change. Climate change is real. It’s threatening our thriving outdoor economy and our livelihoods. Skiers are seeing smaller snow packs Rafters are seeing smaller rapids Anglers are seeing shallower waters Mountain residents are seeing more frequent and more destructive wildfires And our eastern plains are seeing more drought. And unfortunately, Washington has once again chosen to bury its head in the sand while states and the rest of the world work to address the threat of climate change. We will build a better future by expanding our commitment to renewable energy, giving local communities the tools they need to prepare for the impacts of climate change and creating strong goals to limit carbon pollution. Our recent economic success shows that we can work together to protect our clean air and water and grow our economy at the same time. It is also a point of pride for our state that the leading solutions and studies to this challenge are coming from Colorado’s institutions of higher education and innovative entrepreneurs. We need to continue Colorado’s climate leadership for the sake of our economy, public health and clean air. Colorado’s way of life is also threatened by the growing conflict between neighborhoods and oil and gas. Our state has grown and schools and neighborhoods are butting up against oil and gas operations. It’s time we update our laws to reflect this new paradigm. That means, we must ensure communities feel more confident that the oil and gas happening nearby isn’t negatively impacting their air or water quality and their quality of life. Colorado’s way of life is precious. It’s part of the reason people live, work, play and move here like I did so many years ago. As we think about the Colorado way of life we must also think about investing in our future. Many of our educators are having to work multiple jobs just to pay their own bills, And many students have never had the experience of being in a fully funded school system. We have recently passed bipartisan state budgets that invested hundreds of millions of new dollars into our schools, boosted per-pupil funding, made commitments to address the teacher shortage, and brought down the negative factor. But, if we intend to leave our state in a better position than we found it, then we must do more. We need to give our students, teachers and schools the tools they need to succeed. That means we must continue to invest in early childhood education, K-12 and higher ed. And it means we should make sure our students are well prepared for the jobs of the future in a modernizing economy. Coloradans are also tired over the lack of investment in roads, bridges, and transit. That means coming up with creative and collaborative solutions to our transportation problems. Coloradans – no matter their political affiliation or zip code – are fed up with high cost of health care and out of control prescription drug prices. We hear from Coloradans nearly every day about their struggles with health care. We share the concerns of families and seniors across our state who agonize over access and rising costs. In the absence of federal leadership in Washington, we at the capitol must address this challenge head on. That means, we must work together to address skyrocketing health care costs by promoting transparency in insurance, drug pricing and medical expenses, That also means we must tackle surprise billing and help provide more stability to our health insurance markets. There is no time to waste. The health and well-being of Coloradans must continue to be a top priority because we are facing a public health epidemic. The opioid epidemic in the United States has claimed more lives than the entire Vietnam War. During the last session we passed bills to help battle this epidemic by getting people the care and treatment they need and addressing prescribing practices. These bipartisan measures are a good start, but there is much more work to be done to end the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. That means we must work together to save lives and end this epidemic. There is another epidemic we must address – gun violence. Our state, our children, our families and even those who are now represented in this chamber have been personally impacted by this crisis. Coloradans are tired of living with the consequences of inaction. They are marching in the streets and taking to the halls of this building. And they are demanding action on gun sense legislation. That means we will work to pass the life saving Extreme Risk Protection Order bill to prevent tragedies before they happen. Over the past few years, we have made significant bipartisan strides towards reforming our broken criminal justice system – we are even seeing consensus at the federal level on this issue so it is my hope that this is an area where we can continue to find common ground. We’ve come a long way from when we were labeled “The Hate State.” Last session, we were able to preserve a strong Colorado Civil Rights Division, and we’ve also made important progress for our LGBTQ community in recent years, but there is still work to do to ensure we have a more inclusive and more fair Colorado. That means instead of building walls and barriers that seek to sow division and block progress, we will build bridges and partnerships that will power our people and our state forward. Last session, we worked to address the culture of the capitol. The Capitol must be a place where everyone feels safe and respected, and that means we will continue to focus on reforming the culture and work together – regardless of party – to implement necessary changes this session. So now it’s time to work together. Coloradans cast their votes for those who will fight to expand opportunity for all and to govern responsibly. Coloradans chose compassion and opportunity over cruelty and chaos. They want leaders who will stand for something – not against everything. They want a government that will work for the people – not special interests. We must continue to reach across the aisle and not be afraid to find those sweet spots that reflect the Colorado way. This is a new and diverse group of lawmakers who will all bring influential ideas and renewed energy to this chamber and it’s on all of us to problem solve for the next one hundred and twenty days. I am honored to serve as your Speaker – and a Speaker for all Coloradans. I am excited about what we can accomplish together in order to protect the Colorado Way of Life. Thank you. God bless the State of Colorado and let’s get to work. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Lorena Garcia that would create a state income tax credit for care workers to address the careworker workforce shortage. HB24-1312 passed by a vote of 46-18. < Back April 30, 2024 House Passes Bill to Support the Care Workforce DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Lorena Garcia that would create a state income tax credit for care workers to address the careworker workforce shortage. HB24-1312 passed by a vote of 46-18. “Care workers are essential in providing care to our loved ones like our children and our parents, and they do not receive the benefits and recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “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 careworker industry.” “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. “This bill 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 to do the important work that they do and encourage our care workforce to grow.” For tax years 2025 through 2028, HB24-1312 would create a refundable state income tax credit of $1,200 for: Home health care workers who who provided at least 720 hours of home health 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 home health care in the relevant tax year, or Informal family, friend, or neighbor care child care workers 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. 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. Previous Next

< Back April 24, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL HELP COLORADANS SAVE FOR RETIREMENT America is in a retirement crisis (Apr. 24) – The Colorado Secure Savings Plan Board, a bill by Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp and Rep. Chris Hansen, to allow the state of Colorado to study different options to increase the ability of Colorado workers to save more for their retirement—earned approval from the House Business Affairs & Labor committee this afternoon. “America faces a retirement crisis—people are not saving enough. Almost half of private-sector workers do not have access to a workplace retirement plan, ” said Rep. Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada. “This bill allows the state to study four models including a no action plan to see what is the best way to help Coloradans who don’t have access to a workplace retirement savings plan save a little at a time throughout their life for a secure retirement.” Rep. Kraft-Tharp is chair of the House Business Affairs & Labor committee. The “Colorado Secure Savings Plan Board,” SB19-173, creates a board of trustees that would study various options for a public-private partnership that would offer a low-fee plan, similar to Individual Retirement Accounts, to employees without access to workplace plans. Upon conclusion of the study, the board would then send the legislature its recommendations for final approval “Retirement looks bleak for many adults in Colorado. Imagine what it looks like for our children. Unless we act, we don’t know how long our kids, nieces and nephews are going to have to work before they can finally retire,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. “This bill is practical, it’s straightforward, and it’s a commonsense approach to examine the different ways we can increase the number of Coloradans who have access to workplace retirement accounts.” Several small business owners spoke in favor of the bill, testifying that they would like to be able to offer this benefit to their employees. SB19-173 passed with a vote of 6-3 with all House Republicans voting against securing and protecting the future of Colorado workers and their families. The bill now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2019 HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES BIRD-TITONE BILL TO BOOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING (Mar. 21) – The House Finance committee approved Rep. Shannon Bird and Rep. Brianna Titone’s bill today to boost the supply of affordable housing in the state by expanding the Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which helps leverage private funding for affordable housing projects across the state. “We’ve seen that this is a proven and effective method to helping people access affordable housing and grow the middle class,” said Rep. Bird, D-Westminster. “There is so much extra demand for these grants across the state, so we definitely see a need to expand this tax credit to accommodate the high demand.” The Affordable Housing Tax Credit supports key affordable housing needs such as workforce housing, homeless housing, and senior housing across Colorado and is one of the state’s most effective tools for increasing affordable housing available across the state. Colorado’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit raises private sector equity needed to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. It currently is authorized to allocate only $5 million; HB 19-1228 would increase the available tax credits to $10 million in 2020-24.. “We need to help ease the housing crunch. This bill will help seniors and hardworking people across our state,” said Rep. Titone, D-Arvada. “Access to affordable housing can help grow the middle class and our economy which will give back to Colorado in a lot of different ways.” Between 2015-2018, the program supported 4,796 affordable rental units. The development of these homes is estimated to have generated over $1.9 billion in economic impact in Colorado. HB19-1228 passed by a bipartisan vote of 7-3 and now heads to the Appropriations Committee. The Finance committee also approved Rep. Bird’s bill that specifies bonding requirements that apply to certain public/private partnership contracts for construction on publicly owned property. SB19-138 unanimously passed out of committee and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

On January 1, two new laws will go into effect to enhance language requirements for insurance information for non-English speakers and protect consumers from excessive fees on small loans. < Back December 20, 2023 Stronger Colorado Consumer Protections Coming this January DENVER, CO - On January 1, two new laws will go into effect to enhance language requirements for insurance information for non-English speakers and protect consumers from excessive fees on small loans. “Every Coloradan deserves insurance coverage that best fits their needs, which is why we passed legislation to require professionally translated insurance documents for non-English speakers,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, sponsor of HB23-1004. “It’s disappointing that some insurers have threatened to suspend non-English language services, preventing communities from understanding insurance documents that can be difficult to comprehend even without a language barrier. Our law gives Coloradans the tools they need to choose an insurance plan that works best for themselves and their families, no matter what language they speak.” “The laws going into effect today will help Coloradans by making insurance more accessible and loan fees less predatory,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1004 and HB23-1229. “HB1004 ensures that when insurance companies advertise in languages other than English, that they also translate the policy documents, because consumers should be able to understand what they’re signing and the terms of their policies. Additionally, HB1229 closes predatory payday loan loopholes and brings Colorado in accordance with the will of the voters. I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits these laws will have in my district and across the state.” HB23-1004 requires insurers to have insurance policy information professionally translated or be certified by a professional translator in a non-English language. It also requires insurers of auto, home, and renters’ insurance to offer policy documents in the same language that is used for advertisements and to provide the policy application, policy and any related documents in any language upon request. HB23-1229 protects consumers by limiting lender fees on alternative charge loans, which are short-term loans capped at $1,000. The law also increases the minimum term of an alternative charge loan from 90 days to 6 months, allowing more time for repayment. Separately, it ensures that out-of-state, state-chartered banks are subject to applicable Colorado lending laws when lending to Coloradans to protect borrowers and create uniformity within the state. “Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop 111 to protect against predatory payday loans in Colorado, but until now, a loophole has allowed some lenders to continue related high-interest lending practices,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1229. “With this law going into effect, we’re aligning Colorado law with the will of the voters and saving hardworking Coloradans money on these financial products.” “Alternative charge loan fees can often top 100% for APR, penalizing low-income Coloradans for taking out small loans that help them afford basic necessities until the next paycheck comes in,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1229. “Coloradans voted in 2018 to cap rates on these types of loans to 36%, but out-of-state banks have taken advantage of a loophole that allows them to circumvent our laws. Our new law will hold out-of-state banks to the rates voters approved of, protecting Coloradans from these predatory lending practices that exacerbate economic insecurity.” In 2018, Colorado voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 111 to crack down on predatory payday loans with high annual percentage rates (APRs). Since then, some Colorado lenders have replaced their payday loans with alternative charge loans, which are not subject to the same consumer protections. This bill would close that workaround to prevent lenders from overcharging Coloradans for credit that is often sought by borrowers already in duress. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will allow Prop KK revenue to fund community-based behavioral health services for military members, veterans, and their families. < Back May 1, 2025 New Law Will Increase Behavioral Health Funding for Veterans, Military Families DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will allow Prop KK revenue to fund community-based behavioral health services for military members, veterans, and their families. “As a member of the Air Force, I have seen firsthand how military veterans and their families can struggle to access proper health care for their behavioral health issues ,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver. “Voters approved Prop KK, boosting funding for crime victim programs, public safety grants, and behavioral health crisis services just like the one this law funds. Military members and veterans desperately need quality health care, and this new law seeks to boost lifesaving behavioral health support for Colorado heroes and their loved ones by implementing the will of the voters.” “Since my time in the Army, I’ve become intimately familiar with the critical need for community-focused mental health services for veterans,” Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, said. “Our veterans and their families gave everything they had to protect and serve our country, and they deserve all the life-saving support we can give in return.” “Far too many military members and veterans suffer from debilitating PTSD, anxiety, and other behavioral health struggles that impact their day-to-day life without the proper treatment ,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “Our law better allows Colorado to fund community behavioral health programs and other beneficial services, improving access to the behavioral health care that veterans and their families deserve.” “Too many of our state’s veterans struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and other life-altering mental health conditions without access to proper treatment,” Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. “Voters approved Prop KK, which boosts funding for crime victim programs, public safety grants, and behavioral health services like the ones supported by this bill. This new law will provide crucial support for our service members while implementing the will of the voters.” HB25-1132 allows Proposition KK revenue to fund non-profit organizations that establish and expand community behavioral health programs for military service members, veterans, and their families. These organizations must meet the following requirements to receive grant funding: Provides local behavioral health services to service members, veterans, and their families, Utilizes evidence-based practices, Trains staff on military cultural competency, and Has established and verifiable community partnerships to deliver behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their families. The law also allows reimbursement for services that help address behavioral health struggles. Health care professionals are required to provide at least four health care sessions to each veteran they accept as a client in order to qualify for reimbursement. Colorado Democrats passed a law referring a ballot measure to voters in the November 2024 election to create a new excise tax on gun dealers, gun manufacturers, and ammunition vendors to fund the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund, Behavioral Health Administration, and school safety efforts. Nearly 54.5 percent of Colorado voters approved Prop KK to bolster crime victim support and behavioral health programs. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2019 GOVERNOR SIGNS REP. FROELICH’S BIPARTISAN BILLS TO LOWER COST OF HEALTH CARE & IMPROVE CHILDREN’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (May 16) – Today, Gov. Jared Polis signed two bill sponsored by Rep. Meg Froelich to help lower the cost of health care and improve children’s behavioral health resources. Gov. Polis signed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood, and Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, to lower health care costs and improve the quality of care that Coloradans receive. “Lowering the cost of health care is a top priority for all of us at the legislature,” said Rep. Froelich. “But Colorado only invests roughly seven to ten percent of its health care dollars on primary care. If we invest more in primary care up front, that will help cut the cost of health care for both the patients and the medical system as a whole.” HB19-1233 establishes a primary care payment reform collaborative in the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies. It also requires the Commissioner of Insurance to establish affordability standards for premiums, including adding targets for carrier investments in primary care. Finally, it requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and carriers who offer health benefit plans to state employees to set targets for investment in primary care. The goal of primary care is to achieve better health outcomes by improving the quality and consistency of care so that both patients and the health care system can see a reduction in costs. Primary care visits comprise 53 percent of all health care appointments. The bill signing ceremony took place at the Center for African American Health in Denver. Gov. Polis also signed a bipartisan bill, SB19-195, at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado to curb youth suicide in Colorado by making it easier for families to locate and access the behavioral healthcare they need. “We have a mental health crisis in Colorado, one that knows no party lines,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Unfortunately, there are kids that are in pain and are not getting the timely and appropriate help they need. We need to provide more resources for teens, kids and their families to access the services they need to get help.” SB19-195 would create the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor, a central agency to coordinate mental and behavioral health resources statewide. Additionally, it would create a commission to study and recommend how to best coordinate and provide such services. The bill would also standardize the screening and assessments that doctors use to identify potential behavioral concerns. Nearly 9 out of every 100,000 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19 die by suicide. In Colorado, that number is nearly twice the national average at 17.6 out of every 100,000 teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous Next

< Back September 22, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: JBC Approves Critical Funding to Bolster State’s Monkeypox Public Health Response, Keep Coloradans Safe & Healthy DENVER, CO – Members of the Joint Budget Committee today approved an additional $3.35 million in an interim supplemental budget request from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to aid the state’s response to the ongoing Monkeypox (MPX) public health crisis. The funding will fund CDPHE vaccine clinics and testing supplies among other priorities. “As we continue to combat the monkeypox outbreak, we need to take the lessons we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and make sure we’re as prepared as possible to keep folks safe,” said JBC Vice Chair Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “These additional funds will provide much-needed support to help Colorado effectively respond to this virus, continue to lower transmission rates, and ensure our communities are equipped with the tools they need to keep our residents safe and healthy.” "Colorado is responding to the monkeypox virus responsibly, rapidly and with everyone's safety top of mind," said JBC Member Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. "Taking the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the JBC is allocating $3.35 million to increase the number of vaccine clinics, improve mobile clinics and educate Coloradans about the virus. This funding is directed toward lowering transmission rates, boosting equity in health care and building a healthier Colorado.” The supplemental package approved by the JBC to aid the state’s response to MPX includes the following: $1 million to staff vaccine clinics, which will include costs for personnel, mobile and static sites, and supplies; $900,000 to distribute to Denver Health and other safety net partners to meet increased staffing needs and to meet the rising demand in testing, treatment, and vaccination; $183,144 for the Immunization Branch of CDPHE to purchase supplies and software related to recording, distributing, and storing vaccines; $336,667 for the State Laboratory to support increased testing including supplies, courier services, and biohazard waste disposal; $9,667 for the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) to cover vaccine administration supplies and travel costs; $118,000 for the Office of STI/HIV/VH (OSVH) for supplies related to outreach events and education and funding for the Community ResourceFund to support isolation for MPX positive cases; and $791,700 for three months of CDPHE mobile vaccine units (MVUs). The first cases of MPX were identified in Colorado in mid-May, and it was declared a national public health emergency on August 5th , prompting the CDPHE to ramp up its response to the outbreak. CDPHE has since exhausted the funding appropriated via SB21-243 , and is awaiting approval for additional funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to redirect federal COVID-19 funding to MPX. The funding approved by the JBC today will allow the Department to immediately start using these additional resources to strengthen Colorado’s public health response to MPX. For more resources related to MPX, including information on testing, vaccines, and public health guidelines, visit the CDPHE’s website . Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed three bills into law that better prepare communities for evacuations following a wildfire or other disaster, help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage, and expand language accessibility for emergency and public safety alerts. < Back May 12, 2023 SIGNED! Wildfire Protections, Improvements to Emergency Notifications Become Law DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed three bills into law that better prepare communities for evacuations following a wildfire or other disaster, help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage, and expand language accessibility for emergency and public safety alerts. “Communities throughout Colorado have seen devastating wildfire damage, sometimes wiping out entire neighborhoods in one day,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of HB23-1075 and HB23-1273 . “Home and property owners want to do everything they can to protect themselves and their property from damage, but those measures can be costly. These new laws will improve evacuation methods and structural resiliency against wildfires so we can better protect Colorado lives and property from natural disasters.” “Wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies are essential in protecting vulnerable community members who are most at-risk of losing their homes to a wildfire or other natural disaster,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1075 and HB23-1273. “I’m proud and grateful to Governor Polis for signing these two bills into law because Coloradans deserve better protections against wildfire and natural disaster damage, and these new laws will help better protect them and their homes.” HB23-1075 requires the Office of Emergency Management to conduct a study to identify and assess the availability of technology to help with evacuation and clearance time modeling in local emergency management plans. The study will also determine if evacuation and clearance time modeling for proposed developments in a wildfire risk area is feasible. The study must be completed by December 1, 2023 and the Office of Emergency Management would be required to report the findings during the 2024 legislative session. HB23-1273 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. “Rural and urban Coloradans rely on emergency notifications to alert them about a wildfire, snow storm, or other potential danger, but language barriers make it nearly impossible for non-English speakers to protect themselves from potential threats ,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, sponsor of HB23-1237. “With this bill being signed into law today, we can improve methods to communicate emergency information to non-English speakers and Coloradans with a disability so everyone can access the resources or information they need to protect themselves and their families.” HB23-1237 , also sponsored by Republican Senator Perry Will, would direct the University of Colorado’s Natural Hazards Center, in consultation with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, to conduct a study to identify how municipalities, sheriff's offices, counties, fire districts, and local 911 agencies can best provide emergency alerts in a non-English language and implement live interpretation during a 911 call. The study would identify essential components of a multi-hazard early warning system needed to successfully reach residents and visitors and would include recommendations for how to better reach at-risk communities that may have difficulties accessing English language text alerts. Previous Next