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Speaker Julie McCluskie today attended a Resort Housing Affordability Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement event hosted by Housing Colorado in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, and the Office for Economic Development and International Trade. < Back August 2, 2024 McCluskie Attends High Country Housing Affordability Event FRISCO, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie today attended a Resort Housing Affordability Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement event hosted by Housing Colorado in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, and the Office for Economic Development and International Trade. “Everyone in the high country should be able to live, work and learn in the places they love, but the cost of living in our communities is way too high,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m proud of our focus to make housing, health care and child care more affordable. This event showcased our ongoing efforts to save people money on housing, build more homes in the high country, reduce the cost of renting, and create affordable pathways for homeowners to purchase their first home.” The event was designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders committed to addressing housing challenges across the state. Speaker McCluskie sponsored the bipartisan property tax package that will permanently reduce property taxes for families and small businesses. McCluskie has also sponsored legislation to allow resort communities to access Prop 123 affordable housing funding and responsibly encourage more housing to reduce the cost of living in resort communities. She authored successful laws to boost child care affordability , and referred a measure to voters to establish Colorado’s free universal preschool program. Previous Next

< Back December 16, 2020 AUDIT COMMITTEE DEMS JOINT STATEMENT ON ELECTION HEARING DENVER, CO – The four Democratic members of the Legislative Audit Committee today released the following joint statement: “Today we heard testimony from election experts, county clerks, and other bipartisan witnesses attesting to the safety and security of our elections in Colorado. We are proud to have our state’s reputation as the gold standard of election transparency and security upheld, and grateful to all the Coloradans who worked tirelessly to administer our elections in the midst of a global pandemic. Their integrity and patriotism is exemplary. What was also apparent from the start of the hearing is that, despite unsubstantiated claims, there is no evidence to justify any allegations of election fraud. Republicans gave witnesses a platform to propagate false, dangerous, and discredited conspiracies. However, we are confident in our state’s robust post-election audit process and look forward to continuing to support county clerks in their efforts to administer the most secure elections possible. Protecting our fundamental, constitutional right to vote is paramount, and we are committed to ensuring that our elections remain accessible, safe, and transparent, regardless of attempts to undermine it. ” Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2020 COLORADO SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINE BAN DENVER, CO – This morning, the Colorado Supreme Court ended a seven-year case by ruling that Colorado’s 2013 large capacity magazine ban is constitutional. The law passed in 2013 prohibits the sale and transfer of gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. House Majority Leader Alec Garnett and Representative Tom Sullivan released the following statements. “Today the Colorado Supreme Court upheld a commonsense law that protects public safety without infringing on Coloradans’ right to bear arms,” said House Majority Leader Garnett, D-Denver. “I’m proud that the Supreme Court has determined that this reasonable law will stand, and glad to see the end of yet another frivolous legal attempt to unwind common sense gun violence prevention laws.” “I’m encouraged to see the Supreme Court uphold the 2013 large capacity magazine ban,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Gun violence has ravaged our state and our nation, and I came to the legislature to work to put an end to it. Large capacity magazines like the 100 round drum that was used on the night my son Alex was murdered can cause devastating carnage and have absolutely no place on our streets. I’ll keep working day in and day out to fight the epidemic of gun violence.” The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that HB13-1224 represents a “reasonable exercise of the police power that has neither the purpose nor effect of nullifying the right to bear arms in self-defense encompassed by article II, section 13 of the Colorado Constitution.” Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2021 HEALTH COMMITTEE DEMS ADVANCE BILL TO LOWER RX DRUG COSTS DENVER– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yardira Caraveo, a physician, and Chris Kennedy to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. The committee also passed HB21-1307, sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts, to ensure all Coloradans who need it have access to affordable insulin. “Colorado Democrats have made reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs a top priority, and today we’re continuing our efforts by creating an affordability board that will save Coloradans money on the life-saving prescription drugs they need,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Pharmaceutical companies are making billions in profit and spending billions more on advertising, CEO pay and stock buybacks that enrich their shareholders. At the same time, they are demanding consumers pay more and more for the same drugs they’ve used for years. It’s time to put an end to the myth that Big Pharma needs to price gouge US consumers to pay for research and development, and it’s time to make sure that every Coloradan can afford the life-saving prescription drugs they need.” “Coloradans need us to act now to reduce the cost of prescription drugs,” s aid Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “Prescription drugs are essential tools for physicians to manage, prevent and cure diseases, but Coloradans are struggling to access them because the cost is too high when it shouldn’t even be a consideration. Even the most successful drug on the market becomes ineffective when a patient can’t afford it. The prescription drug affordability board is going to reign in the high cost of prescription drugs and ensure more patients have access to the treatments they need.” Nearly one-in-three Coloradans struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. As established in SB21-175, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will convene a panel of experts to investigate prescription drug cost increases, and set guardrails on cost increases for the most expensive prescription drugs in the state. The affordability board would set upper payment limits for prescription drugs that meet certain cost increase thresholds. These payment limits would apply to all purchasers in the state, but will only be placed on the highest cost drugs. The board will collect and evaluate the data necessary to review the affordability of prescription drugs and make policy recommendations to legislators. The board will be made up of nonpartisan, unpaid, highly qualified experts who are free from conflicts of interest. A recent poll from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that 77% of Coloradans supported the idea of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze and act to lower the cost of certain prescription drugs — and this bill seeks to answer their call. In addition to passing SB21-175, the committee also advanced Rep. Dylan Robert’s bill to make insulin more available and reduce its cost. “No one should have to go without the insulin they need to survive, but too many Coloradans can’t afford the medicine they need. In 2021, that should not happen and we need to do something about it,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This bill builds on Colorado’s national leadership on this issue and will guarantee that regardless of insurance status, Coloradans with diabetes can get insulin at an affordable price when they need it.” HB21-1307 would increase access to insulin by clarifying that the current $100 cap on a person’s monthly insulin supply applies regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. Furthermore it allows eligible consumers to access one emergency prescription insulin supply for no more than $35 per 12-month period. Finally, it creates the Insulin Affordability Program in the Division of Insurance to help eligible individuals obtain prescription insulin for $50 a month for 12 months. The findings of an investigation conducted by the Colorado Attorney General’s office released in November, 2020, found that over 40% of Coloradans using insulin rationed their medicine due to cost and that over 37% use expired insulin to stretch their supplies due to high costs. Previous Next

SB25-014 repeals unenforceable language from Colorado Statute that states that a marriage is valid only if it is between a man and a woman < Back April 7, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Protecting the Freedom to Marry Act Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law the Protecting the Freedom to Marry Act, implementing Amendment J and removing language from the Colorado Constitution banning same-sex marriage. SB25-014 , sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, and Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, repeals the provision in Colorado statute that states that marriage is valid only if it is between a man and a woman. That provision has been unenforceable since the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 and is now in conflict with the State Constitution. “The freedom to marry who we love is a fundamental right,” said Danielson. “I cannot sit back and allow Coloradans to have their marriages and families put at risk. It’s especially important now, as the Trump Administration attacks the LGBTQ community, to secure everyone’s right to live safely in our state, and marry whomever they love.” “This law implements the will of the voters and protects marriage equality in Colorado,” said Titone. “As the Trump administration continues to blatantly attack and demonize the LGBTQ+ community, this law upholds marriage equality in Colorado. By implementing the will of the voters we're protecting the freedom to marry who we love.” “Colorado voters have spoken; they want marriage equality constitutionally protected in our state,” said García. “In an era where the Trump administration continues to take aim at critical protections and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, Colorado is standing up to protect marriage equality. With this law, we’re fulfilling the will of the voters and taking steps to protect marriage equality now and into the future.” Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment J in the 2024 election. Previous Next

< Back September 14, 2020 BILLS TO SUPPORT HARDWORKING COLORADANS AND HELP OUR STATE PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES GO INTO EFFECT DENVER, CO — 126 new laws passed during the 2020 legislative session will go into effect today, including laws to help Coloradans succeed professionally and academically and laws to ensure that our state is prepared to deal with the crises we face today and those that may occur in the future. “Despite a budget crisis, an interrupted session, and a global pandemic, we accomplished a great deal for the people of Colorado this year,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “From giving rural economies the boost they need to persevere through COVID and beyond, to creating professional and educational opportunities for Colorado’s young people, we worked to make real change for real people this year. I’m proud that the bills going into effect today will make us better prepared to respond to the changing needs and challenges facing our people.” “This year has taught us that we can’t always plan for the issues we’ll have to face in the future, but we can certainly do our best to set ourselves up for success,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “I’m proud that by making it easier to access wildfire risk mitigation grants and donate food to those who need it most, as well as giving our troops a pay raise when they support us in the toughest of times, we’re helping to make Colorado even more resilient in the years to come.” New laws to deal with the crises facing our state, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-present threat of wildfires are going into effect today: Representatives Tony Exum, Sr.’s bipartisan SB20-091 , which would increase the minimum daily pay for state military forces when they are called to serve during emergencies. SB20-090 , sponsored by Representatives Daneya Esgar and Brianna Titone, which allows food pantries to expand their sources for goods by allowing food donations from correctional facilities and agricultural producers. Representative Julie McCluskies bipartisan HB20-1057 , which makes it easier for lower-income communities, nonprofits and fire districts to receive wildfire risk mitigation grants. As Colorado families continue to adjust to the new normal of working from home and online classes, Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bipartisan SB20-126 will expand and improve access to childcare for Coloradans by ensuring that homeowner associations can’t prohibit the operation of a licensed family child care facility so long as the facility complies with other HOA regulations applicable to all residents. Among the bills going into effect today are several laws to support rural Colorado recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the lingering effects of the last recession: HB20-1003 , the bipartisan bill sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts, will expand on the successful Rural Jump-Start program to help boost economic development in rural Colorado. SB20-002 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Bri Buentello, strengthens and cements the successful Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) to ensure that the program continues and make improvements to spur rural economies. The bipartisan HB20-1137 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie, helps small rural communities get the resources they need to develop and establish broadband technology, which is even more important amidst the pandemic. Many big ticket items from the 2020 legislative session will go into effect today, including: The Crown Act , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Janet Buckner, which seeks to prevent discrimination on the basis of hairstyle. HB20-1031 , Representative Adrienne Benavidez and Kyle Mullica’s bill to replace Columbus Day with a new state holiday honoring Frances Xavier Cabrini. The new holiday will be celebrated later this year on October 5. Lastly, three major bills to expand professional opportunities and help all Coloradans succeed become effective today: Two bills sponsored by Representative Tom Sullivan, SB20-081 and SB20-120 , will improve apprenticeship programs and make it easier for students to access and complete these apprenticeships, leading them to greater opportunities and good, well-paying jobs in the future. SB20-006 , the bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Cathy Kipp, will expand access to higher education for Colorado’s students by improving and bolstering the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI). The full list of bills and their effective dates can be found on page viii of the 2020 legislative digest . Previous Next

< Back February 22, 2021 BILL TO FINANCE FOREST HEALTH EFFORTS MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO– The House Agriculture, Livestock, & Water Committee today passed bipartisan legislation that would allow communities to join together to create special districts in order to help finance forest health projects. HB21-1008, sponsored by Representatives Jeni Arndt and Marc Catlin, passed. “With droughts getting worse and worse each year and temperatures rising to historic levels, our fire seasons have become more dangerous and destructive,” said Rep. Jeni James Arndt, D-Fort Fort Collins. “Building back stronger means providing our communities with the tools they need to protect their property from future disasters. This bill would allow towns, counties, and municipalities to join together to finance forest health projects that can reduce the threat, intensity, and size of wildfires in our state.” HB21-1008 allows local governments to establish special improvement districts that would, with voter or property owner approval, be allowed to levy property taxes to finance forest health projects like removing trees damages from pine beetle or replanting deforested areas. Forest health projects can reduce the intensity and size of wildfires. The bill also empowers counties, municipalities, special districts, water conservancy districts, and forest improvement districts to financially contribute to forest health projects. Previous Next

Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership < Back February 14, 2024 Committee Passes Bill to Strengthen Firearm Training, Promote Responsible Gun Ownership Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to promote responsible firearm ownership and protect Colorado communities from gun violence. HB24-1174 passed by a vote of 8-3. “As a gun owner and a concealed carry permit holder, I’ve seen the gaps in Colorado’s firearm training and testing protocols that can lead to unsafe situations," said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "Our policy is crucial in ensuring our concealed carry permits come with robust firearm knowledge, including instruction on federal and state gun laws, the use of deadly force for self defense, in-person gun handling, and safe storage and use of firearms to prevent accidental deaths. I’ve worked tirelessly during my time as a public servant on this bill, and I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will improve the safety of our communities and save Colorado lives.” “Current Colorado law does not require in-person, live fire training before you can receive a concealed carry permit, putting guns into the hands of people who may have never touched a gun before in their life," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "This is a commonsense gun violence prevention bill that will ensure Coloradans have in-person training, protecting our communities and preventing accidental firearm deaths.” In Colorado, a person can be issued a concealed carry permit if they complete a handgun training class by a verified firearms safety instructor, pass a background check, and demonstrate competence with a handgun. HB24-1174 would require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. Under the bill, the handgun training class would include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam that the student must receive passing scores on. The eight hour requirement may take place over multiple days. The bill would also require a concealed handgun refresher class (refresher class) to be completed in order to renew a concealed carry permit. This refresher class must be at least two hours, including a passing score on both the live-fire exercise and written exam. The refresher class must also include instruction on changes to federal or state firearm laws. HB24-1174 prohibits a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill also makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Majority Leader Duran sponsored a 2021 law that promotes responsible gun ownership by ensuring that gun owners properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present. Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2022 COMPREHENSIVE BILL TO PREVENT FENTANYL DEATHS PASSES COMMITTEE Legislation significantly increases penalties on dealers and invests in proven public health solutions DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed comprehensive legislation sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett and Rep. Mike Lynch to combat the fentanyl crisis and save lives. “Today, we took bold action to save lives,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “This comprehensive bill will crack down on the dealers peddling death in our communities. The amendments we passed recognize the unique nature of fentanyl; setting the possession level at one gram does not make low-level personal use of fentanyl a felony, but it acknowledges the deadliness of this drug and gets fentanyl off our streets. This bill also invests in proven public health approaches that will expand access to treatment, make Narcan and test strips widely available, and create a robust education and awareness campaign to save lives.” “We are seeing unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths in Colorado. The fentanyl crisis demands an aggressive response that will hold dealers accountable and remove this deadly drug from our streets, and that’s what this comprehensive fentanyl legislation will do,” said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. “This solution will save lives by giving prosecutors the tools we need to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. This legislation will allow us to respond aggressively to dealers who take Coloradans’ lives when distributing this drug, and I encourage lawmakers to pass this bill.” “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on fentanyl dealers to get this dangerous drug off our streets,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “Fentanyl doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat; people are dying in every community in our state. This bill is a comprehensive solution that will save lives and prevent fentanyl deaths.” HB22-1326 is a comprehensive approach that includes both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers to save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. The bill will strengthen criminal penalties on any individual distributing fentanyl. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory SUD assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to ensure people get the treatment they need. The bill focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs or substances, and will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with an SUD. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties. The bill gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in CDPHE. Individuals assessed as having a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment. The committee passed an amendment that would make it a felony to knowingly possess more than one gram of fentanyl compound/mixture. Another amendment passed by committee addresses the danger of pure fentanyl. Once Colorado’s labs have the ability to test for the percentage of fentanyl within a compound, this amendment creates a zero tolerance policy for the possession of pure fentanyl. The purpose of the amendment is to turn on a no tolerance policy for possession of pure fentanyl when the testing is available. This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address root causes and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this more deadly drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system. While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. The proposal also makes opiate antagonists more widespread, which will help save lives by preventing overdoses. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to prevent and mitigate wildfire destruction in Colorado. < Back February 3, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Combat Wildfire DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to prevent and mitigate wildfire destruction in Colorado. HB25-1009, sponsored Representative Tisha Mauro and Junie Joseph, would encourage local governments to reduce dead or dry vegetation that often fuels wildfires. “Wildfire season in Colorado is now year round, and proactive mitigation can keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This bill encourages property owners to reduce dry, dead vegetation around their property, which can often accelerate wildfires. To keep communities safe from wildfires, we must put in the work now to mitigate fire risks.” “We need more protective approaches to combat destructive wildfires, and this bill empowers local communities to reduce dead or dry vegetation," said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Wildfires can spread quickly, and this bill not only works to proactively mitigate risks but also supports local communities and fire districts in their mission to keep our communities safe.” HB25-1009 , passed by a vote of 9 to 4 and would give fire protection and metropolitan districts the tools to mitigate fire risks locally, improving community safety. Specifically, the bill would encourage local governments to create programs to help property owners reduce dead or dry vegetation around their property. Dry plant materials, such as leaves, grass, shrubs, dead leaves, and fallen pine needles, can accelerate wildfires. This bill aims to empower communities to reduce dry vegetation to keep neighborhoods, businesses and homes safer from destructive wildfires. The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee also passed another bill sponsored by Representative Mauro to keep Coloradans safe. HB25-1039 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, will extend legal immunity to property owners when first responders access their property during an emergency. HB25-1039, passed by a vote of 12-0 a nd aims to protect property owners from civil liability during an emergency, only if the emergency is not related to their negligence or misconduct. Previous Next

< Back January 23, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BUCKNER BILL TO CREATE TAX CREDIT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS Buckner’s Bill to Require Surgical Smoke Protection Policies Also Clears Committee (Jan. 22) – The House Education committee approved Representative Janet Buckner’s bipartisan bill to provide an income tax credit for early childhood educators. This tax credit will help build economic self-sufficiency among the early childhood workforce and the child care industry. This tax credit was endorsed by the Colorado’s Teacher Shortage Report and would encourage child care professionals to improve their skills as educators to better support the development of young students. “This bill will address two major challenges facing hardworking families and early childhood educators: quality and stability.” said Rep. Buckner, D-Aurora. “Our educators need to be paid more and that includes those who care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.” Childcare workers earn half as much as kindergarten teachers, and about a third as much as nurses. Fifty-three percent of childcare workers nationwide are on some type of public assistance. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 9-3 and now heads to the Finance Committee. The House Education Committee also approved a bill led by Committee Chair Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Jeni Arndt, D-Fort Collins to add nationally certified school psychologists from across the state as school professionals eligible for annual stipends awarded by the department of education. HB19-1036 passed by a vote of 10-2 and now goes to the House floor. Rep. Buckner’s bill, HB19-1041, was also approved by the House Health and Insurance Committee earlier today by a vote of 11-0. The bill will help protect medical teams and patients from toxic surgical smoke. Surgical smoke is a gaseous by-product produced by energy-generating surgical medical devices. It now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. < Back April 29, 2024 Ortiz, Clifford Bill to Create State Office for Coloradans with Disabilities Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. “Despite Federal ADA being law for 34 years, housing, employment, access to participate in government and the outdoors remains inaccessible,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This important bill spearheads a permanent state office that will remove those barriers and secure those opportunities so that Coloradans with disabilities can thrive and fully participate in all the amazing opportunities our great state offers.” “Unfortunately, people living with disabilities disproportionately experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment; which is why Colorado needs to step up and provide the resources to help people lead successful lives,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “By creating the Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities, Coloradans will have better access to the good-paying jobs and education they deserve, so they have a fair shot at creating a strong future that’s all their own. I’m proud to carry this legislation forward with Representative Ortiz because it prioritizes representation, advocacy and commitment to the success of all.” HB24-1360 would create a new office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment The goal of this office is to implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability for people with disabilities and promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Rep. Ortiz has been a long-time champion for disability rights at the Colorado State Capitol. He has led the charge in passing multiple bills to ensure Coloradans with a disability have the opportunity for legal recourse if they are discriminated against, expanding the youth prosthetic coverage law, creating the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities task force, and trailblazing two right-to-repair laws for wheelchair users. Previous Next