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The House today passed two bipartisan bills to boost the math performance of Colorado’s students and train educators in “Stop the Bleed” for emergency, life-saving situations. < Back April 13, 2023 Bipartisan Bills to Boost PreK-12 Math Performance, Train Educators for Emergencies Press Ahead DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bipartisan bills to boost the math performance of Colorado’s students and train educators in “Stop the Bleed” for emergency, life-saving situations. HB23-1231 passed by a vote of 51 to 12 and HB23-1213 passed by a vote of 57 to 6. “As a former teacher, I know the importance of out-of-school programming, which is why we’re making a major investment to improve the math skills of all of our students,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsor of HB23-1231. “By using evidence-informed tools, we can meet students where they are while empowering educators and parents in the process. From educator training to creating math-focused learning opportunities after school, this legislation takes a multi-pronged approach to boost our students' math skills.” HB23-1231 , sponsored by Representative Barbara McLachlan and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, invests $25.6 million to incorporate multiple evidence-informed curriculum and intervention strategies into schools, after-school programs, and educator training to improve students’ math performance. Specifically, this bill makes it easier for students to get the support they need to improve their math skills both in and out of school. HB23-1231 permits the Colorado Department of Education to make free training available through a train-the-trainer model and technical assistance in math instruction to empower teachers to incorporate evidence-informed math education in the classrooms and identify areas of improvement for students. The bill would enable schools to send notifications to parents and caregivers if their students are underperforming or struggling in math and incorporates a train-the-parent model to increase understanding of math concepts at home. This bill also creates a new state-based grant program focused on after-school math and STEM improvement. In addition, HB23-1231 takes a compounding approach to improve students' math skills throughout the course of their educational experiences. This includes integrating early numeracy into universal preschool quality standards and establishing a Ninth Grade Success Grant Program to help students tackle math concepts at a critical point in their secondary education. “The more teachers and staff we can prepare for emergency situations, the more likely we are to save a life,” said School Psychologist Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB23-1213 . “This legislation makes it easier for schools to get the training and materials needed to stop excessive bleeding. Time is precious in any emergency and this bipartisan legislation ensures teachers, staff and older students have proper “Stop the Bleed” training to respond effectively and efficiently to save lives.” HB23-1213 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Mary Bradfield, would require the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to distribute “Stop the Bleed” kits and training materials to K-12 schools that opt into the program. Bleed control kits and training resources contain first-aid materials for treating blood loss in traumatic injuries. This legislation aims to better prepare educators for emergency situations by providing life-saving materials accompanied by training to help keep people alive. “Stop the Bleed” is a straightforward, standardized set of training materials and recommendations for everyday people caring for someone experiencing excessive bleeding through applying pressure to the wound and tying tourniquets to help those trained act quickly in emergency situations. Previous Next

< Back March 11, 2021 AVANZA PROPUESTA PARA EXPANDIR EL ACCESO AL VOTO La propuesta legislativa crearía una línea de ayuda para traducir las boletas electorales y requeriría que ciertos condados impriman boletas en idiomas aparte del inglés DENVER, CO– El Comité de Asuntos Cívicos, Militares, del Estado y de los Veteranos en la Cámara de Representantes hoy aprobó HB21-1011, una propuesta legislativa para expandir el acceso al voto y mejorar la participación electoral al expandir el acceso a las boletas electorales multilingües. La propuesta avanzó con un voto de 6 a 3. “Existen decenas de millares de personas en Colorado que tiene el derecho de votar, pero que efectivamente se les niega el acceso porque no hablan muy bien inglés y viven en alguno de los condados en donde los materiales electorales solo se proporcionan en Inglés,” dijo la Representante Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton). “Yo estoy comprometida a asegurar que nuestro gran sistema electoral sea aún más accesible para todos, y esta propuesta nos acerca a poder garantizar que así sea.” HB21-1011 le daría a todos los votantes acceso a una línea de ayuda que proporcionaría traducción de boletas electorales en los idiomas principales del Censo. Además, requeriría que los condados en donde un idioma minoritario sea hablado por al menos 2,000 votantes elegibles o el 2.5% de los votantes elegibles impriman boletas electorales en ese idioma, ya sea en copias físicas o electrónicamente. Previous Next

< Back September 15, 2021 HEROD STATEMENT ON AURORA POLICE AND FIRE PATTERNS AND PRACTICES INVESTIGATION DENVER, CO– Representative Leslie Herod today released the following statement on the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue patterns and practices investigation. “The findings from the attorney general’s investigation of racism in policing in Aurora are incredibly disturbing. However, for those of us who have been working on anti-racism in public policy and accountability for law enforcement, they are sadly not surprising. “The activists and family members of those who have been hurt and killed have worked tirelessly for years, raising their voices to explain that Aurora has a pattern and history of racist policing, specifically targeting Black people. This independent investigation has finally vindicated them. “Colorado has led the way on bold legislative action on police accountability after last summer’s racial justice protests. These findings demonstrate the need for those policy changes, but there is still so much work left to do to keep our communities safe in Colorado.” Previous Next

< Back January 6, 2023 Duran Statement on the Increase of Domestic Violence Deaths in Colorado DENVER, CO – Majority Leader Monica Duran today released the following statement regarding the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board’s report which revealed an increase in domestic violence deaths in 2021. Statement from Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge: “The annual report from the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board has confirmed one of my worst fears – domestic violence deaths surged in 2021 and are now at an all-time high in Colorado. “This is frightening, and I am keeping those who have lost a friend or loved one to domestic violence very close to my heart. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes and communities. For a time in my life, I was not safe in my own home. I know the feeling of displacement and the struggle of navigating your next move to keep you and your children safe. “Today, and every day, I am deeply committed to ensuring Colorado’s crime victims and survivors receive the support and services they deserve. While the rise of domestic violence deaths is troubling and we have a lot to work to do, we have been able to secure multi-year funding that will enhance services for victims of crime. This year, we will make improving public safety a top priority and continue our focus on providing the services that survivors need.” In Colorado, domestic violence deaths are at an all-time high since the state began tracking this information in 2016. Majority Leader Duran, a domestic violence survivor, has spent her career at the capitol advocating for survivors' rights and services. In 2022, Majority Leader Duran spearheaded SB22-183 which invested $48 million toward providing critical resources, programs and support to victims of crime, including domestic violence. She has also sponsored bills to protect survivors of domestic violence by strengthening enforcement of requirements that certain domestic violence abusers relinquish their firearms. If you need help in Colorado, call (800) 799-7233 to be connected to the National Domestic Violence Hotline or visit violencefreecolorado.org . Previous Next

A pair of new laws that will make life safer for Coloradans will go into effect on January 1, 2024. < Back December 20, 2023 New Laws Making Colorado Safer Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - A pair of new laws that will make life safer for Coloradans will go into effect on January 1, 2024. HB23-1222 , sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, creates new requirements for domestic violence cases in municipal courts to provide protections for victims. The law ensures provisions of the Victims’ Rights Act are applied in municipal courts, instructs judges to check a defendant for prior charges before issuing a verdict, and ensures all cases in municipal courts have the same resources and safety precautions available that they would in a county court, among other requirements. “As a survivor of domestic violence, I know how hard it is to seek accountability in court which is why support and protections for victims is so important,” said Duran. “Holding municipal courts to the same standard for domestic violence cases as county courts ensures that victims receive identical treatment in the court system. With the implementation of our new law, we can create a safer environment for victims to hold their abuser accountable, no matter where they live.” “I was proud to be a part of multiple pieces of transformative legislation to strengthen autonomy and control for survivors of intimate violence last session,” said Winter. “No survivor should ever have to pay a bill for their forensic exam, or feel unsafe during their court proceedings. This new law signals our commitment to furthering support for survivors of domestic violence in Colorado.” "This law will better support survivors of domestic violence by guaranteeing all Coloradans protections under the Victims Rights Amendment, no matter which court handles their case," said Weissman. "It is crucial for survivors to have support to ensure their well-being and safety. This law requires all courts to provide the same sentencing requirements and victim protections for domestic violence cases so all Coloradans can receive equal treatment." “Keeping Colorado families and communities safe is a top priority of mine,” said Roberts, sponsor of HB23-1222 and HB23-1267. “Previously, county and municipal courts weren’t held to the same procedural standards for domestic violence cases, which is why we passed HB23-1222 to improve the way municipal courts handle domestic violence cases and ensure survivors are given the protections they deserve. HB23-1267 meanwhile will help improve safety on our roads, especially dangerous mountain routes. These are common sense bills that will create a safer state for us all.” HB23-1267 , sponsored by Roberts and House Speaker Julie McCluske, D-Dillon, will make mountain roadways safer by allowing the Department of Transportation to establish enhanced speeding fines on highways where the downhill grade is 5 percent or greater and where there are safety concerns related to commercial motor vehicle drivers exceeding the posted speed limits. “Our Colorado mountain roads can be dangerous, especially in the I-70 corridor that is frequented by commercial drivers who might not have mountain driving experience,” said McCluskie. “This law doubles speeding fines for trucks driving down steep grades, which will help prevent unnecessary accidents, improve traffic and make our roads safer.” Previous Next

Speaker Julie McCluskie today released the following statement after the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) voted to approve the Shoshone water rights acquisition. < Back November 20, 2025 Speaker McCluskie Celebrates Shoshone Water Rights Decision DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie today released the following statement after the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) voted to approve the Shoshone water rights acquisition. This step brings Colorado closer to securing two water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant, including one of the state’s most significant Colorado River water rights, for permanent instream flow protection. Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon: “I’m thrilled Colorado is seizing an opportunity to secure durable solutions for the Colorado River. From outdoor enthusiasts and mountain communities to farmers and native species, we all depend on Colorado’s water. Securing the Shoshone water rights will help Colorado strengthen its protections for both Western Slope and Front Range users and uphold the Colorado way of life. “As Colorado moves forward in this process, I’d like to thank CWCB for its ongoing commitment to ensuring Colorado’s water rights are exercised as intended in perpetuity. Taking action now means we can better secure Colorado’s water future for generations to come.” In 2024, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Speaker McCluskie spearheaded a $20 million appropriation to the River District for the purchase of the Shoshone Water Rights. Speaker McCluskie is a legislative champion for Colorado’s water rights, sponsoring legislation to restore critical protections to Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands after the US Supreme Court stripped away federal protections. She’s also sponsored bills to establish the Colorado River Drought Task Force, invest in conservation and protection projects, and drive sports betting revenue toward water projects. Previous Next

< Back Reps. Bacon & Willford: Ready to Fight Legislatively to Provide Air-Quality Win for Coloradans Feb 21, 2024 See more This story was originally published in Colorado Politics here . Colorado’s legislative session lasts just 120 days. It is a sprint from January to May, racing against the clock to get as much good work done for the people of Colorado as we possibly can. But like every dedicated athlete or weekend warrior, we know wins come from the months of dedicated preparation leading up to a race, and that is exactly what we’ve been up to since last spring and in the first few weeks of the legislative session. Last year we fell short of a decisive win with House Bill 23-1294 , the Protecting Communities from Air Pollution Act. Our goal was to improve Colorado’s broken air quality permitting and enforcement system, which has worsened the state’s ozone crisis and kept any marginal improvements from making air in our communities more breathable. And though the version of the bill that passed took a few important steps in the right direction (requiring rule-making on cumulative impacts, updating complaint processes and eliminating loopholes for polluters), we knew our work needed to continue in 2024. Last fall, the Legislative Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality heard testimony from hundreds of Coloradans who bravely shared their stories about the ways poor air quality has negatively impacted their lives. We also made sure to bring state agencies and industry voices to the table — all of these perspectives were important for us to consider as we pondered and debated the best ways for us to address what is truly a crisis for so many Coloradans. The American Lung Association's 2023 State of the Air report reflects data so many of us know to be true anecdotally: air quality along the Front Range continues to get worse. Every county in the Denver metro area received a failing grade. But up to this point, that evidence, coupled with more bloody noses, increased instances of asthma and lung disease and days of school and work missed because of unbreathable air, have not been enough to make changes that would put Colorado back on the right track. No more — we’re at the starting line, revved up and raring to go as we and our colleagues prepare to launch three bills we believe everyone who cares about the health of their loved ones, communities and the planet, to boot, can get behind. Up first: permitting. Colorado’s permitting processes are standing in the way of ozone attainment by failing to adequately consider the air quality impacts of minor sources — including almost all oil and gas sources. The bill we are sponsoring will ensure emissions from proposed projects are aggregated so regulators get an accurate picture of the emissions a project will produce. It will also require greater scrutiny for permits in the nonattainment area, and require oil and gas operators to obtain a permit to pollute from the Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) before the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) can issue a permit for drilling or fracking. Immediate reduction measures are also critically important for the health of our communities, and our colleague, state Sen. Kevin Priola, is sponsoring a bill to address this. His bill targets a number of different emissions sources: cars, trucks, home appliances and oil and gas operations. By implementing seasonal restrictions on oil and gas production, creating standards for non-road engine emissions, finding ways to make electric appliances more accessible to more people, and setting goals for reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) we will have a fighting chance at getting back into compliance with federal air quality standards. None of those measures will matter, however, if the state doesn’t have the appropriate mechanisms to enforce them. That is where the bill of state Sen. Faith Winter and state Rep. Meg Froelich comes in. Right now, it is often more economical for polluters to pay paltry fines rather than comply; their bill will require repeat violators to pay mandatory fines, in part into a fund that will support environmental mitigation projects. It will also create a public right to enforce the APCD’s regulations if the APCD is not pursuing enforcement. It further takes steps to increase transparency. Our laws should do what they were passed with the intention to do. Communities along the Front Range and across the state, especially low-income and communities of color, have suffered for far too long. Thanks to the work of the Interim Committee, our constituents and advocates, we’ve begun this legislative session more prepared to fight for a win than ever before. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to protect LGBTQIA+ youth in Colorado schools. < Back March 1, 2024 Bill to Protect LGBTQIA+ Youth Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to protect LGBTQIA+ youth in Colorado schools. HB24-1039 , sponsored by Representatives Stephanie Vigil and Brianna Titone, clarifies the responsibility of school districts to adhere to non-discrimination laws, including addressing students by their self-identified preferred names which is independent of a court-ordered legal name change. “Prioritizing the health and well-being of all Colorado youth makes our families and communities more resilient. All kids should feel safe and accepted in order to grow, learn, and thrive,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, Chair of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee. “This legislation is about protecting our youth in schools from deadnaming, bullying, and unsanctioned outings to classmates. I support all families, with unique concern for transgender youth and their parents who are being targeted with harassment and violence. This bill will make our schools safer and more welcoming for all of Colorado's youth." “A name is an important aspect of a person's individuality,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, Co-Chair of the Colorado Democratic LGBTQ Caucus . “This legislation, brought to us by Colorado students, is about creating a better learning environment for their fellow students. Giving a student the ability to have their chosen name honored is a gesture of dignity, respect and an impactful way to help marginalized students thrive.” HB24-1039 aims to clarify the application of non-discrimination statutes to school districts, particularly the imperative to address students by their self-identified names. The goal of HB24-1039 is to protect and empower youth in Colorado schools. This bill passed the House by a vote of 42 to 19. This legislation stipulates that students have the right to be addressed by their preferred names. Public schools and institute charter schools will need to use a student's preferred name when requested. The legislation defines a chosen name as any nomenclature an individual formally requests, reflective of their gender identity and differentiated from their legal name. The bill is one of three pieces of legislation put forth by the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Interim Committee . Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2019 EFFORT TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE Around $150 billion is wagered illegally on sports every year in the U.S. (Apr. 22) – The House Finance committee passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Majority Leader Alec Garnett that would legalize sports betting in Colorado. This bill would require voter approval if passed by the General Assembly. “Coloradans should have the option of betting on the Rockies in the World Series or the Avs in the Stanley Cup. Voters support funding to protect our water and this will help them do their part,” said Majority Leader Garnett, D-Denver. “Our outdoor economy depends on access to water and healthy rivers and this will help generate much needed funding for the Colorado Water Plan. And it is our hope that this measure will help stamp out black market sports betting.” HB19-1327 would provide a master license to local casinos who can then contract with brick and mortar and/or internet sports betting operators to provide sports betting in Colorado. A 10 percent tax on net sports betting proceeds will be placed in a Sports Betting Fund. That fund will go towards the Water Implementation Cash Fund to fund Colorado Water Plan projects to keep our drinking water safe, our farms and ranches thriving, and keep our rivers healthy. The Colorado Water Conservation Board will govern the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. Some of the eligible projects for these funds are water storage and supply projects, conversation and land use projects, engagement and innovation activities, agricultural projects and environmental and recreation projects. Organizations in support of this measure are the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the Colorado Municipal League, the Colorado River District, the Environmental Defense Action Fund, Western Resource Advocates, and Denver Water. HB19-1327 passed out of the committee with a bipartisan vote of 9-1. It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. The bill is sponsored by Minority Leader Patrick Neville. The Senate sponsors are Sen. Kerry Donovan and Sen. John Cooke. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2021 STATE AFFAIRS PASSES BILLS TO SUPPORT VETERANS DENVER, CO– The House State, Civic, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee today advanced two bills sponsored by Rep. David Ortiz that will support veterans in Colorado. “With over 400,000 veterans calling Colorado home, our state is known as a great place for veterans to settle down after military service,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “The bill we passed today recognizes that there’s more work we need to do to ensure that every veteran in Colorado has access to the behavioral health care they need. By creating a suicide prevention pilot program, we can connect more veterans with the critical services they need to thrive.” SB21-129 , sponsored by Representative David Ortiz, would create a veteran suicide prevention pilot program in the Department of Human Services to reduce the suicide rate and suicidal ideation among veterans. The program would provide free, confidential behavioral health treatment for up to 700 veterans and their families. Services would be provided through agreements with nonprofit organizations. Previous Next

Learn more about the Colorado House Democrats, including meeting minutes and locations. Meetings & Minutes Meeting minutes and notices prior to August 22, 2024 can be found in the archive. December 15, 2025 12:00 PM Energy & Environment Committee Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes December 11, 2025 12:00 PM Health & Human Services Committee Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes November 11, 2025 8:30 AM Gun Violence Prevention Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes November 6, 2025 8:30 AM House Democrats Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025 3:00 PM House Democratic Caucus Budget Briefing Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes October 30, 2025 12:00 PM Health & Human Services Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes September 25, 2025 12:00 PM Health & Human Services Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes August 28, 2025 12:00 PM Health & Human Services Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes August 24, 2025 8:30 PM House Democrats Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes August 21, 2025 House Democrats Caucus Meeting (Upon Adjournment) Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes August 20, 2025 1:00 PM House Democrats Working Group Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes August 20, 2025 4:00 PM Health & Human Services Caucus Meeting Meeting Notice Meeting Minutes

< Back May 26, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE GETS MAJOR FUNDING BOOST DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today approved Representative Kerry Tipper’s bill to invest in our early childhood education and care providers and channel state and federal funds to support Colorado’s families. This bill is a part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed by a vote of 7-2. “This session, we’ve made sure to put families first as we worked to build back a stronger Colorado and create an economy that leaves no one behind,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “The robust investments that this bill channels into early childhood education and child care will support working parents returning to their places of employment post-pandemic, create and retain good jobs for educators, and help beat back some of the worst effects of the economic downturn that disproportionately affected women.” SB21-236 takes several steps to support child care providers and young families in Colorado. First, it creates the innovative new Employer-based Child Care Facility Grant Program and funds it with Colorado Comeback state stimulus dollars. The program would award matching grants to nonprofit, private, and government employers to retrofit and develop new, on-site or near-site, licensed child care facilities. These grants are meant to ensure that Coloradans have access to high-quality child care at their places of work as we come out of the pandemic, and would prioritize employers whose workforce earns below the area median income. The bill also sets up a framework to ensure hundreds of millions of federal dollars directed to the Child Care and Development (CCDF) fund can be spent effectively and efficiently by the Department of Human Services. These funds have already been disbursed by the federal government but require state approval to be properly implemented. SB21-236 sets up several new programs and adequately funds several others to ensure Colorado’s youngest kids, as well as their parents and early childhood professionals, can thrive. The seven programs in this category, as outlined in the bill’s fiscal note , include The Child Care Sustainability Grant Program, created in last year’s special session to provide financial support to licensed child care providers and neighborhood youth organizations that were at risk of closing their doors due to the pandemic. The bill also creates and funds several programs to foster innovation, recruit and retain educators, and support mental health wellness in the early childhood education and care sector. Previous Next