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< Back June 1, 2020 BLACK DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS AND COLORADO LATINO DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS JOINT STATEMENT ON THE POLICE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD For generations, Black Americans are harassed and killed by racist police officers and vigilantes, and every year communities cry out and voice concerns about the unjust treatment of people of color. When it comes to seeking justice, the motives of Black people are questioned, even during simple activities like taking a jog, watching TV in their own homes, or picking up trash around their front yard. Our criminal justice system gives the benefit of the doubt to those who have committed hate crimes, stolen lives and robbed families of their children, spouses, parents, and loved ones. The lack of accountability for the vast majority of perpetrators is rooted in the racist history of our country, including slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the suppression of voting and other civil rights. This legacy has had lingering and devastating impacts on Black communities and continues to cast Black individuals as not worthy of justice, of full protection by the law, or of basic civil rights. This has been seen once again in our nation through the brutal killing of George Floyd by an officer of the Minneapolis Police Department that knelt on his neck while Mr. Floyd gasps that he could not breathe. Witnesses called for the Officer to stop, but the officer ignored their pleas. The officer was then able to walk about freely and live his life for four days before he was charged and arrested. This is not what justice looks like. We the members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado and the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus jointly condemn the tragic killing of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement, and the slow response for justice in the arrest of the officer that took his life. This is a continuation of the systematic racism that has plagued our nation since its inception. This must come to an end. We continue to commit ourselves towards working together on solutions that bring equality and stops the fear, hurt, pain, and loss of life that minorities experience everyday because of the color of their skin. While this took place hundreds of miles away in another state, we recognize that hate takes place here too. In the most recent hate crimes report of statistics released by the FBI, there were “123 reported hate crimes in Colorado [in 2018] compared to 106 in 2017. Of those 123 incidents, 78 were based on race, ethnicity or national origin” ( Westword ). And with hate crimes on the rise, we also mourn all of the deaths of minority Coloradoans who lost their lives from the inexcusable actions of law enforcement like Elijah McClain, Marvin Booker, Michael Marshall, Jessie Hernandez, and De’Von Bailey to name a few. Our respective caucuses are deeply concerned by the increase in bigotry and racism not only across our country, but across Colorado. Just as Latinos and immigrants ask for support from all Coloradans against an increase in xenophobic and racist hate crimes, as the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus, we call on Latinos and allies to show collective support and solidarity for the survivors of hate crimes and of police brutality. We mourn the senseless deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless other Black individuals who do not feel safe simply being Black in public or at home. We applaud the recent arrests and investigations of alleged perpetrators of these hateful acts, but rue the fact that arrests and investigations only take place after gruesome video footage is released. A person’s murder should not have to be broadcast in order to achieve some semblance of justice. Furthermore we the members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado call on the support of African Americans throughout Colorado to stand together for the multitude of families of those that have lost loved ones due to police brutality and hate crimes across this nation. They are our sons and daughters, they are brothers and sisters. Our lives and our liberties must not be stolen from us. We will not accept a double standard. We demand justice and equality. And in our call for justice we remind those that demonstrate their grief to do so in a manner that uplifts our united cause peacefully; our demands for justice must be justifiable in their own right. Our caucuses together ask that all Coloradans stand up against racism, speak up and report hate crimes in your communities, and support each other as neighbors, as communities, and as Coloradans to build a brighter, less fearful Colorado for our increasingly diverse children and future generations. Join us in putting in the effort to make Colorado more inclusive and welcoming for all people: the effort we put in today will save lives tomorrow. Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod State Senator Rhonda Fields State Representative Janet Buckner State Representative James Coleman State Representative Tony Exum State Representative Dominique Jackson State Representative Jovan Melton State Senator Angela Williams Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus State Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez State Representative Monica Duran State Representative Adrienne Benavidez State Representative Alex Valdez State Representative Bri Buentello State Representative Yadira Caraveo State Representative Sonya Jaquez Lewis State Representative Donald Valdez State Representative Kerry Tipper State Senator Robert Rodriguez State Senator Julie Gonzales State Senator Leroy Garcia State Senator Dominick Moreno Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 ON EARTH DAY, COMMITTEE PUTS THE EARTH FIRST; ADVANCES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPOSALS The Energy and Environment Committee today advanced two bills to advance renewable energy development and ensure the state’s environmental efforts consider the needs of disproportionately impacted communities DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today advanced a Colorado Comeback stimulus proposal to fund clean energy infrastructure projects at the local level and a separate bill to ensure the state’s environmental efforts consider the needs of disproportionately impacted communities. “The Colorado Comeback plan is about stimulating our economy today and helping to lay the groundwork to ensure a sustainable and thriving economy tomorrow,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “I can think of no better way to achieve these goals than to invest directly into local economies transitioning towards renewable energy. This bill helps us to build back stronger by creating jobs and investing in Colorado’s green energy infrastructure.” “As market forces, consumer choices, and environmental consciousness move our state’s economy toward a clean energy future, we need to make investments to ensure our local economies can capitalize on the changing market,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “The grants that will be funded as a result of this bill will create jobs across the state and ensure that we build back a cleaner, greener energy economy for Colorado.” HB21-1253 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Gray and Meg Froelich, would invest $5 million into local government grants for shovel-ready, job-creating projects in the renewable energy sector. The grants would be distributed by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and are intended to be allocated by August 15, 2021. This bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $700 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed by a vote of 6-5. “Colorado’s climate policies must be as intersectional as the crisis we’re seeking to solve,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “This bill will ensure that our state’s environmental response takes into account the unique and critical needs of disproportionately impacted communities. Environmental justice means giving a leg up to communities of color, low income communities, and others who are most impacted by the largest contributors of pollution and bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change. We cannot afford to wait..” HB21-1266 , sponsored by Representative Dominique Jackson, is designed to ensure Colorado’s climate policies put environmental justice at the forefront. The bill would create an Environmental Justice Action Task Force within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), to take community input and develop an agency-wide environmental justice strategy. It would also create a definition for the terms “environmental justice” and “disproportionately impacted community” in the context of climate policy, ensuring that communities of color, low-income communities, and others who are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change are considered in the state’s climate response efforts. The bill passed by a vote of 8-5. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill on a preliminary vote that would update Colorado’s consumer protection law and better protect Coloradans from unfair and deceptive business practices. < Back March 6, 2023 Weissman’s Consumer Protection Bill Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill on a preliminary vote that would update Colorado’s consumer protection law and better protect Coloradans from unfair and deceptive business practices. “Colorado’s consumer protection laws are not working as intended and many Coloradans cannot pursue legal action against fraudulent businesses,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “By updating our state’s outdated consumer protection law, Coloradans will be better protected from unfair and deceptive business practices with pathways for pursuing legal action. This bill modernizes consumer protection laws to prioritize and protect everyday Coloradans.” HB23-1192 , sponsored by Representative Weissman, would update Colorado’s consumer protection law to better protect Coloradans from predatory business practices and make it easier for consumers to seek legal action against businesses engaging in deceitful or harmful practices. This bill makes necessary updates to Colorado’s consumer protection law, which was originally enacted in 1992. Under current law, in order to file a lawsuit against a business Coloradans must prove that the business is engaging in deceitful practices not only against them but has a pattern of fraudulent, consumer harm practices against others. This bill modifies the legal definition of “unfair or deceptive trade practice” to better protect Coloradans and removes barriers allow them to pursue legal action against the businesses. HB23-1192 also increases both civil and criminal penalties to ensure Coloradans are receiving adequate compensation from fraudulent businesses. This bill also expands Colorado’s 2020 price gouging law. Championed by Rep. Weissman, HB20-1414 made it illegal for companies to charge high and unfair prices during a declared disaster. HB23-1192 expands this law to protect consumers 180 days after a disaster declaration ends. Previous Next

< Back August 23, 2025 House Democrats Pass Bills to Crack Down on Offshore Tax Cheats, Close Tax Breaks for Corporations and Protect Critical Services The House today passed two bills that would protect core services and close corporate tax loopholes after Republicans in Congress created a $1 billion hole in Colorado’s budget with massive corporate tax cuts. HB25B-1002 would crack down on foreign tax havens and offshore bank accounts, and HB25B-1001 would limit tax breaks for higher-earning business owners by permanently decoupling from a federal tax giveaway. “This legislation ends corporate subsidies and prevents corporations from hiding money overseas so they can dodge paying their fair share of taxes, ” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “Congressional Republicans’ budget handed billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest people and corporations, and it’s only fair that we close these loopholes and protect funding for teachers, health care and transportation. Everyday people can’t stash their income overseas to avoid taxes, and neither should billionaires and corporations.” “The irresponsible Republican tax bill not only runs the largest deficit since World War II to give massive tax giveaways to large corporations, it also undermines the strength of our country and blasted a billion-dollar hole in Colorado's balanced budget,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch. “I sponsored this bill to close loopholes used by large multinational corporations to shield and hide their income in foreign tax havens, including those Trump's own Secretary of Commerce has called ‘tax scams’. It is disappointing that some colleagues would choose to vote to protect these tax scams used by large multinational companies and ultra-wealthy individuals with access to sophisticated tax planning to avoid paying taxes, which increases the burden upon small businesses and individuals to fund the state's essential services from roads to schools.” HB25B-1002 , which passed by a vote of 43-20, would crack down on foreign tax havens, offshore bank accounts and other tax loopholes for US companies that dodge Colorado taxes with foreign assets. Unless they can prove legitimate operations in the foreign country, Colorado requires companies incorporated in common tax havens, like Cayman Islands and Panama, to pay Colorado taxes to prevent international tax avoidance. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the bill would expand the list of countries to include Hong Kong, Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and Singapore. In 2017, President Trump created a special tax break, now known as the Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income (FDDEI) deduction, for multi-national businesses that kept their intangible assets in the US. The bill would decouple the state from the FDDEI to prevent companies from benefiting from larger Colorado tax breaks for investments and assets that are based outside of the state. President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts also allowed pass-through businesses, like S corporations and real estate investment trusts, to avoid paying taxes on up to 20-percent of qualified business income. In 2020, the Colorado legislature passed the “Tax Fairness Act” , decoupling from this federal tax cut by creating an add-back for this deduction for high-income business owners with an income over $500,000 per year for single filers or $1 million per year for joint filers. “Congressional Republicans passed a budget that adds even more tax breaks to high-earning businesses while kicking Coloradans off of their health insurance coverage and raising costs for all Coloradans,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “When Trump passed tax breaks that allowed high-earners to lop 20-percent off their taxable income in his first term, Colorado Democrats took action and decoupled from this federal giveaway for the wealthy. This bill would make Colorado’s decoupling permanent, and prioritize hardworking Coloradans.” The legislature extended the decoupling and add-back through 2025. HB25B-1001 would make Colorado’s decoupling permanent, responding to the action by Republicans in Congress to make the tax giveaway permanent at the federal level in HR 1. The bill passed by a vote of 43-19. Previous Next

The Working Group on Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice will meet regularly until February 2024 to study and produce recommendations on how to structure long-term entities that are focused on criminal justice reform. < Back December 15, 2023 Legislators, Criminal Justice Professionals Focus on a Safer Colorado Denver, CO – The Working Group on Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice will meet regularly until February 2024 to study and produce recommendations on how to structure long-term entities that are focused on criminal justice reform. “As we have discussed criminal justice policy in the general assembly in the last year in particular, we have heard repeated concerns that the formulation of criminal laws must come from broadly inclusive processes,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, member of the TCJJ. “Our criminal legal system of course involves professionals in law enforcement and corrections as well as prosecuting and defense attorneys. But it also includes survivors of crimes, former offenders, and Colorado communities at large. As the work of the TCJJ continues, we invite members of the public to be heard. Our goal is to further public safety not just by meting out consequences for offenders, but by preventing harm in the first place by interrupting cycles of crime and addressing its root causes.” The Working Group on Transforming Criminal & Juvenile Justice will meet again Monday, December 18 from 9AM to 1PM. This is a public meeting that will take place at the Ralph Carr Judicial Building, 1300 Broadway Denver, and will also be available via zoom to interested listeners or participants. Details are available via the Division of Criminal Justice website here . The Working Group on Transforming Criminal and Juvenile Justice (TCJJ) was created by an executive order by Governor Jared Polis to replace the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ). The CCJJ was created by HB07-1358 to draft evidence-based criminal justice reform policies that improve public safety and conditions for people involved in the justice system. The commission ended on September 1, 2023. TCJJ has 17 members, including legislators, representatives of victim advocacy coalitions, law enforcement, and behavioral health, state departments like the Department of Public Safety, academic experts, individuals with lived experience, and others. The TCJJ’s mission is to bring relevant and diverse perspectives together to develop recommendations for a permanent entity or entities dedicated to addressing criminal and juvenile justice matters. The TCJJ will continue to meet through early 2024. Click here for more information about how to listen to and participate in TCJJ meetings. Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2022 HOUSE DEMS ADVANCE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY ACT Legislation will protect and uphold the right to an abortion in Colorado DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the Reproductive Health Equity Act on a preliminary vote. “We’re protecting abortion rights in Colorado, and we’re not backing down,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Extreme GOP ideologies, some of which were previewed in the debate tonight, would put the government in control of personal medical decisions. This bill protects our right to safe reproductive care for generations to come. While there is more work to be done, I am extremely proud of my colleagues who spoke in favor of this bill with personal, powerful stories.” "Reproductive health care is vital health care," said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo . "Politicians, neighbors or complete strangers have no business controlling personal medical decisions – that should be between patients and their doctors. While our rights are under attack across the country, with the advancement of the Reproductive Health Equity Act, we’re closer to solidifying access to abortion and fundamental reproductive health care rights into Colorado law.” HB22-1279 , sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, would update Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights. The bill establishes a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. The proposed law comes as states across the country propose and enact new bans and restrictions on abortion access. The legislation is supported by: Cobalt, COLOR, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, the Anti-Defamation League of the Mountain States, the ACLU of Colorado, ONE Colorado, New Era Colorado, Catholics for Choice and dozens of other organizations. In Texas, Republicans passed legislation banning abortion after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. Additionally, the Texas Supreme Court today made it virtually impossible for abortion advocates to fight the bill by halting their use of federal courts. Republican lawmakers in Missouri have proposed legislation that would allow private lawsuits against individuals who help women obtain an abortion out of state. Another bill introduced in the Missouri House would make it illegal for pregnant people to abort ectopic pregnancies, pregnancies that happen outside of the uterus and which can be deadly for the pregnant person if left untreated. Democrats have already defeated three GOP anti-choice bills so far this session. HB22-1079 , sponsored by Representative Williams, was an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal courts and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. It would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too. HB22-1047 , sponsored by Representative Neville, would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have imprisoned providers who perform an abortion. HB22-1075 , sponsored by Representative Luck, would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers. Previous Next

The Swipe Fee Fairness and Consumer Safeguards Act aims to reduce the "swipe" fees paid by Colorado businesses to credit card networks < Back March 19, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Save Colorado Small Businesses Money DENVER, CO — The House today passed legislation to save small businesses money by cracking down on excessive card transaction fees that inflate prices for Coloradans. The Swipe Fee Fairness and Consumer Safeguards Act prohibits payment card networks from fixing fees with credit card issuers, bans fees on taxes and tips and creates new accountability measures. HB25-1282 passed the House by a vote of 43-21. “Every time you swipe your card at a local restaurant or business, major credit card companies are skimming off the top and passing the cost down to small businesses – our bill establishes reasonable swipe fee guidelines that protect consumers and small businesses,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “This bill supports Colorado’s small businesses and restaurants by prohibiting fixed swipe fees, banning swipe fees on taxes and tips and establishing measures designed to level the playing field between card companies and small businesses. Major credit card companies are price matching swipe fees – resulting in Coloradans paying $2 billion in swipe fees each year. This bill is a big step forward to saving our small businesses and restaurants money on credit card transactions.” HB25-1282 , The Swipe Fee Fairness and Consumer Safeguards Act , is also sponsored by Representative Max Brooks, R-Castle Rock. The bill would reduce the "swipe" fees paid by Colorado businesses to credit card networks, also known as interchange fees. This bill would: Prohibit Fixing Fees: Payment card networks would not be allowed to fix or conspire to fix interchange fees with credit card issuers. Ban Fees on Taxes and Tips: Interchange fees could not be applied to the portions of a transaction attributable to sales tax or gratuity. This would end the practice of banks unfairly profiting from merchants collecting and remitting taxes to the state. Protect Consumers: Fees related to disputed transactions would not be charged until disputes are resolved. Cap Fees on Charitable Donation: Would limit interchange fees on charitable contributions to 0.2-percent for debit cards and 0.3-percent for credit cards. Crack Down on Bad Actors: Merchants, consumers, or affected entities could sue payment card networks for damages, including treble damages for bad faith conduct. HB25-1282 aims to support Colorado small businesses by lowering transaction fees and expanding opportunities to negotiate with card companies. Fairer fee practices also means consumers benefit from reduced costs on each transaction and card companies cannot charge disputing fees until the dispute is resolved and consumers are notified in writing. Coloradans pay $2 billion annually in swipe fees with no market competition to drive down costs. Additionally, Visa and Mastercard control more than 80-percent of the market for credit cards and debit cards. Price matching or fixed swipe fee rates between major card companies means merchants and consumers are paying more for tax and tip on card transactions. This bill would eliminate swipe fees on taxes and tips, cap swipe fees on charitable contributions, prohibit price fixing by card networks, and deliver much-needed relief to small businesses struggling under excessive fees. Colorado is one of more than seventeen states that are pursuing similar legislation to protect small businesses and fight back against inflated prices. Previous Next

Legislation will create more opportunities for Colorado voters to participate in vacancy elections < Back May 12, 2025 SIGNED! Bipartisan Legislative Vacancy Reform Bill Legislation will create more opportunities for Colorado voters to participate in vacancy elections DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to reform Colorado’s vacancy process, which is used to replace a senator or representative if they leave office before their term ends. “In a bipartisan way, we’re modernizing Colorado’s vacancy committee process to boost voter participation while filling vacancies efficiently,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We heard the concerns surrounding our current vacancy process, and our law limits the amount of time someone can serve before facing an election and subjects vacancy candidates to campaign finance laws. Lawmakers resign for many reasons, and this law is the right balance between creating more opportunities for voters to weigh in and ensuring communities aren’t without representation during the legislative session.” "Increasing strains on legislators leading to more frequent resignations have illustrated the need and opportunity to modernize the vacancy process for the Colorado General Assembly," said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. "This policy represents a bipartisan way forward that is consistent with Colorado constitutional requirements, allows more input from voters, and does not excessively burden county clerks responsible for conducting elections. Critically, it will also capture raising and spending of campaign funds by candidates who seek vacancy appointments and run in vacancy elections so that voters can understand what influences may be operating in vacancy situations." HB25-1315 is cosponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County. This law will increase transparency in the vacancy committee process and broaden voter participation when a legislative vacancy occurs. Under current law, vacancies in the General Assembly are filled by vacancy committee selection until the next general election. Colorado’s approach offers voters more opportunities to participate in the vacancy process than many other states, where governors or small commissions make the appointments. The legislative session begins no later than the second Wednesday of January and wraps up 120 days later. HB25-1315 will affect vacancies in the General Assembly in the following ways: If a lawmaker resigns during session or by July 31 in an even-year, the new vacancy committee process will take place, and then the selected candidate would run in the normally scheduled general election that November. If a lawmaker resigns after July 31 in an even-year, the vacancy would be filled first by the new vacancy committee process, and then there would be a new vacancy election in the following odd-year November election. If the seat was already on cycle for that even-year, the general election held in November of that year would continue as normal. If a lawmaker resigns during session or by July 31 in an odd-year, the new vacancy committee process would fill the seat until a new vacancy election can occur in November of that year. If a lawmaker resigns after July 31 in an odd-year, the new vacancy committee process would take place and fill the seat until the next general election in the even-year. In any scenario, lawmakers would only be able to serve one year before having to run in an election. To run for the vacancy, candidates could qualify by collecting signatures from 30 percent of the vacancy committee members or at least 200 same-party voters in their district. This process aims to improve ballot access for candidates. Unaffiliated voters and voters of the same party would be allowed to participate in the vacancy election. Vacancy candidates running in both the new vacancy committee process and the subsequent vacancy elections in November will be subject to campaign contribution limits and disclosure laws. Currently, candidates participating in the vacancy process are not subject to campaign finance laws. Under the law, the number of precinct organizers serving on the vacancy committee would double and automatically include any county commissioners who are members of the same political party and reside within the district. If a precinct committee person is appointed to fill an open position on the selection committee, they cannot participate in the process until 91 days after their appointment. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2020 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY DENVER, CO– Representative Kerry Tipper’s bipartisan bill to give the Colorado Attorney General the authority to challenge certain business mergers or acquisitions under state antitrust statutes today was approved by the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 7-2. The bill has already been passed by the Colorado Senate. “It’s time to stop relying on the judgement of the federal government and give Colorado’s top prosecutor the tools to protect consumers and go after monopolies,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “Since 1992, the Colorado Attorney General’s office has been hamstrung by a law that requires them to accept the antitrust decisions of the federal government without giving them so much as a second opinion. We’re on track to bring that decision making power back to Colorado.” Under the Colorado Antitrust Act of 1992, the Colorado Attorney General is prevented from challenging mergers or acquisitions in the state if they have already been reviewed and not challenged by a federal department, agency, or commission. Colorado has been an outlier–the only state with such a law. SB20-064 , which is also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper R-Delta, would end this restriction and allow the Colorado Attorney General to protect Colorado consumers by challenging corporate mergers or acquisitions on behalf of the people of Colorado. This bill is assessed by nonpartisan staff to have no fiscal impact on the Colorado Attorney General’s office , as the AG’s office would be able to review and prioritize cases using existing resources. ### Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2023 House Advances Bill to Protect Patients from Harmful Medical Billing Practices DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation in a preliminary vote to cap interest rates on medical debt and protect Colorado patients from deceptive medical billing practices. “Medical debt is a barrier that prevents Coloradans from seeking the health care they need to stay alive and improve their health and wellbeing,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “The average Coloradan with medical debt owes over $2,000, which is an insurmountable cost for those that are already struggling to put food on the table or afford necessities. By improving patient protections, Colorado patients can make health care decisions that are best for their health.” “Debt collectors shouldn’t be able to excessively profit off the health care that Colorado patients need to survive,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “People are often surprised when they’re served hospital bills after receiving life-saving health care and can’t pay off the amount in full. Setting a ceiling for medical debt interest rates means that Coloradans can seek the care they need without worrying about snowballing debt impacting every part of their budget.” SB23-093 boosts patient protections from high interest rates for medical debt and confusing debt collection practices that lead to long-lasting debt and financial instability. It establishes new protections for Colorado consumers burdened with medical debt by: Capping the medical debt interest rate at three percent. Prohibiting reporting the debt to a consumer reporting agency until a certain amount of time after an individual fails to fulfill the terms of a payment plan. Pausing collections on medical debt during any appeal proceedings. Requiring medical debt creditors or debt collectors to verify total debt owed upon request by a patient and to provide a copy of a payment plan, thereby helping consumers know how much to properly budget for debt payments. Requiring a health care provider or health care facility to provide, upon request, an estimate of the total cost of medical services to a person who intends to self-pay for the service, and Reinstating the attorney general’s authority to protect consumers from deceptive trade practices related to billing practices and surprise billing. Debt incurred from medical costs can be financially devastating for patients. When combined with high interest rates and complicated collections practices, consumers may never be able to pay off their medical debt. According to a 2022 report from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Coloradans overall held more than $1.3 billion in medical debt and over 12 percent of Coloradans have medical debt in collections. Previous Next

SB25-282, sponsored by disabled veterans, would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors < Back May 1, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard Services for Veterans SB25-282, sponsored by disabled veterans, would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation that would protect veterans from paying too much for veterans’ services from unaccredited bad actors. SB25-282, sponsored by Representative Lisa Feret, passed by a vote of 52-11. "I am deeply committed to protecting my fellow Veterans and making sure they can access the services and benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice for our country,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada . “‘Claim sharks’ have raked in millions of dollars each year from excessively charging fees on service members' disability claims, sometimes even when they don't even win. Our bill helps create guidelines in this unregulated space to protect our disabled veterans while allowing companies to help address the backlog of disability claims". SB25-282 would protect veterans from unaccredited consultants, often called “ claim sharks ,” who charge money to help navigate the application process to receive benefits from either the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) or the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill is also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud. The bill would mirror the regulations the federal government uses to regulate social security benefits from the Social Security Administration. It would require that businesses unambiguously notify veterans that they can receive the same services for free from the VA, clearly state that they are not affiliated with the VA, and limit the amount of money consultants can receive from veterans’ back pay. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2019 GALINDO-SINGER BIPARTISAN BILL TO REAUTHORIZE COLORADO RESILIENCY OFFICE CLEARS COMMITTEE (Apr. 8) – The House Energy & Environment gave bipartisan approval to Rep. Rochelle Galindo and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s bill to reauthorize funding for the Colorado Resiliency Office. Over five years ago, Lyons, Evans, Greeley and other areas of Northern Colorado were hit hard by floods that damaged homes, destroyed two parks and left eight dead. Democrats have been working on disaster relief issues for the past several sessions. “We take care of each other in our community and after the floods hit, we stuck by each other and rebuilt,” said Rep. Galindo. “I’m glad my colleagues and I were able to pass this bipartisan bill today so we can work together to help communities effectively prepare for the next natural disaster or the next flood.” “Lyons and other areas in my House district continue to deal with the aftermath of the floods and I remain in awe of the resiliency of our community,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, whose district includes Longmont, Lyons and eastern Boulder County and was among the hardest hit areas in the state by the floods. “There are no Democratic or Republican natural disasters and I’m proud of the collaborative, bipartisan approach across the state to make this is reality. This bill will help make our state’s disaster response quicker and recovery more effective.” Rep. Singer is a co-prime sponsor of HB18-1394 which was signed into law last year. The bill created a policy group to help coordinate the state’s response in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and continued the Colorado Resiliency Office, which helps direct long-term rebuilding efforts and community recovery. In 2013, then-Speaker Mark Ferrandino and other lawmakers formed a bipartisan committee to address flood issues. Current State Treasurer and former Rep. Dave Young of Greeley served as co-chair of the committee. This Fall, Rep. Galindo succeeded Treasurer Young as a representative for HD-50 and parts of the district in Evans and Greeley were damaged by the floods. HB19-1292 passed the committee 8-2 with Republican Rep. Lois Landgraf joining Democrats in support. Previous Next