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The House today passed legislation that would implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. SB25-310, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird, passed by a vote of 55-9. < Back May 5, 2025 House Passes Bill to Improve Law Enforcement Training DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. SB25-310, sponsored by Representative Shannon Bird, passed by a vote of 55-9. "This legislation honors voter intent when they passed Prop 130 by investing these new resources in public safety,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Last year, Colorado voters approved Prop 130 to better support the recruitment and training of peace officers and ensure that families of first responders can receive death benefits after a tragedy. This solution implements the will of the voters and supports our law enforcement departments and officers while maintaining funding for essential services like K-12 education and health care." SB25-310 , also sponsored by Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would implement the voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct a total of $350 million to keep Coloradans safe and to recruit new peace officers, hire additional peace officers, and provide continuing education and training for peace officers. The bill would implement and create a funding mechanism for the distribution of $350 million for local law enforcement officer recruitment, retention and training. The bill would make a one-time investment of $500 million of the general fund reserve in PERA and reduce future general fund payments to PERA by the amount of interest earned. It would then divert that amount to the new Peace Officer Training and Support fund each year, which will be distributed to local police departments. In addition, the bill would require a transfer of $15 million to the fund from the General Fund in 2026-27, and a minimum of $15 million from the general fund each year regardless of the amount offset by interest earnings. Once the full $350 million is fulfilled or if the general fund reserve falls below $1 billion, the bill would establish mechanisms to effectively return the $500 million invested in PERA to the general fund. The bill would also implement the death benefit required in Proposition 130 of $1 million to the surviving spouse, family member, or designee of any first responder who died as a result of injuries or an occupational disease sustained while performing their job, and create the Death Benefit Fund. The bill would transfer $5 million on July 1, 2025, and a further $5 million on July 1, 2026, to the Death Benefit Fund. Beginning in 2027, the bill would require an annual transfer from the General Fund to the Death Benefit Fund that restores the fund balance to $10 million. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2021 HOUSE VOTES TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GROW AND REVITALIZE COLORADO’S MAIN STREETS & DOWNTOWNS House funds economic gardening and community revitalization projects DENVER, CO– The House today passed two bills to fund grant programs that invest in community revitalization and small business success. 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 bill passed by a vote of “Building Colorado Back stronger means using the economic downturn caused by COVID 19 as an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen our local economies,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-252. “The grant program funded by this bill will help communities turn run-down buildings on main street into standout local treasures, creating jobs and boosting economies along the way.” “The Community Revitalization Grant Program is designed to help Colorado’s small towns return their once lustrous main streets to their former glory,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB21-252. “These revitalization projects will not only stimulate economies, create jobs and promote tourism, they’ll also bring back the sheen and pride to many of Colorado’s small towns.” SB21-252 would create the Community Revitalization Grant Program within the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) and Department of Local Affairs and provide it with $72 million in Colorado Comeback State Stimulus Funding, in addition to allowing gifts, grants, and donations to be contributed into the fund. The Program’s grants would help revitalize our main streets and downtowns by providing funding for creative construction and revitalization projects that combine commercial spaces with community spaces. The bill passed by a vote of 41-23. “Colorado’s small business owners are resilient and determined to succeed, and by setting up this program we’re helping to give them the tools and funding they need to continue growing and thrive,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB21-241 . “Every dollar we invest in small businesses is a dollar spent on job creation and economic stimulus for our state.” “Small businesses are the fuel that will power the Colorado Comeback,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB21-241 . “By helping small businesses get to the next level, our economic gardening proposal will create good jobs and contribute to the sustainable growth of our economy. It’s time to invest in small business success.” SB21-241 creates the Small Business Accelerated Growth Program, which is designed to provide small businesses on the verge of major growth with the tools and funding they need to take their small businesses to the next level. The Program will support businesses with 19 employees or fewer and provide them with technical, marketing, and financial assistance to ensure they can grow sustainably and continue to create jobs. The bill passed by a vote of 41-23. Previous Next

Bills would reinstate and expand critical wetlands protections jeopardized by the U.S. Supreme Court Sackett v. EPA decision and encourage water conservation through increased graywater use < Back May 29, 2024 Signed! Legislation to Protect Streams, Rivers and Wetlands SILVERTHORNE / STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. He also signed bipartisan water conservation bills to encourage the adoption of graywater use, fund water conservation projects and implement recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force. “After the Supreme Court removed important protections and left our waterways in jeopardy, we knew we must take action now to secure Colorado’s water future,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB24-1379. “As this bill is signed into law, we are now one step closer to a Colorado-specific approach to protecting our streams, rivers and wetlands. From brewing beer to sustaining our livestock and crops – fresh, clean water is at the core of nearly every industry in Colorado. This law protects our state’s water supply now and into the future so generations to come can experience the Colorado way of life we all hold dear.” “There is no more important resource to our state and no more pressing challenge that we will face as a state in the decades to come than protecting our water,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, sponsor of HB24-1379. “Last year’s Supreme Court decision jeopardized protections for over half of Colorado’s wetlands, which threatens water supply, wildlife habitats, and our state’s environment and economy. This new law will protect streams, rivers, and wetlands that are vital to Colorado by creating a new Colorado-based permitting program to implement proven best practices for dredge and fill activities with key protections for agriculture and other crucial industry activity.” “Protecting our freshwater resources now means future generations can thrive in Colorado knowing they have clean and accessible water,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB24-1379. “A 2023 Supreme Court decision rolled back crucial water protections and we need legislation that helps effectively manage and protect our wetlands, rivers, and streams. Our law would outline regulatory certainty for our businesses, landowners, and agriculture industry when it comes to Colorado’s water. Colorado’s water is a steady and vital resource that must be conserved and protected for generations to come, and this law protects what we all find essential.” The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to define “Waters of the United States” and the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate discharges from dredge and fill activities into waters that meet the definition. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA in 2023 redefined what constitutes waters subject to federal regulation and placed an estimated 60 percent of Colorado wetlands at risk of losing protections. The impacted wetlands and seasonal streams are in need of protection work to ensure there is adequate water supply, to aid groundwater recharge, and to provide for wildlife habitat in Colorado. HB24-1379 , works to protect Colorado waters that are no longer federally protected. The law will create a permitting program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for dredge and fill activities impacting state waters. The permitting framework is based on well-established approaches already used by the Army Corps of Engineers and will provide clarity and certainty on when a permit is needed for dredge and fill activities. Normal farming, ranching, and agricultural activities, such as plowing, farm road construction, ditch maintenance, and erosion control practices would not require a permit. Until the recent decision in Sackett v. EPA , the Army Corps’ permitting program safeguarded the vast majority of Colorado’s state waters from pollution caused by dredge and fill activities. Dredge and fill activities involve digging up or placing dirt and other fill material into wetlands or surface waters as part of construction projects. These operations are necessary in many infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, housing developments, flood mitigation, and utility pipelines. This law provides a way for these projects to move forward while protecting Colorado’s water resources. HB24-1362 , also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa and Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose encourages the use of graywater in Colorado to conserve our state’s scarce water supply by authorizing the installation of graywater systems in new construction projects statewide. It offers flexibility for local governments to adopt more tailored uses of graywater systems, including permitting their installation in existing structures, or prohibiting them altogether. “With this bill becoming law, we’re conserving our water resources, protecting our environment and upholding the Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB24-1362. “This bipartisan law encourages local governments to use graywater in irrigation and for non-drinking household purposes, which is a great option for getting the most out of our water. Living on the Western Slope, I’m committed to protecting and conserving our precious water resources — and this law makes it easier for our communities to recycle water.” Governor Polis also signed HB24-1435 , sponsored by Representatives McCormick and Marc Caitlin and Senators Roberts and Cleave Simpson to designate important water supply and conservation projects around the state for funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. In addition to HB24-1435, Governor Polis also signed SB24-197 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Representative Caitlin and Senators Roberts and Perry Will, R-New Castle, which would implement several recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force, including tactics to address the worsening drought conditions on the Colorado River. Previous Next

House and Senate Democratic Leadership today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session on property tax: < Back August 15, 2024 Legislative Leadership Statements on Property Tax Special Session DENVER, CO – House and Senate Democratic Leadership today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session on property tax: Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: “Our vision for Colorado is a place where everyone, from the youngest learner to working families and older Coloradans, can thrive and afford a good life. Initiatives 50 and 108 would do the opposite and risk our state’s future by defunding public schools, fire response, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks and recreation centers. Coloradans elected us to govern responsibly and to listen to those on the frontlines of providing these critical services. I’m grateful for the bipartisan Property tax Commission’s feedback and the growing consensus among impacted stakeholders that we should pursue further property tax reductions with guarantees that will protect the Colorado we love and the future of our state.” Statement from President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder: “The reckless and irresponsible ballot measures we are contending with pose an existential threat to critical state and local services, and it is incumbent on us to act in Colorado’s best interests. After years of bipartisan work to address Colorado’s property tax and affordability challenges, we now face another opportunity to step up, govern responsibly, and ensure that additional property tax cuts are delivered in a way that does not jeopardize Colorado’s financial future. I’m appreciative of the hard work that has gone into negotiations around the future of our property tax framework and grateful for the thoughtful input from members of the Commission on Property Tax and local leaders from across the state.” Statement from House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge: “It is a grave risk to our state that wealthy special interests have proceeded with ballot measures that would devastate our economy, cut funding for schools, and risk financing for critical infrastructure projects like affordable housing. These measures seriously jeopardize the services Coloradans rely on, especially Coloradans struggling the most with our affordability crisis. I appreciate the thoughtful engagement of stakeholders and voices across the political spectrum who have weighed in on this proposal, and I’m proud to go back to work to help keep people in their homes, provide additional tax relief, and protect funding for our schools that we’ve fought so hard for.” Statement from Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver: “People across our state share a common goal: making Colorado an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. Over the past several years, we’ve worked with stakeholders inside and outside of the Capitol and on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that delivers needed property tax relief while ensuring essential government services are funded and available to their communities. In the face of dangerous ballot initiatives driven by special interests, we remain committed to doing what is best for the people of Colorado as well as their schools, fire departments, and local governments. We will work to ensure that any additional property tax cuts provide relief for Coloradans and are delivered in a responsible manner that doesn’t threaten the services they rely on.” On Monday, August 12th, the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax evaluated the devastating impacts of Initiatives 50 and 108 to state and local government budgets and critical services and discussed potential legislative alternatives to responsibly deliver property tax relief. Previous Next

< Back Kyle Brown JBC Member Representative Kyle Brown serves as a member of the Joint Budget Committee and previously served as Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. He represents House District 12, which includes Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Boulder, Gunbarrel, and Niwot. A Colorado native, Kyle has dedicated his career to improving the lives of Colorado families. He earned a Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgetown University. His background in science and public policy informs his evidence-based approach to solving Colorado’s toughest challenges. Before joining the legislature, Kyle served on the Louisville City Council, where he championed affordable housing, climate action, and community recovery following the Marshall Fire and COVID-19 pandemic. As Deputy Commissioner for Affordability Programs at the Colorado Division of Insurance, he helped design and implement the Colorado Option, lowering costs and improving access to care statewide. He has also advised progressive U.S. Senators and Colorado governors on health care, education, and economic security. In the legislature, Kyle continues to lead efforts to lower health care costs, expand access to care, and strengthen mental health services. He is a strong advocate for reproductive rights, affordable prescriptions, and a fair, transparent insurance system. Kyle lives in Louisville with his wife and children.

< Back Meg Froelich Chair of the Transportation, Housing, & Local Gov Committee Representative Meg Froelich is Chair of the House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee and a member of the State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee and represents House District 3, which includes Sheridan, Englewood, Cherry Hills Village, and Denver. Rep. Froelich is passionate about the health of all Coloradans, and endeavors to be a voice for the most vulnerable people in our communities as well as domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. During the 2022 legislative session, Rep. Froelich sponsored the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) to safeguard all reproductive rights, including abortion. She also sponsored key legislation to protect those from out-of-state who are seeking reproductive and gender affirming care in Colorado. As a member of the Energy & Environment Committee, Rep. Froelich is passionate about preserving Colorado’s air, land and water, reducing pollution and protecting pollinators.

< Back Monica Duran Majority Leader Representative Monica Duran is House Majority Leader and represents House District 23,of Lakewood, Lakeside, Applewood, and Mountain View. Previously House Co-Whip, Majority Leader Duran fights to ensure that our most vulnerable do not slip through the cracks. As a survivor of domestic violence, she has championed legislation related to domestic violence, animal welfare, and supporting working families. She has led legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to reduce gun violence in our communities in addition to legislation to improve wages for home care workers, support survivors of crime and violence and protect children.

After a long-fought scrimmage that embroiled lawmakers, their states, and two Presidential Administrations, the US Air Force will permanently base Space Command in Colorado Springs. The reversal of former President Donald Trump’s decision to move Space Command out of our state speaks to Senator John Hickenlooper’s leadership throughout the basing decision process and, ultimately, the current Administration’s decision to put national security before politics. < Back Rep. Marc Snyder: Keeping Space Command in Colorado Good for National Security Nov 1, 2023 See more This op-ed was originally posted in the Gazette After a long-fought scrimmage that embroiled lawmakers, their states, and two Presidential Administrations, the US Air Force will permanently base Space Command in Colorado Springs. The reversal of former President Donald Trump’s decision to move Space Command out of our state speaks to Senator John Hickenlooper’s leadership throughout the basing decision process and, ultimately, the current Administration’s decision to put national security before politics. In early 2021, the Trump administration announced Space Command would be re-headquartered thousands of miles away from its preliminary headquarters in Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. Proponents of keeping Space Command in Colorado have argued that the move of a defense base of this gravity would have taken over a decade to complete and shipped off thousands of high-ranking military officials and jobs. It also cast doubt on the integrity of the Pentagon’s basing process and jeopardized our military readiness at a time when space is increasingly important to our national security. Senator Hickenlooper has long emphasized that the basing decision should center on operational readiness, not politics. Yet despite clear evidence that keeping the base in Colorado would help us reach readiness quicker, partisan politics got in the way, and their indifference to choosing the best option for our country was on full display. This is precisely what Alabama lawmakers did when one blocked the Department of Defense from routinely reallocating funds as a part of a political battle to secure a favorable outcome for Alabama. Senator Hickenlooper rightly highlighted this misuse of political power to regulate defense spending, stating that this action penalized troops for political interests. He also called out the lawmakers for intertwining special interests and blowing smoke to force a decision. In the end, President Biden ultimately sided with the evidence and decided that the Peterson Space Force in Colorado Springs was the best location for Space Command. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the objective analysis from General James Dickinson, who argued that moving the headquarters would threaten our military readiness, which would far outweigh any minor benefits of moving to Alabama. Although this decision was made based on preparedness, not political gains, one would be remiss to overlook the economic benefits of keeping Space Command in Colorado Springs. The governor’s office estimated that over 274,000 people in Colorado are employed in national security aerospace, and the state leads the nation in private aerospace employment per capita. This decision preserves the nearly 1,400 jobs and $1 billion annual economic impact reliant directly on Space Command’s base in Colorado Springs. That’s a huge impact on our city’s and our state’s economy. Leaders in the business community have applauded the decision, stating that keeping the headquarters in our state will protect our jobs, continue to boost the economy, and not displace Space Command’s military and civilian workforce and their families. During a fraught geopolitical moment in history – one in which China and Russia have proven their aerospace capabilities – our lawmakers should know better than to pit party politics against national security decisions. Using political tools to control national defense spending to further political interests is not how lawmakers should legislate nor how government should be run. Thankfully, Colorado’s senators recognize that their job is to always put the well-being and safety of the general public first, and they fought hard to ensure US Space Command kept its home in our state. Previous Next

< Back Emily Sirota JBC Member Emily Sirota represents House District 9 in the Colorado Legislature as a social worker and proud progressive Democrat with years of experience working in government and in the southeast Denver community. Rep. Sirota serves on the Joint Budget Committee and chairs the Appropriations Committee. Before her election to the Colorado House of Representatives, Emily helped run an early learning center in Denver. She received her B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University and received her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. Emily has previously worked in community organizing and policy development for Colorado non-profit organizations. Emily also served as a policy aide to a Democratic U.S. Senator, a Democratic congressman and a Democratic governor. In those roles, she worked on health care and budget policy, and helped oversee a program to expand health care benefits for workers and small businesses. As a Representative for House District 9, Emily has championed worker's rights, campaign finance and election reform, a healthy and vibrant public education system, environmental justice, and fiscal policy that prioritizes regular Coloradans, not the billionaires. Emily is married to writer David Sirota, and they are the proud parents of two amazing kids and their dog, Grover.

< Back Jennifer Bacon Assistant Majority Leader Representative Jennifer Bacon is Assistant Majority Leader and represents House District 7, which includes the Denver International Airport and Denver’s far northeast neighborhoods. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education Committee. Lifelong advocate for youth, educational access and criminal justice reform, Assistant Majority Leader Bacon’s policy spanwide and prioritize making our state more equitable for all. During the 2023 legislative session, Assistant Majority Leader Bacon championed a law to extend Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) in Colorado to reduce gun violence. Other legislative highlights include extensive legislation to reduce air pollution, equal pay for equal work, improving workplace conditions, judicial reform, combating youth recidivism, and extended education programs to help all students succeed. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon is the Chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado.

< Back Bob Marshall Bob Marshall was elected in the 2022 election to serve as the Colorado state representative from Highlands Ranch. He serves on both the Finance and Business Affairs & Labor committees. Born and raised in Colorado, Bob attended Georgetown University and then joined the Marine Corps. After six years on active duty, the Marine Corps sent Bob to Cornell Law School where he graduated with a J.D. and LL.M. in International Law. Following service overseas as a Senior Defense Counsel and SJA, Bob left the Corps to clerk for the Honorable Judge Siler on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and returned to Colorado to practice law. The Marine Corps mobilized Bob for duty in Iraq as a Police Transition Team leader and for service in Afghanistan. After Afghanistan, Bob served at Wounded Warrior Battalion, practicing disability law for service-members while earning a Tax LL.M. from the University of San Diego. He then began working for the tax litigation division of the IRS. When the COVID pandemic began, Bob returned to Colorado and became increasingly involved in the community, ultimately leading to his election as the first Democratic Representative from Douglas County since 1966. Bob’s wife of 29 years works at an Alzheimer’s facility while his daughter continues the multi-generational family tradition of military service as a nuclear submarine officer.

< Back Amy Paschal Rep. Amy Paschal represents House District 18, which includes Southwest Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Cascade, and Green Mountain Falls. She serves on the Transportation, Housing & Local Government, the Energy & Environment, and the Joint Technology committees. She is a mom and a software engineer. Her priorities at the Colorado Capitol are affordable housing and education, sustainable infrastructure, wildfire safety and environment stewardship. Rep. Paschal vows to protect reproductive rights. Her experience as an election judge has made her passionate about protecting democracy through fair, secure and accessible elections.