HB25-1149 standardizes Black American history taught in Colorado’s public schools < Back June 3, 2025 Signed! New Law Establishes Statewide Black History Education Standards DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation to establish statewide Black history education standards in Colorado’s public K-12 schools. HB25-1149 , sponsored by Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, and Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, requires the Colorado Department of Education to develop a standard K-12 curriculum for Black history and cultural studies with support from a 17-member advisory committee. “Black history is American history, and without a Comprehensive Black history curriculum in our public schools, students aren’t receiving the full scope of achievements and contributions of Black Americans,” said English. “We can help our students achieve a well-rounded education by developing and standardizing a comprehensive Black history curriculum in Colorado’s public schools. From politics to engineering, Black Americans’ contributions to society are vast. Our law helps ensure that students learn about the influential Black leaders who changed the course of history and our nation.” “Here in Colorado, we understand the importance of teaching a full, honest history – one that recognizes the achievements, contributions, and experiences of Black Americans,” said Exum. “Implementing a standardized Black history curriculum in our public schools ensures that students of all races and backgrounds receive a more complete education that prepares them to be informed, engaged citizens and honors the extensive contributions of Black Americans in shaping our state and nation.” Once approved by the Colorado Board of Education, public K-12 schools will have to adopt the new Black history education standards into their curriculum as part of the state’s social studies standards revision cycle, which concludes in 2028. Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2021 COLORADO OPTION TO LOWER PREMIUMS, INCREASE ACCESS TO CARE Republicans refuse to support plan to reduce premiums by 18 percent and create new health insurance option for consumers DENVER, CO– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed HB21-1232 , the Colorado Health Insurance Option by a vote of 8-5. Sponsors of the bill reached a deal yesterday on amendments that have brought various industry partners to a neutral position on the legislation. The bill would significantly lower premiums on the individual and small group markets and create a new option for consumers to save Coloradans money and increase access to health care. “Relief is on the way for Coloradans who are paying way too much for their health care,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “The agreement we reached with some of the largest parts of the health care industry does exactly what Coloradans need and what we set out to do–create a new health insurance option for consumers and save them money. We brought everyone to the table to put Coloradans first and deliver results. Small businesses and people across our state have told legislators time and time again that they need an affordable health care option, and soon they will have it.” “Race disparities in health outcomes are directly related to the fact that communities of color face higher uninsured rates and as a result have less access to the care they need,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Too many people in Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities go without essential health care or skip prescriptions because they can’t afford them, they don’t have insurance or their insurance doesn’t cover it. The time to act is now. This bill will give uninsured Coloradans and those suffering from unaffordable premiums a new, lower cost insurance plan that covers the care they need.” Before the pandemic, 20 percent of Coloradans struggled to afford the cost of health care or went without care because they couldn’t afford it. One in six Colorado counties has only one health insurance carrier on the individual market. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in the state’s health system and exacerbated existing inequities that have only made it harder for Coloradans to access affordable care. HB21-1232 will bring more affordable health insurance options to Coloradans in the individual and small group market. This proposal provides the health care industry an opportunity to work collaboratively to reduce their premiums, and allows them to innovate and figure out how to do that. Health insurance carriers would be required to bring premiums down by 18 percent over three years. The bill requires health insurance carriers to offer a standardized health plan, meaning Colorado consumers will have a new insurance option that covers the services they need at a lower cost. The standardized plan must address historical health inequities, and it will lower out-of-pocket costs for consumers. The plan would be offered in both the small group and individual markets, increasing access and affordability for small businesses who choose to offer a health benefit. The proposal ensures industry participation and accountability by creating Colorado’s first Insurance Consumer Ombudsman and public hearing process to ensure affordability and access targets are met. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez to allow Coloradans who are incarcerated to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education. < Back April 12, 2023 SIGNED! Martinez’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Reduce Recidivism Through College Credits DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez to allow Coloradans who are incarcerated to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education. “With this law, we’re preparing Coloradans who are incarcerated for success by giving them the education and skills they need to thrive after they’re released,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Education is the number one way to reduce recidivism because it creates strong pathways for people who are incarcerated to earn a degree or certificate, secure a good-paying job after they’ve served their time and support their families. I’m beyond proud of the bipartisan work and support that’s gone into this important legislation.” HB23-1037 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, will allow people who are incarcerated and sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to reduce their sentence by completing an accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited higher education institution while the person is incarcerated in the Department of Corrections (DOC). Specifically, people who are incarcerated can receive 6 months of earned time for an earned credential or a 30 credit hour certificate, one year of earned time for a bachelor's or associate's degree, 18 months of earned time for a master’s degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. Currently, people who are incarcerated in the DOC can reduce their sentence through earned time by participating in group living, counseling sessions and through specific work and training. Generally, individuals cannot reduce their sentence by more than 30 percent. This law will add higher education achievements to the list of ways students can reduce their sentence through earned time. HB23-1037 aims to encourage people who are incarcerated in Colorado to pursue higher education and better prepare them for a high-earning career post-sentence. Access to education opportunities while in prison is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools to reduce recidivism. Colorado’s recidivism rate is 50 percent , one of the highest in the nation. A comprehensive, nationwide study showed that the recidivism rate among people who are incarcerated that earn associate's degrees is around 14 percent and just 5.6 percent for those who earn bachelor's degrees. These recidivism rates are significantly lower than people who were incarcerated that receive no education while in prison. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Reps. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango that will more efficiently conserve water by prohibiting the use of water intensive non-native turf grass on seldom used areas. < Back March 15, 2024 SIGNED! Bipartisan Water Conservation in Landscaping Bill Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Reps. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango that will more efficiently conserve water by prohibiting the use of water intensive non-native turf grass on seldom used areas. SB24-005 , co-sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, and state property. It also applies to other little-used areas like parking lots and medians. This would help the environment not only by saving water, but by reducing reliance on pesticides and gas-powered lawn equipment, while opening up space for native plants that naturally thrive in Colorado’s climate and support our local birds and bees. “With this law, we're cutting back on unnecessary water usage on nonfunctional turf used in medians, greenways and parking lots,” said McCormick. “Water-wise landscaping conserves our precious water resources and encourages communities to embrace Colorado's natural landscapes. Our law sets us on a path forward to more effectively manage and preserve the water we all rely on.” “Protecting our limited and threatened water supply is one of the biggest priorities for the communities I represent on the Western Slope,” said Roberts. “As we work to conserve our water resources, it’s essential that we make smart decisions now to prevent overuse in the future. This new law will reduce unnecessary landscape water usage and further position Colorado as a leader in effective water management.” “Cutting back on the amount of water we use on nonfunctional turf will help us conserve our precious water resources across the state,” said McLachlan. “This law helps us effectively and efficiently manage our water resources by encouraging water-wise landscaping on little-used areas like parking lots and medians. We're stepping up to conserve water while embracing the native plants and species that thrive in Colorado." Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water. Much of this is used to grow non-native turf grass, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. While some turf is used for parks, sports fields, and yards, much of it serves no community purpose, such as highway frontages and strips alongside industrial properties. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this bill focuses on limiting its installation in the first place. By transitioning away from non-native turf grass, the bill encourages developers, city planners, and managers to choose plants that thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, as opposed to non-native, water-intensive plants such as Kentucky bluegrass or invasive species. Previous Next

Bill would increase financial penalties for businesses that violate the law, incentivize reporting and improve transparency < Back February 15, 2024 Legislation to Increase Penalties for Child Labor Violations Clears Committee DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to ramp up financial penalties for businesses that violate child labor laws. “While we’ve made important progress to update Colorado’s child labor laws, we must ensure violators are held accountable and our youth are protected,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Right now, businesses face small or non-existence fines for child labor violations that could be putting our youth at risk. This bill would significantly increase financial penalties to hold bad actors accountable. Our legislation would also protect those who speak out about child labor violations from retaliation and ramp up statewide transparency efforts.” “Our child labor laws are designed to protect our youth from unsafe working conditions and unfair treatment; we need to ensure the laws are working as intended,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill encourages violation reporting, improves transparency around enforcement measures, increases penalties, and helps keep our youth safe. This legislation is important not only to protect against retaliation, but to hold bad actors accountable.” HB24-1095 , which passed committee by a vote of 8-3, would update the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 and strengthen the penalty structure. Under current law, first-time child labor law violators face no fines or fines of only a few hundred dollars. This bill would raise total employer liability to $750 for first-time offenses and $10,000 for willful or repeated offenses. HB24-1095 would also remove legal disincentives that keep victims of child labor violations from reporting and protect child workers from employer retaliation. Additionally, this bill would also ramp up employer transparency by requiring the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to publish child labor violations or determinations. CDLE must issue a written notice to an employer with a description of penalties and damages owed if the act is violated. Under this bill, all fine revenue will be deposited into the Wage Theft Enforcement Fund, which distributes payments owed to Colorado employees who have filed claims of wage theft. Representative Lieder has championed important bills to strengthen worker protections and labor laws in Colorado. This includes HB23-1196 , which amended language in the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 to expand the legal action that a child, or a parent of a child, can take to hold a company accountable for breaking the law. Previous Next

< Back April 19, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS BILL DENVER, CO – The House Transportation & Local Government Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to provide volunteer firefighters with more resources and tools to combat wildfires. “Colorado’s wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive — it is critical that we invest our firefighters so they have the tools they need to protect our land, homes and lives,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton. “The work of local fire departments will only become more difficult as climate change continues. So our bipartisan bill provides the funding our local fire departments need to upgrade old equipment, recruit new seasonal firefighters, improve training and address the behavioral health needs of our firefighters.” Resources For Volunteer Firefighters : SB22-002 , sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter and Perry Will would invest $5 million to better prepare local fire departments and their firefighters for wildfires. Specifically, this bill would make local volunteer fire departments eligible for reimbursement for wildland fire suppression activities, including equipment costs and volunteer firefighter recruitment, training and retention. Local fire departments will also be able to use funds from the Local Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Grant Program for the replacement or disposal of damaged or obsolete equipment. The bill also creates the Firefighter Behavioral Health Benefits Trust to provide behavioral health care services to firefighters and paid for by public employers. SB22-002 passed committee unanimously. As climate change elevates the threat of destructive wildfires in Colorado, this bill aims to provide funding to Colorado’s local fire departments so they have the resources needed to purchase necessary equipment, train seasonal firefighters and respond safely to wildfires. Previous Next

< Back April 17, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES ROBERTS-MCCLUSKIE BILL TO HELP LOWER THE COST OF HEALTH CARE WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT (Apr. 17) – This morning, the House approved a bill with strong bipartisan support to address the high costs of health care in Colorado. The bill is sponsored by Western Slope state Representatives Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. SB19-004 will strengthen Colorado’s laws to allow healthcare cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections like coverage for preexisting conditions. It will also allow the State Insurance Commissioner to work with groups seeking to create co-ops so that they can get their co-op up and running as soon as possible. “The formation of health insurance co-ops across our state where Coloradans collectively negotiate rates directly with providers will help lower the cost of health care,” said Rep. Roberts. “Let’s get this bill to the Governor’s desk so we can start saving people in Colorado money on health care.” This bipartisan bill will authorize the formation of these co-ops across the state which could result in plans that are significantly cheaper than those available today. The bill will also help lower healthcare costs by encouraging consumers to negotiate rates on a collective basis directly with providers and offer plans to individuals, business, and other groups that are more affordable than what currently exists on the market. “Without any action on the federal level to the health care crisis, Colorado communities are finding creative, innovative approaches to making health care more accessible,” said Rep. McCluskie. “This bipartisan bill will help provide solutions to the complicated health care challenges hardworking families face everyday.” Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, is the Senate sponsor of the bill. The Senate approved the bill on a bipartisan vote of 34-to-1 earlier this month. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 61-2. The bill now heads back to the Senate to approve amendments adopted in the House. Previous Next

< Back October 31, 2019 INTERIM COMMITTEE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE WILDFIRE RESPONSE AND PREVENTION DENVER, CO — The Wildfire Matters Review Committee today advanced five bills related to wildfire prevention and management. If approved by the legislature next session, the bills would improve quality of life for firefighters and take active steps to prevent and mitigate wildfires in the future. “I’m proud of our committee’s work to advance bipartisan proposals that will help prevent wildfires and ensure we take care of the firefighters who are always ready to protect us when crises emerge,” said Committee Chair Rep. Marc Snyder (D-Manitou Springs) . “We’re working to improve our fire fighting capabilities with solid, bipartisan policy proposals, and I look forward to continuing this critical work to make Colorado safer.” “In wildfires and in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said committee member Rep. Lisa Cutter (D-Jefferson County) . “Today the Wildfire Matters Committee took crucial steps towards wildfire prevention, readiness and management. I’m working hard to ensure that communities vulnerable to wildfires, like so many across my district, are better able to prevent and mitigate wildfire tragedies.” “We’re coming close to the end of our wildfire season in Colorado,” said committee member Rep. Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon). “This is the best possible time to work to ensure that we’re prepared to prevent and manage wildfires across our state. Communities like mine know all too well how quickly a wildfire can turn into a devastating and tragic event.” The committee proposals that advanced today are: Modify Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program. The committee advanced a proposal to improve the Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program by making the funds available to lower income communities and increasing the number of eligible recipients. Sponsors : Rep. Carver, Rep. McCluskie Surplus Military Vehicles Highway Use If Firefighting. The committee also advanced a proposal that allows local governments and fire protection districts to use surplus military vehicles for firefighting purposes. Under existing law, these vehicles are considered off-highway vehicles and not permitted to be used on public roads. Sponsors : Sen. Crowder, Rep. Will Fire Prevention & Control Employee Benefits. The committee moved forward a proposal to require the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) in the Department of Public Safety to provide additional employee benefits to firefighters, including an increased pension benefit and insurance coverage for specific heart conditions and cancers. Sponsors : Sen. Lee, Rep. Snyder, Rep. Cutter Homeless Outreach Programs to Reduce Wildfire Risk. The committee approved a bill that creates the Wildfire Risk Reduction Through Homeless Outreach Grant Program within the Department of Local Affairs. The bill directs DOLA to determine best practices for conducting outreach to individuals experiencing homeslessness to reduce wildfire risk in wildlife-urban-interface areas. Sponsors : Sen. Fenberg, Sen. Coram, Rep. McCluskie, Rep. Snyder Landowner Assistance for Wildfire Mitigation. Finally the committee considered and advanced a proposal that would create the Wildfire Mitigation Resources and Best Practices Grant Program within the Division of Local Government to conduct outreach among landowners in high wildfire hazard areas to inform them of resources available for wildfire mitigation. The bill also extends the income tax deduction for wildfire mitigation efforts to 2024 and allows landowners to deduct 100% of their costs up to $2,500. Sponsors : Rep. Cutter, Rep. Will, Sen. Lee Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Naquetta Ricks to help keep local liquor stores in business after the passage of Proposition 125. HB24-1373 passed by a vote of 42-19. < Back May 4, 2024 Bill to Support Small Businesses Passes House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Naquetta Ricks to help keep local liquor stores in business after the passage of Proposition 125. HB24-1373 passed by a vote of 42-19. “When Colorado voters narrowly passed Proposition 125, small businesses were suddenly at risk of closing their doors,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill gives our mom-and-pop liquor stores a leg up against large corporations that are now allowed to sell beer and wine in their businesses while preventing youth from easily accessing alcohol.” “It is critical that we give small business owners the tools they need to help their business thrive,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This legislation would ensure that local liquor stores can stay open, protecting jobs in every corner of our state. I’m proud to carry this legislation to better protect the hardworking Coloradans who run local liquor stores in our communities.” In 2022, Colorado voters approved Prop 125, allowing grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses to sell beer and wine. HB24-1373 would provide clarity for consumers and ensure that small businesses can compete with large national chain stores. Businesses with a Fermented Malt Beverage and Wine retailer license would be prohibited from placing temporary displays of alcoholic beverages next to non-alcoholic beverages, candy, toys, or near the entrance or exit of the premise. Licensees would also be prohibited from selling fermented malt beverages above 14 percent ABV or wine above 17 percent ABV. Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2021 JOINT RELEASE: DEMOCRATS UNVEIL LIFESAVING GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION BILLS The three bills presented today respond directly to the Boulder tragedy by taking common sense steps to curb our state’s gun violence epidemic DENVER, CO – During a press conference today, House and Senate lawmakers were joined by local advocates to unveil a package of three bills designed to curb the gun violence epidemic and respond to the Boulder King Soopers mass shooting. The bills would save lives by creating an office tasked with preventing gun violence, expanding background checks and closing loopholes in the system, and giving local governments the tools they need to craft community-based solutions to gun violence. All three bills will be introduced later today. Local Preemption, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Fenberg, Senator Moreno and Representatives Hooton & Daugherty This bill allows local governments to implement laws around gun ownership that are broader than state statutes – granting municipalities the right to decide regulations befitting their community. Starting in the Senate “Just ten days before the King Soopers shooting, courts struck down Boulder’s citywide assault weapons ban. This was the culmination of years of advocacy and bravery from community members, and it made residents feel safer. It’s time we give the power back to our localities so they are able to craft their own tailored, community-based responses to gun violence,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “Our state includes a diverse set of communities and we need to allow each of these communities to look out for the safety of their residents.” “Just over a month after the tragedy that rattled Boulder, Arvada, and the state of Colorado, we’re introducing a bold package of bills to respond directly to the mass shooting and save lives,” said Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “By giving local governments the authority to implement community-driven gun violence prevention measures, we’re doing things the Colorado way. I’m honored to be a part of the effort to honor the lives of the Boulder King Soopers victims with action.” Office of Gun Violence Prevention , sponsored by Representatives Sullivan & Bacon and Senators Fields & Hansen The bill establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention under the Department of Public Health and Environment. The Office would be responsible for conducting public awareness campaigns about gun violence prevention. It would educate the public about existing state resources and laws, including how to file an Extreme Risk Protection Order, how to access mental health resources, and how to store firearms securely. The office would also fund proven community-based violence intervention programs that are focused on interrupting cycles of gun violence through competitive grants. Finally, the Office would be tasked with researching and presenting on gun violence prevention tools and resources that would be available to the public and to create and maintain a database of research regarding gun violence in Colorado. Starting in the House “ Mass shootings grab headlines, but gun violence rips families and Black and Brown communities of color apart with no fanfare every single day ,“ said Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “ No single policy will be the cure-all that resolves the public health crisis of gun violence once and for all. But by leaning in and taking several coordinated and bold steps, we’ll be able to make progress and save lives in communities like mine. This bill creates the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and tasks it with leveraging existing gun violence resources and community-driven violence intervention programs to make the greatest impact. ” “True gun violence prevention requires that we start thinking bigger and more holistically,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “Making top-down regulations without investing in grassroots education will only limit our policies’ effectiveness. We need to build broad public awareness that empowers communities to take action – protecting their loved ones in moments of crisis and implementing evidence-based initiatives that will interrupt cycles of violence and trauma.” Expanding Background Checks, sponsored by Representatives Amabile & Woodrow and Senators Pettersen & Gonzales This bill prohibits a person who has been convicted of specific violent misdemeanor offenses from purchasing a firearm for 5 years. These specific criminal offenses show a propensity for violence or illegal usage of a weapon and include charges like child abuse, hate crimes, cruelty to animals, sexual assault, and third degree assault. The bill also closes the “Charleston loophole”, which allows an individual who may not have otherwise passed a background check to obtain a firearm if the results of said background check take longer than three days to process. This bill avoids that by creating a state requirement for a firearms dealer to receive approval from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation prior to transferring a firearm. Starting in the House “We often hear the refrain ‘guns don’t kill people, people kill people’ as an explanation for why we shouldn’t pass common sense gun safety bills,” said Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “The bill we are introducing today does exactly that: focuses on the people. We’re improving and expanding our background check system to ensure that people convicted of hate crimes, sexual assault, child abuse or similar violent misdemeanors are barred from accessing a firearm for a period of time. This shouldn’t be controversial.” “Background checks are one of the most effective tools we have to keep deadly weapons out of dangerous hands,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver . “By ensuring that those who have committed violent offenses are unable to purchase a firearm, we will undoubtedly save lives. But this bill doesn’t stop there – we are also closing a critical loophole that has long allowed firearms to be purchased without any background check if there is a national backlog. No matter the wait, background checks should be non negotiable for gun purchases and this legislation will ensure that.” Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES EXPANSION OF OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONDUCT BY A PEACE OFFICER (Apr. 16) – The House approved Rep. Leslie Herod’s bipartisan bill to charge a peace officer with unlawful sexual conduct when they knowingly engage in sexual contact, sexual intrusion, or sexual penetration anytime the victim is in custody, regardless of consent. “This bill will make it easier to hold law enforcement accountable when they use their authority to sexually assault people in their custody,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “Current law is allowing some cases to slip through the crack, and even one or two cases of sexual assault by a peace officer is too many.” Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is a class 4 felony when the offense is committed by sexual contact and is a class 3 felony (a more serious offense) when the offense is committed by sexual intrusion or sexual penetration. A class 4 felony carries a possible sentence of 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections, and a class 3 felony carries a possible sentence of 4-12 years. An offender convicted of unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is required to register as a sex offender. An offender convicted of a class 3 felony due to unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is subject to lifetime supervision. HB19-1250 passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-5, with five Republicans voting no. The bill now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back February 3, 2022 HOUSE ED HELPS STUDENTS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS SAVE MONEY DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today advanced two bills that will save early childhood educators money and expand opportunities for Colorado students to participate in the ASCENT concurrent enrollment program. “By expanding the proven ASCENT program, we’ll prepare even more Colorado students for success and help even more students save money on their post secondary degrees,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “I’m thrilled we are moving forward to lift the cap on the number of students that can participate each year. This will make an enormous impact on the lives of young people all across our state.” “By expanding our concurrent enrollment program, more students across the state will more equitably be able earn postsecondary degree credits in less time than they otherwise would,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Expanding the ASCENT program makes it easier for students to earn their degrees with less student loan debt and more time to focus on their education instead of juggling the multiple jobs they may need to pay for it.” HB22-1002 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Jennifer Bacon, passed by a vote of 6-3 and would lift the cap on participants in the Accelerating Students through Concurrent ENrollmenT program, which allows students to earn post-secondary degree credits while completing an additional year of high school. By earning postsecondary credits earlier in their educational pathway, students can earn their degree in less time, saving them money on their degree while they participate in a program that will prepare them for success. Under current law, a student participating in the program may enroll in postsecondary courses while also being enrolled and funded by their school district or charter school, and the number of students is capped. The bill also reduces the number of postsecondary credits a student must complete to be eligible to participate, making it easier for students to enter the program. The Education Committee also passed HB22-1010 by a vote of 8-1. Sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Tonya Van Beber, the bill would increase and expand eligibility for the early childhood educator tax credit. The tax credit would help save early childhood educators money and encourage new providers to enter the field. Boosting the child care workforce will expand childcare options and ultimately lower the cost of childcare in Colorado. Child care providers are facing significant workforce challenges as workers leave the field for higher paying, less stressful jobs. “We’re working hard to give every child the tools they need to thrive and to save families money by making early childhood education available to every family in our state,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Too many early childhood educators are leaving the field for higher paying jobs that frankly are a lot easier than providing child care. This has left childcare centers struggling to hire the people they need with parents in the lurch day after day. Our bill encourages providers to enter the field by saving them money on their taxes and may ultimately save families money on child care by creating more reliable options.” Previous Next