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< Back March 29, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING ADVANCE House and Senate committees advance legislation to invest over $200 million to build and sustain affordable housing and boost affordable workforce housing options DENVER, CO – Legislation to save people money on housing by building thousands more homes and expanding access to critical workforce housing today passed House and Senate Committees. “The lack of affordable housing is at a crisis level in Colorado, and I am so glad the state legislature is doing something to help increase affordable housing stock in our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. “This historic, transformational legislation will provide nearly $180 million directly to local governments and nonprofits all across the state to construct thousands of new units and retain existing affordable housing for our teachers, our nurses, our first responders, and workers and families all over the state. This bill is part of the historic $400 million we are allocating this year for housing - the single largest investment the state has ever made to get homes built and drive down the cost of housing to save people money.” “As Colorado’s population continues to grow, we have to make sure communities have the land and resources required to develop affordable housing now and in the future,” said Sen. James Coleman, D-Denver. “Local governments and nonprofits are the experts when it comes to pinpointing their communities’ unique needs. That’s why this bill is targeted at uplifting their work and providing the necessary tools to achieve their housing development goals.” “Our state is growing, and we must make sure communities have the resources they need to keep pace,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “This bill will help local governments and nonprofits access the space and funding that communities need to equitably accommodate that growth. By helping communities increase their housing supply we can make sure every Coloradan has access to a home they can afford.” Nonprofit and Local Government Grants and Strong Communities : HB22-1304 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Mary Bradfield and Senators James Coleman and Julie Gonzales, passed the House Transportation and Local Government Committee by a vote of 9-3. The bill invests $178 million, a historic sum, to provide direct, flexible, and timely grant funding to nonprofits and local governments all across the state that have or are pursuing measures to facilitate affordable housing development, including purchasing land. This includes development of supportive, rental, and for-sale housing targeted at populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The bill also makes a substantial investment for local communities to create strategic development patterns, including funding for infrastructure projects and updating land and use codes. The legislation will ensure flexibility of funding, including allowances for operating grants to community-based organizations and qualified local governments, particularly in small, rural, and mountain resort communities, so they can best meet their own development needs according to their community’s workforce and local economy. By building homes closer to where people work, the bill will also save Coloradans money on their transportation costs. “The housing crisis is impacting businesses large and small across the state, making it harder to attract workers and fill critical positions,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “As part of our strategy to drive down the cost of housing and save people money, we will target resources to expand workforce housing for middle income Coloradans. This will build affordable places to live for workers in communities that are experiencing workforce housing shortages, which is becoming common in nearly every part of our state.” “Coloradans across the state are struggling to afford a place to live, and the time to act is now,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This bill will improve support systems for middle income families whose modest resources squeeze them between skyrocketing housing costs and ineligibility for assistance, save people money, and help more Colorado families thrive.” CHFA Middle Income Access Program: SB22-146 , sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger and Dennis Hisey and Representatives Marc Snyder and Marc Catlin, passed the Senate Local Government Committee by a vote of 5-0. The bill will expand critical workforce housing so that more Coloradans and communities have access to affordable housing that allows them to live in the communities where they work. The legislation provides $25 million for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Middle-Income Access Program , which finances projects to build housing for middle income families and individuals with incomes too high to qualify for low income housing tax credits but too low to afford market rates. Specifically, this funding will provide financing to developers seeking to build rental housing affordable to Coloradans earning 80 percent or more of the area median income through acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of existing properties. To date, the Middle Income Access Program has leveraged $14 million of CHFA-invested funds to support five developments comprising over 600 units. Developments leverage significant private sector investment and have brought much needed housing to communities such as Estes Park, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Gypsum, and Denver. Previous Next

< Back Speaker McCluskie: Perspective: 2025 Legislative Preview Jan 5, 2025 See more This story was originally posted in the Gazette here . Fighting for working families Democrats are back once again with an overwhelming majority in the Colorado House because we deliver results for the working people and families of our great state. Under our watch, wages are rising, and unemployment and inflation are lower than the national average. Housing and medical costs are falling, and so are violent crime rates. Coloradans trust Democrats to govern because we have worked hard to lower the cost of housing and prescription medications, boost funding for K-12 schools, preserve our clean water and air, and protect our freedoms. As we shoulder this immense responsibility, we will put problem solving ahead of partisanship and work across the aisle to make Colorado more affordable, improve public safety, and protect our rights and freedoms. My door is always open to constituents, advocates and lawmakers from both parties, and I am eager to work together once again. Too many Coloradans are still struggling with the high cost of living. We’ve led the charge to eliminate red-tape so we can build more homes Coloradans can afford. This year, we will work to bring down home insurance costs and make purchasing easier for new homebuyers. Lowering the cost of child care is a pivotal part of helping working parents afford to live in our state. That’s why Colorado Democrats have championed universal preschool, created more high-quality child care options, and cut taxes for hardworking people with the Colorado Child Tax Credit and Family Affordability Tax Credit. This session, we’ll continue to cut costs for working families, including reducing application fees for child care. Saving people money on health care is a top priority as well. The new Colorado Option health insurance plans we created are far from burdensome new regulation. In fact, they are extremely popular with consumers because they are lowering costs and covering the services people need. Colorado youth can now receive no-cost mental health counseling sessions, as well. When it comes to business, we’ve cut commercial property taxes, incentivized economic development for rural businesses and partnered with chambers of commerce to help fill jobs in critical industries so companies can grow and thrive. As Democrats, we’re always working to make higher education more affordable, whether that be a post-secondary degree or a certificate for skills in-demand trades that lead to good paying jobs. Last year, we made community college for the first two years of a four-year degree free for Colorado students. This year, we’ll continue to build on these efforts to offer students affordable options that set them on a path toward a career of their dreams. When it comes to safeguarding our rights and freedoms, Colorado Democrats have stepped up to protect reproductive care, access to voting and civil liberties. Through constitutional amendments, Coloradans have shown again and again that people should have the freedom to make decisions for themselves. As we wait to see what heads our way from Washington, Colorado Democrats will be on guard to protect your freedoms. As violent crime falls across the state, including in Denver, we know there is more that can be done to keep our communities safe. Reducing crime requires a multi-pronged approach that includes investing in mental and behavioral health, addiction and community-based services, creating good-paying jobs and expanding affordable housing. It’s great to see the sharp decline in auto thefts in 2023 thanks in part to bipartisan laws we passed. From outdoor recreation to agriculture, Colorado’s water is part of our western identity and essential to the future of our communities. I will continue to focus on what is best for Colorado agriculture and municipal water users to protect Colorado’s water rights and ensure future generations have access to the water they need. While we won’t always agree, Republicans and Democrats will need to come together this year to address Colorado’s budget shortfall. We are facing rising Medicaid expenses, largely driven by our aging population and people receiving more medical care, while at the same time our budget constraints mean we must find savings elsewhere. This will require us all, Republicans and Democrats, to put aside political grandstanding and work together to find solutions. I am a firm believer in the Western Slope Way – working together to solve problems, not wasting time on the distractions of extreme partisanship. I am hopeful that as we begin another session, we will find a way to work together once again to make Colorado more affordable, protect our rights and freedoms and build a state where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Previous Next

< Back Majority Leader Esgar & Rep. Frolich Opinion: Abortion access must be written into Colorado law because Roe vs. Wade is in jeopardy Jan 24, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Denver Post. By JULIE GONZALES, MEG FROELICH and DANEYA ESGAR This year could very well be the last anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court case that established the constitutional right to abortion. We are at a crisis point. The time to take action and protect our rights is now, so as Colorado lawmakers we have crafted a proactive abortion rights bill that will soon be introduced in the Colorado General Assembly. Protecting abortion access has to be a priority in the 2022 legislative session, and we are the lead sponsors on the Reproductive Health Equity Act, or RHEA. The Reproductive Health Equity Act will ensure every individual has the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception; every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion; and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of Colorado. Barriers to abortion access always fall heaviest on those with the least access to health care already — communities of color, low-income people, young people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, rural Coloradans. RHEA would also address that equity gap. The worst restrictions to abortion access and reproductive health care have come from state legislatures across the nation, and as state lawmakers, we are obligated to take action in the opposite direction here in Colorado. Because Colorado is such a strongly pro-abortion rights state, people are surprised to learn there’s nothing expressly protective of abortion access or reproductive health care in Colorado law. Yes, we have defeated many attempts to ban or restrict abortion at the legislature and the ballot box, but there are no state laws explicitly protecting the constitutional right to access abortion and reproductive health care in Colorado. Why? Until now, we haven’t needed anything in state law; we had the constitutional protection of Roe and the federal courts. We might not anymore. The Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe with the case known as Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health, a case challenging Mississippi’s unconstitutional abortion ban. Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health was argued on Dec. 1, and a decision is expected in June 2022. It’s entirely likely abortion access could be struck down as a federal, constitutional right and returned to the states. If Roe is overturned, abortion will likely become illegal in roughly half the country, including many states around Colorado. In 2020, 64% of Coloradans surveyed agreed with the statement “abortion should be legal in all cases or most cases with some restrictions.” Support was even higher for: “politicians need to stop trying to force their beliefs on women when it comes to abortion.” (82% agreed) “when it comes to ending a pregnancy, a woman should have the power to make decisions about her own body.” (76% agreed) Across the country, about 6 in 10 Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. And during the last election, Coloradans across party and county lines voted to defeat Proposition 115, a ban on abortion later in pregnancy, by nearly 20 points. In 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014, Coloradans overwhelmingly rejected harmful and dehumanizing amendments to the state Constitution that would have created “fetal personhood” and outlawed abortion in the state. And since 2010, we have seen 41 pieces of legislation introduced — and defeated — that would restrict or eliminate abortion access for Coloradans. But that’s not enough. We need to meet this moment of crisis on abortion rights with action. Our job as legislators is to pass laws that respect the will of our constituents and Colorado citizens, who have made it clear over and over again that they support abortion rights. This legislation serves as a model for other states to expand and protect access to reproductive health care, including abortion. We already have very strong support in the legislature for the Reproductive Health Equity Act, and we would urge Coloradans to call or email their legislators and let them know they support it. Once again, it is time for Colorado to be a leader on abortion and reproductive rights. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Tracey Bernett: Building a sustainable, resilient future through better building codes Jul 7, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Daily Camera. This past session, as the clock wound down on our time to pass impactful and progressive legislation for the state of Colorado, one of my last bills still on the table was HB22-1362. Despite significant initial opposition, I worked with my fellow lawmakers in the House and Senate and a broad array of community and industry leaders to ensure it made it to the Governor’s desk. I did this because I know that all Coloradans deserve homes and buildings that are efficient, resilient, healthy and ready for the future. While there has been a lot of press about the end of session and the vote on this bill, I wanted to share what the bill does for our communities. HB22-1362 saves residents and businesses money by building right the first time. A home or commercial building is a huge, long-term investment, and building more energy efficient buildings means residents and businesses save money on utility bills and other associated costs over the lifetime of the building or home. By building right the first time, we avoid expensive retrofits for electric vehicle charging, clean heat and solar energy. Especially now when so many car manufacturers, including Ford, will be phasing out production of gas-powered vehicles over the next decade. The cost savings, especially during a time when the cost of fuel is continuing to rise, can be a huge benefit to homeowners and businesses. In addition to saving consumers time and money, this legislation also protects our environment. Buildings are a significant source of pollution, and increasingly we are learning that indoor air pollution can be significant to residents, especially for lower income communities. Brief exposures to these indoor pollutants can trigger asthma attacks and long-term exposure can contribute to development of sustained asthma. Burning fossil fuels indoors will be the “lead paint in buildings” catastrophe in the years to come. By law, it’s the responsibility of local governments to adopt and enforce building energy codes, but the Colorado legislature has the responsibility to set minimum energy efficiency requirements for the local energy codes that apply statewide. Every few years the legislature examines these statewide codes to ensure they meet the modern standard for building quality homes and businesses. In addition to updating the code, HB22-1362 also provides money and resources for local governments to implement the codes. Finally, owners and occupants of existing homes and buildings are not affected until the home or building undergoes a major renovation or addition. I am so proud that several days ago the Governor signed this bill into law. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions about this law, other legislation, or issues you are having in your community. Rep. Tracey Bernett is a Democrat representing District 12, Boulder County Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2021 DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REDUCE COSTS AND INCREASE AFFORDABILITY OF LIFE-SAVING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS DENVER – This afternoon, Senators Jaquez Lewis and Gonzales, along with Representatives Caraveo and Kennedy, in partnership with Governor Polis, announced the introduction of SB21-175, a bill to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. “Prescription drugs cost too much and Coloradans are sick and tired of being ripped off. This bill is an important step toward our goal of saving people money on health care,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I want to thank the bill sponsors for their efforts to ensure that hardworking Coloradans can get the medicine they need for themselves and their families without worrying about astronomical costs.” “As prescription drug costs continue to skyrocket, people are forced to make impossible choices,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, a pharmacist and prime sponsor of the legislation. “This proposal–this group of non-partisan experts–has the potential to save Coloradans as much as 75% on the most unaffordable drugs. We have no choice but to address this issue–we absolutely must get this under control so we can build a healthy Colorado for all!” “The painful and heartbreaking accounts of Coloradans who are forced to choose between filling prescriptions, skipping doses or paying for basic necessities are far too common,” said bill sponsor Representative Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs is hurting families, and it’s hurting our economic recovery. Coming out of this pandemic, we must build back stronger, and that means making common sense reforms to lower the costs of the drugs that are eating away at the bottom line of so many hardworking Coloradans.” Too many Coloradans skip doses, stretch the length of their prescriptions, or delay filling prescriptions because they simply cannot afford them. As established in the bill, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will convene a panel of experts to investigate prescription drug cost increases, and set guardrails on cost increases for the most expensive prescription drugs in the state. The affordability board would set upper payment limits for prescription drugs that meet certain cost increase thresholds. These payment limits would apply to all purchasers in the state, but will only be placed on the highest cost drugs, with purchasers continuing to be able to negotiate rates for the vast majority of drugs. The board will collect and evaluate the data necessary to review the affordability of prescription drugs and make policy recommendations to legislators. The board will be made up of nonpartisan, unpaid experts who are free from conflicts of interest. “Even prior to the pandemic, nearly 1 in 3 Coloradans struggled to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy, forcing families to choose between buying their prescriptions or paying rent and buying groceries,” said bill sponsor Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “At a time when Coloradans are struggling with the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we should ensure that all Coloradans – particularly in communities of color – have access to affordable health care.” “Prescription drugs are essential to managing, preventing, and curing diseases, but not every Coloradan can access them because cost is a barrier when it shouldn’t even be a consideration,” said bill sponsor Rep Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “Coloradans need us to act now. Colorado families are struggling with unfair and unaffordable drug costs. The affordability board will reign in the highest cost drugs and stop the out of control increases that are reaching deeper and deeper into Coloradans pockets and driving up the cost of healthcare for everyone.” A recent poll from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that 77% of Coloradans supported the idea of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze and act to lower the cost of certain prescription drugs — and this bill seeks to answer their call. To read the full text of the bill and track it through the legislative process, visit leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-175 Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES BILL TO MODERNIZE BEHAVIORAL COVERAGE LAWS More than one million Coloradans experience mental health or a substance use crisis each year (Apr. 5) – The House Public Health Care and Human Services committee passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Lisa Cutter. and Rep. Tom Sullivan that will modernize behavioral health insurance coverage laws to align with federal law and close loopholes to increase access to mental health services for Coloradans. “Kids as young as nine and ten are attempting suicide. This issue isn’t going away until we address it,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Evergreen. “Over one million Coloradans deal with a mental health issue, and over half of them aren’t getting the help they need. Imagine what the world would be like if your friends and family dealing with these issues were able to get the help they need.” HB19-1269: Strengthens prevention and screening laws to shift the current system away from expensive late-stage treatment to early prevention Enforces and makes transparent existing state and federal parity laws and increases consumer protections Eliminates gaps and loopholes in current law to ensure no more Coloradans fall through the cracks “This is something I’ve been involved in for the last six years and I am glad to be a part of this legislation,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “We know that recently a student from Cherry Creek high school died by suicide. This is not something we can wait on, we need to take action now.” Currently, state and federal laws require insurance carriers to provide equal coverage for mental health and physical care. However, many families are being denied coverage or are paying out-of-pocket costs for weeks or months for mental health care services because of loopholes in current law. HB19-1269 was unanimously approved by the House Public Health Care and Human Services committee. It now heads to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back February 6, 2020 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO END PRISON GERRYMANDERING Bill would ensure the Census Bureau counts people in prison as residents of their home communities DENVER, CO — The Colorado Accurate Residence for Redistricting Act, sponsored by Representatives James Coleman and Kerry Tipper, today passed the House by a vote of 38-23. The bill would count people in prison as residents of their home communities for the purpose of state redistricting, ending the practice of counting those individuals as residents of the localities where the corrections facilities are. “Today, the House voted in favor of democratic representation and a more just count,” said Rep. Tipper (D-Lakewood). “I’m thankful for my colleagues who joined Rep. Coleman and I in supporting this legislation. Accurate redistricting is essential for the health of our democracy, and this bill will help ensure that districts are drawn in a way that reflects the Colorado value of fair representation.” “An accurate census count and fair district maps are good for our democracy and good for Colorado,” said Rep. Coleman (D-Denver) . “Coloradans want a more just political system, and that’s what we’ve set out to do. I’m pleased that the House has approved this commonsense bill.” HB20-1010 would, for purposes of census redistricting counts, reassign prisoners in correctional facilities to their last known residence in Colorado prior to incarceration. Only in the instance that a prisoner does not have a Colorado address, do they get counted in the locality where the prison is located. Prisoners are currently assigned to voting districts based on where they are incarcerated instead of in the communities where their lives are rooted, even though they cannot vote while in prison. This bill would not have an effect on how the census guides the distribution of federal funds in Colorado. Per the Colorado Constitution—which declares that a prison cell is not a residence—people in prison are legal constituents of their home address representatives and not the correctional facility where they have been placed. Additionally, the average length of stay in Colorado prisons is three years , while redistricting guidelines last an entire decade. Other states including Maryland, New York, Washington, Delaware and California have passed legislation to address prison gerrymandering. HB20-1010 was approved by the State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee on January 30 and passed the House on second reading yesterday. It now heads to the Senate for introduction in that chamber. ### Previous Next

On July 1, 2025, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco and Representative Michael Carter, D-Aurora goes into effect. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. < Back June 26, 2025 Bill to Increase Judges and Boost Access to Justice Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – On July 1, 2025, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco and Representative Michael Carter, D-Aurora goes into effect. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. “As a former deputy district attorney, I know how important it is to have an adequate number of judges serving our communities,” said Roberts. “Over and over again, we’ve heard from judges, attorneys, victims, and litigants who are hurting from an overburdened court system. Adding 15 new judges to Colorado’s judicial system is a major step forward that will help Colorado fulfill its fundamental duty to provide timely access to justice.” “The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed in our constitution, but the shortage of judges and other judicial staff makes it unrealistic to schedule cases in a reasonable timeframe,” said Carter. “When cases are continuously pushed back, justice for victims and their families is delayed, while potentially innocent Coloradans sit in jail awaiting trial. Our new law increases the number of judges, attorneys and other staff to cut down on wait times, protect the autonomy of judicial actors and improve access to justice.” SB25-024 , also sponsored by Sen. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, increases the number of district and county judges by 15 judges for criminal and civil court cases over the next two years. Beginning on July 1, 2025 and spread over the next two years, specific districts will be allocated the funding to hire more district and county judges. The new law also allocates funds for courts to hire public defenders, deputy district attorneys, sheriff deputies, behavioral health court professionals and support staff. Judicial Districts 4, 7, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 23 and Larimer, Douglas, La Plata, Mesa and Eagle counties will see at least one additional judge. Governor Polis and Lieutenant Governor Primavera have already made several appointments to fill the new judgeships, effective July 1, 2025. These include: Kelly J. McPherson to the 4th Judicial District Court, Sara S. Price to the 17th Judicial District Court, Stacy K. Guillon to the 23rd Judicial District Court, James X. Quinn to the 18th Judicial District Court, Kimbra L. Killin to the 13th Judicial District Court, and Richard E. Schmittel, Jr., to the La Plata County Court in the 6th Judicial District. In early 2025, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica Márquez made a plea to the Colorado General Assembly to add judges during the annual State of the Judiciary address. Previous Next

< Back April 14, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO BOOST COLORADO’S EMERGENCY STOCKPILE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill, sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullica, that would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE). “Colorado is preparing now so we’re not caught flat-footed during the next national emergency or pandemic,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. “This bill boosts Colorado’s stockpile of essential materials and personal protective equipment so our state is prepared to keep Coloradans safe, healthy and protected. With this legislation, we’re taking steps to ensure our healthcare professionals haves the masks, gloves and other medical grade PPE they need when they’re caring for Coloradans.” HB22-1352 passed committee by a vote of 8-3. This bill would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials and PPE to be available for distribution after the governor has declared a disaster emergency. Facial masks, medical gloves, eye protection and other PPE worn by health care professionals are necessary for treating patients and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. This bill will invest nearly $2 million to stockpile medical-grade PPE in Colorado so hospitals, vaccine clinics and other medical sites can have access to the protective equipment to keep them safe. Schools, community centers and other organizations can also receive stockpiled PPE which will be distributed via state agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was charged with maintaining the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE and associated warehouses. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has since maintained a 60-day stockpile of five key PPE product categories to dispatch to state agencies as needed. This bill ensures Colorado has adequate PPE supplies for the next pandemic or declared national disaster. Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2019 Colorado ranks poorly when it comes to rights of renters (Feb. 26) – The House gave preliminary approval today to a bill that improves the rights of renters in Colorado. This commonsense bill would allow improve a renter’s rights if their home becomes uninhabitable or otherwise unfit for human habitation. “I believe that having a safe and affordable place to live is a cornerstone to self-sufficiency,” said Rep. Jackson, D-. “This is real life. When Coloradans are paying market rents, they deserve to live in a safe and habitable place. This is a very fair, and very necessary bill.” Under HB19-1170, tenants can notify the landlords of uninhabitable conditions through written notice including through electronic means. The landlord will then have 24-72 hours to begin to address the complaint. If the issues persists, the tenant has a right to withhold an estimate cost of the repairs from their rent payment and they have the right to break a lease if the uninhabitable condition persists. “If you are paying rent you have the right to expect a home that is safe and healthy to live in, with remedies available if it isn’t–especially in a rental market as challenging as ours is right now,” said Rep. Weissman. D-Aurora. HB19-1170, Residential Tenants Health And Safety Act, passed on final reading with a vote of 40-23 and now heads to the Senate.The Senate co-prime sponsors are Sen. Angela Williams, D-Denver, and Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. House Democrats passed HB19-1106 last week to put in place commonsense limits on the application fees that renters face as they search for their next rental home. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, and Rep Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood is the Senate sponsor. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to support older Coloradans. < Back February 25, 2025 Bipartisan Bill to Support Older Coloradans Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to support older Coloradans. HB25-1184 would support Coloradans by allowing certain senior living facilities to offer community-based programs and services to seniors who are waiting to be admitted. “As the demand for senior living facilities increases, we’re creating more options for older Coloradans on the waiting list so that they may access the programs and services offered by the facility,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “From accessible transportation and nutrition support to socialization opportunities, community-based services are incredibly beneficial to older Coloradans. This bill gives communities another option for older Coloradans to access community-based services that help them lead healthier, stronger lives.” HB25-1184 is also sponsored by Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker and passed committee by a vote of 11-2. This bill would allow for the expansion of community-based services to older Coloradans who are awaiting admission to a life care institution. Colorado has a handful of life care institutions, sometimes located in smaller or rural communities, that are a supportive living facility to seniors who pay a one-time admission. Waiting lists for life care institutions in Colorado can be long. This bill empowers these facilities to include older Coloradans on the waiting list in their programs and services. Some examples of community-based services including transportation, social programs and nutrition counseling. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEGISLATION Bills invests $35 million to integrate physical and behavioral health care DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation that will make transformational investments to increase access to behavioral health care by better integrating primary care and behavioral health care. “This session, we’re directing $450 million in federal funds to increase access to and save people money on behavioral health care,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “The legislation we advanced today will invest $35 million to integrate behavioral health care into primary care so that Coloradans can access both at the same location at the same time. This will save Coloradans money when they seek behavioral health care or substance use disorder treatment and make critical care more available throughout the state, especially in rural and underserved areas.” Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1302 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will and Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, invests $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. Previous Next