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SB25-282, sponsored by disabled veterans, would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors < Back May 1, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard Services for Veterans SB25-282, sponsored by disabled veterans, would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation that would protect veterans from paying too much for veterans’ services from unaccredited bad actors. SB25-282, sponsored by Representative Lisa Feret, passed by a vote of 52-11. "I am deeply committed to protecting my fellow Veterans and making sure they can access the services and benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice for our country,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada . “‘Claim sharks’ have raked in millions of dollars each year from excessively charging fees on service members' disability claims, sometimes even when they don't even win. Our bill helps create guidelines in this unregulated space to protect our disabled veterans while allowing companies to help address the backlog of disability claims". SB25-282 would protect veterans from unaccredited consultants, often called “ claim sharks ,” who charge money to help navigate the application process to receive benefits from either the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) or the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill is also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud. The bill would mirror the regulations the federal government uses to regulate social security benefits from the Social Security Administration. It would require that businesses unambiguously notify veterans that they can receive the same services for free from the VA, clearly state that they are not affiliated with the VA, and limit the amount of money consultants can receive from veterans’ back pay. Previous Next

Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. < Back July 1, 2024 New Law to Create the Office of Rail Safety Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. HB24-1030 , sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, creates the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office is required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office is required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. "Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Cutter. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry." “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Mabrey. “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Exum said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.” “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Mauro. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.” The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by: Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination; Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems; Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches; Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations. Previous Next

The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to support military families. < Back February 16, 2024 House Advances Bills to Recognize and Support Military Families DENVER, CO - The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to support military families. HB24-1076 would create the Purple Star School Program to recognize K-12 public schools that provide support to military students and their families. HB24-1097 would extend the Occupational Credential Portability Program to dependents and Gold Star spouses of military members. “Children that are a part of military families are especially vulnerable to the changes that come with moving schools, making new friends and joining extracurricular activities mid-season,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB24-1076. “When I served in the Marine Corps, my own daughter once changed schools three times in one year. This legislation will help students that are part of military families during the transition process so they can focus on learning, growing and socializing within a program that fosters support.” “These important bills uplift our military families which strengthens communities, supports our workforce and recognizes the day-to-day sacrifices made by those who serve our nation and their families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076 and HB24-1097. “As the representative for a community with a long tradition of military service, the two pieces of legislation that advanced today will help ease the school transition for kids in military families and extend the Occupational Credential Portability Program to dependents and spouses of military members.” HB24-1076 establishes the Purple Star School Program to designate and recognize K-12 public schools that show a strong commitment to military-connected students and their families. The Purple State School Program has been adopted by 42 other states and is proven to help military-connected students combat the academic and socio-emotional challenges they often face due to frequent relocation, transferring schools, parental deployment and changing environments. To qualify for the Purple Star designation, schools must: Designate a staff member as a Military Liaison, Maintain a website with resources for military-connected students and families, Maintain student-led transition programs, and Offer professional development opportunities relating to military-connected students. HB24-1097 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, allows dependents and Gold Star spouses of US Armed Forces members to participate in the Occupational Credential Portability Program. It also changes the Occupational Credential Portability Program by: Eliminating the temporary nature of the licensing program, Requiring that regulators, when reviewing an application, focus on whether an applicant has a license in good standing, and Increases the validity of licenses from 3 to 6 years and makes them renewable. The Occupational Credential Portability Program was created by bipartisan 2020 legislation to streamline and centralize the credentialing of individuals licensed in another state. The law applies to professions ranging from doctors and veterinarians to electricians and barbers. Previous Next

Legislation would ensure compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide < Back April 16, 2025 ICYMI: Committee Passes Bill to Ensure Safe Housing and Strengthen Renter Protections Legislation would ensure compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee passed legislation expanding the Attorney General’s and local governments’ authority to initiate and enforce landlord-tenant laws, ensuring safe housing and strengthening renter protections. SB25-020, sponsored by Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Javier Mabrey, passed by a vote of 6-5. “Every Coloradan deserves access to safe, stable housing,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “When an apartment complex in my district in Aurora was closed due to years of unmanaged rodent infestations and structural damage, it was clear that we needed to take action to ensure we have the tools to hold property management companies accountable. This legislation would empower the Attorney General and local governments to step in when the health and safety of Colorado renters are at risk, creating safer housing for all.” “Far too many Coloradans have been forced to live in untenable, dangerous conditions due to bad-acting landlords turning a blind eye,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Aurora and Denver made national headlines last year, highlighting the need to bolster Colorado’s renter protections and crack down on property management companies who ignore Colorado’s housing protection laws. With this bill, we’re holding neglectful landlords accountable for side-stepping Colorado’s tenant protection laws and preventing more Coloradans from being stuck in unlivable housing situations.” SB25-020 would give the Colorado Attorney General authority to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, documentation requirements for housing agreements, and protections regarding bed bugs in residential homes. The bill would give counties and municipalities the ability to initiate and enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce. The bill would establish a process where, only in severe cases, residential housing may be placed into receivership - a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The bill outlines the process for receivership cases, including proper notice to parties, powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and the process for ending receiverships. Reps. Lindsay and Mabrey have championed numerous tenant protection laws, including legislation to prevent unnecessary and arbitrary evictions and strengthen residential lease agreements to protect renters from signing leases with harmful hidden language. They have also bolstered Colorado’s warrant of habitability law to ensure tenants have access to timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise and adding damage due to an environmental public health event to the list of conditions that make a property uninhabitable. Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today delivered opening remarks for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly. < Back January 10, 2024 Speaker McCluskie Delivers Opening Day Remarks DENVER, CO - Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today delivered opening remarks for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly. Selected excerpts from the Speaker’s remarks: “This session will be transformative for education in our state– a monumental leap forward in our endeavor to offer every student the world class education they deserve.” … “Lawmakers this year will present a meaningful package of bills to build more homes and save people money on housing. This starts with a broad statewide and regional approach to housing assessments and planning. It includes legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multifamily housing near transit and incentivizes local governments to preserve housing stock Coloradans can afford.” … “Just as every Coloradan deserves a home they can afford, every Coloradan deserves to live safely in their communities free from gun violence. I am excited for the work this year to improve public safety and reduce gun deaths with common sense policies driven by data and science. We will not let a fringe group’s lawsuits against the good work of this body deter us from saving lives.” Full text of the speech as prepared for delivery: Good morning and welcome to the People’s House! It’s wonderful to see everyone here. And It is my honor to open the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly. One of my favorite parts of opening day is seeing everyone’s families, and especially all the new additions. Congratulations again to Reps. Daugherty, Jodeh, Andy Kenney with Colorado Public Radio, and soon Representative Luck! I’m grateful to be joined here by my family. Thank you to my husband Jamie, and my parents Bob & Etta Strand. Your love, patience and support mean a great deal to me. I am blessed. It’s great to see the Republican leadership here in one piece after a successful summer on horseback. Everyone seems to be okay. No broken bones! Love to see it. Welcome as well to all our candidates for Congress. My goodness; there are a lot of you running this year! For some of you, today will be your last opening day in the House. To Representatives Catlin, deGruy Kennedy, Herod, McLachlan, and Weissman. Congratulations on seven - soon to be eight - successful years of public service. Your dedication and leadership will be a powerful legacy! I want to take a moment and ask all of you to join me in thanking all the wonderful people who make this place run. Our sergeants, custodial staff, nonpartisan staff in Legislative Council, Office of Legislative Legal Services, Joint Budget Committee, and our House Clerks. They do so much to make sure we can get our work done. Please join me in a round of applause. Members, as we begin this session, I’d like to take a moment to remember someone we lost last year, a True Coloradan. One of the greats. My friend and neighbor, John Fielder, showed us the immense beauty of our state and the feelings of wonder that are inherent to living in Colorado. I’m honored that his daughters, Katy and Ashley, son-in-law, Dan, and grandchildren, Savannah, Gigi, and Daniel, are here with us today. Please stand, and give them a warm welcome. From our cities and our mountains to our waters, forests, clean air, lakes, and prairies, his photographs remind us that we are always called to protect the state that we love. It’s important to acknowledge that these beautiful lands as captured through John’s lens were first those of the indigenous people who have called Colorado home for generations. Last year, the leaders of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes addressed the General Assembly for the first time. As they prepare to do so again on Ute Day in March, I urge us all to listen and lend our support to the priorities they present. With gratitude to History Colorado, today through the lens of John Fielder, Frank Muramoto, and Robert Wineberg, we will see reflections of our great state and something everyone can recognize as special. A place they’ve been. A moment that sparks curiosity. The grandeur of the natural world formed so long ago. Through their photographs, which will be displayed before you during my speech, we can see and feel the Colorado Spirit. What you’ll see in the photos behind me is what binds us together– the shared capacity to be in awe and to be moved by the Colorado Spirit. We are all people who feel the pressures, challenges and joys of serving our communities in these jobs. The people who work here, serve here and visit here all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. That’s the Colorado Way. It is also one of my three big goals for this session. It’s the Colorado Spirit that binds us together. The first goal I want to talk about today is how we can guarantee a fair shake for every member, respect our diversity of lived experiences and identities, and make civility in our discourse a priority. Each member represents thousands of Coloradans in just one district, each of us equal in our role as state representative. The House rules are here to guarantee that each member has one vote and one voice, and to ensure that no member's vote or voice is more important than another's. A fair shake for every member also means the opportunity to speak to legislation, offer amendments, and engage in the legislative process with the understanding you will be treated with respect. My request is that we take a moment to consider what we say, how we speak to a bill and the words we choose to make our points. To quote Ted Lasso who maybe quoted Walt Whitman: Be Curious, Not Judgemental. From Fielder’s magnificent landscapes to Muramoto’s 100 year old photos of Japanese Americans in Pueblo, we can see the curiosity they had for what was in front of their camera, and we can feel that Colorado Spirit ourselves when we look at their art. I’d like us to remember that curiosity and spirit in how we approach our conversations to engage in authentic debate with each other. That means raising respectful questions that further our desire to explore the subject at hand. It means listening and appreciating members’ responses, putting down your phone, getting off of social media and having real conversations with one another. We can engage on tough issues without disregarding the humanity and dignity of our colleagues or accusing each other of poor motives. To assist in these efforts, House Leadership will develop a consistent rubric to guide our conversations in the well. My thanks to Assistant Majority Leader Bacon, Representative Weissman and Speaker Pro Tempore deGruy Kennedy for getting the work off the ground on this important initiative. Finally, a fair shake means every lawmaker can come to work feeling safe. Let’s recommit ourselves to our Workplace Expectations Policy and work together to create a warm, safe, welcoming culture here in this Chamber, our home for the next 120 days. After all, this is the people’s House. We have and will continue to take all steps necessary to honor the people who come here to share their hopes, dreams and concerns. I appreciate the work of our Chief Clerk and the House Services committee this interim to implement new guidance and training protocols for staff that allow everyone the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. We can do all these things because we have done them before. Where we have fallen short in the past, we must redouble our efforts to do better this session. One of the hallmarks of our legislature is that we find ways to reach across the aisle on important policies that impact our communities. Experience shows us that we’re stronger when we collaborate, so my second big goal for this session is to renew our focus on how we can channel the Colorado Spirit and work together to achieve lasting policy results. Last year, we passed important bipartisan legislation to reduce the risk of wildfires, improve student math scores, boost microchip production and create jobs. Working across party lines, we created the Office of School Safety, increased funding for special education, and improved transparency into hospital costs. Two years ago, we worked together to allocate federal stimulus dollars to build more housing, expand workforce training, and increase access to behavioral health care. It’s exciting to see these grants fund critical efforts all across our state. Since we adjourned last May, more than $118 million from legislation we passed is building or preserving nearly 2,900 affordable housing units in 34 developments and 30 counties. Buena Vista was awarded $1.35 million to build 129 units. Alamosa will deploy $4.2 million to build a community with 406 new affordable units for renters, homeowners and seniors. $6.2 million is adding 28 units to the Ordway East Duplex Development project in southeast Colorado. $3 million is helping build 175 units at the Hope Springs development in Greeley. And $4.4 million will go to rehabilitate the Helen Hunt Campus– transitional housing that serves the Pikes Peak region. That’s just to name a few. Additionally, investing in our workforce is an issue that is near and dear to me. Now at over 20 higher education institutions from Otero, Fort Morgan and Pueblo Community Colleges to our area technical colleges and my home institution of Colorado Mountain College, students can now earn a completely free credential for a career in nursing, teaching, firefighting, construction, or law enforcement. Opportunity Now grants are directing $90 million to 46 new career pathways that bring together education institutions and businesses to help workers learn the skills they need to enter high-demand industries. For example, The Northeast Colorado BOCES will partner with Haxtun Health, the Colorado Education Initiative and Northeastern Junior College to create pathways to careers to meet workforce needs in northeast Colorado. We have a dire need to support the recruitment and retention of teachers, particularly teachers of color. With teachers of color making up 40 percent of their graduate students, Relay School of Education will partner with Denver Public Schools and use nearly $2.5 million to offer four and two year licenses in teaching while participants work full time at partner schools. In addition to supporting our workforce, we also allocated millions of dollars in broadband investments to connect thousands of Coloradans to high speed internet in Craig, Hayden, Montrose, Olathe, Ouray, Ridgeway, and Pueblo. These are just a handful of the many success stories we share as a body. And it shows me that when we work together, we can make a real difference. While a lot of these grants received little fanfare, they are truly transforming Colorado communities. Last year, Democrats had tremendous success working together and collaborating toward common goals shared by the vast majority of Coloradans. We passed a landmark package of reproductive health laws that will protect patients, expand access to abortion and secure the health care people in our state, or those coming here, need. Public opinion polls show that Coloradans agree: common sense gun violence prevention laws make our communities safer. We passed five new gun safety measures that will crack down on ghost guns, require a three day waiting period, increase the age to purchase a firearm and allow victims of gun violence to seek justice. When we worked together, we passed laws to save people money on health care, prescription drugs and utility bills. We created a right to repair for agriculture equipment! I’m so proud of our work to save Coloradans money on electric vehicles, green transit options, and clean energy alternatives that will improve our air, protect our water, and help us meet our climate goals. And during our special session, we came together with near unanimous approval from Democrats to deliver urgent property tax relief, rental assistance and significant support for working families. It’s clear that when we collaborate, we get things done for Colorado. As we redouble our efforts to work together, we do so with a clear objective in mind– to deliver the results Coloradans want to see. My third big goal this session is to help us be successful in passing policies that align with our shared values and make the progress Coloradans are looking for. From our youngest Coloradans to students pursuing higher education degrees or looking to advance their careers, supporting learners at all stages will be front and center because education is the foundation of our society. I am excited that this will be the year, the year, we finally eliminate the budget stabilization factor. This means we will deliver a historic level of funding to Colorado schools that districts can use to increase teacher and educator pay, reduce class sizes, and set our students up to thrive. Reaching this overall funding level is a foundational achievement in and of its own, but we cannot stop there. We will drive equity into the school finance formula and bolster the funding that goes to our small rural remote districts and those with more at-risk students, or students in need. This session will be transformative for education in our state– a monumental leap forward in our endeavor to offer every student the world class education they deserve. And building on our work to improve K-12 education, we will continue to transform how Coloradans can enter the careers of their dreams in high-demand fields. Businesses, chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, unions and trade associations are stepping up to create affordable pathways to the jobs of the future. These inspiring efforts are increasing employment and revitalizing communities who need workers. That is why we will continue to partner with these leaders to create an economy-for-all. Also this year, we renew our efforts to make our state more affordable so that every Coloradan can live in the communities they call home. This begins with housing. Last year, we did not accomplish everything we’d hoped for, but this year, we will try again and deliver. Over the summer, Representative Mabrey asked if I would go with him to Eviction Court. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated this experience. The hardship and economic instability that follows eviction is devastating for families and can lead to cycles of joblessness and homelessness. Each and every eviction is heartbreaking, and this year Denver alone reached 13,000 evictions, the most since 2008 when records first started. I know how hard Rep. Mabrey and Majority Leader Duran are working to reduce evictions and help people have a fair chance to stay in their homes. I applaud their work to prohibit evictions except for cause. Lawmakers this year will present a meaningful package of bills to build more homes and save people money on housing. This starts with a broad statewide and regional approach to housing assessments and planning. It includes legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multifamily housing near transit and incentivizes local governments to preserve housing stock Coloradans can afford. Join me in this goal to deliver these critical policy outcomes that will make our state more affordable and boost the economic security of hardworking families. Just as every Coloradan deserves a home they can afford, every Coloradan deserves to live safely in their communities free from gun violence. I am excited for the work this year to improve public safety and reduce gun deaths with common sense policies driven by data and science. We will not let a fringe group’s lawsuits against the good work of this body deter us from saving lives. Prioritizing the health and safety of Coloradans is a commitment we make and there should be no disagreement that our changing climate is harming communities in our state. Our response must meet the moment. We cannot bury our heads in the sand with junk science and climate denialism while our neighbors face chronic health conditions from air pollution, annual wildfire evacuations, agricultural losses, and the erosion of our future. Far too often, the impacts of this crisis fall disproportionately on people of color, marginalized communities and vulnerable Coloradans, leading to cycles of poverty and health disparities. It will continue to be a top priority for us to improve our air quality, crack down on harmful emissions, and increase transit options to protect the future of this state. Building a brighter future for our state will always be our focus, but while we cannot right the wrongs of the past, we can learn and strive to eliminate the health, education, and economic disparities that continue to harm people of color in our state. This year, we will pass legislation to create a trailblazing investigation proposed and led by the Black Caucus to look into how systems of racism, state actions, and discrimination in housing, health care and education have led to longstanding inequalities for Black Coloradans. We come here to serve all Colorado. While our efforts to build more housing, improve education, and protect our environment will boost our entire state, we know that rural Colorado and our agriculture industry are facing unique challenges that demand our attention. From agriculture and outdoor recreation to tourism and mining, a mix of economic drivers fuel Colorado’s rural economies, which are also facing a range of different pressures from environmental to market forces. This session, we intend to reauthorize the bipartisan Rural Economic Development Initiative and Rural Jumpstart Tax Credit, which will create jobs and boost small businesses from our Eastern Plains to our Western Slope. Water is intrinsic to the Colorado Spirit, and the lifeblood of our agriculture industry and tourism economies. The recent United States Supreme Court decision about the definition of Waters of the United States leaves many of our waterways in Colorado unprotected. In the wake of this difficult decision, we have an opportunity to take action to reestablish these critical protections. Based on the recommendations of the Colorado River Drought Task Force, we will pass legislation to secure our water future for generations to come and protect the majestical and pristine landscapes of our beloved state. Like the incredible Colorado landscape we seek to protect, photography is often breathtaking, inspiring and complex. The person behind the camera can choose what to put in their frame, what to bring into focus and what to leave to our imagination. But what the photographers I’ve featured today captured for us was something deeply truthful, the unadulterated force that is the Colorado spirit. What we see at the national level with partisan politics and personal attacks is not what we want to see in Colorado. That’s not the Colorado spirit. We can disagree without trying to score points. It is a choice we can make, and I urge us to embody the Colorado spirit in our debates. This session is a new opportunity for all of us. Our recent experience shows that when we collaborate and listen to each other, we deliver on our progressive values and move Colorado forward. Serving in this chamber is a profound privilege I hope we cherish and use for the good of all. Every one of you deserves a fair shake to do that, and I am committed to making sure that you have it. Upholding our promises will require us to work together and hold one another accountable to be our better angels. Join me, join one another in making this commitment today. Now it is time to get to work. The members of the House Majority were elected with a clear focus to deliver for Colorado, and my goal is to make sure that happens. Thank you Members for your dedication to the people of our state, and it is my honor to open the Second Regular Session of the 74th Colorado General Assembly! Previous Next

SB25-008 would make it easier for Colorado residents who are survivors of crime or natural disasters, low-income or older to obtain government IDs < Back April 22, 2025 Bill to Streamline Colorado’s Necessary Document Program Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to streamline access to necessary identification documents for vulnerable and low-income Coloradans. SB25-008 passed committee by a vote of 9-4. “Without identification documents like driver’s licenses and birth certificates, it’s nearly impossible for Coloradans to open a bank account, secure housing or access health care,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill removes barriers to obtaining IDs to help our most vulnerable community members, including low-income earners, unhoused Coloradans, and survivors of domestic violence or natural disasters. This program provides equitable access to legal documents, and this bill streamlines the program to help Coloradans get back on their feet.” Colorado’s existing Necessary Document Program requires Colorado residents who are victims of domestic violence, impacted by a natural disaster, low-income, disabled, experiencing homelessness, or elderly to pay the fees to acquire necessary documents like birth certificates and driver’s licenses. SB25-008 would update the program to allow eligible individuals to acquire these documents for free directly at the point of service. Eligible individuals still have to prove their full legal name, date of birth, identity, and lawful presence in the United States. SB25-008 would streamline administrative barriers to the Necessary Document Program without changing documentation requirements. Administrative challenges tend to delay vouchers. Additionally, vouchers are time-limited to 30 days after they are distributed to the client, which means they are often not able to be utilized before they expire. This bill would break down some of the complicated program structure that makes it more difficult for Coloradans to receive vouchers and expand the number of locations where individuals can obtain necessary documents. Previous Next

Legislation would build more homes for every budget, lower costs for Colorado families, reduce traffic and improve air quality < Back May 5, 2023 House Advances Legislation to Build More Housing Now Legislation would build more homes for every budget, lower costs for Colorado families, reduce traffic and improve air quality DENVER, CO - The House today advanced landmark legislation sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Iman Jodeh on a preliminary vote to create more housing for every budget. The legislation will next be considered for third reading and final passage in the House. “Our current system is broken. We must take action now to address Colorado's affordability crisis and build more housing now,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “Coloradans are being forced out of their communities and commuting long distances to get to their workplace while our housing shortage makes it harder to attract new businesses. Our plan will legalize the types of homes Coloradans want and can afford while increasing density near transit hubs. This will reduce the cost of housing, improve our air, and create jobs. We must take bold action now to increase our housing supply and build homes for every Coloradans’ budget, and we will.” “Colorado’s housing shortage is displacing Colorado families and making it harder to continue to call Colorado home,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “From first time homebuyers and seniors to teachers and firefighters, our community members are commuting long distances just to get to their workplace. Half measures and baby steps will not solve this problem. The cost of doing business in Colorado is going up because workers can’t find a place to live that they can afford. If we don’t act now, building a future in Colorado will become harder and harder and we’ll continue to see lower-income and hardworking Coloradans struggle with the high cost of living in our state.” SB23-213 is a comprehensive bill that establishes a framework for more housing in Colorado communities while providing flexibility for local leaders to implement standards that meet the needs of their diverse communities. By allowing more housing, this proposal will lead to more housing options for every budget so that Coloradans can live in the communities they want without being priced out. The plan also helps improve air quality, protect open space, conserve water and plan for future growth while helping prevent displacement. A PEW study found that restrictive zoning policies make it more difficult and expensive to build new housing that accommodates a community’s housing needs, which causes home prices and rents to skyrocket. Another 2023 study found that rent prices across Colorado increased by 31 percent on average from January 2017 to January 2023, while municipalities that implemented similar reforms saw minimal rent increases. Cities like Mineappolis, Minnesota, New Rochelle, New York, Portland, Oregon, and Tysons, Virginia have updated their zoning codes to allow for more and lower-cost housing options to address their housing needs. These zoning reforms have successfully limited rental price increases at 0 to 5 percent, compared to Colorado rental increases between 22 to 53 percent. Colorado’s population increased 14.8 percent between 2010 and 2020, but the housing stock only grew by 12.6 percent. With housing stock not meeting population demands and low household sizes, Coloradans are left to compete over limited housing opportunities. Many jurisdictions only allow single-family detached housing, often on a large lot and with significant parking requirements. Research shows that reducing or removing minimum parking mandates can reduce the cost to construct more affordable homes like multifamily housing. It also encourages alternative and environmentally friendly transportation like walking and biking. SB23-213, as amended by the House, will allow property owners in urban municipalities to build ADUs on their property, enact locally tailored anti-displacement and affordability measures, encourage multi-family housing near mass transit hubs, and reduce minimum parking requirements that drive up housing construction costs and lead to higher rents. The plan outlines strategies to create more housing now including: Legalizing the ability to build ADUs in existing residential areas in urban municipalities, Reducing parking minimums in strategic growth areas, key corridors and transit-oriented developments as well as for accessory dwelling units. Paves the way for more multifamily housing in or near transit-oriented and walkable communities to lessen the number of cars on the road, improve air quality, reduce pollution, and save people money on commutes, Assessing statewide housing needs and identifying affordability strategies tailored to local and regional needs. The bill will provide a framework for state, regional, and local agencies to strategically align investments and policies and track progress, and Constructing more homes and creating jobs by eliminating arbitrary laws that prevent property owners from building the housing units local communities need. Previous Next

Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of legislation that will improve maternal health care in Colorado and streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program. < Back June 5, 2024 ICYMI: Governor Signs Bills to Support Colorado Families DENVER, CO - Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of legislation that will improve maternal health care in Colorado and streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program. HB24-1223 , sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, and Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, increases access to childcare through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program by creating a simplified universal application and limiting the application information to only what is necessary to determine eligibility. “Child care is critical to getting parents back into the workforce so they can earn income that helps them keep a roof over their head,” said Willford. “This legislation will connect Colorado parents to affordable child care so they can more easily advance in their career and support their family.” “Navigating work, appointments, and day-to-day activities can be a challenge for young families, especially if they don’t have access to child care,” Cutter said. “HB-1223 will remove time-consuming, unnecessary information from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program application, making it easier for families to sign up and access the child care they need.” “Lack of access to child care can be a barrier that prevents parents from returning to work, which is why we’re passing this legislation to simplify the process to receive child care assistance,” said Garcia. “HB24-1223 streamlines and simplifies the process parents have to take to benefit from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program so they can get their kids in affordable, quality care easier. I'm also proud that our legislation to address the maternal health crisis is now law after a report found that 89 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Colorado were deemed preventable, especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. This new law works to increase access to maternal care, including midwives, to provide trauma-informed care, safe transitions, and other wraparound services so pregnant Coloradans can receive the care they need.” HB24-1262 , also sponsored by Representative Garcia and Senator Michaelson Jenet, as well as Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, requires collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period and mandates advance notice be given to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. “The maternal mortality crisis disproportionately impacts Black and immigrant communities, which is especially important to diverse families in my district,” said Buckner. “This law takes a holistic approach to addressing the crisis by increasing the number of maternal health care providers, collecting data on mistreatment, and studying the ways we can improve care.” “As a new mom, I know how important it is to have quality health care providers by your side that will advocate for the best health outcomes for you and your baby,” said Jodeh. “Families should have the freedom to choose a health care provider that best fits their needs, especially for the Black and Indigenous Coloradans that are two to three times as likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth. This law will help improve Coloradans’ access to life-saving health care to keep Colorado families safe and healthy.” “The bills signed into law will be huge for Colorado’s families,” Michaelson Jenet said. “We’re not only implementing measures to combat the maternal mortality crisis, but we’re also making it easier for families to access affordable child care when they get to that stage of life. These laws will save and improve lives – especially in historically marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by the maternal health crisis and child care deserts.” The law also: Directs the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination; Adds a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board; Requires a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services; Requires the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study the availability of perinatal health care, facility and practice closures and the impacts on maternal and infant health, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly; and Adds pregnancy as a protected class for the purposes of discrimination in places of public accommodation. The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee made recommendations to combat the maternal mortality crisis, including increasing access to varied health care like midwifery, addressing maternal health workforce shortages, and studying the impact of facility shortages on Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, rural, and immigrant and refugee communities. A 2022 report found that 38 percent of Colorado counties are a maternal health care desert, meaning they don’t have perinatal health care providers or birth centers. A 2023 report found that Black Coloradans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or within one year postpartum, while Indigenous Coloradans are three times as likely. Previous Next

The House Health and Human Services Committee 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.  < Back February 20, 2024 Legislation to Protect Youth in Sports Passed Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health and Human Services Committee 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. “Youth sports are incredibly popular in Colorado at all ages and skill levels. This legislation expands the use of background checks, CPR and First Aid training to ensure our kids can learn, play and compete in the safest environment possible,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . "An important part of protecting kids is working to ensure harm doesn’t happen in the first place.” “Keeping our youth safe while participating in non-school related sports is a top priority,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “This legislation would require youth sports organizations to run criminal background checks on coaches and other leading personnel as well as require personnel to receive First Aid certifications to keep our kids safe.” HB24-1080 , which passed committee by a vote of 9 to 3, 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 and First Aid/AED 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

The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to increase awareness of services, resources, and benefits for veterans. The bill passed in committee by a vote of 7-3. < Back February 8, 2024 Bill to Raise Awareness of Veterans Resources Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to increase awareness of services, resources, and benefits for veterans. The bill passed in committee by a vote of 7-3. “Veterans disproportionately suffer from mental health struggles, and they should know there are plenty of services available to them,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “We’ve passed legislation in recent years to expand resources for veterans, but many people don’t know how to take advantage of these services. By sharing veteran resource information with employees, we can raise awareness of available resources to access mental health services, save them money, and other beneficial programs.” “There are a lot of resources out there for veterans that can help them find a job, access mental health care, and save them money, but they may not know that this information is available to them,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This bill would require this information to be available in Colorado workplaces, increasing awareness of the services available to veterans.” HB24-1110 would require businesses to create and distribute information about veterans’ services, resources, and benefits and post the information in the workplace if they have more than 50 employees. In recent years, the Colorado General Assembly has passed legislation to expand property tax exemptions for veterans with a disability ( HB23-1052 ), expand access to behavioral health services ( HB23-1088 ), continue state income tax deductions for military retirement benefits ( HB23-1084 ), and implement housing protections for veterans and active military members ( HB22-1102 ). Previous Next

< Back May 25, 2021 FAMILIES FIRST! COMMITTEE VOTES TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME COLORADANS WITH DIAPERS AND EXPAND FAMILY PLANNING COVERAGE DENVER, CO– The House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee today advanced two bills to help parents with newborns afford diapers and ensure more Coloradans have the support they need to plan for their families’ future. “As a new mom, I’ve become more acutely aware of the difficulties that families struggle with while trying to provide a great life for their babies,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, sponsor of both SB21-025 and SB21-027. “That’s why I’m so proud that today we moved to help families afford diapers – one of the most basic necessities that a young family has. I’m also excited that more Coloradans will soon be eligible for family planning services that will ensure they are empowered to make their own decisions about when and how to start a family.” “Even before the pandemic began, far too many families in Colorado were struggling to afford diapers for their kids,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, sponsor of SB21-027. “The pandemic’s devastating impact on jobs and hardworking families only made matters worse and put moms and kids in further danger. As moms and lawmakers, my co-prime sponsors and I decided we wouldn’t accept this heartbreaking reality in our state. Today, we’re one step closer to giving young families the support they deserve.” SB21-027 would help new and recent parents care for their children by ensuring that diaper essentials are available to all low-income families in Colorado. The bill provides $4 million for this purpose and asks the Colorado Department of Human Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to administer diaper distribution centers. Despite the high cost of diapers and estimates that show about 1 in 3 U.S. families report needing more diapers, diapers cannot be purchased through public assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Woman, Infants, and Children program (WIC). The bill passed by a vote of 7-5. SB21-025 , also sponsored by Rep. Perry Will, R-New Castle, would expand Medicaid coverage for family planning services to more individuals who are currently prevented from accessing care because they are just above the eligibility limit. The coverage would give more Coloradans the resources and information necessary to make decisions about how and when to start a family by providing counseling services, access to contraceptives, and information regarding available health care coverage. A majority of states across the country have already taken up the option to raise the Medicaid eligibility. The bill passed by a vote of 7-5. Previous Next

< Back February 13, 2023 Bill Closes Corporate Tax Loophole to Boost Food Assistance and Small Businesses DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to close tax loopholes that allow wealthy corporations to deduct business meal and drink expenses from their taxable income in order to expand access to healthy foods in lower-income and under-served communities and help small food retailers and small family farms. It passed by a vote of 7-4. “Everyday Coloradans don’t get a tax break on their lunches, and neither should wealthy corporations,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D- Aurora. “Hard-working Coloradans are pinching pennies to feed their families while CEOs get a tax break on their ‘three martini’ lunches. One in three adults living with children have reported skipping meals or eating smaller portions so their kids have enough food to eat. This bill would close this tax loophole and use the savings to provide food assistance to under-served communities and support our local farmers and food producers.” Currently, Colorado taxpayers collectively cover the cost of the “business meals deduction” because state tax deductions are linked to federal tax deductions. HB23-1008 would “decouple” from these federal income tax deductions, ending the resulting state tax loophole that allows wealthy corporations to deduct business meal expenses from their taxes. Ending these tax deductions would create revenue to reduce food insecurity for hard-working Coloradans and fund a tax credit to help our local farmers and food retailers access necessary equipment and better access market opportunities. This bill builds off bipartisan legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2022 to save Coloradans money on healthy foods. It allocates $1 million annually to the Healthy Food Incentive Fund, which provides healthy eating incentives for low-income Coloradans and makes it easier for these communities to access fresh, local fruits and vegetables. The fund created by the 2022 legislation supports programs including the Community Nutrition Incentive Program, which assists women, children, and older Coloradans in subscribing to weekly produce deliveries from a local farm; the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which doubles the value of SNAP benefits in participating markets and stores for fruits and vegetables; and the Community Food Access program, which allows more small retailers to acquire equipment to store and sell produce and supports small family farms in connecting their crops to market demand. HB23-1008 also creates an income tax credit for small food retailers and small family farms to cover 75% of the cost of new systems and equipment. Partnering with Colorado farms and food producers boosts revenue and cycles money into local economies. The Double Up Food Bucks Program provides a 2.5% economic multiplier, putting more money into the pockets of Colorado farmers and the local agricultural industry and expanding access to healthy foods. Increased subscriptions means that local farmers can afford to expand their operations, grow varied produce, and improve farming equipment. Previous Next