The House today passed a bipartisan bill to support higher education and address Colorado’s veterinary shortage. < Back February 13, 2025 House Passes Bill to Support Higher Education, Increase Access to Veterinary Care DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bipartisan bill to support higher education and address Colorado’s veterinary shortage. HB25-1131 , sponsored by Representative Andrew Boesenecker, passed the House by a vote of 65-0. “We’re working to address Colorado’s veterinary shortage by expanding access to CSU’s top-tier College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “This bill eliminates the student enrollment cap at CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, allowing more students to jumpstart their future careers in veterinary medicine. Rural and underserved communities are feeling the shortage of local veterinary care first hand, this bipartisan bill helps to expand access in our state.” HB25-1131 , also sponsored by Representative Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, would increase access to veterinary care, especially in rural and underserved communities. Specifically, this bill would eliminate the cap on the number of veterinary students admitted at Colorado State University (CSU). CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is ranked as the #2 veterinary school in the nation and works in partnership with CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This bill would make it easier for students to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and help tackle Colorado’s rising veterinary care shortage. Previous Next

< Back July 1, 2025 Bird, Sirota, McCluskie and Duran Urge Congressional Republicans to “Vote No” DENVER, CO – JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, Rep. Emily Sirota, Speaker Julie McCluskie and House Majority Leader Monica Duran today sent a letter to Republican members of Colorado’s Congressional Delegation to raise concern about the state budget impacts of the GOP’s megabill and to urge them to vote no. In the letter, the members wrote, “ Colorado simply cannot absorb the financial blow your bill will strike to our budget. We are deeply concerned that as a result of your votes, Colorado will be forced to consider: Limiting the senior and veteran homestead exemption, thereby increasing property taxes on seniors and veterans Increasing tuition for higher education Further reducing the Earned Income Tax Credit and Family Affordability Tax Credit, which will increase taxes on working families. Reducing funding for corrections, impacting public safety Cutting funding for services that support children and people with disabilities Scaling back the reinsurance program, which would increase health care premiums for people who buy their own insurance. While there has been a lot of focus on the Medicaid, SNAP and energy provisions of your bill, we want to make sure that you are aware of the other consequences of your bill should it pass. None of these choices are good for Colorado, and every single one will be the result of Congress passing this bill.” The full text of the letter is below: Representatives Gabe Evans, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Hurd and Jeff Crank: We write to you once again to urge you to vote against the GOP budget reconciliation bill. Time and time again, Coloradans across the state from health care providers in rural areas to business and utility owners and utilities have shared the devastating impacts this bill will have: Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans could lose their health insurance Rural health clinics and facilities will struggle to stay open Energy costs will increase Children and veterans will lose food assistance As the lawmakers responsible for writing our state budget, we want to bring to your attention additional consequences this bill will force on our state. If you pass this bill, the Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting expects state General Fund revenues to decline by almost $600 million per year, and costs to the General Fund will increase by as much as $650 million per year, creating a billion dollar hole in our budget. In order to maintain SNAP benefits for children, seniors and veterans who depend on them, we would have to replace $180 million each year in lost funding that we simply do not have. This is just not possible—your votes will force deep cuts to nutrition assistance that keeps children and veterans from going hungry. The changes you propose to Medicaid could result in Colorado losing as much as $1 billion in health care funding that we will not be able to backfill, putting health coverage at risk for nearly 150,000 Coloradans. The impact on rural areas, people of color, veterans and people with disabilities will be staggering. The $25 billion fund to support rural clinics is simply a drop in the bucket when compared to the over $1 trillion in cuts you are making to Medicaid. Colorado simply cannot absorb the financial blow your bill will strike to our budget. We are deeply concerned that as a result of your votes, Colorado will be forced to consider: Limiting the senior and veteran homestead exemption, thereby increasing property taxes on seniors and veterans Increasing tuition for higher education Further reducing the Earned Income Tax Credit and Family Affordability Tax Credit, which will increase taxes on working families. Reducing funding for corrections, impacting public safety Cutting funding for services that support children and people with disabilities Scaling back the reinsurance program, which would increase health care premiums for people who buy their own insurance. While there has been a lot of focus on the Medicaid, SNAP and energy provisions of your bill, we want to make sure that you are aware of the other consequences of your bill should it pass. None of these choices are good for Colorado, and every single one will be the result of Congress passing this bill. While we understand that you do not need to balance the federal budget—as demonstrated by your votes for this bill that will increase the deficit by trillions of dollars—we do balance our budgets in Colorado. We have had to make hard choices in the last year to protect core services for hardworking families, and we will have to make many more in the year ahead. However, the choices this bill will force us to make are far worse and will be devastating for our state. Vote no. Sincerely, Representative Shannon Bird, Vice Chair of the Joint Budget Committee Representative Emily Sirota, Joint Budget Committee Member Speaker Julie McCluskie House Majority Leader Monica Duran Previous Next

< Back February 4, 2022 BILL FROM REP. YOUNG TO SUPPORT OLDER COLORADANS ADVANCES DENVER, CO – The Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services committee today passed HB22-1035, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield to bolster supports for older Coloradans. The legislation passed 10-1. “As the number of older Coloradans rises, we have to rethink how we provide the support and services they need to be productive and live the way they want,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Our legislation updates Colorado law to set clear goals that will guide our state to bolster services for older Coloradans. Our goal is to provide the social services, jobs and skills training programs, health care services and so much more that prepares all Coloradans to live productive lives as they grow older.” HB22-1035 updates the Older Coloradans Act to bolster supports and services to older Coloradans, such as social services, health services, workforce development, digital literacy and the state’s infrastructure for the growing older population in the state. The legislation operationalizes many of the recommendations set forth by the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging and sets clear goals to guide the state as it works to ensure “that Colorado is the best state in which to grow old.” The bill makes it the policy of the state of Colorado to prevent abuse, exploitation and neglect of older Coloradans and recognize “that preparing all Coloradans for the different facets of a longer life is part of the state’s responsibility.” To accomplish these goals, the legislation creates a commission to coordinate and guide state aging programs. Previous Next

< Back January 4, 2019 HOUSE DEMS INTRO FIRST TEN BILLS Focus on Health Care, Renewable Energy, Education, Problem Solving (Jan. 4) – Colorado House Democrats introduced their first ten bills of the first session of the 72nd General Assembly today. “We’re excited to get to work this session. These bills are a reflection of the issues Coloradans sent us here to make bipartisan progress on,” said Speaker KC Becker. “We are focused on expanding opportunity, lowering the cost of and improving access to healthcare, incentivizing more renewable energy, investing in education programs to support educators and students and helping to provide solutions to the challenges facing our communities.” HB 19-1001 – Hospital Transparency Measures to Analyze Efficiency – Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood This bill will increase transparency in hospital billing and spending practices across our state. At a time when health care costs are out of control, it is important that we are able to identify inefficiencies and wasteful spending in our health care system and address them accordingly. HB 19-1002 – Leadership Professional Development for School Principals – Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida This bill creates a pilot program to provide professional development training for school principals, to build strong leadership in our education system and provide support for teachers and students. HB 19-1003 – Community Solar Gardens Modernization Act – Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver This bill will expand access to renewable energy for communities and individuals across Colorado. It will update Colorado’s community solar statute to allow customers to benefit from clean, low-cost energy even if they don’t have a rooftop solar option. HB 19-1004 – Proposal for Affordable Health Coverage Option – Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose This bill will propose a public health insurance option to provide people in Colorado with a competitive and affordable choice when they’re purchasing health insurance. HB 19-1005 – Income Tax Credit for Early Childhood Educators – Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora This bill will help address a shortage in early childhood child care providers by creating a refundable income tax credit for educators with professional credentials who work at family child care homes or other high quality child care programs. HB 19-1006 – Wildfire Mitigation Wildland Urban Interface Areas – Rep. Mclachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs This bill creates a grant program to help with wildfire mitigation efforts in high-risk areas across the state where residential areas are approaching forest land, known as wildland-urban interface areas (WUIs). HB 19-1007 – Contribution Limits for County Offices – Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver This bill sets in place common sense campaign finance limits to protect the integrity of county-level campaigns such as those for sheriff, commissioner, clerk and recorder, assessor, and others. HB 19-1008 – Include Career & Technical Ed in BEST Program – Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada and Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton This bill allows school capital construction funding to be used for career and technical education projects in public schools, investing in skills for Colorado’s emerging workforce. HB 19-1009 – Substance Use Disorders Recovery – Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood and Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont This bill improves support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders by expanding housing assistance for people transitioning out of treatment; increasing oversight of recovery residences to ensure high quality care; and investing in recovery services for people who have sought care and treatment. HB 19-1010 – Freestanding Emergency Departments Licensure – Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn and Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain This bill will bring freestanding emergency departments under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional hospital emergency rooms so that we can ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients. This will ultimately improve the quality of care for patients and increase health care affordability. Previous Next

The House today will consider the FY 2025-2026 supplemental budget package on a preliminary vote. < Back February 11, 2026 House Considers FY25-26 Supplemental Budget Package DENVER, CO — The House today will consider the FY 2025-2026 supplemental budget package on a preliminary vote. “Congressional Republicans blew a $1 billion hole in our state budget over the summer, and now we’re navigating difficult choices to protect core services amidst a significant shortfall and increased Medicaid costs,” said JBC Chair Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “With the risk of a recession growing under the Trump Administration, we have taken a responsible approach to mitigate the harm from H.R. 1 by cutting spending, using some of our state’s rainy day fund and closing corporate tax loopholes. This supplemental budget package implements a number of the spending reductions that started in October under the governor’s executive order and protects funding for K-12 education and Medicaid eligibility, so Coloradans aren’t kicked off their health care coverage.” “The truth of the matter is that H.R. 1 cut our 2025-2026 state budget by $1 billion, and now we’re faced with difficult choices to clean up this mess caused by Congressional Republicans and President Trump,” said JBC Member Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Our supplemental package protects the core programs and services Coloradans rely on, and implements the necessary spending cuts the governor identified after last year’s special session. Our supplemental budget package would be a lot less painful if Gabe Evans, Jeff Crank, Jeff Hurd and Lauren Boebert hadn’t voted for massive corporate tax cuts at the expense of Coloradans, but that’s not the reality we face.” Last year, the legislature appropriated $16.9 billion from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year (the current budget year). In July 2025, Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1, which drastically cut state revenue by roughly $1.2 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The majority of the tax cuts went to very wealthy individuals and corporations, who received significant federal tax breaks as well. During August’s special session, Colorado Democrats led a responsible plan to close corporate tax loopholes, reduce some spending and dip into Colorado’s reserves in response. This supplemental budget package implements the spending reductions proposed by Governor Jared Polis to balance the 2025-2026 budget. As a result, the supplemental package contains significant reductions compared to a typical year, totalling approximately $140 million across state departments, even as Medicaid utilization and caseload costs grew by nearly $170 million. According to a non-partisan analysis by Joint Budget Committee staff, “Colorado faces a structural deficit despite significant efforts to restrict spending and come into balance.” Previous Next

< Back February 9, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO PROTECT VETERANS FROM HOUSING DISCRIMINATION DENVER, CO — The House today passed HB22-1102 , sponsored by Representatives Sullivan and Ortiz, which would establish new housing protections for veterans. The vote was 50-12. “Right now in Colorado, veterans and active service members are facing housing discrimination when they go to rent or buy a home,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton . “This bill will make it illegal for landlords and lenders to withhold housing and discriminate against veterans and active service members. It’s already difficult enough to find affordable housing; with this bill, we’re breaking down barriers to ensure sure discrimination based on military status isn’t one of the hurdles they face.” “Housing discrimination based on veteran or military status is flat out wrong,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial . “This bill makes sure the men and women who served our county aren’t denied a place to live when they return home to Colorado.” Over 400,000 veterans call Colorado home. HB22-1102 prohibits anyone selling or leasing a dwelling from discriminating against an individual based on their veteran or military status. The bill also prohibits someone from refusing to negotiate for housing with a veteran or otherwise denying or withholding housing based on someone’s veteran or military status. The bill would add veteran or military status to Colorado law that currently prohibits housing discrimination because of a person’s disability, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry or familial status. The bill does not extend these protections to those who have been dishonorably discharged. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts. < Back June 2, 2025 Gov Signs Duran, Hinrichsen Bill to Crack Down on Gun Theft DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts. “Whether a gun costs $100 or $10,000, it can cause tragic, irreversible loss, and the penalty for firearm theft should be the same across the board,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats have passed numerous bills to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands, but firearm theft acts as a loophole to these gun violence prevention measures and threatens the safety of our communities. Our bipartisan law ensures that the price of the weapon does not dictate the penalty of the crime, helping drive down gun violence and address the epidemic of firearm theft.” “One of my top priorities as an elected official has been to pass legislation that ensures every Coloradan can live in a safe and thriving community,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Firearm theft of any kind increases the risk of violent crime for everyone, and we must do more to prevent such crimes before they occur. This bipartisan policy has been a multi-year effort, and I’m proud that this year we were able to get it across the finish line and see HB1062 signed into law.” Currently, the penalty for firearm theft can range from a petty offense to a class 2 felony, depending on the value of the stolen firearm. HB25-1062 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, will make theft of any firearm a class 6 felony. Over 3,500 firearms were stolen in Colorado between 2019 and 2023. It is reported that 70-percent of those firearms were recovered, and criminal charges were filed.Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, including laws to require gun owners to report when their firearm has been lost or stolen and properly store their firearms when not in use, including in their vehicles . The legislature also cracked down on “ghost guns” to keep unregulated, untraceable firearms out of our communities. This year, Colorado Democrats passed a law to help firearm dealers identify firearms that have been reported lost or stolen or involved in a criminal investigation. Previous Next

On August 7, three new laws will go into effect to strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events, crack down on predatory towing, and improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers. < Back July 30, 2024 New Laws Go Into Effect to Boost Consumer Protections for Event Tickets, Predatory Towing and Improve Gig Worker Rights DENVER, CO - On August 7, three new laws will go into effect to strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events, crack down on predatory towing, and improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers. “Colorado is home to many great live music venues and multiple professional sports teams, and this consumer protection law will help prevent Coloradans from being taken advantage of by bad actors,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This law guarantees refunds for canceled events, ensures actual all-in prices are advertised and bans deceptive website sales to clarify consumer rights and protections in the ticket industry. We’re creating a Colorado that better serves consumers so they can fully enjoy their favorite events, from Nuggets games to Taylor Swift concerts.” “For too long, bad actors have made the ticket purchasing process overly complicated and difficult to navigate,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This year, I was proud to champion the effort to bring greater transparency to the ticket buying process and improve the experience for Colorado consumers. This new law will help Coloradans attend the concerts and sporting events they love with more ease and peace of mind.” “Unfortunately, most Coloradans have had negative experiences with the ticket industry that make it more difficult for them to attend concerts and professional sports games,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1378. “As a resident of downtown Denver, I know how important our local sports teams and big concert events are to local businesses. Our legislation will bolster protections for consumers, making ticket-buying a more secure process so Coloradans can feel better about their purchases.” HB24-1378 , also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, requires ticket sellers and resellers to guarantee refunds to ticket buyers and prohibits an operator from denying entry to ticket holders who purchased the ticket through a reseller. This new law expands what constitutes a deceptive trade practice, including: Displaying trademarked, copyrighted, or substantially similar web designs, URLs, or other images and symbols with the intent to mislead a purchaser, Selling a ticket to an event without disclosing the total cost of the ticket, or Increasing the price of a ticket after the ticket has been selected for purchase, except for adding delivery fees. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that additional fees on event tickets average 27 to 31 percent of the ticket’s price. HB24-1051 improves oversight, transparency and fairness in the towing industry in Colorado. Specifically, this law ends the practice of towing carriers patrolling, monitoring or policing properties to enforce parking restrictions on behalf of property owners. It also directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to promulgate new rules for towing carriers, including requiring carriers to disclose additional information necessary for effective oversight and meaningful reporting, beginning September 1, 2025. “Leveling the playing field amongst towing companies and everyday Coloradans is essential, and that begins with dismantling some of the financial incentives for towing companies,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB24-1051. “While the Towing Bill of Rights laid a strong foundation to protect vehicle owners, we’re doing more to improve transparency within the towing industry and prohibiting predatory towing companies from patrolling parking lots to look for vehicles to profit on. Today, we’re putting consumers first by requiring property owners to authorize residential non-consensual tows, outlining more guardrails for towing carries and making sure vehicles towed illegally are returned to the owner within 48 hours at no cost.” “When my car was wrongfully towed last summer, it showed me how the laws we had in place were being ignored and weren’t strong enough. Since then, I’ve heard from countless Coloradans who have shared their experiences as well, which was the reason to come back to the table and further strengthen Colorado’s Towing Bill of Rights,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1051. “It all worked out for me in the end, but you shouldn’t have to be a senator or know the law forward and backward just to be treated fairly. This legislation ensures towing companies aren’t hiding the ball when it comes to telling people their options and rights under the law. My hope is that with this law, we can better protect consumers and hold towing carriers responsible for following the law.” “Imagine waking up to find, through no fault of your own, that your vehicle has been towed – this is an unfortunate reality for many in our state,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB24-1051. “Our legislation works to break down financial incentives for predatory towing practices, specifically patrolling parking lots, and drastically improves consumer protections. Under this law, if a vehicle is illegally towed, the towing company will have to make it right by returning the vehicle within 48 hours at no cost to the owner. To ensure we’re leveling the playing field between Coloradans and towing companies, this law also outlines new rules for towing carriers to create a better state for us all.” “Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to improve consumer protections in the towing industry and for TNC drivers,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, sponsor of HB24-1051 and SB24-075. “In the years since, we’ve learned that we need to do more to ensure that towing companies are actually following the law as intended and that drivers have the transparency they deserve. I was proud to sponsor these laws that make much needed updates to our Towing Bill Rights and provide drivers with essential details about their work like pay and destination – both of which ensure greater fairness for Coloradans.” Importantly, HB24-1051 changes the incentive structure for towing companies by requiring the property owner to authorize non-consensual tows. Unauthorized vehicles will still be towed at the expense of the vehicle owner. Another portion of the law aims to ramp up consumer protections by requiring companies to return a wrongfully towed vehicle to the original location within 48 hours and at no charge to the vehicle owner, and improving parking lot signage to explain towing regulations clearly in both English and Spanish. The law also makes it a deceptive trade practice to conduct a non-consensual tow in violation of the law. In an effort to improve long-term transparency in the towing industry, HB24-1051 allows the PUC to suspend or revoke a towing carrier permit in certain circumstances and the law addresses conflicts of interest for members of the Towing Task Force . Gig work has risen over the last decade, but many workers struggle to make ends meet or plan for their financial future due to the volatile nature of their earnings and unjust terminations. SB24-075 addresses a number of issues gig workers and consumers face by requiring the following: Companies must disclose terms and grounds for termination or deactivation of drivers and communicate the reconsideration process; Companies must disclose the fare, distance, and direction to all drivers before they accept a ride, which can prevent last-minute ride cancellations initiated by drivers; Companies must disclose fare information to customers, including the total amount paid and how much of that the driver received; and Companies must disclose some ride and app activity-related information to the state of Colorado, such as total mileage driven, deactivations and reconsideration results, and more. “Gig workers deserve to know how much they will get paid before they accept a job, and this law will give them better clarity so they can make informed workplace decisions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-075. “This law improves gig workers’ rights while providing much-needed transparency to consumers so they know what their money is paying for.” “All workers deserve to know how much they get paid and what their job entails, but currently rideshare and delivery gig workers aren’t given that information,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-075. “Our new law gives basic rights to TNC drivers and provides much-needed transparency for customers.” “The gig economy has exploded in recent years, and we are addressing the lack of worker protections and consumer transparency to ensure fair wages and autonomy,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-075 . “This law aims to address these issues by requiring companies to disclose the distance, direction, and fare of a ride to drivers before they accept it and share fare information with customers so they know how much of their rideshare is going to their driver. Without this information, drivers and customers are left in the dark and are vulnerable to being over-charged or underpaid.” The law aims to provide transportation network company drivers with transparent information about tasks and earnings, and customers with the information needed to make decisions about how much to tip. Additionally, it will protect drivers by giving them a basic level of transparency about how deactivations are considered and can be appealed. Previous Next

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate President James Coleman, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez today released the following joint statement after a prominent podcaster urged violence targeting public officials: < Back June 18, 2026 JOINT RELEASE: Joint Statement: Democratic Leadership Condemns Calls to Violence DENVER, CO– House Speaker Julie McCluskie, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate President James Coleman, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez today released the following joint statement after a prominent podcaster urged violence targeting public officials: We are appalled and deeply concerned by a prominent Colorado podcaster’s calls to violence last night. Political violence is never acceptable, and it is a growing cancer on our democracy. We have lost beloved friends and respected colleagues who dedicated their lives to public service and speaking up for what they believed in. In this country, we must resolve our differences through respectful dialogue, understanding and the political process– never violence. We stand together in steadfast opposition to rising violent rhetoric and threats that put people at risk, and we urge Coloradans from all parties in all corners of our state to join us in condemning these despicable comments. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. < Back February 6, 2024 Legislation to Bar the Use of “Excited Delirium” Passes House Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. “When law enforcement is engaging with someone they identify as being in a state of excited delirium, it can escalate an interaction and lead to devastating outcomes, especially for people experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “ Despite widespread skepticism among medical professionals about the validity of this diagnosis, it has been used to rationalize use of force. By prohibiting the use of this debunked diagnosis going forward, we can continue to focus on de-escalation strategies that lead to better outcomes for Coloradans. “More than 50 percent of people who have died in the custody of law enforcement with an ‘excited delirium’ diagnosis are people of color,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “As in the case of Elijah McClain in Aurora, ‘excited delirium’ has been used to justify excessive force against people of color during police encounters. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and while our legislation can’t save his life, I hope it will help prevent other Coloradans from not surviving the encounters they have with law enforcement.” HB24-1103 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, would prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. The bill would also bar the terms “excited delirium syndrome”, “hyperactive delirium”, “agitated delirium”, and “exhaustive mania”. Earlier this year, a 9NEWS investigation tied more than 225 deaths across the U.S. to use of the term, including the death of Elijah McClain in Colorado. His death in 2019 gained national attention when paramedics injected him with a lethal amount of ketamine after believing he exhibited “excited delirium.” The paramedics and a police officer involved in the incident have since been convicted of criminally negligent homicide. In December 2023, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board unanimously voted to remove the term “excited delirium” from training documents. Organizations like the American Medical Association, the National Association of Medical Examiners, and the American College of Emergency Physicians have spoken out against the term. California passed legislation last year to ban the term from being used on a law enforcement officer’s incident report, on a death certificate or autopsy report, and in testimony in civil court. Rep. Herod also sponsored a 2021 law that prohibits law enforcement from compelling, directing, or influencing a paramedic to administer ketamine. The law set forth strict requirements before a paramedic can administer ketamine in a prehospital setting. Previous Next

Colorado Democrats today highlighted three bills that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on price gouging for necessities, ‘junk fees’ that add hidden costs, and rent algorithms that drive up housing prices. < Back January 23, 2025 Colorado Democrats to Crack Down on Junk Fees, Price Gouging, and Rent Algorithms to Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - Colorado Democrats today highlighted three bills that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on price gouging for necessities, ‘junk fees’ that add hidden costs, and rent algorithms that drive up housing prices. “These bills get at the heart of the concerns Coloradans bring to their kitchen table. As lawmakers, we are not putting paychecks first or saving Coloradans money unless we take on the greedy corporations who openly brag about lining their pockets with record profits while regular people struggle to get by. Well we are here to say enough is enough,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1004 and cosponsor of HB25-1090. “As an eviction defense attorney, I’ve seen how algorithms can increase rents by thousands of dollars a year while price gouging and hidden fees drive up costs on housing and everyday items. Colorado Democrats are taking action to push back against corporate greed and strengthen consumer protections to save people money. Our legislation will require transparency about the true cost of products and crack down on unfair practices that inflate rent and grocery costs so working people can hold on to more of their hard-earned money." Lawmakers today unveiled new legislation that will be introduced later today to crack down on junk fees. “Pest control, garbage collection, and payment method fees can add hundreds of dollars in monthly costs for renters, yet they are often not disclosed upfront, especially in rental agreements,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1090. “Too many Coloradans are blindsided by these ‘junk fees’ and only find out about these mandatory fees when they’re checking out online or paying their first rental payment. I’m proud to announce that we’re introducing this bill after years of hard work to make prices more transparent, crack down on excessive fees, and save Coloradans money.” “This bill will save Coloradans money by requiring transparency, allowing consumers to compare prices, shop around, and make informed decisions about how to spend their hard-earned money,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB25-1090. “It's not okay for consumers to expect to pay one price, only to be hit with hidden fees at checkout. Addressing deceptive pricing practices protects consumers, builds trust, and puts money back in Coloradans’ pockets.” “Tackling the issue of ‘junk fees’ has been a top priority for me at the Capitol, and I am proud to sponsor this legislation to improve price transparency and help small businesses compete against major corporations,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1090. “This year, we’re cracking down on arbitrary ‘junk fees’ that inflate prices far exceeding the price as it was advertised. This bill will help both consumers and small businesses, saving Coloradans hundreds of dollars a month and making business owners who act in good faith more competitive in the market.” “COVID reminded us that sometimes corporate bad actors hide behind economic disruptions to jack up prices and rip off consumers,” said Sen. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1090 and HB25-1010. “The years since COVID have illustrated that Coloradans deserve transparency about their purchases and protections beyond just declared disaster emergencies. That’s why I’m proud to sponsor legislation to protect working Coloradans by cracking down on surprise ‘junk fees’ that add hidden costs and empowering the Colorado Attorney General to take action against corporations who hike up prices beyond what economic realities justify.” HB25-1090 would improve transparency in pricing and save Coloradans money by: Prohibiting pricing information for a good, service, of property being offered, displayed, or advertised unless the total price is disclosed, with the exception of a government or shipping charge, Prohibiting the misrepresentation of the nature or purpose of pricing information, Requiring the nature or purpose of pricing information to be disclosed for a good, service, or property that is not part of the total price, and Prohibiting a landlord for requiring a tenant to pay certain fees, charges, or amounts. On January 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a letter to Governor Polis to provide information about the efforts they have made to address junk fees and called for the passage of legislation like HB25-1090, that works to combat these unforeseen costs. The FTC and the Colorado Attorney General have announced they are taking action against the nation’s largest multi-family rental property managers for using deceptive advertising and failing to disclose recurring fees. HB25-1010 would prohibit price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries. In this bill, price gouging is defined as a price increase by 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good within 90 days. “Corporations have used inflation and market conditions as an excuse to increase profits for food, diapers, and other household necessities that are essential in Coloradans' day-to-day life,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25-1010. “We must prioritize people over profits. Corporate greed is hurting families in every corner of our state, which is why I’m sponsoring this bill to safeguard our families and ensure our groceries remain affordable.” “Everyone has noticed that grocery prices have gone up while inflation has cooled, which is deeply affecting Colorado families who are just trying to provide everyday necessities for their families,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB25-1010. “Food, diapers, and toothpaste are non-negotiables on the shopping list, and it’s immoral for bad actors to take advantage of rising costs due to inflation to significantly increase their profits and stock prices. Colorado Democrats will not stand by as bad actors profiteer off hardworking Coloradans and drive up costs for families.” A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food prices have increased by 28 percent since 2019, outpacing inflation. HB25-1004 would save Coloradans money by regulating how algorithms are used in establishing rent prices, including prohibiting consciously parallel pricing coordination between two or more landlords. Rent algorithms have been shown to add an average of $130 per month to rental rates in the Metro Denver area. “There is clear evidence that corporations are using algorithmic pricing schemes and collusion to jack up rent prices and line their pockets while hardworking people struggle to find affordable places to live,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1004. “Our communities sent us to the Capitol to solve the most pressing issues, and that means cracking down on egregious strategies that manipulate the market to charge renters more. This bill aims to prevent corporations from unjustly colluding to increase their profits on the backs of hardworking Coloradans that need every dollar in their paycheck to pay for groceries, medication, and child care.” “Coloradans are burdened by high rents, which make it harder to make ends meet and puts families at risk of losing their housing,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1004. “This bill will put an end to the algorithms that corporations use to artificially increase rents, allowing us to create a more equitable market and ensure more Colorado families can afford a safe place to call home.” “Colorado families are tired of paying an arm and a leg for rent, and third party companies selling algorithmic price setting products that enable corporate landlords to form a monopolistic trust are making the problem worse, to the tune of $1,300 per year,” said Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB25-1004. “We’re working hard this session to protect renters and address Colorado’s housing crisis. This bill will prevent landlords from using systems that lead to price fixing, and will help save Coloradans money on housing.” A recent report found that coordinated rents from algorithmic pricing increase rent prices by $136 per month for Denver renters. In January 2025, Colorado joined a federal lawsuit to sue six of the largest landlords in the US for participating in algorithmic pricing schemes that harm renters. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also joined a federal lawsuit in August 2024 against RealPage, Inc. for allegedly using illegal agreements with landlords to carry out a price-fixing scheme that has cost Coloradans millions of dollars in rent payments. Previous Next

< Back August 10, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS LAW CHAMPIONED BY STORY, ROBERTS GOES INTO EFFECT New law will help communities better prepare for dangerous wildfires DENVER, CO – A new law, championed by Senator Tammy Story, D-Conifer, and Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, to ensure Colorado communities have the resources necessary to prepare for future wildfires, went into effect today. Many remote communities in Colorado face wildfire risk, but lack the necessary resources to fight fires. As a result, some fire districts rely on local, remote ponds in emergencies to quickly refill water tanks and suppress small fires, but first responders are not always able to use remote ponds for firefighting. SB22-114 preserves critical fire suppression ponds and ensures that communities at risk of dangerous wildfires are equipped with the resources necessary to suppress fires and keep residents safe. “The threat of wildfires continues to grow, and it’s important that we’re as prepared as possible to handle them,” said Story. “We worked hard this year to help prevent wildfires while making sure our neighbors have the tools and resources they need to rebuild and recover. This new law is just one of many policies we passed that will help us prepare for future emergencies and keep our communities safe.” “These days in Colorado, wildfire season lasts year round, which means we have to be prepared to respond at any moment and give our brave first responders every possible tool they need to do their jobs,” said Roberts. “That is why I worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass this new law that will ensure firefighters have access to water to fight fires effectively and supported many efforts this year to add critical funding resources for wildfire prevention, mitigation, and response.” During the 2022 legislative session, Colorado Democrats passed several measures to support rebuilding efforts after disaster emergencies , improve insurance claims processes following wildfire disasters , and fund efforts to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires . SB22-206 establishes two programs to help communities recover and rebuild following disasters. It allocates $15 million to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments rebuilding after a disaster emergency, as well as $20 million to cover costs related to rebuilding more resilient and energy efficient homes and structures and $15.5 million for improved wildfire firefighting resources. Colorado Democrats also passed HB22-1379 , which invests $20 million in federal pandemic relief funds to prevent wildfires and conserve Colorado’s watersheds through mitigation, watershed restoration and flood mitigation grants. Previous Next