Search Results

< Back April 21, 2021 VETERINARIAN REP. MCCORMICK TAKES THE REINS OF HOUSE AG COMMITTEE DENVER, CO — House Speaker Alec Garnett today appointed Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, to chair the House Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee. Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, will be the Vice Chair for the 2021 legislative session. “My goal is to support the long-term success and strength of Colorado’s critical agriculture industry and essential water resources,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “It’s an honor to lead this committee, and I’m excited to work alongside Rep. Catlin to continue its bipartisan legacy and to help our agriculture industry and our state build back stronger.” “Representatives McCormick and Catlin bring invaluable experience to the House Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee, and I’m excited to see them take the reins,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “As a veterinarian, Rep. McCormick has decades of experience in animal medicine and has focused her legislative work on issues that are critical to the industry, like soil health, supply chains, and renewable energy projects for agriculture producers and processors to reduce their energy costs.” The House Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee considers issues and legislation concerning water, agriculture, wildlife, and recreation. It is the committee of reference for and has oversight of the departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Representative McCormick, elected in 2020, is a veterinarian with over 33 years of experience treating animals. She has sponsored legislation to promote soil health and expand access to broadband for school districts in underserved areas. In the coming days, she will sponsor a state stimulus bill to establish a $30 million agricultural loan program to help build back Colorado’s agriculture industry even stronger than before. Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, was appointed as Vice Chair by the Speaker with the support of all members of the committee. “I’ve worked with Representative Catlin for many years on water and agriculture issues,” Speaker Garnett continued. “He’s proven himself to be an honest, bipartisan, and respectful member of the minority party who defends and upholds the dignity and decorum of the chamber. Representative Catlin has repeatedly shown that he respects the institution and embodies the values we need in the legislature. This is what Coloradans want to see– lawmakers coming together to help our state recover faster and build back stronger.” Previous Next

< Back June 6, 2020 SMALL BUSINESSES RECOVERY LOANS ADVANCE Bill would leverage private and state funding to stimulate small businesses loans and support the state’s economic recovery and resiliency DENVER, CO — The House Committee Finance unanimously today passed HB20-1413 , sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. The bill establishes a recovery loan fund for the first loss capital on loans to small businesses over the next two fiscal years. “Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and too many are struggling to get through this crisis,” said Rep. Bird, D-Westminster. “While federal loans have relieved some of the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, they aren’t enough to support the long term success and recovery of our small businesses economy. I’m grateful for all the community financial institutions who have come to the table and worked with us to establish this recovery loan fund, and I’m excited to see it move forward.” “Our top priority is helping our state get through this crisis, and that’s why I’m focused on helping our small businesses and hardworking families recover and rebuild,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “We’re passing legislation to help Coloradans and small businesses safety get back to work, and I’m thankful for all our private sector partners that are working with us to support our state’s recovery.” HB20-1413 establishes a small business recovery loan fund of up to $250 million. Participating financial institutions will make loans at below market rates to small businesses, with a preference for women, minority and veteran-owned businesses. To help incentivize financial institutions, such as banks, in providing loans, the state fund will cover any losses on the first $50 million in loans. Under HB20-1413, the state will contribute up to $50 million to the Small Business Recovery Loan Fund, and private lenders will contribute up to $200 million over the next two years through five rounds of contributions to the fund. The money will be matched incrementally with the state contributing one dollar for every four dollars contributed by private investors, a cautious approach where the state will raise $10 million and deposit that funding only after the private sector has raised its first round of $40 million in capital. The bill creates an oversight board of members with specific executive experience in financial services appointed by the governor, speaker, Senate president, treasurer, and the director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The board will ensure the contract and loan terms are consistent with the purpose of the loan fund and collect data on its efficacy. The bill includes robust conflict of interest provisions to prevent undue influence on policies developed to administer the fund or on the loan distributions. Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES REP. VALDEZ’S BILL TO ADDRESS ANIMAL CRUELTY (Mar 7) – The House Judiciary committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, that seeks to provide more mental health treatment for people convicted of animal cruelty and also bar people convicted of certain kinds of animal cruelty from possession of a pet animal for a period of time while they receive treatment. “The goals of this bill are to remove animals from abusive situations and to identify behaviors that could lead to worse crimes,” said Rep. Valdez. “We should help offenders get the treatment they need so they can re-emerge as productive members of society.” Through HB19-1092, the judge can order the animal cruelty offender to complete a mental health treatment program. “There is absolutely a correlation between crimes against animals and violent crimes such as mass shootings or domestic terrorism,” said Rep. Valdez. A 2014 study of mass school shootings found that 43 percent of shooters had a history of animal abuse. This bill aims to find the underlying causes of the acts of animal cruelty and treat those issues. The bill passed through the committee with unanimous bipartisan vote and now heads to the House floor. ATTACHED: Headshot of Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2021 IT’S ELECTRIC! BILL TO SAVE CONSUMERS ON UTILITY COSTS ADVANCES DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Meg Foelich that would promote the use of energy efficient electric equipment. “Technological advances are constantly producing more energy efficient equipment that can save consumers money on their electric bills,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D- Denver. “Every dollar saved by investing in efficiency measures, is a dollar that can directly help working Coloradans. By incentivising consumers to adopt energy efficient technologies, like electric water heaters and furnaces, we are going to create good jobs, emit less dirty greenhouse gases into our environment, and improve indoor air quality in homes and businesses across the state.” “Colorado can meet our climate goals, create jobs, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and improve both our indoor and outdoor air quality by embracing energy efficiency equipment,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D- Englewood. “The bill we advanced today would ask utility companies to create plans that encourage their customers voluntarily to adopt more energy efficient technologies that will save everyone money and help protect Colorado’s beautiful environment for everyone to enjoy.” SB21-246 directs the Public Utilities Commission to set longer-term energy savings targets for utility beneficial electrification programs and approve plans from investor-owned utilities that would use incentives to promote the use and installation of energy efficient electric equipment. Transitioning to clean electric homes and businesses will improve public health, save energy, create jobs, and help Colorado meet its climate goals by reducing the use of fossil fuels. Under the bill, utilities will develop plans to help their customers replace costly natural gas and propane fueled appliances with high efficiency electric equipment, and utilities must include programs targeted to lower-income households in their plans. Clean heat from appliances such as electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and induction stoves will help Colorado reduce greenhouse gas pollution and has potential to help improve indoor air quality and health and safety in buildings. Improving indoor air quality is especially beneficial to families with children, older Coloradans, or who have household members with respiratory issues. Businesses that sell and install energy efficient technologies will see increased demand and growth through greater adoption of more efficient equipment. The legislation explicitly clarifies that beneficial electrification projects be implemented voluntarily without any coercion or discriminatory treatment to customers that decline any incentives that may be offered to them. Previous Next

The Colorado Promise will save students money and make higher education more affordable < Back May 4, 2024 House Passes Bill to Make College Free for First Two Years DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to save students money on higher education. HB24-1340, the Colorado Promise Act, would create a refundable income tax credit to cover the cost of two years of higher education for every family making under $90,000. “As one of the first members of my family to go to college, I want to make it possible for every aspiring student to afford higher education and achieve their dreams,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “By creating the Colorado Promise, we will make higher education nearly free for two years for every family making under $90,000 per year. With this bill, more students will be able to complete their degree and afford the cost of college, which for too many middle income families is unaffordable.” HB24-1340 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, passed the House by a vote of 46 to 15. This bill would fund two years of in-state college for students in families making less than $90,000, making higher education more attainable for families. Specifically, this bill would create a refundable state income tax credit for a student, or a taxpayer claiming the student as a dependent, that graduates from a Colorado higher education institution in certain careers. The credit is equal to the tuition and fees paid by the eligible student to the institution, minus any scholarships or grants they earned or qualified for. The career pathways would be identified by the annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report which highlights top jobs with multiple openings, above average growth and good wages. The Colorado 2023 Talent Pipeline Report identified some of our state’s top jobs in the areas of accounting, medical science, computer science, health care, education, engineering, and more. Under this bill, the state credit is available for income tax years 2024 through 2029 and is refundable.To qualify for this tax credit, the student must have completed the program during the income tax year the credit is claimed. Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2019 DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE LOCAL WAGE OPTION LEGISLATION Growth in worker wages spurs consumer spending & a healthier economy (Feb. 25) – Today, Rep. Rochelle Galindo, D-Greeley, and Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, were joined by county commissioners, workers and business owners to unveil new legislation to provide local governments the option to raise the minimum wage within their jurisdictions. The Senate sponsors of the bill are Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City and Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “We are giving the power to set the local minimum wage to our municipalities and counties,” said Rep. Galindo. “Our state is so diverse and what works for Denver is not necessarily going to work for Greeley or Trinidad. The Local Wage Option is a tool that can help Colorado’s workers and communities thrive.” HB19-1210 would allow local governments to adjust their minimum wage to more effectively address the local cost of living, rather than have to adhere to a statewide standard in a state where local real estate markets and health care costs vary dramatically. “This really is a simple concept. Colorado is a very diverse state with a lot of diverse local economies and one size does not fit all,” said Rep. Melton. “It’s important that we address that state dynamic by giving more of a say to our local communities to determine what best fits their needs, and what best helps their communities and their families.” The bill would allow counties and cities to increase the minimum wage in their localities beyond the state minimum wage, currently at $11.10 an hour. “Colorado has a rich history of local control, and this legislation carries that tradition forward,” said Kevin Bommer, Deputy Director of the Colorado Municipal League, which has endorsed the bill. “Municipal leaders will have the ability to determine, along with businesses and citizens in the community, whether or not to increase their local minimum wage.” Research shows that wage growth spurs consumer spending and a healthier economy and that concerns of potential negative impacts to businesses or jobs are not borne out in the data on this issue. The bill was introduced today in the House. The bill text can be found here. It will now await a hearing in the Transportation & Local Government committee. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. < Back April 29, 2024 Ortiz, Clifford Bill to Create State Office for Coloradans with Disabilities Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. “Despite Federal ADA being law for 34 years, housing, employment, access to participate in government and the outdoors remains inaccessible,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This important bill spearheads a permanent state office that will remove those barriers and secure those opportunities so that Coloradans with disabilities can thrive and fully participate in all the amazing opportunities our great state offers.” “Unfortunately, people living with disabilities disproportionately experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment; which is why Colorado needs to step up and provide the resources to help people lead successful lives,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “By creating the Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities, Coloradans will have better access to the good-paying jobs and education they deserve, so they have a fair shot at creating a strong future that’s all their own. I’m proud to carry this legislation forward with Representative Ortiz because it prioritizes representation, advocacy and commitment to the success of all.” HB24-1360 would create a new office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment The goal of this office is to implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability for people with disabilities and promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Rep. Ortiz has been a long-time champion for disability rights at the Colorado State Capitol. He has led the charge in passing multiple bills to ensure Coloradans with a disability have the opportunity for legal recourse if they are discriminated against, expanding the youth prosthetic coverage law, creating the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities task force, and trailblazing two right-to-repair laws for wheelchair users. Previous Next

Bill will prohibit deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers < Back March 9, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Democrats Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Deceptive Practices by Anti-Abortion Centers Bill will prohibit deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers DENVER, CO – Democrats today introduced legislation sponsored by Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, that will protect Coloradans seeking reproductive health care by prohibiting the use of deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers (AACs). SB23-190 , also sponsored in the House by Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, and Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, further makes prescribing, offering, or facilitating an “medication abortion reversal” unprofessional conduct for licensed or certified health care providers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes “medication abortion reversal” as “unproven and unethical,” and says that “claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards'' of care. “We’ve made tremendous progress in Colorado to protect reproductive rights, but marginalized communities like people of color, low-income folks, young people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and immigrants still struggle to obtain the care they need - and AACs only make matters worse,” said Winter. “AACs use deceptive advertising practices to lure folks in and steer people away from abortions and other time-sensitive care by not providing them with the full, medically accurate spectrum of options. I’m proud of this legislation to crack down on AACs’ deceptive practices and make reproductive health care more attainable and equitable for all Coloradans.” “Every patient deserves access to accurate medical information and the ability to make their own informed decisions about their reproductive health care,” said McCormick. “This bill protects Coloradans from anti-abortion clinics that offer misleading, deceptive and inaccurate claims about reproductive health care and ‘medication abortion reversal’ - a dangerous practice that has been proven ineffective. Coloradans shouldn’t have to question whether or not the reproductive health care services they’re receiving are based on facts and science.” “Anti-abortion centers present themselves as legitimate family planning reproductive health care clinics, but these fake clinics use deceptive advertising to draw in vulnerable people seeking care to harass them with biased and inaccurate information about abortions and contraceptives,” Marchman said. “People who go to these clinics looking for help report being shamed and lied to – the exact opposite of the safe and accurate care we are beholden to protect as elected officials. The Safe Access to Reproductive Health Care Package is a proactive step we can take towards a future where Coloradans’ freedom to access essential and affirming reproductive health care is truly protected.” “Anti-abortion centers are predatory and often target communities of color, creating substantial barriers for people trying to access reproductive health care. These deceptive practices exacerbate the already disproportionate lack of access to critical health services for lower-income Coloradans,” said Epps. “The anti-abortion movement is spreading dangerous disinformation on abortion and reproductive health care. People should be able to trust their health care provider and anti-abortion clinics stand in the way of safe, factual reproductive health care." In Colorado, AACs outnumber abortion-providing clinics 51 to 20. Further, AACs particularly target locations that may lack a comprehensive clinic, often posting Spanish-language billboards in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations and offering free services to low-income communities. Anti-abortion centers are the on-the-ground presence of the national anti-abortion movement. Also known as crisis pregnancy centers, anti-abortion counseling centers, or fake clinics, AACs pose as comprehensive reproductive health care clinics to intercept patients seeking abortion care, provide false information, and prevent people from seeking abortions. Previous Next

Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, today released the following joint statement calling on CommonSpirit Health, which operates Mercy Hospital, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Colorado to reach an agreement that maintains in-network service consumers in Southwest Colorado: < Back May 3, 2024 McLachlan and Simpson Joint Statement on CommonSpirit Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Impasse DURANGO, CO - Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, today released the following joint statement calling on CommonSpirit Health, which operates Mercy Hospital, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Colorado to reach an agreement that maintains in-network service consumers in Southwest Colorado: Coloradans in our communities must have access to hospital care and medical services within a reasonable distance from home, and this impasse puts critical care out of reach for consumers in Southwest Colorado. Coloradans in rural communities often have to travel hours for care, but forcing patients to drive to Colorado Springs or Grand Junction to receive treatment is not an appropriate alternative. It’s time for Anthem and CommonSpirit to put patients before profits and come to an agreement that continues in-network coverage for facilities such as Mercy Hospital in our communities. Previous Next

Representative Meghan Lukens today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade’s announcement of two new Coal Transition Community grants: < Back August 22, 2024 Lukens Statement on New Grant Funding to Boost Job Growth in Rangely DENVER, CO - Representative Meghan Lukens today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade’s announcement of two new Coal Transition Community grants: Statement from Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs: “I’m excited to hear that Rangely has received $500,000 in grant money to support small business owners and create good-paying jobs in our community. From marketing training to local pitch competitions, this grant money will help give small business owners the tools to build on their successes and diversify jobs in rural Colorado as we transition from the fossil fuel industry. This is a big win for Rangely and I can’t wait to see the impact this grant money will have on our community.” The Town of Rangely was awarded a $500,000 grant to fund the Retain, Attract, Rebuild, Expand (RARE) business support program for three years. The RARE program was created to facilitate sustainability and expansion of existing business and job growth, including building entrepreneurship in the local community as they transition away from the coal industry. With this grant money, RARE will provide business, financial, and marketing training for local entrepreneurs and existing businesses in partnership with the Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) and the Northwest Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The program will also offer an annual small business grant program, with grants of up to $40,000 available per awarded business, and an annual pitch competition, both for the next three years. The Town of Rangely anticipates that the RARE program will create a minimum of 15 full-time jobs, with at least five of those jobs meeting or exceeding the average annual wage for Rio Blanco County. In 2021, Rangely businesses were awarded over $55,000 from the Main Street Open for Business Grant. A 2024 report found that the grant program helped increase sales by an average of 25.4 percent and increase jobs by over 20 percent . Rep. Lukens passed legislation making the design and use of mountain passenger rail more sustainable by incentivizing the transportation of freight from companies that establish operations in coal transition communities along the potential rail line. The law incentivizes businesses and operators to utilize freight lines that are at risk of inactivity due to declining usage as a result of the transition away from coal. More information on Just Transition Community Funding can be found here . Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed two bills. < Back March 26, 2025 House Committee Passes “Freedom to Read Act” and Facial Recognition Protections DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed two bills. SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries. SB25-143 would protect the biometric data of students and staff collected by schools. “Banning books only harms our students, and it’s never been more important to preserve access to literature in our public schools,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of SB25-063. “Knowledge is power, and schools shouldn’t take that away from students. Schools are for learning, and this important bill insulates our public libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights by creating a fair process to evaluate a book’s inclusion or removal from a library.” “When we ban books in our schools, we’re erasing the identities and perspectives of diverse thinkers and cultural thought-leaders from society,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of SB25-063. “We’re fighting back against attempts to remove books from libraries and silence the voices of marginalized people. The freedom to read is a cornerstone of democracy and muzzling what literature our students are exposed to is a slippery slope. When students have access to age-appropriate books that cover all topics, they’re more likely to be well-informed and critical thinkers.” SB25-063 , passed committee by a vote of 7 to 5. This bill would create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a written policy on the acquisition, use, and removal of library resources. The policy would ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair, and consistent process. Without a policy in place, a local school board or the Charter School Institute could not remove a library resource from its collection. SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation. “As technology continues to advance, we need to ensure that the privacy of our students and staff is upheld,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB25-143. “Facial recognition technology can be a helpful tool for schools when locating a missing student or identifying a threat – but that biometric data needs to be kept safe and secure. This bipartisan bill protects and secures the biometric data collected by schools and ensures that they cannot use or share this information freely.” SB25-143 , also sponsored by Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, passed the committee unanimously. This bill aims to extend biometric data protections to students and staff. Without SB25-143, schools would be permitted to use facial recognition software freely beginning in June 2025. This bill reaffirms guardrails already in place to protect the biometric data obtained by schools of students and staff. The goal of SB25-143 is to maintain student privacy in an era where technology keeps advancing, while permitting facial recognition software in limited school safety scenarios. Under the bill, schools are allowed to use facial recognition technology for a limited scope of school safety. This could include using it for locating a missing student or identifying a person of interest. SB25-143 would create an opt-in program for school districts and charter schools. Previous Next

< Back May 31, 2019 HISTORIC MOMENT: GOV SIGNS LAWS BANNING ‘CONVERSION THERAPY’ & TO ALLOW COLORADANS TO BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES Colorado becomes the 18th state to ban dangerous practice of ‘conversion therapy’ on young people (May 31) – Gov. Polis signed two historic bipartisan bills led by House Democrats Rep. Daneya Esgar and Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet to ban the dangerous and discredited practice of ‘conversion therapy’ and to allow Coloradans to update their identity documents to reflect their authentic selves. The first law signed was 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. The law protects our LGBTQ youth in Colorado from a dangerous and discredited practice that is aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. “This is a historic moment and this law is about allowing Coloradans to be their authentic selves. Today, we’re putting an end to a practice that makes these young people much more likely to have depression or attempt suicide,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet. “I’m proud of the work that went into this new law and to everyone who joined this effort.” “We’re sending a strong message to Colorado’s LGBTQ youth and standing up for their rights to be their authentic selves. This ‘therapy’ has been proven to be dangerous and harmful. ” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus. “I’m thankful to every Coloradan who worked tirelessly to finally get this bill signed into law.” 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. The law makes Colorado the 18th state to ban conversion therapy on minors. The Governor thensigned on the west steps of the state capitol a bill sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, that will allow transgender Coloradans to change the gender on their birth certificate and other official identification documents without undergoing surgery or appearing in front of a judge, also known as “Jude’s Law.” “This new law is about personal freedom. Not having updated ID documents interferes with the ability of transgender Coloradans to live their lives openly and honestly and to be their authentic selves,” said Rep. Esgar, co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus. The bill was also changed to the title Jude’s law, named after Jude, a transgender student who has testified in support of this bill every year for the last five years. This bill was amended and will now be known as “Jude’s Law.” Jude and her mother were on the House Floor when the amendment to change the name of the bill was passed on a bipartisan vote of 46-17. “We named this bill after Jude because she showed strength and courage to come year after year to the capitol to testify in support of this legislation since she was nine years old. My colleagues and I have watched her grow up in front of our eyes. She has been simply asking this legislature to give her the ability to live her most genuine life. Today we’re making that a reality,” Rep. Esgar concluded. Current law requires transgender Coloradans to undergo surgery and then appear in front of a judge to prove the surgical procedure before they can update the gender on their birth certificate. They are then given an amended version of their birth certificate which can sometimes force a transgender person to out themselves when asked why their birth certificate is amended. This law will grant them an entirely new birth certificate, without going through cumbersome and expensive hurdles like surgery or appearing in front of a judge, to have their documents match their gender identity. HB19-1039 will allow transgender Coloradans to change the gender designation their birth certificate to male, female or X, to correspond with their gender identity. The X gender marker does not stand for intersex, it means that the individual does not identify as male nor female. Current law also requires a person to file legal notice in a newspaper three times and include their current name and proposed new name before they can change it; this law removes that requirement. Previous Next