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< Back May 19, 2021 BILL TO REQUIRE MONITORING OF TOXIC AIR POLLUTION ADVANCES DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to require real-time fenceline monitoring of air toxics at certain industrial facilities and community based monitoring in areas where people are most at risk. “Communities have a right to know when facilities release toxic pollution like hydrogen cyanide and benzene into the air,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County. “With this bill, we’re requiring facilities to conduct fenceline monitoring, publicly publish the data in real time, and notify communities in the most prevalent two languages when there’s a violation. Mobile van community-based monitoring will ensure that we get the full picture of how, where, and when air toxins are impacting communities near our dirtiest facilities, especially Black and Brown communities that have been disproportionately impacted by toxic pollution.” “Time after time we’ve seen facilities try to conceal or alter the air quality and toxic emissions data they release–we’re going to ensure we have reliable data and hold facilities accountable,” said Energy and Environment Committee Chair Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Air toxins cause cancer, reproductive health issues, ecological disasters, and when facilities violate the limits, they’ll be required to notify communities and take corrective action quickly. The bill establishes robust air monitoring programs so that we know when facilities release toxic pollution.” HB21-1189 would require facilities to collect and publicly report real time air monitoring data and fund community-based monitoring programs to better understand the cumulative health impacts of air toxics emissions from multiple sources. Air toxics are pollutants that cause or may cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as adverse reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental and economical effects. Specifically, the bill expands the type of facilities covered by air toxin pollution limits. Importantly, the bill requires real-time “fenceline” monitoring and public reporting on the results of the monitoring. Facilities would be required to notify the public when emissions breach thresholds for toxic levels or exposure. The bill also requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct community-based monitoring (mobile van monitors) of toxic air pollution in areas near covered facilities. Covered facilities must take corrective action within 15 days of a violation. The bill requires covered facilities to conduct outreach to communities near the facilities, in particular disproportionately impacted communities. Outreach must be conducted in the two most prevalent languages spoken in the communities. Disproportionately impacted communities often include low-income neighborhoods and residents who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino, and people of color. Previous Next

SB24-189 adds gender identity and gender expression to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws < Back June 28, 2024 Legislation to Protect More Coloradans from Bias-Motivated Crimes Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation that will protect more Coloradans from bias-motivated crimes goes into effect on July 1. SB24-189 , sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Chris Hansen, D-Denver, as well as Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, improves protections for Coloradans by adding gender identity and gender expression to the classes included in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. “Every Coloradan deserves to feel secure in their community, but far too many folks have been targeted because of who they are or how they identify,” Fields said. “As trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks face increasing threats across the country, we will continue fighting to make our state safer for all Coloradans and provide better protections against bias-motivated crime and harassment.” "Sadly hate crimes are on the rise in Colorado and the need for protections for LGBTQ+ Coloradans is very clear," Weissman said. "This new law bolsters protections for our transgender community by clarifying transgender identity as a protected class in our bias crime laws. We are working hard to protect all Coloradans from crimes that target them just because of who they are." “Colorado has been a national leader when it comes to advancing equality and protections for our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” Hansen said. “This bill will help protect Coloradans from violence or harassment based on their gender identity or gender expression, and will help ensure perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes are held accountable for their actions. I’m pleased to champion this legislation that will help more Coloradans feel secure and keep people in our communities safe.” The bill also redefines "sexual orientation" as used in our bias-motivated crimes and harassment statutes. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO SUPPORT PEACE OFFICERS’ MENTAL HEALTH DENVER, CO – The House today passed Representative Dylan Roberts’ bill to direct additional resources to expand access to behavioral health care for peace officers. “SB5 is such an important bill to support our law officers because it will provide them with the resources they may need after experiencing difficult situations while serving their communities,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This bill will help law enforcement departments recruit and retain qualified peace officers, and it ensures that we have their backs when they need help.” SB22-005 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Dan Woog, passed by a vote of 55-5. It would direct $3 million to a program that helps law enforcement agencies retain and recruit qualified and trained POST-certified officers. The funding would expand access to behavioral health and counseling support for law enforcement officers to prevent peace officer suicide deaths. Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2019 REP. FROELICH’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO ENHANCE YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES GOES TO GOVERNOR’S DESK (May 1) – The House voted in strong bipartisan support to pass Rep. Meg Froelich’s Child & Youth Behavioral Health System Enhancements to curb youth suicide in Colorado by making it easier for families to locate and access the behavioral healthcare they need. “We have a mental health crisis in Colorado, one that knows no party lines,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Unfortunately, there are kids that are in pain and are not getting the timely and appropriate help they need. We need to provide more resources for teens, kids and their families to access the services they need to get help.” SB19-195 would create the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor, a central agency to coordinate mental and behavioral health resources statewide. Additionally, it would create a commission to study and recommend how to best coordinate and provide such services. The bill would also standardize the screening and assessments that doctors use to identify potential behavioral concerns. Nearly 9 out of every 100,000 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19 die by suicide. In Colorado, that number is nearly twice the national average at 17.6 out of every 100,000 teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Help is available. If you are struggling, please text TALK to 38255 or call 844-493-8255. SB19-195 passed with a bipartisan vote of 52-13. It now heads to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND HELP FAMILIES THRIVE Bills to increase funding for special education, youth and families’ behavioral health and Colorado Works Program pass House DENVER, CO – The House today passed three bills that will increase funding for special education, boost access to behavioral health services for Colorado families and youth, and increase cash assistance under the Colorado Works Program to lift families out of poverty and support vulnerable children. “Education needs to be tailored to each and every student, which is why we allocated an additional $80 million in this bill for special education,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion, sponsor of SB22-127. “Investing more in special education along with record investments in K-12 public schools through the 2022 Public School Finance Act is the step in the right direction for filling funding gaps in Colorado’s education system and preparing our students for success.” SB22-127 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Colin Larson, passed by a vote of 58-4. This bill would dramatically increase funding for more than 100,000 Colorado special education students, from about $220 million per year currently to $300 million per year moving forward. This increase will bring down student-teacher ratios, decrease class sizes, and help schools provide the tailored assistance and support special education students need to learn and receive the quality education they deserve. “Early intervention and access to the right programs are some of the best tools we have to improve youth behavioral health outcomes,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of SB22-147. “Improving access to services is key to improving behavioral health outcomes. To combat Colorado’s youth behavioral health crisis, we are strategically investing more than $11 million in federal relief dollars toward programs designed to improve and increase access to services for youth and their families.” Behavioral Health Care Services for Youth and Families: SB22-147 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton, passed by a vote of 52 to 10. This bill aims to improve access to behavioral health care services for youth and families by utilizing $11.1 million of federal relief funds distributed through three programs. $4.6 million will support the Colorado Pediatric Psychiatry Consultation and Access Program (CoPPCAP) which provides support and assistance to primary care providers and pediatricians to help identify and treat children with behavioral health needs. $5 million will go toward increasing the number of school health professionals who can provide behavioral health services to students, while $1.5 million will expand school-based health centers in Colorado. “Children in Colorado should not grow up in poverty; increasing basic cash assistance benefits will boost the incomes of thousands of vulnerable families and continue making Colorado the best state to raise kids,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of HB22-1259. “These changes will improve outcomes for kids, lift families out of poverty and help Coloradans afford basic necessities such as food, diapers, and school supplies.” “The pandemic has led to rising inflation and costs on families, and at the same time, the cash assistance that vulnerable families rely on hasn’t increased significantly since 1996,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB22-1259. “This bill will put nearly $50 million pandemic relief funds into the pockets of our most vulnerable families, which will improve education outcomes for children, increase opportunities for families and set up the next generation of Coloradans to thrive.” HB22-1259, sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Iman Jodeh, passed by a vote of 40-22. The bill increases monthly basic cash assistance payments under the Colorado Works Program by 10 percent. Starting next year, the bill would increase cash assistance two percent or by the average Social Security cost of living adjustment, whichever is greater. The bill also expands eligibility for the assistance to more vulnerable Coloradans by removing restrictions on single parents with children below the age of one. The bill also increases funding for the Employment Opportunities with Wages Program, which helps Colorado Works participants find permanent employment with a living wage. A parent living in extreme poverty only revives $508 per month. Over the next three years, the bill will direct nearly $50 million in pandemic relief funds to leverage other state and local resources to increase benefits. This will put well over $50 million directly into the pockets of over 15,000 vulnerable families to help them afford the rising cost of goods and care for vulnerable children. Previous Next

< Back June 30, 2020 PUBLIC HEALTH AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT BILL SIGNED INTO LAW BROOMFIELD, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed Representative Dominique Jackson and Yadira Caraveo’s bill to improve air quality and protect public health into law. “Focusing on Colorado’s air quality is about more than protecting the environment, it’s about improving public health at a time when respiratory threats are at an all time high,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw the dire public health consequences of poor air quality up close and personal in my pediatric clinic. This bill takes important steps towards cleaning up our air and protecting the health and wellbeing of all Coloradans.” “This bill represents one of several bold, concrete steps the legislature took this year to improve the quality of the air we breathe and to protect public health,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora. “While the dire effects of climate change become more apparent every day, and this pandemic rages on, it’s more important than ever to ensure we are meeting air quality standards and enforcing regulations here in Colorado.” SB20-204 will protect Colorado’s public health and air quality by ensuring that environmental regulations are enforced and working to bring our state into compliance with federal ozone standards. It creates the TABOR-exempt Air Quality Control Enterprise in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The Enterprise would conduct air quality monitoring, assessment, data analysis and research and report on it to the General Assembly to promote science-based air quality policy. Governor Polis also signed HB20-1155 into law, Representative Alex Valdez and Mike Weissman’s bill to give home buyers more options with regards to energy efficiency products and infrastructure in new homes, such as electric vehicle charging, electric water heating and solar panel systems. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Manny Rutinel that would improve Colorado’s ability to invest in affordable for-sale housing. SB25-006 passed by a vote of 42-20. < Back April 11, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Increase Affordable For-Sale Housing DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Manny Rutinel that would improve Colorado’s ability to invest in affordable for-sale housing. SB25-006 passed by a vote of 42-20. “Every Coloradan deserves the chance to realize their dream of becoming a homeowner,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “I’m proudly sponsoring this bipartisan effort to help build more ‘starter housing’ for hardworking Coloradans. This bill would make it easier for Coloradans to access stable housing and build equity and generational wealth.” SB25-006 , also sponsored by Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, would allow the state treasurer to invest up to $50 million in Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) bonds to buy down the construction and mortgage costs of affordable for-sale housing that would otherwise not be built. These funds would give low interest rates to builders in exchange for long-term affordability restrictions and low mortgage rates to first-time buyers to ease their way into the housing market. The $50 million would finance homeownership for 175-200 new low- and middle-income residents. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care. < Back May 28, 2025 Bill to Boost Incomes, Address Home Care Workforce Shortage Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care. “This law uplifts the voices of home care workers, who are more often women and women of color, to ensure they have safe working conditions and earn a livable wage,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “We’re implementing recommendations crafted by care workers, employers and direct care consumers to create a home care industry that works for all Coloradans. I’m proud to stand by both home care workers and patients to improve everyday life for our residents.” “We must do better to support the essential workers who provide in-home care, which offers dignity and independence to so many Coloradans,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “I sponsored the 2023 legislation that created this oversight board, and now it’s time to act on their recommendations. These workers deserve more than our gratitude – they deserve fair pay, stronger protections, and clear access to information on their rights and the compensation they’re entitled to.” “We’re supporting the direct care workforce to ensure Coloradans have access to the quality health care that they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our state is falling behind when it comes to providing in-home care services for aging Coloradans, which is why we’re addressing the home care workforce shortage. This law works to respond to the needs of our care workforce to support working families and create a strong, qualified in-home care workforce.” “In-home care workers care for our parents, our grandparents, our loved ones with disabilities, and so many others who deserve to live safely and with dignity in their own homes,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “While these care providers take care of our family and friends, they often face low pay and poor working conditions, making it hard to stay in the profession. As a result, Colorado is facing a shortage of in-home care workers. This new law is about honoring their work, improving their livelihoods, and ensuring that those who care for others are cared for themselves.” HB25-1328 implements recommendations from the Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board, including: Requiring the board to investigate how health care benefits for direct care workers compare to other industries and how to reduce costs, Establishing a free “Know Your Rights” training, including information regarding wages, rules for travel time, how to file a complaint, current state and federal laws and where they can find more information, Investigating violations related to training and labor standards and fining employers who violate direct care workforce regulations, and Creating a website and communication platform that includes various trainings, information on worker’s rights, access to benefits, recruitment opportunities and other information. Increasing the minimum wage for direct care service workers to $17 per hour starting July 1, 2025, and recommending future minimum wage increases. The Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was created by legislation , sponsored by Majority Leader Duran and Sen. Danielson, to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and address the workforce crisis. Rep. Sirota and Sen. Bridges sponsored a 2024 law creating a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages. Previous Next

Representatives Tisha Mauro and Matthew Martinez yesterday hosted a town hall with Pueblo school district officials on new laws that will increase K-12 public education funding for Pueblo schools and make college free for the first two years for families making under $90,000 per year. < Back August 8, 2024 Rep. Mauro, Rep. Martinez Host Town Hall on Increased EDU Funding for Pueblo, Southern Colorado PUEBLO, CO - Representatives Tisha Mauro and Matthew Martinez yesterday hosted a town hall with Pueblo school district officials on new laws that will increase K-12 public education funding for Pueblo schools and make college free for the first two years for families making under $90,000 per year. “This 2024 legislative session was monumental for Colorado students, educators, and schools as we eliminated the budget stabilization factor and increased public school funding for communities like Pueblo,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our new laws will help increase teacher pay in Pueblo, reduce the cost of higher education for families, and help every student have the resources in the classroom they need to thrive. I am proud of the work we accomplished this session for our students, and it was a pleasure to highlight these efforts alongside school officials and answer questions from community members.” “As an educator, I have experienced firsthand how the lack of funding in a classroom can impact students’ education, which is why I am so proud that we delivered historic wins for Colorado schools and students this session,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “The new, student-focused school finance formula and increased state support for K-12 education will mean that schools in the San Luis Valley, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado will have the resources they need to set up our students for success. I’m excited for Southern Colorado students and schools to finally receive the funding they deserve.” HB24-1448 significantly updated Colorado’s school finance formula for the first time in 30 years. It directs more funding to districts that serve higher numbers of low-income students, English Language Learners, at-risk, and special education students. The new formula will increase funding for Pueblo School District 70 by almost $1.5 million more per year, or $9 million after the program is fully implemented in six years. Pueblo School District 60 will receive $900,000 more per year, or $6 million more after implementation. SB24-188 increases total funding for public schools by more than $500 million to 9.7 billion and completely buys down the Budget Stabilization Factor, a longstanding goal that helps ensure Colorado students get the quality education they deserve. HB24-1340 supports two years of in-state college for students in families earning less than $90,000, making higher education more attainable for families. This law creates a refundable state income tax credit for Colorado students in their first two years of attendance (based on credit hours accumulated) at any public Colorado institution of higher education. The credit provides reimbursement for the full amount of tuition and fees paid after accounting for any scholarships or grants the student received. The credit can be claimed by a parent or other taxpayer if the student is their dependent, and is available for the 2024-25 school year through 2031-32. Previous Next

< Back June 1, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED: HISTORIC $178 MILLION INVESTMENT TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING VAIL, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will direct $178 million in pandemic relief funds to make housing more affordable, increase the housing supply and save Coloradans money on housing. HB22-1304 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Mary Bradfield and Senators Julie Gonzales and James Coleman, was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force . The law is part of a package of legislation that will direct $428 million to make housing more affordable and save Coloradans money on housing. “This bill is an historic achievement for Colorado: a nearly $180 million investment to help build, sustain, and create affordable housing in all parts of our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “We know Coloradans are facing significant needs in affordable housing but also know that there are communities, nonprofits, and others who are ready to do the work of developing housing now. This new grant program will jumpstart those construction projects, support local efforts, and give communities tools and resources to make housing more affordable for Coloradans. I am thankful Governor Polis signed this bipartisan bill today – the flagship bill of our Task Force work – and now we can help kickstart housing projects across the state!” “Our state is growing, and we must make sure communities have the resources they need to keep pace,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “This bill will help local governments and nonprofits access the space and funding that communities need to equitably accommodate that growth. By helping communities increase their housing supply we can make sure every Coloradan has access to a home they can afford.” “As Colorado’s population continues to grow, we have to make sure communities have the land and resources required to develop affordable housing now and in the future,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “Nonprofits and folks on the ground are the experts when it comes to pinpointing their communities’ unique needs. That’s why this bill is targeted at uplifting their work and providing the necessary tools to achieve their housing development goals.” The law invests a historic sum to provide direct, flexible, and timely grant funding to nonprofits and local governments all across the state that have or are pursuing measures to facilitate affordable housing development, including purchasing land. This includes development of supportive, rental, and for-sale housing targeted at populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The law also sets aside a substantial investment for local communities to create strategic and sustainable development patterns, including funding for infrastructure projects and updating land and use codes. The law will ensure flexibility of funding and will increase the supply of housing in urban, rural, and rural resort communities across the state, proportionate to each community’s demonstrated need. Furthermore, the grant program will prioritize funding for mixed-income and income-restricted developments, projects that leverage capital from other sources, and developments that create opportunities for Colorado families to build intergenerational wealth. Funding will also be prioritized for transit-oriented developments, saving emissions and money by building homes closer to where people work and reducing transportation costs. Previous Next

Representative Eliza Hamrick today toured the South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) to learn more about the nearly 300 square miles of coverage under their emergency protection. < Back September 26, 2024 RELEASE: Rep. Hamrick Tours South Metro Fire Rescue CENTENNIAL, CO – Representative Eliza Hamrick today toured the South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) to learn more about the nearly 300 square miles of coverage under their emergency protection. ‘Thank you to the South Metro Fire Rescue for hosting me today – your unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe means so much to us all,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial . “At the legislature, we’ve worked to pass legislation that encourages wildfire mitigation efforts and improves the safety of our communities. SMFR serves and protects nearly 600,00 community members, and as wildfires become more destructive, I’m glad to have them in our corner.” Rep. Hamrick learned more about SMFR which serves 564,000 residents, and nearly 35,000 people who enter the district for work. Rep. Hamrick also learned more about SMFR’s 2021-2035 strategic planning process , which works to protect property, businesses and people living in parts of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson Counties. SMFR’s coverage area includes Bow Mar, Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Pines, Village Highlands Ranch and Louviers in addition to the Centennial Airport, the Denver Tech Center, Inverness and Meridian Office Park. In 2024, Rep. Hamrick supported legislation to expand local outreach efforts and educate those living in the wildland-urban interface about how they can stop the spread of wildfires. In 2023, she also supported a bipartisan law to supply the state with a second Firehawk helicopter for wildfire suppression efforts. Previous Next

< Back November 21, 2019 REP. ALEX VALDEZ ELECTED CHAIR OF LGBTQ CAUCUS Denver, CO— Representative Alex Valdez (D-Denver) today released the following statement after being elected this week to lead the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus: “I am honored to lead the LGBTQ caucus. We made tremendous progress in the last year. We protected our LGBTQ youth by banning the dangerous practice of conversion therapy. We ensured that government identification reflects Coloradans’ true selves. We passed legislation to bring our students a history curriculum that shares the incredible contributions of LGBTQ Americans. We will continue to work hard to make progress on LGBTQ rights and ensure an inclusive Colorado.” The Colorado Legislative LGBTQ Caucus includes members of both chambers and works to expand and protect LGBTQ rights. The caucus includes former Co-Chairs Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) and Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver), Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County), Rep. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada) and Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins). Last session, the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill sponsored by Reps. Michaelson Jenet and Esgar to ban conversion therapy (HB19-1129). Colorado also passed Jude’s Law (HB19-1039), sponsored by Rep. Esgar and Sen. Moreno, which now allows residents to obtain identification documents that reflect their identities. To further a more inclusive history curriculum, the legislation passed HB19-1192, sponsored by Reps. Serena Gonzales Gutierrez (D-Denver) and Bri Buentello (D-Pueblo), which will ensure more students learn about the contributions of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Previous Next