The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. < Back February 6, 2024 Legislation to Bar the Use of “Excited Delirium” Passes House Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. “When law enforcement is engaging with someone they identify as being in a state of excited delirium, it can escalate an interaction and lead to devastating outcomes, especially for people experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “ Despite widespread skepticism among medical professionals about the validity of this diagnosis, it has been used to rationalize use of force. By prohibiting the use of this debunked diagnosis going forward, we can continue to focus on de-escalation strategies that lead to better outcomes for Coloradans. “More than 50 percent of people who have died in the custody of law enforcement with an ‘excited delirium’ diagnosis are people of color,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “As in the case of Elijah McClain in Aurora, ‘excited delirium’ has been used to justify excessive force against people of color during police encounters. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and while our legislation can’t save his life, I hope it will help prevent other Coloradans from not surviving the encounters they have with law enforcement.” HB24-1103 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, would prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. The bill would also bar the terms “excited delirium syndrome”, “hyperactive delirium”, “agitated delirium”, and “exhaustive mania”. Earlier this year, a 9NEWS investigation tied more than 225 deaths across the U.S. to use of the term, including the death of Elijah McClain in Colorado. His death in 2019 gained national attention when paramedics injected him with a lethal amount of ketamine after believing he exhibited “excited delirium.” The paramedics and a police officer involved in the incident have since been convicted of criminally negligent homicide. In December 2023, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board unanimously voted to remove the term “excited delirium” from training documents. Organizations like the American Medical Association, the National Association of Medical Examiners, and the American College of Emergency Physicians have spoken out against the term. California passed legislation last year to ban the term from being used on a law enforcement officer’s incident report, on a death certificate or autopsy report, and in testimony in civil court. Rep. Herod also sponsored a 2021 law that prohibits law enforcement from compelling, directing, or influencing a paramedic to administer ketamine. The law set forth strict requirements before a paramedic can administer ketamine in a prehospital setting. Previous Next

HB24-1330 would tighten permitting for oil and gas operations and work to reduce air pollution in the Denver Metro and northern Front Range < Back March 8, 2024 Bill to Improve Colorado’s Air Quality Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee yesterday passed legislation to tackle Colorado’s ozone pollution problem. HB24-1330, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Jenny Willford, is part of a package of bills that builds on the work of the 2023 Legislative Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality. “Breathing the air in your neighborhood shouldn’t trigger an asthma attack or nosebleeds, yet this is a reality for many of our community members,” said Assistant Majority Leader Bacon, D-Denver. “We need to act now to clean up Colorado’s air quality that for more than a decade has disproportionately plagued low-income communities and led to dangerously high ozone levels. This important legislation tightens up permitting regulations for oil and gas operators and makes sure minor pollution sources are being properly accounted for. For years, we’ve battled poor air quality in our communities, and this bill brings us closer to safe, cleaner air for us all.” “At times, our air quality has been deemed the worst in the world – we need to take steps now to reduce air pollution and keep our neighbors safe,” said Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Thanks to our legislative efforts during the interim, this bill overhauls Colorado’s emissions permitting process and requires oil and gas operators in the nonattainment area to more thoroughly account for their emissions. Our bill also creates requirements for new oil and gas operations in the nonattainment area, which includes the Denver Metro and northern Front Range. Taking these steps is necessary not only to reduce haze and smog, but to protect the health of our kids and the air we breathe.” HB24-1330 , which passed committee by a vote of 9-4, would work to clean up Colorado’s air by updating the state’s emissions permitting process for oil and gas operations. This bill requires all the individual sources of pollution at a proposed oil and gas location to be treated as one source in the construction permit application process. Currently, a permit is required for each individual source and the pre-production emissions from proposed oil and gas drilling sites are not considered in the air permitting application, despite contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone. This bill would “aggregate” emissions across an oil and gas site, including pre-production emissions, ensuring a more accurate accounting of the air quality impact of each operation. This legislation would also create new requirements for new or modified minor pollution sources within the Denver Metro/North Front Range nonattainment area. As outlined, for a construction permit of a new minor source to be approved in the nonattainment area: The source must meet all applicable regulations, including demonstrating that it will not cause or contribute to an exceedance of any applicable ambient air quality standard; The operator must take at least as many emissions offline as it plans to bring online; and The operator must avoid construction in a disproportionately impacted community. Additionally, the bill would require oil and gas operators to obtain a construction permit from the Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) before the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) makes a final determination to issue a permit to drill or frack. The goal of H24-1330 is to make Colorado’s emissions permitting process more robust to ensure clean air, protect public health and comply with federal law. For more than a decade, Colorado has failed to meet federal air quality standards for ozone air pollution, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect public health. In 2022, the Denver Metro and northern Front Range was reclassified as a ‘ severe nonattainment zone,’ meaning the area is in severe violation of the health-based air quality standards known as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Previous Next

HB25-1222 and SB25-069 will improve health and safety in Colorado’s mountain and rural communities < Back July 25, 2025 Pair of Bills to Support Rural Coloradans Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Two bills championed by Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, to bolster public health and safety in rural Colorado communities will go into effect on August 6. HB25-1222 , cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, preserves access to rural health care by: Enabling the delivery of drugs by rural independent pharmacies to underserved communities, Clarifying fair audit recovery practices so rural independent pharmacies don’t close, Allowing remote supervision for pharmacies to improve accessibility for Coloradans, and Beginning on January 1, 2026, ensuring fair reimbursement rates for rural independent pharmacies. For Coloradans living in rural communities, these modifications maintain access to vital prescriptions and healthcare services close to home without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays. The implementation of HB25-1222 serves as a lifeline for rural pharmacies in the wake of Congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill , which experts warn puts rural health care facilities at an increased risk of cuts and closure . “Independent rural pharmacies are so important to the people who live in the rural and mountain communities that I represent. They rely on them for essential services like prescription refills, medical supplies, immunizations, and so much more,” Roberts said. “This bipartisan bill would ensure fair reimbursement rates and audit recovery practices so that drug delivery for independent and rural pharmacies are adequate enough to level the playing field against corporate health care giants and safeguard essential health services.” “Health care access in rural communities is already limited, and this law works to preserve the local pharmacies that Coloradans rely on,” said Lukens. “From regular prescription refills to immunizations, our local and independent pharmacies are a lifeline to our communities. This bipartisan law aims to maintain health care access for Coloradans in the rural corners of our state by establishing fair reimbursement rates and permitting telehealth for our local pharmacies.” SB25-069 , sponsored by Sen. Roberts, Rep. Lukens, and Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, allows the Colorado Department of Transportation to authorize third-party vendors and companies to set up a roadside station to help install or remove tire chains or other traction devices on commercial and passenger vehicles. “Preventing avoidable crashes, spinouts, and delays on I-70 and highways across the state is crucial for public safety and saving Coloradans time and money,” continued Roberts. “This bipartisan bill will authorize a proven chain-assist program for commercial trucks that is working in other states as well as close a loophole that will ensure passenger vehicles have proper tires. It is another significant step we are taking to prevent crashes and reduce unnecessary delays on our roads during the winter.” “Western Slope highways can be treacherous in the winter, and this law makes our roads safer by expanding access to winter driving tools, including tire chains, that are proven to help prevent accidents,” continued Lukens. “Communities in my district, like Vail and Avon, are home to world-class skiing resorts that attract visitors from across the globe who might not have experience in driving in mountainous, snowy conditions. This law will improve road safety by creating a controlled environment for drivers to receive assistance installing or removing tire chains and other traction devices.” “Glenwood Canyon has the most accidents and road closures along I-70 nationally, which is why we need this law to protect Colorado drivers,” said Velasco. “Keeping Western Slope roads open and safe is a priority in my district to ensure that residents, tourists and long-haul truckers can get where they need to go quickly and safely. With this law going into effect soon, we can keep Coloradans safer on our roads.” The law, cosponsored by Senator Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, includes procedures and guardrails for issuing a permit to vendors and a requirement that those installing tire chains or traction devices wear reflective clothing and use traffic control devices. The law also requires that, between September 1 and May 31, rental car companies notify their renters of Colorado’s traction laws and the penalties for any violation of the law. Previous Next

HB24-1051 would prohibit towing companies from patrolling parking residential lots < Back April 23, 2024 Legislation to Combat Predatory Towing, Ramp Up Consumer Protections Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House advanced legislation today on a preliminary vote to crack down on predatory towing, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. “Leveling the playing field amongst towing companies and everyday Coloradans is essential, and that begins with dismantling financial incentives for towing companies,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “While the Towing Bill of Rights laid a strong foundation to protect vehicle owners, we’re doing more to improve transparency within the towing industry and prohibiting predatory towing companies from patrolling parking lots to look for vehicles to profit on. Today, we’re putting consumers first by requiring property owners to authorize residential non-consensual tows, outlining more guardrails for towing carries and making sure vehicles towed illegally are returned to the owner within 48 hours at no cost. ” “Imagine waking up to find, through no fault of your own, that your vehicle has been towed – this is an unfortunate reality for many in our state,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our legislation works to break down financial incentives for predatory towing practices, specifically patrolling parking lots, and drastically improves consumer protections. Under this bill, if a vehicle is illegally towed, the towing company would have to make it right by returning the vehicle within 48 hours at no cost to the owner. To ensure we’re leveling the playing field between Coloradans and towing companies, this bill also outlines new rules for towing carriers to create a better state for us all.” HB24-1051 would improve oversight, transparency and fairness in the towing industry in Colorado. Specifically, this bill would direct the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to promulgate new rules for towing carriers, including requiring carriers to disclose additional information necessary for effective oversight and meaningful reporting. It would also end the practice of towing carriers patrolling, monitoring or policing properties to enforce parking restrictions on behalf of property owners. Importantly, HB24-1051 changes the incentive structure for towing companies by requiring the property owner to authorize non-consensual tows. Unauthorized vehicles would still be towed at the expense of the vehicle owner. Another portion of the bill aims to ramp up consumer protections by requiring companies to return a wrongfully towed vehicle to the original location within 48 hours and at no charge to the vehicle owner, and improving parking lot signage to explain towing regulations clearly in both English and Spanish. The bill would also make it a deceptive trade practice to conduct a non-consensual tow in violation of the law. In an effort to improve long-term transparency in the towing industry, HB24-1051 would allow the PUC to suspend or revoke a towing carrier permit in certain circumstances and the bill would address conflicts of interest for members of the Towing Task Force . Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES COLEMAN’S BIPARTISAN BILL ON HIGHER ED SUCCESS (Mar. 12) – Rep. James Coleman’s bill help invest in Colorado’s future and would enhance the ability of higher education facilities to help struggling students unanimously passed through the House Education committee today. “Our job at the state is to provide resources to elevate students and guide them towards success,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver. “Higher education is a powerful tool we have to lift people out of poverty and into middle class. Knowing this, we need to rectify the gap within our higher ed institutions. With this bill, students will have the opportunity to supplement their classes with additional academic support without it prolonging their degree completion.” Sponsored by Rep. Coleman, D-Denver, and Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton, HB19-1206 will require that higher education institutions do not simply enroll students in traditional remedial courses prior to college-level courses. Instead, it will require students to be offered supplemental academic institutions (SAI) that can also count toward college-level coursework and credits. Currently, students who are not college-ready according to academic assessments are placed in remedial college courses to prepare them for college-level coursework. As a result, students pay money to take remedial courses, which do not count towards their graduation requirements, which may prolong the time it takes to obtain a degree and increases the likelihood of dropout. SAI is a way to remedy the equity gap that exists between these students and students who are prepared to take college level coursework. Within the Colorado Community College System, SAI has shown promising results in Colorado by helping to increase the English pass rates from 36 percent to 7 4 percent and Math pass rates from 16 percent to 40 percent. HB19-1206 passed the committee unanimously and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back January 25, 2023 Bill Ensuring Language Access for Insurance Coverage Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation to enhance language requirements for insurance information for non-English speakers. “Providing professionally-translated information is essential for our communities, so that consumers fully understand their options and get the right insurance coverage,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “Colorado is proud to be home to a diverse population. We all deserve to know what we’re signing so we can make the best decisions for ourselves and our families.” HB23-1004 , which passed by a vote of 10-0, would require insurers to have insurance policy information professionally translated or be certified from a professional translator in a non-English language. It also requires insurers of auto, home, and renters’ insurance to offer policy documents in the same language that is used for advertisements and to provide the policy application, policy, and any related documents in any language upon request. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism by ensuring Coloradans involved with the justice system can re-enter the workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families, and succeed in their careers. < Back June 5, 2024 ICYMI: Gov Signs Bill to Boost Colorado’s Workforce DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism by ensuring Coloradans involved with the justice system can re-enter the workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families, and succeed in their careers. “This legislation is crucial in bridging the gap between workforce shortages and Coloradans involved with the justice system who are trying to break their way out of cycles of incarceration,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Current Colorado law makes it difficult for Coloradans with criminal records to qualify for certain careers, reducing their ability to find a good-paying job. With this legislation, we’re streamlining the process for Coloradans to make it easier for them to successfully re-enter our communities and to reduce recidivism.” “Coloradans who have a criminal record face significant barriers to entry when looking for jobs, which makes it harder to break the cycle of incarceration and rebuild their lives,” Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, said. “This new law aims to break down those barriers and make it easier for formerly incarcerated Coloradans to re-enter their communities and find a good-paying job that supports them and their families.” “We’re committed to addressing workforce shortages in critical industries, which is why we passed this legislation to make it easier for people who have been involved with the justice system to qualify for careers in sectors that are crucial for our economy,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “We’re committed to keeping Coloradans safe, and this law helps more people enter the workforce while prioritizing public safety. With this legislation, previously incarcerated Coloradans will have an easier path to success and industries will have more qualified candidates to choose from to fill job vacancies.” HB24-1004 establishes a uniform process for considering criminal records in occupational registration, certification, and licensure applications. The law includes a wide range of careers, from the construction and banking industries to IT. It prohibits regulators from automatically refusing to grant or renew a license based on an applicant’s criminal record unless the applicant’s conviction is directly related to a specific element of the occupation and is still relevant at the time of an individual’s application. Representatives Bacon and Bird and Senator Coleman passed a 2022 law to ensure that when pursuing a credential, applicants were only denied based on their criminal history if that history would hinder their ability to do their job safely and competently. Previous Next

New laws aim to address Colorado’s housing crisis, save Coloradans money on housing < Back May 30, 2024 Laws to Save Coloradans Money on Housing, Plan for Growth Signed Into Law New laws aim to address Colorado’s housing crisis, save Coloradans money on housing ARVADA / BROOMFIELD, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law that will save Coloradans money by making housing more affordable, identifying state housing needs and strategically planning for future growth in Colorado. HB24-1434 is a bipartisan law that will increase Colorado’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit (AHTC) by $816 million over the next eight years. The state AHTC is paired with federal incentives to create a greater statewide impact. “These impactful bills will help steer Colorado into an environment where people can more easily afford their homes,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1435 and SB24-174. “Colorado’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit in its previous form was so successful;, we had three applicants for every one that we could satisfy. So now we are building on that success. Additionally, partnerships between the state and local governments will push communities to identify their unique housing needs and plan for growth in a strategic and inclusive way. Together, these new bipartisan laws will make planning resources available to our communities, spurring long-term, affordable housing growth.” “The Affordable Housing Tax Credit has been the most successful affordable housing program in our state, and I’m proud this bill is now law so we can expand on the relief that this tax credit provides to hardworking Coloradans,” Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB24-1434 and SB24-174. “SB24-174 was also signed into law today, which allows us to leverage Colorado’s resources to work in partnership with local governments to help them build in a smart, strategic way as our population continues to grow. These bipartisan efforts will continue to boost affordable housing projects and provide strategic growth planning resources for our communities so more Coloradans can access housing that works for their budget.” The AHTC Program became permanent in 2014 to support affordable housing developments across the state and has been renewed numerous times since then. From 2015 to 2021, the program aided the development of over 10,700 housing units, supported more than 36,000 jobs, and had an economic impact of $5.5 billion . Also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, the law invests $150 million in new tax credits to incentivize the development of affordable housing in transit-oriented communities. This incentive would ensure Colorado communities can plan for the future and increase the housing supply near existing, new, or expanded public transit, jobs and job centers, and safe biking and walking corridors. SB24-174 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, requires the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to conduct a statewide housing needs assessment and provide grants and technical assistance to local governments to conduct their own local or regional housing needs assessments, followed by housing action plans to address the identified needs. Under the law, most local governments with a population of at least 1,000 residents are required to either conduct and publish a local housing needs assessment by December 31, 2026 or participate in a regional housing needs assessment. By November 30, 2027, DOLA must conduct an analysis and publish a report analyzing existing and future statewide housing needs. The law requires new housing assessments to be published every six years. SB24-174 also requires most local governments with a population of at least 1,000 to create a housing action plan that details their commitment to address their specific housing needs by January 1, 2028, and to update the plan every six years thereafter. Additionally, the law: Requires local governments who submit a Housing Action Plan to DOLA to submit a progress report to DOLA three years after publication, Requires DOLA to publish a statewide strategic growth report which will analyze land use scenarios and their impacts, including housing, infrastructure, and environmental effects; and assess state policies on development and sprawl, Requires county and municipal master plans to include new water supply and strategic growth elements that compare the long-term costs of infill and greenfield development, and Prioritizes state agency grant funding for housing or land use programs for local governments who have complied with the requirements in this bill. HB24-1316 creates the first Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit Pilot Program in the nation to boost the development of rental housing for middle-income Coloradans. This pilot program would direct the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to award up to $10 million per year in five-year state income tax credits for tax years 2025 through 2029. A total of $200 million in tax credits may be allocated through this program. “Housing affordability is a top priority for Colorado Democrats, and this legislation will increase our housing stock for middle-income Coloradans,” Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB24-1316. “The middle class is not immune to the rising cost of housing. Our new law will save Coloradans money on housing by building more homes for our teachers, first responders, and other essential workers so they can afford to live in the communities where they work.” “Every Coloradan should have the opportunity to live where they work, but our housing market is completely broken,” Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1316, said. “We’ve had low-income housing tax credits for a very long time, but this is the first middle-income housing tax credit in the country. We need this right now because even people with good-paying jobs like nurses, teachers, and firefighters can’t afford to live here. This bill will help to fix that by providing tax credits for housing that’s affordable for folks earning an average wage—80 to 120 AMI in technical terms.” “Colorado Democrats have passed a variety of laws that encourage the development and preservation of affordable housing options, but we also need more housing for middle-income Coloradans that don’t qualify for housing support,” Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1316. “Coloradans need more housing options that work for their budget and allow them to live in the community where they work and raise their kids. With this law, we can add more middle-income housing opportunities throughout Colorado to support our workforce and address the housing crisis.” Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILL TO OFFER COLORADANS ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION SERVICES (Jun 3) – This weekend, Gov. Polis signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan and Rep. Matt Gray in Centennial that creates a workforce diploma pilot program. “This new law that the Governor just signed creates a workforce diploma pilot program to encourage achievement and attainment of high school diplomas or industry training certificates,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Coloradans should have the educational opportunities they need, no matter how old they are and regardless of whether they received a high school diploma.” HB19-1236 creates a workforce diploma pilot program in the Colorado Department of Education. The program awards performance payments to qualified providers that offer alternative education services and demonstrate their students’ successful completion of educational milestones, such as earning high school diplomas, course credits, or industry-recognized training certificates. This will help many Coloradans attain education and training that helps them get on a pathway to economic self-sufficiency so they can take care of themselves and their families. Previous Next

< Back February 3, 2023 Water Efficiency and Resiliency Bill Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to help commercial property owners better finance water and energy efficiency upgrades and improve the resiliency of their properties. HB23-1005 passed by a vote of 46 to 15. “We are one step closer toward making it easier for commercial property owners in Colorado to improve the efficiency of their buildings,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The C-PACE program is a widely-used, successful program to help commercial properties reduce water and energy usage. In the face of climate change, it is important building owners invest in resilient infrastructure and eco-friendly upgrades–our bill sets them up for success to reduce their carbon footprint.” “We know the C-PACE program is successful, and our bill modernizes the process so more property owners can improve the resilience and efficiency of their buildings,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “By expanding this favorable financing mechanism, more building owners can make property upgrades that help them save water, cut down on energy usage and build more resilient structures. Investing in eco-friendly infrastructure is a smart move, and our bill increases opportunities to take advantage of the C-PACE program.” HB23-1005 would help protect Colorado's environment and conserve water resources by expanding project eligibility and streamlining the financing process so more commercial properties in Colorado can take advantage of Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE’s) program for eco-friendly property upgrades and investments. The C-PACE program allows certain commercial and industrial buildings to finance energy improvement projects through a voluntary property tax assessment that is repaid over a 25-year term. Since 2016, the program has helped finance 116 different projects across the state, totaling almost $250 million in investments. The C-PACE program is currently utilized by 40 different counties , which make up 96% of Colorado’s commercial and industrial properties. Previous Next

< Back March 19, 2021 BROADBAND EXPANSION MOVES FORWARD Bill would help broadband deployment board grants better reach unserved areas across the state. DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Representative Brianna Titone’s bipartisan proposal to expand broadband access across Colorado on second reading. “Access to reliable broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s become an absolute necessity,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “More than ever before, Coloradans are using broadband internet for learning, commerce, health care, and so much more. Ensuring that rural and underserved communities have reliable access to broadband internet will aid our economic recovery and set our local economies up for sustained success.” HB21-1109 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Matt Soper, would help prioritize grant proposals that provide high speed internet access to low-income households and creates a process for encouraging proposals for critically unserved areas of the state. The bill requires applicants to submit granular mapping data to more accurately identify these unserved areas, which is critical to understanding where and how to expand broadband infrastructure. The bill makes changes to the Broadband Deployment Board to increase efficiency and ensure expertise and geographic diversity are adequately represented. The bill also holds grant applicants accountable by requiring them to report the number of people served, their rates and quality of service provided. Previous Next

< Back February 25, 2022 VOTE WITHOUT FEAR ACT ADVANCES DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and Jennifer Bacon to prevent armed voter intimidation at polling locations advanced in the House today on Second Reading. “Armed intimidation at voting locations is a threat to our democracy,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “The Vote Without Fear Act is common-sense legislation to protect voters against armed intimidation when they cast their ballot. We’ve seen cases of firearms being used to intimidate voters in Colorado; this cannot continue. The Vote Without Fear Act will protect access to the ballot and ensure every Coloradan can exercise their right to vote safely, fairly and freely.” “The Vote Without Fear Act protects voters and election workers from armed intimidation at polling places,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Firearms being used to intimidate voters, especially voters of color and poll workers, is nothing new in this county, but we need to stop the threats towards those exercising their fundamental right to cast their vote. We’re serious about protecting our democracy, and that means prohibiting armed voter intimidation at polling places.” HB22-1086 which passed the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 7-4, protects the right to vote by prohibiting the open carry of firearms at or near polling places. Incidents of armed voter intimidation are rising across the country, and there have been several well-publicized situations where armed individuals have attempted to dissuade people from voting. These incidents have not just been targeted at voters, but also have attempted to intimidate nonpartisan election officials from doing their jobs. The legislation advanced today would extend protections that already exist for settings such as government buildings and legislative hearings to polling places, as well. Last year in Littleton, two men, one of whom was armed, filmed people dropping off their ballots, leading some voters to feel unsafe. Similar laws to prohibit the open carry of firearms at polling places have been adopted in Michigan in an effort to protect voters from armed intimidation. Previous Next