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The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed Representative Stephanie Vigil’s bill to bring life-saving information on suicide prevention to workplaces. < Back January 31, 2024 Vigil’s Workplace Suicide Prevention Education Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed Representative Stephanie Vigil’s bill to bring life-saving information on suicide prevention to workplaces. HB24-1015 passed committee unanimously. “Suicide deaths are preventable, and anyone can save a life. This is a public health crisis that requires a community response, and we can save lives by equipping more people with the skills and knowledge to do effective suicide prevention,” said Representative Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “Workplaces are an excellent venue for this, a source of continuing education for many working people, and a place where they regularly see others who aren’t their family or household members.” HB24-1015 would require the Office of Suicide Prevention in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to create suicide prevention education posters and notices to make them available to employers. Posters would include an overview of suicide prevention training programs, information on reducing access to means of self-harm, including firearms, and information on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It would also require the department to post a link to the landing page for workplace suicide prevention information on its official website. Under this bill, employers would be required to display posters in their workplaces beginning on July 1, 2025. There is no cost to Colorado employers to create or obtain the posters. Previous Next

< Back March 27, 2019 JANET BUCKNER’S BIPARTISAN ORGAN DONOR BILL PASSES COMMITTEE (Mar. 27) – Speaker Pro-Tem Janet Buckner’s bipartisan bill passed out of the House Health and Insurance committee today. The bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums for living donors based on their status as a living donor. “We shouldn’t be punishing people who are trying to save lives,” said Rep. Buckner, D-Aurora. “This bill will address this problem and ensure that people who are trying to help others aren’t charged more or worse, denied insurance all together.” HB19-1253 prohibits a person who offers life insurance, disability income insurance, or long-term care insurance from discriminating against a person based solely on the person’s status as a living organ donor. In addition, in 2020, the state department shall develop materials to educate the public on the benefits of being a living organ donor and their access to insurance. In 2018, 263 Coloradans died or became too sick to remain on the transplant waitlist while there were 168 living organ donors in Colorado. Currently, 1872 Coloradans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. HB19-1253 passed the committee with unanimous, bipartisan support and now goes to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE DENVER, CO — The House today advanced historic legislation that will future-proof Colorado’s broken transportation funding system, improve air quality, create jobs and save Coloradans time and money spent on roads and vehicle repairs. SB21-260 , sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett and Representative Matt Gray, will save Coloradans money and time spent on roads by reducing congestion, creating new transportation options, and balancing the needs of every Colorado community. Colorado’s gas tax was created in 1991, and its value has significantly eroded since then, leaving Colorado roads and transportation system drastically underfunded. The bill will create a sustainable funding source for transportation infrastructure that will support a dynamic economy, improve air quality, create jobs, and ensure Colorado is positioned to compete with other states. The bill provides $5.365 billion in transportation funding to fix roads and bridges, improve transit options, meet Colorado’s climate goals, help disproportionately impacted communities, and future-proof the state’s transportation system. The funding will come from a fair and responsible mix of state and federal funding, as well as fee revenue that reflects all the users and uses of our transportation system. For the first two years, the proposal reduces vehicle registration fees, saving drivers money in 2022 and 2023. New fees won’t begin until FY23 and will be nominal, phased and spread across all users of the system to bring down longer-term maintenance and repair costs while ensuring we are improving our infrastructure. Overall, the bill promotes collaboration between the Department of Transportation (CDOT), Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to coordinate both regional and statewide efforts to develop a transportation system that supports a dynamic economy while mitigating climate impacts, saving Coloradans money and time spent on the roads, and making key investments in rural and disproportionately impacted communities. To ensure transparency, performance and accountability measures will be required for every entity that receives funding through this bill, including the four new enterprises. The Colorado Energy Office and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will report on progress made toward the electric motor vehicle adoption goals in the “Colorado Electric Vehicle Plan 2020” and the transportation sector greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals in the “Colorado Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap.” CDOT and every new enterprise will maintain public project management dashboards that will show key performance indicators for projects paid for by the funding in this bill. Over the course of the eleven-year plan set forth in the bill, nearly $3.8 billion will be generated through new revenue, and the bill will leverage over $1.5 billion in state general fund revenue and stimulus dollars. This will provide long overdue funds after years of failed legislative attempts and ballot measures to support our statewide transportation system, as well as create good-paying jobs that will continue to exist for decades to come. In addition to bipartisan legislative support, the proposal has garnered endorsements from local leaders and organizations across the state, including: Governor Polis, Mayor Hancock of Denver, Mayor Arnt of Fort Collins, Chair of the Metro Mayors Caucus Mayor Jackie Millet, Mayor Suthers of Colorado Springs, Mayor Weaver of Boulder, President and CEO of the Boulder Chamber John Tayer, A Way Forward chair and president and CEO of Colorado Concern Mike Kopp, Adams County Commissioner Eva Henry, SMART Union, Action 22, SWEEP, Lyft, Pipefitters Local 208, Colorado Competitive Council, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Mike Ferrufino, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President Kelly Brough, Grand Junction Economic Partnership Executive Director Robin Brown, Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Executive Vice President Dave Davia, Former Colorado Speaker of the House Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Routt County Commissioner Beth Melton, Chaffee County Commissioner Keith Baker, Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue, Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy, Grand County Commissioner Rich Cimino, La Plata County Commissioner Clyde Church, Eagle County Commissioner Matt Scherr, Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens, Adams County Commissioner Emma Pinter, and Clear Creek County Commissioner Randall Wheelock. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2024 House Sends Bill to Prevent Evictions, Homelessness to Governor Polis DENVER, CO - The House today sent legislation to Governor Jared Polis that would prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. “1098 clearly defines in state law when and why landlords can evict tenants,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “This will stabilize renters and prevent unnecessary displacement, discrimination, and retaliatory evictions. This law creates stability for landlords and renters because it does not prevent landlords from evicting tenants who have violated their lease or are behind on their rent, or where a landlord is getting out of the business. This will save Colorado families money and help keep roofs over their heads and roots in their community.” “Unnecessary and arbitrary evictions have devastating consequences for Coloradans, which is why we passed legislation to clearly outline reasons landlords can file for an eviction,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Evictions make renters more vulnerable to homelessness, and having an eviction on your record can make it nearly impossible to find housing. I’m excited that our legislation to prevent Coloradans from being displaced is one step closer to becoming law so hardworking Coloradans can remain safely housed.” Currently, Colorado law exposes renters to possible arbitrary, retaliatory or discriminatory evictions. The ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation would prevent a landlord from evicting a tenant unless there is cause for eviction. Under HB24-1098 , the reasons a landlord could lawfully evict a tenant include failure to pay rent in a timely manner, destruction of property, interfering with the right to quiet enjoyment, or a substantial violation of the rental agreement. The bill also includes allowable reasons for a no-fault lease non-renewal, including substantial repairs or conversion of a residential premises, and selling the property. Some exceptions to the ‘For Cause Eviction’ bill include rentals within the landlord’s primary residence, short-term rentals, mobile homes and for employers who provide housing to employees. Evictions threaten the health and safety of Coloradans, with research showing that individuals who experience an eviction are more likely to report poorer physical or mental health outcomes . In 2023, Denver set a new record of annual evictions, reaching nearly 13,000 filings. The House also sent HB24-1007 , sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Javier Mabrey, to the Governor to prohibit local governments from limiting the number of people who can live together in a residence. Limits would be permitted if based on demonstrated health and safety standards, such as fire code regulations, wastewater and water quality standards and international building code standards. ### Previous Next

Legislation would update Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by the passage of Amendment 79 < Back March 25, 2025 Bill to Implement Voter-Approved Protections for Abortion Care and Pregnancy-Related Services Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to implement voter-approved protections for abortion care and pregnancy-related services. “Coloradans believe it is your constitutional right to access the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion. This bill simply implements the voters’ will,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion care and access or restrict funding all together, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. To further reduce federal interference, our legislation reduces the state’s reliance on federal reimbursement for reproductive health care. This bill upholds the will of the voters to ensure your fundamental right to access life-saving abortion care is never ripped away.” “Voters made their voices loud and clear – abortion must remain legal and protected in Colorado,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Given the uncertain future of abortion access in our nation, Colorado Democrats stepped up in recent years to protect reproductive health care in our state. Importantly, this bill expands reproductive health care coverage, which means Colorado's public employees can receive the essential care they need without jumping through hoops. In Colorado, we trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference, and I’m proud to carry this bill through the House.” In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. SB25-183 would implement the will of the voters by updating Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage. SB25-183 passed committee by a vote of 9-4. Beginning on January 1, 2026, the bill would ensure that state employee health insurance plans cover abortion care and require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to authorize reimbursements for abortion care under publicly funded insurance, including community members with coverage through Health First Colorado, and the Reproductive Health Care Program. Amendment 79 won with 62-percent of the vote statewide. Of the 65 House Districts, Amendment 79 received at least 55-percent of the vote in 46 districts. In a Congressional breakdown , Amendment 79 won majority yes in six out of eight Colorado’s congressional districts, including CD-3. Previous Next

< Back May 8, 2021 OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PASSES COMMITTEE Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee passed a bill to create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as a clearinghouse for mental health, educational, and gun safety resources DENVER, CO– The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee today advanced Reps. Tom Sullivan and Jennifer Bacon’s bill to create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill passed by a vote of 8-5. “I’m often confronted with the question of why mass shootings seem to happen more in Colorado than in any other place,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “By collecting data and digging deep into the root causes and effects of gun violence, the office that this bill seeks to create will help us find answers to this question so we can prevent mass shootings and save lives. I’m immensely proud of our state and my colleagues for taking bold action on gun violence prevention this year.” “Too many young people across the state, especially in Black and Brown communities, have had their lives cut short or forever changed at the hands of a firearm,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “If we are serious about saving lives, we have to treat gun violence like the epidemic it is. That’s why I’m so proud that the Office of Gun Violence Prevention will take a holistic approach to tackling gun violence, leveraging existing prevention and mental health resources, collecting data, and investing in community-led violence prevention and interruption programs.” HB21-1299 establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention under the Department of Public Health and Environment. The Office would be responsible for conducting public awareness campaigns about gun violence prevention. It would educate the public about existing state resources and laws, including how to file an Extreme Risk Protection Order, how to access mental health resources, and how to store firearms securely. The office would also fund proven community-based violence intervention programs that are focused on interrupting cycles of gun violence through competitive grants. Finally, the Office would be tasked with promoting research and presenting gun violence prevention tools and resources that would be available to the public and to create and maintain a database of research regarding gun violence in Colorado. Previous Next

US House votes to slash Medicaid, kick Coloradans off health insurance, and cut food assistance to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans < Back May 22, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: GOP Budget Is Devastating for Coloradans DENVER, CO — Speaker Julie McCluskie, President James Coleman, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, and JBC members Shannon Bird, Jeff Bridges, Emily Sirota, and Judy Amabile today released the following statements after the US House passed Trump’s Medicaid cuts. Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: “Coloradans across the state– from rural health providers to seniors in long term care– are counting on us to speak up now and tell members of Congress to oppose this bill. This shouldn’t be partisan. We pay more in federal taxes than we receive back, and now Republicans in Congress want to take even more. Trump’s budget kicks vulnerable people off their health care, cuts food assistance for children, and will force rural health clinics to close or turn away patients. This is an all hands on deck moment to stop these painful cuts that will devastate Coloradans." Statement from Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver: “Congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill benefits billionaires on the backs of hardworking Coloradans and Americans. Nearly one in five Coloradans rely on Medicaid for health care. That’s over one million Coloradans from Denver to Durango, and everywhere in between. The vote to advance this package is an expected, yet disappointing step forward, and I urge Colorado’s federal delegation to do all they can to defend our access to essential medical care and fix the mess that Washington is creating for us here at home.” Statement from House Majority Leader Monica Duran: “Congress should be cutting taxes for working families, not cutting Medicaid and food assistance and rolling back consumer protections. These GOP cuts will harm the most vulnerable in Colorado and force us to choose between bad and worse options to keep our budget balanced. Furthermore, this bill defunds Planned Parenthood, which would disproportionately limit access to family planning and preventive care like screenings and tests for women and people of color. I am deeply alarmed that this bill has moved forward.” Statement from Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver: “The GOP’s reconciliation bill prioritizes the interests of the wealthiest Americans and powerful corporations over working families. From sweeping tax breaks for billionaires to buried provisions like a 10-year federal preemption on any and all AI safeguards, the bill reflects a consistent pattern: advancing the agenda of Big Tech and other special interests at the expense of consumer protections and public accountability." Statement from JBC Chair Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County: “Here in Colorado, we know what it’s like to make difficult decisions to balance our state budget. Every year, the Joint Budget Committee does so carefully, thoughtfully, and with the best interests of Colorado families in mind. While we budget with a scalpel, Congressional Republicans are using a chainsaw. This budget is irresponsible and reckless, and it will hurt Coloradans. Smart investments yield strong returns, and every dollar we invest in health care, education, and families pays dividends in a healthier, more productive workforce and a stronger economy. Slashing essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP will hurt families today, and jeopardize our state’s long-term stability and opportunity.” Statement from JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster: “Everyone who works hard deserves a fair opportunity to thrive and live the American dream, but Republicans in Congress just voted to make it harder. Instead of cutting costs for families, they are stripping health care from Coloradans and increasing copays for low-income people. Colorado’s budget simply cannot absorb these cuts, and if this bill passes, we will have to slash core services that people depend on and expect. I am concerned that this bill will cause chaos in the stock market and crash people’s retirement savings, raise costs on consumers and worsen the economic volatility that’s hurting families under the Trump administration.” Statement from JBC member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder: “Republicans in Congress are hellbent on making it harder for everyday Coloradans to stay on Medicaid. Millions of Coloradans rely on Medicaid and Medicare, and the drastic cuts to these programs in Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill will have devastating impacts from the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains. This further compounds our state’s budgetary challenges and will force the Joint Budget Committee to make impossible decisions about the future of Medicaid funding in Colorado and our ability to provide core services to hardworking families.” Statement from Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver: “GOP politicians in DC just voted to take health care and food assistance from vulnerable people so they can give massive tax cuts to billionaires and the wealthiest Americans. The message from Washington Republicans is clear: Trump, Musk and their billionaire backers are more important than hardworking people. Their budget cuts will harm those who can least afford it and make it harder for Colorado to fund higher education, K-12, public safety initiatives, and the critical services Coloradans rely on. We will be forced to reduce health care eligibility, cut services or pay providers less, jeopardizing our safety net and critical access facilities.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). < Back June 3, 2025 Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025 Becomes Law to Address CBI Backlog DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to address the backlog in DNA tests collected in sexual assault investigations by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "CBI’s backlog exceeding 550 days is unacceptable,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “There are over 1,300 survivors waiting for their results, and each number is a real person who is seeking the answers they need to pursue accountability and justice. Survivors deserve better, and this law shows them that Colorado stands with them in their fight.” "Colorado has struggled for years to quickly test evidence related to sexual assault offenses, leaving survivors of these crimes without justice and the broader community without safety," said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. "This session, bipartisan majorities in the legislature supported additional funding to catch up on the backlog of evidence requiring testing and heightened transparency requirements so the public can be more fully aware of how this work is progressing. SB304 builds on this work by requiring better communication about evidence test status to survivors of sexual assault offenses, increased reporting, and investment in a new board to improve communication and coordination across state and local forensic labs. This law is part of our ongoing commitment to do better for survivors of these horrible offenses." "The CBI backlog has had devastating consequences on survivors and victims, and this new law helps to create a system that puts them at the forefront,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “I have proudly sponsored numerous laws to bolster how Colorado handles and processes sexual assault kits, including allowing victims to track the status of their case. This law will improve accountability and address the backlog so survivors can seek the justice they deserve." SB25-304 , titled the “Miranda Gordon Justice For Survivors Act of 2025”, creates the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Evidence Review Board, whose mission mirrors that of the existing Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board . Under the law, the board will review and evaluate the effectiveness of current protocols, standards, and training practices in the criminal legal system's response to sexual assault. The law also requires making victim-centered recommendations for improvement in accordance with the federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to the General Assembly by November 1, 2026. Additionally, the law will: Create a notification requirement under the Victim Rights Act that a law enforcement agency must notify victims at least once every 90 days if they have not received DNA test results for their case; Directs crime labs to analyze test kits and upload the information within 60 days, when appropriate, and subject to available resources; Instruct CBI to create a public-facing dashboard that provides reports on the forensic medical evidence and DNA evidence backlog at least every thirty days; and Expand existing reporting rules to require that CBI send each member of the General Assembly the dashboard data and updates on lab contracting issues affecting CBI’s testing capacity or timeline projections, at least every thirty days. Earlier this year, a former CBI forensic scientist - Missy Woods - was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than 1,000 criminal cases dating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the 554-day wait to receive results for a sexual assault kit. SB25-304 and HB25-1275 are a direct response CBI crime laboratory misconduct and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Naquetta Ricks that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on ‘junk fees’. < Back March 4, 2025 House Cracks Down on ‘Junk Fees’ to Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Naquetta Ricks that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on ‘junk fees’. HB24-1090 passed by a vote of 41 to 21 with every House Republican opposing the effort to rein in unpopular, surprise junk fees. “Hidden ‘junk fees’ often add up to hundreds of dollars in monthly expenses for Coloradans, so we are taking action to crack down on these surprise costs to save people money,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Whatever the ‘junk fee’ is disguised as, the goal is to hike up prices and drain money out of the pockets of hardworking Coloradans to increase corporate profits. With the passage of this bill, we’re one step closer to cracking down on junk fees so Coloradans know the upfront cost of products, goods and services.” “It is estimated that ‘junk fees’ add up to $90 billion per year in our country, costing households more than $650 annually that could be better spent on groceries, health care, and child care,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “Junk fees are often not disclosed until a consumer is ready to check out or after they’ve paid a non-refundable security deposit, which means Coloradans end up paying higher prices than they are expecting. Addressing junk fees in our state has been one of my biggest priorities, and this legislation brings us closer to honest pricing so Coloradans can make buying decisions that fit their budget.” HB25-1090 would improve transparency in pricing and save Coloradans money by: Prohibiting pricing information for a good, service, or property being offered, displayed, or advertised unless the total price is disclosed, with the exception of a government or shipping charge, third-party fees, and utilities, Prohibiting the misrepresentation of pricing information, Requiring the nature or purpose of pricing information to be disclosed for a good, service, or property that is not part of the total price, and Restricting fees landlords can charge for utilities and third-party services if they comply with legal limits, ensuring that tenants are not charged additional fees. On January 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a letter to Governor Polis to provide information about the efforts they have made to address junk fees and called for the passage of legislation like HB25-1090, that works to combat these unforeseen costs. The FTC and the Colorado Attorney General have announced they are taking action against the nation’s largest multi-family rental property managers for using deceptive advertising and failing to disclose recurring fees. Previous Next

< Back March 28, 2022 ANTI-VAXX BILLS DEFEATED Legislation will invest $84.2 million to expand behavioral health care workforce, better connect Coloradans with the care they need DENVER, CO – Lawmakers in the Colorado Senate introduced a pair of bills aimed at improving access to Colorado’s behavioral health care and increasing the state’s health care workforce. The legislation was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . SB22-181 : Behavioral Health Care Workforce Development Sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa), Reps. Lisa Cutter (D-Jefferson County) and Tonya Van Beber (R-Weld County) This bill directs the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to develop plans to invest $72 million to bolster and stabilize the state’s behavioral health care workforce, which will help more Coloradans access the critical care they need to thrive. “If we want to achieve our goal of transforming Colorado’s behavioral health system, we need a robust workforce to help us do it,” said Sen. Bridges. “With this bill, we’re going to make a significant investment to expand our behavioral health workforce so we can address our workforce shortage, better meet the needs of patients, and improve patient outcomes.” “As we invest $450 million to improve access to behavioral health in Colorado, we’re taking aggressive action to attract, train and retain the providers we need to provide that quality care,” said Rep. Cutter. “There is a significant shortage of behavioral health care providers in Colorado, and this bill will start to address this challenge by taking a multi-pronged approach that focuses on recruitment, training and collaborative partnerships. A large portion of the funding will go toward scholarships and loan forgiveness for behavioral health care students and training programs to prepare young people for a career in behavioral health care.” The bill will invest a total of $72 million, including: $10 million to improve recruiting and retaining providers who better represent the communities they serve. $6 million to help Colorado colleges and universities promote the behavioral health field and to allow students to participate in activities like job shadowing and internships that expose them to the behavioral health field and create a level playing field so students of all backgrounds can explore a career in behavioral health. $20 million for the Colorado Health Service Corps, an existing program that allows care providers working in designated health professional shortage areas to apply for funding to repay qualifying educational loans. $20 million to create a behavioral health care training curriculum administered by the Colorado Community College System. $6 million to expand the number of peer support specialists in Colorado. Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience who can help others going through similar experiences, and are a critical component of the behavioral health workforce. $5 million to offer professional development opportunities that improve skills for behavioral health care professionals to better serve people in the criminal justice system, improve cultural competency and expand professional development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed workforce. $5 million to further leverage existing workforce development programs, establish standards to ensure a quality workforce, and reduce administrative burden so that providers can spend more time focusing on patient care. SB22-177 : Investments in Statewide Care Coordination Infrastructure Sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) and Bob Rankin (R-Carbondale) and Reps. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada) and Mary Bradfield (R-Colorado Springs) This bill appropriates $12.2 million to improve Colorado’s statewide care coordination infrastructure to better serve Coloradans seeking behavioral health care. The bill requires the BHA to better train new and existing behavioral health care navigators on available behavioral health safety net system services and delivery, and on ways to better connect individuals seeking care with the support they need. The bill also seeks to cut red tape associated with provider enrollment and credentialing for navigators and care coordination providers, so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping Coloradans in need. “While there will always be more work to do to expand and improve our behavioral health care system, we need to make sure Coloradans can fully utilize already existing behavioral health services,” said Sen. Pettersen. “With this new infusion of funds, we can more quickly and efficiently connect Coloradans with care they need. Behavioral health care navigators will be well equipped to help Coloradans navigate these complex systems to deliver quality, accessible services to those that need the most support." “It can be far too difficult to navigate Colorado’s behavioral health care system, so a crucial part of our efforts will be to improve care coordination to help people cut through the red tape that can be a barrier accessing the care they need,” said Rep. Titone. “With this bill, behavioral health care providers will have better tools to connect patients with providers and other specialists who can help them access the care they need, when they need it.” Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to improve health outcomes for those living with sickle cell disease. < Back May 3, 2024 Bill to Support Coloradans with Sickle Cell Disease Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to improve health outcomes for those living with sickle cell disease. SB24-042 , sponsored by Representative Regina English and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, would provide outreach and support to individuals living with sickle cell disease. “This bill would establish the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program, to provide critical outreach and support to Coloradans living with sickle cell disease,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “ Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black communities and can cause joint pain, prolonged fatigue and reduce oxygen flow. With this bill, we can make it easier for people to access critical health care as we work toward closing the gap to accessing health care experienced by marginalized communities.” “Long-standing inequities in our health care system have left many Black Coloradans without access to the care they need, let alone specialized care,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Our bill would establish the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program to connect Coloradans living with sickle cell disease with health care resources and support. Sickle cell disease is genetic, impacting Black communities at a higher rate with prolonged fatigue and pain. Named after Colorado’s first Black female legislator and one of my predecessors in the House, the new program honors Ms. Taylor’s legacy by providing individualized support to our community and works to bridge the health care gap, especially for those who have been underserved for far too long.” SB24-042 , passed the House by a vote of 61 to 3, would work to improve health outcomes for Coloradans living with sickle cell disease. This bill would create the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to provide support to individuals living with sickle cell disease. Outreach and support services would be administered by a nonprofit organization contracted through CDPHE. Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that causes red blood cells that carry oxygen to stick together after the oxygen is released, causing blockages in the small blood vessels, anemia, and severe pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sickle cell disease occurs among about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births and occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. Previous Next

< Back November 4, 2019 ENERGY LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN BILLS TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY DENVER, CO— The Energy Legislation Review Interim Study Committee today advanced three bipartisan bills to promote renewable energy transmission, storage and use after spending the last several months meeting with stakeholders across the state on energy issues. “From improving our state’s air quality to taking action on climate change, increasing the use of renewable energy is critical to making the progress we need to address our climate crisis,” said Energy Legislation Review Interim Study Committee Chair Rep. Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “These bills, which we developed through extensive discussions with stakeholders throughout the energy industry and communities across the state, will make it easier to transmit renewable energy, increase the use of biodiesel fuels and encourage investment in new battery storage technologies to lower energy costs and protect our environment.” “Because of the importance of addressing climate change, we’ve decided to examine energy issues year round,” said Committee Vice Chair Senator Foote (D-Longmont). I’m pleased that we moved forward today with bipartisan support on some common sense energy solutions that will facilitate Colorado’s transition to renewable energy.” “We’ve made a lot of progress in increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing emissions in our state, but we still have work to do to ensure we meet our climate goals and lower our reliance on fossil fuels,” said committee member Rep. Dominique Jackson (D-Aurora). “The legislation we passed today will improve our state’s use of renewable energy and continues our commitment to advancing energy policies that protect public health.” “Our planet is facing a climate crisis,” said committee member Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Longmont) . “Increasing the use of renewable energy is a critical part of our efforts to pass along a livable planet to our children, and I’m pleased to see these bills move forward to encourage the use of biodiesel and make it easier to transmit and store renewable energy.” “The bills we passed today will continue to build on our progress toward reducing carbon emissions and supporting our transition to renewable energy,” said committee member Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “I’m proud of the work this committee has done over the past several months to ensure Colorado remains a leader in addressing the climate crisis at the state level.” Committee members have been traveling across the state and engaging with stakeholders and communities about the Colorado’s energy landscape. Over the course of several months, the committee heard from the oil and gas industry, coal communities, renewable power industries, and local governments about innovative new jobs and technologies. The committee engaged in conversations, hearings, testimony and site visits to communities and energy facilities such as the coal-powered Pawnee Generating Station in Fort Morgan; a wind facility in Limon; a hydro-electric facility in Palisade and the net-zero, all-electric community in Basalt. 1. Conservation Easement Safeguards for Transmission Development: The first bill advanced today would enable a modification of conservation easements to include the placement of electrical transmission lines primarily used for renewable energy. This would allow private wind or solar companies, among others, to enter into agreements with willing private landowners to transfer energy from the renewable energy source to where it is needed in communities across the state. Sponsors: Sen. Jake Tate, Sen. Faith Winter, Rep. Chris Hansen 2. Biodiesel Blend Requirement: The second bill moving forward would create a 5 percent biodiesel blending standard for all diesel fuel sold during the summer months in Colorado by January 2021 and a 10 percent standard by January 2023. Under the bill, Air Quality Control Commission must create a waiver process for supply disruptions or extreme weather. Sponsors: Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis 3. Valuation of Energy Storage Equipment: The final bill wouldtreat the assessed value of battery storage for the purposes of property taxation in the same manner as renewable energy facilities used to generate and deliver electricity. Renewable energy production tends to peak when demand for electricity is low, so this bill incentivizes investments in storage to ensure the energy produced can be used when there is demand for it. Sponsors: Rep. Hansen, Rep. Dominique Jackson, Sen. Faith Winter Previous Next