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< Back May 31, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS AND BIPARTISAN BILL TO HELP COLORADANS FIND HOUSING AND JOBS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will protect whistleblowers and help Coloradans with low-level criminal records find secure jobs or housing. In 2020, the legislature passed legislation establishing protections for whistleblowers during a public health emergency. SB22-097 , sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen and Robert Rodriguez and Representatives Leslie Herod and Tom Sullivan, makes these protections permanent. “With the passage of HB 20-1415 we gave workers the protection to speak out about health and safety concerns without fear of retaliation only during public health emergencies,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood. “Essential workers will still be essential after the pandemic, which is why I am proud to champion this new lawl that will extend these protections permanently and help keep workers and the public safe.” “Extending whistleblower protections for essential workers is the right move to keep our workers and the public safe,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “This law permanently extends protections for workers put in place during the pandemic so Coloradans can report health and safety concerns without fear of retaliation. All Coloradans should feel safe speaking out about workplace conditions that could harm them or the people around them.” “Coloradans shouldn’t have to worry about losing their job or having their hours slashed for reporting unsafe working conditions. These whistleblower protections prioritize the health and safety of our essential workers,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial . “When the pandemic began, we gave workers the necessary protection to report health and safety concerns without fear of retaliation. This new law extends those reporting protections for workers regardless of a public health emergency, so they can always feel safe to report dangerous conditions.” SB22-097 protects workers in the public and private sectors by ensuring that all workers have the same protections, including the ability to raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices or hazards to their employer, other workers, the public or government agencies. The legislation also protects workers from retaliation, discrimination, or adverse action, allows workers to wear personal protective equipment while at work without fear of discrimination, and requires employers to notify employees of their rights. When employees do raise concerns, various remedy options are included under the bill, including filing a claim with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) or bringing an action in court. The legislation also gives CDLE the authority to enforce and investigate claims. “The pandemic highlighted the need to improve how we take care of our community, and we worked hard this session to help give working folks better protections and opportunities,” said Senator Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “These news laws will ensure that no worker will have to worry about losing their job or having their hours cut because they speak out about working conditions that threaten them and their colleagues, and allow Coloradans who have paid their debt to society to access the jobs and housing they need to rebuild their lives while strengthening our workforce as we work to rebuild our economy and move Colorado forward.” Currently, criminal records are a substantial obstacle for people in search of jobs or housing, which punishes Coloradans after they have served their time and exacerbates the state’s workforce shortage. SB22-099 , sponsored by Senators Robert Rodriguez and Dennis Hisey and Representatives Kerry Tipper and Colin Larson, extends automatic record sealing to all eligible offenses, removing this obstacle to housing and employment for many Coloradans. “This bipartisan law will help Coloradans who are already eligible for record sealing by automatically sealing their records, making it easier for people to find jobs and housing opportunities,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This new law will boost our workforce, increase job opportunities for Coloradans and reduce recidivism by helping people get back on their feet.” The pandemic has made it harder for employers to hire and retain employees and for Coloradans to find adequate housing. Under the law, criminal records that are currently eligible for sealing upon petition, including civil infractions, will now be automatically sealed. This includes the records of victims of human trafficking who have been convicted or charged with prostitution. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to make it faster, easier and less expensive for local governments to approve solar installation projects < Back May 11, 2023 SIGNED! Brown’s Bill to Streamline Clean, Solar Energy Projects BOULDER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to make it faster, easier and less expensive for local governments to approve solar installation projects. This law, sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Matt Soper, helps local governments implement free automated permitting and inspection software by establishing a grant program to offer one-time financial assistance. “With this law, it will be easier and cheaper for Coloradans to transition to solar energy and take climate action,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville . “Permitting can be a huge barrier to bringing new solar energy sources online, and this legislation speeds up the permitting process, so more Coloradans can begin powering their homes with clean, renewable energy. Streamlining this permitting process saves local governments and their residents time and money, cuts bureaucratic red tape and boosts the transition to renewable energy.” HB23-1234 , establishes the Streamlined Solar Permitting and Inspection Grant Program to assist local governments with the start-up costs associated with implementing free automated permitting and inspection software. This program would offer one-time financial assistance to implement the software, helping local governments to review and approve residential solar projects faster. Automating the permit and inspection process will reduce costs for consumers and local governments and accelerate Colorado’s transition to clean energy. Previous Next

Representative Katie Stewart today released the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s funding freezes and employee layoffs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and their drastic impact on farmers and ranchers in rural Colorado. < Back February 26, 2025 Rep. Stewart’s Statement Regarding USDA Funding Freeze Impacting Southern Colorado DENVER, CO – Representative Katie Stewart today released the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s funding freezes and employee layoffs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and their drastic impact on farmers and ranchers in rural Colorado. Representative Katie Stewart, D-Durango: “A sweeping funding freeze and employee layoffs at the USDA have jeopardized the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers in Southern Colorado. Freezing federally-supported USDA grant programs is bad for hardworking farmers and ranchers, hurts rural Colorado, and will raise food prices for everyone. "From conservation efforts to localized infrastructure projects, farmers and ranchers were promised funding to improve farming and ranch operations and strengthen our food supply – but this bait and switch could leave them on the hook for unexpected costs. “I urge the federal government to strongly reconsider the federal looming funding cuts at the USDA because rural Colorado’s economy, and the farmers and ranchers who feed us, rely upon it.” Representative Katie Stewart represents HD-59 in Southwest Colorado which includes Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties and parts of Montezuma County. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed legislation to boost behavioral health professionals in schools. < Back February 22, 2024 House Education Committee Passes Bill to Boost Behavioral Health Professionals In Schools DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed legislation to boost behavioral health professionals in schools. HB24-1096, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Mary Young, would create an interstate compact for school psychologists. “To help our students succeed in the classroom and beyond we need to ensure they have access to behavioral and mental health professionals,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “As a teacher, I know how important it is to address our students' behavioral and mental health care needs so they can reach their full educational potential. Our legislation creates an interstate compact to streamline licensed school psychologists into Colorado school districts and boost behavioral health access for our youth.” “I spent most of my career as a school psychologist helping students grow and thrive in our public schools,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This important bill helps us attract more high-quality, licensed school psychologists to Colorado schools and meet the complex needs of our students. It’s clear – we need more behavioral health professionals working in schools. This bill will help break down barriers so already licensed school psychologists can begin working in school districts across the state.” HB24-1096 passed committee unanimously and would create new pathways for out-of-state school psychologists to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill creates the "School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed school psychologists in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state to practice school psychological services. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for school psychologists by easing the state-to-state licensure process to increase special education services and access to behavioral health care in Colorado schools. The “School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. To participate in the compact, applicants must already be licensed school psychologists. This includes passing a qualifying national exam, completing at least 1,200 hours of supervision prior to licensure, and graduating from a qualifying school psychologist program. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws over the years, including last year’s HB23-1064 to address Colorado’s teacher shortage. Previous Next

< Back July 11, 2020 BILL TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT SERVICES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH SIGNED INTO LAW Greeley, CO — Today, at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lori Saine to ensure services continue, uninterrupted for at-risk youth in out of home placements. “As a former school psychologist, I know how important it is that youth experiencing trauma continue to receive services without interruptions that could derail their progress or worsen the situation,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “This bipartisan law ensures that critical medical care will continue for youth in out of home placements so they can receive the services they need to recover and succeed.” When dependency and neglect actions or juvenile delinquency actions result in out-of-home placements, HB20-1237 requires that youth continue to receive medical care through a managed care entity (MCE) in the county where the action was initiated. This will limit disruptions in care that can happen when youth are transferred to new MCEs unnecessarily and ensure that services are delivered in the most appropriate setting. The new policy ensures that federal Medicaid resources follow youth as they receive services in out-of-home placements and make progress towards rebuilding their lives. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Kyle Brown on a preliminary vote to make it easier for eligible confined Coloradans to vote. < Back May 3, 2024 Legislation to Increase Voting Access Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Manny Rutinel and Kyle Brown on a preliminary vote to make it easier for eligible confined Coloradans to vote. “The right to vote is guaranteed by the constitution, yet eligible voters in our jails and detention centers have expressed that they often do not have the tools to exercise this right,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “We know that Coloradans who are Black, Indigenous and people of color are overrepresented in our criminal justice system, and when they are prevented from voting, their voices are not heard. This legislation helps address the gaps in voting access by creating clear guidelines for county clerks and sheriffs that will make it easier for Coloradans, regardless of their confinement status, to use their voice in our democratic process.” “Folks who are incarcerated have rights, and this bill seeks to make it easier for them to exercise their right to vote,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Low levels of voter turnout in our jails show that there are not enough resources or education about voting access in confined spaces. I’m proud to carry this legislation to ensure that eligible voters will have the opportunity to engage in our democratic process.” SB24-072 would require county clerks and county sheriffs to create and implement a plan to facilitate in-person voting for eligible voters in county jails and detention centers. Under current law, U.S. citizens over the age of 18 who are not currently serving time for a felony conviction are eligible to vote. While Colorado has a robust vote-by-mail program, voters in jails and detention centers face extreme barriers in accessing the ballot. In the 2020 general election, out of an estimated eligible population of 5,205 confined voters, only 557 individuals (6.97 percent) received a ballot. In the 2022 general election, there was an estimated eligible population of 4,876 confined voters, but only 231 individuals (4.73 percent) received ballots. SB24-072 would mandate at least one day of in-person voting at each facility, alleviating the pressure on these voters to navigate the complexities of voting eligibility, and helping ensure every eligible citizen is provided the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2022 SCHOOL FINANCE ACT MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO – The House advanced the 2022 School Finance Act today on a preliminary vote. This bill increases K-12 public school funding by an average of $545 per pupil. “The 2022 School Finance Act is a record investment in our public schools to improve educational outcomes for students,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This bill increases funding for K-12 schools so our districts can maintain small class sizes, boost teacher pay and make sure classrooms have the resources they need to create a high-quality public education program.” “Colorado is investing in teachers, students and K-12 public schools,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This year’s school finance act will increase per pupil funding by an average of $545 and this funding can be used to reduce classroom sizes and increase teacher pay. Investing in our schools better prepares Colorado’s next generation of leaders, thinkers and learners.” HB22-1390 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Barbara McLachlan, sets funding levels for Colorado’s public school districts. This year, the bill increases total funding for public schools by $431 million to $8.4 billion and reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by over $180 million to the lowest level since it was created. The increases in funding for K-12 public schools will result in an increase of $545 per student. This funding can be used to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay and provide individualized support to help students learn. The School Finance Act was amended to incorporate the text of HB22-1002 , which lifts the current cap on the number of students who can participate in the ASCENT concurrent enrollment program and makes it available to more postsecondary students. This program saves Coloradans money as they pursue their higher education degrees. The bill makes additional changes to support students and school districts, such as extending the K-5 Social and Emotional Health Pilot Program and the Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Program. It also strengthens the successful Educator Recruitment and Retention grant by encouraging recipients to teach for three years in areas where there are educator shortages. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2022 UITF BILL SAVES PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES MONEY, IMPROVES UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DENVER, CO – The House FInance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Marc Snyder to save people and businesses money and improve unemployment insurance in Colorado. “From reducing filing fees to start your own business to reducing property taxes on commercial and residential properties, we’re doing everything we can to save business and people money as they deal with rising costs from pandemic-induced inflation,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This legislation supports workers by improving the unemployment system and saves employers and employees money.” “Workers relied on the unemployment system during the pandemic to make ends meet and pay for everyday necessities as they worked to get back on their feet, and as a result, we avoided a full blown economic crisis,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “This legislation will avoid significant cost increases on businesses and improve how we deliver benefits to workers. It also extends a successful change that allows workers to get back to work sooner with part time employment without being penalized by losing part of their benefits.” SB22-234 , which passed by a vote of 9-2, would infuse the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund (UITF) with pandemic relief funds while expanding eligibility and improving benefits to help support Colorado’s working families. SB22-234 invests $600 million to shore up the solvency of the UITF and protect against potential future economic downturns. This will save businesses money on premiums and surcharges and provide certainty to workers who depend on unemployment benefits to continue paying for essentials like food, rent, and transportation while they search for new work. By extending the suspension of the solvency surcharge, a fee placed on employers until the Unemployment Trust Fund reaches solvency, the bill saves businesses money while they continue recovering from the pandemic induced recession. The bill makes further improvements to ensure the unemployment system works better for Colorado families. It raises the benefit amount part-time workers can receive from 25 percent to 50 percent of the weekly benefit amount, in order to make it easier for workers who are laid off to find part-time employment while seeking a full-time job. It also creates a Benefit Recovery Fund to ensure that workers in Colorado who lack work authorization receive the benefits they already contribute to and their employers pay premiums into. The bill also eliminates the one-week waiting period to help workers access their benefits as quickly as possible once the Fund reaches a sustainable level, clarifies what constitutes an overpayment to ensure workers are not unnecessarily penalized for errors or miscalculations made by administrators or their employer explores the feasibility of a dependency allowance to better support primary caregivers as they return to work, and requires employers to inform all workers of their unemployment benefit eligibility upon separation. Previous Next

House Democratic Leadership and JBC Members Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session to address the disastrous impacts of Congressional Republicans’ federal budget bill: < Back August 6, 2025 House Leadership and JBC Members: Special Session Is Necessary to Address Disastrous Impacts of GOP’s Federal Budget Bill DENVER, CO– House Democratic Leadership and JBC Members Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session to address the disastrous impacts of Congressional Republicans’ federal budget bill: “Republicans’ federal budget will both kick Coloradans off their health insurance and make health insurance more expensive for all Coloradans and by nearly 40 percent on the Western Slope, leaving us with no choice but to convene for a special legislative session to address the crisis the GOP has created,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “All Coloradans are now the collateral damage from the GOP’s cruel bill, which will jeopardize services for hardworking families, children, veterans and older Coloradans. We’ll work hard to minimize the fallout on our communities, but that requires us to act now to mitigate the harm this bill has caused our state.” “Coloradans cannot afford the GOP’s budget, which gives tax breaks to the wealthiest people and corporations at the expense of working families,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “When Congressional Republicans blew a $1 billion hole in our state budget, they failed our seniors, hard working parents, crime survivors and nearly everyone who relies on community-based services to make ends meet. Democrats will be offering responsible solutions to this budget crisis to help avoid painful cuts to core services people depend on.” “The GOP’s reckless budget has forced us to hold a special legislative session so we can protect Colorado from the billion-dollar hole Gabe Evans, Jeff Crank, Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd have created in our budget,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Three months ago, we made over $1 billion in budget cuts and adjourned with a balanced budget; now we’re facing another $1.2 billion deficit. I am deeply concerned by the pain the federal budget will inflict on vulnerable people and the increased costs on families. We are committed to finding responsible solutions, but this billion dollar hole in our state budget will require difficult decisions.” “The federal budget passed by the GOP Congress increases costs for middle class families, kicks Coloradans off their health insurance, and blows a billion-dollar hole in our state budget in order to give massive tax handouts to the wealthiest people and corporations,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, a member of the JBC. “Make no mistake, the GOP budget is a wealth transfer from the most vulnerable people who are struggling to make ends meet to billionaires. We have a choice to make now: We can continue tax handouts for the very wealthy or we can protect funding for education, public safety and health care for all Coloradans.” State economists anticipate an over $1 billion hole in the state budget for the current fiscal year that began on July 1, despite having a balanced budget when the legislature adjourned in May. Lawmakers already had to address a $1.2 billion deficit during the regular 2025 legislative session, and now face an additional $1.2 billion hole from H.R. 1. H.R.1 Devastates Colorado’s State Budget Both Legislative Council economists and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) estimate a revenue reduction of $1.2 billion this fiscal year (FY26), and OSBP estimates a reduction of $679 million in FY27 and future years. Forecasts estimate the state will be $783 million below the TABOR cap in this fiscal year (FY26), meaning that taxpayers will not receive TABOR refunds and there will not be surplus revenue available to pay for the Senior Homestead Exemption in FY27, creating additional pressures on the state General Fund. Federal Budget Bill Cuts Medicaid, Kicks Coloradans Off Health Insurance, and Raises Premiums Congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits in the federal budget bill for people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, premiums for private health insurance are forecasted to go up an average of 28 percent with parts of Colorado, especially on the Western Slope, seeing premium increases of 38 percent. Colorado’s successful, bipartisan reinsurance program will be significantly reduced, and every Coloradan will pay more for their health insurance. Over 112,000 Coloradans who purchase their own insurance on the individual market could lose health insurance coverage, and many more will face higher premiums. Under H.R. 1, up to 193,000 Coloradans are expected to lose Medicaid health insurance coverage. Eventually, 377,000 Coloradans will be at risk of disenrollment from Medicaid. The federal budget slashes provider payments and cuts federal funding for Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion, programs for Coloradans with Disabilities, and CHP+ coverage for children and pregnant women. It also reduces reimbursements to Colorado hospitals. These cuts are expected to cost the state Medicaid program $2.5 billion by 2032. H.R.1’s Impacts Turn Off EITC and FATC for the Next Two Tax Years Reduced revenue means that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansion and the Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) will be turned off for the next two tax years, increasing taxes for working people and families and taking money away from some of the most vulnerable Coloradans. With the EITC expansion and the FATC in effect, an average family with two children under six-years-old and an earned income of $50,000 would have received approximately $4,870 in tax credits. With the programs turned off, Colorado workers and families will receive $0. Changes to SNAP Will Affect 600,000 Coloradans Who Rely on Food Assistance H.R. 1 includes significant reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and shifts the cost burden to states. Colorado expects to see $170 million in cuts to SNAP, affecting the more than 600,000 Coloradans who rely on SNAP to afford food for themselves and their families. Many participants will lose food assistance or be forced to overcome new administrative hurdles to demonstrate that they meet narrow work requirements. Rollback of Clean Energy Will Result in Higher Costs and Job Losses H.R. 1 rolls back, modifies or completely eliminates tax credits for energy-efficient new homes, residential clean energy and electric vehicles (EVs). An analysis of the final language estimates these policies will result in 1,950 jobs lost and a household income loss of $190 in Colorado, as well as increased energy costs for consumers. According to the Colorado Energy Office, H.R. 1 is projected to increase residential gas prices in Colorado by 3.4 percent by 2029 and electricity prices by up to 10 percent by 2035. Colorado households could see a $500 increase in annual energy costs by 2035. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2021 NEW CMAS BILL WILL REDUCE TESTING LOAD FOR STUDENTS, ENSURE ACCESS TO MEASURES OF LEARNING THIS YEAR Legislation introduced today would propose to administer one test per student in grades 3-8 this year, with the goal of complying with federal requirements for statewide measures of learning DENVER, CO — Representative Emily Sirota and House Education Chair Barbara McLachlan today introduced legislation to significantly reduce the standardized testing load for students, parents and teachers this year. HB21-1161 requires the Colorado Department of Education to seek a federal waiver to more than halve the amount of time students will be expected to spend in testing while still seeking to comply with federal guidelines that require the compilation of statewide education data and ensuring parents have access to information on their children’s learning. The data received will also ensure that policymakers have valuable information to support students and schools moving forward. “From cancelled school days to switching between in-person and virtual learning, students have faced some of the greatest challenges of their lives this past year,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “This approach would make a substantial and meaningful difference for kids, parents and teachers by easing the testing burden while still complying with federal guidance to have statewide data. I’m grateful for everyone in the education community who came together to ensure that we can focus on the educational, social and emotional needs of our students.” “Parents and educators from across Colorado have raised concerns to us that going forward with our testing system without changes would stress our students,” said House Education Chair Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “With the bill we introduced today, Colorado students, parents and teachers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we’ll still have the data we need while allowing teachers and school districts to reinvest time that would have been spent testing this year into helping students catch up on learning loss from this turbulent past year of the pandemic.” HB21-1161 requires the administration of the English Language Arts exam in grades three, five, and seven, while students in grades four, six, and eight will take the Math exam. Parents will also have the option to opt their child in to taking whichever exam they did not automatically receive. The legislation also requires the Colorado Department of Education to request a waiver to suspend science exams normally administered in grades 5, 8, and 11, and social studies exams administered in grades 4 and 7. The bill also implements consensus recommendations from a departmental task force last year, including suspending the link between tests, accountability, and educator evaluation. The bill would direct the Colorado Department of Education to seek a waiver from the federal Department of Education to implement these policies as soon as practicable. The bill, which will replace HB21-1125, will be heard in the House Education Committee on Friday. Previous Next

The House Education Committee passed legislation to save high school students money on post-secondary education. < Back March 7, 2024 Legislation to Save Students Money, Expand Education Opportunities Clears Committee DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee passed legislation to save high school students money on post-secondary education. HB24-1305 would expand access to the Pathway in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) Program through which high school students can obtain an associate’s degree or professional certificate in certain fields. “Meeting today’s workforce demands means we need to make it easier for high school students to earn no-cost credits toward an associate’s degree or professional certificate,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “This bill builds upon the successful P-TECH program to expand the number of approved programs in which students can earn associate’s degrees or professional certificates before they graduate high school. We’re also making it possible to stack earned credits while still being eligible for tuition stipends at state-run higher education institutions.” “We’re making it easier for our students to save money on earning an associate’s degree or professional certificate while they’re still in high school,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “This bill strengthens successful collaborations between K-12, higher education, and industry to deliver a no-cost associate’s degree to students when they graduate high school by expanding the number of programs students can earn credits toward. This bill saves students money, supports our workforce demands and strengthens our economy.” HB24-1305 , which passed committee unanimously expands and modifies guidelines for the (P-TECH) Program which allows students in approved programs to graduate from high school with an associate’s degree or certificate in certain disciplines. The bill expands the allowable disciplines to include industries beyond the traditional science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. This bill also updates current law so students who earn credits through the P-TECH program, the Accelerating Students in Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program, or the Teacher Recruitment and Education Program (TREP) program will not count against their allowable College Opportunity Fund (COF) limit. The COF helps save students money by providing a stipend to qualified students to pay a portion of the total in-state tuition when attending a participating college. Previous Next

< Back January 27, 2020 LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ADVANCES Bipartisan interim committee legislation would expand tax deduction for mitigation efforts and raise awareness of mitigation resources available to landowners DENVER, CO– HB 20-1004 , bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Perry Will, today passed the House Committee on Rural Affairs and Agriculture by a vote of 11-0. The bill would help landowners in wildfire hazard areas protect their homes, by increasing outreach efforts between local experts and residents living in these areas. “We’ve heard from communities and residents that they often don’t know about all the resources available to them to protect their homes and other property from wildfires,” said Rep. Cutter (D-Jefferson County). “This bill would provide information on best practices and resources on wildfire mitigation available for landowners, as well as a tax credit for performing such mitigation on their properties.” Colorado currently offers landowners wildfire mitigation resources, but many residents in high hazard areas are unaware of the available resources and best practices. This bill would create a grant program to conduct outreach to landowners to spread information about the resources available to them and the best practices for wildfire mitigation. Local governments, special districts, tribal agencies, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits would be eligible for the grant funding. Currently, property owners can claim a tax deduction for 50 percent of the cost of wildfire mitigation measures up to $2,500. HB20-1004 would create a tax credit of 25 percent of the cost of wildfire mitigation efforts up to $2,500. For example, if a property owner spends $2,500 on mitigation efforts, they would receive $625 off their taxes. Previous Next