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< Back September 1, 2021 MAJORITY LEADER ESGAR STATEMENT ON TEXAS ABORTION BAN DENVER, CO — Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following statement after the US Supreme Court declined to block a Texas law that will ban abortions as soon as six weeks–before many women know they are pregnant. “I am outraged by SB8, the Texas law that almost entirely bans abortions before most women even know they are pregnant and which gives complete strangers the right to sue someone over their private medical decisions. The Supreme Court’s failure to block this full on assault on patients and health care providers imperils the health of Texans at a time when states’ attacks on abortion rights are at an all-time high. What we are seeing is an unprecedented erosion of our constitutional rights that threatens abortion access across the country, making abortion access in states like Colorado critical to protect. We will continue to defend our Colorado values and fiercely protect abortion rights in our state from dangerous Republican proposals that seek to criminalize and ban abortion or create a state abortion registry.” Previous Next

< Back April 23, 2021 OH SNAP! STIMULUS PROPOSAL TO INVEST IN JOBS AND SKILLS TRAINING PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee today advanced Representatives Tony Exum and Yadira Caraveo’s bill to invest state stimulus funds and draw down millions of federal funds for jobs and skills training through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment First initiative. The bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed committee by a bipartisan vote of 10-2. “The pandemic has left more Coloradans than ever relying on state support to make ends meet and put food on the table,” said Representative Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “Understanding that most Coloradans are eager and ready to get back to work, our bill channels state and federal dollars towards a proven program that will help build Colorado back stronger by preparing people to re-enter the workforce and get back on their feet.” “The savvy proposal we advanced today makes a state investment to leverage federal funds for a grand total of six million dollars going toward getting Colorado back to work,” said Representative Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “By investing in the SNAP Employment First program, we’re ensuring that the Colorado Comeback provides training and skill building opportunities for Coloradans who were hit hard by the pandemic.” The SNAP Employment First initiative has successfully helped Coloradans who receive SNAP benefits obtain new skills to thrive and reenter the workforce. HB21-1270 leverages $3 million in state funds to draw down an additional $3 million in federal funds to provide a total of $6 million for jobs and skills training services to SNAP recipients. The funds may also be used to support work based learning opportunities and expanding 3rd party partnerships to expand the SNAP employment and training program’s reach. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to improve safety and equity in the workplace by implementing critical anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. < Back April 25, 2023 Bills to Combat Workplace Discrimination, Improve Crime Victim Notifications Pass Committee DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to improve safety and equity in the workplace by implementing critical anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. SB23-172, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon passed committee by a vote of 8 to 5. “Workplace discrimination and harassment must not be tolerated, and we need to modernize Colorado’s outdated laws to protect workers, hold harassers accountable and create safer workspaces,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, D-Aurora . “Power and protection need to be on the side of the worker – and the POWR Act improves accountability so the state can hold harassers in the workplace for their actions. Survivors’ voices and concerns need to be taken seriously, which is why I’m also proud to champion legislation to prioritize survivors of crime by improving notifications regarding release from parole." “Harassment and discrimination persist every day in Colorado workplaces, which is why modernizing our laws to protect workers is long overdue,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, D-Denver. “We need to do everything we can to make it possible for Coloradans to earn a living and pursue careers without being harassed. The POWR Act improves accountability measures and works to create safer, more equitable workspaces. This bill will hold bad actors accountable so workers can thrive in the workplace free from harassment and discrimination.” SB23-172 , the Protecting Opportunity & Workers’ Rights (POWR) Act, would update the definition of harassment and specify that harassment does not need to be “severe or pervasive” to constitute a discriminatory or unfair practice. The bill also deters future harassment by modernizing language around non-disclosure agreements, expanding protections for people with disabilities, and adding marital status as a protected class. Eliminating the excessive “severe or pervasive'' hostile work environment requirements and replacing them with clear standards for “harass” and “harassment” considers the totality of the circumstances, and will allow survivors of discrimination and harassment to better pursue justice. The POWR Act also removes the language in the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) that permits employers to discriminate against people with disabilities or refuse to accommodate them if “the disability has a significant impact on the job.” Additionally, the bill establishes an affirmative defense for an employer if the employer meets certain requirements, including establishing a harassment prevention program, taking prompt action in response to a complaint, and keeping records of any complaints. The House Judiciary Committee also passed SB23-193 , sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, unanimously. SB23-193 aims to prioritize survivors by setting the offender’s release date for parole 15 days after providing notice to the victim. This bill would require the Department of Corrections (DOC) and any other state or local government agency, to provide survivor notifications in easy-to-understand language, using recommendations from victim advocates. If the victim chose to receive notifications, SB23-193 would work to improve communications between the DOC and survivors by giving them advanced notice of their offender’s parole release, in addition to their offender's discharge, transfer, escape, abscondence, unauthorized absence, or parole proceeding. Previous Next

< Back June 1, 2020 BLACK DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS AND COLORADO LATINO DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS JOINT STATEMENT ON THE POLICE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD For generations, Black Americans are harassed and killed by racist police officers and vigilantes, and every year communities cry out and voice concerns about the unjust treatment of people of color. When it comes to seeking justice, the motives of Black people are questioned, even during simple activities like taking a jog, watching TV in their own homes, or picking up trash around their front yard. Our criminal justice system gives the benefit of the doubt to those who have committed hate crimes, stolen lives and robbed families of their children, spouses, parents, and loved ones. The lack of accountability for the vast majority of perpetrators is rooted in the racist history of our country, including slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the suppression of voting and other civil rights. This legacy has had lingering and devastating impacts on Black communities and continues to cast Black individuals as not worthy of justice, of full protection by the law, or of basic civil rights. This has been seen once again in our nation through the brutal killing of George Floyd by an officer of the Minneapolis Police Department that knelt on his neck while Mr. Floyd gasps that he could not breathe. Witnesses called for the Officer to stop, but the officer ignored their pleas. The officer was then able to walk about freely and live his life for four days before he was charged and arrested. This is not what justice looks like. We the members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado and the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus jointly condemn the tragic killing of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement, and the slow response for justice in the arrest of the officer that took his life. This is a continuation of the systematic racism that has plagued our nation since its inception. This must come to an end. We continue to commit ourselves towards working together on solutions that bring equality and stops the fear, hurt, pain, and loss of life that minorities experience everyday because of the color of their skin. While this took place hundreds of miles away in another state, we recognize that hate takes place here too. In the most recent hate crimes report of statistics released by the FBI, there were “123 reported hate crimes in Colorado [in 2018] compared to 106 in 2017. Of those 123 incidents, 78 were based on race, ethnicity or national origin” ( Westword ). And with hate crimes on the rise, we also mourn all of the deaths of minority Coloradoans who lost their lives from the inexcusable actions of law enforcement like Elijah McClain, Marvin Booker, Michael Marshall, Jessie Hernandez, and De’Von Bailey to name a few. Our respective caucuses are deeply concerned by the increase in bigotry and racism not only across our country, but across Colorado. Just as Latinos and immigrants ask for support from all Coloradans against an increase in xenophobic and racist hate crimes, as the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus, we call on Latinos and allies to show collective support and solidarity for the survivors of hate crimes and of police brutality. We mourn the senseless deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless other Black individuals who do not feel safe simply being Black in public or at home. We applaud the recent arrests and investigations of alleged perpetrators of these hateful acts, but rue the fact that arrests and investigations only take place after gruesome video footage is released. A person’s murder should not have to be broadcast in order to achieve some semblance of justice. Furthermore we the members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado call on the support of African Americans throughout Colorado to stand together for the multitude of families of those that have lost loved ones due to police brutality and hate crimes across this nation. They are our sons and daughters, they are brothers and sisters. Our lives and our liberties must not be stolen from us. We will not accept a double standard. We demand justice and equality. And in our call for justice we remind those that demonstrate their grief to do so in a manner that uplifts our united cause peacefully; our demands for justice must be justifiable in their own right. Our caucuses together ask that all Coloradans stand up against racism, speak up and report hate crimes in your communities, and support each other as neighbors, as communities, and as Coloradans to build a brighter, less fearful Colorado for our increasingly diverse children and future generations. Join us in putting in the effort to make Colorado more inclusive and welcoming for all people: the effort we put in today will save lives tomorrow. Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod State Senator Rhonda Fields State Representative Janet Buckner State Representative James Coleman State Representative Tony Exum State Representative Dominique Jackson State Representative Jovan Melton State Senator Angela Williams Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus State Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez State Representative Monica Duran State Representative Adrienne Benavidez State Representative Alex Valdez State Representative Bri Buentello State Representative Yadira Caraveo State Representative Sonya Jaquez Lewis State Representative Donald Valdez State Representative Kerry Tipper State Senator Robert Rodriguez State Senator Julie Gonzales State Senator Leroy Garcia State Senator Dominick Moreno Previous Next

The House today introduced two bills that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs. < Back March 2, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Reduce the Cost of Prescription Drugs Introduced DENVER, CO - The House today introduced two bills that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs. HB23-1225 , sponsored by Representatives Chris deGruy Kennedy and Ruby Dickson and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, increases the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Coloradans. “Colorado Democrats have made substantial progress lowering the cost of prescription drugs and saving Coloradans money on their health care,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. "Big pharmaceutical companies shouldn’t be able to rake in record profits as hardworking Coloradans struggle to afford the medications they need. With this legislation, we’re extending the effective cost saving measures established with the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to more drugs in order to save Coloradans money on their prescriptions." “As a pharmacist I know firsthand how critical it is that Coloradans are able to afford their prescription drugs, but too many of our families are still getting squeezed by high costs of medication,” said Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “The Prescription Drug Affordability Board is an essential tool to keep Colorado prescription drug prices affordable, and these changes will make the Board even more effective at saving families money on their life saving medications.” “Every day, Coloradans across the state are having to choose between filling their life-saving prescriptions, buying groceries or paying rent,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial. “This new legislation builds on our work to lower prescription drug costs by improving how the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will work. By limiting out-of-pocket costs for more life-saving drugs, this legislation will ensure that more Coloradans can access essential medications at a cost they can afford.” In 2021, lawmakers passed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to evaluate and place upper price limits on the highest cost prescription drugs. The legislation introduced today will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to save people money on out of pocket prescription drug costs. It removes the limit on setting no more than 12 Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) per year in the first three years of the PDAB, and improves the criteria for selecting drugs for an affordability review. “Pharmacy Benefit Managers can be a big part of our efforts to save Coloradans money on prescription drugs, but they have to follow the rules,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “We’ve passed legislation to save consumers money on healthcare costs, but PBMs are coming in between consumers, health insurance plans, pharmacies and manufactures while making large profits. This bill will protect consumers and employers and save Coloradans money by making sure that PBMs follow the rules.” “Our bill strengthens consumer protections and holds pharmacy benefit managers accountable to ensure that Coloradans save money on prescription drugs,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “We’ve made incredible progress toward lowering the cost of prescription drugs. This legislation will allow the Commissioner of Insurance to investigate, hold hearings, issue cease-and-desist orders, and impose penalties on PBMs for failing to comply with cost saving measures and consumer protections.” HB23-1227 , sponsored by Representatives Iman Jodeh and David Ortiz and Senator Perry Will, will ensure that Pharmacy Benefit Managers follow through on critical cost savings reforms. The legislature has passed reforms to ensure that PBMs save consumers money, and this bill would ensure that PBMs follow through. This bill will provide the Division of Insurance with more direct oversight over PBMs by requiring them to register and specifying that that Division has the ability to enforce those reforms. Specifically, this bill would allow the commissioner the power to investigate and impose penalties on PBMs for failing to comply with consumer protections such as charging pharmacies fees to adjudicate claims, clawing back money from pharmacies inappropriately, and discriminating against independent pharmacies versus PBM affiliated pharmacies. Last week, the House also introduced HB23-1201 , sponsored by Representative Lindsey Daugherty and Matt Soper. Currently PBMs can charge employers one price, but reimburse pharmacies less and keep the difference, a practice known as price spreading. This bill makes it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for the same drug and increase transparency for employers into PBM and carrier behavior that impacts their costs. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti and Jenny Willford to better protect youth and keep them safe when participating in private organized sports. HB24-1080 passed by a vote of 45-16. < Back February 26, 2024 House Passes Legislation to Protect Youth in Sports DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti and Jenny Willford to better protect youth and keep them safe when participating in private organized sports. HB24-1080 passed by a vote of 45-16. “Colorado youth participating in out-of-school sports should be safe, which is why we are putting common sense protections into place to ensure that the adults who supervise youth sports have passed a background check and are trained in CPR/AED certification,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie. “We owe it to our children to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent injury and harm and this bill is a critical step to create the safe environment they deserve.” “Kids and parents deserve to know that their sports programs are run by someone they can trust,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “Our bill would require coaches and other adults involved in these sports programs to pass a background test and be CPR/AED and First Aid certified to ensure that we’re creating a safe environment for our kids to play in.” HB24-1080 would require private youth sports organizations to conduct criminal history record checks on personnel who work directly with youth athletes, in both a volunteer or paid position. This bill would also require paid directors, coaches, assistant coaches or athletic program personnel to be CPR/AED and First Aid certified to help youth in the case of an emergency. HB24-1080 aims to prevent childhood sexual assault and keep our youth safe while participating in out-of-school activities. Previous Next

< Back June 12, 2020 SECURE SAVINGS PASSES THE HOUSE! DENVER, CO – The House today passed Speaker KC Becker and Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp’s bill to tackle Colorado’s growing retirement savings crisis. The bill would make it easier for hardworking Coloradans to invest in their futures and take their retirement savings with them when they change jobs, or if they work multiple jobs. The bill passed by a vote of 41-24. “This bill will give small businesses the option of providing a retirement savings program to their employees without breaking the bank,” said Rep. Kraft Tharp, D-Arvada. “I’m proud of the work we did to come up with a modern, pro-worker, pro-business solution to the retirement crisis facing our state.” “Our country is barreling towards a retirement crisis, and it’s up to us to ensure hardworking Coloradans have the tools they need to save for their future,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “The Secure Savings program will benefit our state’s small businesses and hardworking Coloradans alike. Today we voted to create a modern, flexible retirement savings system to reflect Colorado’s 21st century economy.” Currently, nearly half of Coloradans in the private sector aged 25 to 64 don’t have retirement plans at work . SB20-200 would create a state-facilitated retirement savings program to be managed by private firms chosen through a competitive solicitation process. This program would give workers the ability to invest through pooled, professionally managed accounts with low fees to save a portion of their wages through automatic payroll deductions. There is also an opt-out provision for workers who already have a retirement plan of their own or who are not in a position to deduct a portion of their wages. This system would give small businesses the opportunity to provide their employees access to a retirement savings program at a low cost to the business. It would also allow hardworking Coloradans to move from job to job or work multiple jobs and contribute to the same account. Previous Next

Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts < Back April 18, 2024 Committee Passes New School Finance Formula to Boost Student Success, Increase Equity in School Funding and Support Rural Schools Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts Committee also passes bipartisan bill to improve transparency into higher education costs and reduce barriers to completing higher education degree or certificate programs DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting Colorado students. HB24-1448, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, would update Colorado’s outdated and inequitable school finance formula by increasing funding for rural schools and at-risk, special education, and English Language Learner students. SB24-164, also sponsored by McCluskie, would improve transparency requirements for higher education institutions and increase the rights of higher education students seeking transfer credits. “Updating Colorado’s public school finance formula to be student-centered is a bold step toward improving equity in school funding and delivering a high-quality education to every student in Colorado no matter where they reside,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Building on the recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force and in collaboration with districts and education leaders across the state, this plan increases funding for the students with the greatest needs and provides additional resources to rural and smaller districts that have historically been underfunded. Investing in high-quality education means we’re fostering a lifetime of success for our learners, and I am incredibly proud of our bipartisan efforts to make education funding in our state more equitable and student-centered.” “For over 30 years, Colorado has used an inequitable school funding formula that is now outdated, and as a result, we haven’t been able to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “The need to change the formula is clear, which is why we’re championing this legislation that puts students first. Using recommendations from the Public School Finance Task Force, we’re making school funding more equitable by increasing funding for at-risk students, English Language Learners, and students in special education. Public education funding in Colorado is the highest it’s been in decades, and this bill overhauls the school finance formula to better meet the educational needs of every learner.” HB24-1448 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, is also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. It would update Colorado’s school finance formula which has not been significantly modified in over 30 years. The current formula, which is built around district-centered factors rather than student needs, is confusing and overly complex. It directs more funding to wealthier districts, rather than directing funds to low-income students, English Language Learners, or those in special education. State data shows that at-risk students, English Language Learners , and special education students are not achieving at the same levels compared to their peers, demonstrating that the current school funding formula from 1994 does not address and meet the needs of these students This legislation implements the spirit of the recommendations of the School Finance Task Force, which reached overwhelming consensus, in order to drive more resources to the students who need them the most, specifically at-risk students, special education students and English Language Learners. With hundreds of millions of additional dollars now going to public schools in Colorado, these changes, which would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and implement in a gradual phase-in over 6 years, will drive more of these new resources to historically underfunded districts with lower property wealth and that serve a higher number of at-risk students and English Language Learners. When fully implemented, there will be $852 million in the formula for our at-risk students, $142.7 million for English Language Learners, and $240 million in the formula for our Special Education students, in addition to the constitutionally-required $375 million in the Special Education categorical. Remote and rural districts would receive an additional $255 million under this formula, once fully funded. The new formula puts students first by increasing the student weights for at-risk, English Language Learners, and adding a new special education factor. At-risk, English Language Learner, and special education weights will all be set at 25 percent, an increase from the current 12 percent weight for at-risk, 8 percent weight for English Language Learners, and no weight for special education in the formula. The categorical funding for special education will continue to increase according to law and Amendment 23. The new formula is simpler and better accounts for district characteristics by fixing the “Order of Operations” to emphasize student needs. It removes the multiplicative factors that change the base funding per pupil, which currently creates cascading funding impacts throughout the formula that are challenging to track. Instead, factors that increase funding for small districts or districts with high cost of living will be additive and easy to understand. It also creates a new remoteness factor to support rural schools and will hold harmless any districts that drop below current law funding. Access the school finance simulator here to see individual school district impacts. SB24-164, also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, passed committee unanimously. This bill would make it easier to transfer college credits, improve transparency in higher education reporting, and ensure rights for students enrolled in postsecondary institutions. “Creating a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centric higher education system in Colorado means we can put students first,” added McCluskie. “This bill will make it easier for students pursuing higher education in Colorado to understand the cost of their degree or certificate and complete their education, and will ensure that students transferring from a community college receive the credits they deserve for the classes they have taken at other institutions.” Transparency requirements include: Transparency of the cost of postsecondary education; Seamless transfer of general education and transfer pathway courses; Transparency regarding if credits are accepted or rejected from an institution; and The ability to appeal an institution’s decision not to accept transfer credits. A major challenge transfer students face is the transferability of postsecondary credits. On average, transfer students lose a full semester of credits, which translates to time and money lost. There are current methods that exist within Colorado’s higher education framework to ease transitions between higher education institutions such as transferable lower division courses, common course numbering, and guaranteed transfer pathways. SB24-164 would build on this framework by bolstering student rights and easing the transfer of course credits. Previous Next

Increase would have been much higher without Colorado Democrats special session legislation which preserved coverage for nearly 30,000 Coloradans < Back October 28, 2025 Mauro Statement on GOP Congress Causing Health Premiums to Double in Pueblo, 75,000 Could Lose Coverage Increase would have been much higher without Colorado Democrats special session legislation which preserved coverage for nearly 30,000 Coloradans DENVER, CO – Representative Tisha Mauro today released the following statement after the Division of Insurance announced that 2026 health care premium rates will increase by 101-percent due to Congress’s failure to continue the enhanced premium tax credits. “With the GOP Congress failing to extend critical tax credits, health care rates are expected to increase significantly in Pueblo, which will have devastating consequences for Coloradans who can’t afford to pay an extra $1,000 a month for health care,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “While only Congress can fix this problem entirely, Colorado Democrats took action and passed a law to blunt some of the sharpest cost increases. Because of our action, premiums in Pueblo are nearly 13 percent lower than they would otherwise be. Still, Pueblo deserves better, which is why Congressional Republicans must act now so Coloradans don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for health care next year.” Statewide health care rates for individuals who purchase their own insurance are expected to increase by 101-percent due to Congressional Republicans’ failure to extend the tax credits. Open enrollment begins this Saturday, and Coloradans who want coverage in 2026 must choose their plan before December 15. Democrats have repeatedly urged Congress to extend the tax credits, which help make health care more affordable for around 225,000 Coloradans. In August, Rep. Mauro signed onto a letter to Colorado’s congressional delegation urging them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that were intentionally omitted from the GOP’s H.R. 1. The expiration of these tax credits on December 31 will lead to fewer people having health insurance and higher health insurance costs for everyone, including small businesses and Coloradans with employer-sponsored health insurance. If Congress extended the enhanced premium tax credits, the average premium increase would be 16-percent, instead of 101-percent, and some Coloradans would see no increase. Colorado Democrats have significantly lowered health care costs with the state’s reinsurance program, which has saved consumers over $2 billion, and Colorado Option health care plan, which offered the lowest or second lowest cost plan in Pueblo in 2025. A recent study by Brown University found that the Colorado Option reduced monthly premiums by $101, even for non-Colorado Option plans. The average family of four in Pueblo that chose the Colorado Option plan save d nearly $4,500 in 2025. Earlier this year, the Colorado General Assembly returned to the Capitol to combat some of the harm caused by Trump’s Megabill and Congress’s failure to extend the ePTCs. Colorado Democrats passed a law that will invest in Colorado’s reinsurance program and blunt some of the most severe cost increases from the expiring tax credits. This law reduces the statewide average premium increase from 174-percent to 101-percent, saving Coloradans $220 million on health care next year and preventing 28,000 Coloradans from being kicked off their health coverage. The law reduced premiums by over 13-percent in the Pueblo metro area. In 2025 in Pueblo County, the reinsurance program saved the average 40 year old individual over $6,600 and a family of four has saved nearly $25,000 from 2020 through 2025 due to the Reinsurance Program. Previous Next

< Back February 24, 2021 BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS FROM EXTORTION ADVANCES UNANIMOUSLY DENVER, CO– The House Judiciary Committee today advanced a bipartisan bill to prevent the extortion of undocumented immigrants. The bill was approved by the committee unanimously. “Everyone in our communities, regardless of citizenship status, should be protected from extortion,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “A gap in current law has left immigrants vulnerable to a particular type of extortion that befalls workers and victims of domestic and sexual violence. This bill would change that and allow us to advance the cause of justice in our communities.” “This bill will give prosecutors a critical tool to combat instances of extortion against victims of crime that we know are happening in our communities,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “A victim is a victim, and it is good for public safety in our communities if our laws protect everyone from being further victimized – regardless of their immigration status.” The current definition of criminal extortion already includes the practice of threatening to disclose a person’s immigration status to law enforcement in order to force them to give up something of value. HB21-1057 expands this definition to include coercing another person to either engage in or refrain from engaging in what would otherwise be a legal act. This expanded definition would address instances of wage theft, domestic violence and other instances where a person’s immigration status is used to deny them what is lawfully theirs. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: WINTER, DURAN AND WEISSMAN INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO BOLSTER SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME SB22-183 would invest $41 million to fund essential services for child and adult victims of crime DENVER, CO – The Senate yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Reps. Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) and Mike Weissman (D-Aurora) to ensure Colorado victims of human trafficking, stalking, domestic violence, child abuse, and rape can continue to receive essential services. Co-sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs), SB22-183 would fill a revenue gap in the Federal Crime Victims Fund to continue providing lifesaving services for child and adult victims of crime through a one-time investment of pandemic relief funding. “During the pandemic we saw an alarming rise in cases of domestic violence,” said Winter. “With this investment of American Rescue Plan funding, we can better support victims of domestic violence and ensure Coloradans in need never see an interruption in the essential care and services they rely on. I’m proud to support this effort and I know it will go a long way in providing victims of crime and domestic violence with the services they need.” “As a survivor of domestic violence, I can’t stress enough the importance of essential services for victims of crime,” Duran said. “States across the country have seen a rise in domestic violence as a result of the pandemic. I’m proud Colorado is going to use federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to prevent domestic violence, bolster our support for victims of crime, and ensure survivors have the services they need.” “Colorado has passed bipartisan legislation to enhance state assistance to victims of crime, and with this bill, we’re putting additional resources into these critical efforts,” Weissman said. “With crime rising nationally and here in Colorado as a result of the pandemic, it’s important that we increase our support for community based programs that focus on the needs of crime victims.” SB22-183 is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $35 million in pandemic relief funding to the Colorado crime victim services fund to ensure essential victim services can continue for the next four years. SB22-183 also invests an additional $6 million to services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as recommended by the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . SB22-183 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE . Previous Next

Investments to fill in-demand jobs part of Governor Polis’s budget request as Polis administration in partnership with the legislature continues to boost Colorado’s robust workforce < Back March 14, 2023 Boosting Colorado’s Workforce & Economy: Governor Polis, Bipartisan Legislators Announce Bold Workforce Investments to Save People Money & Open the Door to High-Demand, Good-Paying Jobs DENVER - Today, Governor Polis, joined by bipartisan lawmakers including House Speaker Julie McCluskie, State Representatives Matthew Martinez, Rose Pugliese, Don Wilson, State Senators Janet Buckner and Perry Will, Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, members of the Governor’s cabinet, Colorado Community College System chancellor Joe Garcia, community members, and students, announced legislation to connect hardworking Coloradans with the skills and training they need to thrive, saving people money on advanced training and education and filling Colorado’s in-demand jobs. Through flexible scholarship support to save students money on postsecondary education and training and zero-cost credential programs for in-demand jobs, this legislation paves the way for Coloradans to pursue good-paying careers while meeting the needs of Colorado’s robust workforce. “We are saving people money on training and education, making it easier for Coloradans to get the skills they need to fill critical jobs and build careers they love. Today, Colorado has two open jobs for every unemployed person, which is why we are taking bold action now to make sure employers find the talent they need, and breaking down barriers for Coloradans to achieve their dreams,” said Gov. Polis. The zero-cost credentials initiative, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie, Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, State Senators Janet Buckner and Perry Will, builds upon the success of Care Forward Colorado , which has already trained more than 1,000 students since launching in the Fall of 2022. The legislation announced today would provide aspiring professionals in high-demand fields with free training toward associate degrees and industry certificates at public community colleges, local district colleges, or area technical colleges. Eligible industries include elementary and early childhood education, firefighting, law enforcement, forest management, short-term nursing, and construction trades. “Whether you’re headed back to college or switching careers entirely, zero-cost credentials open the door to new, high-demand careers across Colorado,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Our bill makes it easier for aspiring professionals seeking careers as firefighters, nurses and early childhood educators to upskill and reskill through free training, certification and advanced education courses. These new, free pathways will boost our workforce and help fill open positions in critical jobs so more Coloradans can start the professions of their dreams and serve their communities.” “Colorado continues to struggle with workforce shortages in careers ranging from early childhood education to nursing and fire fighting,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “Since 2022, the Care Forward Colorado program has made great progress in connecting students with high demand career pathways, but there is much more we can do. With this important bill, we’re further expanding opportunities for Coloradans to get involved in critical career fields and lowering the barriers to entry for training and education programs.” “Colorado's rural communities need skilled workers to fill jobs across industries, which is why we are making sure Coloradans can get the training they need to fill the in-demand jobs that power our communities,” said Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle. The scholarship initiative, sponsored by State Senator Jeff Bridges, Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, and State Representatives Matthew Martinez and Don Wilson, expands access and reduces financial barriers to postsecondary education and training opportunities, making sure the workforce of tomorrow receives the tools and training they need to thrive today. The scholarships will provide each student with a $1,500 scholarship to take to any approved training provider in Colorado, from apprenticeship and on-the-job training to trade school, community colleges, and colleges and universities. This transformative financial support has the capacity to serve 15,000 graduating students in the Class of 2024, more than 25% of all high school graduates statewide. “This bill is a win-win for Coloradans looking for good-paying jobs and Colorado businesses trying to hire for those jobs,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “We have hundreds of thousands of open jobs in this state that require some kind of education beyond high school. With this bill we’re creating the opportunity for people across Colorado to get trained, get hired, and earn a good life.” "We are providing Coloradans with resources and flexibility to get the training and education they need to fill jobs across the state. This support for Colorado workers supports our economy, our workers, and our businesses," said Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R- Monument. “Many Colorado students want to pursue higher education or technical jobs, but financial barriers often stand in the way of their dreams,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “This bold legislation expands access to post-secondary education and professional career training by offering more versatile scholarships to high school seniors. There are many high-demand jobs in Colorado going left unfilled, and this bill helps break down some of the financial barriers faced by students to get them on a strong career path and boost our state’s workforce in the process.” “These investments in Colorado’s workforce help to meet the needs of employers and hardworking Coloradans, filling in-demand jobs and making sure people can get the skills they need,” said Representative Don Wilson - R, Monument, District 20. In his State of the State address to the General Assembly, Governor Polis highlighted that Colorado currently has two available jobs for every unemployed person. The bipartisan legislation announced today builds upon the Polis administration’s work, in partnership with the legislature, to connect businesses with hardworking Coloradans for in-demand jobs, saving people money and making it easier and more affordable for Coloradans to access advanced training and education. Previous Next