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< Back March 3, 2022 BILL TO INCREASE FUNDING TO SCHOOL TO PREPARE AT-RISK STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Julie McCluskie to create a new method for identifying and serving at-risk students that will count more students as at-risk and direct additional resources to school districts that serve a high population of at-risk students. “Modernizing how Colorado identifies at-risk students is crucial to the success of our students, educators and schools,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This bill creates a new formula for identifying at-risk students that goes beyond those eligible for free and reduced-price lunches to include neighborhood index and unhoused status, among other factors. We know when schools are provided with the proper funding, they can better serve our students. This bill would boost funding for school districts and help them prepare our students for success.” “We’re focused on finding new ways to identify and serve at-risk students in Colorado so we can prepare them for success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie D-Dillion “Our legislation takes a modern approach to pinpointing at-risk students by considering multiple factors that can hinder their academic performance. With this information, we can work together with school districts and help them pave the way to better meet the needs of their students.” HB22-1202 which passed by a unanimous vote, would create a new method in the school finance formula to identify students who are at risk of below-average academic outcomes due to socioeconomic disadvantage or poverty. The new formula aims to better pinpoint at-risk students by considering multiple socioeconomic factors that affect them, including eligibility for free lunches, unhoused status and a neighborhood index status. Based on the new formula, school districts would be eligible for more state funding beginning in the 2023-24 school year to better prepare their at-risk students. A new statewide poll revealed that 83% of respondents consider it important to provide resources and support to students who are falling behind so teachers can make sure every student has an opportunity to get back on track. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2019 GOVERNOR SIGNS REP. FROELICH’S BIPARTISAN BILLS TO LOWER COST OF HEALTH CARE & IMPROVE CHILDREN’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (May 16) – Today, Gov. Jared Polis signed two bill sponsored by Rep. Meg Froelich to help lower the cost of health care and improve children’s behavioral health resources. Gov. Polis signed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood, and Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, to lower health care costs and improve the quality of care that Coloradans receive. “Lowering the cost of health care is a top priority for all of us at the legislature,” said Rep. Froelich. “But Colorado only invests roughly seven to ten percent of its health care dollars on primary care. If we invest more in primary care up front, that will help cut the cost of health care for both the patients and the medical system as a whole.” HB19-1233 establishes a primary care payment reform collaborative in the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies. It also requires the Commissioner of Insurance to establish affordability standards for premiums, including adding targets for carrier investments in primary care. Finally, it requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and carriers who offer health benefit plans to state employees to set targets for investment in primary care. The goal of primary care is to achieve better health outcomes by improving the quality and consistency of care so that both patients and the health care system can see a reduction in costs. Primary care visits comprise 53 percent of all health care appointments. The bill signing ceremony took place at the Center for African American Health in Denver. Gov. Polis also signed a bipartisan bill, SB19-195, at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado to curb youth suicide in Colorado by making it easier for families to locate and access the behavioral healthcare they need. “We have a mental health crisis in Colorado, one that knows no party lines,” said Rep. Froelich, D-Englewood. “Unfortunately, there are kids that are in pain and are not getting the timely and appropriate help they need. We need to provide more resources for teens, kids and their families to access the services they need to get help.” SB19-195 would create the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor, a central agency to coordinate mental and behavioral health resources statewide. Additionally, it would create a commission to study and recommend how to best coordinate and provide such services. The bill would also standardize the screening and assessments that doctors use to identify potential behavioral concerns. Nearly 9 out of every 100,000 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19 die by suicide. In Colorado, that number is nearly twice the national average at 17.6 out of every 100,000 teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous Next

Colorado Democrats passed legislation this year to ensure the state’s science-backed vaccine recommendations are protected in the event that federal guidance is undermined or overhauled. < Back June 25, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Democrats Protect Public Health, Safeguard Vaccine Recommendations Backed by Science DENVER, CO – Colorado Democrats passed legislation this year to ensure the state’s science-backed vaccine recommendations are protected in the event that federal guidance is undermined or overhauled. “As a health care professional, following the science is non-negotiable. Science-based decision making should never be political, but unfortunately in this day and age we’re seeing misinformation and debunked studies weaponized in order to advance a dangerous public health agenda,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “That’s why this year we worked proactively to ensure that here in Colorado, we’re using well-informed recommendations about immunizations that keep our kids and communities protected. With this bill, we’re expanding CDPHE’s ability to incorporate recommendations from a broad group of trusted organizations that rely on science, not whoever happens to be in office.” “Secretary Kennedy’s circulation of medical misinformation and the promotion of false information about vaccines has left many physicians and health care experts concerned about the long-term safety of our communities," said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. "For years, I worked in the public health space, and I can say with confidence that vaccines are one of the best tools we have to fight disease and save lives. In the shadow of federal uncertainty, we stepped up to protect the health of our kids and community members, and under our law, Colorado can utilize vaccine recommendations from trusted organizations that follow the science." “For months, physicians have been fearful about what vaccine recommendations will come down from the federal government,” said Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Secretary Kennedy has been a longtime skeptic of vaccines and consistently chooses misinformation over science. Given his influence and the uncertainty in DC, we knew that we needed to take action to put science first and protect Colorado’s best interests. This legislation ensures that whatever happens federally, Colorado will continue to rely on scientific data that protects Colorado kids and builds healthier communities for us all.” "Choosing science-based information to keep our kids safe shouldn't be controversial, yet the Trump administration continues to unravel foundational health care tools trusted by doctors and public health experts," said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. "To protect the health and safety of Coloradans, our immunization policy must be driven by science, not misinformation. Under our law, Coloradans can rest assured knowing that their vaccine recommendations are coming from organizations that rely on fact-driven, scientific information to make their decisions." HB25-1027 , sponsored by Senators Mullica and Daugherty, and Representatives Brown and Gilchrist, updates disease control statutes to direct the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to consider recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians, in addition to federal guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Prior to this legislation, CDPHE only considered recommendations from the ACIP. Earlier this month, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired every member of the ACIP , which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the safety, efficacy and clinical needs of vaccines. The newly-appointed ACIP is currently meeting to discuss the efficacy of several vaccines including: COVID-19, RSV, and Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (MMRV). The advisory committee is scheduled to vote tomorrow on new recommendations regarding influenza and RSV vaccines. Secretary Kennedy has repeatedly spread widely-debunked misinformation linking vaccines with autism . HB25-1027 also aims to improve health care outcomes by expanding patient access to testing for hepatitis C, which is currently difficult for many patients to obtain. Hepatitis C cases are on the rise nationally and in Colorado . Democrats also passed SB25-196 to protect insurance coverage for preventive health care should the existing federal protections be repealed, dismantled, or disempowered. The new law gives state insurance agencies the authority to reinstate guidelines on preventive care from federal agencies that existed in January 2025, including from the ACIP. Previous Next

House Committees today passed three bills to support Coloradans seeking homeowners insurance in wildfire prone areas, mitigate wildfires and create job opportunities to improve forest health. < Back April 17, 2023 House Committees Pass Bills to Mitigate Wildfires and Support Homeowners DENVER, CO – House Committees today passed three bills to support Coloradans seeking homeowners insurance in wildfire prone areas, mitigate wildfires and create job opportunities to improve forest health. “In Colorado, we’re taking tremendous steps to not only mitigate wildfires, but make it possible for homeowners in wildfire prone areas to purchase property insurance,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1288. “We need to be prepared for the next wildfire disaster and our legislation to create a FAIR insurance plan makes sure Coloradans can receive proper homeowners and commercial insurance that protects their livelihood.” “As wildfires become more frequent and destructive, we need to do everything we can to ensure homeowners are properly insured in the wake of a disaster,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1288 . “Our legislation creates a pathway for homeowners in wildfire prone areas to receive insurance that protects their property, livelihood and the place they call home. Without this legislation, many Coloradans will be left with no homeowners insurance and we’re stepping up to make sure Coloradans’ property is protected from the next wildfire disaster.” HB23-1288 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie and Representative Amabile, passed the House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 8 to 1. This bill would create the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan Association, a nonprofit, unincorporated legal entity, to ensure Coloradans with homes and commercial properties located in wildfire zones can receive homeowners or commercial insurance. As destructive wildfires become more frequent in residential areas, many Coloradans struggle to find a private insurer that will cover their property at all. This bill would make sure Coloradans can find a carrier to insure their homes and commercial spaces as wildfires grow in frequency and destruction across Colorado. “We’re working to continuously improve Colorado’s wildfire response to protect our homes, businesses and neighborhoods,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB23-161 . “This legislation will allow Colorado to purchase a second Firehawk helicopter, reducing our state’s rapid response time to quickly combat and put out wildfires in difficult terrain and keep our communities safe.” SB23-161 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie and Minority Leader Lynch, passed the House Finace Committee by a unanimous vote. This bill would allow the state to purchase a second Firehawk helicopter, ensuring the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) has at least one Firehawk available for rapid response at all times. Firehawk helicopters are considered the most technologically advanced firefighting aircraft available and this bill would improve the state’s ability to respond to catastrophic wildfires. “Wildfires in Colorado are now a year-round threat and we need to ensure the state forest service has the workforce to keep us safe,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of SB23-005. “Colorado’s made important progress when it comes to wildfire mitigation, and we’re furthering our efforts to protect communities by boosting our state’s forest health workforce. This legislation streamlines workforce development and recruitment within the state forest service so we can continue to mitigate wildfires through excess brush removal and other tactics that help us maintain healthy, more resilient forests.” SB23-005 , sponsored by Representative Snyder and Minority Leader Lynch, passed the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resouces Committee unanimously. This bill would improve Colorado’s forestry workforce by directing the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on career opportunities in the industry for students in high school, and creates a workforce development program within the State Forest Service to increase internship opportunities within the timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation sectors. The bill will also bolster the state’s wildfire mitigation capacity development fund to create and expand forestry programs specifically at Colorado Mountain College, as well as community colleges, technical colleges, area colleges, and public institutions of higher education in order to increase the state’s forestry workforce. SB23-005 would also work to increase the number of qualified educators at these institutions to deliver a wildland fire prevention and mitigation course or program. Previous Next

HB23-1194 invests $15 million to help local communities with closed landfill safety mitigation < Back May 5, 2023 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Mitigate Environmental Damage from Landfills DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to help local communities mitigate environmental damages caused by landfills. HB23-1194, passed by a vote of 61 to 2 and would invest $15 million toward a statewide grant program to support communities to reduce environmental risks surrounding closed landfills. “Closed landfills can be dangerous to our health and contaminate our groundwater if they’re not properly maintained,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango . “Our important bipartisan legislation helps local communities across our state, including southwestern Colorado, mitigate the environmental damage caused by closed landfills. This bill spearheads an important collaboration between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and counties to ensure our landfills are in compliance with federal law, so we can keep harmful contaminants out of our water supply, soil and delicate ecosystems.” HB23-1194 sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Rose Pugliese, would help local governments by supporting their environmental remediation and management of closed landfills. Specifically, this bill allocates $15 million to create the Closed Landfill Remediation Grant Program Fund to help communities mitigate hazardous environments caused by older, unkempt landfills. This bipartisan legislation aims to keep Colorado communities safe and healthy by mitigating the harmful environmental effects of closed landfills. Some environmental risk factors that can be caused by closed landfills include groundwater, soil and farmland contamination, hazardous gas accumulation and exposure to dangerous chemicals. Previous Next

< Back May 25, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO BETTER CONNECT COLORADANS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE BECOME LAW Transformative legislation will help more people access the mental health & substance use disorder services they need DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bipartisan bills into law that aim to build a healthier Colorado by better connecting Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders with the appropriate care they need to maintain their health and well-being. HB22-1278 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young, D-Greeley, and Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, and Senators Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will help increase and streamline access to behavioral health services through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. “The new Behavioral Health Administration will make accessing behavioral health care more attainable for Coloradans across the state,” said Young. “The pandemic has only exacerbated the long standing challenges Coloradans have faced when trying to access the behavioral health care they need to thrive. This law breaks down barriers to accessing behavioral health care so Coloradans can get the care they need, when they need it.” “Coloradans deserve easy access to the behavioral health care they need to maintain their health and well-being, but far too many folks are left with limited or no options for help,” Lee said. “Accessing our behavioral health system can be complex and difficult. The new Behavioral Health Administration will help streamline services for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. With this bill, we will be able to ensure accessible, equitable and high quality care for all.” The legislation will establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes over 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use treatment, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services, and more. The Governor also signed SB22-177 , sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, as well as Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, and Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, which invests $12.2 million to improve Colorado’s statewide care coordination infrastructure to better serve Coloradans seeking behavioral health care. “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 Pettersen. “With this new infusion of funds, we can more quickly and efficiently connect Coloradans with the 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.” “Our law improves statewide care coordination so Coloradans can access behavioral health care faster–saving everyone time and money,” said Titone. “Navigating the system that delivers care should not be a barrier to accessing that care. This law helps patients receive care and streamlines the process for providers.” The legislation 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. SB22-177 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

< Back March 3, 2022 WASTE DIVERSION BILL PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter that would divert more waste from Colorado landfills and attract sustainable businesses. HB22-1159 passed by a vote of 10-2. “We’ve made no progress in diverting waste from landfills over the last few years and this bill presents an opportunity to increase diversion rates by building a sustainable recycling-based economy,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter D-Littleton. “The Waste Diversion and Circular Economy Development Center is a win-win for Colorado: it attracts sustainable, end-market businesses and helps foster a healthier environment. We’re excited to help expand Colorado’s waste reduction market and make our state a leader in this space.” This legislation would establish the Colorado Circular Economy Development Center, an organization housed in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) designed to develop end-markets for materials recovered and diverted from landfills. While many incentive-based composting and recycling programs exist in the state, there is a gap in the number of Colorado businesses that will process and remanufacture those items. Currently, 88% of materials recovered from landfills in Colorado are sent out of state for processing. In an effort to create a sustainable recycling economy, HB22-1159 would attract new end-market composting, recycling and post-consumer manufacturing businesses to Colorado. It would also assist in Colorado’s statewide goal of diverting 46% of all materials away from landfills by 2036. The bill also makes changes to the Front Range Waste Diversion grant program by removing some restrictions on waste haulers that prevent those with less capital from benefiting from the program. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation to waive Colorado's state park entry fees for enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. < Back April 14, 2025 Bipartisan Bill to Provide Free State Park Entry to Colorado Ute Tribes Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to waive Colorado's state park entry fees for enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. “Long before Colorado was a state, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe were stewards of the land now known as our state parks,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “This bill ensures that enrolled members of the Colorado Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe can receive free entry to Colorado's state parks. From Mancos State Park in Southwest Colorado, to Golden Gate State Park in the foothills, this bill is the first step in an ongoing process by the state to honor the commitment and uphold the ancestral land reconnection for the oldest continuous residents of our state.” HB25-1163 passed by a vote of 63-1 and is also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction. This bill would waive the entrance fee to all of Colorado’s state parks for enrolled members of the Colorado Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. There are 43 state parks in Colorado located in communities across the state. This bill aims to formally recognize the profound cultural and spiritual connections Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe members have the land. HB25-1163 will reduce barriers to accessing outdoor space while modifying governmental systems which have historically excluded Indigenous people. The bill is supported by leaders of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. Previous Next

< Back January 24, 2019 ROBERTS’ BIPARTISAN PUBLIC HEALTH CARE OPTION BILL PASSES COMMITTEE The House Health and Insurance Committee approved a bipartisan bill by Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon and Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose to create a new affordable and competitive health option in the state of Colorado that will be available to families and individuals when purchasing health insurance. Currently, there are 14 counties in our state with only one option on the individual market and many counties are left with a small number of options for health insurance. This bill will increase competition in the market. “This bipartisan bill is a uniquely Colorado solution to a big problem we have in our state,” said Rep. Roberts. “Too many Coloradans, especially in rural Colorado, are paying too much for health insurance.” HB19-1004 represents significant progress towards developing a publicly supported health insurance option on the market that leverages the efficiencies of our current state infrastructure. This public option will help put affordable health insurance in reach for many hardworking families across our state. “Families are deciding whether to pay out of control health insurance costs each month or forgo coverage for themselves and their kids,” Roberts continued. “Providing families and individuals an affordable option will make a difference in their lives and help keep them in our rural communities. This bill is part of the puzzle, it’s done in a responsible way to create a new health insurance option in Colorado.” Eagle County has some of the highest cost of health care premiums in the country. The bill directs experts at the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Division of Insurance to create a proposal for implementing a public option that leverages already-existing state infrastructure. That proposal must be presented to the Joint Budget Committee, House Public Health and Human Services Committee; House Health and Insurance Committee, Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Joint committees during SMART Act hearings later this year. When exploring the creation of public option, the departments must consider affordability to the consumer, administrative and financial consideration for the state, ease of implementation and impacts to the market as a whole. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 9-2 and now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. The Health and Insurance Committee also approved Rep. Roberts’ bill to authorize a pharmacist to dispense a chronic maintenance drug to a patient without a current prescription in emergency circumstances. The bill was approved unanimously. HB19-1077 now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO SAVE BUSINESSES MONEY ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE Legislation will save businesses over $57 million on insurance premium costs DENVER, CO – The House passed legislation today on a preliminary vote that would save families and employers money on paid family leave. HB22-1305, sponsored by Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Matt Gray, will save businesses money by reducing premiums for the new voter approved family and medical leave program. “This bill saves businesses money on paid family and medical leave premiums,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton . “In 2020, Coloradans gave the green light to paid family and medical leave for workers in our state and this bill delivers. As Colorado businesses and companies bounce back from pandemic-sparked inflation and supply chain backups, they’ll be met with lower premium costs to save them money.” “We’re one step closer to 12-weeks of paid family and medical leave in Colorado,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield . “This bill will save our businesses millions on family and medical leave insurance premiums while giving workers the flexibility to take paid time off for hospital visits and family leave. Colorado businesses are the cornerstone of our state’s economic recovery and this bill will save them money and help support their workers.” HB22-1305 , sponsored by Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Matt Gray, will save businesses over $57 million by reducing initial premiums for the new paid family and medical leave program. In 2020, Colorado voters overwhelmingly decided that employees should have access to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. If passed, the bill would reduce initial insurance premiums paid by employers for the state’s paid family and medical leave program beginning in January 2023. Previous Next

< Back May 16, 2019 GOV SIGNS TWO BILLS TO PROTECT WORKERS & HELP WITH NATURAL DISASTERS (May 16) – Today, two bills were signed by Gov. Jared Polis at the Boulder County St. Vrain Community Hub that will protect workers from wage theft and reauthorize funding for the Colorado Resiliency Office. First up was HB19-1267, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, makes the withholding or stealing of wages a criminal offense. “This is about protecting workers,” said Rep. Froelich. “This new law will help bring restitution for these workers and contractors who have been robbed of their wages. Stealing from workers isn’t a partisan issue and I’m proud this is now the law in Colorado. Currently, employers stealing wages from employees or contractors is a classified misdemeanor. Often times, it is not even worthy of prosecutors to go after because the penalties are so low. “Too many workers are losing their hard-earned wages. This new law has been a long time coming and will help protect workers from the crime of wage theft,” said Rep. Singer. “Labor trafficking is the majority of human trafficking.” Gov. Polis also signed HB19-1292, sponsored by Rep. Singer. Over five years ago, Lyons, Evans, Greeley and other areas of Northern Colorado were hit hard by floods that damaged homes, destroyed two parks and left eight people dead. Democrats have been working on disaster relief issues for the past several sessions. “There are no red or blue floods, tornadoes or other disasters. I remain inspired by the resiliency of our community,” said Rep. Singer. “This has been a collaborative, bipartisan approach across the state to make this a reality. I’m hopeful this new law will help make our state’s disaster response quicker and recovery more effective.” Parts of Singer’s district, including Longmont, Lyons and eastern Boulder County, were among the hardest hit areas in the state by the 2013 flood. Rep. Singer is a co-prime sponsor of HB18-1394 which was signed into law last year. The bill created a policy group to help coordinate the state’s response in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and continued the Colorado Resiliency Office, which helps direct long-term rebuilding efforts and community recovery. Previous Next

Today Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sent a letter urging the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol, and others to address the abnormally high number of crashes occurring on US Highway 40. < Back January 23, 2025 Roberts and Lukens Urge Swift Action to Improve Safety on Highway 40 DENVER, CO – Today Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sent a letter urging the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol, and others to address the abnormally high number of crashes occurring on US Highway 40. In the last year Highway 40, which connects Steamboat Springs, Milner, Hayden, and Craig, faced numerous accidents resulting in significant delays, injuries, and six fatalities. Roberts and Lukens, the legislators representing the corridor, strongly support pursuing increased enforcement and funding that can lead to improvements on Highway 40. Extra attention to this corridor can and will save lives. “The safety of drivers and passengers that commute along Highway 40 could not be more important and we must do more to make that stretch of road safer,” said Roberts. “Representative Lukens and I are committed to working collaboratively with the state to ensure necessary improvements are made for the wellbeing of everyone on the road. Addressing these issues quickly requires the investment and support of all those involved, including CDOT, CSP, the Northwest Transportation Planning Organization, Routt County and other local government partners, and more. Today we are offering our support to ongoing efforts and urge increased attention and focus so that the road can be made safer as soon as possible.” "My deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been impacted by accidents on Highway 40. The safety situation on Highway 40 demands our immediate attention," said Lukens. "We must expedite short-term and long-term critical improvements like the Safe Crossings Project and the construction of more passing lanes. I remain committed to working alongside Senator Roberts, local elected officials, CDOT, CSP, and the Northwest Transportation Planning Organization to protect the lives of everyone who travels this essential corridor." The full letter is below: Dear Director Lew, Colonel Packard, the Transportation Commission of Colorado, and the Northwest Planning Organization: As the legislators representing Routt and Moffat Counties, including US Highway 40, which connects the communities of Steamboat Springs, Milner, Hayden, and Craig, we write with an urgent request to direct all available resources and efforts to improve the safety of Highway 40 for our constituents. As you know, this stretch of state highway has seen an abnormally high amount of crashes resulting in fatalities and injuries which have taken a toll on the communities in heartache and hours of delays on an important commuter corridor. In 2024 alone, there were six fatalities as a result of crashes on this stretch of highway, and numerous other accidents that resulted in injuries and hours of delays for thousands of drivers. While no traffic corridor can ever be accident-free, the tragedy we are seeing on Highway 40 is abnormally high and should be addressed by the State of Colorado and local officials immediately. We are grateful that everyone involved, including you and your employees, know this situation is dire and needs to be addressed - and we are optimistic about all the efforts currently underway to address the problem. We write this letter at the urging of our constituents and to offer support and encouragement for what is being done. For example, we offer our continued support for these existing efforts: Constructing more passing lanes throughout the US40 corridor. We know this takes some time and we add our support to CDOT to construct these as soon as possible. Further, we encourage the Northwest Transportation Planning Organization to specifically prioritize as much funding as possible for these new passing lanes as a proven way to reduce crashes and fatalities. Increased law enforcement along the road in order to enforce speeding, traction, passing, and other already-existing laws that are in place to keep travelers safe. Lessening the number of cars on the road through projects like Mountain Passenger Rail and the possibility of more frequent bus service through the creation of a Regional Transit Authority in the region. The Safe Crossings Project at Steamboat II & Heritage Park. We commend the local efforts by Routt County, and engaged citizens to conduct a study of safe crossing options that is currently under review by CDOT. We wholeheartedly support any and all grant funding being pursued to make this safe crossing a reality as soon as possible and encourage CDOT to continue its similar support for funding. Ongoing rockfall mitigation work through the corridor. City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County’s efforts to extend the Yampa River Core Trail west. We were pleased to see the approval of funding by the transportation commission to study avalanche mitigation and safety needs on Berthoud pass. We agree that this is needed and a good way to begin planning more significant safety upgrades to the Pass following resurfacing work last year. We would ask that the Commission consider expanding the scope of this study, before it is initiated, to include safety and hazard mitigation needs elsewhere on US40 from Denver through to Steamboat Springs and Craig. Further, we strongly encourage both CDOT and CSP to expend every possible resource to continue, expedite, and bolster these existing efforts with increased urgency. Whether it is relocating Troopers to the corridor to increase speeding enforcement, employing remote and autonomous speeding controls, expediting construction timelines, pursuing new federal grant opportunities, or anything else, any extra attention to this corridor could save lives - it is worth it. The state legislature in recent years has changed laws regarding vehicle traction, reducing distracted driving, directed historic funding to CDOT, and more. Should there be anything in addition that would be helpful in these efforts that would involve legislation, we stand by ready to assist in that way. Please be in touch with us should this be the case. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the safety of our constituents and to the people of Colorado. We stand ready to support your work however possible and appreciate your attention to this dire matter impacting our constituents. Sincerely, Dylan Roberts, Senate District 8 Meghan Lukens, House District 26 CC: Governor Jared Polis Moffat County Commissioners Routt County Commissioners City of Craig Town of Hayden City of Steamboat Springs Previous Next