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< Back Rep. McCormick: Ballot initiatives 144 and 145 will not help animals Jun 17, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Longmont Times-Call here . Forty years ago, I swore a lifelong oath when starting my career as a veterinarian. Part of that oath affirms that I will use my scientific knowledge and skill to benefit society through the protection of animal health and welfare. I also promised to prevent and relieve animal suffering and promote our collective public health. And, I swore to do these things keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I promised to forever do what is right for animals, their people and the public. It is with that oath and my lifetime of service to animals and people that I must now sound the alarm to all Coloradans. There are two ballot initiatives being circulated collecting signatures for the fall ballot. These initiatives are being driven by big corporate interests from outside of Colorado. They are Initiative 144 and 145 and are being misleadingly sold to voters as a way to “increase access to veterinary care.” The General Assembly worked very hard this spring in a bipartisan, collaborative way to develop a robust approach to how best to utilize teletechnologies in the delivery and expansion of veterinary care. That bill was signed into law by the governor earlier this year. HB24-1048 Providing Veterinary Services through Telehealth passed the House of Representatives unanimously. It is widely supported by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, farmers and ranchers, shelters and humane societies and animal caretakers. The bill strengthens and clarifies that veterinary telemedicine should supplement and not replace in-person care. We absolutely should use telehealth more, and this law will make sure it is done right to protect pets. Initiative 144 also has to do with Veterinary Telehealth but is a danger to pets. 144 would dismantle that well structured law the governor just signed and eliminate the need for a doctor to ever see your animal in person, essentially eliminating the most important tools your veterinarian has to get to the bottom of what is going — their hands, eyes, ears and nose. 144 would not benefit people or their animals and would create real safety concerns. It would only help corporate entities focused on profits, allowing them to push medicine to animal owners via online platforms. Animals would be the ones suffering in this situation, as they would not be getting accurate, affordable, timely care. The second ballot initiative, 145, is also funded by outside corporate interests and will allow creation of a new animal health position called a veterinary professional associate or VPA. 145 would create an individual who is not licensed to practice medicine, has not gone through an accredited veterinary education program, has not passed a national exam, will not have sufficient liability protections, who would not be able to prescribe medicines due to Federal law and who will be under-trained through primarily an online master’s program, who would then be allowed to actually practice veterinary medicine on your pets. This VPA would be allowed to do surgery on your animals, diagnose diseases, interpret lab test results and prescribe a treatment plan — all without a license. Things only a veterinarian is sufficiently trained and licensed to do. Corporate interests want VPAs to practice medicine without the consumer protection safeguards that exist for licensed veterinarians. If this sounds crazy to you, then you can understand my grave concern for the animals of our state for whom we are responsible and my sincere alarm for public safety in the consideration of a VPA. Skilled Veterinary technicians are already more qualified than this contemplated VPA. They have comprehensive training, take a national exam and are regulated by the state. We passed another strong bipartisan bill to elevate vet techs with HB24-1047 Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice. Ballot initiatives 144 and 145 will not help animals nor the people who care for them. Not only do we not need these measures, they are dangerous. Please do not sign these petitions. Karen McCormick is the state representative for House District 11. She can be reached at rep.karenmccormick@gmail.com . Previous Next

< Back March 26, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO STREAMLINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve Coloradans’ access to behavioral health services today passed the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee. This bipartisan bill is designed to streamline behavioral health care access for Coloradans through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). “Building a healthier Colorado begins with improving access to critical behavioral health care,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We understand that Coloradans often experience barriers to accessing behavioral health care services and treatment. Our bipartisan, transformational bill is designed to knock down those barriers and streamline the process so Coloradans can swiftly receive the behavioral health services they need. Together, we’re making access to behavioral health care more transparent and accountable in Colorado.” HB22-1278 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton, would establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services and more. HB22-1278 passed out of committee by a vote of 10 to 1. The BHA will reduce bureaucracy by consolidating fragmented behavioral health networks into one behavioral health administrative services organization (BHASO) per region. The push for this legislation stems from patient frustration surrounding disjointed behavioral health care services. With this bill, patients would be able to more easily access behavioral health services in their community. Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING, CHILD CARE, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES DENVER, CO – The House today passed SB22-146, which will save middle-income Coloradans money on housing; HB22-1006, which will save families money on child care; and SB11-148, which will fund the construction of behavioral health facilities for Colorado’s land-based tribes, increasing access and reducing the cost of behavioral health care for Colorado tribes. “SB22-146 bill will save middle-income Coloradans money on housing by financing the construction of affordable housing,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of SB22-146. “More middle-income housing will help businesses attract employees and fill jobs in communities where workers simply can’t find an affordable place to live or face costly commutes.” Saving Coloradans Money on Housing: SB22-146, sponsored by Representatives Marc Snyder and Marc Catlin, passed by a vote of 46-16. The bill will expand critical middle-income housing so that more Coloradans and communities have access to affordable housing where it’s needed most. The legislation provides $25 million for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Middle-Income Access Program, which serves middle income families and individuals with incomes too high to qualify for low income housing tax credits. Typically, the missing middle is made up of renters whose income is between 80 percent and 120 percent of area median income. To date, the Middle Income Access Program has leveraged $14 million in CHFA-invested funds to support five developments comprising over 600 units. This program has leveraged the original $14 million investment into $140 million for affordable housing. Developments leverage significant private sector investment and have brought much needed housing to communities such as Estes Park, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Gypsum and Denver. “We know that child care is exceedingly expensive and scarce in our state — particularly in our rural and mountain communities — and the cost and lack of services hurts working families,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D- Avon, sponsor of HB22-1006. “By passing this bipartisan bill into law, we will give significant tax relief to child care centers which will allow them to hire more employees, open up more spots for children, and save families money on child care.” Saving Coloradans Money on Child Care: HB22-1006, sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Kevin Van Winkle, passed by a vote of 59-3. The bill will increase child care affordability by incentivizing additional property owners through a property tax exemption to lease space to nonprofit child care centers. The legislation will boost the number of available rental spaces for non-profit child care centers that often serve children, families, rural communities, and communities furthest from opportunity. Right now, infant child care costs nearly 10% more than the average rent in Colorado. Increasing the amount of affordable, accessible child care providers gives hardworking families more options for quality care while saving Coloradans money on child care. “Using once-in-a-generation federal funding, we are prioritizing the behavioral health needs of Colorado’s land-based tribes who often experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress without access to the proper resources,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsor of SB22-148. “This $5 million investment of federal funds will go directly toward the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for the purpose of creating or revamping a behavioral health facility to improve mental health outcomes and save Coloradans money on behavioral health care.” Colorado Land-based Tribe Behavioral Health Services Grant Program: SB22-148, sponsored by Representatives McLachlan and Marc Catlin, passed the House by a vote of 56-6. This bill is part of the legislature’s ongoing commitment to addressing Colorado’s behavioral health crisis using $450 million in federal pandemic relief funds secured in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To further Colorado Tribes’ ability to provide culturally responsive behavioral health care in specialized facilities, this bill will provide a one-time $5 million grant to Colorado land-based Tribes to support building or renovating a tribal behavioral health facility for inpatient services and transitional housing. Previous Next

< Back June 12, 2020 COVID-19 RELIEF BILLS ADVANCE House passes relief funds for food pantries, expansion of UI benefits, and protections against extraordinary debt collections DENVER, CO — The House has approved four bills that would help hardworking Coloradans make ends meet as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bills would support food pantries, expand unemployment insurance benefits, help survivors of domestic violence and protect Coloradans from extraordinary debt collection practices, such as wage garnishment. HB20-1422 : Coronavirus Relief Funds for Food Pantry Assistance (Reps. Daneya Esgar and Lisa Cutter): Demand for food assistance is rising at an extraordinary rate, just as the nation’s food banks are being struck by shortages of food to meet the demand. The bill creates a food pantry assistance grant program and allocates $500,000 to support Colorado’s most vulnerable across the state and to create new market opportunities for Colorado agricultural products. The bill passed 56-9. “We’re focused on how we can help hardworking Coloradans make ends meet,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Many in our state are relying on food pantries, but these critical community organizations are also struggling to meet the demand. This bill will help our food pantries protect our most vulnerable and create new opportunities for Colorado’s agriculture producers.” SB20-207 : Unemployment Insurance Expansion (Reps Matt Gray and Tom Sullivan): Expands eligibility for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers who have seen their hours reduced and increases the benefits workers can receive. It also allows workers who fear for their safety if they return to work to apply for UI benefits. The bill passed 41-24. “Unemployment claims are at record highs and hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Our small businesses and our economy will continue to struggle if Coloradans can barely scrape together enough money for rent and basic needs. This bill helps prevent hardworking families from falling further behind by allowing Coloradans to continue to work part time and still receive critical support.” SB20-170 Update Colorado Employment Security Act (Reps. Jackson and Duran): The bill makes it easier for domestic violence victims and siblings who are primary caretakers to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Currently the law requires those who are forced to leave their jobs due to domestic violence jump through burdensome administrative hoops to receive benefits. SB20-170 removes these hurdles and supports those suffering from abuse. The bill passed 41-24. “The pandemic is leading to an increase in domestic violence, and there’s more we can do to protect survivors and provide the resources they need,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “That’s why we’re putting federal CARES Act funding towards domestic violence programs and making it easier for survivors to receive unemployment benefits if their workplace is unsafe.” SB20-211 Limitations on Extraordinary Collection Actions (Rep. Herod): The bill expands the ability of the Attorney General to provide oversight of extraordinary debt collection actions, like wage garnishment. The Attorney General would also have the ability to freeze new actions, establish a minimum grace period for payments to resume, and require that monthly payment amounts consider a consumer’s ability to repay. The bill passed 41-24. “Coloradans are struggling to keep from falling behind; now is not the time for aggressive and counter productive debt collection tactics that force families further into hardship,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Delivering results for the Western Slope May 8, 2025 See more This story was originally published in the Vail Daily here . As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, I am proud to report that we have made significant strides in addressing the needs of our Western Slope communities. From enhancing education to improving health care access, increasing affordability, and protecting our natural resources, your input has guided our work at the Capitol and focused on practical solutions that make a difference in Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties. Investments in education As chair of the House Education Committee, improving our education system remained my top priority. I sponsored HB25-1320 , the School Finance Act, which significantly increases funding for Colorado’s public schools. This investment will benefit our rural schools and ensure districts across the state can provide students with the necessary resources to succeed. The bill prioritizes sustainable funding for years to come, with a focus on supporting our most vulnerable students. I also sponsored HB25-1135 , which empowers school districts to establish policies on cell phone use during school hours. This law addresses a concern I’ve heard repeatedly from educators and parents across our district. By allowing local solutions to this challenge, we’re helping students focus on learning while supporting their mental health. Another education priority I championed was SB25-167 , which addresses housing costs for educators by offering accessible mortgages and down payments to help teachers live in the communities where they teach. This initiative aims to support approximately 2,500 educators, strengthening our local districts and improving student outcomes. Making Colorado more affordable As I travel throughout the Western Slope, affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns I hear from constituents. That’s why I am proud of the work we have done this session to ease financial burdens on Colorado families. We took action to eliminate hidden costs that impact your budget by passing HB25-1090 , which requires businesses to be transparent about pricing and eliminates deceptive “junk fees” that often surprise consumers at checkout. We also tackled price gouging during emergencies through HB25-1010 , which prevents businesses from exploiting disasters to inflate prices on essential items like groceries and diapers. For renters, we passed HB25-1004 to regulate how algorithms are used in setting rental prices, preventing coordinated increases among landlords. For everyone dealing with the frustration of unwanted subscriptions, SB25-145 now makes it simpler to cancel recurring charges. We also protected vital health care access in our state budget this year by preserving Medicaid coverage, dental services, and health programs for children. For families with young children, we maintained support for child care assistance and school meals , ensuring that no child goes hungry during the school day. Health and safety This session, we built upon our progress to protect your fundamental right to reproductive health care. Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79, which enshrined the right to abortion care in the Colorado Constitution. We passed legislation to implement the ballot measure and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. We also passed legislation to strengthen our shield law and protect providers and out-of-state patients from hostile out-of-state investigations related to legally protected health care. Additionally, we passed legislation to ensure emergency access to abortion and miscarriage care by creating a state-level version of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Health care access remains crucial for our rural communities. During this session, I sponsored HB25-1222 , ensuring that rural independent pharmacies can use private couriers for prescriptions and receive fair reimbursement. The bill also defines “flex pharmacies” that can operate both in-person and remotely, bringing essential services closer to home for many rural residents. I also sponsored HB25-1223 , which initiates a comprehensive study of capital needs for rural and frontier hospitals throughout the state. This bipartisan effort will help us understand what our healthcare facilities need to meet current standards. I know how scary and challenging it is to drive on our mountain roads during the winter months. I sponsored SB25-069 , which authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue permits to qualified vendors who can help install or remove tire chains or other traction devices for both commercial drivers and passenger vehicles. These vendors will operate at designated highway locations, making winter travel safer and more efficient for everyone who travels our mountain roads. Moving forward together As we look ahead, I remain committed to bipartisan solutions that make Colorado more affordable, protect our natural resources, support quality education, and ensure health care access for all residents. It’s truly an honor to represent the people of Eagle, Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties. I welcome your thoughts on our accomplishments and your priorities for the future. Don’t hesitate to contact me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov with ideas, comments, or concerns. I invite you to join one of our upcoming town halls this summer to discuss these legislative achievements in person and share your thoughts on issues important to our communities. You can also join my newsletter for more regular updates by emailing me. Let’s keep in touch and continue making a difference in House District 26. Onward! Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2022 INTRODUCED! LANDMARK BILL TO EXPAND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS TO OVER 37,000 PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS Building upon the 2020 state workers bill, SB22-230 would more than double the number of public workers with recognized collective bargaining rights DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today introduced landmark legislation to support workers by extending collective bargaining rights to more than 37,000 county public service employees, marking a historic step in Colorado’s labor and workers rights movement. SB22-230 builds upon the state workers bill from 2020 to extend similar collective bargaining rights to county workers. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would give public service workers who choose to form a union a seat at the table to collectively bargain on issues like working conditions, job safety, pay and benefits, and to collaborate with management to address shared challenges like staff shortages, retention issues, and improving public services. “County workers kept Colorado running through some extremely difficult years of pandemic disruptions and health and safety hazards,” said Fenberg. “These tens of thousands of unsung heroes have more than earned what nearly every private sector and state worker already enjoy — the right to organize and negotiate for fair and safe workplaces. It’s time for county public service workers to be given the choice to form a union.” “County workers have been on the frontlines during the pandemic and often work dangerous jobs to protect our communities and deliver the services Coloradans rely on,” Esgar said. “We depend on these tens of thousands of workers, and now is the time to have their backs. This bill will give county public service workers the right to form a union to negotiate for fair and safe workplaces and to improve the delivery and efficiency of critical services. County workers who fix our roads, staff our public health departments and protect our communities deserve the right to negotiate for a better future for themselves and their families.” “Across Colorado, tens of thousands of county workers perform hazardous jobs and provide the critical services that keep communities running safely and smoothly,” said Moreno. “These public servants deserve to have a seat at the table to negotiate their employment, just like private sector and state employees currently do. By granting Colorado’s 37,000 county workers the right to choose to form a union, this bill will help Colorado take the next step on the path to ensuring collective bargaining rights for every Coloradan.” Right now, only four out of Colorado’s 64 counties recognize public service workers’ right to collectively bargain. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would guarantee Colorado statutory county workers have the ability to organize and form a union to advocate for safer workplaces and better public services, if they so choose. Additionally, the Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would extend protections to workers who are currently vulnerable to retaliation, discrimination, and coercion for exercising basic union rights. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed Representative Martinez’s bipartisan bill to help graduating high school students afford the training they need to land jobs within good-paying, in-demand fields. < Back April 20, 2023 Martinez’s Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Career Pathways, Strengthen Workforce Sails Through Committee DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed Representative Martinez’s bipartisan bill to help graduating high school students afford the training they need to land jobs within good-paying, in-demand fields. “We’re breaking down the financial barriers students face after graduation, boosting our workforce and creating strong pathways to in-demand careers,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “This legislation provides a $1,500 scholarship to graduating students for universities and community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training so they can jumpstart the career of their dreams. I’m proud to sponsor this bipartisan bill that will foster meaningful career planning while helping meet Colorado’s growing workforce needs.” SB23-205 , sponsored by Representatives Matthew Martinez and Don Wilson, passed committee unanimously. This bill would create a Universal High School Scholarship Program to make it easier and more affordable to access postsecondary education and training opportunities for Colorado students. The program will provide each qualifying applicant with a scholarship up to $1,500 to take to any approved training provider in Colorado, from apprenticeships and on-the-job training to trade school, community colleges, and colleges and universities. This transformative financial support has the capacity to serve 15,000 graduating students in the class of 2024, more than 25 percent of all high school graduates statewide. Scholarships are available to Colorado residents who graduated from a Colorado high school or earned a high school equivalency credential in the 2023-2024 academic year, completes the state or federal financial aid application, submits the scholarship application, and has not received a grant or other scholarship. On April 3, the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, visited the Colorado State Capitol to discuss SB23-205 and other pieces of legislation that prioritize workforce training and uplift aspiring professionals to pursue quality career paths by breaking down financial barriers to earning a degree or credential to increase the workforce and grow Colorado’s economy. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Lorena García that would refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters regarding the continuation of the Healthy School Meals for All program. HB25-1274 passed by a vote of 40-22. < Back April 21, 2025 García Bill to Continue Healthy School Meals for All Program Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Lorena García that would refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters regarding the continuation of the Healthy School Meals for All program. HB25-1274 passed by a vote of 40-22. “Colorado children should never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “The Healthy School Meals for All program has made a significant impact on the health and educational success of Colorado students, and it is imperative that we continue funding. This bill would allow voters to approve the continuation of this program to help put an end to child hunger.” If HB25-1274 passes, the bill would refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters in the November 2025 election to determine whether or not to continue the program or scale it back. One ballot measure would ask voters if they want the state to be able to retain and spend state revenue on the Healthy School Meals for All Program that otherwise would need to be refunded. The second ballot measure would expand the program by limiting tax deductions for those who earn over $300,000 a year. If at least one of the two measures is approved by Colorado voters, the bill would extend the local school purchasing program, which is set to repeal after FY 2025-2026. In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition FF, creating the Healthy School Meals for All program to provide all Colorado students free breakfast and lunch. The program was funded by limiting income tax reductions for taxpayers who have a federal adjusted gross income of $300,000 or more. The 2025-2026 budget, approved by the Colorado General Assembly in April 2025, fully funds the Healthy School Meals for All program through the end of the year. Previous Next

< Back October 29, 2019 TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION DENVER, CO — The Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) today advanced five bills to update Colorado’s transportation codes. If approved by the legislature next session, the bills would create a new license plate color scheme and issuing process starting in 2021, establish a grant program to provide driver education courses to foster children, among several others. “Our committee has been hard at work during this interim session, and I’m proud to see our bipartisan legislation advance,” said TLRC Chair Rep. Matt Gray (D-Broomfield). “From providing driver’s education classes to foster kids to increasing transparency and making permanent a successful pilot program, the bills we passed today will move us forward in addressing our state’s critical transportation needs. I know my district in particular will be very pleased to hear that our committee has taken important steps towards improving accountability and transparency in public-private partnerships.” “In our committee today, we brought forth new proposals that will improve our license plates, update permitting standards and continue to streamline VIN Verification for commercial vehicles,” said TLRC member Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. (D-Colorado Springs). “I am especially excited about the grant program we proposed to help counties provide foster youth with driver education courses.” 1. License Plate reissuance : The committee approved a bill to create a license plate re-issuance process for plates that expire on or after January 2021. The license plates expire for any owner who transfers or assigns their title or interest in another vehicle, and the plates may not be transferred to another vehicle. Owners retain a priority interest in the number and letter combination on the expiring license plates and may apply for personalized plates to keep their unique set of numbers and letters. If approved, this bill would also create a new license plate color scheme beginning at that same time. License plates with the new color scheme would not be issued until the remaining stock of current license plates is exhausted. Sponsors: Sen. Kevin Priola and Rep. Alex Valdez 2. Public Private Partnership Transparency : The committee advanced legislation to increase transparency and accountability by requiring the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) to include more information regarding public-private partnerships in their annual reports. This information will specifically cover public comment and selection processes and summaries of financial provisions in public-private partnership agreements. Sponsors: Sen. Foote, Sen. Winter, Rep. Hooton and Rep. Gray 3. Foster Children Driver’s Education : TLRC advanced a bill that would create a grant program to fund driver education courses for foster youth ages 15-17. The grant would be housed within the Department of Human Services and would reimburse counties who pay for these driver’s education courses. It would also grant counties immunity from related liability. Sponsors: Rep. Duran, Rep. Exum, Sen. Donovan and Sen. Hisey 4. Commercial Vehicle VIN Verification : The committee approved a proposal to make permanent a successful pilot program that allows third-party transportation associations or organizations to perform Vehicle Identification (VIN) verifications on commercial vehicles. This program is administered by the Colorado State Patrol in the Department of Public Safety. Sponsors: Sen. Hisey, Sen. Winter, Rep. Catlin, Rep D. Valdez 5. Updating Permitting for Overweight Commercial Vehicles : Finally, TLRC advance a bill that would update permitting standards for commercial motor vehicle fleets in the non-interstate overweight divisible load category. The bill combines two separate annual non-interstate overweight divisible load permits and creates one annual fleet permit for non-interstate overweight divisible load quad axles and two or three axle trailers. Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Sen. Hisey, Rep. D. Valdez, Rep. Gray ### Previous Next

SB25-196 will safeguard insurance coverage for preventive health care services in the event of federal action < Back May 12, 2025 SIGNED! New Law Will Bill Protect Insurance Coverage for Preventive Health Care SB25-196 will safeguard insurance coverage for preventive health care services in the event of federal action DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation sponsored by Senators Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, and Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora, to proactively protect insurance coverage for preventive health care in the event of federal action. “Regular check-ups, cancer screenings, and immunizations are life-saving care that must be protected,” Jodeh said. “In recent months, we’ve seen dangerous threats to cut fundamental departments at the federal level that protect patients and providers. This new law ensures that even if those cuts do happen, Coloradans’ health care remains protected. Preventative services today mean avoiding emergency events tomorrow—events that can leave families with crippling debt and devastating health outcomes.” “From cancer screenings to routine checkups, preventive health care saves lives,” Lieder said. “In the wake of federal threats to cut fundamental health care coverage, we’re stepping up to protect preventive health care in Colorado. Preventive care saves Coloradans money and leads to better health outcomes for everyone.” “As an emergency care nurse, I’ve seen the worst-case scenarios that happen when preventive care measures are not taken – often because they’re not covered by insurance,” Mullica said. “This law will make life-saving preventive care more accessible and help more patients avoid those worst-case scenarios.” “We know preventive care is one of the most impactful ways to improve patient health outcomes and save money on costly emergency care,” Jackson said . “We won’t sit idly by as preventive health care coverage is put at risk. Preventive care helps level some of the racial disparities in our health care system, and this bill protects access to essential care.” SB25-196 will give the Colorado Commissioner of Insurance within the Department of Regulatory Agencies the authority to reinstate recommendations on preventive care from federal agencies such as the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or the Health Resources and Services Administration in the United States Department of Health and Human Services in the event that any of these agencies are repealed, dismantled, or disempowered. It also permits the Commissioner to consult the Nurse Physician Advisory Task Force for Colorado Health Care in developing their recommendations. Since January, the Trump Administration has made devastating cuts to essential services for Americans. Recently, the administration cut billions of dollars from state health services , prompting measures such as this one to protect Coloradans’ access to health care. Previous Next

< Back Julie McCluskie Speaker of the House Representative Julie McCluskie is the first female from the Western Slope to serve as Speaker of the House and represents House District 13 which includes Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park, and Summit counties. Over her years as a State Representative, McCluskie has served on the Rural Affairs and Agriculture, Education, Appropriations, Wildfire Matters, Early Childhood and School Readiness Commission, and Water Resources and Agricultural Review committees, and as Chair of the Legislative Interim Committee on School Finance. Notably, she was appointed to the Joint Budget Committee in January 2020 and was appointed Chair of the JBC in November 2021. She was elected Speaker of the House for both the 74th and 75th General Assemblies. Speaker McCluskie’s legislative achievements include student success and workforce revitalization, healthcare affordability and accessibility, water and wildlife conservation, wildfire mitigation, and affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, she passed the first significant rewrite of the Colorado School Finance Act in 30 years, making it more equitable and increasing funding for every student in the state. Speaker McCluskie is dedicated to preserving the Colorado Way of Life for those living from the the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope and everywhere in between.

< Back Lori Goldstein Representative Lori Goldstein represents House District 29 of Westminster. Representative Goldstein has dedicated her life to public education. She also serves as the President of the Adams 12 Board of Education, which she has been a member of for six years. She had a robust 34-year career as an educator in Adams 12 as a science teacher, dean, special education teacher and then wrapped up her career as the president of the District Twelve Educators Association. Representative Goldstein recently rolled off of six years as the president of the CEA Retired. Representative Goldstein looks forward to serving the people of Colorado. She is serving on the Agricultural, Water and Natural Resources Committee and the Energy and Environment Committee.