A bipartisan bill introduced today will create a new, transformational system to better connect students and workers with the resources they need for good-paying jobs. < Back March 4, 2026 Bill to Connect Coloradans to Good-Paying Jobs Introduced DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill introduced today will create a new, transformational system to better connect students and workers with the resources they need for good-paying jobs. “For too long, Colorado has had a siloed approach to connecting workers and students with good-paying, in-demand jobs. Today, we’re unveiling a plan to create a unified department that seamlessly supports Coloradans from early learning to career readiness. Democrats and Republicans are coming together to reimagine talent pipelines to jumpstart the creation of a one-stop-shop for job seekers and students,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Learners need access to high-quality training to land good-paying jobs, but our current postsecondary talent system outside registered apprenticeships can lead to dead ends and closed doors for job-seekers and employers alike. This bill is an important step forward in better connecting workers with skills and education offered through apprenticeship programs and fostering a reliable workforce pipeline for Colorado businesses. We look forward to a meaningful process that will guide Colorado's support of apprenticeships in the years ahead,” said Jason Wardrip, Business Manager of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council. “Colorado is leading the way on connecting workers with the education, training, and the skills needed to get good-paying jobs and strengthen our economy. This new and more efficient consolidated department will make it easier for Coloradans to access important resources and open new doors to opportunity. I’m grateful for the leadership of Speaker McCluskie and the sponsors of this important bill for their work,” said Governor Jared Polis. “My road to higher education was anything but traditional, and flexible pathways to in-demand careers are what students like me need to prepare for life after graduation. The new unified department will be a one-stop shop for students like me to find specialized, career-focused pathways that will lead to good-paying jobs. Strong, modern, and accessible talent pathways are important because they meet students where they are to help us find the career of our dreams,” said Saige Chapin, a student at Red Rocks Community College. “Reimagining Colorado’s workforce pipelines is a win for Colorado’s businesses and our learners. No matter the stage a student might find themselves in, whether that’s graduating high school or a mid-career pivot to something new, this bipartisan bill connects eager learners with in-demand careers. Colorado businesses are looking for qualified workers, and this bill makes it easier for them to tap into talent pipelines for their next star employee,” said Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction. “This legislation specifically directs a committee to consider strategies to eliminate overlapping oversight and better coordinate programs across agencies with the goal of connecting higher education and career development through clear pathways for Coloradans looking to build a flourishing life for themselves and their families. This bill gives Colorado a more coherent and efficient framework in which students, employers and Colorado’s economy can thrive for decades to come,” said Will Simpkins, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. "Colorado students at every level move from classrooms into jobs, yet we’ve built a system that makes them navigate three different bureaucracies to get there. This new bill will bring higher education and our workforce programs together under one roof so we can align our investments, incentives, and strategy with the high skill, high wage, in demand jobs that drive our economy. We’re building a future where employers can find the talent they need to grow, and workers have a clear, connected path from learning to earning," said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. "RMWDA welcomes ongoing dialogue as the legislation is introduced and evolves. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute input and feedback as our membership is named as required taskforce participants. Our central focus is ensuring that structural changes support seamless access to workforce services for job seekers and employers across Colorado continue to have access to talent through Workforce Colorado Centers. We are committed to working collaboratively to maintain strong, locally responsive service delivery throughout both rural and urban communities,” said Tami Grant, President of the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association. "Now more than ever, the State of Colorado must look at ways to streamline and improve efficiency in the delivery of services to our citizens. I’ve heard loud and clear from our business community just how critical workforce development is to Colorado’s economic success, and this policy is an important first step in removing redundant barriers to workers and employers,” said Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock. HB26-1317 is the first step toward creating a new, unified system and department for postsecondary education development. With a focus on a thoughtful, inclusive stakeholder process, this bill would establish a Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) of 26 members, including representatives from state agencies, institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, organized labor, local workforce centers, non-profit associations and the business community. The TAC’s recommendations will serve as the structural outline for the new department. HB26-1317 would also begin the process to unite several programs, including the Divisions of Employment and Training, Regional Talent Summit Initiatives, Plans and Opportunity Now Grants and Adult Education and Literacy Programs, among others, with a focus on education and training under one new agency. Last year, Governor Polis shared a new report outlining a robust roadmap to streamline and strengthen the way Coloradans access education, training and career support. Research shows that in the next six years, nearly three in four job openings will require some type of post-secondary credential. However, there is an attainment gap between the need for credentials and the number of Coloradans earning these skills, which is a challenge for Colorado’s economy and our learners. HB26-1317 aims to lay the groundwork to streamline more than 20 divisions, offices and units across seven state entities that deliver more than 100 programs and initiatives to create a one-stop-shop for Coloradans access to postsecondary education, training and employment. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to support older Coloradans in the workforce. < Back June 3, 2026 ICYMI: SIGNED! Bill to Support Older Coloradans in the Workforce DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to support older Coloradans in the workforce. “From specialized training to employment access, older Coloradans need workforce resources tailored to them,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Colorado’s economy works best when workers have the tools they need to succeed, and this law creates strong pathways to support older Coloradans. We’re taking steps now to ensure that older Coloradans have more opportunities to take on new roles and participate in workforce development recommendations.” “Older workers have talent, knowledge and lived experience that is vital to our growing workforce needs,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora . “With this law, we’re prioritizing the participation, representation and support of older Coloradans in the workforce. This law makes it possible for older Coloradans to have their voices heard regarding their workforce needs. When we equip workers with the resources and support they need to succeed, we can foster a stronger economy that delivers for hardworking people.” HB26-1010 will modify Colorado’s workforce policy to ensure older Coloradans have a seat at the table regarding workforce support and resources. This law prioritizes representation by requiring several commissions related to workforce development and education to have at least one member who is 55 years old or older and has experience advocating for older adults, to ensure their perspectives and needs are considered in the workforce. HB26-1010 also requires the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Commission on Aging, and others to work collaboratively to support workforce development and examine issues related to employment access, training, support and services for older adults. Older adults are one of the fastest growing segments of Colorado’s workforce, yet they often report they’re looking for upskilling opportunities and struggle to find employment. While some data is available on older adults in the workplace, there are significant gaps in reporting. HB26-1010 will require data collection and reporting of Coloradans' participation in the workforce. Previous Next

Legislation directs $3 million toward crime victim services < Back April 26, 2023 Bills to Protect and Support Crime Victims Pass House Legislation directs $3 million toward crime victim services DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to prioritize and support Colorado’s victims of crime. HB23-1107 provides funding to services and program that support crime survivors, including survivors of domestic and sexual assault. SB23-193 improves crime victim notification services. “As the need for survivor resources and assistance surges in Colorado, we are committed to allocating funding toward critical services that support survivors,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “For a time in my life, I wasn’t safe in my own home, and as I dealt with the displacement and hardship with a young son in tow, community-based programs like these helped me get back on my feet. Deaths from domestic violence are rising in Colorado – we need to do everything we can to fund the programs survivors rely upon.” HB23-1107 , sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, passed the House by a vote of 62 to 3. This bill designates $3 million to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program inside the Department of Human Services. This program directly funds community based domestic violence and sexual assault programs statewide. These programs provide critical services for victims and survivors of crime including shelter, counseling, forensic interviews and prosecution support. Agencies that assist survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as victims of crime have experienced a drastic increase in the number of individuals requiring services. The Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board’s report revealed an increase in domestic violence deaths in 2021 and domestic violence deaths are at an all-time high since Colorado began tracking this information in 2016. “The state of Colorado needs to prioritize the concerns and voices of crime survivors, and this legislation was drafted with them in mind,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “This bipartisan bill improves survivor notifications regarding offenders’ release from parole, adding a new notice where one is not currently provided under our Victim Rights Act. This legislation also directs that notices are easy-to-read for better awareness and protection of survivors of crimes." SB23-193 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, passed the House unanimously. This bill aims to prioritize survivors by setting the offender’s release date for parole 15 days after providing notice to the victim. This bill would require the Department of Corrections (DOC) and any other state or local government agency, to provide survivor notifications in easy-to-understand language, using recommendations from victim advocates. If the victim chose to receive notifications, SB23-193 would work to improve communications between the DOC and survivors by giving them advanced notice of their offender’s parole release, in addition to their offender's discharge, transfer, escape, abscondence, unauthorized absence, or parole proceeding. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. < Back April 17, 2024 House Passes Legislation to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Address Disparity of Care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. HB24-1262 includes modifying the midwife licensure process and creating a new professional title, collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period, and requiring advance notice to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. HB24-1262 passed the House by a vote of 48 to 12. “Coloradans increasingly want expanded birth options, especially in Black and Latino communities, but existing barriers prevent community birth facilities from providing these services,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Increasing access to maternal care, including midwives, will allow Colorado parents to choose a birth plan that fits their needs. By giving Coloradans more options for maternal health care, we can reduce the impacts of the maternal mortality crisis and save lives.” “The worsening maternal mortality crisis is a growing issue, especially for Black, Indigenous, and rural parents, and our bill seeks to address these preventable deaths,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Maternal health deserts and other barriers to maternal health care access prevent parents from receiving necessary, and sometimes life-saving care. By boosting health care provider options and perinatal resources, we can create a health care system that keeps our parents and newborns safe and healthy.” Starting September 1, 2024, HB24-1262 would require any individual who practices certified professional midwifery to have a valid license. The bill would update the title of “direct-entry midwives” to “certified professional midwives” (CPMs) and change the regulation from registration to licensure. The licensure process includes passing an exam, graduating from an accredited midwifery education program, holding a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives, being certified by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross to perform adult and infant CPR, or having an equivalent education that is approved by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations. The bill would also: Direct the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help identify ways to address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination, Create an advisory panel to provide recommendations on disciplinary actions against CPMs, Add 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, Require a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services, Require 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 Add 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 communities are three times as likely. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across the state. < Back March 3, 2026 Lukens’ Bipartisan Bill to Support Rural EMS Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across the state. HB26-1238 would designate EMS as an essential component of Colorado’s health care system, which will increase access to care in rural and frontier communities. “EMS is a lifeline in rural communities like mine,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “No matter if they’re battling extreme weather or disaster conditions, EMS still shows up to provide life-saving care to Coloradans. This bipartisan bill establishes a clear, statewide policy that designates EMS as essential, which will connect them to more funding opportunities and bolster workforce sustainability. This new designation would ensure continued access to care and reduce strain on our EMS providers who often rely on limited resources.” HB26-1238 , also sponsored by Representative Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, passed committee by a vote of 13-0. This bill designates EMS, including ambulance and air ambulance services, as essential to protecting public health and safety. Once designated as an essential service, EMS would see reduced barriers to performing their duties, similar to law enforcement and fire departments. This bill aims to improve planning and coordination across agencies, which will foster more reliable emergency response. This bill clarifies operational expectations of EMS during disasters and closures, ensuring that EMS is reimbursed for their travel by expanding permissible uses of existing funds to include EMS. To improve system coordination, HB26-1238 allows licensed ambulance services to participate in telecommunications, mutual aid and interoperable communications systems and receive reimbursement. The bill also clarifies that off-duty EMS providers are not obligated to respond to an emergency. Previous Next

< Back January 29, 2020 REP. EXUM & DURAN’S DRIVING INSTRUCTION FOR FOSTER CHILDREN BILL ADVANCES Bill would cover the cost of driver’s ed courses for foster children DENVER, CO — Reps. Tony Exum Sr. and Monica Duran’s Bill, Driving Instruction for Foster Children, today passed the Transportation & Local Government Committee. The bill would provide grants to pay for driving education costs of children in custody of the state from ages 15-20. The bill passed committee unanimously. “We should strive to guarantee that every child in Colorado has equal opportunity to succeed,” said Rep Exum Sr. (D-Colorado Springs). “Ensuring that foster children are able to learn how to drive goes a long way towards leveling the playing field. From getting to and from work, or to and from college, driving can truly make a lasting and important impact on a teenager’s life.” “Foster children have more to deal with than the average teenager in Colorado,” said Rep. Duran (D-Wheat Ridge). “As these teens navigate through the rites of passage of driving for the first time and receiving their permit, we’re hoping to provide them with some relief from the associated financial stress.” HB20-1071 requires the state Department of Human Services directly reimburse county departments for the costs to provide public or private driver’s education courses to foster youth. It would also grant counties immunity from related liability. The bill advanced through the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) during the interim . Last year, House Democrats passed HB19-1023 and removed barriers for those in foster care applying for a driver’s license and insurance. Now, HB20-1071 would remove the financial burden associated with taking driver’s ed lessons. Previous Next

< Back March 30, 2021 HOUSE VOTES TO CREATE NEW RIGHTS FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT A day after voting to remove the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault, House votes to give sexual assault survivors new rights. DENVER, CO– The House today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich to give new rights to survivors of sexual assault seeking access to rape kit evidence. The vote was 64-0. “Survivors of sexual assault who have come forward and subjected themselves to a forensic exam deserve timely answers and control over how the evidence in their case is used,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill will ensure that survivors have a say in how and when rape kit evidence is processed and disposed of, and will guarantee that they stay informed throughout the process. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to stand with survivors this week.” HB21-1143 creates new rights for survivors of sexual assault. Under the bill, survivors would have the right to be notified when forensic medical evidence is submitted for testing, when law enforcement has received the results of the analysis, and 60 days prior to the destruction of the evidence. Survivors would also have the right to object to the destruction of the evidence, to be informed of whether a DNA sample was obtained from the analysis and matched to any DNA profiles in state or federal databases, and to receive physical documentation describing their rights under the law, as well as nearby resources, after the exam has been completed. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to combat wage theft and boost the economic security of workers in the construction industry, ensuring construction workers receive pay for their work. < Back February 8, 2024 Wage Theft Prevention Passes House Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to combat wage theft and boost the economic security of workers in the construction industry, ensuring construction workers receive pay for their work. “Wage theft is a serious problem in Colorado, with over $720 million in wages withheld from hardworking Coloradans every single year,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The construction industry, which includes many Latino and immigrant workers, has disproportionately high rates of wage theft that leave workers questioning how they’re going to pay their bills. This legislation is crucial in ensuring that Coloradans get paid for the work that they do and holding contractors who do not honor commitments to pay their employees accountable.” “We rely on construction workers to build infrastructure that allows our communities to grow, like needed housing supply and transportation projects, and they deserve to get paid for their hard work,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “No one should have to fight for money they are owed. This bill honors the hard work that goes into constructing our housing and transportation projects by ensuring construction workers are paid for their labor.” HB24-1008 improves wage theft accountability by requiring general contractors to cover lost wages if a subcontractor commits wage theft and increases transparency to improve compliance. It also imposes a $2,000 fine on a subcontractor if they do not forward a written demand for payment to the general contractor. Reps. Duran and Froelich also sponsored legislation in 2022 that ensures Colorado workers are able to recover legally-earned wages. The law modernizes Colorado’s wage enforcement procedures by streamlining the enforcement of wage theft laws and expanding the Department of Labor and Employment’s ability to investigate wage violators. A 2022 report by the Colorado Fiscal Institute found that nearly 440,000 low-wage Colorado workers experience $728 million in wage theft annually. Workers of color and women are most likely to be victims of wage theft, and the most common industries for wage theft are retail, construction, and food service. Construction workers are particularly at risk for wage theft due to the high rates of subcontracting and other labor market intermediaries. Wage theft can include not paying workers minimum wage, non-payment of wages, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime and taking tips that were meant for the employees. The bill passed in committee by a vote of 8-3. Previous Next

Yesterday, legislation to make mobile home park sales more fair and transparent was signed into law. < Back June 3, 2026 ICYMI: Mobile Home Park Protections Bill Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Yesterday, legislation to make mobile home park sales more fair and transparent was signed into law. HB26-1224 , sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, House Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, strengthens Colorado’s Mobile Home Park Act (MHPA) to ensure that residents have a fair chance to purchase the land underneath their mobile home. “This legislation builds upon years of work to level the playing field for mobile home park residents who often own their home but not the land beneath it,” said Cutter. “We’ve implemented laws to help residents join together to purchase their parks, keeping costs down and creating opportunities for stability and ownership. This new law adds additional measures to facilitate residents’ ability to purchase their park when it goes up for sale.” “Mobile home residents are uniquely vulnerable to displacement, which is why we passed this law to strengthen protections for residents to prevent housing instability,” said Velasco. “Mobile homes are one of the most common affordable housing options we have in Colorado, especially on the Western Slope. This law builds on our work to protect mobile home residents and create opportunities for them to build generational wealth by bolstering resident protections and improving disclosure and notice requirements. This will help give residents the time and information they need to present a strong bid to purchase the park, preserving existing affordable housing.” “I've seen firsthand the opportunity for residents to purchase their mobile home park in action in my district – and it's transformational for preserving affordable, local housing,” said Roberts. “This new law ensures that more residents in our state will have the time and information they need to make that decision, including operating costs and financial disclosures, and adds new protections to prevent families from losing their home. It continues upon years of work to keep mobile home parks – which provide essential affordable housing – in the hands of our communities.” “Mobile home parks are a great source of unsubsidized affordable housing, and it is crucial that we protect this resource for hardworking Coloradans to bring down housing costs,” said Boesenecker. “Colorado Democrats have passed key protections for mobile home residents in recent years, but residents are still struggling to compete against better-resourced external buyers when presented with the opportunity to purchase the park. This law ensures that mobile home residents have a fair shot at buying the mobile home park that they live in, which will help maintain affordable housing options for low- and middle-income Coloradans.” Beginning January 1, 2027, the law will give residents at least 90 days to conduct inspections and protect residents who negotiate in good faith. The law will ban anti-competitive practices that inflate prices above market value to make it harder for residents to purchase the mobile home park. HB26-1224 will improve transparency by requiring a landlord to disclose documentation upon request of a mobile home resident to justify the list price of the property, the age and history of major infrastructure on the property, rental information and operating expenses. Upon request, the law will also require a landlord to disclose any financial ties to potential buyers of the property and any agreements between the landlord and the potential buyer. To prevent evictions and keep housing costs down, the law will: Ensure that residents receive notice when a park owner is temporarily prohibited from raising lot rents; Require evictions to be based on an official government finding of a violated law, ordinance, or rule, not just an informal claim; and Limit the amount of the annual MHPA registration fee that can be passed onto homeowners. In 2020, the legislature passed a law to create a pathway for mobile home park residents to join together to purchase the land under their communities. Democrats have also passed laws to improve water quality in mobile home parks, strengthen tenant protections, improve language accessibility for important park notices and meetings and clarify the conditions of a sale of mobile homes and parks. The legislature also passed a bill this session, also sponsored by Senator Cutter and Representative Velasco, to strengthen water quality protections for Coloradans in mobile home parks. Previous Next

< Back January 21, 2020 GA DEMS UNVEIL BILL TO HELP BRING DOWN COSTS OF RX DRUGS Price transparency legislation would reveal pharmaceutical cost drivers and lower the cost of health insurance DENVER, CO– Today, General Assembly Democrats unveiled the Colorado Prescription Drug Transparency Act of 2020. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Dominique Jackson and Dylan Roberts, and Senators Joann Ginal and Kerry Donovan, would mark a major step forward in uncovering the factors that are driving up pharmaceutical prices, and it would deliver relief to consumers through reduced insurance premiums. “This important legislation will finally bring to light the murky dealings and obscured relationships that drive up the cost of prescription drugs and health insurance, leading to record profits for billion-dollar, global pharmaceutical corporations,” said Rep. Jackson (D-Aurora). “This is an issue that affects Coloradans across the state, at every stage of life, and it’s time we move the ball forward to bring down the cost of prescription drugs.” “For too long, drug companies have been price gouging older adults and hardworking Americans without consequence. Prioritizing profit over people and forcing patients to go without lifesaving medication,” said Sen Ginal (D-Fort Collins) . “With new transparency laws, our state will force Big Pharma to shine a light on what drives up the cost of medication, so we can ensure accountability for our communities.” “Last session we capped the cost of insulin, saving Coloradans living with diabetes thousands of dollars per year, and that was just the first step. Today we’re building on the progress we’ve made with robust transparency measures,” said Rep. Roberts (D-Avon). “This bill will bring relief to consumers by lowering insurance premiums and by holding drug manufacturing, drug middlemen and insurance companies accountable.” “This is bill is a part of a comprehensive approach to improve healthcare by defending our friends and neighbors from the excess corporate profit that forces them to jeopardize their health,” said Sen. Donovan (D-Aspen). “We are committed to joining together to fight for all Coloradans so that they can get the care they need.” The Colorado Prescription Drug Transparency Act of 2020 would address two primary concerns. First, it would provide the state and policymakers with critical data needed to understand and address the factors that are driving up the cost of prescription drugs. Second, it would provide immediate relief to consumers by ensuring that the rebates insurance companies receive from drug manufacturers are passed along directly to reduce premiums across the board. The bill would help policymakers understand the financial relationships between drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), insurance companies and consumers. By revealing how the currently hidden pharmaceutical supply chain operates, policymakers can better determine and address the key factors that are driving up the costs of prescription drugs. Under the bill, health insurers will have to submit detailed information to the commissioner of insurance starting in 2021 about the top 50 most costly and most used prescription drugs covered under their plans, any rebates they receive from drug manufacturers and how drug costs and rebates are accounted for in insurance premiums. Drug manufacturers will have to notify the commissioner when they increase the price of certain drugs, the specific reasons for the price change and if the price change was necessitated by a change or improvement to the drug. The drugs that would fall under this category are drugs with a price of more than $50 per course of therapy and for which the price has increased by 10 percent or more over the prior year. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation to save Colorado seniors money. < Back May 3, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Save Seniors Money Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to save Colorado seniors money. HB24-1142, sponsored by Representative Junie Joseph, would increase tax deductions for Coloradans ages 55 to 64. This bill passed the House by a vote of 56 to 6. “The rising cost of living has been tough on our seniors with fixed incomes or those planning to retire soon,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder . “This bipartisan bill would save seniors, aged 55 to 64, money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes. By increasing the cap of non-taxable social security income, we’re helping ensure our seniors are receiving more of their hard-earned benefits and have more money in their pockets. This bipartisan bill saves seniors money on taxes allowing them to afford groceries, rent or other necessities.” HB24-1142 , also sponsored by Representative Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, would save seniors money when filing their taxes. Under current law, taxpayers ages 55 to 64 may deduct up to $20,000 of pension and annuity income, which includes federally taxable social security income, when calculating their taxable income. For taxpayers 55 to 64 years of age and making $75,000 or less starting in 2025, this bill would allow all federally taxed social security income to be deductible in Colorado. Taxpayers over the age of 65 may already deduct the full amount of federally taxable social security income, or other forms of pension and annuity income up to $24,000. This bill would lower the age to ensure eligible Coloradans aged 55 to 64 can benefit from the full deduction. The current cap still applies to all other forms of pension and annuity income, and the cap may only be exceeded when social security income specifically is higher than the cap. Previous Next

Representatives Tisha Mauro and Matthew Martinez today released a joint statement after both their cars were vandalized on the evening of Tuesday, November 5. < Back November 11, 2024 Reps. Mauro and Martinez Statement Regarding Personal Property Vandalism DENVER, CO – Representatives Tisha Mauro and Matthew Martinez today released a joint statement after both their cars were vandalized on the evening of Tuesday, November 5. Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo (HD-46) and Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista (HD-62): “We appreciate the ongoing work of local law enforcement to investigate these incidents. As elected officials, we want to make it clear that political violence is never acceptable, and we will not be silenced or intimidated. Free and fair elections are how Coloradans decide who they want to govern our state, and any targeting of public officials is un-democratic and un-American. To run for office without fear lies at the heart of our democracy, and we will not let this hinder our work to fight for Southern Colorado.” Previous Next