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The House today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. < Back March 10, 2025 House Passes Bill to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault. HB25-1185 would establish a clearer process for parents to legally relinquish their rights while protecting the child's best interest. “No one should have to co-parent with their assailant, yet Colorado’s current law makes it nearly impossible for survivors to access the justice they deserve,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill bridges some of the gaps in current law to make sure survivors are not legally locked into co-parenting with their assailant. This bill prioritizes what’s best for the survivor and child by establishing a clearer process for relinquishing parental rights.” “Co-parenting with the person who sexually assaulted you can be traumatic, stressful and nightmarish for survivors,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “With the passage of this bill, we’re prioritizing survivors by creating an easier and clearer process for survivors to terminate their assailant's parental rights. We must take steps now to modernize and streamline Colorado’s juvenile court proceedings because survivors and their children are depending on it.” HB25-1185 passed the House by a vote of 62-0. This bill aims to protect survivors and children conceived through sexual assault. Specifically, this legislation outlines new procedures for parents who are a survivor of sexual assault to file a petition to prevent contact with the person who committed the assault. Additionally, it would set up clear guidelines for assailants to relinquish their parental rights, including all legal obligations, such as child support. The goal of HB25-1185 is to protect children conceived through sexual assault and ensure they receive the support they need, including their right to inheritance, unless adoption procedures follow. This bill updates current law by clarifying and reducing the number of requirements parents petitioning to relinquish their parental rights must prove in juvenile court. There are between 17,000 and 32,000 sexual assault-related pregnancy cases that occur in the United States each year, leaving survivors legally-bound to their assailant in some cases. This bill aims to remove and simplify legal barriers in Colorado to ensure survivors have access to court proceedings to protect them and their child. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed legislation into law to close tax loopholes that allow businesses to deduct meal and drink expenses from their taxable income in order to expand access to healthy foods in lower-income and under-served communities and help small food retailers and small family farms. < Back June 2, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Boost Food Assistance by Closing Tax Loopholes Becomes Law AURORA, CO - Governor Polis today signed legislation into law to close tax loopholes that allow businesses to deduct meal and drink expenses from their taxable income in order to expand access to healthy foods in lower-income and under-served communities and help small food retailers and small family farms. “Everyday Coloradans don’t get a tax break on their lunches, and neither should wealthy corporations,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “About 33% of Coloradans do not have reliable access to nutritious food, which leads to chronic health issues and expensive health care bills. This new law will boost small food producers, local farmers and food assistance to support everyday Coloradans by closing a loophole only available to a select few.” “Working people in my district and across the state don’t get a tax break on their lunches, and too many of them don’t have enough to eat at all," said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora . “I am happy to close this tax loophole that only benefits the wealthiest Coloradans, and redirect the funds toward addressing food insecurity so that more Coloradans can afford to put food on the table.” “Family owned farms and food retailers need our support more than corporate boardrooms," said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo . “This bill will reduce hunger and strengthen local supply chains in urban and rural parts of Colorado, with a minimal impact on state finances.” Currently, Colorado taxpayers collectively cover the cost of the “business meals deduction” because state tax deductions are linked to federal tax deductions. HB23-1008 would “decouple” from these federal income tax deductions, ending the resulting state tax loophole that allows corporations to deduct business meal expenses from their taxes. Ending these tax deductions supports efforts to reduce food insecurity for hard-working Coloradans and fund a tax credit to help our local farmers and food retailers acquire necessary equipment and better access market opportunities. This bill builds off bipartisan legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2022 to save Coloradans money on healthy foods. The funding allocated by the 2022 legislation supports programs including the Community Nutrition Incentive Program, which assists women, children, and older Coloradans in subscribing to weekly produce deliveries from a local farm; the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which doubles the value of SNAP benefits in participating markets and stores for fruits and vegetables; and the Community Food Access program, which allows more small retailers to acquire equipment to store and sell produce and supports small family farms in connecting their crops to market demands. HB23-1008 supports and extends these efforts by creating an income tax credit for small food retailers, small family farms and Community Food Consortium members worth 85% of the cost of new systems, equipment, and food distribution in 2024, and 75% in following years. Partnerships between Colorado food producers and small retailers boost revenue and cycle money into local economies. It also appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Public Health and Environment to provide healthy eating program incentives for low-income Coloradans and improve access to fresh, Colorado-grown produce. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2019 HOUSE PASSES LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Mar. 4) – The House gave final approval today to the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This life-saving bill would provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The bill has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, the mental health community, advocates for gun violence prevention and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “My son Alex lit up rooms and was beloved. One of the reasons I ran for office was so I could tell all of you about Alex and about other victims and families of gun violence,” said Rep. Sullivan. “Today, the House stood up and did the right thing. This bill will give law enforcement and families the tools that they need to stop tragedies from constantly happening and save lives. ” Rep. Sullivan’s son, Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. Sullivan wears Alex’s jacket every day and wore it during the course of the debate in the House. “We have a choice between maintaining the status quo or putting forward meaningful change that can truly save a life and that’s an easy choice for me,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, “This carefully crafted bill has the support of the vast majority of Coloradans and will help save the lives of law enforcement and members of our communities.” HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during that time period. The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House with bipartisan support, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, testified at a Feb. 21 House hearing on the bill. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee during the hearing how the language in the bill is legal under the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Testimony in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Fourteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Colorado lost over 1,100 people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their ERPO legislation was enacted. The bill was approved on a vote of 38-25 and now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

A new law to cap financial contributions in municipal elections goes into effect on Jan 1, 2024. < Back December 22, 2023 Municipal Campaign Finance Reform Law Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO - A new law to cap financial contributions in municipal elections goes into effect on Jan 1, 2024. HB23-1245 , sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti, Jenny Willford and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and Senator Kevin Priola, aims to limit the influence of special interests on local elections. “Establishing contribution limits and strengthening disclosure requirements for municipal elections will be a great step forward to protect the integrity of our local elections,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . “We’ve long had similar measures in place for state and federal elections and it's about time we provide similar protections to our local governments whose races are often more consequential to the lives of ordinary citizens. By giving the public more information about who is funding their local candidates, we promote government transparency and accountability and provide a foundation for trust. This law will help ensure that cities and towns across Colorado are implementing the best practices for campaign finance.” “In recent years we’ve seen more and more money flow into local elections,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “To help ensure these elections aren’t bought and influenced by special interests and big money donors, this new law caps campaign contributions made by individuals and small donor committees. With the new contribution caps, candidates who aren’t independently wealthy or already well-connected will be on a much more even playing field.” “The influence of dark money donors is growing in our local elections, making it more difficult for everyday people to play a role in deciding who should represent them,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “Soon, municipal election contributions will be limited to a reasonable amount, which limits the influence of wealthy dark money donors, creates a more even playing field for individual voters, and encourages candidates to campaign in their communities.” “This new law helps bring transparency to local elections,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson said. “Our local elections are better off when the public knows where candidates are getting money from and how they are spending it. With the new campaign contribution reporting requirements, the public will have much better access to information that will help them make more informed decisions.” HB23-1245 sets a municipal election campaign contribution limit at $400 for individuals and political parties and $4,000 for small donor committees to a candidate committee. Amounts are subject to inflation adjustments and the disclosure provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. The law also changes municipal clerk report filing timelines, subjects them to open record requests, extends filing retention requirements, and applies some additional disclosure requirements. Previous Next

< Back July 2, 2020 BILLS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO — During a virtual bill signing ceremony today, Governor Jared Polis signed into law three bills to hold corporate polluters accountable, enhance public notification requirements when toxic chemicals are emitted by polluters, and improve the energy efficiency of new public school constructions. HB20-1265 , sponsored by Representatives Adrienne Benavidez and Alex Valdez, will inform Colorado communities when toxic chemicals are emitted from many refineries, factories, coal plants and other facilities. These air toxins heavily impact the communities that live close by and can cause a number of health complications. This new law requires facilities to conduct outreach in English and Spanish and notify the surrounding communities when they release toxic levels of benzene, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide into the air. The requirement applies to both anticipated or unanticipated incidents, including as a result of a malfunction, start-up, shutdown, upset or emergency. “The new law signed today will protect the rights of all Coloradans to breathe clean air and ensure they are empowered with clear information about the activities of their industrial neighbors,” said Rep. Benavidez, D-Adams County. “The often low-income, often non-English speaking communities that are directly affected by toxic emissions have a right to know when polluters release deadly chemicals into the air their children breathe. This common sense new law requires notification and will help ensure Coloradans have the information they need.” “This new law came about through the power of an organized community demanding change,” said Rep. Valdez, D-Denver. “Notifying communities when dangerous levels of toxins have been emitted is a reasonable requirement for industry, but it will go a long way towards empowering our neighborhoods, our families, and our state with crucial information. I’m proud of the work we’ve done here.” The second bill signed into law, HB20-1143 , sponsored by Reps. Dominique Jackson and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, would hold polluters accountable by increasing criminal penalties for the pollution of state waters and raising the maximum daily fine for civil air and water quality violations. The bill would also give the Attorney General and District Attorneys jurisdiction over water quality violations. “By increasing the consequences for polluters, today we took an important step towards ensuring corporate accountability and protecting our environment,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora. “All Coloradans have the right to clean air and water, and this will go a long way to guarantee that the bad actors infringing on this right are held accountable.” “Far too many people of color and low-income Coloradans deal with the health impacts of air and water pollution in their communities every day,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “This new law provides more tools to crack down on polluters and encourage them to take community health and safety more seriously. There is no excuse for polluting the air our communities breathe and the water our children drink.” Finally, Governor Polis signed SB20-124 , Representative Bri Buentello’s bipartisan bill to help Colorado’s public schools become more energy efficient. Under current law, the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program uses a specific set of guidelines when reviewing applications for grant funding for capital repairs or improvements. This new law will add a guideline for the BEST program to consider when looking at grant applications that they consult with the local electric utility on energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and distributed generation opportunities. “As a teacher, I know firsthand how much Colorado’s schools need the type of support provided by BEST grants,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo. “In addition to considering things like health and safety issues and broadband connectivity, the BEST program will now take into account the energy efficiency of schools applying for grant funding. Helping our schools become energy efficient will save school districts crucial funds and go a long way towards protecting the environment that Colorado’s children will grow up with.” Previous Next

< Back May 22, 2019 GOV SIGNS ROBERTS BILL TO REDUCE INSULIN PRICES Price of insulin has increased 555 percent over the last 14 years (May 22) – Governor Polis signed Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bill to reduce the price of life-saving insulin for people with diabetes in Colorado. “For Coloradans living with Type 1 Diabetes, insulin is essential to their survival – it is the same as oxygen. The skyrocketing cost of insulin is outrageous and it is literally putting people’s lives at risk,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon . “With this new law, Coloradans will no longer be forced to choose between this life-saving and life-sustaining drug and their other expenses.” One-in-four type-1 diabetics report rationing their insulin due to the high cost of the drug. HB19-1216 caps the total co-pay that patients will pay for insulin to $100 per one-month supply, regardless of how much insulin is being dispensed. This is down from an average out-of-pocket costs of $600-900 per month, which Coloradans currently face. “This law is a significant step in trying to solve the much larger problem of prescription drug pricing and will make a significant difference for Coloradans living with diabetes and their families,” continued Rep. Roberts. Rep. Roberts has been an outspoken advocate for Coloradans living with diabetes since arriving at the state capitol. Over 420,000 Coloradans have diabetes and an additional 20,000 Coloradans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser was also in attendance at the bill signing. In addition to the co-pay cap, the law also directs the Colorado Attorney General’s office investigate business practices, organization, pricing, and data of pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurance carriers, and any other entity that influences insulin costs and create a report that explores possible legislative solutions. The report will be submitted to the governor, the commissioner of insurance, and the judiciary committees of the House and Senate in 2020. The annual medical cost related to diabetes in Colorado is almost $4 billion. Almost 18 percent of that cost, roughly $700 million, is for prescription insulin to treat diabetes. The cost of insulin rose by 45 percent between 2014 and 2017 and by over 700 percent over the last twenty years while the actual product of insulin has not changed in any significant way since 1996. Gov.Polis also signed Rep. Roberts’ bill that expands the types of locations that have automated external defibrillators. HB19-1183 encourages any person that owns, operates, or manages a public place to place functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in sufficient quantities to ensure reasonable availability for use during perceived sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. Previous Next

Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership < Back March 8, 2024 Bill to Strengthen Firearm Training, Promote Responsible Gun Ownership Advances Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to promote responsible firearm ownership and protect Colorado communities from gun violence. “States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit saw a 32 percent increase in gun assaults,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives. This important legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities.” “When I received my concealed carry permit years ago, I was surprised to learn that Colorado law did not require live-fire training, a necessary skill to have before carrying a gun in public spaces," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "Our bill would create a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training with a certified firearms instructor, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Our commonsense gun violence prevention legislation works to prevent senseless gun deaths by improving firearm training.” 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, interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies, 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 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 a county sheriff. 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

On July 1, 2025, a bipartisan law goes into effect to combine two waiver programs to create the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver. This will help streamline access to services for behavioral health conditions or complex health needs. < Back June 26, 2025 Legislation to Streamline Access to Youth Behavioral and Complex Health Care Takes Effect DENVER, CO - On July 1, 2025, a bipartisan law goes into effect to combine two waiver programs to create the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver. This will help streamline access to services for behavioral health conditions or complex health needs. “I’ve seen the positive impact that access to essential health care and services has on children with IDD, behavioral health, and long-term medical needs, which is why it's so important that we expand and streamline the process for receiving care,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “This legislation is near and dear to my heart, and I am excited that this new law is going into effect to expand the services available to Colorado kids and families so they can enjoy life at home while receiving the health care they need and deserve.” “We owe it to our children to provide the support they need in their early years. That is not only the right thing to do, but an important investment in our future,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This legislation helps protect and streamline children’s health care and early intervention services to make sure every child in Colorado has the opportunity to thrive.” HB25-1003 , also sponsored by Rep. Max Brooks, R-Castle Rock, creates the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver by merging the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) and the Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI) waivers. This helps streamline waivers to better support Colorado’s youth with behavioral health conditions or complex needs. The CHCBS provides home and community-based services for families with children with significant medical needs so they can continue to live at home and prevent institutionalization. The CLLI provides in-home services and treatments for families with children with a complex health need, including respite care and pain management. Colorado Democrats have passed legislation in recent years to improve access to behavioral health care, including creating the I Matter program to offer no-cost behavioral health services to students, training for first responders and community leaders to identify and respond to symptoms of mental health struggles or substance use disorders, and expanding behavioral health care coverage for Colorado youth. Previous Next

< Back October 1, 2020 REPRESENTATIVES PRAISE PARDONS FOR MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS DENVER, CO – Representatives James Coleman, D-Denver, Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, today released the following statements after Governor Jared Polis announced pardons for 2,732 Coloradans with state-level marijuana convictions, utilizing expanded authority granted through HB20-1424 . “Today, our state has taken a major step forward in securing justice for the thousands of Coloradans who have been living with a conviction on their record for a crime that no longer exists in our state,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver, the House sponsor of the legislation. “For too long, these convictions continued the injustices perpetrated under the discriminatory policy of marijuana prohibition, making it harder for Coloradans with convictions to find housing, employment or access critical services. Governor Polis’ decision to grant these pardons will finally bring justice to Coloradans who have been denied opportunity and have continued to be punished for possession of small amounts of marijuana long after the state rolled back its prohibition.” “This pardon is long overdue and will make a real difference in the lives of countless Coloradans,” said Colorado Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, who also championed the change. “Far too many people in our state have continued to suffer the consequences of a small mistake made decades ago while others profit off of the booming and legitimized cannabis industry. I’m proud to have played a part in the justice being served today.” “These convictions for marijuana possession, which disproportionately fell on people of color, have persisted on Coloradans’ records despite being in opposition to our fundamental values of fairness, justice and opportunity for all,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont, who advocated for creating the pardon authority under HB20-1424. “I’m proud our state is moving forward and righting this wrong.” Under HB20-1424, the governor has expanded authority to pardon a class of persons convicted of possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana. The conviction must be for a state-level offense. Previous Next

< Back April 14, 2023 Bipartisan Bill to SupportChild Care and Save Families Money Presses Forward DENVER, CO – Legislation to support child care facilities and save Colorado families money passed the House on a preliminary vote today. HB23-1091, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would extend the child care contribution tax credit through 2027. “Colorado’s child care system has been stretched thin, so we’re working to continue tax credits to support facilities and help make child care more affordable and accessible,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Having access to quality child care sets children up for success later in life, helps people get back to work and supports our growing state. Our legislation encourages charitable donations that invest in our community child care facilities, enhance children’s learning and ultimately save Coloradans money.” HB23-1091 would continue to encourage charitable contributions to uplift and support child care facilities in Colorado by saving Coloradans money. Specifically, this bill extends the child care contribution tax credit through tax year 2027. The credit would be available at 50% of the contribution amount up to $100,000 to Coloradans who make a monetary contribution to promote child care in Colorado. Tax credits are available to those who contribute to facilities, schools, or programs that provide child care, programs that train child care providers, and grant or loan programs for parents requiring financial assistance for child care purposes. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2021 BIPARTISAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISASTER RESPONSE ADVANCES Bill would establish the Community Behavioral Health Disaster Program to support Coloradans after major disasters and emergencies DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services today passed Representative Cutter’s bipartisan bill to support the work of behavioral health organizations responding to community behavioral health needs in the wake of an emergency or disaster. The bill passed by a vote of 11-2. “There is a clear need for a more holistic response to disasters like wildfires, pandemics, floods, and even mass shootings,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This bill will support the great work of our state’s behavioral health organizations striving to meet the needs of communities left reeling in the wake of a disaster or an emergency. With many community mental health centers already operating programs to help Coloradans deal with the effects of COVID-19, today we’re seizing a unique opportunity to help them continue their important work and build resiliency.” HB21-1281 , also sponsored by Representative Perry Will, creates the Community Behavioral Health Disaster Preparedness and Response Program in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The program is intended to enhance, support, and formalize behavioral health disaster preparedness and response activities of community behavioral health organizations. Community mental health centers are already operating a number of programs that would fall within the scope of this fund, especially as they relate to COVID-19, but funding for them is fragmented and much of the federal funding will soon be withdrawn. Previous Next

< Back June 25, 2021 $130M FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND NEW TENANT PROTECTIONS SIGNED INTO LAW DENVER, CO — Governor Polis today signed three bills into law that will provide nearly $30 million in federal funds to support local government efforts to address homelessness; immediately invest $98.5 million in federal funds to construct nearly 7,000 affordable housing units; deploy $1.5 million in eviction legal defense funding; set aside $415 million in federal funds toward future affordable housing efforts; and provide tenants new protections and rights. “We will not wait any longer to address Colorado’s housing crisis,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “This legislature has made historic investments to make housing more affordable and provide shelter for individuals experiencing homlessness. We are immediately investing nearly $100 million to build nearly 7,000 affordable housing units, and we’re providing $30 million to local governments to help them purchase and convert underutilized properties to provide shelter or affordable housing.” “Housing should be a human right in Colorado, but it’s way too hard for low and middle-income families to find an affordable place to live,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “From the cost of rent to the price of buying a house or condo, it’s becoming more expensive to live in Colorado, and wages and salaries aren’t keeping up. Today, we’re giving local governments and legal aid organizations the tools they need to reduce homelessness and to provide due process in eviction court proceedings. We’re also setting up a responsible process for lawmakers to work alongside experts and community leaders to craft policies for the next legislative session that will invest $415 million to increase access to affordable housing across Colorado.” SB21-242 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Steven Woodrow, provides $30 million in federal funding for grants and loans for local governments and nonprofits to purchase underutilized hotels, underutilized motels and other underutilized properties for the purpose of providing noncongregate shelter or affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Grant recipients are encouraged to invest in hotels and motels that are women and minority-owned, as well as those that are ADA compliant. HB21-1329 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Steven Woodrow, channels $550 million in federal stimulus funds toward affordable housing efforts. It immediately invests $98.5 million of that funding to build nearly 7,000 housing units that will help Coloradans who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic obtain affordable housing. It also invests $1.5 million into the state’s Eviction Legal Defense grant program, doubling the state’s support to this program in order to protect tenants who might be facing eviction as the federal eviction moratorium comes to a close. The bill requires a broad and diverse stakeholder process during the interim that will develop and make recommendations to the General Assembly for how to allocate the remaining $415 million. The funds will be used on programs or services that address housing insecurity, a lack of affordable housing or homelessness, including construction of new affordable housing units, housing and rental assistance programs and supportive housing programs. “Today, Colorado’s housing laws are more fair for renters and offer new protections that will help tenants avoid eviction,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “The bill Governor Polis signed today will reduce frequent and astronomical rent increases that force people from their homes and provide renters with more time to avoid an eviction or put their effects in order before being removed from their homes.” “No one should be left with just a few hours to pack all their belongings and move out of their home before law enforcement carries out an eviction,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “This new law offers tenants basic protections to help them avoid eviction or land back on their feet rather than putting them on a potential path to homelessness. The protections are critical for helping our state build back stronger and will help vulnerable people avoid losing the place where they live or be quickly priced out of their residences.” HB21-1121 , sponsored by Representatives Dominique Jackson and Iman Jodeh helps keep Coloradans housed and creates more fairness between landlords and tenants by providing renters with additional time before law enforcement can assist in an eviction. It also prohibits residential landlords from increasing rent more than once in a 12-month period and increases the notification timeline for rent increases when there is not a written lease. Previous Next