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Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill to train educators in “Stop the Bleed” for emergency, life-saving situations to make our schools safer. < Back May 15, 2023 New Bipartisan Law Expands School Access to Life-Saving Stop the Bleed Kits EVANS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill to train educators in “Stop the Bleed” for emergency, life-saving situations to make our schools safer. “The more teachers and staff we can prepare for emergency situations, the more likely we are to save a life,” said School Psychologist Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “ Time is precious in any emergency. This bipartisan law ensures teachers, staff and older students have the proper “Stop the Bleed” training and materials they need to respond effectively and efficiently to save lives.” “As a father and a nurse, I know the seconds matter when somebody is bleeding,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “Stop the Bleed is an important program to save lives in our schools and raise awareness about this easy to learn, life-saving technique.” HB23-1213 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield and Senator Kyle Mullica requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to distribute “Stop the Bleed” kits and training materials to K-12 schools that opt into the program. Bleed control kits and training resources contain first-aid materials for treating blood loss in traumatic injuries. This law aims to better prepare educators and staff for emergency situations by providing life-saving materials accompanied by training to help keep people alive. “Stop the Bleed” is a straightforward, standardized set of training materials and recommendations for everyday people caring for someone experiencing excessive bleeding through applying pressure to the wound and tying tourniquets for those trained to act quickly in emergency situations. Previous Next

Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, today released the following statement on the first meeting of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee: < Back July 2, 2024 Rep. Mauro Statement on First Wildfire Matters Interim Committee Meeting DENVER, CO - Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, today released the following statement on the first meeting of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee: “As a member of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, it was great to hear from the Colorado Fire Commission and our state agencies to discuss wildfire issues across our state. Wildfires are a very real and dangerous threat in Colorado, and I know it is top-of-mind for Puebloans as the Oak Ridge Fire continues to spread. On the Wildfire Matters Review Committee this summer, I look forward to crafting policies to reduce our wildfire risk and ensure our communities have the resources they need to stay safe.” Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2022 BILL TO BOOST FUNDING TO PREPARE AT-RISK STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House passed legislation today that would create a new method for identifying and serving at-risk students. HB22-1202 which passed by a vote of 48 to 17, would more accurately count at-risk students and direct additional resources to school districts that serve at-risk students. “We’re taking a modern, data-based approach to identify at-risk students so schools can better serve them,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This bill creates a new holistic method for pinpointing at-risk students that goes beyond those eligible for free and reduced-price lunches to include data from Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus program. It also considers important neighborhood socioeconomic factors that can affect academic success including unhoused status, an incarcerated parent and English as a Second Language. Gathering this information is vital for getting school districts that serve at-risk students the funding they need." “We’re setting every Colorado student up for success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion “Better serving Colorado’s at-risk students requires a multi-faceted approach and that includes considering more than just a few factors that might hinder academic success. This bill creates a new definition in the formula so Colorado can more accurately identify at-risk students and subsequently provide their school districts with more funding to meet their needs.” HB22-1202 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Leslie Herod, would create a new method in the school finance formula to identify students who are at risk of below-average academic outcomes due to socioeconomic disadvantage or poverty. The new formula aims to better pinpoint at-risk students by considering multiple socioeconomic factors that affect them, including eligibility for free lunches, unhoused status and a neighborhood index status. Based on the new formula, school districts would be eligible for more state funding beginning in the 2023-24 school year to better prepare their at-risk students. A recent statewide poll revealed that 83% of respondents consider it important to provide resources and support to students who are falling behind so teachers can make sure every student has an opportunity to get back on track. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to increase access to telehealth services in rural and underserved areas, and to better combat cardiac disease. < Back May 29, 2024 Gov. Polis Signs Bill to Increase Availability of Telehealth Services FRISCO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to increase access to telehealth services in rural and underserved areas, and to better combat cardiac disease. “Coloradans in my district know firsthand how challenging and expensive it can be to access critical health care services,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “During my time in the legislature, I’ve worked hard to deliver high-quality, affordable health care services to underserved and rural areas and this law expands access to remote health services and continuous glucose monitors, which have proven to be successful at ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right place, at the right time and save so much money in the long-run.” “Expanding access to health care is critical, especially in our rural and mountain communities,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “My family lives with diabetes, and continuous glucose monitors have made living with this disease better for all of us and ensured strong health outcomes for my husband. To help ensure everyone has access to the health care they need when they need it, our law works to expand and encourage telehealth options. This new law also establishes a grant program to help our hospitals and providers implement telehealth technology and better serve our community members.” “For many of the residents living in my district, the nearest hospital is miles and miles away, making it hard to receive high-quality health care when they need it,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez. “This law expands telehealth services into rural and underserved communities like mine so everyone can access the treatment and care needed to live a healthy life. Our bipartisan law also creates a rural-specific grant program to help our health care providers locate and implement telehealth technology in their practice.” Also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, SB24-168 will direct the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to reimburse the use of telehealth monitoring for outpatient services for Medicaid patients and provide coverage for continuous glucose monitoring devices. Additionally, the new law will create a grant program to assist rural and shortage area providers in obtaining remote telehealth monitoring equipment. Funds from the grant program could also be used for training staff on utilizing remote monitoring equipment. Governor Polis also signed HB24-1219 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Representative Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, and Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Byron Pelton, R-Sterling. This new law aims to detect cardiac disease and symptoms early and help save lives. Specifically, this law expands eligibility for required firefighter heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to include part-time and volunteer firefighters, requires employers to participate in the multi-employer cancer trust, and creates a cardiac screening trust for peace officers. “Cardiac disease impacts so many Colorado families and early detection can save lives,” said Speaker McCluskie . “Minority Leader McKean was a great leader who left us too soon. In his honor, we will continue to fight against cardiac disease, save lives and work toward a brighter future that he can be proud of.” “Diagnosing cardiac disease early on can lead to better prognoses, more effective treatment, and can save lives,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “By expanding eligibility for cardiac benefits programs to first responders like firefighters and peace officers, we’re taking better care of the folks that take care of our communities. This new law will help reduce the risks of life-threatening cardiac disease and support the well-being of our communities – I’m proud to see it signed into law.” In 2022, House Minority Leader Hugh McKean passed away after expressing concern about pain on the left side of his body. McKean was 55 years old. Previous Next

SB25-008 streamlines access to necessary legal documents for vulnerable populations < Back May 19, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Signed! Bill to Streamline Colorado’s Necessary Document Program PUEBLO, CO – Today, the Governor signed into law legislation to streamline access to necessary documents for vulnerable and low-income populations. Colorado’s existing Necessary Document Program helps 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 drivers’ licenses. SB25-008 , sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, updates the program to allow eligible individuals to access ID documents for free directly at the point of service. “The Necessary Documents Program is crucial for the most vulnerable members of our communities – low income earners, unhoused populations, victims of domestic violence, people who are affected by natural disasters, and disabled or elderly Coloradans,” Hinrichsen said. “Equitable access to legal documents is essential to a fresh start so that more Coloradans can get back on their feet and thrive in their communities.” “For years, the Necessary Document Program has provided life-changing services to vulnerable Coloradans, and this new law would improve the program by streamlining free access to these important documents,” said Froelich. “Coloradans who survive house fires, domestic violence, homelessness and other dangerous circumstances often can’t access important identification documents that are required to fulfill everyday needs, like housing, health care and food. By updating this program, we can better protect Coloradans in their darkest moments.” “Identity documents are critical when it comes to accessing health care, housing, employment and transportation. We need to remove unnecessary barriers of getting identification documents to ensure more Coloradans are able to access these important documents,” Kipp said. “This adjustment is necessary to ensure that our Necessary Documents Program is utilized to its full potential.” SB25-008 streamlines administrative barriers to the Necessary Document Program without changing documentation requirements. Eligible individuals will still have to prove their full legal name, date of birth, identity, and lawful presence in the United States. Previous Next

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

The House today advanced a bipartisan bill to identify improvements in trainings for judicial personnel so they can better understand the complex issues that victims of crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence face. < Back March 6, 2023 House Advances Improvements to Judiciary Training in Assault, Domestic Violence Cases DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bipartisan bill to identify improvements in trainings for judicial personnel so they can better understand the complex issues that victims of crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence face. “As a survivor myself, I know how distressing it can be to seek accountability through the justice system as a victim of domestic violence,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Judges, attorneys, and other judicial personnel often don’t have a firsthand understanding of the complicated emotions and dynamics that victims of crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault experience. One of my major focuses as a legislator is to create safer outcomes for victims while they seek justice from their aggressor, and this legislation gives us the tools to do that.” HB23-1108 , which passed by a vote of 56-8, creates a task force to examine current victim and survivor awareness and responsiveness trainings within the Office for Victims Programs. The task force would report their findings and make recommendations on how to improve trainings for judicial personnel to better serve victims and survivors of crimes including sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence. The task force would be required to submit a report including findings and recommendations to the House and Senate Judiciary committees by November 1, 2023. Previous Next

Democratic Leadership and Joint Budget Committee members today responded to the Trump Administration’s immediate freeze of federal funding. < Back January 28, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership, JBC Members Release Statement on Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze DENVER, CO – Democratic Leadership and Joint Budget Committee members today responded to the Trump Administration’s immediate freeze of federal funding. Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, President James Coleman, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Senators Jeff Bridges and Judy Amabile, and Representatives Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota: “Today’s freeze on federal funding is a reckless decision that is already causing immediate and far reaching harm to Coloradans across the state. We are still working to understand the breadth of the impacts, but we know that critical food, housing, health and behavioral health care, child care, and anti-poverty services are currently in limbo, causing chaos and uncertainty for Coloradans, safety net service providers, and state and local governments, including law enforcement. Republicans and Democrats must be clear-eyed in this moment that this funding freeze is a brazen abuse of power that will likely have significant economic impacts and cause irreparable harm to Colorado kids, families, seniors, and everyone who calls our state home. We are proud that Colorado will be joining states from across the nation in a lawsuit that will attempt to blunt the impact of this funding freeze on people’s lives. We stand ready to assist in any way we can to prevent further harm.” Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM MOVES FORWARD Bill would build safer communities by enhancing security at institutions facing increasing threats DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Iman Jodeh to help nonprofits like synagogues and mosques pay for enhanced security passed the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee by a vote of 9-2. “We’ve seen an alarming increase in violent threats against religious and nonprofit organizations, and it’s clear they need additional resources to enhance security measures in places of worship, schools and community centers,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “I am scared for our communities. The pandemic has led to increased anti-semitism, violence and threats. This funding will make Colorado safer for everyone by providing nonprofit institutions the resources they need to protect their communities.” “This bill will make our communities safer by providing additional resources to nonprofit organizations for security upgrades in the wake of increasing threats of violence targeting minority communities,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Everyone should feel safe in their houses of worship, community centers, schools and community spaces, and that’s what this bill will do. There’s a clear need for additional funding, and I’m proud our state is stepping up to fill this gap and provide these critical resources.” HB22-1077 would create the Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The program would offer grants to eligible entities to enhance the physical security of Colorado’s faith-based and charitable organizations. Currently, the federal government provides grants for this purpose through the Department of Homeland Security, however the increase in threats combined with not enough funding have led to unmet security needs for Colorado-based organizations. As drafted, the bill would provide $1.5 million for these grants with a maximum award of $50,000, allowing nearly30 additional Colorado organizations to complete critical security upgrades for their facilities. Minority communities are facing a growing threat from violent extremists who are targeting shared spaces such as mosques and synagogues. In Colorado, there has been an increase in violent rhetoric and threats. In 2019, there was an attempted bombing at a synagogue in Pueblo and an individual was recently arrested after threatening congregants with a weapon outside of the Downtown Denver Islamic Center. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES RECORD SEALING BILL Bill would preserve public access to records when necessary and allow Coloradans a second chance to thrive DENVER, CO– The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Jennifer Bacon that would automatically seal records for low level offenses while preserving public access to records when necessary and in the public interest. “Punishment for an offense should end when the sentence does, but for many who have come into contact with our criminal justice system, court records can block access to housing or employment for a lifetime,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Without automatic record sealing, it can be expensive and often extremely difficult for Coloradans to truly have a second chance after they have served their sentence for a low level offense. This bill preserves access to criminal records when it is in the public interest to do so while allowing Coloradans the opportunity to fully return to life outside of our criminal justice system.” “In our system, just having an arrest record even if you were never charged keeps you from opportunities. Automatic record sealing is one of the most obvious tools we have to ensure that Coloradans have a real opportunity to successfully reenter society and thrive after leaving the criminal justice system,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The evidence is clear: clean slate laws like this help people access education, housing and employment, and reduce recidivism. For the Black and Brown Coloradans who have faced disproportionate impacts from our unjust criminal legal system, automatic record sealing is a necessary step to curb the systemic racism that often blocks pathways to success.” Two years ago the legislature passed HB19-1275, a bill that created a process for people convicted of low level offenses to petition the court to have their record sealed, by a vote of 91-6 across both chambers. Under HB21-1214, certain records for low-level drug offenses would be automatically sealed. The bill does not change the non-drug offenses eligible to be considered by a court for discretionary sealing and would still not apply to violent offenses, child abuse, or driving under the influence, among other exceptions in current law. It requires waiting periods of up to ten years depending on the offenses being considered by a court for sealing. With the exception of a life sentence, punishment in our criminal legal system is meant to be finite–meaning it ends. However, a criminal record follows a defendant for the rest of their lives, often impacting opportunities for housing or employment, even for minor offenses. Criminal records make it harder for people to re-integrate into their communities and create barriers to secure housing and employment. When record sealing is based on a petition system, the burden falls on the individual to be aware of their eligibility and to navigate a time-consuming and costly process to secure relief. Nearly half of Black men and almost 40 percent of white males are arrested by the time they are 23 years old. The bill, which is supported by the ACLU and Americans for Prosperity, shifts the onus of responsibility onto the system while still allowing records to be easily unsealed if there is an intervening factor, for example if the person who committed the offense is running for public office. Furthermore, comprehensive arrest data is collected under SB20-217 regarding the race, ethnicity and gender of every person arrested in Colorado in order to reveal patterns of discriminatory law enforcement practices. Previous Next

DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to combat child hunger by taking advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and providing students with nutrition assistance during summer break. SB23B-002 passed by a vote of 44-16. < Back November 20, 2023 House Passes Bill to Combat Child Hunger, Support Working Families DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to combat child hunger by taking advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and providing students with nutrition assistance during summer break. SB23B-002 passed by a vote of 44-16. “For many children in Colorado, school is the only place they receive consistent meals which means they often face hunger during the summer months,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “This legislation takes full advantage of an expansion of a federal program to keep our kids fed year-round. No kid should go hungry, and we’re working together to combat child hunger and make purchasing nutritious, healthy food more affordable for families.” “Having access to food is not a reality for all kids living in Colorado, in fact one in nine kids face hunger,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County . “Child hunger gets worse during the summer months, and our important legislation utilizes federal funding to help hard working families put food on the table. Many families see their grocery bill skyrocket during the summer, and by leveraging federal funds we can combat child hunger so every kid has the chance to be their best.” SB23B-002 would allocate an estimated $35 million to expand EBT benefits, which would help families purchase groceries from SNAP retailers during the summer months when child hunger is most severe. Families with children eligible for the national free and reduced-price school meals program will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024, to be adjusted for inflation in following years. The Summer EBT Program was established in December 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, with the program beginning in the summer of 2024. By taking action now, Colorado is a national leader on this issue. Ten other states indicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they intend to do so next year, which would postpone their program’s start until 2025. Previous Next

< Back September 11, 2020 GARNETT: LAWSUIT’S DISMISSAL IS WIN FOR VOTERS DENVER, CO – House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver, today released the following statement after the Denver District Court dismissed a politically motivated lawsuit that sought to block publication of the Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book) as approved through the statutory process. “It’s not a surprise that the court rejected this stunt almost as soon as it was filed,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett . “The Legislative Council and our staff take the responsibility of crafting the Blue Book and helping voters understand the issues before them very seriously. That’s why a bipartisan majority voted together to make it easier for voters to understand Amendment B. Now, in a win for voters, the court has agreed that the frivolous challenge seeking to confuse Coloradans should be dismissed.” Previous Next