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Based on recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force, the new formula will be more equitable and student-centered to drive more funding for at-risk, special education and English Language Learners < Back April 11, 2024 New School Funding Formula Boosts Support for Colorado Students DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, and Senator Rachel Zenzinger today introduced legislation that will update Colorado’s outdated and inequitable school finance formula to increase funding for rural schools and at-risk students, special education, and English Language Learners. “Educational opportunities shouldn't depend on a student’s zip code; I’m proud of the broad, bipartisan coalition that has come together to increase funding for students with the greatest needs and provide more resources to rural and remote schools, which have historically been underfunded,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The deeply researched, student-centered updates we’re proposing for 2026 and beyond gained overwhelming consensus in the Public School Finance Task Force. This bipartisan proposal builds on the record funding from eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor to drive more equity into school finance and provide additional resources to rural and smaller districts that do not have the same economies of scale or access to resources as more populated and urban districts. Reforming Colorado's public school financing formula is a huge step toward improving our public schools and ensuring every student in our state receives a high-quality education.” “This change in the school finance formula will help pivot to the critically important effort to make education funding focused on the students,” Senate Minority Leader Lundeen, R-Monument, remarked. “For too long the formula has been about institutions and not about the unique natures of the students we serve. Fully funding K-12 education to our constitutionally mandated responsibility was last year's legislative success. Making the formula about students is this year’s goal.” “Ensuring that every Colorado student and educator has the tools they need for success is important for a stronger future. I applaud Speaker McCluskie and Minority Leader Lundeen for their focus on funding students and achievement rather than empty seats . I look forward to building on the work Colorado has done to improve the classroom experience, strengthen our communities, meet the diverse needs of all learners, and grow Colorado’s economy,” said Governor Jared Polis . “For years, we’ve relied on an inequitable and confusing school funding formula that is no longer responsive to the needs of our most vulnerable students,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “We’ve heard from our teachers, families, districts, superintendents and education advocates – it’s time to change the finance formula to improve equity in our public schools by putting students first. This important bill increases the funding weights for at-risk students, English Language Learners, and students with special needs. This formula change will better support the districts with the greatest needs. We’ve taken important steps to increase public education funding to record levels – now is the time to improve the school finance formula to put us on the path to delivering the education every student deserves.” “For my entire time in the legislature I have worked diligently to ensure Colorado’s schools receive the support they need to thrive,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “Whether as a member of the Joint Budget Committee, serving as Chair of the Education Committee, or as a member of the Public School Finance Task Force, I have been steeped in the development of Colorado’s school finance formula and I’m deeply invested in setting up our schools for future success. This year presents an opportunity to update our school funding formula to be reflective of the needs of every Colorado student – regardless of zip code. The formula is in urgent need of an update to ensure that schools are funded equitably and that all students are receiving the resources they need to be successful.” Colorado’s school finance formula is outdated, inequitable, and hasn’t been significantly changed in over 30 years. The current formula, which is built around district-centered factors rather than student needs, is confusing, overly complex and directs more funding to wealthier districts, rather than directing funds to students who are living in poverty, English Language Learners, or who have special needs. At-risk students, English learners, and special education students are not achieving academically compared to their peers, and yet the current school funding formula from 1993 does not address the needs of those students enough. This legislation ( HB24-1448 ) implements the spirit of the recommendations of the School Finance Task Force, which reached overwhelming consensus, in order to drive more resources to the students who need them the most, specifically at-risk pupils, special education students and English Language Learners. With hundreds of millions of additional dollars now going to public schools in Colorado, these changes, which would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and implement in a gradual phase-in over 6 years, will drive more of these new resources to historically underfunded districts with lower property wealth and that serve a higher number of at-risk students and English Language Learners. When fully implemented, there will be $852 million in the formula for our at-risk students, $142.7 million for English Language Learners, and $240 million in the formula for our Special Education students, in addition to the constitutionally-required $375 million in the Special Education categorical. Remote and rural districts would receive an additional $255 million under this formula, once fully funded. The new formula puts students first by increasing the student weights for at-risk, English Language Learners, and adding a new special education factor. At-risk, English Language Learners, and special education will all be set at a 25-percent weight. The categorical funding for special education will continue to increase according to law and Amendment 23. The new formula is simpler and better accounts for district characteristics by fixing the “Order of Operations” to emphasize student needs. It removes the multiplicative factors that change the base funding per pupil, which currently create cascading funding impacts throughout the formula that are extremely challenging to track. Instead, factors that increase funding for small districts or districts with high cost of living will be additive and easy to understand. It also creates a new remoteness factor to support rural schools and a funding floor for all districts that their new funding cannot drop beneath. The legislation is supported by Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), Colorado Succeeds , Stand for Children, The Children’s Campaign, and Ready Colorado. This bill is also supported by the following school districts : Trinidad School District, Weldon Valley School District RE-20J, Lone Star School District. Buffalo School District RE-4J, Platte Valley School District RE-7, Summit School District, Mapleton Public Schools, Haxtun School District RE-J2, Sangre de Cristo School District RE-22J, Colorado Springs Schools D11, Las Animas School District, RE-1, Canon City Schools, Campo School District RE-6, Alamosa School District RE-11J, Weld Re-8 School District, Wiggins School District, Denver Public Schools, Genoa-Hugo School District C-113, Weld County School District 10-J, Briggsdale,Sanford School District, Weld RE-5J School District, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Weld County School District Re-3J, Weld RE-9 School District, Pawnee School District RE-12, Morgan County School District, Sheridan School District 2, Elizabeth School District, Rocky Ford School District, Cheraw School District, Holyoke School District, Westminster Public Schools, Eaton School District, Weld County School District Re-1, Monte Vista School District and Center Consolidated School District 26JT. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti and Jenny Willford to better protect youth and keep them safe when participating in private organized sports. HB24-1080 passed by a vote of 45-16. < Back February 26, 2024 House Passes Legislation to Protect Youth in Sports DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti and Jenny Willford to better protect youth and keep them safe when participating in private organized sports. HB24-1080 passed by a vote of 45-16. “Colorado youth participating in out-of-school sports should be safe, which is why we are putting common sense protections into place to ensure that the adults who supervise youth sports have passed a background check and are trained in CPR/AED certification,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie. “We owe it to our children to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent injury and harm and this bill is a critical step to create the safe environment they deserve.” “Kids and parents deserve to know that their sports programs are run by someone they can trust,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “Our bill would require coaches and other adults involved in these sports programs to pass a background test and be CPR/AED and First Aid certified to ensure that we’re creating a safe environment for our kids to play in.” HB24-1080 would require private youth sports organizations to conduct criminal history record checks on personnel who work directly with youth athletes, in both a volunteer or paid position. This bill would also require paid directors, coaches, assistant coaches or athletic program personnel to be CPR/AED and First Aid certified to help youth in the case of an emergency. HB24-1080 aims to prevent childhood sexual assault and keep our youth safe while participating in out-of-school activities. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Amabile: We propose to outlaw encouraging someone to commit suicide Oct 1, 2023 See more This story was published in the Colorado Sun on Oct 1, 2023. Nearly 50,000 Americans completed suicide during 2022 – a stunning number, reflecting a continued rise in the suicide rate of some 35 percent over the last two decades. Numerical tolls provide a blunt gauge for societal problems, but numbers alone can make a problem feel remote and impersonal. People who lose a loved one to suicide experience shock and hurt that is both tender and omnipresent despite the passage of time. A healing instinct motivates us to want to prevent this pain from repeatedly occurring in our community. We have heard from fellow Coloradans reaching out to us as their elected representatives and asking, “what else can be done?” We are answering their call with action that honors the memory of lost loved ones and prevents more families in our state from experiencing this devastating tragedy. Unfortunately, online encouragement and easy access to life-ending materials can lead to unnecessary death by suicide. Last November, a Clear Creek County family’s 17-year-old son was struggling with chronic physical issues and common anxiety when he found a supportive community online that encouraged suicide. From there, he was directed to an online retailer who sold pure sodium nitrite, a substance which has few household uses but has become an increasingly popular suicide method. The price he paid to an online retailer who knew the pure sodium nitrite was being used for suicides was $13.99, shipped by two-day mail. Ingesting the compound, he died shortly afterwards. Sadly, this young man, a constituent of ours, was one of at least 222 people nationwide using this particular poison to complete suicide during 2022. Shockingly, there is an ecosystem online for people who want to complete suicide, outside and distinct from the legal path of medically-assisted suicide; there are deadly materials available online, shipped right to young people. For people feeling intense hurt, depression, or trauma, going online to find a way to heal is common. A web search for relief from a physical ailment generally leads to sites that recommend medication or a physician visit. But people struggling with suicidal ideation who seek help online can easily wind up in a web-based wasteland that offers advice on “how to” take one’s own life. And many heed that sick advice. We plan to introduce two bills in the upcoming General Assembly that could save lives and spare families from the enduring pain of suicide caused by this online reality. The first would explicitly prohibit encouraging an individual to complete suicide, not just by restricting the means as current law does, but by prohibiting advice and encouragement. The First Amendment cannot simply be tossed aside, of course, but we believe the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the validity of restricting speech that is “integral to a criminal act.” The power of words directed at someone who is struggling to maintain mental equilibrium can be just as impactful as handing someone a loaded gun and our statutes should reflect that. Colorado’s End-of-Life Options Act permits qualified medical professionals to assist terminally ill adults to end their lives. But in “non-medical” situations, assisting with suicide is a criminal offense – manslaughter — in Colorado and most other states. However, due to vague language, prosecutors used the suicide manslaughter statute only four times in the last five years. This pales in comparison to the frequency of suicides completed after people receive instruction and encouragement to take their own lives. While difficult to document, with 1,287 people completing suicide in Colorado in 2022, numbers compel us to act. Our second bill would ban the sale of pure sodium nitrite to consumers and require any pure sodium nitrite product sold to carry explicit warnings of harm. Experts know that this type of suicide prevention, often referred to as “means restriction,” can be an effective method to reduce death. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment recently released, to health care providers throughout the state, an advisory on sodium nitrite, noting “an increase in suicide by ingestion of sodium nitrite in Colorado and across the United States.” We commend the Department for taking this important step and look forward to bolstering their efforts with legislation. We have just concluded September, which is Suicide Prevention month. September is not merely about remembering the harm suffered by so many Coloradans or about lending support to families impacted by limitless grief, but is also about taking tangible measures to interrupt the cycle of suicide, and we are ready to get to work. If you or a loved one is experiencing emotional distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 988 or Colorado Crisis Services at text TALK to 38255, or access chat via coloradocrisisservices.org , where help and hope are available at any hour, any day. Previous Next

< Back March 2, 2022 SIGNED! BILLS TO SUPPORT MARSHALL FIRE RECOVERY AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY Wildfire recovery and prevention bills are part of the JBC’s FY21-22 Budget Supplemental Package DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will aid the Marshall Fire recovery and boost firefighter safety. Marshall Fire Property Tax Reimbursement: As one of the many ways that the state is responding to the Marshall Fire, HB22-1183 will transfer $3.7 million to the impacted counties to ensure they don’t face additional revenue shortfalls as a result of the devastation. “Today, we’re making sure that communities are protected from negative financial impacts from the devastation caused by the Marshall Fire,” said Rep. Matt Gray D-Broomfield. “This bill is a step in the right direction towards helping those impacted by wildfires to recover and build back stronger, safer communities. We know the road ahead is long. We’re committed to helping families affected by the Marshall Fire so they can continue to rebuild communities and create a safer, healthier state in the process.” “This bill is a commitment to the people of Boulder County – we are here for you,” said Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Louisville. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of support our community received from our neighbors and strangers across the world after the catastrophic Marshall Fire. This bill is immediate relief for our communities to rebuild stronger than before. We’re dedicated to continuing to help the residents impacted by the Marshall Fire recover and to continue to move Colorado forward.” Firefighter Safety: As part of House Democrats’ commitment to creating healthier and safer communities, HB22-1194 will direct additional resources to help our firefighters access the best equipment available. The bill makes $5 million available this year to provide grants to help local fire departments purchase safety and disease prevention gear, and support firefighter safety training. “We’re committed to building safer, healthier communities and that begins with making sure our firefighters have the equipment to safely combat wildfires,” said JBC Chair Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Coloradans rely on firefighters to protect their homes, livelihood and communities. This bill will help firefighters do their job more effectively by giving them access to the best safety equipment available. This is all part of our ongoing wildfire recovery and prevention efforts that will help communities across the state.” Previous Next

< Back March 14, 2022 HOUSE PASSES REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY ACT Legislation will protect and uphold the right to an abortion in Colorado DENVER, CO – The House today passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act on Third Reading and Final Passage by a vote of 40 to 24. “This is a big win for protecting access to abortion and reproductive health care,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Across the country, the GOP is introducing and passing extreme laws to criminalize those who seek reproductive health care, and to ban abortion entirely, with no exceptions. We’re here to say, that’s not going to happen in Colorado. We’re standing up to protect access to abortion and I’m thrilled the Reproductive Health Equity Act has passed the House.” “Today, our hours of endurance, dedication and perseverance to protect abortion paid off for Coloradans,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo . “We’re one step closer towards enshrining access to reproductive health care and abortion into Colorado law. We trust Coloradans to make their own medical decisions and that includes deciding whether or not they want to become a parent.” HB22-1279 , sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, would update Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights. The bill establishes a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. The proposed law comes as states across the country propose and enact new bans and restrictions on abortion access. The legislation is supported by: Cobalt, COLOR, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, the Anti-Defamation League of the Mountain States, the ACLU of Colorado, ONE Colorado, New Era Colorado, Catholics for Choice and dozens of other organizations. In Texas, Republicans passed legislation banning abortion after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. Additionally, the Texas Supreme Court today made it virtually impossible for abortion advocates to fight the bill by halting their use of federal courts. Republican lawmakers in Missouri have proposed legislation that would allow private lawsuits against individuals who help women obtain an abortion out of state. Another bill introduced in the Missouri House would make it illegal for pregnant people to abort ectopic pregnancies, pregnancies that happen outside of the uterus and which can lead to serious complications and even death if left untreated. House Democrats have already defeated three GOP anti-choice bills so far this session. HB22-1079 , sponsored by Representative Williams, was an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal courts and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. It would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , sponsored by Representative Neville, would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected providers who perform an abortion to imprisonment. HB22-1075 , sponsored by Representative Luck, would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers. Previous Next

< Back March 11, 2020 SIGNED! BUENTELLO’S DISABLED VETERAN PARK ACCESS PROPOSAL BECOMES LAW DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed Representative Bri Buentello’s bipartisan bill to allow veterans to more easily access State Parks free of charge into law. “This simple new law will ensure that those who have served our country don’t face barriers and red tape when visiting Colorado’s State Parks,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo. “With Fishers Peak in Southern Colorado becoming our newest State Park, this law could not have come at a better time. I’m proud that we were able to deliver a win for Colorado’s veterans today.” Currently, Colorado veterans who display a disabled license plate receive free access to Colorado’s state parks or recreation areas. Veterans who cannot, or do not, drive are unable to take advantage of free state park access. Now, under SB20-069 , disabled veterans will be able to enjoy free access to Colorado’s state parks without having to first acquire a license plate. It was previously passed by the House by a vote of 60-0. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed two bills that would prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster and reduce evictions by saving Colorado renters money on filing fees during eviction proceedings. < Back February 27, 2024 Bills to Prevent Price Gouging on Rent After a Disaster, Reduce Evictions Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed two bills that would prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster and reduce evictions by saving Colorado renters money on filing fees during eviction proceedings. “After the Marshall Fire, rents skyrocketed and priced people out of their community who just lost everything they owned,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB24-1259. “Our legislation will prevent excessive rent hikes after a declared disaster that generate profit from Coloradans’ suffering. This will protect Coloradans who have been displaced so they can rebuild their life after devastation.” "When a community suffers from a disaster, they shouldn't be faced with landlords seeking to profit off their devastation,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1259. “We’re extending Colorado’s consumer protection laws to prevent unscrupulous landlords from taking advantage of victims of disasters during their time of need." HB24-1259 , which passed by a vote of 6-4, would help protect Coloradans who have lost their home in a natural disaster from being taken advantage of by price gouging in rent. After a Governor- or Presidential-declared disaster, rent increases would be capped at the greater of 10% or the percentage rent increase in the previous year within the declared area for two years. The bill would make it a deceptive trade practice to price gouge when providing rental housing during this two-year period, allowing the Attorney General or a district attorney to pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties, under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Affected tenants would also be able to pursue civil action for violations. “When someone is being evicted from their home, they may not have the money to cover court costs,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1099. “These fees can cost over $80, which can lead many facing eviction to abandon efforts to fight the filing in court. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to reduce default evictions and remove these fees as a barrier to someone trying to keep their home.” HB24-1099 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, would eliminate filing fees, including e-filing fees and service fees, for renters during an eviction proceeding, ensuring that renters aren’t priced out of advocating for themselves in the eviction process. HB24-1099 passed by a vote of 9-0. Currently, defendants in eviction proceedings are charged filing fees and certain individuals can submit a motion to waive these fees. This bill removes fees associated with eviction proceedings to cut the red tape for defendants to eviction filings. Previous Next

< Back August 11, 2021 GARNETT, SULLIVAN REACT TO ERPO IMPLEMENTATION REPORT DENVER, CO– The Colorado Department of Law today released a report on implementation of the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Law, recommending continued education and outreach on how individuals can appropriately use it to help prevent gun violence. Speaker Alec Garnett and Representative Tom Sullivan, sponsors of the original bill, released the following statements. “The ERPO law was designed to save lives, and that’s exactly what it’s done in the year and a half since it took effect,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Today’s report confirms that the law is working as intended. Primarily employed by law enforcement officers, the protection orders allowed under ERPO have protected Coloradans from intimate partner violence, helped to prevent mass shootings, and have been used as a tool to intervene when suicide is threatened. I’m proud of the lives we’ve saved and look forward to continuing to monitor the progress of this law.” “Opponents of gun violence prevention laws often seek to slow down our progress by claiming that nothing can be done about the gun violence crisis in America,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Today’s report shows we are making change and saving lives. I’m proud to see so many police departments across the state use ERPO as a tool for their service to the community. It is my sincere hope that other departments will see the data presented today and take it as an opportunity to learn more about how they can also use the law to save lives. As the report highlights, the next major step we must take is to improve education and awareness around gun violence prevention, which is exactly what the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention is designed to do.” Previous Next

< Back May 30, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILL TO ENCOURAGE MORE GIRLS IN STEM INDUSTRY (May 30) – Gov Polis signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar and Rep. Lisa Cutter that would encourage young girls to go into the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field. “This new law will help get Colorado’s kids ready for jobs that haven’t even been imagined yet. Right now, we can’t see the full extent of the gender gap in computer science classrooms because Colorado doesn’t gather that information,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “If we start gathering this information, we can find the solutions to this challenge.” HB19-1277 provides computer science classroom participation data to understand the extend the gender gap in Colorado. The new law would also provide $250,000 per year to grant funding for three schools and districts who want to offer computer science courses and afterschool programs with an emphasis on participation by underrepresented groups, such as women. “We need to encourage our students, especially our young girls and underrepresented students to get involved in tech and science, which offer high paying jobs,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Evergreen. “This new law is a responsible investment in the future of our children and the future of our state.” Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee passed legislation to strengthen protections for Colorado’s mobile home park residents < Back March 19, 2024 Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee passed legislation to strengthen protections for Colorado’s mobile home park residents. HB24-1294, sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Elizabeth Velasco, would improve accessibility, strengthen rent-to-own contracts, and update tenant protections. “Over the years, we’ve stepped up to improve protections for Coloradans living in mobile parks and this bill clarifies crucial components of the Mobile Home Park Act and rent-to-own contacts,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “We’re continuing to improve protections for mobile home park residents by ensuring that both parties in a rent-to-own agreement are informed of their rights and responsibilities. We’re working to ensure that mobile homes remain affordable, and this bill protects our neighbors and keeps our communities whole.” “We are working to improve language accessibility and housing security for those living in mobile parks across our state,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “This bill would require that vital information related to lot rent increases and maintenance be posted in both English and Spanish. In addition to language accessibility, this bill also closes gaps in current law by updating tenancy and rent protections and improving transparency for rent-to-own contracts. This bill builds upon our efforts to keep mobile home park housing affordable and supports our neighbors.” HB24-1294 passed by a vote of 8 to 3 and would close some of the remaining gaps in the Mobile Home Park Act that have left some park residents vulnerable to displacement and financial harm. Specifically, this bill would update owner and landlord responsibilities, strengthen tenant protections, ensure important park notices and meetings are accessible to Spanish speakers, and clarify the conditions of the sale of mobile homes and parks. The bill also establishes clear provisions for rent-to-own contracts by ensuring that both parties in a “rent to own” agreement are informed of their rights and responsibilities, such as the steps to exercise a purchase option, and the refundability of payments in the event a tenancy terminates prematurely. To improve accessibility, this bill would require that parkwide meetings, and written notices of potential evictions or rent increases, are communicated and accessible in both English and Spanish. Additionally, this bill would clarify the circumstances when park residents are protected against rent increases. Colorado Democrats have passed legislation in recent years to strengthen protections for mobile home residents by improving water quality in mobile home parks ( HB23-1257 ), expanding protections provided under the Mobile Home Park Act (HB22-1287 ), and creating a pathway for residents to purchase the land under their mobile home ( HB20-1201 ). Previous Next

SB24-042 will provide outreach and support to individuals living with sickle cell disease < Back June 3, 2024 SIGNED! Legislation to Create a Sickle Cell Outreach Program Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation that will provide outreach and support to Coloradans living with sickle cell disease. Sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs and Assistant House Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, SB24-042 will create the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to provide support to individuals living with sickle cell disease. Outreach and support services will be administered by a nonprofit organization contracted through CDPHE. “Sickle cell disease is a debilitating condition that takes a toll on an individual’s health and quality of life,” said Fields. “Worse, we see disproportionately high rates of sickle cell disease in Black communities. This important program will provide critical outreach to individuals living with sickle cell disease to help connect folks to supportive health care and community services, and will help address long-standing health inequities that remain far too prevalent in marginalized communities across our state.” “Sickle cell disease can cause blockages in a person’s small blood vessels and be incredibly painful if left untreated,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs . “This law establishes the new, Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program, to provide critical outreach and support to Coloradans living with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black communities and this new outreach program will help bridge the gap between needed health care and access to care experienced by marginalized communities. I am proud to carry this legislation forward because it will improve health outcomes for so many in our state.” “Arie P. Taylor was a trailblazer as Colorado's first female Black representative,” Buckner said. “Creating this program in her name honors her legacy and ensures communities she represented have the support they need to thrive – just as Ms. Taylor envisioned. I’m proud to see this bill get signed into law and I look forward to seeing how the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program will support individuals and families and ultimately, change lives.” “Long-standing inequities in our health care system have left many Black Coloradans without access to the care they need, let alone specialized care,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This new law would establish the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program to connect people living with sickle cell disease with resources and support. Sickle cell disease is genetic, and unfortunately, the rates have been much higher among Black communities. Named after Colorado’s first Black female legislator, the new program honors Ms. Taylor’s legacy by providing individualized support to our community and works to bridge the gap in health care access.” Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells that carry oxygen to stick together after the oxygen is released, causing blockages in the small blood vessels, anemia, and severe pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sickle cell disease occurs among about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births and occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. Previous Next

Lawmakers yesterday introduced legislation that will restructure the refund mechanisms for state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. < Back May 1, 2024 Lawmakers Introduce New TABOR Refund Mechanism, Advance Tax Credits for Working Families DENVER, CO – Lawmakers yesterday introduced legislation that will restructure the refund mechanisms for state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. The bipartisan bill will temporarily lower income tax rates and create a new formula to determine future refund amounts through the six-tier refund mechanism and income rate reductions, and sales and use tax reductions in years with higher surpluses. These steps ensure Colorado will meet its commitment to fund critical services and schools during a recession while furthering efforts to reduce child poverty and boost the incomes of hardworking people through the new Family Affordability Tax Credit and expanded Earned Income Tax Credit . “Colorado is facing a choice; we can continue with our tax code that doesn’t benefit the majority of Coloradans, or we can boost the incomes of hardworking people, create a pro-family tax code, and cut child poverty in half,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This legislation, when combined with our Family Affordability Tax Credit and expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, will make our tax code more fair, boost the incomes of hardworking families and families with children, and cut child poverty in half in Colorado. I’m excited that we have found a way forward with Governor Polis to responsibly create new tax credits that benefit the majority of Coloradans and the people in our state that are feeling the brunt of our affordability crisis.” "Making sure Colorado's tax code works for all Coloradans is one of my top priorities, which is why this bill, combined with our work to bolster critical tax credits that benefit working families, is so important,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. "Taken together, these measures will put more money into the pockets of working Colorado families, cut child poverty in half, and make it easier to make ends meet." “I appreciate the work of so many organizations, lawmakers, and the governor who came together to create new tax credits that will cut child poverty, boost incomes for lower and middle-income people, and update our tax code so that it works for the majority of Coloradans, not just those at the top,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Colorado’s working families and children are counting on us to deliver meaningful tax relief, and I’m proud that we are going to deliver on this promise. The bill introduced today alongside our package of tax credits will make Colorado more affordable, put money back into the pockets of hardworking people, and help us forge a brighter future for millions of people who call our state home.” “Looking out for Colorado families means making sure they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent or affording other necessities,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield. “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’re going to see this session. I am extremely pleased to be a part of making this package of tax credits possible, because it will cut child poverty in half while benefiting the majority of Coloradans and making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.” “Working Coloradans need our support, and I am pleased to say that we have an opportunity to make a real, transformative difference for kids and families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver. “This package will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give every Colorado family the resources they need to thrive.” SB24-228 , sponsored by Mullica and Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, and Speaker Pro Tempore deGruy Kennedy and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, will create a new refund mechanism and formula to distribute state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. The legislation is part of an effort from House and Senate Democrats to boost tax credits for hardworking people and families with children. Under these proposals, hundreds of millions in tax credits will go to middle and lower income families and will cut the child poverty rate in half. These proven-anti poverty measures will boost the incomes of the majority of Coloradans. For tax year 2024, income tax rates will be temporarily reduced from 4.40 percent to 4.25 percent. For years 2025 through 2035, the income tax rate cut is activated and will fluctuate based on the amount of state revenues expected to exceed the TABOR cap after accounting for reimbursements to counties for the senior homestead exemption. If the surplus exceeds $1.5 billion after the temporary rate reduction and reimbursements to counties, then a fourth refund mechanism will be activated that will reduce sales and use tax rates by 0.13 percent. Whether the refund mechanisms are triggered and which ones will be triggered will depend on the amount of state revenues in excess of the TABOR cap. If remaining excess state revenues are less than or equal to $300 million, TABOR refunds are distributed only through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism; If remaining excess state revenues are greater than $300 million but less than or equal to $1.5 billion, TABOR refunds are distributed first through the income tax rate reduction and then through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism; And if remaining excess state revenues are greater than $1.5 billion, TABOR refunds are distributed first through the income tax rate reduction, next through the sales and use tax rate reduction, and finally through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism. Previous Next