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< Back April 12, 2021 USE OF RESTRICTIVE HOUSING IN JAILS RESTRICTED BY THE HOUSE DENVER, CO– Today the House passed Representative Judy Amabile’s bill to prohibit local jails from placing certain individuals, like people with serious mental health disorders or pregnant women, in solitary confinement. The bill passed third reading by a vote of X-X. “The psychological stressors of solitary confinement are tantamount to torture, and can have deep, devastating consequences for minors and individuals with serious mental illness,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “By putting guard rails around the use of restrictive housing, we can prevent tragic suicides and instances of self harm. Incarcerated individuals don’t check their human rights at the county jail’s door- I’m proud that we voted in favor of a more compassionate criminal justice system today.” Multiple studies have shown that restrictive housing, also known as solitary confinement, can create psychological stress that clinically compares to the distress of physical torture. According to the National Commission on Correctional Health Care , prolonged solitary confinement is cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, and harmful to an individual’s health. A 2012 study commissioned by the US Attorney General found that “confined youth who spend extended periods isolated are among the most likely to attempt or actually commit suicide.” The Colorado Department of Corrections and Division of Youth Services both banned the use of long-term solitary confinement in 2017. HB21-1211 would prohibit local jails with a bed capacity of 400 beds or more from placing individuals in restrictive housing if they meet one of several characteristics, including if the individuals are under 18 years old, have a serious mental illness or neurocognitive, visual or auditory impairment, or are pregnant or in the postpartum period. The bill requires that when individuals are placed in solitary confinement involuntarily, jail staff checks on them multiple times an hour and notifies a medical or mental health professional within an hour of placement, as well as the individual’s legal representative or emergency contact within 12 hours of placement. To keep someone in solitary confinement for more than 15 days in a 30-day period would require the sheriff’s office to obtain a written court order. The bill also requires jails to keep records of data regarding individuals placed in restrictive housing. Previous Next

< Back June 12, 2020 SECURE SAVINGS PASSES THE HOUSE! DENVER, CO – The House today passed Speaker KC Becker and Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp’s bill to tackle Colorado’s growing retirement savings crisis. The bill would make it easier for hardworking Coloradans to invest in their futures and take their retirement savings with them when they change jobs, or if they work multiple jobs. The bill passed by a vote of 41-24. “This bill will give small businesses the option of providing a retirement savings program to their employees without breaking the bank,” said Rep. Kraft Tharp, D-Arvada. “I’m proud of the work we did to come up with a modern, pro-worker, pro-business solution to the retirement crisis facing our state.” “Our country is barreling towards a retirement crisis, and it’s up to us to ensure hardworking Coloradans have the tools they need to save for their future,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “The Secure Savings program will benefit our state’s small businesses and hardworking Coloradans alike. Today we voted to create a modern, flexible retirement savings system to reflect Colorado’s 21st century economy.” Currently, nearly half of Coloradans in the private sector aged 25 to 64 don’t have retirement plans at work . SB20-200 would create a state-facilitated retirement savings program to be managed by private firms chosen through a competitive solicitation process. This program would give workers the ability to invest through pooled, professionally managed accounts with low fees to save a portion of their wages through automatic payroll deductions. There is also an opt-out provision for workers who already have a retirement plan of their own or who are not in a position to deduct a portion of their wages. This system would give small businesses the opportunity to provide their employees access to a retirement savings program at a low cost to the business. It would also allow hardworking Coloradans to move from job to job or work multiple jobs and contribute to the same account. Previous Next

Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera today signed two bills into law to protect patients during intimate exams and improve sexual assault survivors’ access to information. < Back May 25, 2023 New Laws Require Patient Consent for Intimate Exams and Improve Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault WESTMINSTER, CO – Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera today signed two bills into law to protect patients during intimate exams and improve sexual assault survivors’ access to information. “With this law, we’re putting Colorado patients in the driver's seat by giving them control over what intimate exams can be conducted on them while they’re under sedation,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB23-1077 . “We’ve heard from patients who’ve woken up after their surgery to learn that a non-consensual pelvic, prostate, rectal, or breast exam was performed on them by medical students. This law protects patients by requiring consent before any and all intimate exams.” “Creating patient consent protections for intimate exams is simply the right thing to do,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB23-1077. “This important new law will ensure patients who have been put under anesthesia or who are unconscious during medical procedures aren’t unknowing or unwilling recipients of intimate exams.” “Learning of a non-consensual intimate exam is traumatic, forcing patients to relive some of the worst moments of their life. We’re putting an end to this unethical practice,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB23-1077. “This law requires a patient's consent before medical professionals perform intimate exams, protecting patients when they undergo a medical procedure and giving them the power to opt out of an unnecessary intimate exam.” “I’m proud to have championed multiple pieces of transformative legislation to strengthen autonomy and control for survivors of intimate violence and medical patients,” said Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB23-1077 and HB23-1199. “Nobody should ever have to pay a bill for their forensic exam, or be subjected to intimate examinations without their consent. These bills will further our support for survivors of sexual assault and ensure patients retain control over their bodies and maintain their dignity.” HB23-1077 requires health care professionals, students, medical residents and trainees to obtain informed consent from sedated or unconscious patients before performing intimate examinations, unless in emergency situations. In addition to consent, health care professionals would only be able to perform intimate examinations if it is pertinent to the planned procedure. Across the country, medical students and residents are performing unauthorized intimate exams , including pelvic exams for educational purposes, on patients under medical sedation for unrelated surgeries. Patients are not able to consent to these procedures and can experience extreme physical and behavioral trauma responses after learning about the performed exam. This law would create a clear process for obtaining patient consent and non-compliant medical and health care professionals would be subject to disciplinary action by their regulators or the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). “No sexual assault survivor should forego a forensic exam because they can’t pay for it,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB23-1199. “This law directs funding to support sexual assault survivors and creates a statewide system where they can follow up on their case. We need to do everything we can to ease the burden survivors face when seeking justice, and this law reduces costs on critical forensic exams and empowers survivors by streamlining evidence updates.” HB23-1199 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, requires the Department of Public Safety to create a statewide system for sexual assault survivors to monitor the status of evidence obtained during their forensic medical examinations. The bipartisan law aims to bolster the SAVE program, established under HB13-1163 , with critical funding to ensure sexual assault survivors aren’t discouraged from getting a rape kit or billed for a forensic exam. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to save Coloradans money by exempting small businesses from paying the retail delivery fee (RDF). The bill passed by a vote of 62-3. < Back April 17, 2023 House Approves Bill to Save Small Businesses Money DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to save Coloradans money by exempting small businesses from paying the retail delivery fee (RDF). The bill passed by a vote of 62-3. “Colorado’s bipartisan and historic transportation bill is saving driver’s money on car registrations and improving our roads, and soon it will reduce the time Coloradans spend in traffic and the money we spend fixing our cars,” Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “To alleviate some of the administrative burden of collecting and remitting the retail delivery fee, which funds critical transportation projects, we’re exempting qualifying small businesses from the fee and streamlining the process.” SB23-143 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, would exempt small businesses that have $500,000 or less in retail sales from paying the RDF. This would apply retroactively to July 1, 2022, to when the RDF was first imposed. Established by SB21-260 , the RDF is a 27-cent fee imposed on all deliveries made by motor vehicles to ensure that our transportation system accounts for all types of users. However, this legislation did not create distinctions for small businesses that have minimal impacts on Colorado’s roads. SB23-143 modifies the RDF to exempt small businesses and offers all businesses flexibility in how they implement the fee, including allowing businesses to pay the fee on behalf of their customers. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2021 POLIS SIGNS TAX FAIRNESS PACKAGE AND BILL TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES DENVER, CO– Governor Jared Polis today signed HB21-1311 and HB21-1312, the tax fairness package that will boost economic support for hard working families and eliminate the business personal property tax for two-thirds of the businesses that currently have to pay it. Polis also signed SB21-293, which will temporarily reduce property taxes. “Without a doubt, our tax code is more fair today because the package we passed and Governor Polis signed today puts working families and small businesses ahead of well-connected and wealthy special interests,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Colorado will build back stronger because we made the choice to provide significant assistance to the families and small businesses who are critical to the success of our local communities by ending ineffective tax windfalls and loopholes for those at the very top.” “Soon, over 300,000 families and tens of thousands of small businesses will see direct economic assistance for years to come because Democrats in the legislature made the decision to bring more fairness to our tax system,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “The package Governor Polis signed today will expand opportunities for hard working Coloradans, families and small businesses instead of continuing tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations.” HB21-1311 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Emily Sirota, would boost the incomes of over 300,000 hardworking Coloradans by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 25 percent of the federal credit through tax year 2025. The bill also provides economic assistance to hard working Coloradans and families by funding the state’s Child Tax Credit, which was created in 2013, but has never been funded. In order to provide this relief, the bill closes loopholes primarily used for tax avoidance or which only benefit three-tenths of a percent of taxpayers. HB21-1312 , also sponsored by Representatives Weissman and Sirota and which was endorsed by the Colorado Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, would eliminate business personal property taxes (BPPT) for over two-thirds of the businesses that remit BPPT. Currently, businesses with under $7,900 in business personal property do not have to pay BPPT. The bill increases this exemption to $50,000. In addition to providing an important tax cut to tens of thousands of small businesses, raising the exemption means businesses will no longer have to complete and submit burdensome paperwork needed to claim the BPPT exemption. In order to provide this relief, the bill modifies ineffective tax subsidies for the largest businesses, such as strengthening the criteria insurance companies must meet in order receive a 50 percent discount on their insurance premium tax rate. Many of the tax expenditures that these bills seek to close or limit were identified by the State Auditor as ineffective and only benefit a small number of businesses and Colorado’s wealthiest taxpayers. The package seeks to narrow expenditures that benefit only a few individuals and large businesses in order to provide broad tax relief to large numbers of hard working Coloradans and small businesses. Governor Polis also signed SB21-293 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Matt Gray, which would temporarily lower property tax assessment rates on several classes of residential and commercial property. The bill creates three new subclasses of non-residential property: agricultural, lodging, and renewable energy production property. It also establishes multi-family residential property as a new subclass of residential property. The bill applies new, lower assessment rates to these property classes. “Today, we are responsibly reducing property tax rates and targeting assistance to the Coloradans who need it the most, and at the same time, we are protecting Colorado’s local governments, fire districts, schools, police and local libraries that would be devastated by permanently losing nearly $1 billion in revenue every year,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “I’m proud the legislature came together to pass this bipartisan bill that will ensure rural Colorado doesn’t continue to bear the consequences of rising property values in more populated areas of the state.” “The bill Governor Polis signed today thoughtfully creates new categories for properties, such as agricultural properties or single family homes, to temporarily provide direct relief where it’s needed most,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “This is a responsible approach that will help Coloradans and protect the critical services that our communities need right now, like our public schools, which are especially important to help Colorado build back stronger from the pandemic.” The assessment rate on multi-family residences (apartment buildings, condominium buildings) would be lowered from 7.15 percent to 6.8 percent. The assessment rate on single family owner occupied primary residences would drop from 7.15 percent to 6.95 percent. For second homes and short term rental properties, the assessment rate would remain the same. The bill also expands the property tax deferral program to allow homeowners whose tax bills grow by more than four percent since the previous valuation period to defer the amount that exceeds the four percent growth, up to to $10,000. If a statewide measure passes to reduce residential property rates, it would only apply to multi-family properties. For non-residential properties, agricultural and renewal energy production properties would see their rate reduced from 29 percent to 26.4 percent. If a statewide measure passes to reduce nonresidential property rates, it would only apply to lodging properties. Remaining commercial property rates would remain at 29 percent. Previous Next

< Back June 6, 2020 HIGH SCHOOL HOLOCAUST EDUCATION BILL PASSES THE HOUSE DENVER, CO– The House today passed a bill to require that high school seniors complete a course that includes genocide and Holocaust studies in order to graduate. HB20-1336, sponsored by Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Emily Sirota, would require that the State Board of Education adopt standards related to Holocaust and genocide studies. Specifically, it requires that by the 2023-24 school year, local district boards of education and charter schools incorporate a Holocaust and genocide studies component into an existing course that is required for graduation. The bill would also create, by July 2021, a publicly available resource bank that includes sample academic content, instruction programs, learning resource, professional developments, and case studies related to Holocaust and genocide studies. Both the standards and resource bank must be developed with input from experts. The bill passed 64-0. “Ignoring the darkest, most harrowing chapters of our history for the sake of temporary comfort will only lead to history tragically repeating itself,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Teaching our high school students about the horrors of the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred across history and around the world will no doubt lead to a better informed, hopefully more compassionate and conscientious Coloradans down the road.” “Education is the light that can drive out the darkness of mass atrocities before they ever happen,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Teaching students about the Holocaust and other genocides in history is a tough and necessary conversation that we need to have with our young people. Understanding the banality of evil and how everyday discrimination can quickly lead to violent extermination is what will help us make good on the promise of ‘never again’.” Previous Next

SB25-041 would refine competency restoration and services to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and more quickly bring cases to trial < Back April 22, 2025 Bipartisan Bill to Improve Competency Restoration Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to restore competency to more individuals with behavioral health disorders in the criminal justice system. SB25-041 passed committee by a vote of 9-2. “To create safer communities, we need to make sure Coloradans in the criminal justice system with behavioral health disorders receive the care they need to effectively stand trial,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “Without consistent behavioral health care for these individuals, criminal trials are likely to be delayed, which hinders our justice system. This bill streamlines access to inpatient services for those in the criminal justice system to help reduce recidivism and prioritize justice for survivors.” SB25-041 is also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County. This bill would allow the state to provide inpatient services for an additional 90 days after an individual’s case is dismissed because the person is deemed “incompetent to proceed.” The bill also allows the state to work with community organizations to provide permanent supportive housing for these individuals or those who complete the Bridges of Colorado program. Without streamlined access to inpatient services, such as psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, or addiction treatment, the overall health of those with behavioral health disorders could regress, resulting in a delayed competency restoration and ultimately extending the time before individuals can even stand trial. This bill aims to provide consistent inpatient services to those with behavioral health disorders, provide clarification for courts, and pause the statute of limitations for those seeking competency diversion programs in Colorado’s criminal justice system. The bill was recommended last interim by the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee , which is responsible for overseeing its associated task force and implementing recommendations regarding the treatment of people with behavioral health disorders in the criminal and juvenile justice systems until 2027. Previous Next

< Back July 24, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS CALL ON US ATTORNEY TO PREVENT USE OF FED AGENTS IN COLORADO Members condemn the unwarranted and extreme actions of federal agents in Portland, OR Denver, CO – Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly today called on Jason R. Dunn, the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, to prevent the use of federal law enforcement agents in Colorado, following the unwelcomed intrusion of federal forces in Portland, OR and the imminent deployment of additional personnel to cities across the country. “We have watched in shock and horror as federal agents have descended upon Portland against the explicit objections of state and local leaders and exacerbated an already volatile situation,” the lawmakers wrote. “We see both the deployment of these agents and the excessive force they have used as an unwarranted overreach on behalf of the federal government.” “We object in the strongest possible terms to any possible deployment of federal agents onto the streets of Colorado without the explicit consent of the state[…] We call on you, the United States Attorney and President Trump’s designee over federal law enforcement in our state, to take any and all appropriate steps to ensure that such unnecessary escalation and imposition does not occur in Colorado,” the lawmakers continued. Yesterday, President Trump announced he will deploy federal law enforcement personnel to Chicago, IL and Albuquerque, NM, and in recent days, the president has discussed sending agents to several other major US cities. The State of Oregon has filed a lawsuit arguing the federal government has violated the Tenth Amendment and is seeking a restraining order. The full text of the letter is below: Mr. Jason R. Dunn United States Attorney District of Colorado 1801 California Street, Ste 1600 Denver, CO 80202 U.S. Attorney Dunn, We write to you today with serious concern for the dire situation unfolding in Portland, Oregon over the past few days and its potential consequences for Colorado and the nation as a whole. We have watched in shock and horror as federal agents have descended upon Portland against the explicit objections of state and local leaders and exacerbated an already volatile situation. Video documentation shows these often unidentified agents using extreme force to suppress protestors and detain them in unmarked vans on the streets of Oregon. We see both the deployment of these agents and the excessive force they have used as an unwarranted overreach on behalf of the federal government. Unmarked government vans scooping up citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest belong on the pages of dystopian novels, not the streets of the United States of America. We categorically object to these actions. We write to you with these concerns not only because we feel it is imperative to speak up in the face of injustice, but because we believe you, as the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, have an important role to play in how this situation could end up affecting our state. We have grave concerns that the Trump administration will continue to deploy agents of this sort to cities across the country; this is substantiated by the news that at least 150 such agents will arrive in Chicago before the end of the week, and that President Trump is threatening to deploy agents in cities across the country. Under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, states have sovereign authority and the right to exercise police powers. We object in the strongest possible terms to any possible deployment of federal agents onto the streets of Colorado without the explicit consent of the state. Colorado has asked for and accepted federal assistance in times of need when floods or natural disasters have struck, and we have worked in partnership with federal agencies to protect our communities. The deployment of federal forces in Colorado would not be welcome absent an invitation from the state’s leaders. We call on you, the United States Attorney and President Trump’s designee over federal law enforcement in our state, to take any and all appropriate steps to ensure that such unnecessary escalation and imposition does not occur in Colorado. We also encourage you to use your position of influence within the administration to raise concerns about what appears to be intentional acts of intimidation with your colleagues across the country and the federal administration. We trust that you can appreciate the gravity and the urgency of this situation and hope you will take action as soon as possible. Signed: Rep. Jeni Arndt, District 53 Rep. KC Becker, District 13 Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, District 32 Rep. Shannon Bird, District 35 Rep. Janet Buckner, District 40 Rep. Bri Buentello, District 47 Rep. Yadira Caraveo, District 31 Rep. James Coleman, District 7 Rep. Lisa Cutter, District 25 Rep. Monica Duran, District 24 Rep. Daneya Esgar, District 46 Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., District 17 Rep. Meg Froelich, District 3 Rep. Alec Garnett, District 2 Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, District 4 Rep. Matt Gray, District 33 Rep. Leslie Herod, District 8 Rep. Edie Hooton, District 10 Rep. Dominique Jackson, District 42 Rep. Sonya Jaquez-Lewis, District 12 Rep. Chris Kennedy, District 23 Rep. Cathy Kipp, District 52 Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, District 29 Rep. Susan Lontine, District 1 Rep. Julie McCluskie, District 61 Rep. Barbara McLachlan, District 59 Rep. Jovan Melton, District 41 Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, District 30 Rep. Kyle Mullica, District 34 Rep. Dylan Roberts, District 26Sen. Jeff Bridges, District 26 Sen. Jessie Danielson, District 20 Sen. Kerry Donovan, District 5 Sen. Steve Fenberg, District 18 Sen. Rhonda Fields, District 29 Sen. Mike Foote, District 17 Sen. Leroy Garcia, District 3 Sen. Joann Ginal, District 14 Sen. Julie Gonzales, District 34 Sen. Chris Hansen, District 31 Sen. Pete Lee, District 11 Sen. Dominick Moreno, District 21 Sen. Brittany Pettersen, District 22 Sen. Robert Rodriguez, District 32 Sen. Tammy Story, District 16 Sen. Nancy Todd, District 28 Sen. Angela Williams, District 33 Sen. Faith Winter, District 24 Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, District 19 Rep. Jonathan Singer, District 11 Rep. Emily Sirota, District 9 Rep. Marc Snyder, District 18 Rep. Tom Sullivan, District 37 Rep. Kerry Tipper, District 28 Rep. Brianna Titone, District 27 Rep. Alex Valdez, District 5 Rep. Donald Valdez, District 62 Rep. Mike Weissman, District 36 Rep. Steven Woodrow, District 6 Rep. Mary Young, District 50 Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2019 HOUSE GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL TO LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Democrats working to lower the cost of health care (May 1) – Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis’ bill to reduce the price consumers pay for prescription medications passed in the House on second reading. The bill will allow the wholesale importation of prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for resale to Colorado pharmacies. “As a pharmacist, I know there are many Coloradans who are having to choose between feeding their families or the life-saving drugs they depend on,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “We’ve seen drug price increases of nearly 500 percent that are drowning patients. The ability to import prescription drugs from Canada will help lower the cost of health care for hardworking families.” Rep. Jaquez Lewis is a licensed pharmacist. As amended in the House Health and Insurance committee, SB19-005 creates the “Colorado Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act” where the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will apply for a waiver under federal law to contract with a vendor. The vendor will design and implement a program to import prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for sale to Colorado pharmacies. The program design must ensure both drug safety and cost savings for Colorado consumers. “Republicans in Congress are failing to help lower the cost of health care, and this is a commonsense approach that can help Colorado cut the cost of medication,” Rep. Jaquez Lewis added. SB19-005 passed on a a voice-vote. A final vote will take place at a later date. If approved, the bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN BILLS TO INVEST IN STUDENT AND WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS Legislation includes nearly $91 million in federal pandemic relief funds to align postsecondary credential programs with today’s jobs and expand in-state tuition for more students DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills to better align postsecondary programs, save students money on higher education tuition and improve educational outcomes for Coloradans. HB22-1350 was crafted based on recommendations from the Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Task Force . “Every Coloradan should have access to educational opportunities that set them up to thrive, and these new laws prioritize our workforce needs and students’ success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m incredibly proud to stand behind two bills Governor Polis signed into law to address workforce needs in the high country and across Colorado by creating high impact postsecondary credential programs and reducing the cost of higher education for Colorado high school graduates. When given the right tools, our students can grow, achieve and secure better paying jobs, and that’s what this legislation is designed to do.” “Industries across the state continue to face workforce shortages as they recover from the pandemic’s effects on the economy,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “Investing in our workforce will have a transformational effect on workforce shortages today and well into the future. We are delivering Colorado the workforce it needs to continue moving our economy forward.” The Regional Talent Development Grant Program, HB22-1350 , establishes a $91 million grant program to build and scale successful partnerships between employers and postsecondary institutions to fill good jobs in growing industries. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representative McCluskie and Senator Bridges, as well as Representative Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction and Senator Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, utilizes federal pandemic relief dollars to foster regional talent development initiatives to fill good jobs in growing industries. The program takes a regional approach to build and scale successful partnerships between employers and postsecondary institutions. These partnerships will create new pathways into high-skilled and high-demand industries, especially in industries with staffing shortages. Governor Polis also signed HB22-1155 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Perry Will, R-New Castle and Senators Dominick Moreno and Julie Gonzales, to expand access to in-state tuition for Colorado high school students. “The cost of higher education shouldn’t deter Colorado’s students from pursuing a postsecondary degree at one of the excellent colleges and universities in the state,” said Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “By expanding the pool of students who qualify for in-state tuition, we lower the cost of education and empower students to make decisions for their future based on their goals rather than the price tag.” “We know that access to higher education can be transformational for a young person’s life, but during the pandemic we saw a significant decrease in enrollment,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Immigrant Colorado high school graduates should be able to access our public higher education institutions in the same manner as their U.S. citizen friends and neighbors. This is a common sense, bipartisan measure, and it also has the benefit of being good for our economy, particularly in corners of the state that are desperate for young, educated workers. I was honored to work alongside a broad coalition of business groups, higher education institutions, and immigrant rights organizations to get this bill signed into law.” Under current law, students must reside in Colorado for at least three years before they are eligible for in-state tuition. This bipartisan legislation changes the requirement to allow any student who graduates from a Colorado high school and has resided in the state for one year to receive in-state tuition. The bill would expand in-state tuition to more Colorado students and families, saving them money on higher education tuition. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon that would create the right to visitation for Coloradans who are incarcerated. HB25-1013 passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back February 5, 2025 Right to Visitation, Family Connection Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon that would create the right to visitation for Coloradans who are incarcerated . HB25-1013 passed by a vote of 7-4. “ Family support and connection can have a powerful impact on the success of incarcerated Coloradans, with studies showing it can reduce recidivism by 26 percent so we can help them build a thriving future and keep our communities safer ,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “Support from one's closest friends and family can help them cope with the stress of incarceration and foster optimism about life outside of prison. We’re bringing this bill to build stronger, more resilient communities and ensure that Coloradans, no matter if they are incarcerated or not, can stay connected with their support system.” “Currently, withholding family connection is being used as a form of punishment for incarcerated Coloradans who choose not to work or as a tool to control their behavior, which not only exacerbates the mental health crisis in Colorado prisons but also violates the abolishment of slavery,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Visitation is an important aspect of rehabilitation, and phone calls and visits from family and loved ones can help incarcerated people survive their sentence. Our bill makes it clear that incarceration does not strip Coloradans of their right to maintain connections with their families and loved ones.” HB25-1013 would create the right to visitation for incarcerated Coloradans to ensure they can stay connected with their family, friends, and loved ones and be set up for success after they serve time and re-enter the community. Visitation includes social visits including in-person visits, family time visits, phone calls, and video calls. The bill extends this right to any incarcerated person who has been restricted privileges, especially for those who have been placed in restrictive housing like solitary confinement or those who choose not to work. Under the bill, an incarcerated person could file a grievance with the Department of Corrections if they are not allowed visitations, and those grievances would be shared with the Colorado legislature. A study found that visitation in prison results in a 26 percent decrease in post-release criminal activity as well as a 28 percent reduction in new convictions overall. Previous Next

< Back April 10, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES REP. HEROD’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO REINSTATE VOTING RIGHTS FOR PAROLEES Colorado would join 14 other states in allowing those on parole to vote (Apr. 10) — The House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, with bipartisan support, that would reinstate the voting rights of individuals on parole. “Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to voter turnout and voter enfranchisement. We should be very proud of that fact,” said Rep. Herod. “Today we took another step towards expanding access to the ballot box. Parolees are hardworking individuals who pay taxes, take care of their families, contribute to their communities, and it’s past time we allow them to fully participate in our democracy.” HB19-1266 clarifies that people who are on parole have completed their “full term of imprisonment” upon release from prison, thereby restoring their right to vote. The bill would restore voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans who are now disenfranchised. Parolees are denied the ability to vote because current law defines the “full term of imprisonment” to include the period of parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has stated that the state legislature has the authority to redefine the “full term of imprisonment.” The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 45-19 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next