Legislation would stand up health care programs at higher education institutions in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver and Trinidad < Back February 28, 2024 Bill to Create Northern Colorado Medical School and to Boost Health Care Training Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to help create a new medical college at University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and support health care and veterinary care at various higher education institutions across the state. HB24-1231, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty, would help address health care workforce shortages in Colorado. “This monumental legislation will help fund and facilitate a new college of osteopathic medicine at UNC, which is key to addressing Colorado’s shortage of primary care physicians in our rural and underserved communities” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We’ve been hard at work to tackle our state’s health care workforce shortage and this landmark legislation jumpstarts the creation of a new medical school in Greeley, a Veterinary Health Education Complex in Fort Collins and two other health care programs at MSU Denver and Trinidad State College.” “From nurses to veterinarians, Colorado is experiencing a critical health care workforce shortage that’s affecting the health and well-being of Coloradans,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty. “This groundbreaking bill helps Colorado train and educate future doctors, veterinarians and other health care providers in Colorado. I’m proud to champion this bill that will increase access to high-quality health care in communities across the state and help Coloradans and their animals lead safe, healthy lives.” HB24-1231 , which passed committee by a vote of 12-1, would stand up four projects related to health sciences education programs for medical professions. Specifically, the legislation would fund the: Construction of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University (CSU) Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College This legislation will jumpstart a second-of-its-kind medical program at UNC, which will help streamline 150 new osteopathic doctors into the workforce each year and help address primary health care needs of Coloradans. The UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to generate $1.4 billion over the next 20 years in economic impact, with an estimated $500 million of economic impact to remain in Weld County. The legislation will also provide funding to help higher education institutions train more nurses, veterinarians and other mid-level health care professionals. Colorado is facing a significant health care provider shortage that is causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities. HB24-1231 is the state’s largest higher education investment aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce so Coloradans can receive the health care they need, when they need it. Previous Next

< Back February 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES MCLACHLAN-ROBERTS BILL TO MAKE CLEAN WATER A PRIORITY (Feb. 4) — A bill sponsored by Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon that looks to help prevent water pollution from future hardrock mining operations in Colorado passed the Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee today. “Mining is central to Colorado’s 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, our state’s clean water must be a high priority. This bill ensures that protecting our state’s precious water resources from high risks of pollution is a top priority for future hardrock mining permits.” 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. “When there are mining accidents, taxpayers foot the bill and also suffer the consequences of the damage to the environment,” said Rep. McLachlan, whose district was impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill. “We can’t change the past, but we can certainly help to ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future.” HB19-1113 would ensure that when new mining permits are issued, sufficient bonds are in place to ensure cleanup and better protect public health and the environment. The bill would end self-bonding for hardrock mines in Colorado and would explicitly include water quality protection in the calculation for the amount of bonding required. It would also require mining license applicants to set an end date for the cleanup of their operation, so that they could no longer simply expect to do water treatment into perpetuity. Numerous small business owners, rafting outfitters, farmers, local elected officials and others from across western Colorado testified in support of the bill. The bill passed the committee 7-4 and now heads to House floor. Previous Next

Law will help save Coloradans money on housing by encouraging housing near transit options, increasing housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand < Back May 13, 2024 SIGNED! Legislation to Encourage More Housing Near Transit and Jobs Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed legislation into law that will encourage more housing near public transit, cycling and walking corridors, places of employment, and other centers of community. It also provides financial support to cities, counties, and municipalities that meet their housing goals. “Colorado’s housing crisis is making it nearly impossible for Coloradans to buy their first home, which is why we have to prioritize building denser housing near transit and job centers so we can reduce the cost of housing,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1313. “Our new law encourages local governments to build transit-oriented housing by providing financial support to help them meet their communities’ housing needs. By legalizing smart and attainable housing development, we can make it easier for our community members to afford housing.” “The housing challenges plaguing our state are reaching a fever pitch, which is why Democrats are laser focused on providing solutions,” Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1313 said. “One of those solutions is to incentivize smart, strategic growth near jobs and transit. This law will do just that, while also reducing congestion on our roads, cutting air pollution, and increasing affordability, so that more Colorado families can find a place to call home that works for them.” “The vast majority of Coloradans support legislation that makes it easier to build housing near jobs and transit hubs,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1313. “This new law seeks to make housing more affordable near jobs and transit centers, protect vulnerable communities from displacement, reduce water use and traffic, and build the homes Coloradans want. Coloradans need us to act now so we can address our housing and climate crises.” “Coloradans are begging for more housing, and there is no better place to build housing and increase density than near transit,” Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB24-1313 said. “This new law is important in multiple ways - it will increase housing options, reduce costs, and help our state reach its climate goals, all while protecting vulnerable communities from displacement. I am proud to champion this legislation, and I look forward to the benefits it will bring to our state.” HB24-1313 empowers local governments to address Colorado’s housing needs and incentivizes them to build more housing by providing financial assistance to help meet their housing goals. It also aims to conserve Colorado’s natural resources and improve air quality to protect vulnerable communities from pollution-related health issues. Of the 31 jurisdictions that would qualify under this bill, most are along the I-25 corridor. Communities that meet their Housing Opportunity Goals would benefit from the new $35 million Transit-Oriented Communities Infrastructure Fund to support their work to improve infrastructure within transit centers or neighborhood centers. A recent poll found that 95 percent of Coloradans say the cost of renting or buying a home is a problem, with 70 percent saying that local governments aren’t doing enough to address this issue. Nearly 70 percent of Colorado voters also support a state law, like HB24-1313, to require cities and counties to allow more housing to be built near public transit and businesses and shopping areas while providing financial assistance for these projects. Previous Next

SB26-135 would give voters the opportunity to invest in Colorado’s students and teachers < Back May 9, 2026 Bill to Boost Funding for K-12 Schools Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed legislation to refer a measure to the November ballot that would allow school funding to grow with the economy, rather than be restrained by the TABOR cap. SB26-135 passed by a vote of 42-21. “For years, our schools and teachers have been asked to do more with less. And with this bill, teachers will soon be able to ask voters a simple question: should school funding grow alongside Colorado’s economy or continue to be constrained by the TABOR cap,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Colorado Democrats have worked tirelessly to increase funding to our K-12 schools, but TABOR forces us to ration spending on core priorities. This bill allows Coloradans to weigh in and decide if they want to drive more funding to their local schools.” “As a teacher, I have seen kids who have deserved more than we are able to give them financially, and many teachers are leaving the profession altogether,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “We’re asking voters if they’d like to increase K-12 funding by allowing it to keep pace with Colorado’s strong economic growth. When we adequately fund our public schools, students can reach their full potential. I’m proud to carry this teacher-backed measure to boost funding for every school district in the state.” SB26-135 would refer a statewide measure to the November 2026 ballot that would free up state funds to boost investment in K-12 schools. Increased investment would mean more educators in classrooms, smaller class sizes and stronger special education services. The measure would ask voters to allow the state to retain and spend revenue that it already collects in an amount equal to state K-12 funding, providing stable, predictable funding to keep pace with population growth and student needs. The retained revenue would go entirely toward K-12 education and services for children. Additionally, it would require a public audit and report detailing how much excess revenue was retained and how it was spent. Colorado has chronically underfunded K-12 public schools. The state ranks 40th in teacher pay and retention, and underfunds every student by about $4,600 per year – a total shortfall of nearly $4 billion. Currently, K-12 funding makes up roughly a third of the state’s total budget. If voters approve, it would allow Colorado to retain revenue above the current TABOR cap to drive more funding to K-12 schools. TABOR threatens the progress Colorado Democrats have made to increase funding for K-12 education. Colorado’s current budget model is inadequate to meet the state’s educational goals. Previous Next

< Back April 2, 2019 SPEAKER BECKER & REP. MCCLUSKIE’S BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL TO BETTER FUND SCHOOLS, TRANSPORTATION & HIGHER-ED GAINS INITIAL APPROVAL If approved, bill would go to the 2019 ballot (Apr. 1) – This afternoon, the House Finance committee approved Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Julie McCluskie’s bipartisan proposal to better fund public schools, higher education, and transportation. Colorado has one of the best economies in the country but the arbitrary TABOR cap severely restricts the state budget, preventing the state from keeping revenue it already generates off of growth in the economy. The cap also limits Colorado’s ability to invest in basic functions of government. As a result, Colorado’s investment in public schools, higher education, and transportation and infrastructure consistently rank at the bottom of the nation. “The state budget should be able to grow with the economy so we can make important, investments in our future. It makes sense to ask voters whether the state can keep the money it already receives when times are good and that’s what we’re proposing,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “The TABOR cap is an antiquated fiscal policy that has severely limited Colorado’s ability to invest in basic functions of government. This is not an answer to all of Colorado’s fiscal problems, but it’s a strong first step in making sure our fiscal policy supports our way of life.” “Leaders in business; health care; K-12 and higher education; transportation; and rural, urban and suburban Colorado talked about the value of the bipartisan measures we’re putting forward,” said Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This is not going to solve our state’s funding crisis but these are one-time use dollars that can have a real impact. It’s common-sense, it’s smart, and it’s about doing what’s right.” Witness after witness testified in support of the bills this afternoon. Colorado’s TABOR amendment restricts the amount of revenue all levels of government (state, local and schools) can retain, preventing the state from benefiting from economic growth and making critical investments. The vast majority of local governments and school districts have already “debruced,” meaning, they’ve received voter approval to retain all or a portion of the revenue over the TABOR cap. All but four of the 178 school districts in Colorado have obtained voter approval to retain and spend excess revenue. Of the state’s 272 municipalities, 230 municipalities have obtained voter approval to retain and spend all or a portion of excess revenue collected. Of the state’s 64 counties, 51 counties have obtained voter approval to retain and spend all excess revenue. This effort is supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition. Click here to see the current list of supporters. The state has not yet followed suit, having only temporarily suspended the TABOR limit because of budget constraints through the voter-approved Referendum C in 2005.In the last 27 years since the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) was voted into Colorado’s Constitution, our state population has increased 50 percent – more than 2.3 million additional people live in our state in 2019 than in 1992. For decades, Colorado has not been able to keep up with the demands of growth because of the outdated fiscal restraints imposed on the state by TABOR. There is a $9 billion project backlog at the Colorado Department of Transportation. Investing in our state’s infrastructure and transportation system is critical for economic development, especially in rural Colorado. HB19-1257 refers a measure to the Fall 2019 statewide ballot asking voters to authorize the state to annually retain and spend all state revenues in excess of the TABOR cap. HB19-1258, the companion bill, is contingent on voters approving the referred measure. It splits up the revenue retained due to the measure to be spent 1⁄3 each on public schools; higher education; and roads, bridges and transit. At a news conference when the bill was introduced in March, Speaker Becker read a statement from Gov. Jared Polis about the measures: “Governor Polis supports allowing the state to keep the tax revenue it already collects. This common sense policy does not alter the right of citizens to vote on taxes but allows Colorado to keep pace with a growing economy. The governor is engaging bipartisan civic leaders across the state because he believes broad bipartisan support is essential to win in November.” HB19-1257 and HB19-1258 were approved by a vote of 7-4. Both bills now go to the House Appropriations committee. Permalink: ### Previous Next

< Back April 9, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES EXUM BILL TO ASSIST EMS WORKERS WITH STRESS Not every EMS paramedic has access to physical, emotional, or psychological assistance (Apr. 9) – The House approved Rep. Tony Exum’s bill to create a statewide, self-financed program of peer-to-peer and professional assistance to help Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics deal with the stresses of their job. “Being an EMS paramedic is one of the most stressful jobs out there,” said Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “This bill gives emergency medical providers peer assistance when they are going through difficulties in their life and not able to perform their duties. We need to ensure that EMS workers are in the best shape physically and mentally to help save lives.” Rep. Exum is a retired battalion chief in the Colorado Springs Fire Department. SB19-065 creates a fund that will pay for a peer health assistance program which will evaluate, assist, and counsel EMS paramedics who are dealing with the stresses of their job. Whenever an EMS worker becomes certified or renews their certification, a small fee of $2.55 will be applied to create the program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The bill is also sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. Sometimes the toll and exposure to traumatic events in this position can frequently lead to depression, aggressive behaviors, substance abuse, and even suicide. If passed, this program can help EMS paramedics deal with many of these issues. SB19-065 passed by a voice vote in the House. It will receive a final vote at a later date. Previous Next

The House today introduced two bills that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs. < Back March 2, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Reduce the Cost of Prescription Drugs Introduced DENVER, CO - The House today introduced two bills that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs. HB23-1225 , sponsored by Representatives Chris deGruy Kennedy and Ruby Dickson and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, increases the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Coloradans. “Colorado Democrats have made substantial progress lowering the cost of prescription drugs and saving Coloradans money on their health care,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. "Big pharmaceutical companies shouldn’t be able to rake in record profits as hardworking Coloradans struggle to afford the medications they need. With this legislation, we’re extending the effective cost saving measures established with the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to more drugs in order to save Coloradans money on their prescriptions." “As a pharmacist I know firsthand how critical it is that Coloradans are able to afford their prescription drugs, but too many of our families are still getting squeezed by high costs of medication,” said Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “The Prescription Drug Affordability Board is an essential tool to keep Colorado prescription drug prices affordable, and these changes will make the Board even more effective at saving families money on their life saving medications.” “Every day, Coloradans across the state are having to choose between filling their life-saving prescriptions, buying groceries or paying rent,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial. “This new legislation builds on our work to lower prescription drug costs by improving how the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will work. By limiting out-of-pocket costs for more life-saving drugs, this legislation will ensure that more Coloradans can access essential medications at a cost they can afford.” In 2021, lawmakers passed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to evaluate and place upper price limits on the highest cost prescription drugs. The legislation introduced today will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to save people money on out of pocket prescription drug costs. It removes the limit on setting no more than 12 Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) per year in the first three years of the PDAB, and improves the criteria for selecting drugs for an affordability review. “Pharmacy Benefit Managers can be a big part of our efforts to save Coloradans money on prescription drugs, but they have to follow the rules,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “We’ve passed legislation to save consumers money on healthcare costs, but PBMs are coming in between consumers, health insurance plans, pharmacies and manufactures while making large profits. This bill will protect consumers and employers and save Coloradans money by making sure that PBMs follow the rules.” “Our bill strengthens consumer protections and holds pharmacy benefit managers accountable to ensure that Coloradans save money on prescription drugs,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “We’ve made incredible progress toward lowering the cost of prescription drugs. This legislation will allow the Commissioner of Insurance to investigate, hold hearings, issue cease-and-desist orders, and impose penalties on PBMs for failing to comply with cost saving measures and consumer protections.” HB23-1227 , sponsored by Representatives Iman Jodeh and David Ortiz and Senator Perry Will, will ensure that Pharmacy Benefit Managers follow through on critical cost savings reforms. The legislature has passed reforms to ensure that PBMs save consumers money, and this bill would ensure that PBMs follow through. This bill will provide the Division of Insurance with more direct oversight over PBMs by requiring them to register and specifying that that Division has the ability to enforce those reforms. Specifically, this bill would allow the commissioner the power to investigate and impose penalties on PBMs for failing to comply with consumer protections such as charging pharmacies fees to adjudicate claims, clawing back money from pharmacies inappropriately, and discriminating against independent pharmacies versus PBM affiliated pharmacies. Last week, the House also introduced HB23-1201 , sponsored by Representative Lindsey Daugherty and Matt Soper. Currently PBMs can charge employers one price, but reimburse pharmacies less and keep the difference, a practice known as price spreading. This bill makes it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for the same drug and increase transparency for employers into PBM and carrier behavior that impacts their costs. Previous Next

< Back April 20, 2021 HOUSE LEADERS REACT TO CHAUVIN VERDICT DENVER, CO– Speaker Alec Garnett, Black Democratic Legislative Caucus Chair Leslie Herod and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following statements after a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts. “Today George Floyd’s family, the Black community, and the nation as a whole were offered an important measure of closure as a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts of murdering George Floyd,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This is the right verdict – the only viable outcome of such a tragic and heartless injustice. Colorado has led the way on police accountability and integrity, and we still have work to do to ensure justice for every community in our state.” “This verdict represents accountability. It is not justice. True justice would mean George Floyd was still with us today,” said Black Caucus Chair Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “That he could hold his loved ones and that the world never had to learn his name. True justice will come when we don’t have to hesitate every time we turn on the news in case another video of state sanctioned murder should flash upon our screen. I am Today, we stand together and say ‘no more’. We will bring change. We will advance justice. And we will not rest until we end the police brutality that is taking innocent Black and Brown lives in our communities and across our country.” “Last year, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Colorado led the nation in passing a bold, sweeping police accountability bill that moved us closer to justice in our communities,” said Representative Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Today, as we breathe a collective sigh of relief after the guilty verdict, we recommit ourselves to continuing to advance the cause of justice. We know that we have a great deal of work left to do, and I’m committed to ensuring that Colorado continues to lead the way.” Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation to allow school districts to offer mental health screenings in schools to help determine the mental well-being of students and continue the successful I Matter program. < Back March 17, 2023 House Advances Bill to Offer Youth Mental Health Screenings DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation to allow school districts to offer mental health screenings in schools to help determine the mental well-being of students and continue the successful I Matter program. “A recent study found that there has been a 103% increase in Colorado youth visiting Children’s Hospital Colorado due to behavioral health issues,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City . “We’ve connected over 5,000 Colorado kids with free therapy sessions since the implementation of our I Matter program in the fall of 2022. This year’s bill aims to identify more adolescents who need this resource to prevent youth mental health issues from escalating to the point of seeking medical help.” HB23-1003 would permit public schools to participate in a voluntary mental health screening program for sixth through twelfth graders. The school would be required to notify parents of the date and time that the mental health screening is scheduled, the purpose, and information about the mental health screener. Parents would have the option to opt their child out of participating, although students over 12 years old could still decide themselves to participate, due to existing Colorado law . The screening would be conducted via a questionnaire and evaluated by a licensed screener. If a student is at-risk for attempting suicide, physical self-harm, harming others, or is in crisis, the licensed screener would immediately notify the parents as well as the school and the school would react according to school crisis response policy. If the licensed screener finds the student in need of further help, they will contact the parent about additional treatment options, including information or a referral to the I Matter program. The I Matter Program was created with the passage of HB21-1258 , sponsored by Rep. Michaelson Jenet, and expanded by HB22-1243 . The program received $15 million dollars in funding from the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions to provide a mental health screening followed by six free therapy sessions to youth across the state and is available virtually and in person. Students use a screening tool through the program’s website to match them with licensed mental health professionals that best fit their needs, including bilingual services. If the student needs additional services or shows signs of needing immediate help, their assigned care navigator connects them to long-term mental health care providers or crisis support, including Colorado Crisis Services. Since the program started in October 2021, over 5,500 Colorado kids have utilized the free therapy services, with almost 44% attending at least four sessions. The participating 5,655 students come from 59 of the 64 counties across Colorado. Previous Next

The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed two bills that would save patients and business owners money on prescription drugs and increase transparency of health care services. < Back March 17, 2023 Bills to Save Patients Money on Health Care Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed two bills that would save patients and business owners money on prescription drugs and increase transparency of health care services. “For every $100 spent at a pharmacy, $82 is evenly split between manufacturer profits and middlemen like Pharmacy Benefit Managers,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “Pharmacy benefit managers are charging employers one price for prescription drugs while reimbursing pharmacies much less and pocketing the difference. I’m proud to bring this bill to save business owners money on the prescription drug coverage they provide to their employees by prohibiting the pharmacy benefits industry from price gouging.” HB23-1201 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, passed by a vote of 10-1 . Currently PBMs can charge employers one price, but reimburse pharmacies less and keep the difference, a practice known as spread pricing. This bill makes it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for the same drug and increase transparency for employers into PBM and carrier behavior that impacts their costs. “Coloradans deserve for their health care providers to be transparent about the care they can offer them,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville . "A lot of planning goes into seeking health care. Many people have to take off work, budget for the co-pay, pay for child care, and find transportation to the health care facility. This bill protects everyday Coloradans by ensuring they know exactly what services a facility will provide.” “Unfortunately, many Coloradans, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, have gone to a provider looking to receive care only to be turned away,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . "People in our state have reached out to providers expecting routine medical services only to find out that the provider won’t offer them. Our legislation makes it easier for patients to compare services across providers so they can access essential health care like contraceptive services, abortion, and gender-affirming care.” HB23-1218 requires certain health care facilities to share details with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) of the health care services they provide. The CDPHE will create forms to compile a list of services that a health care facility may deny for non-medical reasons, like abortion and gender-affirming care. The forms will be shared with the public biannually so they have a better understanding of facilities that meet their specific health care needs. Providers must also make their forms available to their patients to disclose the care they offer due to the informed consent process. By February 1, 2024, the CDPHE must publish the forms on their website so consumers can easily compare services across health care facilities. The bill passed by a vote of 8-2 . Previous Next

< Back January 31, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL EDUCATION BILL (Jan. 30) – The House Health and Insurance committee approved Representative Susan Lontine and Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bill to expand the content in the comprehensive sexual education that many students in Colorado already receive. This bill does not require schools to teach sex education, however, it does add consent, defining a healthy relationship, and sexual orientation to the current curriculum. “Colorado’s students deserve access to age-appropriate, accurate and comprehensive information regarding sex education to keep themselves and their classmates healthy and safe,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. Colorado cannot have a mandatory sex education requirement. However, there is an existing law that provides a curriculum if school decide to teach about sex education. This bill would increase the ranges of topics to include birth control and pregnancy, abstinence, STD prevention, consent, healthy relationships and sexual orientation. “This bill would not force schools to provide sexual education, but it would ensure the information provided to students is accurate and comprehensive of the experiences of all Colorado students,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a pediatrician and co-sponsor of the bill. “ In our fast-paced world where my patients grow up quickly and learn sexual education from their peers and other places, this bill would ensure that if their parents can’t provide that information for their students, then students would be able to get that information from their schools.” Throughout the hearing, a significant amount of misinformation was peddled both by witnesses and members on the other side of the aisle. “We should do the best we can for Colorado’s students and ensure they have access to important information they need,” said Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, who chaired the hearing. Some of the common misconceptions were around the opt-out options already in place, the content around the inclusion of LGBTQ inclusion, and the definition of a healthy relationship. “There was a lot of misinformation today about LGBTQ relationships and the conversations that would take place in a classroom regarding that. As a member of the LGBTQ community who has been in a 14 year relationship, I am pleased to support a bill that addresses safe, healthy relationships,” said Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “The bill only expands the curriculum for schools that already offer or wish to offer comprehensive sex ed to include information about more than simply heterosexual relationships.” “There is no LGBTQ agenda, as some attempted to argue today,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This bill simply creates a discussion about what is safe, comprehensive sexual education.” Democrats defeated a number of Republican led amendments, many of which are not germaine. This bill also allocates $1 million in funds to an existing grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for teaching comprehensive sex education. Rural schools and public schools that do not have the resources to offer sex education will be prioritized for receiving this grant money. The bill passed through the committee with a 7-4 vote and now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Previous Next

< Back May 11, 2021 JODEH CONTINUES EFFORTS TO ADVANCE HEALTH CARE EQUITY House gives preliminary approval to Reps. Jodeh’s bill to protect the lowest income Coloradans from predatory medical debt collection and help them obtain necessary emergency medical care DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Rep. Iman Jodeh’s bill to take several steps to help low income and uninsured Coloradans access the emergency health care they need. The bill passed on second reading. “No Coloradan should go bankrupt because of the cost of medical care,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora . “15 percent of all Coloradans and 1 in 4 Coloradans from communities of color are struggling with medical debt in collections, which can have devastating long-term impacts on the financial well-being of a family. We can’t accept the status quo of Black, Brown and low-income families being held back for generations because of crippling medical debt. We need affordable care and greater patient protections in the billing process now .” HB21-1198 makes several improvements to Colorado’s Hospital Financial Assistance Law to ensure hospitals screen patients for potential financial assistance through a variety of programs, make it more difficult for a patient to be sent to collection actions, and sets an enforceable standard for discounted care. The bill will crack down on predatory billing practices, help low-income Coloradans avoid crippling medical debt, and ensure all patients have access to information about their rights when accessing emergency care. Previous Next