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SB25-290 would support medical providers that serve vulnerable communities, protecting access to essential health care for thousands of Coloradans < Back May 6, 2025 House Advances Bill to Stabilize Safety Net Providers, Protect Access to Health Care DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to protect access to essential health care for thousands of Coloradans. SB25-290 would provide immediate financial support to a broad cross-section of safety net health care providers, including rural hospitals, community health centers and behavioral health clinics. “Our health care safety net providers that take care of our low-income, older, and vulnerable community members are in crisis,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville . “Our bill fills an immediate funding need to prevent our safety net providers from closing their doors and leaving hundreds of Coloradans without the health care they need. These dollars will help protect the essential health care for so many low income and working Coloradans now.” “Without our safety net providers, many Coloradans won’t have access to the preventive and primary care that helps them lead healthier lives,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Higher costs and workforce shortages mean our safety net providers are shouldering enormous financial pressures just to keep the doors open. This bill provides immediate, short-term support to our safety providers so our community members can receive the health care they need.” Safety net providers include primary care and family clinics that provide critical health care to communities across Colorado, like seniors, hardworking families, and rural Coloradans. However, these safety net providers have been under an enormous financial strain as demand and costs increase. SB25-290 would provide stability while long-term, comprehensive solutions can be developed. Specifically, the bill creates the Provider Stabilization Fund to distribute stabilization payments to safety net providers who provide care to low-income, uninsured individuals on a sliding scale or for free. The bill would transfer interest earnings from the Unclaimed Property Tax Trust Fund to the Provider Stabilization Fund as a loan. Payments would be distributed based on the proportion of low-income, uninsured individuals that the provider serves. Without access to preventive and primary care services, Coloradans are more likely to seek emergency care, increasing costs in the health care system as a whole and leading to worse health outcomes. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Matthew Martinez to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. < Back January 30, 2024 Legislation to Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce Clears Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Matthew Martinez to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. HB24-1002 passed unanimously. “We need a robust behavioral health care workforce to meet the needs of Coloradans,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver . “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 workers. This bill creates a social work licensure compact, meaning social workers practicing in participating states can seamlessly transition to working and living in Colorado.” “The demand for behavioral health care workers is rising in Colorado, so we are working to remove barriers that prevent qualified, licensed professionals from joining our workforce,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “This bill would make it easier for licensed social workers practicing in partner states to obtain a license in Colorado, saving them money and meeting the needs of Coloradans faster. Additionally, this bill would support military spouses who relocate to Colorado by removing barriers to entering the behavioral health care workforce.” HB24-1002 would create new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill 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. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for social workers by easing the state-to-state licensure process and increasing behavioral health care access in Colorado. The “Social Work Licensure Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. 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 October 17, 2022 Roberts and Bird Selected as 2022 Legislators of the Year by MADD DENVER, CO – Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, were honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their efforts to end impaired driving. Representatives Roberts and Bird join an esteemed list of 65 state lawmakers from across the U.S. who championed legislation to protect innocent lives and create safer roads. “Creating safer roads has been a top priority for me and my community and I’m deeply honored to be selected as a Legislator of the Year by MADD,” said Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon . “Working with Minority Leader McKean and colleagues on both sides of the aisle I was proud to lead legislation to significantly reduce impaired driving and ensure Coloradans with prior DUI charges only get behind the wheel if they’re sober. This law will save lives and I’m incredibly thankful for the advocates at MADD for their partnership and this recognition.” Representative Roberts was honored for his work on Senate Bill 22-055 , Alcohol Monitoring For Impaired Driving Offenders. This new bipartisan law increases access to ignition interlocks for all DUI offenders and requires continuous alcohol monitoring for a felony or third DUI offense. It also cuts down on impaired driving and repeat offenses by making sure Coloradans with DUI convictions or pending cases only drive if they are sober. Representative Bird was honored for her work to protect Colorado’s statewide 2 a.m. bar closing time and prevent increased drunk driving crashes. According to MADD, impaired driving fatalities are at a 20-year high in Colorado .   The nationwide recognition received by Representatives Roberts and Bird shows their commitment to saving lives, preventing injuries and creating a safer Colorado for all. MADD is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to ending impaired driving. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2021 THE COLORADO RECOVERY PLAN IS HERE DENVER, CO– House and Senate Leadership from both parties and Governor Jared Polis today announced the Colorado Recovery Plan , which will invest roughly $700 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. “This is a bipartisan stimulus that works for Colorado. As we look to build our economy and our state even stronger than before the pandemic, we also have an opportunity to reimagine Colorado’s future and truly create a Colorado for all,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I want to thank the legislature for their collaborative work on this important package of legislation. These one-time, strategic investments will help Coloradans get back to work and not only make important investments in our infrastructure and workforce today, but help keep us moving forward together for years to come.” “We’ve known from the start of the legislative session that forging a just and inclusive recovery for Colorado was our top priority this year,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, (D-Denver). “Today’s announcement represents an important step towards keeping our promise of building back a stronger Colorado. With this bold plan, we’re not only providing support for the small businesses and families who need it most, but also building the economy of the future through strategic investments in infrastructure and our communities.” “The last year has brought immense challenges and unearthed many of the inequities and underlying issues in our society that have been swept under the rug for too long,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “To move Colorado forward, we can’t leave anyone behind. This stimulus package will work to ensure that we lift up our most marginalized communities, and provide a pathway to a prosperous future for all. I am grateful for the bipartisan collaboration and bold thinking that guided us as we developed a uniquely Colorado solution to build our state back stronger.” “As we work to build back a stronger Colorado, it’s crucial that we invest in our economy’s most important asset: our workers,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo). “Our stimulus plan supports workers and communities displaced by market changes, makes investments in workforce development, and helps create jobs to get Coloradans back on their feet. We’re investing directly in rural Colorado and the industries that create jobs on the Western Slope, throughout my beloved Southern Colorado, across the Eastern Plains, and everywhere in between.” “The last year has had a devastating impact on small businesses in every corner of our state, across every sector of our economy,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “To move Colorado forward, we can’t leave them behind. This stimulus package will ensure that all small businesses, particularly those in marginalized and under-resourced communities, will have the support they need to get their feet back on the ground as soon as possible.” “After the challenges of this last year, it is time to come together and work to restore Colorado. By working together to prioritize fixing our roads and bridges, getting Colorado back to work, and getting students back in school, this is an opportunity to get our lives going again and bring Colorado back to life,” said House Minority Leader Hugh McKean (R – Larimer County). “Senate Republicans are focused on getting people back to work, kids back to school, and funding for our roads and bridges. These are our priorities because they are the priorities of the people of Colorado and we are optimistic to work on them with our colleagues across the aisle,” said Minority Leader Chris Holbert (R-Douglas County) . Developed with bipartisan input from lawmakers and community partners across the state, this stimulus plan prioritizes one-time investments that will have a stimulative effect on the economy, create jobs and benefit the hardest-hit communities. Five big goals will guide dozens of bills narrowly tailored to meet the challenge at hand: Strengthening small businesses Revitalizing our infrastructure Supporting Colorado families Investing in rural Colorado Developing our workforce The plan will be financed by one-time dollars that are available as a result of improved economic projections for the FY 2020-2021 budget year. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES EXPANSION OF OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONDUCT BY A PEACE OFFICER (Apr. 16) – The House approved Rep. Leslie Herod’s bipartisan bill to charge a peace officer with unlawful sexual conduct when they knowingly engage in sexual contact, sexual intrusion, or sexual penetration anytime the victim is in custody, regardless of consent. “This bill will make it easier to hold law enforcement accountable when they use their authority to sexually assault people in their custody,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “Current law is allowing some cases to slip through the crack, and even one or two cases of sexual assault by a peace officer is too many.” Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is a class 4 felony when the offense is committed by sexual contact and is a class 3 felony (a more serious offense) when the offense is committed by sexual intrusion or sexual penetration. A class 4 felony carries a possible sentence of 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections, and a class 3 felony carries a possible sentence of 4-12 years. An offender convicted of unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is required to register as a sex offender. An offender convicted of a class 3 felony due to unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is subject to lifetime supervision. HB19-1250 passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-5, with five Republicans voting no. The bill now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Naquetta Ricks to help keep local liquor stores in business after the passage of Proposition 125. HB24-1373 passed by a vote of 42-19. < Back May 4, 2024 Bill to Support Small Businesses Passes House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Naquetta Ricks to help keep local liquor stores in business after the passage of Proposition 125. HB24-1373 passed by a vote of 42-19. “When Colorado voters narrowly passed Proposition 125, small businesses were suddenly at risk of closing their doors,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill gives our mom-and-pop liquor stores a leg up against large corporations that are now allowed to sell beer and wine in their businesses while preventing youth from easily accessing alcohol.” “It is critical that we give small business owners the tools they need to help their business thrive,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This legislation would ensure that local liquor stores can stay open, protecting jobs in every corner of our state. I’m proud to carry this legislation to better protect the hardworking Coloradans who run local liquor stores in our communities.” In 2022, Colorado voters approved Prop 125, allowing grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses to sell beer and wine. HB24-1373 would provide clarity for consumers and ensure that small businesses can compete with large national chain stores. Businesses with a Fermented Malt Beverage and Wine retailer license would be prohibited from placing temporary displays of alcoholic beverages next to non-alcoholic beverages, candy, toys, or near the entrance or exit of the premise. Licensees would also be prohibited from selling fermented malt beverages above 14 percent ABV or wine above 17 percent ABV. Previous Next

Law would stand up health care programs at higher education institutions in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver and Trinidad < Back May 1, 2024 Polis Signs Bill to Create Northern Colorado Medical School and Boost Health Care Training DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed legislation today to help create a new medical college at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), and other construction and renovation projects at various higher education institutions across the state to better support both health care and veterinary care education. HB24-1231, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty and Senator Kyle Mullica will help address health care workforce shortages in Colorado. “This critical law will help create a new college of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado, which will serve as a strong economic driver for Greeley and the surrounding communities and meet the physician workforce needs of our rural and underserved neighborhoods,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We’ve taken historic steps to increase access to health care Coloradans can afford and this law builds on those efforts to save people money on health care and address our workforce shortages. From CSU Fort Collins and MSU Denver to Trinidad State College, this law supports new higher education health care projects and programs that will serve generations to come.” “Right now, Colorado faces a significant health care provider shortage causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. “As the only working nurse at the Colorado State Capitol, I know how critical it is to build the health care workforce our state needs. I’m proud to have championed this new law that will invest in four institutions committed to addressing the state's health care challenges, and I look forward to continuing my work to ensure every Coloradan has access to the care they need to thrive.” “Across the state, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of critical health care and veterinary providers, which is why we are standing up new medical and veterinary programs to train the next generation of professionals in these fields,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “With this law, Colorado will be better positioned to train and educate future osteopathic doctors, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, nurses, and other critical allied health care providers. I’m proud of our work to lower barriers for Coloradans who want to enter these professions and better serve our communities.” HB24-1231 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, will stand up four projects related to health sciences education programs for medical professions. Specifically, the law will fund the: · Construction of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) · Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) · Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University (CSU) · Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College This law will jumpstart a second-of-its-kind medical program at UNC, which will streamline 150 new osteopathic doctors into the workforce each year and help address primary health care needs of Coloradans. The UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to generate $1.4 billion over the next 20 years in economic impact, with an estimated $500 million to remain in Weld County. The law will also provide funding to help higher education institutions train more nurses, veterinarians and other mid-level health care and veterinary care professionals. Colorado is facing a significant health care provider shortage that is causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities. HB24-1231 is the state’s largest higher education investment aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce so Coloradans can receive the health care they need, when they need it. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO HELP COMMUNITIES PREVENT WILDFIRES EVERGREEN, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed four bills into law that will help Colorado communities prevent, respond to and prepare for future disastrous wildfires. SB22-002 , sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal and Tammy Story as well as Representatives Lisa Cutter and Perry Will, will invest $1 million to better prepare local fire departments and their firefighters for wildfires. “Over the past few years wildfire season has evolved into a year-round threat,” said Senator Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “We must take steps to defend our homes and our communities from these climate-induced mega fires, and these laws will give more Coloradans the resources and knowledge they need to proactively defend themselves, their property, and their communities from future blazes.” “The threat of destructive wildfires in Colorado is only growing due to climate change and extreme weather conditions, which means we need to be more prepared than ever,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “The four bills signed by Governor Polis are preventative measures to prepare our local fire departments, improve Colorado’s mitigation efforts and invest in our communities’ safety. As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, we’re taking action now to combat destruction, save lives and build a healthier state for all.” The law will make local volunteer fire departments eligible for reimbursement for wildland fire suppression activities, including equipment costs and volunteer firefighter recruitment, training and retention. Local fire departments will also be able to use grant funds to replace or dispose of damaged or obsolete equipment. The law also provides behavioral health care services to firefighters, paid for by public employers. SB22-007 , sponsored by Senators Pete Lee and Tammy Story as well as Representatives Lisa Cutter and Marc Snyder, will expand an outreach campaign to raise awareness and motivate more than half of the state’s population to better prepare for extreme wildfires. The law will help folks living in fire-prone areas take steps to mitigate the risks of catastrophic wildfires and improve wildfire danger awareness. “The Marshall Fire highlighted just how dangerous the threat of deadly wildfires has become,” said Senator Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs. “These laws will give millions of Coloradans the education and motivation they need to keep themselves and their property safe while also equipping local governments with the tools they need to support wildfire mitigation efforts and protect our forests from future damage.” “Wildfires are encroaching on our homes, businesses and livelihoods–we need to mitigate the destruction and support communities,” said Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “I’m proud to stand behind two bills signed into law today by Governor Polis that will give Coloradans the tools to proactively defend their property from wildfire destruction and provide resources to local governments to fight wildfires. Improved mitigation is one of the best methods to combat catastrophic wildfires and our laws work at the local level to protect communities.” SB22-007 will direct the Colorado State Forest Service to implement a wildfire mitigation public awareness campaign for 2023 and 2024 aimed at folks that live in the Wildland-Urban Interface, areas where structures and developments meet with wildland vegetation. The Governor also signed HB22-1012 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Donald Valdez as well as Senators Pete Lee and Joann Ginal, which will improve forest management to mitigate wildfire risks and increase the state’s carbon inventory – the capacity of plants and trees in the state to remove carbon from the air. “The regular threat of wildfires has become scary and stressful, and serves as a constant reminder of the impact of global warming in our world,” said Senator Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins. “While we continue ramping up our wildfire mitigation efforts to keep Coloradans safe, we need to ensure that we are conserving our natural resources as well. This law will help improve forest management so we can better protect our forests from future destruction.” The new law creates a framework to link forest management and wildfire mitigation goals with efforts to decarbonize the air through healthy forests. Finally, the Governor signed HB22-1011 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Marc Snyder as well as Senators Pete Lee and Tammy Story. This law will leverage local and private funds through a matching grant program to provide resources to local governments for forest management and wildfire mitigation efforts. By incentivizing local governments to identify dedicated long-term funding for wildfire mitigation, the law makes smart investments to maximize state resources and encourage sustainable local and state funding for wildfire mitigation efforts. Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2021 IT’S THE COLORADO COMEBACK, FOR KIDS! House advances bills to invest in early childhood education and care and provide schools with funding to make air quality improvements DENVER, CO– The House today passed two state stimulus bills to fund air quality improvement projects in public and charter schools and channel state and federal funds to support Colorado’s families by investing in our early childhood education and care providers. These bills are a part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bills passed the House on Second Reading. “As we work to ensure our students and educators have the resources they need to close the COVID learning gap, we have to make sure that their learning environments are adequate, comfortable, and safe,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-202. “Investing in the quality of the air our children breathe while they learn should be a basic priority, and I’m proud that we were able to provide this funding today.” “The COVID-19 pandemic forced far too many working parents, especially working moms, out of the workforce,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, sponsor of SB21-236. “This is a once in a generation investment in child care and early childhood education, and it’s just one of the many ways the legislature is working to offset the disparate impact that this economic downturn has had on women. I’m committed to providing young Colorado families with the support they need to help their children learn and grow in the critical early childhood years, all while continuing to pursue their professional goals and contribute to our economy.” SB21-202 , also sponsored by Rep. Colin Larson, would allocate $10 million for Building Excellent Schools Today grants to fund much-needed public school air quality improvement projects to improve air quality in as many public and charter school facilities as possible. Kids learn better in environments that are safe, clean, and healthy. Unfortunately, over the years, Colorado’s deferred maintenance of school facilities has grown, particularly in rural areas. These construction and capital projects will create good jobs, make long-term improvements to Colorado schools’ infrastructures, and provide safer, more constructive learning environments for students. SB21-236 , also sponsored by Rep. Tonya Van Beber, takes several steps to support child care providers and young families in Colorado. First, it creates the new innovative Employer-based Child Care Facility Grant Program and funds it with Colorado Comeback state stimulus dollars. The program would award matching grants to nonprofit, private, and government employers to retrofit and develop new, on-site or near-site, licensed child care facilities. These grants are meant to ensure that Coloradans have access to high-quality child care at their places of work as we come out of the pandemic, and would prioritize employers whose workforce earns below the area median income. The bill also sets up a framework to ensure hundreds of millions of federal dollars directed to the Child Care and Development (CCDF) fund can be spent effectively and efficiently by the Department of Human Services. These funds have already been disbursed by the federal government but require state approval to be properly implemented. SB21-236 sets up several new programs and adequately funds several others to ensure Colorado’s youngest kids, as well as their parents and early childhood professionals, can thrive. The seven programs in this category, as outlined in the bill’s fiscal note , include The Child Care Sustainability Grant Program, created in last year’s special session to provide financial support to licensed child care providers and neighborhood youth organizations that were at risk of closing their doors due to the pandemic. The bill also creates and funds several programs to foster innovation, recruit and retain educators, and support mental health wellness in the early childhood education and care sector. Previous Next

< Back March 26, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO STREAMLINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve Coloradans’ access to behavioral health services today passed the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee. This bipartisan bill is designed to streamline behavioral health care access for Coloradans through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). “Building a healthier Colorado begins with improving access to critical behavioral health care,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We understand that Coloradans often experience barriers to accessing behavioral health care services and treatment. Our bipartisan, transformational bill is designed to knock down those barriers and streamline the process so Coloradans can swiftly receive the behavioral health services they need. Together, we’re making access to behavioral health care more transparent and accountable in Colorado.” HB22-1278 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton, would establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services and more. HB22-1278 passed out of committee by a vote of 10 to 1. The BHA will reduce bureaucracy by consolidating fragmented behavioral health networks into one behavioral health administrative services organization (BHASO) per region. The push for this legislation stems from patient frustration surrounding disjointed behavioral health care services. With this bill, patients would be able to more easily access behavioral health services in their community. Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO ENSURE MORE CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES Roughly three quarters of all CO jobs require post secondary higher education (May 1) – The House gave initial approval to SB19-176, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, that would expand opportunities for students to earn postsecondary course credit while enrolled in high school. “This bill builds a college-going culture in our schools, saves families money toward a credential or degree, and ultimately, better prepares students to be Colorado’s workforce of tomorrow,” said Rep. McCluskie. “Concurrent enrollment gives more students the chance to earn credits towards their high school graduation while also earning credits toward a college degree or certification.” The bill also creates a grant program that provides dollars to teachers for the purpose of obtaining a graduate degree that will allow them to teach concurrent enrollment. It also helps cover the cost of books, supplies, fees, transportation and new technology upgrades for students pursuing concurrent enrollment opportunities,. providing services and support for districts and low-income, first-generation students that will gain access to these classes. SB19-176 passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will take place at a later date. Previous Next

LEGISLATION WILL HELP PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM COMMITTING GUN VIOLENCE, SAVE LIVES IN COLORADO < Back April 28, 2023 SIGNED! BILL TO RAISE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE A FIREARM TO 21 BECOMES LAW LEGISLATION WILL HELP PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM COMMITTING GUN VIOLENCE, SAVE LIVES IN COLORADO DENVER, CO – Legislation that would raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to 21 was signed into law today.Under current federal law individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun, but only 18 years old to purchase long guns. SB23-169 , sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and House Minority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, would raise the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21 with limited exceptions. “Gun deaths in Colorado climb higher every year, and a disproportionate number of them are committed by younger Coloradans,” Mullica said. “As an ER nurse I’ve seen firsthand the devastating ways gun violence impacts our communities, which is why I am proud to champion this new law that will reduce gun violence and save lives all across our state.” “Gun violence is traumatic for anyone to experience, let alone for a child or young adult,” Duran said. “As a survivor of domestic violence and gun intimidation at a young age, I know firsthand how critical it is to prevent our youth from being put in a life or death situation because a firearm was too easily accessible. By increasing the minimum age to purchase a gun, we can prevent suicides and gun violence and keep our Colorado kids and communities safer.” “Young people aged 12-24 make up one-fifth of the population, but commit just under half of all gun murders,” Danielson said. “There is an urgent need to do more to prevent gun violence in Colorado, and I am proud to champion this legislation that does just that. Raising the age to purchase a firearm will keep more deadly weapons away from our youth, reduce youth suicide rates, and make our communities safer.” “Having been a teacher for over 30 years, so many of my students have grown up fearing the constant threat of gun violence – sadly, they are known as the lockdown generation,” Hamrick said. “From countless active shooter events to losing peers to suicide, Colorado youth are forced to grapple with gun violence from a very young age. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to implement this commonsense gun violence prevention policy into Colorado law to keep firearms away from our youth and our children, making our schools and communities safer.” According to Everytown for Gun Safety , firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. Previous Next