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< Back March 4, 2020 AMBER ALERT NOTIFICATION READINESS BILL PASSES HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Donald Valdez’s bill to ensure Colorado’s AMBER Alert notification system stays up to date with the latest telecommunications technology. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 64-0. and has already passed the Senate unanimously. “I want to make sure that Colorado is as ready as it can be to stop tragedies from happening and protect our children and missing persons,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara. “Making sure our AMBER Alert systems are always up to date will help move us in the right direction.” SB20-079 requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to send AMBER Alerts using technological applications that promote the largest reach of community notifications. While Colorado’s current method of sending AMBER Alerts meets the criteria, this bill will ensure that Colorado’s AMBER Alert system keeps up with technological advances in the future to ensure the widespread receival of these critical alerts of missing children. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2019 GOV SIGNS BILLS TO HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR COLORADANS WHO NEED IT THE MOST Colorado is ranked near the bottom for behavioral health care (May 20) – Gov. Polis signed two bills today at the Colorado Mental Wellness Network to address the current mental health crisis facing Colorado. SB19-222, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, expands community based services, providing a safety net of comprehensive mental health care that could cover the entire state. “SB 222 is about implementing a vision for a system that can serve everyone, so Colorado’s jails don’t have to. When people with serious behavioral health disorders cannot access the treatment they need, other parts of our system are negatively impacted as we’ve directly seen in Pueblo,” said Rep. Esgar. “These new laws are about helping the people in our communities who are the hardest to serve.” Rep. Esgar’s bill requires access to civil beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institutes at Fort Logan and Pueblo. It also requires a robust collaboration with all local enforcement jurisdictions and counties in the service area. SB19-223, sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, was also signed today, and improves the process and provision of services for individuals who have been ordered for competency evaluation and restoration in the criminal justice system. “This bill will ensure that our criminal justice system adheres to constitutional requirements when questions of competency are raised,” said Rep. Weissman. “We can, we must, and with SB19-223, we will address competency evaluations and restorations more quickly and efficiently. Together with SB19-222, this bill will help keep individuals with behavioral health issues from becoming entangled in our justice system.” Rep. Weissman’s bill is the primary legislative mechanism to codify the reforms set forth by the taskforce. It includes a series of reforms to help the Colorado Department of Health Services come into compliance with a mandated timeframe for providing competency services. It also requires the Department of Human Services to implement policies to prioritize in-patient treatment for those with the greatest need while providing community-based services for other patients. Both bills were co-sponsored by Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain. Previous Next

< Back January 14, 2021 HOUSE GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL TO TIME-SENSITIVE BILLS DENVER, CO — The House today gave initial approval to legislation that would modify the COVID-19 relief program for small businesses, extend limitations on debt collection actions, and recreate the Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Final passage of the legislation in the House is expected tomorrow morning. SB21-001: Modify COVID-19 Relief Programs For Small Business. This bill, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Shane Sandridge, R-El Paso County, makes minor tweaks to the COVID-19 small and minority business relief program that was established in last year’s special session. The legislation will help small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, especially minority owned businesses, receive timely relief through the program. SB21-002: Extending Limitations on Debt Collection Actions. This bill, sponsored by Representative Herod, would extend the debt collection protections enacted last session through June 1of this year. Without action, these critical protections for consumers who are facing tremendous hardship due to COVID-19 will expire in two weeks with our nation still in the midst of a public health and economic crisis. SB21-003: Recreate Occupational Therapy Practice Act. This bill, sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Colin Larson, R-Ken Caryl recreates the Occupational Therapy Practice Act to allow continuity in occupational therapy regulations to ensure that these professionals have the tools and guidance they need to be successful and serve the community. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2020 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO ADDRESS YOUTH VAPING Bipartisan legislation would prohibit sales to those under age 21, license retailers, close the online sales loophole and prohibit electronic advertising outside stores, which targets teens DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representatives Kyle Mullica and Colin Larson’s bipartisan bill to address the youth vaping epidemic in Colorado by a vote of 39-22. HB20-1001 would raise the age of sale to 21; require cigarette, tobacco and nicotine product retailers to obtain a license; and increase enforcement to prevent underage sales. “We have to take action now to keep dangerous nicotine products out of the hands of our youth,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglen. “We’ve made a lot of progress reducing teen smoking, but the vaping epidemic is threatening the lives of young people across our state. Today, the House passed legislation to protect our state from a predatory industry that directly targets our youth and seeks to profit off young people’s addiction to nicotine products.” The bill would significantly enhance underage sales enforcement by requiring retailers to obtain a state license. Under current law, fines are often too low to dissuade retailers from cracking down on underage sales, and no process exists to suspend a retailer’s ability to sell nicotine products if they repeatedly sell products to minors. Under HB20-1001, the state could suspend a retailer’s license for repeatedly violating state law. The bill would also mandate more frequent compliance checks and move that responsibility to the Department of Revenue (DOR). In addition to raising the age of sale, increasing compliance checks and creating a robust enforcement mechanism, the bill would close a loophole that allows for the sale of vaping products online for shipment directly to consumers. The online loophole makes it far easier for Colorado youth to purchase vaping products and then sell them in schools. During the committee hearing, a nine year old testified about how easy it is for a fourth grader to buy vaping devices online and have them delivered directly. In an effort to further combat youth nicotine use, the bill would prohibit flashy advertising in stores that appeals to youth. It would also prohibit new tobacco product retailers from opening within 500 feet of a school. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and many youth who begin using vaping products transition to combustible tobacco products, such as cigarettes. Colorado has the highest rate of youth e-cigarette use in the nation, and 27 percent of Colorado high school students report that they use these products, a rate twice the national average. E-cigarettes emit cancer-causing chemicals and toxic heavy metal particles such as zinc, lead and nickel. Furthermore, nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that can harm adolescent brain development, including working memory, attention and learning. Previous Next

Legislation will implement savings for ratepayers, level playing field at the PUC < Back April 19, 2023 Joint Select Committee Democrats Introduce Bill to Improve Accountability & Transparency for Utilities, Save People Money on Energy Bills Legislation will implement savings for ratepayers, level playing field at the PUC DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates yesterday introduced legislation that would improve transparency and accountability for utilities and save people money on their energy bills. SB23-291 presents a package of reforms to lower utility bills now and in the future. It rebalances what kinds of expenses are paid by utility shareholders vs. ratepayers, aligns incentives on fuel cost control, and levels the playing field at PUC proceedings, where infrastructure plans are proposed and approved. The bill would limit utility expenses that can be paid by ratepayers, such as lobbying and advertising, which would be more appropriately paid by company shareholders. It would also create a mechanism to incentivize utilities to save money on fuel costs, and allow the PUC to set a maximum monthly fuel cost to smooth out monthly bills and avoid sudden price shocks. “Colorado families were hit hard this winter by unexpected and severe price shocks, which is why we convened the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates to investigate the causes and find solutions,” Joint Select Committee Chair Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. “That’s why I am proud to introduce this legislation that will improve transparency and hold utilities more accountable to the ratepayers they serve. Senate Bill 291 will help to align utility companies’ and Coloradans’ interests and expectations about their energy service, while helping save Coloradans money on their energy bills ” "Coloradans are counting on us to address skyrocketing utility costs, and as a Joint Select Committee, we’ve taken their concerns seriously as we worked to uncover the root causes of rising rates,” said Joint Select Committee Vice Chair Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “After months of information gathering, we’re introducing legislation to change the incentive structure for utilities that will better protect ratepayers from sudden price hikes and ensure a more transparent PUC process for consumer interests.” “Our committee has been hard at work the past few months searching for answers and working to save people money on their energy bills,” Joint Select Committee member Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, said. “One thing quickly became clear, Coloradans are bearing the brunt of volatile rate increases while utility companies are empowered to set their own rules. This important legislation will help level the playing field at the PUC and create fairer processes in utility rate setting that will impact Coloradans today and for generations to come.” "As a Joint Select Committee, we’ve been working diligently with policy experts, consumer advocates, and utility companies to uncover what is leading to rising utility rates that are impacting our neighbors,” said Joint Select Committee member Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Our new legislation will create a pathway toward long-term, cost-saving solutions that will increase rate transparency and provide additional tools and tactics to limit price hikes that stick Coloradans with high, unpredictable utility bills.” Further, the bill would level the playing field at the PUC by requiring utilities to report more detailed justification for their plans when they request a rate increase, which will help regulators and watchdogs make sure proposed investments are truly in the public interest. In addition, the bill empowers the PUC to reduce utilities’ use of expensive consultants and lawyers that argue on behalf of rate increases. SB23-291 will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee. You can track the bill’s progress HERE . Convened by President Fenberg and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, in response to recent spikes in energy prices , the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates worked to better understand issues such as the impact of volatility in natural gas markets, the frequency and justification for rate increases sought by utilities, and other relevant factors. Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2021 HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP WELCOMES POLITICAL WORKERS GUILD ANNOUNCEMENT DENVER, CO– Speaker Alec Garnett and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following statement following the announcement that Colorado Democratic legislative aides and campaign workers launched the Political Workers Guild, affiliated with CWA Local 37074. “Our aides have tough jobs and do crucial work to keep our Capitol running smoothly so our state government can deliver for the people of Colorado,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, (D-Denver). “I welcome their announcement today; making sure our aides feel fulfilled and cared for in their jobs is good for the General Assembly and good for our state.” “I am a fierce supporter of every Coloradans’ right to collectively bargain and fight for better pay and benefits,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, (D-Pueblo). “I stand in solidarity with our hardworking aides and am proud of them for making their voices heard through the power of a union.” Previous Next

< Back January 16, 2019 EDUCATION COMMITTEE CLEARS KRAFT-THARP’S SHOP ACT Bill would bring SHOP classes back to schools (Jan. 15) – The House Education Committee passed Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp’s bill today to permit more schools to apply for Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grants for new or rebuilt Career and Technical Education (CTE) facilities. This bill is intended to provide resources and opportunities for kids who want to go into alternative careers. Any CTE program approved by the Department of Education such as agriculture, natural resources & energy, STEM, Arts & Design, skilled trades and technical sciences, health science and criminal justice & public safety, hospitality, human services & education are careers that can request the BEST grant. “In my time here at the legislature, I have made it a focus to make sure that we offer these career options for kids,” said Representative Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada. “As someone who grew up in a construction family, I know the importance of bringing these jobs to our students and making sure they have the skills to get ahead in life.” HB19-1008 was approved unanimously by a vote of 12-0 . The bill now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back May 14, 2019 BUENTELLO DELIVERS RESULTS FOR SOUTHERN COLORADO Buentello sponsored bills to help assist students, farmers & address opioid crisis signed by Gov (May 14) – Three bills sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello were signed into law today in Pueblo. First up was Rep. Buentello’s bill sponsored with Senate President Leroy Garcia to provide tuition assistance to the children of firefighters, police officers and soldiers who died on duty, as well as the children of prisoners of war. SB19-174 received bipartisan support at the legislature. “As the wife of an Army Captain and the daughter of Marines, I am humbled by the opportunity to work with my colleagues who served in the armed forces to assist the families of those who serve,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. Next up was Buentello’s bipartisan bill that will establish a grant program in the Department of Education (CDE) to encourage providers that are entitled to federal money for lunches for students to purchase food products from Colorado growers, producers, and processors. The law was signed by Gov. Polis at Peppe’s at Milberger Farm in Pueblo. “Providing incentives to schools to use food grown right here in Pueblo and in Colorado benefits our students, schools and offers much needed support to our local farmers and ranchers, as well as our local economies,” said Rep. Buentello. Earlier in the day, Gov. Polis another Buentello-Garcia bill, SB19-001, to help address the opioid crisis. This new law will expand a Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program that is currently only offered in Pueblo and Routt Counties.. SB19-001 would expand the program to make it available to counties in Southern Colorado, including Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Sagauche, and two additional counties who demonstrate a need. “Two years ago, the legislature created the pilot MAT program. We saw how well that program worked, so it’s time we expand this program to help those in Southern Colorado,” Rep. Buentello said when the bill passed the House. “This bill will save lives and help Coloradans who are struggling with addiction get they treatment they need.” Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2019 HOUSE SUPPORTS EXPANDING ACCESS TO VOTING (Apr. 22) – The House gave preliminary approval to the Colorado Votes Act (COVA), a bill to expand access to voting and minimize long lines on Election Day. Colorado is a national role model for secure, accessible and fair elections, and this bill will expand upon the state’s successful model. “Colorado’s election systems are some of the best in the country, but we still have work to do to ensure we are giving every Colorado the access they deserve to participate in our democracy,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “We must continue to break down barriers that prevent all Coloradans from voting and this bill is a step in that direction. I’m proud of the stakeholder work we conducted with the county clerks.” Of the voters who used VSPCs to cast their vote in 2018, 18 percent were first time registrants and additional 20 percent needed to update their registration. In other words, these voters didn’t receive a mail ballot or have the option to vote by mail or drop-off and had to rely on in-person service. In-person voters are more likely to be from underserved or marginalized communities. In 2018, an estimated 18 percent of in-person voters were people of color and nearly half were under 35 years old. In 2013, Colorado passed election reform that created formulas for the number of voter service and polling centers (VSPCs) by active voters, and gave voters in-person services for voting, ballot replacement, same day registration and updating their voter information, such as their addresses. COVA adjusts the formulas based on actual voter behavior since 2013, updating the VSCPS and voter drop box formulas to increase access to the ballot closer to Election Day, decrease VSPC requirements during the under-utilized early voting period, and increase resources for Election Day voting. Colorado’s smaller counties are largely unaffected by these changes. On Election Day, which are common in the larger Colorado counties, long lines have proven to be a deterrent to voting. In 2018, self-reported wait times by counties for Election Day was more than 30 minutes in the state’s biggest counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa and Weld. This bill would increase the amount of drop boxes which are more popular in larger counties according to voter data. Here’s what the Colorado Votes Act does: COVA creates a new tier for the largest Colorado counties (Tier 0) to deal with longer lines in urban populations and college/university VSPCs, where there are traditionally long lines on Election Day. Creates three phases of VSPCs to be open: early voting (first week through Thursday of the second week) when services are least utilized, final weekend (final Friday and Saturday in the largest counties and Friday, Saturday and Monday everywhere else) when we see a measurable increase in voters using in-person services, and Election Day (includes final Monday for largest counties) when utilization is at its peak. Encourages public buildings, particularly on college and university campuses to make space available to the counties for VSPCs. Counties have increasing challenges in getting adequate space for VSPCs, particularly in higher education buildings. Larger campuses would also have to have a drop box for ballots. Increases voting hours on Election Day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Allows district court to extend voting hours if there are issues at particular polling places that have interrupted access such as weather, technological problems, equipment failure, supply shortages, voter suppression activity, or other circumstance. Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES BILL TO PREVENT TRAGEDIES AND SAVE LIVES DENVER, CO– The House today advanced a bill to promote responsible gun ownership and the safe storage of firearms when children are present in order to save lives and prevent accidental deaths on Second Reading. “As an ER nurse, a gun owner, and the father of young children, I’m convinced that this common sense gun safety bill will prevent tragedies and save lives,” said Representative Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn) . “Asking all gun owners in Colorado to safely store their firearms the way the majority of responsible gun owners already do is not a tall order, but it could go a long way towards preventing accidental deaths, injuries, and suicides involving firearms.” “In the middle of a pandemic, as children are home more often than ever and mental health issues skyrocket, we’re taking steps to keep our kids, teens and communities safe,” said Representative Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) . “On average, every week in Colorado a child dies at the hands of a firearm and every day a child is injured by one. A simple and affordable lock on a firearm could prevent a family from being ripped apart by the type of tragedies that have become all too common in our state.” HB21-1106 seeks to promote responsible gun ownership by creating an educational campaign that will encourage gun owners, especially those with children in the home, to properly store their firearms. The bill also requires licensed firearms dealers to provide a locking device at the time of sale or transfer of all firearms. Federal law already requires that handguns sold by licensed dealers be sold with locking devices. Finally, the bill would create the charge “unlawful storage of a firearm” when a firearm is not stored safely and a juvenile or someone who is ineligible to possess a firearm is present, making it a class 2 misdemeanor. Previous Next

Legislation would increase rental assistance to $65 million, nearly doubling current level < Back November 17, 2023 House Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Evictions, Keep Coloradans Housed DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to provide an additional $30 million in emergency rental assistance. HB23B-1001 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Mandy Lindsay, would increase statewide assistance to a total of $65 million, including $35 million from federal funds already allocated. “People of color are disproportionately impacted by evictions that can lead to heart breaking cycles of poverty, homelessness and financial insecurity for Colorado’s most vulnerable families,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “This legislation adds $30 million in funding toward rental assistance, bringing the statewide total to $65 million between state and federal funds. Many Coloradans living paycheck-to-paycheck cannot afford rising costs. Rental assistance keeps people housed in their communities as we work toward more long-term affordability solutions.” “Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home, but many renters across our state are on the verge of losing their housing,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora . “As evictions rise, our renters need urgent support. This legislation increases rental assistance by $30 million, nearly doubling funding for rental assistance statewide. Rental assistance provides a critical lifeline to Colorado renters by giving them a fair chance to stay in their homes, avoid eviction, and get back on their feet.” HB23B-1001 , which passed by a vote of 8-4, would invest $30 million into emergency rental assistance in the Department of Local Affairs to provide financial assistance for rent owed and other related costs for Colorado tenants making at or below 80-percent of the area median income. Under this legislation, eligible tenants at risk of eviction or displacement would be required to apply through an online state portal to be connected with a non-profit partner. In addition to monthly rental payments, qualified tenants could use funding toward paying rental debt, up to two months of future rent, utility bills, late fees, court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and security deposits. The funding could also be used towards spreading awareness and increasing outreach to tenants at risk of eviction or displacement. Evictions are on the rise in Colorado. This year alone, 43,899 evictions have been filed according to state courts and Denver County court filing data. This threatens the housing of over 100,000 people across the state. By the end of the year, the number of eviction filings will have surpassed 50,000. Colorado has the 8th highest median monthly rent out of all 50 states, with a two bedroom apartment costing an average of $1,856 in 2023. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development , out of an estimated 742,240 renter households across Colorado, 63-percent of renters have an annual household income that is less than 80-percent of the area median income and make up 93-percent of households most likely to be struggling with housing costs. Previous Next

< Back April 7, 2021 DEMS ADVANCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO REDUCE RX DRUG COSTS DENVER, CO– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Mike Lynch, which would reduce the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Colorado to expand the state’s prescription drug import program. The vote was 8-5. “Reducing the cost of prescription drugs is one of our top priorities–Coloradans are suffering under the high cost of drugs and can’t wait any longer for relief,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “This bill will ensure that Colorado is ready to act if and when the federal government expands safe and affordable drug imports.” Recent analysis of Colorado’s All Payer Claims Database found that Colorado spent $4 billion in 2018 on prescription drugs, which is 13 percent of all health care spending in the state and an increase of over $300 million since 2016. Nearly 11 percent of Coloradans did not fill a prescription due to cost in 2019, a figure that’s even higher in some parts of the state, such as Pueblo, where it was 18.3 percent. HCPF estimates after looking at 50 drugs that drugs imported from Canada are on average 63 percent cheaper compared to prices in Colorado. SB21-123 would authorize the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to expand its current drug importation program to include countries in addition to Canada, if federal policy allows such an expansion. The legislation positions Colorado to continue lowering drug costs by expanding the drug importation program. Drugs imported through the program would meet federal supply chain laws and labeling requirements and be the same as the current FDA-approved versions, which are produced across the world for the US market. They would also be tested for authenticity and degradation. Previous Next