The House Finance Committee today passed legislation that would extend the Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit to continue funding to house people facing homelessness. HB26-1015, sponsored by Rep. Karen McCormick, passed by a vote of 10-1. < Back February 12, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Continue Tax Credit to Keep Coloradans Safely Housed DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation that would extend the Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit to continue funding to house people facing homelessness. HB26-1015, sponsored by Rep. Karen McCormick, passed by a vote of 10-1. “Every Coloradan deserves stable housing, and the Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit has been a major source of funding for non-profit organizations that help keep Coloradans safely housed,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “In its first year, the tax credit generated over $20 million to fill in funding gaps for everything from skills training to emergency housing. The public-private return on investment is over fourfold, effectively driving up funding for some of the most vulnerable Coloradans. Every Coloradan deserves a safe place to sleep and tools to succeed, and the continuation of this tax credit ensures that people have more resources to thrive.” HB26-1015 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would extend the Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit through state income tax year 2030. In 2022, the Colorado legislature created the Colorado Homeless Contribution Income Tax Credit. It was a bipartisan effort to drive up monetary or in-kind donations for non-profits that provide temporary, emergency or transitional housing programs for people and families experiencing homelessness. The tax credit also funds projects that offer homeless prevention services, domestic violence survivor shelters and services, Workforce Ready Services and case management. Taxpayers can claim 25-percent of their donation as a state income tax credit for projects located in an urban community or 30-percent of their donation for projects located in a rural community. Previous Next

SB25-038 would keep personal information confidential after filing a wildlife damage compensation claim < Back February 28, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Address Issues with Wolf Reintroduction DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to protect Coloradans from having their private information shared after a wildlife incident on their property. SB25-038 passed the House by a vote of 60-1. “To support our agricultural communities and those who file for compensation following depredation, we need to ensure their personal information, including phone number and address, is kept confidential,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Given the political landscape surrounding wolf reintroduction in our state, Coloradans in my community aren’t filing wildlife compensation claims because they’re afraid of retaliation or trespassing. This bipartisan bill ensures the personal information of those seeking compensation following depredation is kept confidential to keep everyone safe.” SB25-038 is also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad. This bill would require that personal information be kept confidential after an individual files a wildlife damage compensation claim with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). When individuals file wildlife compensation claims with the CPW, their personal information, including cell phone number, name and address, is currently subject to the "Colorado Open Records Act". This bill would not disclose personal information to keep Coloradans safe and offer privacy to filing individuals. Previous Next

New law benefits Colorado’s working families < Back November 20, 2023 Signed! New Law to Provide Equal TABOR Refunds and Support Working-Class Coloradans New law benefits Colorado’s working families DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, that creates a flat TABOR refund mechanism to provide an equal refund of $800 for all taxpayers. SB23B-003 puts more money back into the pockets of Coloradans, and increases TABOR refunds by about $500 for the majority of working families by creating a new temporary refund mechanism - identical to what Democrats provided last year - that replaces the sales tax refund mechanism for FY 22-23. Every Colorado taxpayer will receive an identical refund payment, making our tax code more equitable and providing enhanced support for working families. “This special session, I fought to bring relief to middle-income earners, a group that gets hit particularly hard when it comes to taxes,” said Hinrichsen. “My bill to equalize TABOR refunds for all Coloradans will make our tax code more fair, and as a result, more than 60 percent of Coloradans – and even a larger share of Puebloans – will see an increase in their refunds.” “Coloradans are counting on us to address the affordability crisis, and this bill is one of many steps we’re taking to uplift working-class families,” Mabrey said. “Our bill will provide equal TABOR refunds next year, increasing incomes for lower- and middle-income Coloradans by hundreds of dollars. I’m proud that we were able to provide working families relief, and I will continue to fight to make Colorado more affordable for the people who need it most.” “I’m proud to see my bill to equalize TABOR refunds and get money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans be signed into law today,” Marchman said. “With this law, every taxpayer will receive an identical TABOR refund – resulting in an increase for the majority of folks. At a time when workers, families and seniors are pinched by inflation, this will be hundreds of dollars more to help pay for necessities like groceries, gas and housing.” “Equal TABOR refunds put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans, benefiting millions of people throughout our state,” Dickson said. “Making our state more affordable for everyone is a priority for Colorado Democrats. This bill establishes a flat tax refund for all taxpayers, boosting hardworking families and making it easier for them to keep pace with the rising cost of living.” Over sixty percent of filers and everyone making under $100,000 per year will benefit from higher TABOR refunds under this proposal. This law builds on the work of SB23-233 , which provided urgently-needed relief through flat TABOR refunds. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2020 COMMITTEE VOTES TO REMOVE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR FUTURE CIVIL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS Bill would give survivors of sexual assault time to heal without losing their right to hold perpetrators accountable. DENVER, CO — The House Judiciary Committee today voted to approve Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bipartisan bill to remove the statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual misconduct. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 8-1. “Healing from the impact of trauma and sexual assault has no timeline or expiration date, and neither should a survivor’s opportunity to seek justice through the courts,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “This bill will give survivors going forward time to heal, will ensure we keep more perpetrators accountable, and will enhance fairness in the civil justice system. We can and must do better by survivors, and this will move us in the right direction.” HB20-1296 removes the statute of limitations on bringing a civil claim based on sexual misconduct, which is defined in the bill to include all current criminal sexual offenses including offenses against a child, and other criminal behavior of a sexual nature including requests for sexual favors accompanied by coercion, threat, or violence. The bill also allows claims to be brought against a person or entity that is not the perpetrator of the sexual misconduct. This bill would become effective for claims arising on or after January 1, 2021 but allows for those victims for whom the current statute of limitations has not yet run to bring a claim based on the provisions of this law. The Colorado constitution has been interpreted to guarantee vested rights in relation to statutes of limitations but not to allow the legislature to make retroactive changes to them. Previous Next

Colorado Democrats today unveiled three new bills that would make goods and services more affordable for Coloradans and better equip Colorado small businesses to grow and thrive. < Back January 26, 2026 Colorado Democrats to Lower Costs, Support Small Businesses DENVER, CO - Colorado Democrats today unveiled three new bills that would make goods and services more affordable for Coloradans and better equip Colorado small businesses to grow and thrive. A new bill that will be introduced in the coming weeks prohibits corporations from using consumers’ personal data to charge them more or pay them less (surveillance pricing and wage setting). HB26-1012 cracks down on price gouging where consumers don’t have a choice to shop somewhere else. The bill also requires delivery companies like Instacart and DoorDash to display the in-store price for the goods they are selling so consumers know when they are paying more. A third bill expected to be introduced in February would prohibit wholesalers from charging small businesses more than large retail corporations for goods. “The largest corporations are raking in profits by squeezing every last dollar out of consumers, which is why we’re bringing these bills to lower costs, boost small businesses and grow our economy for hardworking people,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of forthcoming legislation to prohibit surveillance pricing. “This package of bills will boost wages, help small businesses to grow and expand, and take on corporate monopolies to encourage a more fair playing field for small businesses. I’m proudly sponsoring legislation that will limit corporations from exploiting personal data to increase corporate profits off the backs of the hardworking people in our state.” “Coloradans deserve to know they’re paying a fair price and have the opportunity to negotiate for a good wage,” said Sen. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of forthcoming legislation to prohibit surveillance pricing . “We all lose when large corporations can set different prices for different people based on sensitive data they’ve collected. This bill stands up for workers and families to ensure that your personal data - like where you live and what you’ve bought in the past - is not used against you to raise prices or keep your wages low.” “Colorado’s economy thrives when everyone has a fair shot, but when big corporations use surveillance data to jack up prices or keep wages low, it hurts our workers and our small businesses,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of forthcoming legislation to prohibit surveillance pricing. “We’re taking bold steps to make Colorado more affordable, and this legislation stands up for workers, consumers and small businesses by prohibiting the use of your personal data to charge you more or pay you less.” “Large corporations stack the deck against hardworking Coloradans far more than most of us are aware,” said Sen. Mike Weissman, sponsor of HB26-1012 and forthcoming legislation to prohibit surveillance pricing. “They’re now using artificial intelligence to set prices as high as they think an individual will pay, and wages as low as they think someone will accept. They charge exorbitant prices at places like airports or hospitals where consumers have no other option. Grocery delivery apps charge more than what an item costs in the store without showing the difference. The list goes on. This year, I’m proud to sponsor legislation to tackle these unfair pricing practices, protect consumers, and bring down costs.” New legislation would prohibit the use of automated decision systems, like AI and other machine-based systems, to strategically set prices based on an individual’s surveillance data, including browsing and purchase history, financial status, habits, and political affiliation. Typically, corporations have weaponized price and wage setting to set prices at the highest amount someone is willing to pay and wages at the lowest amount that someone is willing to accept, based on data that is often collected without an individual’s knowledge or consent. Engaging in these price or wage-setting practices would be considered a deceptive trade practice. A 2025 Federal Trade Commission report found that individualized pricing tools are being used to target specific consumers with artificially-inflated prices for goods and services based on their surveillance data, such as a person’s location or the motion of a computer mouse. In 2025, Colorado Democrats passed a law to crack down on ‘junk fees’ to improve price transparency for consumers and bring down costs for Coloradans. HB26-1012 would build on this law by requiring food delivery companies to clearly disclose a comparison between the total price for delivered goods and the total price for those same items if they were purchased in-store instead. “Corporations know that consumers don’t have a choice but to pay unfair inflated prices, and our legislation says enough is enough,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB26-1012. “HB26-1012 would not only limit companies from price gouging ‘captive consumers’, but it would also require food delivery apps to be transparent about in-store pricing so consumers can identify upcharges. This bill builds on efforts to crack down on price gouging and increase price transparency to make Colorado a more affordable place to live.” “This session, we’re focused on making Colorado more affordable and ensuring our economy works for consumers, workers, and small businesses – not just corporate giants,” said Sen. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of the forthcoming Unfair Practices Act. “I’m proud to sponsor legislation to increase pricing fairness and help small and mid-size businesses keep up with big retailers by cracking down on backroom deals that box them out of lower wholesale prices. This bill prioritizes fairness, stands up to monopolies and corporate consolidation, and aims to keep costs down for everyone.” “Colorado Democrats are working to build an economy where small businesses and hardworking people all have a fair shot to thrive,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB26-1012 and legislation to crack down on wholesale price discrimination. “Deceptive prices can add up without any real explanation. Our legislation would work to prevent secret price hikes and improve price transparency on these food delivery apps.” HB26-1012 would also make it a deceptive trade practice to price gouge a “captive consumer,” which is a consumer who does not have realistic alternatives to purchasing a good or service. These situations are often found at airports or at large events, like sports games. HB26-1012 would make it a violation of the Consumer Protection Act to charge these consumers unreasonably excessive prices for that same good or service. Sponsored by Sens. Lindstedt and Judy Amabile and Rep. Brown, the forthcoming “Unfair Practices Act” would create a more competitive market for Colorado small businesses by preventing wholesalers from charging them more than larger retailers. “This bill helps independent grocers keep up with mega-corporations like Amazon and Walmart by leveling the playing field when it comes to wholesale deals,” said Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of the forthcoming Unfair Practices Act. “It preserves legitimate price differences based on volume, logistics, or other real cost-savings, but ensures that independent grocers have the same access to discounts as the big guys. As a former small business owner, I know firsthand the impact this can have to bring down costs and help independent grocers stay competitive.” The bill would establish uniform pricing rules that would require suppliers to offer the same wholesale terms to all retailers that are purchasing under comparable circumstances. Previous Next

< Back February 24, 2020 BILL SPONSORS OF FAMLI PROPOSAL AFFIRM COMMITMENT TO COLORADO WORKERS DENVER — Senator Faith Winter and Representative Matt Gray released the following statement regarding their dedication to creating a fair family and medical leave benefit for Colorado. “We are fully committed to passing a paid family and medical leave program this year. The approach we’ve been working on would provide a much-needed benefit to Colorado workers. This is a very complex policy; we are still working to find the right solution, and we won’t stop until we get there. Too many Coloradans are fearful that one unforeseen event could upend their entire lives and their carefully laid plans for the future. Guaranteeing paid family and medical leave and the economic security it provides will give more Coloradans the fair shot they deserve. ” Previous Next

Senate Bill 66 makes it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns < Back May 1, 2024 Joint Release: SIGNED! Bill to Establish Merchant Codes for Firearms, Combat Gun Violence Senate Bill 66 makes it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed legislation to combat gun violence by establishing a new code to categorize gun sales and help law enforcement recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns. Sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, SB24-066 requires payment card networks like Visa or Mastercard to provide a specific code, known as a merchant code, for businesses that sell firearms and ammunition. Merchant codes allow banks and credit card companies to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns – like a domestic extremist building up an arsenal – and report them to law enforcement. “In the weeks before my son Alex was killed in the Aurora Theater shooting, his killer purchased multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition - and nobody batted an eye,” Sullivan said. “Credit cards have been repeatedly used to finance mass shootings, and merchant codes would have allowed the credit card companies to recognize his alarming pattern of behavior and refer it to law enforcement. This law will give us more tools to protect people, and make it easier to stop illegal firearms-related activity like straw purchases before disaster strikes.” “Prior to the tragic Aurora movie theater shooting, the shooter had purchased over $11,000 worth of firearms, ammunition, and military gear in the weeks leading up to the shooting, ultimately killing 12 innocent Coloradans,” Froelich said. “Credit card merchant codes are an effective tool already used by law enforcement to combat human trafficking and money laundering crimes, and our law will expand this tool to help us stop gun violence before it impacts our communities. Our new law is crucial in giving law enforcement a head start in preventing gun violence so we can save Colorado lives." “Credit cards have been used to finance many of the major mass shootings in recent years, and identifying suspicious weapon and ammunition stockpiling before a tragedy can take place will save lives," Mabrey said. "Almost every other product has a merchant code and this law creates a specific one for firearms. This information could be provided to law enforcement, and it could have a life-saving impact in our communities.” A report found that this policy could have prevented many mass shootings, including the Aurora movie theater shooting and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The Aurora movie theater shooter used a MasterCard to buy $11,000 worth of weapons and military gear at multiple stores in the six weeks before the shooting. Previous Next

< Back February 22, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES SULLIVAN, GARNETT’S LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill Named in Honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Feb. 21) – Tonight, the House Judiciary committee approved the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This bill would provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The bill has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, advocates for gun violence prevention measures, the mental health community and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “I remember testifying at the capitol in 2013 and in the years since and being hopeful that the right thing was being done,” said Rep. Sullivan. “Today, I felt that hopefulness come once again – that I was sitting in a place where we were going to do the right thing. This is our chance to do the right thing and put us on the path to saving lives and bringing safety back to our communities.” Rep. Sullivan’s son Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and then the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during the 364-day time period. “Robust due process protections, a process for families and law enforcement to intervene to avoid the escalation of conflicts before they turn into tragedies, providing legal counsel to the respondent — our approach to the Extreme Risk Protection Order is unique and represents a Colorado solution,” said Rep. Garnett. “Together, we can save lives. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.” The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis Deputy Sheriff Parrish would have been thirty-one years old today. Last week, law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, spoke in favor of the bill at a press conference. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. It would also have been the birthday of two of the students murdered last year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, California. A number of young people testified in support of this life-saving legislation. One student described her generation as the “active-shooter generation.” Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee how the language in the bill is legal under the second, fourth, and fifth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Testimony in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Thirteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Colorado lost over 1,100 people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their ERPO legislation was enacted. HB19-1177 was approved on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. Previous Next

Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of legislation that will improve maternal health care in Colorado and streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program. < Back June 5, 2024 ICYMI: Governor Signs Bills to Support Colorado Families DENVER, CO - Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of legislation that will improve maternal health care in Colorado and streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program. HB24-1223 , sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, and Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, increases access to childcare through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program by creating a simplified universal application and limiting the application information to only what is necessary to determine eligibility. “Child care is critical to getting parents back into the workforce so they can earn income that helps them keep a roof over their head,” said Willford. “This legislation will connect Colorado parents to affordable child care so they can more easily advance in their career and support their family.” “Navigating work, appointments, and day-to-day activities can be a challenge for young families, especially if they don’t have access to child care,” Cutter said. “HB-1223 will remove time-consuming, unnecessary information from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program application, making it easier for families to sign up and access the child care they need.” “Lack of access to child care can be a barrier that prevents parents from returning to work, which is why we’re passing this legislation to simplify the process to receive child care assistance,” said Garcia. “HB24-1223 streamlines and simplifies the process parents have to take to benefit from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program so they can get their kids in affordable, quality care easier. I'm also proud that our legislation to address the maternal health crisis is now law after a report found that 89 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Colorado were deemed preventable, especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. This new law works to increase access to maternal care, including midwives, to provide trauma-informed care, safe transitions, and other wraparound services so pregnant Coloradans can receive the care they need.” HB24-1262 , also sponsored by Representative Garcia and Senator Michaelson Jenet, as well as Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, requires collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period and mandates advance notice be given to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. “The maternal mortality crisis disproportionately impacts Black and immigrant communities, which is especially important to diverse families in my district,” said Buckner. “This law takes a holistic approach to addressing the crisis by increasing the number of maternal health care providers, collecting data on mistreatment, and studying the ways we can improve care.” “As a new mom, I know how important it is to have quality health care providers by your side that will advocate for the best health outcomes for you and your baby,” said Jodeh. “Families should have the freedom to choose a health care provider that best fits their needs, especially for the Black and Indigenous Coloradans that are two to three times as likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth. This law will help improve Coloradans’ access to life-saving health care to keep Colorado families safe and healthy.” “The bills signed into law will be huge for Colorado’s families,” Michaelson Jenet said. “We’re not only implementing measures to combat the maternal mortality crisis, but we’re also making it easier for families to access affordable child care when they get to that stage of life. These laws will save and improve lives – especially in historically marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by the maternal health crisis and child care deserts.” The law also: Directs the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination; Adds a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board; Requires a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services; Requires the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study the availability of perinatal health care, facility and practice closures and the impacts on maternal and infant health, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly; and Adds pregnancy as a protected class for the purposes of discrimination in places of public accommodation. The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee made recommendations to combat the maternal mortality crisis, including increasing access to varied health care like midwifery, addressing maternal health workforce shortages, and studying the impact of facility shortages on Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, rural, and immigrant and refugee communities. A 2022 report found that 38 percent of Colorado counties are a maternal health care desert, meaning they don’t have perinatal health care providers or birth centers. A 2023 report found that Black Coloradans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or within one year postpartum, while Indigenous Coloradans are three times as likely. Previous Next

Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. < Back June 3, 2024 Governor Signs Bills to Increase Federal Funds for Nutrition Support, Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. SB24-110 , sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representatives Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Emily Sirota, D-Denver, prohibits the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing from requiring prior authorization for an antipsychotic prescription drug used to treat a mental illness or disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. “The two bills signed into law today will make life more affordable for families I represent in Denver,” Rodriguez said. “SB-110 removes barriers to prior authorization requirements so that more Coloradans will be able to access the antipsychotic prescription drugs they need to thrive, while HB-1322 will redirect Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition programs. Together, these laws will support Coloradans – especially those from historically marginalized communities.” “Authorization requirements for antipsychotic medications are forcing patients to ration their prescriptions or skip doses entirely, which can be challenging for their recovery,” said Amabile. “This law removes unnecessary authorization requirements for some antipsychotic medications so Coloradans with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders can receive their medications when they need them.” “Many Coloradans with a serious mental health condition don’t have access to specific prescription medication when they need it due to prior authorization requirements,” said Sirota. “This law removes barriers and improves access so Coloradans can receive their antipsychotic prescription on time.” HB24-1322 , sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and also Rodriguez and Kirkmeyer, lays the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. This legislation will create a path to redirect Medicaid funding for services that address health-related social needs of Coloradans who already rely on the federal Medicaid program. “With this law, we’re one step closer to securing additional federal funds to help with rental assistance, pantry stocking, and nutrition support that will strengthen our communities,” said Bird. “Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and a roof over their heads. This law will help and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors, such as youth transitioning out of foster care or older adults seeking nutrition assistance.” “By leveraging federal funds for nutrition and housing support, Colorado can help meet the diverse needs of families in our state,” said Brown . “This law allows Colorado to access Medicaid funding for housing and nutrition programs for existing Medicaid patients,helping someone afford their rent or put food on the table. This law saves Coloradans money by leveraging federal dollars and ensures our most vulnerable neighbors are set up to thrive.” The new law directs the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing to conduct a feasibility study and pursue a 1115 Waiver so Medicaid can fund housing and nutrition services. The feasibility study determines how Medicaid can pay for specific nutrition-based services such as medically tailored meals and pantry stocking, as well as helping with temporary housing, rent, utility assistance, and eviction prevention and tenant support. Utilizing dollars already spent on housing and nutrition support services through a 1115 Medicaid Waiver would provide Colorado with a federal match and the flexibility to design and improve Medicaid programs to fit the needs of Coloradans. It would also help the state conserve local and state financial resources. This cost-neutral model for redirecting Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition support is successfully used in more than 15 states across the nation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and North Carolina. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation to ensure children featured in online content can access the money they earned once they reach adulthood. < Back March 2, 2026 House Passes Lukens’ Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Financial Security of ‘Kidfluencers’ DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to ensure children featured in online content can access the money they earned once they reach adulthood. HB26-1058 passed by a vote of 56-9. “With the passage of this bill, we’re one step closer to protecting the privacy and personal dignity of Colorado kids featured in online content,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Similar to child actors, ‘kidfluencers’ in Colorado need protections and rights to ensure the money they earn during childhood can be accessed when they’re an adult. My bipartisan bill requires parents to establish a trust for their child when videos earn thousands of dollars. It also provides a way to remove online content once a child reaches adulthood.” HB26-1058 , also sponsored by Rep. Scott Slaugh, R-Berthoud, would establish new protections and requirements for children featured in online content, also known as ‘kidfluencers’. To ensure children are paid for their work, parents would be required to establish a trust for their child if the child earns at least $40,000 a year from online content. In addition, the child must be featured in 30-percent or more of monetized content in 30 day period, and the content must earn at least $0.10 per view in total compensation, including from sponsorships. This bill would also allow children featured in monetized online content to request that the videos, pictures or other content be removed from the internet when they reach adulthood. HB26-1058 would protect against the sexualization of children for financial gain and establish avenues to pursue civil action on behalf of children if they are featured in sexualized content. To further stop the sexualization of children online, the bill requires social media platforms to develop and implement risk-based strategies that keep children safe. Similar laws to protect child actors are already in place. Established in the late 1930s, California’s Coogan Law requires the earnings of child performers be placed in a protected trust. If HB26-1058 is signed into law, Colorado would join Illinois, California, Minnesota and Utah in enacting ‘kidfluencer’ protections. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2021 HEALTH COMMITTEE DEMS ADVANCE BILL TO LOWER RX DRUG COSTS DENVER– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yardira Caraveo, a physician, and Chris Kennedy to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. The committee also passed HB21-1307, sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts, to ensure all Coloradans who need it have access to affordable insulin. “Colorado Democrats have made reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs a top priority, and today we’re continuing our efforts by creating an affordability board that will save Coloradans money on the life-saving prescription drugs they need,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Pharmaceutical companies are making billions in profit and spending billions more on advertising, CEO pay and stock buybacks that enrich their shareholders. At the same time, they are demanding consumers pay more and more for the same drugs they’ve used for years. It’s time to put an end to the myth that Big Pharma needs to price gouge US consumers to pay for research and development, and it’s time to make sure that every Coloradan can afford the life-saving prescription drugs they need.” “Coloradans need us to act now to reduce the cost of prescription drugs,” s aid Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “Prescription drugs are essential tools for physicians to manage, prevent and cure diseases, but Coloradans are struggling to access them because the cost is too high when it shouldn’t even be a consideration. Even the most successful drug on the market becomes ineffective when a patient can’t afford it. The prescription drug affordability board is going to reign in the high cost of prescription drugs and ensure more patients have access to the treatments they need.” Nearly one-in-three Coloradans struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. As established in SB21-175, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will convene a panel of experts to investigate prescription drug cost increases, and set guardrails on cost increases for the most expensive prescription drugs in the state. The affordability board would set upper payment limits for prescription drugs that meet certain cost increase thresholds. These payment limits would apply to all purchasers in the state, but will only be placed on the highest cost drugs. The board will collect and evaluate the data necessary to review the affordability of prescription drugs and make policy recommendations to legislators. The board will be made up of nonpartisan, unpaid, highly qualified experts who are free from conflicts of interest. A recent poll from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that 77% of Coloradans supported the idea of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze and act to lower the cost of certain prescription drugs — and this bill seeks to answer their call. In addition to passing SB21-175, the committee also advanced Rep. Dylan Robert’s bill to make insulin more available and reduce its cost. “No one should have to go without the insulin they need to survive, but too many Coloradans can’t afford the medicine they need. In 2021, that should not happen and we need to do something about it,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This bill builds on Colorado’s national leadership on this issue and will guarantee that regardless of insurance status, Coloradans with diabetes can get insulin at an affordable price when they need it.” HB21-1307 would increase access to insulin by clarifying that the current $100 cap on a person’s monthly insulin supply applies regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. Furthermore it allows eligible consumers to access one emergency prescription insulin supply for no more than $35 per 12-month period. Finally, it creates the Insulin Affordability Program in the Division of Insurance to help eligible individuals obtain prescription insulin for $50 a month for 12 months. The findings of an investigation conducted by the Colorado Attorney General’s office released in November, 2020, found that over 40% of Coloradans using insulin rationed their medicine due to cost and that over 37% use expired insulin to stretch their supplies due to high costs. Previous Next