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HB23-1071 would allow psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications < Back February 27, 2023 Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Treatment Heads to Governor Polis HB23-1071 would allow psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications DENVER, CO – The House today approved Senate changes to HB23-1071, sending the bill to Governor Polis for his signature. This bill, sponsored by Representative Amabile, would allow psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications after receiving additional education and training. “Colorado is experiencing a mental health crisis, and many patients across our state are waiting weeks or months for their appointment with a licensed prescriber,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder . “This bill will give prescribing authority to psychologists who receive additional training and education so Coloradans can get the mental health treatment they need, when they need it. We know psychologists often have well-established relationships with their patients and a deep understanding of how to treat mental illness. This bill bridges a gap in mental health care access by helping Coloradans receive treatment faster.” HB23-1071 , also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, establishes rigorous standards and education requirements that a psychologist must undertake before being able to prescribe medication to treat mental health illnesses. The House repassed the amended version of HB23-1071 by a vote of 57 to 5. Only licensed Ph.D. psychologists who receive an additional master’s degree in psychopharmacology, pass a national board exam, complete a preceptorship for up to two years, 750 hours of practicum work, and spend two additional years prescribing under the supervision of trained licensed prescribing clinicians or specialty provider if wanting to work with the pediatric or geriatric population will be able to prescribe. Once licensed, psychologists would work in conjunction with the patient’s primary care provider or general practitioner team to ensure that any prescribed medication is being monitored and working effectively for whole care health. Under this bill, these licensed psychologists will not be authorized to prescribe narcotic drugs. Currently, if medication is part of the patient’s care plan, the patient must meet with a doctor or psychiatrist to have the prescription issued. Few of the only 800 psychiatrists throughout Colorado accept Medicaid. Patients often struggle to find an available psychiatrist within their insurance network, forcing them to choose between large out-of-pocket costs or waiting months for the medication they need. Allowing psychologists limited prescribing authority to provide immediate access to medication can save the patient time and money. Psychologists work closely with their patients to determine how to best address their mental health needs. When patients meet with a doctor or psychiatrist, it’s often their first time discussing their mental health issues and telehealth appointments can make it difficult to accurately assess the patient’s condition. Allowing licensed psychologists who often meet monthly or even more frequently with patients and are more familiar with their mental health condition to prescribe medication, streamlines access to effective health care and leads to more appropriate care. Previous Next

< Back June 12, 2020 COVID-19 RELIEF BILLS ADVANCE House passes relief funds for food pantries, expansion of UI benefits, and protections against extraordinary debt collections DENVER, CO — The House has approved four bills that would help hardworking Coloradans make ends meet as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bills would support food pantries, expand unemployment insurance benefits, help survivors of domestic violence and protect Coloradans from extraordinary debt collection practices, such as wage garnishment. HB20-1422 : Coronavirus Relief Funds for Food Pantry Assistance (Reps. Daneya Esgar and Lisa Cutter): Demand for food assistance is rising at an extraordinary rate, just as the nation’s food banks are being struck by shortages of food to meet the demand. The bill creates a food pantry assistance grant program and allocates $500,000 to support Colorado’s most vulnerable across the state and to create new market opportunities for Colorado agricultural products. The bill passed 56-9. “We’re focused on how we can help hardworking Coloradans make ends meet,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Many in our state are relying on food pantries, but these critical community organizations are also struggling to meet the demand. This bill will help our food pantries protect our most vulnerable and create new opportunities for Colorado’s agriculture producers.” SB20-207 : Unemployment Insurance Expansion (Reps Matt Gray and Tom Sullivan): Expands eligibility for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers who have seen their hours reduced and increases the benefits workers can receive. It also allows workers who fear for their safety if they return to work to apply for UI benefits. The bill passed 41-24. “Unemployment claims are at record highs and hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Our small businesses and our economy will continue to struggle if Coloradans can barely scrape together enough money for rent and basic needs. This bill helps prevent hardworking families from falling further behind by allowing Coloradans to continue to work part time and still receive critical support.” SB20-170 Update Colorado Employment Security Act (Reps. Jackson and Duran): The bill makes it easier for domestic violence victims and siblings who are primary caretakers to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Currently the law requires those who are forced to leave their jobs due to domestic violence jump through burdensome administrative hoops to receive benefits. SB20-170 removes these hurdles and supports those suffering from abuse. The bill passed 41-24. “The pandemic is leading to an increase in domestic violence, and there’s more we can do to protect survivors and provide the resources they need,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “That’s why we’re putting federal CARES Act funding towards domestic violence programs and making it easier for survivors to receive unemployment benefits if their workplace is unsafe.” SB20-211 Limitations on Extraordinary Collection Actions (Rep. Herod): The bill expands the ability of the Attorney General to provide oversight of extraordinary debt collection actions, like wage garnishment. The Attorney General would also have the ability to freeze new actions, establish a minimum grace period for payments to resume, and require that monthly payment amounts consider a consumer’s ability to repay. The bill passed 41-24. “Coloradans are struggling to keep from falling behind; now is not the time for aggressive and counter productive debt collection tactics that force families further into hardship,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to attract film tourism in Colorado. HB25-1005 creates a tax credit to encourage the Sundance Film Festival, as well as other smaller film festivals, to call Colorado home beginning in 2027. < Back January 29, 2025 Bill to Attract Sundance Film Festival Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to attract film tourism in Colorado. HB25-1005 creates a tax credit to encourage the Sundance Film Festival, as well as other smaller film festivals, to call Colorado home beginning in 2027. “Colorado would be the perfect place for the Sundance Film Festival to call home,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This iconic film festival has a track record of boosting tourism and economic growth. It would also solidify Colorado’s reputation as a destination for the arts. This bill gives our state an advantage in bringing a world-renowned film festival to Colorado for the next ten years which could also build and boost smaller, local film festivals in Colorado.” “From original films to panel discussions with filmmakers, Sundance is a world-renowned festival that would be right at home in Boulder,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “If Boulder is selected as the next location for the Sundance Film Festival in 2027, we’d see a boost in tourism – which is good for our small businesses, restaurants and hotels. It’s clear Colorado is the right home for this festival, and I’m excited to be joining this effort.” HB25-1005 passed committee by a vote of 12-1. Boulder was recently selected as a top-three finalist to host the iconic Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027 – which will boost economic growth, tourism and Colorado’s reputation as a destination for the arts. As outlined in the legislation, Colorado would stand up $34 million in tax incentives to a film festival that sells more than 100,000 tickets and attracts more than 20,000 out-of-state attendees. Additionally, the bill will also leverage $500,000 annually to support smaller, existing local film festivals that are part of Colorado’s growing film festival ecosystem. If Boulder is selected, the festival would take place starting in 2027 through 2036. Boulder is in the running to host the film festival starting in 2027 with Cincinnati, Ohio and Park City, Utah being other contestants. Majority Leader Monica Duran will replace Speaker McCluskie, a strong supporter of the Sundance Festival’s relocation, as a co-prime sponsor of the legislation after second reading. Previous Next

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

< Back September 15, 2021 HEROD STATEMENT ON AURORA POLICE AND FIRE PATTERNS AND PRACTICES INVESTIGATION DENVER, CO– Representative Leslie Herod today released the following statement on the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue patterns and practices investigation. “The findings from the attorney general’s investigation of racism in policing in Aurora are incredibly disturbing. However, for those of us who have been working on anti-racism in public policy and accountability for law enforcement, they are sadly not surprising. “The activists and family members of those who have been hurt and killed have worked tirelessly for years, raising their voices to explain that Aurora has a pattern and history of racist policing, specifically targeting Black people. This independent investigation has finally vindicated them. “Colorado has led the way on bold legislative action on police accountability after last summer’s racial justice protests. These findings demonstrate the need for those policy changes, but there is still so much work left to do to keep our communities safe in Colorado.” Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on rent algorithms that drive up housing prices. < Back March 25, 2025 Bill Advances to Crack Down on Rent Algorithms to Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on rent algorithms that drive up housing prices. “Price fixing is wrong, anti-competitive, and costly for hardworking Coloradans who are already struggling to pay their bills,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “New price-setting rental algorithms have increased annual housing costs by $1,600 in Denver. Coloradans deserve better. With this legislation, Colorado Democrats are making Colorado a more affordable place to live by cracking down on this unjust practice and saving renters money on housing.” “The Biden Administration clearly stated that rent algorithm schemes violate anti-trust laws, so we’re taking action in Colorado to end these illegal practices to save Colorado renters money,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “For too long, corporate landlords have colluded together to drive up housing prices to pad their pockets, and we’re here to say enough is enough. This legislation stands up against bad actors to enforce our anti-trust laws, protecting hardworking Coloradans from predatory practices and saving them over $1,600 a year.” HB25-1004 would save Coloradans money on housing by restricting the sale or distribution of an algorithmic device with the intent that it be used by two or more landlords in the same or related market when setting a rent price. A recent report found that coordinated rents from algorithmic pricing increase rent prices by $136 per month for Denver renters, or close to $1,600 per year. In recent years, several lawsuits have been filed alleging that the use of algorithmic devices by landlords to set prices and other commercial terms in the residential housing market results in higher rents and a constrained housing supply for residential tenants. In January 2025, Colorado joined a federal lawsuit to sue six of the largest landlords in the US for participating in algorithmic pricing schemes that harm renters. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also joined a federal lawsuit in August 2024 against RealPage, Inc. for allegedly using illegal agreements with landlords to carry out a price-fixing scheme that has cost Coloradans millions of dollars in rent payments. Previous Next

< Back February 19, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL EDUCATION LEGISLATION (Feb. 19) – The House gave final approval for Rep. Susan Lontine and Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill to expand the content in the comprehensive sexual education that many students in Colorado already receive. This bill does not require schools to teach sex education, however, existing law requires that if they do provide sex education it must be comprehensive. The bill adds consent, defining a healthy relationship, and sexual orientation to the current standards. “Colorado’s students deserve access to age-appropriate, accurate and comprehensive information regarding sex education to keep themselves and their classmates healthy and safe,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “This bill is also about teaching our students that not everyone is exactly the way you are and that’s okay because every Coloradan should be allowed to live our authentic lives.” Colorado does not have a mandatory sex education requirement. Existing law does provide a set of standards if schools decide to teach about sex education. This bill would increase the ranges of topics to include birth control and pregnancy, abstinence, STD prevention, consent, healthy relationships and sexual orientation. “As a doctor in a clinic, I only have the ability to affect one child and one life at a time,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo. “Schools have the ability to improve the health of hundreds of kids at a time through the ability to provide comprehensive sex ed that will prevent countless young people from facing life altering illnesses or unplanned pregnancies.” Some of the common misconceptions about HB19-1032 are around the opt-out options already in place, the content around LGBTQ inclusion, and the definition of a healthy relationship. Throughout debate on the legislation, House Republicans attempted to sabotage this bill on the floor by introducing a number of politically charged amendments that would have gutted the bill and reflected how out-of-step they are with everyday Coloradans and students. This bill would also allocate $1 million in funds to an existing grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for teaching comprehensive sex education. Rural schools and public schools that do not have the resources to offer sex education will be prioritized for receiving this grant money. HB19-1032 was approved by a vote of 39-23 and now heads to the Senate where it is sponsored by Sen. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora and Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILLS TO HELP PEOPLE SAVE MONEY ON HEALTH CARE (Apr. 12) – The House approved a set of bills that looks to curb the cost of insulin, invest more in primary care and decrease the maternal mortality rate. Rep. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Yadira Caraveo sponsored a bill to reduce the price of life-saving insulin for people with diabetes in Colorado. Over 420,000 Coloradans have diabetes and an additional 20,000 Coloradans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. “A small vial of medicine has such a large impact on someone’s life. For people with Type 1 Diabetes, insulin is the same as oxygen, you need it to survive,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “This is a life-saving and life-sustaining drug but the skyrocketing cost of insulin is outrageous and it is literally putting people’s lives at risk.” HB19-1216 caps the total co-pay that patients will pay for insulin to $100 per one-month supply, regardless of how much insulin is being dispensed. This is down from an average out-of-pocket cost of $600-900 per month that Coloradans currently face. “ Colorado’s kids are paying for this with their fingers, toes, kidneys, hearts and with their lives,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, who is the only medical doctor in the legislature. “The game is rigged against consumers, patients and parents. This bill will put tools in place to investigate the high cost of this life-saving drug.” The bill also directs the Colorado Attorney General’s office to investigate business practices, organization, pricing and data of pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurance carriers and any other entity that influences insulin costs. It also directs the office to create a report that explores possible legislative solutions. The report will be submitted to the governor, the commissioner of insurance, and the House and Senate judiciary committees in 2020. The cost of insulin rose by 45 percent between 2014 and 2017 and by over 700 percent over the last 20 years while the actual product of insulin has not changed in any significant way since 1996. One-in-four type-1 diabetics report rationing their insulin due to the high cost of the drug. A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, also passed that looks to address the increasing rate of maternal deaths. This bill will allow the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) to review cases of maternal deaths in a timely manner to then work on ways to lower these deaths. “Colorado’s maternal mortality has increased at an alarming rate – it’s doubled since 2008. Eighty percent of these maternal deaths could have been avoided,” said Rep. Buckner. “ It is past time that we work together to stop what is preventable and save lives.” HB19-1122 also imposes diversity requirements for the committee as the maternal mortality rate is higher among African-American women and women in urban areas. The House also gave approval to a bipartisan bill with Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, to lower health care costs and improve the quality of care that Coloradans receive. “Lowering the cost of health care for hardworking families is a top priority for us at the legislature,” said Rep. Froelich. “Robust primary care practices produce better health outcomes and reduce costs.” Colorado only invests roughly seven to ten percent of its health care dollars on primary care. HB19-1233 establishes a primary care payment reform collaborative in the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies. It also requires the commissioner of insurance to establish affordability standards for premiums, including adding targets for carrier investments in primary care. Finally, it requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and carriers who offer health benefit plans to state employees to set targets for investment in primary care. The goal of primary care is to achieve better health outcomes by improving the quality and consistency of care so that both patients and the health care system can see a reduction in costs. Primary care visits comprise 53 percent of all health care appointments. All bills were approved on a voice-vote. A will be done at a later date. Previous Next

On August 7, two new laws go into effect which will make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans, and will expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. < Back August 2, 2024 Bills to Improve Prescription Label Accessibility, Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - On August 7, two new laws go into effect which will make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans, and will expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. “The information on prescription labels provides important details that enable patients to safely and effectively take medication – we need to ensure blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans can readily access this information,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB24-1115. “If you can’t access the label of your prescription medication, it could lead to negative health consequences, even death. This law allows Coloradans to have agency over their health care by making sure prescription labels are accessible for blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans.” “All patients deserve to have access to accommodations that meet their unique needs so that they can consistently receive critical information about their medications,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “Prescription medications are critical to maintaining one’s health, and a lack of access to information about prescription medications can have serious, life-threatening consequences, such as accidentally taking an incorrect medication or dosage. This important new law will help blind, visually impaired, and print disabled Coloradans stay healthy and safe while maintaining their independence.” “Prescription labels outline important information related to dosage and frequency, and this law makes labels more accessible to blind or visually and print-impaired Coloradans,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1115. “Our law will increase reading accessibility of prescription labels so that blind, and visually impaired Coloradans can access the live-saving and critical information they need. We’re committed to improving accessibility throughout our state, and this law tackles prescription labels as an important part of that effort.” HB24-1115 will require a pharmacy to provide blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans with access to prescription drug label information. The law requires pharmacies to, upon request, provide patients with: An electronic label, like a QR code, on the container that can transmit the label information and instructions to the person’s accessibility device, A no-cost prescription drug reader that provides the label information in an audio format, Prescription drug label information in braille or large print, or Any other method recommended by the US Access Board. The law also permits a pharmacy 28 days to provide a specific method of access that they have not yet utilized, if requested by a patient. Additionally, it creates the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program to provide grants to pharmacies for the purchase of equipment used to create accessible prescription labels. “With this law going into effect, we’re boosting Colorado’s behavioral health care workforce,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1002. “Social workers are critical to the success of our state’s overall behavioral health care system, and we must do everything we can to attract and retain these skilled professionals. By creating a social work licensure compact, already licensed social workers can begin practicing in Colorado more quickly to give Coloradans the whole-person behavioral healthcare they need and deserve.” “The need for social workers in Colorado is clear, so we are working to break down barriers and allow more skilled professionals to join our workforce,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, sponsor of HB24-1002 . “When we support the behavioral health care needs of Coloradans, it’s a win-win for the safety of our communities and our economy.” “We need to use every tool available to us to improve behavioral health care access for Coloradans,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB24-1002. “This law makes it easier for licensed social workers in participating states to begin working in Colorado, which is particularly helpful for military spouses who often relocate. With this law going into effect, we’re removing barriers to entering Colorado’s behavioral health care workforce and streamlining care for Coloradans across the state.” HB24-1002 creates new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. Also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, this bipartisan law creates the "Social Work Licensure Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed social workers in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state. Previous Next

< Back May 3, 2023 Legislation to Build More Housing Now Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed landmark legislation sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Iman Jodeh to create more housing for every budget. The committee passed SB23-213 , which will allow property owners in urban municipalities to build ADUs on their property, enact locally tailored anti-displacement and affordability measures, encourage multi-family housing near mass transit hubs, and reduce minimum parking requirements that drive up housing construction costs and lead to higher rents. “We’ve heard the message loud and clear: we must do more to tackle Colorado's affordability crisis. We must increase our housing supply, reduce costs, and build more housing now,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “We have a decision to make: we can either continue with the status quo of high costs, long commutes, polluted air, and wasted water, or we can grow in a smart, strategic way that facilitates home ownership and housing security. The choice is clear. We must build homes for every Coloradan’s budget, and now is the time to get it done.” “From Aurora to the Western Slope, our lack of housing is the culprit behind the most intractable issues that we face, and that burden is disproportionately carried by lower income people and people of color,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “If we don’t pass this bill, the people who can least afford housing will continue to be pushed out of the communities they love. We were sent to the legislature to do tough things, and this bold legislation will help reduce the displacement of Colorado families, save Coloradans money on housing and make it less expensive to call our state home.” SB23-213 is a comprehensive bill that establishes a framework for more housing in municipalities while providing flexibility for local leaders to implement standards that meet the needs of their community. The proposal establishes ways for the state and local communities to work together to develop strategies to meet Colorado’s housing goals more broadly and to avoid regional imbalances in housing production. The proposal also includes opportunities for local communities to implement solutions that address unique circumstances and build on prior local efforts that address housing abundance and affordability. By creating more housing supply, this proposal will lead to increases in home options for every budget so that Coloradans can live in the communities they want without being priced out. The plan also helps improve air quality, protect open space, conserve water and plan for future growth while helping prevent displacement. The plan outlines strategies to create more housing now including: Legalizing the ability to build ADUs in existing residential areas in urban municipalities, Reducing parking minimums in strategic growth areas, key corridors and transit-oriented developments as well as for accessory dwelling units. Paves the way for more multifamily housing in or near transit-oriented and walkable communities to lessen the number of cars on the road, improve air quality, reduce pollution, and save people money on commutes, Assessing statewide housing needs and identifying affordability strategies tailored to local and regional needs. The bill will provide a framework for state, regional, and local agencies to strategically align investments and policies and track progress, and Constructing more homes and creating jobs by eliminating arbitrary laws that prevent property owners from building the housing units local communities need. A PEW study found that restrictive zoning policies make it more difficult and expensive to build new housing that accommodates a community’s housing needs, which causes home prices and rents to skyrocket. Another 2023 study found that rent prices across Colorado increased by 31 percent on average from January 2017 to January 2023, while municipalities that implemented similar reforms saw minimal rent increases. Cities like Mineappolis, Minnesota, New Rochelle, New York, Portland, Oregon, and Tysons, Virginia have updated their zoning codes to allow for more and lower-cost housing options to address their housing needs. These zoning reforms have successfully limited rental price increases at 0 to 5 percent, compared to Colorado rental increases between 22 to 53 percent. Colorado’s population increased 14.8 percent between 2010 and 2020, but the housing stock only grew by 12.6 percent. With housing stock not meeting population demands and low household sizes, Coloradans are left to compete over limited housing opportunities. In the ten years before 2007, Colorado was building nearly 50,000 homes a year. In the decade that followed, the number dropped to 26,500, leaving the state 175,000 home short of what Colorado needs to stabilize housing prices. Many jurisdictions only allow single-family detached housing, often on a large lot and with significant parking requirements. Research shows that reducing or removing parking mandates can reduce the cost to construct more affordable homes like multifamily housing. It also encourages alternative and environmentally-friendly transportation like walking and biking. Previous Next

< Back May 23, 2019 GOV SIGNS TIPPER-CARAVEO BILL TO CREATE 2020 CENSUS GRANT PROGRAM 2020 Census is at risk of being inaccurate (May 22) – The 2020 Census is underfunded and behind schedule. Gov. Polis signed Rep. Kerry Tipper and Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill that allocates funds around the state to ensure a complete census count of all Coloradans. “Our economy and population are growing so it’s important that we count every person in Colorado in the census. Our state could lose over $630 million in heath care, education and transportation funding with even a one percent undercount,” said Rep. Tipper, D-Lakewood. “The census is a critical component of our democracy. It impacts every level of government, our roads, our schools and our future,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “This new law will help Colorado compete for valuable federal dollars. If we don’t get the count done right, that money could go to another state.” Valid census data is tied to billions of dollars of federal funding allocations for Colorado. The state is estimated to receive over $1,480 per person annually from the federal government based on population numbers from the Census. Census dollars help fund transportation (public transit, road rehabilitation and construction); Head Start programs; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Nutrition Service, Health and human services programs, and more. HB19-1239 creates an appointed bipartisan and diverse committee, administered by the Dept. of Local Affairs, to award grants to nonprofits and local governments to ensure a complete count across all of Colorado for the 2020 Census. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 BILL TO SAVE BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS MONEY PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Legislation to save Colorado small businesses and entrepreneurs money passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today by a vote of 11 to 1. HB22-1001 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Tom Sullivan, would reduce business filing fees through a credit applied by the Secretary of State’s office. “This session, we’re laser focused on saving Coloradans money and this bill will do just that by reducing several business filing fees,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “We know Colorado’s small business community has faced significant hardships during the pandemic which is why we’re using every tool available to reduce fees, jumpstart our state’s economic recovery, and put more money back in the pockets of business owners and entrepreneurs.” “This bill is part of our efforts to save Coloradans money, specifically focusing on the business community,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton . “I am a small business owner, and I understand how difficult it is to start a new business. By reducing many of the filing fees, we’re eliminating red tape to help ensure that operating a business in Colorado is as easy as possible. We are an entrepreneurial state — small businesses are essential to our state’s economic recovery and shape our communities. I’m proud to support this effort to help move Colorado forward.” If passed, HB22-1001 would reduce several business filing fees and other costs associated with operating a business to $1.This includes new business registrations, annual renewals and other fees typically paid to the Secretary of State’s Office. The cost savings associated with this bill would be in effect for one year. Previous Next