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< Back April 4, 2024 House Approves Bill to Identify Suspicious Purchases to Reduce Gun Violence Legislation would make it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns, helping to prevent gun violence DENVER, CO - The House today advanced gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Javier Mabrey to help law enforcement recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns. “Prior to the tragic Aurora movie theater shooting, the shooter had purchased over $11,000 worth of firearms, ammunition, and military gear in the weeks leading up to the shooting, ultimately killing 12 innocent Coloradans,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Credit card merchant codes are an effective tool already used by law enforcement to combat human trafficking and money laundering crimes, and our bill would expand this tool to help us stop gun violence before it impacts our communities. Our legislation is crucial in giving law enforcement a head start in preventing gun violence so we can save Colorado lives." “Credit cards have been used to finance many of the major mass shootings in recent years, and identifying suspicious weapon and ammunition stockpiling before a tragedy can take place will save lives," said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. "Firearms are uniquely exempted from having a merchant code. Almost every other product has one of these codes and this bill removes that exemption. This information could be provided to law enforcement, and it could have a life-saving impact in our communities.” SB24-066 would require payment card networks like Visa or Mastercard to provide a specific code, known as a merchant code, for businesses that primarily sell firearms and ammunition. Merchant codes would allow banks and credit card companies to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns – like a domestic extremist building up an arsenal – and report them to law enforcement. A report found this legislation could have prevented many mass shootings, including the Aurora movie theater shooting and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The Aurora movie theater shooter used a MasterCard to buy $11,000 worth of weapons and military gear at multiple stores in the six weeks before the shooting. ### Previous Next

< Back May 11, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, SAVE FAMILIES MONEY Legislation includes a record investment to reduce ozone emissions, eco-friendly updates to building codes and provide tax filing assistance to families DENVER, CO – The House today passed bills to save people money and build a healthier Colorado. “Denverites are stuck with some of the worst air quality in the world during the ozone season,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of SB22-180. “Our bill will help improve air quality by providing free rides on buses and lightrails during peak ozone season, typically experienced in Colorado during the summer months. This bill incentivizes Coloradans to use our public transit system and will cut down on harmful emissions as we work to build a healthier Colorado.” Increased Transit Options : SB22-180 passed the House by a vote of 41-23. This bill would create an Ozone Season Transit Grant Program and transit services pilot project in the Department of Transportation to increase ridership on state-run transit services, reduce vehicle miles traveled and reduce ground-level ozone. This bill also includes a $10 million investment toward the successful Main Street Program to create better pathways for bikers, pedestrians and transit users to navigate cities. The top emitter of carbon pollution in Colorado is the transportation sector which includes personal vehicles. By incentivizing Coloradans to take public transit options during the summer months, this bill aims to reduce ozone pollution by cutting down on the number of cars on the road. The House also concurred with Senate amendments on HB22-1362. This bill would update building codes to improve energy efficiency and cut down on air pollution in Colorado. “I’m beyond proud of the work we’ve done to update Colorado’s building codes. When we build right the first time, we’ll cut down on air pollution, save Coloradans money on their utility bills and create more energy efficient homes and buildings,” said Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Louisville, HB22-1362 . “Our bill takes action to address one of Colorado’s largest pollution sources and saves families money in the process. As it heads to the Governor’s desk, we can reflect on the extraordinary transitional efforts to prepare for a sustainable through efficient, resilient and healthy buildings.” Eco-friendly Building Codes: HB22-1362 , sponsored by Representatives Tracey Bernett and Alex Valdez, would update Colorado’s building codes to improve energy efficiency, save Coloradans money, and reduce harmful indoor and outdoor air pollution. The bill preserves all appliance and utility options for consumers, including natural gas, and does not transfer enforcement responsibility away from local governments. Owners and occupants of existing homes and buildings would only be affected if their local government chooses to upgrade their building codes and the building owner chooses to undergo a major, permit-authorized renovation or addition. For cities and counties that have adopted building codes, the legislation updates building codes to ensure that new buildings are constructed right the first time by incorporating electric vehicle charging capabilities, solar and electric-ready wiring, to save building and homeowners thousands off the costs of retrofitting their homes and saving them money on utility bills. While not mandatory, the codes encourage all-electric homes, which research shows cost less to build and save building owners money over their lifecycle. The bill includes $3 million in grant funding to help cities and counties adopt and enforce updated building codes, $1 million in grants for training for builders and contractors, and $22 million in grants and incentives to help finance energy efficiency upgrades. “This legislation will save Coloradans money as they file their taxes and help hardworking families take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that we expanded last year,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of SB22-182 . “This small investment will put even more money back into people’s pockets and help Coloradans access the economic support they need to thrive.” “Colorado Democrats passed major tax reform last session that is putting hundreds of millions of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans and small businesses, and with this bill, we’re making it easier for families to get the money they are owed,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB22-182 . Economic Mobility Program: SB22-182 , sponsored by Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Mary Young, passed the House by a vote of 41-23. This bill would save Coloradans money by providing $4 million to extend the successful Economic Mobility Program, which provides tax filing assistance for eligible Coloradans. Among other things, this program helps people claim tax credits, including the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which Colorado families may not know they are eligible for. Last session, Colorado Democrats passed legislation to put over $170 million into Coloradans’ pockets by expanding the EITC and the CTC. Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES REP. VALDEZ’S BILL TO ADDRESS ANIMAL CRUELTY (Mar 7) – The House Judiciary committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, that seeks to provide more mental health treatment for people convicted of animal cruelty and also bar people convicted of certain kinds of animal cruelty from possession of a pet animal for a period of time while they receive treatment. “The goals of this bill are to remove animals from abusive situations and to identify behaviors that could lead to worse crimes,” said Rep. Valdez. “We should help offenders get the treatment they need so they can re-emerge as productive members of society.” Through HB19-1092, the judge can order the animal cruelty offender to complete a mental health treatment program. “There is absolutely a correlation between crimes against animals and violent crimes such as mass shootings or domestic terrorism,” said Rep. Valdez. A 2014 study of mass school shootings found that 43 percent of shooters had a history of animal abuse. This bill aims to find the underlying causes of the acts of animal cruelty and treat those issues. The bill passed through the committee with unanimous bipartisan vote and now heads to the House floor. ATTACHED: Headshot of Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Previous Next

The House today on a preliminary vote advanced legislation to prevent and mitigate natural gas pipeline leaks and keep Coloradans safe. < Back March 12, 2025 House Advances Pipeline Leak Detection Bill DENVER, CO – The House today on a preliminary vote advanced legislation to prevent and mitigate natural gas pipeline leaks and keep Coloradans safe. “We need to do more to keep our communities and environment safe from dangerous pipeline leaks,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “The Pipeline Safety Program must work as intended, demonstrating that public safety is the highest priority. This includes standardizing the rules and regulations for the use of advanced leak detection technology, which when deployed is effective and efficient in detecting and locating leaks throughout the pipeline system across Colorado. Keeping communities safe from pipeline leaks is a top priority for me. This legislation mandates required rulemaking in statute since 2021 will be completed before the end of this year.” “Damaged, leaking pipelines pose a risk to public health and can pollute our environment," said Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder. “This bill ensures Colorado has robust pipeline safety standards so that leaks are quickly detected and fixed. Improving pipeline safety is the right move for our communities, and this bill requires the state to adopt important rules on pipeline leak detection.” HB25-1280 would require the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adopt rules on natural gas pipeline advanced leak detection by November 1, 2025. This bill builds off of previous legislation ( SB21-108 ) which required the Pipeline Safety Program to address various gas pipeline safety-related issues, including the use of advanced leak detection technology. The goal of HB25-1280 is to ensure the PUC adopts rules regarding the use of advanced leak detection technology to keep communities safe and protect the environment. Previous Next

< Back March 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES MULLICA BILL TO INCREASE HEALTH CARE ACCESS IN SCHOOLS (Mar 5) – The House Education committee gave approval today to a bill sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, to hire more school nurses in schools across Colorado, especially schools in rural areas and in disadvantaged communities. “ This bill is critical because it ensures our children have access to professional health care professionals in their schools. School nurses don’t just handle putting a bandaid on kids, they provide a diverse array of health care services to our children while also handling medical emergencies that occur during the school day,” said Rep. Mullica. “As a nurse, I see this first hand. We have a real issue when untrained school staff are administering medication to students with chronic illnesses. That’s dangerous for the staff and that’s especially dangerous for the students.” Rep. Mullica is a trained trauma nurse by profession. HB19-1203 would provide grants to improve the ratio of school nurses to students while also prioritizing nurses in rural areas and lower-income communities. This bill also allows school nurses to partner with local public health agencies so that nurse practitioners can also serve in schools. Currently, there are 632 nurses that serve 910,000 school-aged students. That’s roughly one nurse for every 1500 to 1700 students. HB19-1203 passed the House Education committee with unanimous bipartisan support and now heads to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

43 House Democrats fighting for hardworking Coloradans at the Capitol and across our state by saving you money, building a healthier Colorado and preparing our students for success. COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS Colorado Democrats fighting for hardworking Coloradans at the Capitol and across our state LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS LATEST NEWS MEET YOUR COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS CAREERS During the productive 2025 Legislative Session, we passed legislation to save people money, improve public safety and protect the Colorado way of life in the face of threats from the Trump Administration and significant budget constraints. 2025 LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS Latest News Speaker McCluskie Highlights Success of Committee Video Streaming Pilot Project November 14, 2025 Viewers accessed the live streamed committee video more than 15,000 times this interim Read All Speaker McCluskie Appoints Rep. Kyle Brown to the Joint Budget Committee November 3, 2025 The appointment comes as Rep. Shannon Bird steps down from the Joint Budget Committee after three years of service, including one year as Chair Read All Jackson Highlights Success of Treatment Interim Committee October 31, 2025 Representative Jamie Jackson, Chair of the Joint Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee, released a statement today on the committee’s efforts as it concludes its work in 2025. Read All JOINT RELEASE: JBC Members Swiftly Approve Emergency Funding to Boost Food Banks and Pantries During GOP Government Shutdown October 30, 2025 Lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee today approved two budget requests from Governor Jared Polis to fund critical food access programs during Republicans’ federal government shutdown. Read All Visit Our Newsroom Press Releases WE ARE COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS CONTACT US FIND MY REP SEARCH

< Back July 6, 2022 ESGAR, CARAVEO, MULLICA PRAISE POLIS ACTION TO PROTECT ABORTION PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS DENVER, CO – Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, sponsor of the Colorado Reproductive Health Equity Act , pediatrician Yadira Caraveo, and ER Nurse Kyle Mullica today released the following statements praising Governor Jared Polis’ executive order to protect health care providers and patients’ medical privacy. “I sponsored the Reproductive Health Equity Act to codify reproductive rights into Colorado law because the government should never interfere in a patient’s private medical decision,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo . “Governor Polis’ action today will protect patients and providers from actions taken by Republican state legislatures to criminalize abortion, force rape victims and children to give birth, and prosecute patients who travel out of their states to access an abortion. With more people traveling to our state to get the care they need, Colorado is taking a stand to protect patients’ rights and their private medical information.” “As a doctor, I am appalled that GOP politicians in Republican-led states are limiting women’s freedom to choose and providers’ ability to provide care,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a primary-care physician. “It is a doctor’s responsibility to care for their patient, but five Republican-appointed justices on the Supreme Court have allowed nearly half of all states to imprison doctors for providing life-saving medical care. The executive order Governor Polis issued today will protect doctors and pregnant women seeking life saving care from the state and local governments wanting to use their private medical information to put them in prison. Congress must follow Colorado’s lead and protect women’s ability to choose their own reproductive futures.” “Colorado strongly supports reproductive freedom and the right to choose, and I am proud of our work at the state capitol to protect abortion access and codify these rights into state law,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, an ER nurse. “We now live in a terrifying reality where abortion patients in Colorado and the providers who care for them could be arrested in states where Republican legislatures have banned abortion. I serve on the House Health and Insurance Committee where earlier this year every Repubican lawmaker on the committee voted to ban abortion without exception and force rape victims and children to give birth. I’m proud that our governor is taking additional action today to protect providers’ licenses and patients’ privacy, and I’ll continue fighting bills from Republican lawmakers to ban abortion in Colorado.” The Reproductive Health Equity Act updates Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights and codifies the fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. Colorado Democrats are committed to ensuring abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible. Recently, House Democrats defeated three Republican-led bills that would have jeopardized that right, including: HB22-1079 , which would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal court rulings and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. In addition, it would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , which would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected abortion providers to imprisonment. The bill would have forced rape victims and children to give birth. HB22-1075 , which would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It also would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers, and facilitate their prosecution should Colorado ban ever abortion. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill to reduce overbearing rental application qualifications, making it easier for all communities to access housing. SB23-184 passed by a vote of 9-4. < Back April 25, 2023 Rental Protections Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill to reduce overbearing rental application qualifications, making it easier for all communities to access housing. SB23-184 passed by a vote of 9-4. “Housing is crucially important in getting a job, raising a family, and everything in between,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of SB23-184 . “Coloradans need stable housing and are often put in a position to apply for housing that costs upwards of half of their income. Our bill caps income requirements at two times the rent, keeping Coloradans from being iced out of housing because of unreasonable income requirements and security deposits.” “While our economy is growing and our state is seeing near record low unemployment, many Coloradans are still struggling to keep up with the rising cost of housing, which is driving people out of their communities and causing them long commutes to get to their job,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of SB23-184. “By making it easier for Coloradans to qualify for housing opportunities, more people, especially those on fixed incomes, will be able to find and keep housing that fits in their budget.” Because there are no current regulations to prevent landlords from requiring prospective tenants to make three to five times as much as their annual rental cost, some hardworking Coloradans find it impossible to qualify for housing opportunities. SB23-184 would expand access to housing by limiting any minimum income requirement to two times the cost of the rent. For prospective tenants with a housing voucher or subsidy, this cap would only apply to their portion of the rent obligation, and landlords wouldn’t be able to inquire about or consider their credit score. Large security deposits can also price renters out of housing. This bill would break down cost-barriers by capping security deposits at two times the monthly rent. Although Coloradans who experience housing discrimination can sue or file a civil rights complaint, they’re not able to raise discrimination as a defense to an eviction. SB23-184 would further protect tenants from eviction by establishing that a violation of the bill's new prohibitions is an unfair housing practice and clarifying that fair housing violations, including source of income violations, are an affirmative defense to eviction. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed two bills to boost legal aid funding and expand diversion program eligibility. HB24-1286, sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Mandy Lindsay, would increase access to affordable legal aid. SB24-006, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English, would increase eligibility to diversion programs for people with an intellectual or developmental disability or a mental health or behavioral health issue. < Back March 6, 2024 Judiciary Committee Passes Bills to Boost Legal Aid Funding, Expand Diversion Program Eligibility DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed two bills to boost legal aid funding and expand diversion program eligibility. HB24-1286, sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Mandy Lindsay, would increase access to affordable legal aid. SB24-006, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English, would increase eligibility to diversion programs for people with an intellectual or developmental disability or a mental health or behavioral health issue. “As a family law attorney who does pro bono work, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for hardworking Coloradans to access affordable legal representation,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1286. “Economic status should never dictate justice. By creating the Equal Justice Fund Authority, we can ensure that hardworking Coloradans have equitable access to the legal resources they need to get the outcomes they deserve.” “Lack of access to resources while navigating the legal system can have devastating legal and economic consequences,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1286. “Our legislation would boost funding for organizations that provide lower-income Coloradans with legal resources and representation, giving them the tools to best represent their needs in the criminal justice system. Everyone deserves a fair fight, regardless of their income.” HB24-1286 would create the Equal Justice Fund Authority and the Equal Justice Fund to provide financial support to numerous organizations that provide pro bono or low-cost legal services to low-income Coloradans. The bill would add a $20 fee to appeal and civil court filings to fund the Equal Justice Fund Authority. This bill would increase funding for the Equal Justice Fund by $1.1 million in FY 2024-2025 and $2.2 million every year after. The bill passed by a vote of 6-5. Currently, district attorneys can use an assessment tool to identify individuals who are eligible to be diverted away from the juvenile or criminal justice system and into appropriate services. SB24-006 expands eligibility and diversion services for individuals to include juveniles and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those with behavioral health issues. SB24-006, also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, passed by a vote of 10-0. “People with behavioral health issues and intellectual disabilities often become involved in the criminal justice system, and they deserve to be considered for diversion programs that foster rehabilitation outside of jails and prisons,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of SB24-006. “Our legislation would prohibit district attorneys from denying participation in a diversion program based on mental health, behavioral health, or disability, creating a more fair criminal justice system.” Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation that would streamline access to durable medical equipment and create guidelines for the legalization of medical psilocybin. < Back January 14, 2025 Bills to Increase Access to Medical Equipment, Psilocybin Medication Pass Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation that would streamline access to durable medical equipment and create guidelines for the legalization of medical psilocybin . “As a former first responder, I know how important it is for Coloradans to access the medical treatment they need to live comfortably, which is why I’m carrying this bill to make it easier for people to receive life-saving equipment like wheelchairs and CPAPs,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, sponsor of HB25-1016. “This bill would allow occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment to their patients, cutting out the middle man and streamlining access to essential medical equipment, especially in rural areas where people have to travel further to see a provider.” HB25-1016 , which passed by a vote of 13-0, would allow occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment, like ventilators and wheelchairs, without requiring a prescription from a licensed physician leading to increased access to medical care and treatment. HB25-1063 , sponsored by Representative Kyle Brown and Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, would make a prescription medication that includes crystalline polymorph psilocybin legal to prescribe, dispense, distribute, possess, use, and market in Colorado upon its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Coloradans have shown support for natural psychedelic treatment options when they passed Prop 122, and this bill would help prepare Colorado’s medical industry to start prescribing synthesized psilocybin for Coloradans with certain mental health conditions,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB25-1063. “Research shows that this type of medication can have positive long-term impacts on people suffering from treatment-resistant depression or post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). This bipartisan bill creates guidelines for medical psilocybin treatments in the case that it is approved at the federal level to give Coloradans more controlled treatment options for depression, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, and other conditions.” Colorado became the second state in the nation to legalize psychedelic therapy when voters passed Proposition 122 in 2022. In June 2023, the FDA published guidance for researchers investigating the use of psychedelic therapy for medical treatment, stating that psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs have shown promising results when used to treat mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders. A Johns Hopkins study found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can relieve major depressive disorder symptoms in some adults for at least a year. HB25-1063 passed by a vote of 12-1. Previous Next

< Back August 9, 2024 McCluskie Attends Ribbon Cutting for New Workforce Housing in Buena Vista BUENA VISTA, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie today joined Governor Jared Polis and local leaders at a ribbon cutting ceremony for new workforce housing units in Buena Vista that will support Department of Corrections Employees. “I’m excited to see these new housing options come online for Department of Corrections employees in Buena Vista,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie. “Too many corrections officers and DOC employees have struggled to find a place to live where they can afford, and many have been commuting long distances. This will go a long way toward recruiting and retaining our crucial DOC workforce in Buena Vista and ensuring a higher quality of life for those that live and work here. I want to especially thank Colorado WINS for their work advocating for state employees.” Previous Next

The House today passed two bills to support Colorado schools. HB24-1096, passed by a vote of 59-2 and would create an interstate compact for school psychologists. < Back February 28, 2024 House Passes Bills to Support Colorado Schools DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills to support Colorado schools. HB24-1096, passed by a vote of 59-2 and would create an interstate compact for school psychologists. HB24-1044 passed by a vote of 50-9 and would allow school districts to hire more Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) retirees, without the risk of the retirees losing their retirement benefits. “This bill brings us one step closer to recruiting more behavioral and mental health professionals into our schools,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB24-1096. “As a teacher, I know how important it is to address our students' behavioral and mental health care needs so they can reach their full educational potential. This important legislation creates an interstate compact to make it easier for school psychologists to practice in Colorado schools.” “I spent most of my career as a school psychologist helping students grow and thrive in our public schools,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB24-1096. “We’re committed to addressing the behavioral health needs of our students, and this bill will help Colorado attract more licensed school psychologists to our schools. It is recommended that the student to school psychologist ratio is 500 to one, and in Colorado our average ratio is 942 students to one psychologist. This bill breaks down barriers so already licensed school psychologists can begin working in Colorado schools.” HB24-1096 would create new pathways for out-of-state school psychologists to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill creates the "School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact", an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed school psychologists in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state to practice school psychological services. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for school psychologists by easing the state-to-state licensure process to increase special education services and access to behavioral health care in Colorado schools. The “School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who are often required to relocate. “Our students deserve a quality education and this bill is one step in addressing the teacher shortage,” said Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1044 . “This legislation would allow more experienced educators and staff to return to schools, without the risk of losing their PERA retirement benefits. I am excited to see more retired teachers return to the classroom and help our schools and most importantly – our students.” HB24-1044 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would expand the number of service retirees that school districts may hire while still being eligible for PERA benefits. Specifically, school districts would be able to exceed the current 10 retiree cap by 1 retiree for every 1,000 students above 10,000 students. Under current law, school districts may only hire retirees when a “critical shortage of qualified instructors” is established. This bill aims to streamline placing educators in classrooms by instead allowing school districts to hire up to 10 retirees if the district identifies a “need” for additional instructors. Previous Next