Search Results

Representatives Cathy Kipp and Andrew Boesenecker today released the following statements regarding the incident at Colorado State University: < Back September 6, 2024 Fort Collins State Reps Statements on Incident at CSU Fraternity FORT COLLINS, CO - Representatives Cathy Kipp and Andrew Boesenecker today released the following statements regarding the incident at Colorado State University: Statement from Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins: “Racism has no place in Colorado. Everyone on campus can and should feel safe at all times, and I deeply appreciate Colorado State University’s commitment to inclusivity. We stand in solidarity with all those affected by these events and look forward to seeing the results of the university’s review of this incident.” Statement from Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins: “Colorado State University and the Fort Collins community do not stand for racism and hatred of any kind. We understand CSU is collecting information regarding the incident that occurred at a fraternity on Thursday, and we condemn racism in the strongest terms. I am committed to moving Fort Collins forward as a place free from hatred, and I stand in solidarity with all impacted community members.” 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

< Back February 27, 2020 SCORE! COLLEGE ATHLETES A STEP CLOSER TO EARNING COMPENSATION FOR THEIR LIKENESS The House Committee on Education today passed landmark legislation to allow collegiate athletes to be compensated for the use of their likeness. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and James Coleman, passed by 11-2. “College sports are a cash cow for institutions and corporations alike, but the athletes who diligently train, work and perform every week aren’t sharing in the prosperity,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “This bill will support those college athletes by allowing them to profit off of their image and likeness and to monetize the brand they have worked so hard to cultivate.” “College athletes work their whole life to earn the right to play at this level,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver . “America loves to cheer on their favorite athletes, and more and more Americans are turning to college sports for entertainment. This is a substantive way to support the hard work of the young athletes who so many of us follow and admire.” Last October, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Board of Governors announced their intention to permit student athletes to profit from the use of their likeness. Prior to the NCAA announcement, California passed a bill that banned in-state schools from preventing athletes from accepting compensation from advertisers. It also allows them to hire agents. Illinois , New York , Florida and now Colorado have introduced bills to allow for athletes to profit from their likeness. SB20-123 would prevent higher education institutions in Colorado from upholding any rule, requirement, standard or other limitation that prevents a student athlete of the institution from earning compensation from the use of the athlete’s name, image or likeness. The bill would also prevent collegiate institutions from providing prospective athletes with compensation prior to their signing. Additionally, athletes will be able to secure athletic and legal representation, and any compensation the athlete receives cannot affect their eligibility to participate in collegiate sports. Athletes who decide to enter into an endorsement deal would have to let the athletic directors of their institutions know 72 hours after the contract is signed. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that brings down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. < Back May 9, 2025 Democrats Save Coloradans Money with New Law that Cracks Down on Price Gouging DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that brings down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. “Price gouging hurts hardworking Coloradans and mom-and-pop businesses, which is why I sponsored this law that will hold bad actors accountable,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent, and as a mom to three young children, I have personally felt the pressure facing so many of our Colorado families. With this bill being signed into law today, Colorado Democrats are standing up against corporate price gouging to reduce the cost of everyday necessities.” “This bill is about putting public welfare and consumer protection ahead of corporate greed,” said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Time and time again, we have seen bad actors use disasters as an excuse to raise prices on necessities and line their own pockets. It’s time for us to step in and ensure that Colorado families can purchase the things they need – like groceries and diapers – at prices they can afford during times of crisis.” “With corporate bad actors driving prices higher on groceries and everyday necessities, Colorado Democrats are taking action to stop price gouging and save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “While the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and supply chain issues have impacted prices, bad-acting corporations have taken advantage of these factors to jack up prices just to increase their profits. While Republicans in the legislature sided with wealthy corporations, our majority passed this law to help tackle the rising cost of living, put an end to corporate price gouging and make Colorado a more affordable place to live for all.” HB25-1010 prohibits price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries, during a declared emergency. In this law, price gouging is defined as a price increase of 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good that is not attributable to seasonal pricing. Necessities include goods and services essential for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, like groceries and toiletries. A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Colorado Democrats passed a 2024 law , also sponsored by Rep. Brown and Sen. Weissman, to prevent price gouging on rent after a natural disaster. The law was inspired after rents skyrocketed for Coloradans who lost their homes after the Marshall Fire, pricing vulnerable Coloradans out of their communities. Another law created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to limit Big Pharma price gouging of life-saving prescription drugs, helping lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 MORE COLORADANS TO SAVE MONEY ON HOUSING WITH HB22-1051 DENVER, CO – The House Transportation and Local Government Committee today passed legislation to make housing more affordable and save Coloradans money on housing. “We’re working hard this session to save Coloradans money everywhere we can, and that’s what this bill will do by increasing access to affordable housing,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Every Coloradan should be able to afford a place to live. This bill will help bring down the cost of housing so that more Colorado families can have a secure future.” HB22-1051 , which passed by a vote of 10-2, is sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Hugh McKean. It would extend the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Colorado Affordable Tax Credit program until 2034 and increase annual funding for the program from $10 million to $15 million. The tax credit program helps leverage private funds to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. According to CHFA , the tax credit program has directly supported the development of 8,294 affordable rental units and allowed CHFA to support 28,267 total units using state and federal funds. The development of these units is estimated to generate over $3.6 billion in economic activity for the state and support almost 24,000 jobs. The program is an important source of workforce housing and supports affordable housing in communities in all regions of the state. The tax credits generate over $1 billion in private sector equity investment in Colorado that otherwise would not have occurred. Previous Next

New laws improve access to insurance plans, address underinsurance, reduce the costs of rebuilding and protect tenants in properties damaged by wildfire < Back May 12, 2023 Polis Signs Laws to Help Victims of Wildfire Rebuild New laws improve access to insurance plans, address underinsurance, reduce the costs of rebuilding and protect tenants in properties damaged by wildfire BOULDER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed four bills into law that will protect homeowners’ access to insurance plans, address underinsurance issues that leave property owners without the coverage they need, lower the cost of rebuilding, and ensure tenants aren’t forced to return to unsafe rental properties. HB23-1174 , sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Judy Amabile and Senators Dylan Roberts and Mark Baisley, addresses homeowner underinsurance for damaged homes or structures. It requires home insurance companies to offer a variety of options to cover the costs of repair or replacement for a damaged or destroyed structure. HB23-1288 , sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Amabile, and Senator Roberts creates a nonprofit public entity to guarantee Coloradans with homes and commercial properties located in wildfire zones can receive homeowners or commercial insurance if insurance companies do not offer them coverage. This law ensures Coloradans will be able to insure their homes and commercial spaces as wildfires grow in frequency and destruction. “The rising frequency of wildfire disasters is making it harder for property owners to find insurance plans while many homeowners that do have insurance have found their plans won’t cover all their rebuilding costs,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1174 and HB23-1288. “We’re looking ahead to stabilize the insurance industry by creating a plan of last resort in the event a property owner can’t find an insurance company that will offer them coverage. With the laws Governor Polis just signed, property owners will have additional coverage options to ensure their homes are protected when disaster strikes.” “Wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent and destructive, and that is making it difficult or sometimes impossible for folks who live in rural communities like mine to purchase homeowners insurance that meets their needs,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, sponsor of HB23-1174 and HB23-1288. “The bolstered protections offered by HB 1174 and the FAIR Insurance Plan will help protect vulnerable Coloradans and allow people to insure their homes, businesses, and property against potential disasters.” “I’m proud that Governor Polis has signed my bill into law to offer Coloradans additional insurance options that will protect them from the devastating costs of rebuilding after a wildfire,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB23-1174. “After the Marshall Fire, thousands of homeowners faced unanticipated rebuilding costs because their insurance plans didn’t offer enough coverage. Now, Coloradans will be able to purchase coverage that meets their needs and protects them from the increasing risk of more destructive fires.” “Wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive in Colorado, and we need to ensure our neighbors and communities are protected, ” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1288. “Through this legislation, we’re creating a FAIR insurance plan especially for Coloradans living in wildfire prone areas to insure their homes, businesses and livelihood. Property owners are already struggling to find insurance, and we are hearing from constituents that some may not be able to purchase insurance at all. We’re committed to doing everything we can to help property owners insure their structures as climate change continues to drive increasingly destructive natural disasters.” HB23-1240 , sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Judy Amabile and Senator Fenberg, creates a state sales and use tax exemption for construction and building materials for homeowners looking to rebuild or repair their home that was damaged in a declared wildfire disaster. The exemption for qualified purchases is administered through a refund process, which must be claimed by June 30, 2028, and allows homeowners that have already made purchases to retroactively claim a refund. “Folks recovering from the Marshall Fire have enough to deal with, and shouldn’t be taxed on rebuilding their homes,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “This law will make it easier for survivors to put their lives back together and move forward from this disaster.” “The sales tax exemption Governor Polis signed today will save victims of the Marshall fire money as they rebuild their homes,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1240. “There’s no reason the government should be bringing in tax revenue that comes as a result of rebuilding from a natural disaster. This law will make it easier for victims of recent fires to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.” “With global inflation increasing the cost of rebuilding homes, it’s been challenging for many families to move back into their residences after the Marshall Fire,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville sponsor of HB23-1240 and HB23-1254. “The bills Governor Polis just signed create new protections for renters so they aren’t forced to live in properties that are uninhabitable, and save Coloradans money as they rebuild their homes.” HB23-1254 , sponsored by Representatives Brown and Javier Mabrey and Senator Lisa Cutter, bolsters renter protections in the state’s warranty of habitability by adding lack of compliance with certain standards following an environmental public health event to the list of conditions that make a property uninhabitable. It also adds additional protections for members of a vulnerable population, including allowing such a tenant to terminate their lease if certain conditions are met. “As our climate becomes more unpredictable and weather becomes increasingly severe, the number of homes impacted will continue to grow,” Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, said. “This new law will bolster critical protections for Colorado renters and ensures folks won’t be forced into unsafe living situations if disaster strikes.” “The Marshall Fire displaced many Coloradans and when they were unable to find anything available that was in their budget, many felt pressured to return to the damaged rental property just to have a roof over their head,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1254 . “No one should feel cornered into living in housing that can cause negative short or long-term health effects, which is why we brought this legislation to give both landlords and renters the tools to repair their property to a safe living condition. With this law, we’re streamlining and clarifying the Warranty of Habitability statute to protect renters and help landlords know where the goal post is when it comes to remediating their property.” Previous Next

DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed legislation into law to continue the successful I Matter program that connects Colorado youth with free counseling sessions by allowing school districts to offer mental health screenings in schools to support student’s access to mental health care. < Back June 5, 2023 Colorado to Offer Youth Mental Health Screenings DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed legislation into law to continue the successful I Matter program that connects Colorado youth with free counseling sessions by allowing school districts to offer mental health screenings in schools to support student’s access to mental health care. “Improving access to behavioral health care for Colorado kids has been my top priority as a legislator, and I’m excited that Colorado will soon offer free screenings to students to help connect them to free mental health resources,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City . “We’ve successfully connected over 8,500 Colorado kids with free counseling sessions since the implementation of our I Matter program in the fall of 2022. This new law will help the program reach more youth in need of care, preventing youth mental health issues from escalating to the point of requiring more serious treatments or interventions.” “I'm proud that Colorado is a leader when it comes to providing accessible, affordable mental health care for our youth. But our kids are in crisis and we must do more,” Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, said . “This new law will help identify issues early on so kids and families can get the support they need. I’m thrilled to champion additional mental health supports for Colorado’s youth." HB23-1003 allows public schools to participate in a voluntary mental health screening program for sixth through twelfth graders. Schools are required to notify parents of the date and time that the mental health screening is scheduled, the purpose, and information about the mental health screener. Parents will have the option to opt their child out of participating, although students over 12 years old could still decide themselves to participate, due to existing Colorado law . The screening will be conducted via a questionnaire and evaluated by a licensed screener. If a student is at-risk for attempting suicide, physical self-harm, harming others, or is in crisis, the licensed screener will immediately notify the parents as well as the school and the school will react according to school crisis response policy. If the licensed screener finds the student in need of further help, they will contact the parent about additional treatment options, including information or a referral to the I Matter program. The I Matter Program was created with the passage of HB21-1258 , sponsored by Rep. Michaelson Jenet, and expanded by HB22-1243 . The program received $15 million dollars in funding from the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions to provide six free therapy sessions to youth across the state and is available virtually and in person. Since the program started in October 2021, over 8,500 Colorado kids have utilized the free therapy services, with almost 44% attending at least four sessions. The participating students come from 59 of the 64 counties across Colorado. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Megan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco to improve educator safety in Colorado. HB24-1320 passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back March 18, 2024 Lukens and Velasco Bill to Improve Educator Safety Advances DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Megan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco to improve educator safety in Colorado. HB24-1320 passed by a vote of 7-4. “As a teacher, I understand how important it is for students and educators to feel safe at school, which is why we are taking steps to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “The idea for this bill came from educators who have reported seeing an increase in violence targeting educators. Keeping educators safe will encourage more teachers to enter and stay in the profession and foster the environment students need to learn.” “This legislation will help identify actions schools can take to keep educators safe so they can focus on teaching our students,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “I’m excited to focus on the role that unequal access to resources and restorative justice play in staff safety issues. Everyone deserves to be safe in school, including educators, and I know this is possible without contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.” HB24-1320 seeks to generate recommendations on improving safety for educators and school staff through the creation of the Educator Safety Task Force. Representatives of the task force will represent school support professionals, teachers, administrators, nonprofits, and students and families from various communities who are impacted. In making their recommendations related to school safety, the task force will look at the impact of funding needs, wraparound supports, staffing, incidents of student behavior, and resource inequality. Previous Next

< Back February 7, 2023 Dems Defeat Dangerous GOP Gun Bills Similar legislation in Missouri criticized for hampering law enforcement investigations DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee today defeated two Republican bills that would have interfered with critical law enforcement actions and investigations and made Coloradans less safe. “As Colorado Democrats work to reduce gun violence and protect our communities, Republicans in the legislature are sponsoring bills that would disrupt critical public safety efforts, hamper law enforcement investigations and make us less safe,” said State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “The dangerous legislation we defeated today would have prevented local law enforcement from partnering with federal departments to solve firearm-related crimes, risked compromising ongoing investigations, and jeopardized security at our airports. But that is only half the problem. I must admit I’m disappointed in my GOP colleagues who antagonized several of the student witnesses who came to share their concerns that this legislation would lead to even more violence. We should be encouraging young people to participate in the process, not grilling them on ideological grounds.” “Across the country, sheriffs, prosecutors, and police chiefs have raised concerns that this type of legislation will make it harder for them to protect their communities,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a member of the State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. “As a responsible gun owner, I know there’s more we can do to prevent gun violence, and House Democrats are committed to this goal. That’s why we took decisive action today to defeat legislation that would have far-reaching and dangerous consequences for the safety of our communities.” HB23-1044, sponsored by Representative Ken deGraaf, would have prohibited the state of Colorado or any political subdivision from enforcing or attempting to enforce any federal laws or regulations on the possession, ownership, use, or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition. It would have prevented law enforcement from seeking federal assistance for firearms tracing and other support for solving crimes– efforts that are especially critical for solving violent crimes. The bill would have prevented local law enforcement from cooperating with FBI or Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigations or enforcement of federal prohibitions on bump stocks or ghost guns. The bill would have also prohibited local police departments from working with federal prosecutors to bring weapons possession charges for violations of federal law, such as possession of a weapon by a prior offender for a drug-related offense. In Missouri, where a similar law passed in 2021 , sheriffs, prosecutors, and police chiefs have decried the law’s impact on their ability to partner with federal agencies to hold people who break the law accountable. By opening up local law enforcement departments to lawsuits, HB23-1044 could have had a chilling effect on police and sheriffs’ willingness to work with federal agencies to solve firearm-related crimes. Under the bill, any state employee, including those who operate Colorado’s airports and other secure facilities, would have been prohibited from offering any material support, including the use of facilities or communications equipment, to federal personnel who enforce federal firearm restrictions, including at those secure facilities that regulate the use of firearms at those locations. In the Department of Justice lawsuit against HB85, Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act, the department noted how the bill would nullify firearm restrictions at airports. HB23-1050, sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, would create a Colorado Shoot First law for business owners. Research repeatedly shows that these laws increase homicides and accidental firearm deaths while doing nothing to reduce crime. In states with Shoot First laws, homicides where the victim is Black and the shooter is white are deemed justified five times more frequently than when the shooter is Black and the victim is white. Previous Next

< Back November 5, 2020 GARNETT, KENNEDY STATEMENTS ON REP. BUENTELLO DENVER, CO — House Majority Leader Alec Garnett and Rep. Chris Kennedy released the following statements after Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, conceded in the race to represent House District 47: “Bri Buentello is one of the most committed, dedicated and tenacious lawmakers I have ever had the privilege of working with,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “Her experience as a special education teacher, as a mom, as a military family member, and as a proud Southern Coloradan were invaluable to our caucus and the legislature as a whole. In her time at the Capitol, Bri worked overtime, represented her district passionately and always kept the best interests of her constituents in mind. Her voice, her talent and her larger than life personality will be missed in the upcoming session, but I believe and hope that this is only the beginning of a long career in public service for our dear friend Bri.” “Representative Buentello is a great legislator who made her mark on policies that will positively impact the people of Colorado for decades to come,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood . “I am proud of the campaign she ran and the vision she offered to the voters of House District 47. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for Rep. Buentello and am confident she will continue to work for the people of Southern Colorado in the years to come.” In her two years in the state legislature, Rep. Buentello was one of the most effective lawmakers in Denver, with the governor signing 24 of her bills. Rep. Buentello always worked to support rural Colorado. She sponsored and passed SB20-002, which improved the Rural Economic Development Grant Program to boost rural economies in the state. In passing HB20-1229, she created a scholarship fund to help rural law enforcement departments afford the cost of training new officers. Rep. Buentello also focused on mental health and the opioid crisis, passing a package of bills to increase access to addiction treatment and services (SB20-028 and SB20-007). She sponsored and passed SB19-228 to help prevent substance use disorders and SB19-001 to expand access to medication-assisted treatment. In the 2020 session, she sponsored and passed legislation to support Colorado’s military families. HB20-1275 provides in-state tuition for all military families and veterans in Colorado and SB20-069 allows for free state park access for all disabled veterans. A special education teacher, Rep. Buentello fought for Colorado students. She sponsored and passed SB19-006 to help schools provide high-cost special education services and HB19-1132 to help ensure children have access to healthy school lunches. She sponsored HB19-1192 to ensure a history inclusive of all Coloradans is taught in our schools and HB20-1128, to help teachers have a better awareness of special education issues to help more special education students. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed legislation that would save older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the senior homestead property tax exemption portable between primary residences. SB24-111, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Mary Young, passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back April 18, 2024 Bill to Save Older Coloradans Money, Make Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption Portable Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation that would save older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the senior homestead property tax exemption portable between primary residences. SB24-111, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Mary Young, passed by a vote of 11-0. “Seniors typically live on a fixed income, making them especially vulnerable to property tax increases as they also juggle other rising costs,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “The Senior Homestead Exemption is a useful tool to help Colorado seniors save money on property taxes, but current law only allows these property tax exemptions for long-term primary residences. Our legislation would make this property tax exemption portable so seniors can apply it to their new residence, so they can make housing choices that work best for their well-being and open up housing opportunities for new families looking for larger homes.” “Aging Coloradans should be able to move without risking their housing security and losing eligibility for senior property tax exemptions,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Downsizing or moving into a single-level home is often necessary for seniors to accommodate their changing needs. This important legislation would allow Colorado seniors to continue to benefit from senior property tax exemptions if they move, saving them money while allowing them to choose housing that best fits their needs.” SB24-111 would create a new subclass of property called "qualified-senior primary residence real property" for an individual that has previously qualified for a senior homestead exemption but has moved to a new home. For this new subclass of property—qualified-senior primary residence real property—the bill sets the assessed value of the property as the actual value minus 50 percent of the first $200,000 of that actual value, which is consistent with the relief provided under the current senior homestead exemption. This bill helps provide financial sustainability and housing security to seniors who no longer qualify for the senior homestead exemption because they moved residences. In a Colorado Coalition for the Homeless report, Colorado was ranked first for housing instability for older adults. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2021 CÁMARA DE REPRESENTANTES APRUEBA PROPUESTA PARA EXPANDIR EL ACCESO AL VOTo La propuesta legislativa crearía una línea de ayuda para traducir las boletas electorales y requeriría que ciertos condados impriman boletas en idiomas aparte del inglés fue aprobada por la Cámara de Representantes DENVER, CO– La Cámara de Representantes hoy aprobó una propuesta legislativa de la Representante Yadira Caraveo para expandir el acceso al voto y mejorar la participación electoral al expandir el acceso a las boletas electorales multilingües. La propuesta fue aprobada con un voto de 40-23. “Asegurarnos de que más votantes elegibles entiendan bien sus boletas y puedan emitir su voto libremente es bueno para nuestra democracia y bueno para Colorado”, dijo la representante Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton). “El sistema electoral de Colorado es de los mejores del país y del mundo porque facilita la participación de los votantes en el proceso democrático y a la vez garantiza la integridad de nuestras elecciones. Hoy mejoramos nuestro gran sistema al asegurarnos que los votantes elegibles en Colorado que no hablan muy bien inglés pero quieren hacer oír su voz tengan la oportunidad de hacerlo.” HB21-1011 le daría a todos los votantes acceso a una línea de ayuda que proporcionaría traducción de boletas electorales en los idiomas principales del Censo. Además, requeriría que los condados en donde un idioma minoritario sea hablado por al menos 2,000 votantes elegibles o el 2.5% de los votantes elegibles impriman boletas electorales en ese idioma, ya sea en copias físicas o electrónicamente. Previous Next