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The House today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Lindsey Daugherty to save Coloradans money on dental care. < Back May 7, 2023 Daugherty Bill Saves Coloradans Money on Dental Care DENVER, CO - The House today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Lindsey Daugherty to save Coloradans money on dental care. “Although dental issues are often not taken as seriously as other medical issues, they can lead to serious medical conditions like heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary disease,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “By requiring dental insurers to report administrative costs, profits, and how premium dollars are spent, Colorado patients will save money on dental insurance, connecting them to dental services within their budget. This bill improves transparency and accountability for dental insurers to identify the driving factors of price increases and save Coloradans money on dental care.” SB23-179 , also sponsored by Representative Anthony Hartsook, requires dental health insurers to report dental loss ratio forms to the Division of Insurance (DOI). Dental loss ratios are a financial measurement tool to determine how much of the health care premium is used to pay for medical care and how much is used to cover overhead costs. This information helps identify the insurers that significantly vary from the average dental loss ratio, and the bill will authorize the DOI to investigate or enforce action against these carriers to drive costs down and save Colorado patients money on dental care. SB23-179 passed the House by a vote of 60 to 5. 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

Governor Polis today signed into law a bill that will create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing more homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). < Back May 13, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: SAVING Coloradans Money on Housing! Gov Signs Bill to Legalize ADUs DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed into law a bill that will create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing more homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). “Coloradans are relying on us to pass effective legislation to tackle the housing crisis, and this law gives homeowners the tools to create more housing opportunities,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1152. “From housing aging relatives to renting out extra space, ADUs offer alternative housing options that can save Coloradans money on housing and legalize alternative home-care placements. This is an important bipartisan law that makes it easier for Coloradans to live near their jobs, schools, and loved ones.” “Colorado families and communities are desperate for solutions to help address the housing crisis and build more homes for working Coloradans,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, sponsor of HB24-1152. “Our bill will give more Coloradans the freedom and support they need to build ADUs on their property, allow more older Coloradans to age in place, and create more affordable housing options in our communities.” “Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live, but too many families are struggling to afford the cost of housing in our state,” Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1313 said. “By giving folks the flexibility to build ADUs on their property, as well as providing grant funding to help cover construction costs, we can bring down housing prices and keep more Coloradans in the communities they call home. HB24-1152 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, allows homeowners in subject jurisdictions to build an ADU with fewer obstacles and creates a new $5 million state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote and streamline the construction of ADUs. The grant program would enable local governments to support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate, and the construction of accessible ADUs. Finally, HB24-1152 provides $8 million in funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners in ADU-supportive jurisdictions build ADUs, including with down payment assistance, affordable loans, and buying down interest rates on loans for the conversion or construction of ADUs. Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single-family home properties. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2022 BILL TO IMPROVE MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House today passed SB22-095, which would improve missing persons investigations, by a vote of 46-17. “We need to get serious about helping victims and their families get the justice they deserve,” Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez D-Denver . “Improving case filings and communication among departments will cut the red tape associated with missing persons investigations and will fast track the investigation process. For too many, justice and resolution to their cases has taken far too long, especially for Black, Indigenous, and women of color who are missing. This bill will significantly improve missing persons investigations in Colorado.” “Filing a missing persons report needs to be more streamlined so investigations can begin quicker,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Too many missing people, especially people of color, are not getting the justice they deserve because their cases are severely underreported and under investigated. Our bill will ensure that departments across the state are communicating with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and accepting reports. Nearly one-third of the missing women and girls in the U.S. are Black. We need to rework the system so we can get justice for these victims.” SB22-095 , sponsored by Representatives Gonzales-Gutierrez and Bacon, would improve missing persons investigations by clarifying when Colorado law enforcement departments must accept a missing persons report. Under current law, departments are required to accept a report submitted in person if the missing person resides in the agency’s jurisdiction or was last believed to be in the agency’s jurisdiction. The bill expands this requirement to include missing persons who are Colorado residents or were last believed to be in Colorado. It also requires reports to be accepted if they are submitted over the phone or electronically. If the missing person is an adult, the agency must notify the Colorado Bureau of Investigation within eight hours (down from 24 hours), and if the missing person is a child, the agency must notify CBI within 2 hours. Previous Next

< Back February 5, 2020 BILL TO PROTECT RURAL AND SMALL COMMUNITY PHARMACIES AND LOWER DRUG COSTS ADVANCES DENVER, CO — Reps. Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kyle Mullica’s bill, Concerning Prescription Drug Claims Submitted by a Pharmacy, today was approved by House of Representatives on second reading. The bipartisan bill seeks to lower prescription drug costs and support rural and small community pharmacies by establishing requirements for the rates paid by pharmacy benefit management (PBM) firms to pharmacies. “As a pharmacist, I know this bill is critical for saving rural and smaller community pharmacies that are being hit with exorbitant fees,” said Rep Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder). “We will save these vital health care centers from closing and reduce the cost of prescription drugs for pharmacies and patients with this bill. As a former pharmacist, I understand this system well and I know we need to bring as much transparency to it as possible. ” “As an ER nurse, I know first hand how crucial it is to get a patient the best possible medication when they need it,” said Rep. Mullica (D-Northglenn). “But even the best prescription drug is completely ineffective when it’s not affordable or not accessible in your community. This bill would save people money on prescription drugs and help keep pharmacies in smaller communities in business. I’m very pleased to see it move forward today.” HB20-1078 specifies the amount that a PBM is required to reimburse a pharmacy for ‘clean claims’ and reasonable dispensing fees. Specifically, the bill would prohibit pharmaceutical middle management companies, known as PBMs, from collecting retroactive fees, which increase the cost of prescription drugs to pharmacies and patients in Colorado. Retroactive billing hits pharmacies in rural communities the hardest because they have less financial capacity to absorb retroactive losses on prescriptions that are needed by rural Coloradans.The bill was approved by the House Health and Insurance Committee unanimously before being referred to the Committee of the Whole. Previous Next

Today, Governor Polis, Rep. Cathy Kipp, Rep. Ruby Dickson, Rep. Mike Weissman, Senator Chris Hansen, state lawmakers, and community members discussed a historic bill package that will save people money, cut red tape to accelerate the clean energy transition, and advance Colorado’s position as a leader in clean energy nationwide. The legislative package will help achieve 100% renewable energy in Colorado by 2040 and save Coloradans by increasing opportunities and renewable energy tax incentives for people and businesses including reducing the cost of electric vehicles in Colorado by $5,000, electric bikes by $800, and between $3,000 and $500 for heat pumps depending on the technology type. < Back March 9, 2023 Governor Polis, State Legislators Announce Plans to Save People Money on Energy, Cut Red Tape to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition & Ensure that Colorado Continues to be a National Leader DENVER- Today, Governor Polis, Rep. Cathy Kipp, Rep. Ruby Dickson, Rep. Mike Weissman, Senator Chris Hansen, state lawmakers, and community members discussed a historic bill package that will save people money, cut red tape to accelerate the clean energy transition, and advance Colorado’s position as a leader in clean energy nationwide. The legislative package will help achieve 100% renewable energy in Colorado by 2040 and save Coloradans by increasing opportunities and renewable energy tax incentives for people and businesses including reducing the cost of electric vehicles in Colorado by $5,000, electric bikes by $800, and between $3,000 and $500 for heat pumps depending on the technology type. “We can save people money, cut red tape to help accelerate the renewable energy transition and ensure Colorado continues to lead on clean energy solutions,” said Governor Polis. “Together, with our legislative partners and community leaders, we can put in place the right way to achieve our shared goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, save people money, and utilize clean energy solutions that protect our planet and our pocketbooks.” Gov. Polis and legislative leaders are presenting renewable energy solutions that work to stabilize and lower energy costs by investing in reliable clean energy alternatives statewide. By increasing access to clean energy upgrades for people and businesses and accelerating processes to implement clean energy transitions, these transformative proposals will save people money on energy costs and further reduce harmful emissions. Today, Governor Polis and state lawmakers were joined by Coloradans who have utilized clean energy technologies resulting in significantly lower energy costs for them and their families. “During the cold snaps we’ve experienced this year, not only has the heat pump been incredibly efficient in heating our home, but we also didn’t see the same spikes in our home heating bills that so many other people around the state did,” said Errin, a Marshall Fire survivor and recently switched to a heat pump said today. “With this legislative package, we hope to see more families like ours get access to these more efficient pumps and save money on their utility bills. The tax credits being proposed can help lower costs for families, saving them money on upfront installation, as well as in the long run. ” The Governor in partnership with the state legislature has taken bold climate action and under his leadership, Colorado is well on its way toward achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. The new clean energy tax incentives included in this proposal will increase money-saving opportunities and increase access to electric vehicle purchases, electric bikes, heat pumps, heating and cooling technology, and industry and building improvements. The proposed legislation also invests in new technologies that will expand clean energy options and continue to position the state as a leader in transformative clean energy development and usage. “As the effects of climate change become more and more pronounced, it is clear we must implement bold policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts on our climate and our environment,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “Coloradans are demanding we act, and we plan to tackle this challenge head on by implementing policy that will reduce emissions, set achievable goals, and put our state on a path to climate sustainability for generations to come.” “This plan will create jobs while helping us meet our climate goals and lower energy costs for businesses and families,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial . “Highlighted in this energy package are bills that will invest in innovative clean energy sources to power our economy and heat our buildings, as well as reducing emissions even in hard-to-decarbonize sectors. These bills will boost businesses, increase access to clean energy alternatives and ultimately cut back on our harmful carbon emissions.” “Many of the bills in this package take an innovative approach for Colorado to lead the transition to clean energy and meet our climate goals while creating jobs and saving consumers, property owners and businesses money,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This proposal prioritizes reliable, clean energy sources and works to attract new businesses to the state while ensuring we are well-positioned to receive federal funding. Our focus is making Colorado a nationwide leader in energy innovation and reducing the use of fossil fuels.” Colorado is leading a multi-state consortium with Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico to gain additional federal investment as a hydrogen hub . Colorado ranks fifth in the nation for electric vehicle sales. Saving People Money on Energy HB23-XXXX: Tax Incentives For Decarbonization - Representatives Weissman and Joseph and Senator Fenberg - This package of clean energy tax credits draws down the costs of clean energy technologies for residents and businesses across Colorado. The package includes investment incentives in geothermal electricity and high-efficiency heat pumps, efforts to reduce pollution from industrial facilities, and extension and expansion of tax credits for light, medium, and heavy-duty electric vehicles, and electric bikes. SB23-016 Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures - Representative McCormick and Sirota and Senator Hansen - This establishes new statewide greenhouse gas emissions targets including net-zero emissions by 2050 and importantly enables the possibility of net-zero emissions by giving authority to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) over injection wells for carbon dioxide, a potentially critical tool to permanently remove GHG pollution from the atmosphere. Other provisions include a 30% tax credit on the purchase of electric-powered lawn equipment and technical changes to the community solar garden and electric transmission policy. The bill expands the disclosure of climate risks by insurance companies and encourages the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association to consider long-term climate-friendly investment strategies. HB23-1134: Electric Options in Home Warranties - Representatives Joseph and Kipp and Senator Cutter - This bill gives consumers more choices if a warrantied home appliance like a gas furnace breaks. Rather than requiring a like-for-like replacement, this bill ensures appliance warranties allow switching from a gas to an electric appliance if the consumer chooses. HB23-1005: New Energy Improvement Program Changes - Representatives Willford and Titone and Senators Jaquez Lewis and Marchman - Expands options for building owners to pay off cost-saving energy retrofits on their property tax bill while immediately reducing utility bills. Expands the eligibility of building upgrades to include resilience and water-saving investments. HB23-XXXX: Including Thermal Energy As A Clean Heat Resource - Representatives Lieder and Kipp - This bill continues Colorado’s work to reduce emissions from gas utilities by providing a pathway for those utilities to transition away from expensive fuel commodities like natural gas. HB23-XXX: EV Charging and Parking Requirements - Representatives Mauro and Valdez and Senators Faith Winter and Priola - This bill ensures Coloradans across the State have access to high-quality EV charging, especially for renters or those living in multifamily housing. HB23-1161: Environmental Standards for Appliances - Representative Kipp and Willford and Senator Cutter - This bill updates and modernizes Colorado's water and energy efficiency standards for appliances sold in Colorado. Cutting Red Tape to Accelerate Clean Energy Transitions HB23-XXXX: Assessing Reliable and Affordable Energy in Rural Colorado - Representatives Ty Winter and Lukens and Senator Roberts - This bill helps evaluate existing and potential future infrastructure investments across rural Colorado, with a focus on clean energy and transmission infrastructure opportunities, and next-generation energy production technologies. HB23-XXX: Clean Firm Electricity - Representatives Dickson and Velasco - This bill provides a framework for Colorado to invest in the clean energy technologies of the future like geothermal, hydrogen, and long-duration battery storage which will be critical to completely clean up the power grid while ensuring affordable and reliable electricity. HB23-XXXX: Streamlined Solar Permitting & Inspection Grants - Representative Brown and Soper and Senator Roberts - This bill develops new technology to help local governments accelerate processing time for solar, reduce staff time and costs for local governments, and reduce the time and cost of installing solar. This bill also provides grants for local governments to adopt this tool – which means faster, easier, and cheaper local approvals for rooftop solar projects. HB23-1039: Electric Resource Adequacy Reporting - Representative Bird and Senators Rodriguez and Winter - This bill proactively ensures that electric utilities serving end-use retail customers have adequate resources to provide the energy that homes and businesses rely on each day. Ensuring Colorado Continues to Lead on Clean Energy Solutions HB23-1210: Carbon Management - Representative Dickson and Senator Hansen - This bill helps Colorado companies build and scale the technologies needed for the capture, removal, storage, and use of carbon dioxide pollution which is an area of emerging technology. The bill will also identify early investment opportunities to de-risk projects that hold the promise of reducing emissions from the most challenged sectors of the economy. HB23-XXXX: Advancing Clean Hydrogen - Representative Titone - This bill creates a clear regulatory framework and incentives to spur the production of green hydrogen, from renewable energy to power sectors of the Colorado economy like industrial processes, long-haul trucking, and aviation. This bill creates a hydrogen usage credit to encourage the production of the cleanest possible hydrogen fuel and direct it toward these end-uses. Previous Next

Legislation would improve transit system to help housing, reach climate goals < Back April 30, 2024 Committee Passes Bill to Improve Public Transit, Meet Housing and Climate Goals DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to better align the Regional Transportation District (RTD) with initiatives to address housing and climate issues. The legislation would also increase accountability, improve coordination between RTD and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and create a strategic 10-year plan to improve ridership. HB24-1447 would work alongside a newly revealed legislative package to boost and stabilize funding for transit agencies across the state, including RTD. This significant investment to expand and improve access to transit would help mitigate the negative impacts of oil and gas operations through a fee on production. “Increasing ridership on RTD services is not only crucial in getting Coloradans to their workplaces, but it also takes more cars off the road so we can reduce air pollution and reach our climate goals,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “With new funding soon flowing to increase transit options and boost reliability, we must ensure RTD is set up for success. By reimagining our existing transit systems, we can offer Coloradans the services our communities need to help us meet our housing, workforce and climate goals.” “The Front Range has seen rapid population growth in recent years, crowding our roadways and creating the demand for organized and reliable mass transit systems,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Coloradans deserve transportation options that they can rely on. A newly introduced legislative package brought together many voices in our state including environmentalists, transit advocates and oil and gas operators which will make significant investments in our transit system. With the new transit revenues and this RTD reform bill, we will drastically boost funding for public transit, increase ridership accessibility and services, and improve the reliability of our transit systems so Coloradans can feel confident getting where they need to go.” HB24-1447 , which passed committee by a vote of 8-3, requires the RTD Board of Directors to create a 10-year strategic plan that outlines the RTD's plans to improve ridership, support regional and state climate, housing and transportation goals, and identify potential new funding opportunities. To best serve RTD customers, this bill directs the Transportation Legislation Review Committee to create an interim subcommittee to collaborate with community members and make recommendations including: The ideal size of the RTD Board of Directors Consideration for how many directors should be elected versus appointed and the appointing authority Director pay as well as duties and responsibilities of board members How to ensure equitable representation on the board The subcommittee would be a diverse group of 19 people including lawmakers, appointees from local government, transit-dependent communities, the disability community, current RTD directors, and a leader from a disproportionately impacted community, among others. To improve coordination between RTD and its metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), the bill requires RTD to: Submit its proposed fixed-route transit service plans to DRCOG Coordinate with DRCOG regarding the implementation of these routes, Ensure that the transit provider's service decisions are consistent with DRCOG's regional transportation plan Coordinate transit and land use decisions to ensure that transit services will be provided to new and existing transit-oriented communities Under the bill, RTD would be required to create three public accountability dashboards and create, maintain, and regularly update a website containing information about RTD's financial plan as well as route ridership and reliability of services. Yesterday, Colorado Democrats alongside a broad coalition of major environmental non-governmental organizations announced an agreement with large operators in Colorado’s oil and gas industry which supports funding for public transit while cutting back on harmful pollution. The legislative package would impose a new production fee on oil and gas operators. 80 percent of the fee revenue would go toward local transit agencies and public transit projects across the state. This new fee is expected to generate an average of $138 million annually. Previous Next

< Back June 4, 2021 LOWER DRUG COSTS, NOW; HOUSE ADVANCES PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY BOARD PROPOSAL Prescription Drug Affordability Board proposal passes House on Second Reading DENVER– The House advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Yadira Caraveo, a physician, and Chris Kennedy to reduce the cost of life-saving prescription drugs. The bill passed the House on Second Reading. “Bringing down the soaring costs of prescription drugs is one of the most pressing and critical issues we can take on as a legislature,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood . “It’s time for Colorado to stand up to Big Pharma on behalf of our constituents and work to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. No Coloradan should have to decide between putting food on the table and paying for the life-saving medicine they need to stay healthy.” “The treatment plans I lay out won’t be effective if my patients can’t afford the drugs I prescribe or are forced to ration them due to the cost,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “Reining in the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs is an economic issue, a public health issue, and a moral issue that should concern us all. The Prescription Drug Affordability Board will set guardrails to help Coloradans afford life-saving drugs and will help us get to the bottom of spikes in the cost of these drugs.” Nearly one-in-three Coloradans struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. As established in SB21-175 , the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will convene a panel of experts to investigate prescription drug cost increases, and set guardrails on cost increases for the most expensive prescription drugs in the state. The affordability board would set upper payment limits for prescription drugs that meet certain cost increase thresholds. These payment limits would apply to all purchasers in the state, but will only be placed on the highest cost drugs. The board will collect and evaluate the data necessary to review the affordability of prescription drugs and make policy recommendations to legislators. The board will be made up of nonpartisan, unpaid, highly qualified experts who are free from conflicts of interest. A recent poll from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that 77% of Coloradans supported the idea of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze and act to lower the cost of certain prescription drugs — and this bill seeks to answer their call. Previous Next

< Back June 7, 2020 COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO BOOST LOWEST IN THE NATION IMMUNIZATION RATES FOR CHILDREN DENVER, CO — The House Committee on Health and Insurance today passed SB20-163, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullcia, D-Northglenn, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, to boost Colorado’s childhood immunization rates. The vote was 7-4. “Colorado’s kids are more vulnerable to a massive outbreak of highly infectious disease than children in almost any other state in the country, and that keeps me up at night,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. “As a nurse, I know that boosting our immunization rates is the best way to stop preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles from spreading, and nearly 90 percent of Coloradans agree. Today we’re taking steps to protect our children, our communities, and our health care system from diseases that can spread faster and more viciously even than COVID19.” SB20-163 is designed to get more children fully vaccinated by the time they start kindergarten by encouraging those who do not vaccinate, but who have no objections to vaccinations, to immunize their children. The percentage of Colorado kindergartners vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella is the lowest rate in the country at 87 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This low rate makes our state particularly vulnerable to a measles outbreak. SB20-163 requires parents who choose not to vaccinate their children to present a standardized exemption form signed by an immunization provider or submit a confirmation form that they took a short online class about vaccinations before they send their children to school. The bill also streamlines the immunization exemptions categories by dividing them into medical and nonmedical exemptions, but makes no changes to who can choose to exempt their children or for what reasons. Lastly, SB20-163 would require all immunizing health care providers to use the state’s Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) data system, though providers wouldn’t be subject to a regulatory sanction for noncompliance. Previous Next

Legislation would increase rental assistance to $65 million, nearly doubling current level < Back November 19, 2023 House Passes Rental Assistance to Keep Coloradans Housed DENVER, CO – The House passed legislation today to provide an additional $30 million in emergency rental assistance. Sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Mandy Lindsay, HB23B-1001 , would increase statewide assistance to a total of $65 million, including $35 million from federal funds already allocated. “With Coloradans facing evictions at record rates, we are stepping up with emergency assistance that will help thousands of people have a fair chance to stay in their homes and catch up on rent,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “Data shows people of color face evictions at a higher rate. The need for rental support is dire, and this legislation nearly doubles our investment to protect vulnerable families in their most challenging moments. Rental assistance supports both landlords and renters because it reduces evictions and keeps Coloradans housed.” “Coloradans facing eviction often have nowhere else to turn which can lead to cycles of poverty, homelessness and heartbreaking disruptions for vulnerable families,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora . “Renters in our state need support now which is why this legislation increases emergency rental assistance by $30 million, nearly doubling statewide funding. This legislation will help prevent thousands of evictions by providing renters with a critical lifeline they need to get back on their feet. The reality is without this funding, many Coloradans are one missed paycheck away from losing their housing.” HB23B-1001 , which passed by a vote of 42-18 would invest $30 million into emergency rental assistance in the Department of Local Affairs to provide financial assistance for rent owed and other related costs for Colorado tenants making at or below 80-percent of the area median income. Under this legislation, eligible tenants at risk of eviction or displacement would be required to apply through an online state portal to be connected with a non-profit partner. In addition to monthly rental payments, qualified tenants could use funding toward paying rental debt, up to two months of future rent, utility bills, late fees, court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and security deposits. The funding could also be used towards spreading awareness and increasing outreach to tenants at risk of eviction or displacement. Evictions are on the rise in Colorado. This year alone, 43,899 evictions have been filed according to state courts and Denver County court filing data. This threatens the housing of over 100,000 people across the state. By the end of the year, the number of eviction filings will have surpassed 50,000. Colorado has the 8th highest median monthly rent out of all 50 states, with a two bedroom apartment costing an average of $1,856 in 2023. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development , out of an estimated 742,240 renter households across Colorado, 63-percent of renters have an annual household income that is less than 80-percent of the area median income and make up 93-percent of households most likely to be struggling with housing costs. Previous Next

< Back May 19, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO PREPARE COLORADO YOUTH FOR SUCCESS AND IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY BECOME LAW Legislation aims to reduce youth recidivism, increase access to behavioral health care & improve school security HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law that aim to support Colorado youth by using early interventions to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system, improving school safety and supporting students’ behavioral health. HB22-1003 , championed by Representatives Daugherty and Gonzales-Gutierrez and Senators Coleman and Hinrichsen, will establish the Delinquency Prevention and Young Offender Intervention Pilot Grant Program to help keep kids out of the juvenile justice system. “Today, we’re making smart investments to increase community safety and improve outcomes for Colorado’s youth,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “This law directs funding toward collaborative, community-based programs that provide young Coloradans with the support and services they need. Community is the cornerstone to crime reduction and our law invests to uplift youth and build stronger neighborhoods.” “Part of preventing crime and creating safer communities involves investing in effective intervention and prevention programs to help stop criminal activity from happening in the first place,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “By investing in our communities, we can keep more youth out of the juvenile justice system and build a safer Colorado for all, while uplifting our youth so they have the support necessary to lead productive and meaningful lives.” “When it comes to public safety, we are investing in communities first,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “Our law will provide resources to community organizations that are working to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system in the first place. Through targeted intervention and support programs, we can help youth be set up for success and build safer communities in the process.” “As we continue to move Pueblo and Colorado forward, we’re committed to making investments that reduce crime and improve public safety,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “This bill will help local governments support our youth and reduce recidivism rates in our communities, which will ultimately give young people the support and resources they need and create safer communities across the board.” The Governor also signed HB22-1243 , championed by Representatives Exum, Sr. and Van Winkle as well as Senators Kolker and Hinrichsen, which invests $14 million to improve safety and support behavioral health in public schools. “Too many kids don’t know where to turn when they’re in a mental health crisis,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “We’re working hard to break down barriers that prevent people experiencing a crisis from getting support, and making sure every Colorado kid can get the lifesaving care they need. Together, we can work to end the stigma surrounding mental health, expand access to care, and save lives.” “Preparing our students for success means improving school safety and expanding access to behavioral health services,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs. “This law takes a multi-faceted approach by providing funding to foster and build safer school environments, as well as extending the successful “I Matter” program, which provides free mental health counseling to Colorado’s youth. Together, these programs will foster healthy learning environments and safer schools across Colorado.” “As we work to build a safer and healthier Colorado for all, we need to ensure that our schools are better equipped to keep students safe and connect them to the appropriate behavioral health care they need,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Our students have faced tremendous challenges over the last few years, and this bill will help them feel safer in the classroom while ensuring they have increased access to resources that will help them care for their mental health and well-being.” Finally, the Governor signed HB22-1120 , sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, which would reauthorize and make updates to the School Security Disbursement Program, which provides grants for local schools to implement school safety strategies, including physical improvements as well as school emergency response training and student threat assessment training for all school staff. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2021 PRIVATE: STARTUP LOAN FUND PASSES BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed HB21-1288, legislation sponsored by Representatives Bacon and Duran, that would create a startup loan fund to help entrepreneurs start their businesses and create jobs. “Entrepreneurs in every Colorado community are ready and eager to start a business, but accessing capital can be a significant barrier,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Black and Brown business owners and entrepreneurs have faced even higher walls to climb to access the financial resources needed to start a business. These challenges have been exacerbated by the pandemic and this bill will help ensure a long-term and diverse economy recovery.” “With so many business closing, there are tremendous gaps in goods in services that entrepreneurs are ready to fill; they just need access to loans and capital to get off the ground,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado is ready for a comeback, and entrepreneurs are ready to get their businesses going. This bill will boost our economy and help launch small businesses that will create jobs and fill the needs created by pandemic-related business closures.” Business closures have impacted communities across our state, often in different ways, leaving gaps in services and the availability of basic goods. To help fill the need created by COVID-19 related business closures, HB21-1288 provides $30 million in ongoing lending capital to entrepreneurs who face barriers to accessing traditional sources of capital and entrepreneurs wishing to restart or reorganize after facing pandemic related financial challenges. People of color have historically faced barriers to accessing the capital necessary to start a new business and have also faced a higher rate of business closures. Previous Next