On July 1, 2025, legislation goes into effect to improve concealed carry permit training to encourage responsible gun ownership, reduce gun violence and keep Coloradans safe. < Back June 25, 2025 Law to Improve Concealed Carry Training Takes Effect DENVER, CO – On July 1, 2025, legislation goes into effect to improve concealed carry permit training to encourage responsible gun ownership, reduce gun violence and keep Coloradans safe. “The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit saw a 32 percent increase in gun assaults. With this lifesaving law going into effect, we’re ensuring that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained and educated on current laws, like Colorado's safe storage requirements, before they bring their firearm into their communities.” “Responsible gun ownership takes work,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “Creating minimum training requirements for safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals and more ensures we’re treating concealed carry permits with the seriousness they deserve. I’m proud to see this law go into effect to advance gun safety and help prevent gun violence.” “When I received my concealed carry permit years ago, I was surprised to learn that Colorado law did not require live-fire training, a necessary skill to have before carrying a gun in public spaces," said Sen. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “This law creates a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training with a certified firearms instructor, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Many dedicated and qualified firearm instructors already exceed these minimum requirements, and this law will close that gap to ensure that everyone with a concealed carry permit has the proper training and qualifications.” HB24-1174 , sponsored by House Majority Leader Duran and Senators Snyder and Mullica, aims to reduce gun violence by improving concealed carry permit training requirements. On August 7, 2024, portions of the law went into effect to set guidelines for handgun training, instructor qualifications and judicial review for the denial, suspension or revocation of instructor verification. This includes requiring handgun training classes to contain at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam with a minimum passing score. The law makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by a county sheriff. Under the law, handgun training classes must be held in-person and include training on the safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. Beginning July 1, 2025, portions of HB24-1174 go into effect that prohibit a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. Updates to the concealed carry permit renewal process also go into effect to ensure that current permit holders also meet the new training requirements under Colorado law. HB24-1174 protects law enforcement officers and agencies, medical staff and firearm instructors from liability for damages related to the issuance or denial of a permit. Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2019 GOV. SIGNS MCLACHLAN-ROBERTS BILL TO PROTECT CLEAN WATER (Apr. 5) – This week, Gov. Jared Polis signed Rep. Barbara McLachlan and Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bill to help prevent water pollution from future hardrock mining operations in Colorado. “This is good for our environment, and keeps a thriving mining industry moving forward,” said Rep. McLachlan, whose district was impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill. “We can’t go back in time but we can ensure we have a brighter, safer future and one that protects our precious water.” “Mining is a part of our history and always has been. For a long time, it has shaped our economy, our water rights system, and our communities,” said Rep. Roberts. “However, water is our state’s most precious resource and must be protected. This new law will modernize our hard-rock mining laws to protect clean water and ensure that taxpayers are never left on the hook for a private company’s spills.” Mining operations have polluted more than 1,600 miles of Colorado rivers and streams, and our state is one of just seven that allow “self-bonding,” which allows mines to operate with insufficient recoverable assets, leaving taxpayers vulnerable to potential cleanup costs. HB19-1113 will ensure that when new mining permits are issued, sufficient and secure bonds are in place to ensure cleanup and better protect public health and the environment. The new law will end self-bonding for hardrock mines in Colorado and will explicitly include water quality protection in the calculation for the amount of bonding required. It will also require mining license applicants to set an end date for the cleanup of their operation, so that they can no longer just to do water treatment into perpetuity. Numerous small business owners, rafting outfitters, farmers, local elected officials and others from across western and southern Colorado testified at a House hearing in support of the bill and it passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2019 COLORADO BILL TO PROTECT NET NEUTRALITY TO BE SIGNED TODAY Hansen-Herod bill protects taxpayer dollars (May 17) – Gov. Jared Polis will sign a bill today to protect net neutrality and safeguard taxpayer dollars in Colorado. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Chris Hansen and Rep. Leslie Herod. “This new law will protect taxpayer dollars from being used to support throttled or blocked internet service. It will serve as an important tool to ensure the internet remains open for small businesses, innovators and consumers,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. “With Republicans in Congress rolling back net neutrality protections, it’s on states like Colorado stand up and fight back.” “The internet is an indispensable part of our lives and it’s time that we step up to protect it,” Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, said when the bill passed the House in April. “I thank my colleagues for their support and we will continue working to ensure the internet remains open and accessible for all.” The Senate sponsors are Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail and Rep. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. SB19-078 would ensure that: companies that receive assistance to expand rural broadband provide net-neutral service; state contracting gives preference to internet service providers that deliver net neutrality; and consumers know how to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission to allege that an Internet Service Provider (ISP) has interfered with the open internet. Not a single House or Senate Republican voted to safeguard taxpayer dollars and protect net neutrality. The Trump administration recently rolled back Obama-era rules ensuring a free and open internet. Washington, Montana and Oregon have passed legislation or taken other steps to protect net neutrality. ### Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote that would authorize Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) to reintroduce wolverines and strengthen Colorado’s biodiversity. < Back May 2, 2024 Bill to Reintroduce Wolverines in Colorado Advances House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote that would authorize Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) to reintroduce wolverines and strengthen Colorado’s biodiversity. “Aiding in the restoration of wolverines in Colorado is a win-win for our state’s biodiversity and this threatened species,” said Rep. Barbara Mclachlan, D-Durango. “This reintroduction is backed by biologists alongside a broad coalition of stakeholders and has been deliberated upon for years to effectively and safely bring wolverines back to Colorado. Our beautiful state provides the ideal mountainous habitat for wolverines, who live in solidarity and are built to withstand our cold, snowy winters.” “Wolverines were a part of our state’s natural ecosystem for generations, this bill would responsibly and thoughtfully reintroduce them into the mountainous landscapes in Colorado they once called home,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Adapted for scavenging and surviving cold, alpine temperatures, wolverines would strengthen our state’s biodiversity. This reintroduction effort is years in the making with CPW leaders, including my Dad, John Singletary, working to ensure the wolverine reintroduction would be science-based and what’s best for our state’s ecosystem.” SB24-171 would authorize the reintroduction of wolverines in Colorado. Wolverines are the largest terrestrial species of weasel in the world and live solitary lives in high alpine, mountainous regions. Colorado’s geography offers some of the best remaining habitat for wolverines in the United States. Wolverines were listed as “threatened” in 2023 under the Endangered Species Act. The bill would also require CPW to create rules around reintroduction and to create a robust public communications plan. Reintroduction would be contingent on the federal government designating wolverines as a “nonessential experimental population” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Previous Next

< Back January 30, 2020 REP. TIPPER & COLEMAN’S BILL TO END PRISON GERRYMANDERING ADVANCES Bill would ensure the Census Bureau counts people in prison as residents of their home address DENVER, CO — Reps. James Coleman and Kerry Tipper’s bill, the Colorado Accurate Residence for Redistricting Act, today was approved by the State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee. The bill would count people in prison as residents of their home addresses for purposes of state redistricting, ending the practice of counting those individuals as residents of the localities where the corrections facilities are.. “More accurate district maps and a fairer count of Coloradans means a stronger democracy,” said Rep Tipper (D-Lakewood). “This bill will make a difference not only for the 18,000 or so incarcerated individuals in Colorado, but for everyone who wants to make sure their districts have the most accurate representation possible. I’m pleased to see it move forward in committee today.” “This bill is about fairness, plain and simple,” said Rep. Coleman (D-Denver). “We want to ensure that Colorado has accurate and fair representation in the next decade and beyond, and that means counting incarcerated individuals in their home communities.” HB20-1010 would, for purposes of census redistricting counts, reassign prisoners in correctional facilities to their last known residence in Colorado prior to incarceration. Only in the instance that a prisoner does not have a Colorado address do they get counted in the locality where the prison is located. Prisoners are currently assigned to voting districts based on where they are incarcerated instead of where they live their lives, even though they cannot vote. Per the Colorado Constitution—which declares that a prison cell is not a residence—people in prison are legal constituents of their home address representatives and not the correctional facility they have been placed in. Additionally, the average length of stay in Colorado prisons is three years , while redistricting guidelines last an entire decade. Other states including Maryland, New York, Washington, Delaware and California have passed legislation to address prison gerrymandering. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively that will improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers. < Back June 6, 2024 ICYMI: Bill to Improve Gig Worker Rights, Boost Transparency Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively that will improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers. “All workers deserve to know how much they get paid and what their job entails, but currently rideshare and delivery gig workers aren’t given that information,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rogriguez, D-Denver. “Our new law gives basic rights to TNC drivers and provides much-needed transparency for customers.” “Gig workers deserve to know how much they will get paid before they accept a job, and this law will give them better clarity so they can make informed workplace decisions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Many gig workers rely on this industry as their main source of income, and providing better transparency in their workplace gives them more freedom and better support. This law improves gig workers’ rights while providing much-needed transparency and collecting data that will give us a better picture of the gig working industry to make future improvements for workers.” “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to craft this legislation, which increases transparency for drivers and the public as it relates to TNCs,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “SB 75 will provide essential details, like pay, destination, and direction, that all app-based drivers deserve.” “The gig economy has exploded in recent years, and we must address the lack of worker protections and consumer transparency to ensure fair wages and autonomy,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This new law aims to address these issues by requiring companies to disclose the distance, direction, and fare of a ride to drivers before they accept it and share fare information with customers so they know how much of their rideshare fee is going to their driver. Without this information, drivers and customers are left in the dark and are vulnerable to being over-charged or underpaid.” Gig work has risen over the last decade, but many workers struggle to make ends meet or plan for their financial future due to the volatile nature of their earnings and unjust terminations. SB24-075 addresses a number of issues gig workers and consumers face by requiring the following: Companies must disclose terms and grounds for termination or deactivation of drivers and communicate their reconsideration process; Companies must disclose the fare, distance, and direction to all drivers before they accept a ride, which can prevent last-minute ride cancellations initiated by drivers; Companies must disclose fare information to customers, including the total amount paid and the amount the driver received; and Companies must disclose some ride and app activity-related information to the state of Colorado, such as total mileage driven, deactivations and reconsideration results, and more. The law aims to provide TNC drivers with transparent information about tasks and earnings while providing customers with the information needed to make decisions about how much to tip. Additionally, it protects drivers by giving them a basic level of transparency about how deactivations are considered and can be appealed. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to grant funding to community-based organizations that provide crucial services to new immigrants and streamline the process of receiving a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants. < Back June 5, 2024 Gov Signs Bills to Support New Immigrants, Streamline Their Driver’s License Process DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to grant funding to community-based organizations that provide crucial services to new immigrants and streamline the process of receiving a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants. “Diversity makes our Colorado communities stronger and we must set up new immigrants for success so they can create a better and safer life for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, sponsor of HB24-1280 and SB24-182. “By strengthening Colorado’s existing community-based resources and streamlining the eligibility process to receive a driver’s license, new immigrants will have a better chance of building a thriving life, just like the generations of immigrants before them did.” “Colorado’s immigrant communities make our state stronger,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1280 “With the recent increase of new immigrants to our state, community organizations and local governments are struggling to keep up with the high demand for services. Increasing access to resources like employment and housing services will help new immigrants build successful lives in Colorado.” “Colorado has seen a significant increase in new immigrants, and counties and organizations across the state are struggling to keep up with the demand for necessary services and resources,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1280. “Resources like referrals to housing, employment assistance, and school enrollment support have a significant impact on new residents achieving stability here. Our law aims to better support the good work that community organizations are already doing to aid new immigrants as they transition to life in Colorado.” “Colorado has seen a recent influx of new immigrants, and they often arrive with very little and no knowledge or connections to help them integrate,” said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB24-1280. “This critical bill will better resource existing community-based organizations so they can support new immigrants and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in Colorado.” HB24-1280 creates the Statewide Welcome, Reception, and Integration Grant Program to grant funds to community-based organizations that provide services to new immigrants within their first year in the United States. Grant money can be used for: Conducting an intake and assessment of needs, Providing cultural orientation and case management, Services or referrals to employment services, immigration legal assistance, housing-related services, transportation services, financial orientation, mental and physical health services, interpretation and translation services, and English as a second language courses, Distributing emergency and transitional supplies, and Assisting new immigrant parents to enroll their kids in public schools or summer programs. “For over a decade, I have worked to ensure immigrants have access to driver’s licenses,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-182. “I’m proud of our progress this year to remove barriers to these driver’s licenses – because it shouldn’t matter where you’re born, what matters is whether you know the rules of the road. Facilitating immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses will make us all safer – and I am proud to have worked with law enforcement and immigrant rights organizations to pass this bill into law.” “For undocumented people, the average wait time to get a driver's license is 12-30 months, yet they still need to drive to work or drive their kids to school,” said Rep. Tim Hernández, D-Denver. “This new law allows us to address the needs of newcomers that have been present for decades but have grown more pronounced with the recent arrival of migrants across the state. I’m thankful to have been a part of removing oppressive barriers for our community through this legislation.” “Right now, undocumented folks must wait years to become eligible for a driver’s license. On top of that, it’s often difficult to obtain the particular kinds of identifying information needed to receive a license,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of SB24-182. “With this new law, we’re removing unnecessary barriers for folks that are on our roads anyway, which increases the number of licensed drivers with car insurance – ultimately lowering insurance costs for all Colroadans. The most important thing we can do is make sure everyone on our roads knows the rules of roads, has access to the insurance coverage they need, and is able to obtain state identification – and this law does just that.” SB24-182 amends the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act to make it easier for new immigrants to obtain a driver's license or state identification card for residents who do not have legal resident status in the United States. This law changes the requirements to receive a driver's license or state identification card by: Removing a requirement to file a Colorado resident income tax return for the prior year, Removing a requirement to demonstrate residence in the state for the previous two years, Removing a requirement to provide a documented social security number or individual taxpayer identification number, and Creating a process by which people without the required documentation can prove they are eligible by alternative means of documentation. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to expand wildfire prevention efforts through community education. < Back January 22, 2024 House Committee Passes Bill to Expand Wildfire Prevention Awareness DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to expand wildfire prevention efforts through community education. HB24-1024 , sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Elizabeth Velasco, passed by a vote of 10-2. “When it comes to reducing wildfire risk, we need every Coloradan, whether they live in the foothills, forested areas or rural areas, to know how they can protect their homes and businesses,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “This legislation ensures communities receive information on effective wildfire mitigation strategies, such as reducing vegetation and fire fuels within 5 feet of our homes. Combating wildfires begins with good mitigation, and this bill also continues the Colorado State Forest Service’s efforts to educate Coloradans about these effective strategies.” “We’re taking steps to reduce destructive wildfires and protect our communities, businesses and homes,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Colorado’s rural and mountain communities like mine are some of the most at-risk for wildfire damage, and this legislation extends an education and outreach campaign to increase residential mitigation efforts. Reducing wildfire risk in our backyards begins with awareness, and this legislation shares important tactics to help Coloradans protect their homes in the wake of a wildfire.” HB24-1024 would require the Colorado State Forest Service to continue its enhanced wildfire outreach campaign through 2027, as well as other outreach efforts that increase awareness of wildfire risk mitigation in the wildland-urban interface. This bill was created through the Wildfire Matters Review Committee , which spearheaded legislation to improve wildfire mitigation, bolster the forestry workforce, and increase wildfire awareness. Previous Next

Representative Meghan Lukens today toured local nonprofit, Better Tomorrow, to learn more about their community-led efforts to support Coloradans at risk of harm.  < Back August 5, 2024 Rep. Lukens Tours Local Nonprofit STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – Representative Meghan Lukens today toured local nonprofit, Better Tomorrow, to learn more about their community-led efforts to support Coloradans at risk of harm. “Meeting with the team at Better Tomorrow was inspiring, thank you for having me,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “Their community-driven support helps Coloradans get connected to the resources they need, when they need it. Under the gold dome, and thanks to lawmakers like Majority Leader Monica Duran, we’ve invested more than ever before to support survivors of crime and domestic violence. From securing stable housing to legal representation, we know our community partners work tirelessly to keep the lights on and the doors open so they can continue to provide essential services to youth, survivors and their families.” During the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Lukens sponsored bipartisan legislation to create a program to provide short-term financial assistance for survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Specifically, the law helps survivors secure housing. Better Tomorrow manages four programs, Advocates of Routt County, Brighter World Child Advocacy Center, COMMA Projects, and Queer Futures, to provide support to youth, families and survivors of crime. Previous Next

SB26-011 would ensure timely, reliable compliance with search warrants < Back March 10, 2026 Committee Passes Legislation to Protect Children Online, Improve Public Safety SB26-011 would ensure timely, reliable compliance with search warrants DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to improve digital warrant response timelines for online platforms and keep communities safe. SB26-011 unanimously passed by a vote of 11-0. “Our legislation is about making sure families who have been harmed aren’t left waiting for justice,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “At its core, this bill puts the voices of impacted families first. When a judge authorizes a lawful search warrant, law enforcement deserves timely access to evidence, whether it exists in a filing cabinet or on a social media platform. Digital evidence should not be treated differently than physical evidence, and tech companies should be expected to comply with the law just like anyone else so investigators can get the answers families deserve.” SB26-001 , also sponsored by Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Monument, would establish and enforce specific requirements for how large online social media platforms must receive, acknowledge, and respond to search warrants issued by Colorado courts. The bill would cover social media websites, online services, or mobile applications that have at least one million monthly users, allow users to create profiles, and allow users to create or share content. Under the bill, these platforms must have a clear process for communication with law enforcement, provide a staffed hotline available to law enforcement 24/7, provide status updates on warrant compliance, and prominently post contact information for search warrant compliance on their homepage. They must also acknowledge receipt of a search warrant within eight hours and comply within 72 hours in most cases. These requirements would be enforced by the Attorney General or local district attorneys. Previous Next

< Back December 12, 2022 Speaker-Designate McCluskie Announces Committee Appointments DENVER, CO – Speaker-designate Julie McCluskie today announced the chairs, vice chairs and committee appointments for the 11 House committees of reference, appointing six new committee chairs. Of the 22 members in committee leadership, 14 are women—a milestone that is consistent with the historic nature of Colorado having the second majority female legislature in the country. “I’m so proud of our historic majority and all the lawmakers who are taking on leadership positions on committees,” said Speaker-designate Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The size of our caucus is a recognition that Democrats deliver on behalf of every Coloradan. Our new chairs and vice chairs, alongside our historically diverse, women-led leadership team, will work hard to make life more affordable, improve health and safety in our communities, protect our air and water, and help every person live their Colorado dream.” Last month, Representative Julie McCluskie was designated Speaker of the House of the 74th General Assembly by her Democratic colleagues. Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, will serve as Majority Leader while Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, will serve as Assistant Majority Leader. Reps. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora and Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins will serve as Majority Co-Whips, while Reps. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora and Brianna Titone, D-Arvada will be the Majority Co-Caucus Chairs. Committee structure, leadership and majority caucus appointments are made by the Speaker. "I want to join Speaker-designate McCluskie in celebrating our new chairs, vice chairs and committee members—we know they will do fantastic work this session to move Colorado forward," said Majority Leader-elect, Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "Our historically large and diverse class of new lawmakers are going to bring fresh voices and new ideas to our committees, and the leadership team is excited to see so many newly-elected members with experience in public service take on the responsibility of vice chair. Of the 22 committee leadership positions, 14 will be women, recognizing the historic role women will play in mentoring new members and shaping the future of our state.” “For the first time, the House will be led by three women, and there are a historic number of women of color in leadership positions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Our chairs and vice chairs all share a deep commitment to helping our colleagues advance legislation that responds to the needs of our communities across the state. I’m excited to serve as vice chair of the Judiciary Committee and on the Education Committee where I know we will deliver meaningful policy solutions to improve public education and work towards a future where all Coloradans feel safe in their communities.” “I am grateful for the current chairs and outgoing members of leadership who are pursuing new ways to serve their communities in the new year; Coloradans are better off because of what they’ve accomplished with their work in the legislature,” continued Speaker-designate McCluskie. The complete list of Majority committee assignments is below: Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative-Elect Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative-Elect Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Representative-Elect Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative-Elect Tammy Story, D-Conifer Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative-Elect Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Appropriations Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative-Elect Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Business Affairs and Labor Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Vice Chair, Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative-Elect Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative-Elect Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative-Elect William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative-Elect Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative-Elect Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Education Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Vice Chair, Representative-Elect Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative-Elect Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative-Elect Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Aurora Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Energy and Environment Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Vice Chair, Representative-Elect Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Representative-Elect Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver Representative-Elect Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Representative-Elect Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Finance Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Vice Chair Representative-Elect Junie Joseph, D-Boulder Representative Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Aravada Representative Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Representative-Elect William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative-Elect Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch Health and Insurance Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Vice Chair, Representative Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Representative-Elect Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative David Ortiz, D-Littleton Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative-Elect Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Judiciary Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Vice Chair, Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Representative-Elect Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver Representative-Elect Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch Representative-Elect Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Vice Chair, Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative-Elect Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver Representative-Elect Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative-Elect Tammy Story, D-Conifer State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative David Ortiz, D-Littleton Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Tracey Bernett, D-Louisville Representative-Elect Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative-Elect Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative-Elect Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Vice Chair, Representative-Elect William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative-Elect Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative-Elect Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative-Elect Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Representative-Elect Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative-Elect Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to protect Colorado’s water supply. < Back April 22, 2024 McCluskie’s Bipartisan Bill to Protect Colorado Water, Combat Drought Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to protect Colorado’s water supply. Sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, SB24-197 would implement several recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force, including tactics to address the worsening drought conditions on the Colorado River. “Securing Colorado's water future is paramount. This bill strategically implements recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force to protect the Colorado way of life,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “Drought conditions have jeopardized Colorado’s water future, and this bipartisan legislation works to address some of the challenges facing our water supply while preserving it for our state’s agriculture, outdoor recreation and household needs. I’m committed to tackling Colorado’s water supply challenges head-on, while working alongside our agriculture and coal-transition communities, to protect our water for generations to come.” SB24-197 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Caitlin, R-Montrose, passed committee by a unanimous vote of 10-0. This bill would implement some recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force including: Expansion of the Environmental Instream Flow Temporary Loan Program to allow the owner of a decreed storage water right to loan water to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to preserve or improve the natural environment. Expansion of Colorado’s Agricultural Water Rights Protection Program which creates opportunities for agricultural water rights holders to make water temporarily available for other uses while maintaining water in agriculture. Protection of Industrial Water Rights for Hayden & Craig’s Power Generation Systems through 2050, which will allow the electric utilities or another entity to look into the viability of future energy generation technologies that could advance Colorado’s clean energy and greenhouse gas emission goals while keeping energy-producing jobs in the region. Improved access to Water Plan Implementation Grants for Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nations which would allow the CWCB to waive or reduce matching fund requirements for grants to Tribal Nations and enterprises. The Colorado River is in the midst of a three-decade drought, the worst in over 1,200 years, and water supplies are decreasing across the state as a result. These diminishing supplies are threatening resources for drinking water, agricultural uses, and environmental and recreational opportunities. In response, lawmakers passed SB23-295 , which created the Colorado River Drought Task Force . Last summer, the task force worked to develop water policy recommendations to be a guideline for new legislation, including SB24-197. Previous Next