Search Results

HB25-1149 standardizes Black American history taught in Colorado’s public schools < Back June 3, 2025 Signed! New Law Establishes Statewide Black History Education Standards DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation to establish statewide Black history education standards in Colorado’s public K-12 schools. HB25-1149 , sponsored by Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, and Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, requires the Colorado Department of Education to develop a standard K-12 curriculum for Black history and cultural studies with support from a 17-member advisory committee. “Black history is American history, and without a Comprehensive Black history curriculum in our public schools, students aren’t receiving the full scope of achievements and contributions of Black Americans,” said English. “We can help our students achieve a well-rounded education by developing and standardizing a comprehensive Black history curriculum in Colorado’s public schools. From politics to engineering, Black Americans’ contributions to society are vast. Our law helps ensure that students learn about the influential Black leaders who changed the course of history and our nation.” “Here in Colorado, we understand the importance of teaching a full, honest history – one that recognizes the achievements, contributions, and experiences of Black Americans,” said Exum. “Implementing a standardized Black history curriculum in our public schools ensures that students of all races and backgrounds receive a more complete education that prepares them to be informed, engaged citizens and honors the extensive contributions of Black Americans in shaping our state and nation.” Once approved by the Colorado Board of Education, public K-12 schools will have to adopt the new Black history education standards into their curriculum as part of the state’s social studies standards revision cycle, which concludes in 2028. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES ‘CONVERSION THERAPY’ BAN ON MINORS (Feb. 15) — A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo banning the harmful and widely discredited practice of ‘conversion therapy’ on young people had final passage on the House floor today. “We are talking about the lives of kids. This is a ‘therapy’ that has been proven to be dangerous and harmful. We have to start supporting our kids regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. They deserve so much better than this,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus. The bill protects our LGBTQ youth in Colorado from a dangerous and discredited practice that is aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. “This bill is about allowing Coloradans to be their authentic selves. This dangerous practice harms children and falsely makes them believe that something is wrong with them through the use of shame, rejection and psychological abuse,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “We need to put an end to a practice that makes these youths six times more likely to have depression and eight times more likely to attempt suicide.” HB19-1129 includes disciplinary actions for any licensees with their licensing board if conversion therapy is practiced on young person. The bill is aimed at state-licensed medical and mental health practitioners who falsely claim that being gay, bisexual or transgender is a mental illness. The American Psychological Association found that the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy on young people makes them three times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, six times more likely to fall into depression, and eight times more likely to attempt suicide. This is the fifth time this bill is being introduced at the legislature and Rep. Michaelson Jenet’s second time bringing it forward. If passed, this bill would make Colorado the 16th state to pass a conversion therapy ban on minors. The bipartisan bill passed with a vote of 42-20 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

Bills would reinstate and expand critical wetlands protections jeopardized by the U.S. Supreme Court Sackett v. EPA decision and encourage water conservation through increased graywater use < Back May 29, 2024 Signed! Legislation to Protect Streams, Rivers and Wetlands SILVERTHORNE / STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. He also signed bipartisan water conservation bills to encourage the adoption of graywater use, fund water conservation projects and implement recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force. “After the Supreme Court removed important protections and left our waterways in jeopardy, we knew we must take action now to secure Colorado’s water future,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB24-1379. “As this bill is signed into law, we are now one step closer to a Colorado-specific approach to protecting our streams, rivers and wetlands. From brewing beer to sustaining our livestock and crops – fresh, clean water is at the core of nearly every industry in Colorado. This law protects our state’s water supply now and into the future so generations to come can experience the Colorado way of life we all hold dear.” “There is no more important resource to our state and no more pressing challenge that we will face as a state in the decades to come than protecting our water,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, sponsor of HB24-1379. “Last year’s Supreme Court decision jeopardized protections for over half of Colorado’s wetlands, which threatens water supply, wildlife habitats, and our state’s environment and economy. This new law will protect streams, rivers, and wetlands that are vital to Colorado by creating a new Colorado-based permitting program to implement proven best practices for dredge and fill activities with key protections for agriculture and other crucial industry activity.” “Protecting our freshwater resources now means future generations can thrive in Colorado knowing they have clean and accessible water,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB24-1379. “A 2023 Supreme Court decision rolled back crucial water protections and we need legislation that helps effectively manage and protect our wetlands, rivers, and streams. Our law would outline regulatory certainty for our businesses, landowners, and agriculture industry when it comes to Colorado’s water. Colorado’s water is a steady and vital resource that must be conserved and protected for generations to come, and this law protects what we all find essential.” The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to define “Waters of the United States” and the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate discharges from dredge and fill activities into waters that meet the definition. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA in 2023 redefined what constitutes waters subject to federal regulation and placed an estimated 60 percent of Colorado wetlands at risk of losing protections. The impacted wetlands and seasonal streams are in need of protection work to ensure there is adequate water supply, to aid groundwater recharge, and to provide for wildlife habitat in Colorado. HB24-1379 , works to protect Colorado waters that are no longer federally protected. The law will create a permitting program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for dredge and fill activities impacting state waters. The permitting framework is based on well-established approaches already used by the Army Corps of Engineers and will provide clarity and certainty on when a permit is needed for dredge and fill activities. Normal farming, ranching, and agricultural activities, such as plowing, farm road construction, ditch maintenance, and erosion control practices would not require a permit. Until the recent decision in Sackett v. EPA , the Army Corps’ permitting program safeguarded the vast majority of Colorado’s state waters from pollution caused by dredge and fill activities. Dredge and fill activities involve digging up or placing dirt and other fill material into wetlands or surface waters as part of construction projects. These operations are necessary in many infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, housing developments, flood mitigation, and utility pipelines. This law provides a way for these projects to move forward while protecting Colorado’s water resources. HB24-1362 , also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa and Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose encourages the use of graywater in Colorado to conserve our state’s scarce water supply by authorizing the installation of graywater systems in new construction projects statewide. It offers flexibility for local governments to adopt more tailored uses of graywater systems, including permitting their installation in existing structures, or prohibiting them altogether. “With this bill becoming law, we’re conserving our water resources, protecting our environment and upholding the Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB24-1362. “This bipartisan law encourages local governments to use graywater in irrigation and for non-drinking household purposes, which is a great option for getting the most out of our water. Living on the Western Slope, I’m committed to protecting and conserving our precious water resources — and this law makes it easier for our communities to recycle water.” Governor Polis also signed HB24-1435 , sponsored by Representatives McCormick and Marc Caitlin and Senators Roberts and Cleave Simpson to designate important water supply and conservation projects around the state for funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. In addition to HB24-1435, Governor Polis also signed SB24-197 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Representative Caitlin and Senators Roberts and Perry Will, R-New Castle, which would implement several recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force, including tactics to address the worsening drought conditions on the Colorado River. Previous Next

< Back June 12, 2020 HOUSE PASSES BUENTELLO BILL TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Bri Buentello to address the opioid crisis. SB20-007 passed the House 48-17, and SB20-028 received initial approval on second reading. The bills would enhance access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and help more Coloradans through their SUD recovery. “The opioid crisis didn’t go away when the pandemic hit, and it’s clear our communities still need help increasing access to treatment and helping Coloradans stay in recovery,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “These bills will help Coloradans get the care they need to overcome substance use disorders. I am grateful for the bipartisan work that went into crafting these bills and getting them across the finish line.” SB20-007, which passed 48-17, requires insurance carriers to provide coverage for the treatment of a SUD in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine or other evidence-based guidelines. It also encourages access to medical or substance use disorder treatment services, including recovery services, to people participating in prescribed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for a SUD and prohibits courts, probation or community corrections from prohibiting MAT as a condition of participation or placement. It also requires the Insurance Commissioner to ensure that insurance carriers’ formularies include medications for MAT and coverage for the opioid antagonist naloxone (Narcan). SB20-028 , which received preliminary approval from the House on second reading, furthers the work of the Opioid and Other Substance Abuse Disorder Interim Committee by convening a group of stakeholders to review progress on opioid legislation and recommend additional policies to address opioid use. It would also modify the determination of child abuse, neglect or dependency to ensure that a positive toxicology test cannot be the sole reason for deciding that a child born affected by alcohol or other substance exposure is abused or neglected, instead allowing families, moms and babies to bond and remain together if a pregnant or new mom is participating in prescribed medication assisted treatment and a newborn child’s welfare isn’t threatened by substance use, in accord with current best practice for maternal and child health. Previous Next

< Back February 20, 2020 LEGISLATION TO COMBAT OPIOID CRISIS PASSES HEALTH AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE Legislation bolsters prevention efforts and would help reduce the rate of opioid deaths. DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Health and Insurance today advanced two bills that will help prevent more Coloradans from developing an opioid use disorder and reduce the rate of opioid overdose deaths. “We can lower the rate of opioid overdose deaths, slow the spread of communicable diseases and prevent more Coloradans from developing a substance use disorder, but we have to adopt best practices for prevention and provide better access to alternative pain therapies,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “These bills will help keep Coloradans from developing a substance misuse disorder or dying of an overdose,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “Across our state, communities are being devastated by substance misuse disorder, and we need to act now to turn the tide in this deadly crisis. These bills will improve prevention efforts and help keep more Coloradans alive.” HB20-1085 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Leslie Herod focuses on prevention efforts. The bill would encourage best practices to prevent opioid misuse, increase access to alternatives to opioids for pain relief, expand continuing education for opioid prescribers and support the Colorado Department of Health and Environment to work with community partners such as local public health agencies in a variety of prevention efforts. It would also establish screening and brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) as a health care standard. Furthermore, it requires health plans to cover a minimum number of physical therapy, occupational therapy and acupuncture visits per year as alternative pain treatment and would require insurance companies to make opioid alternatives available at the lowest cost-sharing tier applicable. HB20-1085 passed the committee 10-0. HB20-1065 , which is also sponsored by Representatives Kennedy and Herod, aims to lower the rate of opioid overdoses and related deaths and better prevent the spread of communicable diseases that can be associated with the injection of illicit opioids. It would protect people who act in good faith to respond to overdoses by administering an opiate antagonist, such as naloxone, that has expired. The bill would also require insurance plans to reimburse hospitals that provide opiate antagonists to counteract overdoses that often occur upon discharge. To help prevent communicable diseases, the bill would allow pharmacists to provide clean syringes and removes a regulatory barrier to operating syringe exchange programs. HB20-1065 passed the committee 6-4. Opioid use disorder is impacting communities across Colorado. The state recorded 543 opioid overdose deaths in 2018. Data tracking the number of pills dispensed per person shows that some Colorado counties have rates that are higher or at the same level as some of the hardest-hit states, such as West Virginia and Kentucky. A 2018 estimate from the White House Council of Economic Advisers found that the opioid epidemic has cost the US $2.5 trillion from 2015 to 2018. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill to train educators in “Stop the Bleed” for emergency, life-saving situations to make our schools safer. < Back May 15, 2023 New Bipartisan Law Expands School Access to Life-Saving Stop the Bleed Kits EVANS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill to train educators in “Stop the Bleed” for emergency, life-saving situations to make our schools safer. “The more teachers and staff we can prepare for emergency situations, the more likely we are to save a life,” said School Psychologist Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “ Time is precious in any emergency. This bipartisan law ensures teachers, staff and older students have the proper “Stop the Bleed” training and materials they need to respond effectively and efficiently to save lives.” “As a father and a nurse, I know the seconds matter when somebody is bleeding,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “Stop the Bleed is an important program to save lives in our schools and raise awareness about this easy to learn, life-saving technique.” HB23-1213 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield and Senator Kyle Mullica requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to distribute “Stop the Bleed” kits and training materials to K-12 schools that opt into the program. Bleed control kits and training resources contain first-aid materials for treating blood loss in traumatic injuries. This law aims to better prepare educators and staff for emergency situations by providing life-saving materials accompanied by training to help keep people alive. “Stop the Bleed” is a straightforward, standardized set of training materials and recommendations for everyday people caring for someone experiencing excessive bleeding through applying pressure to the wound and tying tourniquets for those trained to act quickly in emergency situations. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to evaluate a comprehensive system that could connect Coloradans with a serious mental illness with behavioral health care resources that lead to long-term recovery. The bill passed by a vote of 59-5. < Back April 13, 2023 House Passes Amabile Bill to Boost Access to Mental Health Resources DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to evaluate a comprehensive system that could connect Coloradans with a serious mental illness with behavioral health care resources that lead to long-term recovery. The bill passed by a vote of 59-5. “Many Coloradans with a serious mental illness end up in our hospitals, jails or without a place to live because they lack access to services that keep them housed, healthy, and employed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “We’ve invested over $400 million in the last couple of years to increase access to mental health care and substance use treatment. This bill continues to move us forward by working to establish a comprehensive system to treat mental illnesses, prevent cycling in and out of jails, hospitals, and homelessness, and allow all Coloradans the chance to build a better life for themselves.” HB23-1153 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, would conduct a study to determine the state’s ability to establish a system that connects Coloradans with serious mental illness with necessary behavioral health care and housing support services. The study would consider statewide data regarding the number of unhoused people living with a serious mental illness, current capacity for inpatient psychiatric units, financial barriers that prevent Coloradans from seeking treatment, behavioral health care workforce shortages, and other factors. Previous Next

< Back May 29, 2019 EFFORT TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING MOVES FORWARD Gov. Polis signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Majority Leader Alec Garnett that would legalize sports betting in Colorado. The measure now heads to the 2019 ballot for voter approval. “Coloradans should have the option of betting on the Nuggets or the Broncos. This new funding will go toward protecting our precious water and we believe this is something everyone can support,” said Majority Leader Garnett, D-Denver. “I also hope this measure will help stamp out black market sports betting and thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support.” HB19-1327 provides a master license to local casinos who can then contract with brick and mortar and/or internet sports betting operators to provide sports betting in Colorado. A 10 percent tax on net sports betting proceeds will be placed in a Sports Betting Fund. That fund will go towards the Water Implementation Cash Fund to support Colorado Water Plan projects that will keep our drinking water safe, our farms and ranches thriving, and keep our rivers healthy. The measure, Proposition DD, will be on the November 2019 ballot. The portion of the bill that Gov. Polis signed authorizes casinos to open in-person sports books and creates the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. The Colorado Water Conservation Board will govern the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. Some of the eligible projects for these funds are water storage and supply projects, conversation and land use projects, engagement and innovation activities, agricultural projects and environmental and recreation projects. Organizations in support of this measure are the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the Colorado Municipal League, the Colorado River District, the Environmental Defense Action Fund, Western Resource Advocates, and Denver Water. The bill was sponsored by Minority Leader Patrick Neville. The Senate sponsors are Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley. Previous Next

Climate change denial legislation would have jeopardized Colorado’s environment < Back March 13, 2024 Dems Defeat Bill to Roll Back Colorado’s Climate Goals DENVER, CO – Democrats on the House Energy & Environment Committee today defeated a bill rooted in climate change denialism. HB24-1246, sponsored by Representative Ken DeGraaf, would have jeopardized Colorado’s efforts to address climate change. “The spread of climate change denialism is dangerous, we need policies rooted in scientific fact that will help create a safer, healthier Colorado for us all,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, Chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee, D-Fort Collins. “Colorado is working hard to address our climate crisis and policies, like the one we heard in committee today, roll back our legislative efforts. We’re committed to reaching our state’s climate goals because Coloradans are counting on us to champion policies that rein in planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, not deny it altogether.” “Climate change is real, and it’s a threat to our way of life now and for future generations,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, Vice Chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee, D-Northglenn. “Legislation, like the one presented in committee today, is rooted in climate change denialism and would have dramatically pushed back our state’s goals, running out the clock on the time we have left to act. Colorado Democrats are on a path forward to addressing climate change, not rolling back regulations for scientifically-proven air pollutants, including carbon dioxide from the excessive burning of fossil fuels.” HB24-1246 would roll back Colorado’s climate goals of a 80-percent reduction in carbon dioxide emission in the utility sector by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040, and consequently undermine the climate-focused work championed by Democrats over the years. Specifically, this bill would have extended the climate goals to 2040 and 2060. Additionally, HB24-1246, as introduced, would have prohibited the classification of carbon dioxide as an air pollutant and eliminated its regulation by state agencies. Carbon dioxide emissions caused by burning fossil fuels are a driving contributor to air pollution and climate change. Over the years, Colorado Democrats have stepped up to push forward climate-friendly laws to help clean up our air and increase protections for disproportionately impacted communities, encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and public transit options , streamline energy-efficient options for homeowners, and support businesses transitioning toward more eco-friendly heating and cooling options. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2022 SIGNED! BILLS TO HELP SAVE COLORADO FAMILIES MONEY ON CHILD CARE BECOME LAW DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will help Colorado families save money on child care. SB22-213 , sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Representatives Alex Valdez, D-Denver and Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, will boost Colorado’s economy and make it easier for families to access child care by increasing provider capacity across the state and better developing and training the early childhood professional workforce to provide high quality care to our youngest Coloradans “The pandemic exposed glaring gaps in our state’s child care system, and it’s hurting Colorado’s families and our economy,” Fields said. “Increasing our state’s child care capacity and helping more folks train for jobs in the child care field will allow us to provide critical support for working families across Colorado who have been doing their best to make sure their children have a safe place to learn and grow during the workday.” “By boosting funding for child care providers, we’ll create more child care options for parents, save families money and help people get back to work,” Valdez said. “Not only will this help parents, but it will help Colorado’s employers as well as they deal with workforce shortages and rising costs. This law is great news for families with young children, child care providers and small businesses across Colorado.” “Child care is one of the largest costs families have to deal with, and many of us juggle between multiple providers to find reliable care for our kids,” Tipper said. “Too many families cannot go back to work because they simply can’t afford child care or cannot find a provider to care for their children. This new law will boost our state’s child care capacity and builds on our work to make child care more affordable and available for families across our state.” The law directs $50 million in federal economic relief funds to boost child care capacity, including providing $16 million in grant funding to open a new child care center or expand capacity at an existing licensed childcare facility. It also invests $10 million to support the employer-based child care facility grant program, which will help business owners and other employers provide convenient, high-quality child care on-site while parents are at work. SB22-213 also adds $15 million to a successful workforce recruitment and retention grant program, and provides $7.5 million to support and train license-exempt informal caregivers working with young children in their communities. Polis also signed HB22-1010 , a bipartisan bill championed by Senators Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Tonya Van Beber, R-Weld County, which creates the early childhood educator tax credit to help save early childhood educators money and encourage new providers to enter the field. “Colorado currently does not have enough early childhood educators, which limits options for parents and makes it more expensive to provide care to our youngest learners,” Sirota said. “This law will save educators money and create an incentive to enter the early childhood education profession. By attracting more educators and working to retain the teachers we already have, this law will lower the cost of early childhood care and help parents get back to work.” “Early childhood educators are among the lowest paid professionals in every state, including Colorado,” said Buckner. “As the demand for quality early childhood educators rapidly increases, we must do all we can to ensure it is a viable, attractive career path for Coloradans, and this new law will do just that.” Boosting pay for the child care workforce and making the profession more sustainable will expand child care options in Colorado and ultimately lower the cost of child care. Child care providers are facing significant workforce challenges as workers leave the field for higher paying, less stressful jobs. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2023 Legislation to Build More Wildfire-Resilient Communities Presses Forward DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. “This legislation will increase the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, putting thousands of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking people and lifting Coloradans out of poverty,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Coloradans deserve a tax code that boosts their incomes and helps them build a better future for themselves and their families, and that’s exactly what this legislation does. We’re building on our work to increase tax benefits and to refund surplus state revenue in a way that helps all Coloradans thrive.” HB23-1112 expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and will return nearly $600 million more to hardworking families. Starting in tax year 2024, the Colorado EITC would increase from 25 percent to 40 percent of the federal EITC, a four fold increase from where it stood in 2020. Under the bill, the Colorado CTC increases by 10 percent, with the tax credit ranging from 20 to 70 percent of the federal CTC depending on marital status, number of qualifying children, and federal adjusted gross income. The federal Child Tax Credit has lifted over 57,000 Colorado kids out of poverty and helped over 630,000 families across the state, while the federal Earned Income Tax Credit has helped cut the national poverty rate in half . The bill builds on legislation passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. The General Assembly passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which at the time doubled the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and funded the Child Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. This session, Colorado Democrats passed HB23-1006 to require employers to provide information about federal and state earned income tax credits and child tax credits to their employees, spreading awareness to Colorado families that qualify for these tax credits to save them thousands of dollars. ### Previous Next

< Back January 16, 2019 JOINT PRESS RELEASE: JBC DEMS ON GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL (Jan. 16) – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) welcomed Gov. Jared Polis’ first budget proposal this afternoon. In response to the budget proposal, members of the JBC released the following statements: “After meeting with Gov. Polis to learn more about his budget proposal, I believe his ideas are a solid blueprint which we can build upon for our next budget. I look forward to continued conversations between the JBC and the Governor to see how we can best fulfill these requests and fund these programs in the long-term,” said JBC Chair Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “I thank the Governor for speaking with us today about his budget proposal,” said JBC vice-chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “As we start the work of building the budget over the coming months, I look forward to working with the Governor to make responsible investments in education and infrastructure, ensure state employees are paid a living wage, and to lower the cost of living in order to meet the needs of Southern Colorado and our entire state.” “I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet with the Governor to discuss his budget proposal, and we are ready to get to work on a budget that will help us enact these bold ideas without compromising fiscal responsibility,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin to hammer out the details, I’m confident that we will find viable paths forward on bold ideas like implementing full-day kindergarten, addressing our teacher shortage, funding special education programs, and other critical issues facing Coloradans.” The Governor’s budget includes shared priorities of both House and Senate Democrats, including legislation to lower the cost of out-of-control prescription drugs and creating a public reinsurance program. “We are ready to work with Gov. Polis and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance our shared policy goals and ensure that we responsibly manage our state budget,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “As we move through this process, that means investing in renewable energy, education, health care and transportation solutions that will lead to continued success for Colorado.” Previous Next