< Back October 19, 2020 BUENTELLO ANNOUNCES JOBS GRANTS FOR LA JUNTA AND ROCKY FORD PUEBLO, CO – Representative Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, today announced that the Department of Local Affairs has approved $43,850 in Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grants for the cities of La Junta and Rocky Ford to help create new jobs. Buentello sponsored and passed SB20-002 , which cemented and strengthened the REDI grant program. “These REDI grants are aimed at boosting our rural economies, and they’re already getting to work creating critical new jobs in Rocky Ford and La Junta,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “I sponsored legislation to strengthen the REDI program because we need to build an economy that works for every corner of our state. I’m proud our state is investing in our communities and working with our local partners to help more Coloradans have a fair shot at success as our economy begins to recover.” Rocky Ford will receive a $18,850 REDI grant to continue the “Developing a Resilient Economy” project, an economic revitalization strategy that includes community and entrepreneurial trainings for existing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs aimed at building essential business skills. Training topics will include building trades, agricultural businesses, value-added manufacturing, and small business management. La Junta will receive a $25,000 REDI grant to help fund an Economic Action Plan to understand the forces shaping the business landscape and evaluate the city’s ability to respond to new opportunities and challenges. The project will also create a strategy and plan for economic development activities that support innovation, diversification, and business attraction, expansion and retention. The REDI is a proven grant program that provides critical resources to rural communities to spur economic development and create jobs. Reps. Buentello and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsored and passed SB20-002, which codified and improved the grant program to ensure that it continues to serve rural Coloradans. The law also made improvements to the program to more successfully bolster rural economies and requires DOLA to prioritize projects that create jobs or spur critical investments in key industries in the community. Previous Next

< Back June 28, 2021 NEW LAWS DO AWAY WITH RACIST MASCOTS, PROVIDE IN-STATE TUITION FOR COLORADO TRIBES DENVER, CO– Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills that will ban American Indian mascots in Colorado public schools and provide in-state tuition to American Indian students who are members of tribes with historical ties to Colorado. “For far too long, Coloradans have had to live with the pain perpetuated by racist mascots in our public schools,“ said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce CIty. “It’s taken years to get to this point, but today we are finally getting rid of hurtful mascots that we know have created hostile environments and have impacted students’ mental health. These two laws will make Colorado a more just and inclusive state by investing in the education and wellbeing of our American Indian students and making our public colleges and universities more accessible to indigenous people with historic ties to this land.” “Today, we took an important step forward in our responsibility to create positive learning environments for all Colorado’s kids,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “My district and our state is enriched by the presence of the Southern Ute. No longer will we make American Indian students feel less than in their own classrooms.” SB21-116 , sponsored by Reps. Benavidez and McLachlan, prohibits the use of American Indian mascots in any public school or institution of higher education, allowing one year to comply with the new law. The law follows on the work of the 2016 Governor’s Commission to Study American Indian Representations in Public Schools which was asked to “facilitate discussion around the use of American Indian imagery and names used by institutions of public education and develop recommendations for the Governor and General Assembly regarding the use of such imagery and names.” The Commission’s number one recommendation was “the elimination of American Indian mascots, imagery, and names, particularly those that are clearly derogatory and offensive, and strongly recommends that communities review their depictions in facilitated public forums.” SB21-116 puts this recommendation into action. SB21-029 , sponsored by Speaker Garnett and Rep. Benavidez, would require that institutions of higher education adopt policies to charge in-state tuition to Native American students whose tribes have historical ties to Colorado. According to the Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs and History Colorado, 48 federally recognized American Indian tribes have historical ties to Colorado. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2021 POLIS SIGNS TAX FAIRNESS PACKAGE AND BILL TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES DENVER, CO– Governor Jared Polis today signed HB21-1311 and HB21-1312, the tax fairness package that will boost economic support for hard working families and eliminate the business personal property tax for two-thirds of the businesses that currently have to pay it. Polis also signed SB21-293, which will temporarily reduce property taxes. “Without a doubt, our tax code is more fair today because the package we passed and Governor Polis signed today puts working families and small businesses ahead of well-connected and wealthy special interests,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Colorado will build back stronger because we made the choice to provide significant assistance to the families and small businesses who are critical to the success of our local communities by ending ineffective tax windfalls and loopholes for those at the very top.” “Soon, over 300,000 families and tens of thousands of small businesses will see direct economic assistance for years to come because Democrats in the legislature made the decision to bring more fairness to our tax system,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “The package Governor Polis signed today will expand opportunities for hard working Coloradans, families and small businesses instead of continuing tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations.” HB21-1311 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Emily Sirota, would boost the incomes of over 300,000 hardworking Coloradans by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 25 percent of the federal credit through tax year 2025. The bill also provides economic assistance to hard working Coloradans and families by funding the state’s Child Tax Credit, which was created in 2013, but has never been funded. In order to provide this relief, the bill closes loopholes primarily used for tax avoidance or which only benefit three-tenths of a percent of taxpayers. HB21-1312 , also sponsored by Representatives Weissman and Sirota and which was endorsed by the Colorado Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, would eliminate business personal property taxes (BPPT) for over two-thirds of the businesses that remit BPPT. Currently, businesses with under $7,900 in business personal property do not have to pay BPPT. The bill increases this exemption to $50,000. In addition to providing an important tax cut to tens of thousands of small businesses, raising the exemption means businesses will no longer have to complete and submit burdensome paperwork needed to claim the BPPT exemption. In order to provide this relief, the bill modifies ineffective tax subsidies for the largest businesses, such as strengthening the criteria insurance companies must meet in order receive a 50 percent discount on their insurance premium tax rate. Many of the tax expenditures that these bills seek to close or limit were identified by the State Auditor as ineffective and only benefit a small number of businesses and Colorado’s wealthiest taxpayers. The package seeks to narrow expenditures that benefit only a few individuals and large businesses in order to provide broad tax relief to large numbers of hard working Coloradans and small businesses. Governor Polis also signed SB21-293 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Matt Gray, which would temporarily lower property tax assessment rates on several classes of residential and commercial property. The bill creates three new subclasses of non-residential property: agricultural, lodging, and renewable energy production property. It also establishes multi-family residential property as a new subclass of residential property. The bill applies new, lower assessment rates to these property classes. “Today, we are responsibly reducing property tax rates and targeting assistance to the Coloradans who need it the most, and at the same time, we are protecting Colorado’s local governments, fire districts, schools, police and local libraries that would be devastated by permanently losing nearly $1 billion in revenue every year,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “I’m proud the legislature came together to pass this bipartisan bill that will ensure rural Colorado doesn’t continue to bear the consequences of rising property values in more populated areas of the state.” “The bill Governor Polis signed today thoughtfully creates new categories for properties, such as agricultural properties or single family homes, to temporarily provide direct relief where it’s needed most,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “This is a responsible approach that will help Coloradans and protect the critical services that our communities need right now, like our public schools, which are especially important to help Colorado build back stronger from the pandemic.” The assessment rate on multi-family residences (apartment buildings, condominium buildings) would be lowered from 7.15 percent to 6.8 percent. The assessment rate on single family owner occupied primary residences would drop from 7.15 percent to 6.95 percent. For second homes and short term rental properties, the assessment rate would remain the same. The bill also expands the property tax deferral program to allow homeowners whose tax bills grow by more than four percent since the previous valuation period to defer the amount that exceeds the four percent growth, up to to $10,000. If a statewide measure passes to reduce residential property rates, it would only apply to multi-family properties. For non-residential properties, agricultural and renewal energy production properties would see their rate reduced from 29 percent to 26.4 percent. If a statewide measure passes to reduce nonresidential property rates, it would only apply to lodging properties. Remaining commercial property rates would remain at 29 percent. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2019 DEMOCRATS PASS BILLS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT, ENSURE FAIR CAMPAIGNS Legislature working to expand voter access (May 2) – The House approved two bills today that would expand Colorado’s automatic voter registration and expand campaign finance rules. Rep. Daneya Esgar and Rep. Kyle Mullica’s automatic voter registration bill will make Colorado voter rolls more accurate as information is updated. “Colorado already has a leading elections system in the country, however, there are ways we can improve it even more. This bill ensures our voter roles are secure, accurate, up to date and that everyone who is eligible to vote can not only receive their ballot but send and access their ballot,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We need to make sure that anyone who is eligible to vote has no barriers to access the ballot and this bill ensures an accurate and secure way to accomplish this. Democracy works when we all get to participate and that’s what this bill does.” SB19-235 will streamline the voter registration process at the DMV and reduce the opportunity for human error. Data from the DMV will be sent to the Secretary of State’s office to register only eligible voters. Those voters would be sent a postcard informing them that they will be registered if they take no action and gives them the options to decline the registration or affiliate with a political party at that time. Additionally, SB19-235 expands the automated voter registration from the current DMV system to add Medicaid services applicants, while ensuring security and medical privacy issues. This process would add only eligible voters who do not opt out of the registration. Through this process, more voters will get their ballots at the correct address therefore saving counties money from postage wasted on incorrect addresses. “Automatic voter registration will be a good thing for Colorado. Our democracy at its very best when we have the most eligible voters participate in our elections,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “We are doing away with barriers to ensure a more accessible and inclusive election. Through this, we can continue to allow Colorado to take a lead in elections in our nation.” SB19-235 was approved on a vote of 40-23. It now heads to the Governor’s desk. The House also passed Rep. Mike Weissman’s bil to better enforce Colorado’s campaign finance laws. “Unaffiliated voters, Republicans and Democrats alike are all tired of the growing influence of money in politics and want to see our broken campaign finance laws fixed.” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. “This bill will help give voters more confidence that the system works for them – not special interests and mystery money groups.” SB19-232 would codify within the Fair Campaign Practices Act the rules of the Secretary of State to enforce state laws concerning campaign finance. This includes specifying procedures for filing complaints, review of complaints by the elections division, processes for curing campaign finance law violations, the investigation of unresolved complaints, the conduct of hearings, audits by the division of campaign finance, and the issuance of advisory opinions by the Secretary of State. Together, these provisions create a robust system to make sure that political campaigns and organizations abide by Colorado’s disclosure and disclaimer laws, so that voters can track who is spending money to influence elections. The bill passed on a vote of 40-23. It now heads to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 9-3. < Back January 29, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Boost Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 9-3. “The Americans with Disabilities Act has helped make our world more accessible to people with disabilities, but unfortunately patchwork building codes have allowed some new and renovated buildings to forgo accessibility features that Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “As Colorado’s skyline continues to change and expand to accommodate our growing population, it’s important that we pass this bill to make it clear that buildings must meet accessibility requirements so people with disabilities are afforded equal access and mobility opportunities in buildings and facilities.” “Features like ramps and audio announcements are necessary tools that allow Coloradans with disabilities to be independent and able to engage with their communities, and our bill would ensure that more buildings incorporate these tools,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “We’re making it easier for Coloradans with disabilities to benefit from the laws we’ve passed that make housing, schools, and other buildings more inclusive for all.” Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments that adopt or amend a building code and public schools and health facilities that substantially amend a building code to ensure that they meet or exceed the accessibility standards set by the International Building Code and existing laws. The State Housing Board would also be required to meet or exceed these standards when it comes to substantial updates to uniform construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code. Colorado Democrats have championed many laws in recent years to break down accessibility barriers for Coloradans with disabilities, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to implement a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed a bill to create more affordable housing opportunities by allowing certain property owners to split their lot. HB26-1308, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Steven Woodrow, passed by a vote of 8-4. < Back March 17, 2026 Bill to Create More Affordable Housing Opportunities Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed a bill to create more affordable housing opportunities by allowing certain property owners to split their lot. HB26-1308, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Steven Woodrow, passed by a vote of 8-4. “Every Coloradan deserves the chance to become a homeowner, and this legislation would make that dream a reality for more hardworking people,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Housing affordability is a major issue throughout our state, which has made it harder and harder for Coloradans to be able to transition from renter to homeowner. This bill aims to create more affordable housing options, especially starter homes, in our communities to make life more affordable for Coloradans.” “We’re increasing homeownership opportunities, especially for first-time homeowners,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “Our bill would allow homeowners to split their lot, decreasing their own housing costs while adding more affordable housing to the market. There is a serious housing affordability issue in Colorado, which is why Colorado Democrats are taking every possible approach to create housing opportunities that Coloradans can afford.” Beginning December 31, 2027, HB26-1308 would require a subject jurisdiction to allow residential lots to be split into two lots if they meet the following requirements: The lot undergoes any applicable administrative approval processes, The minimum lot size after splitting is 1,200 square feet, If the two new lots are unequal in size, the smaller lot must be at least 30 percent of the area of the total lot size, Residential use is allowed on the original lot and the lots have access to the street and certain utilities, and If the lot is subject to a mortgage loan, any lenders holding the debt have approved of the split. The bill also removes setback requirements for any accessory dwelling units or other structures that exist on a split lot. In 2025, the Colorado State Demography Office reported a housing shortfall of around 106,000 units. The state must add approximately 34,100 new housing units each year just to avoid an increase in the existing housing shortfall. Lot splitting would allow communities to create more affordable housing opportunities to address the housing shortfall and save Coloradans money on housing. A 2025 report found that the average age of first-time homebuyers hit an all-time high of 40 years old. Reps. Boesenecker and Woodrow have prioritized housing affordability efforts in recent years, passing laws to remove regulatory barriers for cost-saving modular and factory-built homes and support local governments that build transit-oriented housing . This session, the legislature is considering bills to reduce housing costs by streamlining the process for non-profits, schools and transit districts to build housing on their underutilized land, removing minimum lot size restrictions and fund transit infrastructure improvements and transit-oriented housing. Previous Next

< Back November 15, 2019 REP. FROELICH PRAISES GOV. POLIS’S COLORADO RECYCLES WEEK PROCLAMATION DENVER, CO– Representative Meg Froelich today released the following statement after Governor Jared Polis issued a proclamation marking Colorado Recycles Week: “We can help address our climate crisis and put less trash in landfills by increasing our recycling rate, which is well below the national average,” said Zero Waste and Recycling Committee member Rep. Meg Froelich (D-Englewood). “I’m excited to get to work next session on our interim committee bills to improve Colorado’s recycling end markets and infrastructure. I am grateful for Governor Polis’s proclamation today and his efforts to tackle this important challenge.” With the state’s population increasing and Coloradans producing more waste than before, the Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Committee heard testimony, conducted research and traveled to innovative recycling facilities in order to develop a path forward to improve Colorado’s recycling rate. In October, the committee advanced two bills. The first bill creates a stakeholder group to study how to establish a recycling market development center. The center would support the development of businesses that process recyclable materials or reuse them in their products sold to consumers. The bill also requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to administer a statewide recycling education campaign to increase residential recycling across the state. The second bill would establish a statewide organics management plan. This can help agriculture producers improve soil health, leading to enhanced crop value and production. The CDPHE will consult with stakeholders and submit the management plan by February 1, 2023 to the House Energy and Environment Committee, House Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee, Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee. Previous Next

< Back April 17, 2019 MICHAELSON JENET BILL TO MODERNIZE CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT GETS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL IN HOUSE Teen vaping is an epidemic in Colorado (Apr. 17) — The House passed a bill that modernizes the 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet would add hookah smoking, electronic smoking devices or e-cigarettes to the list of prohibited activities in indoor public places and workplaces. “Colorado teens are engaging in e-cigarette and vaping use at an alarming rate. As a parent of teenagers, I share the concern of parents who are worried about this growing public health issue and how it is impacting their children,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “It’s time to show our young people that vaping is harmful for them, their peers and their long term health.” HB19-1076 protects people of all ages against the dangers of secondhand smoking exposure from electronic cigarettes. It also ensures that existing smoke-free laws are being enforced. In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called teen vaping an epidemic . In January of this year, the American Lung Association released the State of Tobacco Control report and gave Colorado a “B” grade for its smoke-free air citing Colorado’s use of electronic smoking devices indoor. The report also suggested strengthening state and local laws around youth access to tobacco products to raise its “D” grade for Colorado’s funding for state tobacco prevention programs. The report found the state is spending only half the amount the Center for Disease Control recommends on prevention programs. The bipartisan bill passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to grant funding to community-based organizations that provide crucial services to new immigrants. HB24-1280 passed by a vote of 8-3. < Back March 6, 2024 Legislation to Support New Immigrants Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to grant funding to community-based organizations that provide crucial services to new immigrants. HB24-1280 passed by a vote of 8-3. “Immigrants come to our country fleeing violence, economic despair, and life-threatening circumstances, and they can contribute a lot to Colorado’s economic growth if we give them the tools to integrate into our society,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Our legislation would create a grant program to help local communities provide a wide range of services, from English classes to job referrals. We must do what we can to support new immigrants as they settle in Colorado to maintain peaceful, safe, and healthy communities.” “We must respond to the needs of new immigrants in our communities to ensure Colorado remains a place of hope and good quality of life for so many,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Supporting new immigrants with referrals to housing and job opportunities helps them contribute to our communities, which they so desperately want to do. This bill will help set up newcomers for success so they can create the future that they came here to build.” HB24-1280 creates the Statewide Welcome, Reception, and Integration Grant Program to grant funds to community-based organizations that provide services and programs 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. Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2020 HOUSE PASSES COMPOSTING BILL Legislation would create a statewide organics management plan to improve soil health and combat climate change DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representatives Lisa Cutter and Meg Froelich’s legislation to create a statewide organics management plan by a vote of 39-24. “Composting diverts waste from landfills, increases the carbon storage capacity of agricultural lands and improves soil health,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This bill is truly win-win-win. It will help us protect the Colorado way of life by helping our farmers and by providing us with the data we need to get closer to our zero waste goal.” “Through collaborations with farmers, composters, the state and nonprofit groups, this plan will give our state the information we need to improve composting and organics management so that we can continue our work to boost soil health and address climate change,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. HB20-1047 would establish a statewide organics management plan to study the way Colorado disposes of organic waste and encourage the use of composting as a means of carbon storage. In addition to the environmental benefits, compost use could help agriculture producers improve soil health, leading to enhanced crop value and production. If this bill is enacted, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) would consult with a diverse set of stakeholders and submit their management plan by February 1, 2023 to the House Energy and Environment Committee, House Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee, Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee. Previous Next

< Back July 8, 2020 BILLS TO IMPROVE CHILD CARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SIGNED INTO LAW Gov also signs bill to refer tobacco tax increase and nicotine products tax to November’s ballot Denver, CO — Today, at Plum Preschool in Denver, Governor Jared Polis signed three bills into law to improve early childhood education and expand child care options. He also signed a measure that refers a tobacco tax increase and new nicotine tax to November’s ballot that, if approved by voters, will discourage Colorado youth from starting to vape or smoke and fund K-12 schools, early childhood programs and affordable housing. Sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Kevin Van Winkle, SB20-126 prevents homeowner associations’ ability to prohibit the operation of a licensed family child care facility so long as the facility complies with other HOA regulations applicable to all residents. “Access to childcare is one of the top issues I hear about from my constituents, especially as we start to reopen and get back to work, said Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon . “This bipartisan law will increase access to safe child care options for parents and provides more opportunities to open a childcare business throughout the state of Colorado, which we desperately need.” HB20-1347 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Sonya Jaquez-Lewis, makes it easier to operate a family care home by extending licensure exemptions, while also making educational resources available to family child care providers who would like to become licensed. “It’s especially important during this pandemic to make it easier for families to find safe child care options,” said Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley . “As Coloradans get back to work and navigate this tough economy, this law creates more flexible child care options for Colorado families.” HB20-1053 , sponsored by Representatives Emiliy Sirota and Jim Wilson, expands the early childhood educator workforce and improves access to early childhood education and early childhood mental health consultations. It allows aspiring early childhood educators to earn credit towards their credentials through work experience and streamlines the licensure requirements. It also creates a statewide early childhood mental health consultation program to improve behavioral, social and emotional health outcomes. “Providing every Colorado child high-quality, early childhood education is one of the most important things that we can do to ensure all children in our state have a fair shot to succeed,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver . “By growing our early educator workforce and increasing the number of early childhood mental health professionals in Colorado, this new law will expand access to early childhood programs and help more of our youngest students access the behavioral health support they need. Sponsored by Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Julie McCluskie, HB20-1427 refers a ballot issue to voters for the November 2020 election to gradually increase cigarette taxes and create a new nicotine products tax on electronic cigarette devices and other tobacco products. Initially, the tax would provide much needed funding for K-12 education, and starting in 2023, the measure will raise nearly $190 million for early childhood education and nicotine products cessation programs. A portion of revenues generated by these taxes would also be directed to expand affordable housing, including in rural areas, and to Colorado’s old age pension fund. “As a pediatrician, I know how important it is to the long-term health of our state’s youth to reduce vaping rates in our state, and research shows policies like a nicotine tax greatly reduce youth use of these harmful products,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton . “If it passes, this initiative will invest critical funding in our students and teachers and expand access to early childhood education programs that we know lead to improved student outcomes.” Previous Next

< Back July 13, 2020 BILLS TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC SIGNED INTO LAW Governor signs bills to address opioid harm reduction and improve substance use disorder treatment Denver, CO — Today during a virtual bill signing Governor Jared Polis signed three bills to support Coloradans affected by opioid addictions and other substance use disorders into law. The bills will address harm reduction practices and enhance access to treatment for substance use disorders, including within the criminal justice system. SB20-007 , sponsored by Representatives Bri Buentello and Jim Wilson, requires insurance carriers to provide coverage for the treatment of a substance use disorder (SUD) in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine or other evidence-based guidelines. It also encourages access to medical or SUD treatment services, including recovery services, to people participating in prescribed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for a SUD and prohibits courts, probation or community corrections from prohibiting MAT as a condition of participation or placement. Finally, it authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to ensure that insurance carriers’ formularies include medications for MAT and coverage for opioid antagonists, such as naloxone (Narcan). “The opioid crisis was already a serious public health issue, and the pandemic has only made matters worse for our communities,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “This bill, and the larger opioid epidemic package we passed this year, will help get Coloradans who are working to overcome substance use disorders the treatment they need to break through. I’m proud of the work we did this year for Southern Colorado and other areas of our state that have been hit hard by this crisis.” HB20-1065 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Leslie Herod, aims to lower the rate of opioid overdoses and related deaths and better prevent the spread of communicable diseases that can be associated with the injection of illicit opioids. It would protect people who act in good faith to respond to overdoses by administering an opiate antagonist, such as naloxone, that has expired. The bill would also require insurance plans to reimburse hospitals that provide opiate antagonists to counteract overdoses that often occur upon discharge. To help prevent communicable diseases, the bill would allow pharmacists to sell clean syringes and remove a regulatory barrier to operating syringe exchange programs. HB20-1017 , also sponsored by Reps. Kennedy and Herod, seeks to support incarcerated individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder. The new law encourages the Department of Corrections (DOC), private contract prisons, local jails, and Department of Human Services (DHS) facilities to make available at least one opioid agonist and one opioid antagonist to a person in custody with an opioid use disorder throughout the duration of the person’s incarceration or commitment. It also allows a person to turn in any controlled substances at a safe station without being subject to arrest or prosecution, and requires those staffing safe stations to evaluate a person’s need for medical attention. Finally, it also requires correctional facility officials to provide post-release resources for inmates to help prepare inmates for release and reintegration into their communities and to give favor to inmates in record sealing requests to those that have completed a substance use disorder treatment program. “Substance use disorder has ravaged and devastated our communities, and we have no time to waste in fighting back,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “These bills will keep more Coloradans alive by focusing on harm reduction and access to treatment, including for incarcerated Coloradans. Currently, Colorado’s largest treatment facilities are our jails and prisons– this cannot stand. Our state can’t incarcerate addiction away. Instead, we must focus on treatment and providing needed support. These bills take important steps forward and will no doubt save lives, but a great deal of work remains to be done.” Opioid use disorder is impacting communities across Colorado. The state recorded 543 opioid overdose deaths in 2018. Data tracking the number of pills dispensed per person shows that some Colorado counties have rates that are higher or at the same level as some of the hardest-hit states, such as West Virginia and Kentucky. A 2018 estimate from the White House Council of Economic Advisers found that the opioid epidemic has cost the US $2.5 trillion from 2015 to 2018. Previous Next