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Bipartisan legislation outlines the fourth and final round of funding for the Opportunity Now grant program < Back March 20, 2024 Bill to Support Jobs, Meet Workforce Demands in Construction and Building Trades Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to extend funding to the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program. HB24-1365 would help communities address workforce shortages and create connections for Coloradans seeking high-paying, skilled careers. “Opportunity Now grants have fostered transformative changes for Colorado’s workforce, encouraged job growth and supported rural and mountain communities like mine in Northwestern Colorado,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan bill outlines the final round of funding for the grant program and has an important focus on the construction and building trades. We’re working hard to meet our workforce needs and that begins with helping Coloradans secure good-paying jobs in growing industries.” HB24-1365 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed committee unanimously. This bill supports the fourth and final round of the successful Opportunity Now Colorado grants. The goal of this bill is to connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-wage careers, specifically in the construction, infrastructure and building trades. This bill also creates the Regional Talent Summit Grant Program to help Coloradans get connected to these in-demand careers in their communities and establishes a workforce shortage tax credit to help with facility and equipment improvements needed to train workers in new, emerging fields by leveraging federal investments outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act and others. Opportunity Now is a grant program that has awarded $27 million to 46 grantees representing 145 businesses and 78 education partners in 38 different industries. Previous Next

< Back April 11, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES GRANT TO HELP 9TH GRADERS SUCCEED & LOWER DROPOUT RATE Bipartisan bill approved on a vote of 10-3 (Apr. 11) — The House Education committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, and Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, that would create a program to help students in the 9th grade succeed, as studies have shown that 9th grade can be an indicator on if a student will drop of out of school. “As a teacher, I know how crucial it is to provide resources for these students and help them succeed early on,” said Rep. Buentello. “Data shows that ninth grade is the make or break it moment for students. Students are not just passed up anymore, they have to pass or fail, and this reality often hits them like a ton of bricks. The data shows these types programs that focus on keeping kids in schools succeed in their mission.” HB19-1276 establishes a ninth grade success grant program administered by the Department of Education to help ninth grade students develop the skills needed to graduate from high school and succeed afterwards. The bill outlines best practices that must be utilized for the purposes of the program in order for a local education provider to be eligible for a grant. The department would reviews applications from local education providers and recommends to the State Board of Education about awarding grants. “In Colorado Springs, we’ve got a school district that has a dropout rate of around three percent, which is higher than the state average. This puts that school district in the bottom 20 percent of graduation dropout rate statewide, which is really heartbreaking” said Rep. Exum. “If we can do something to help kids succeed in school, then we should do it.” This grant would prioritize schools with four-year high school graduation rates that are in the bottom 20 percent statewide. The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 10-3 and now heads to the House committee on Appropriations. Previous Next

< Back February 13, 2023 Titone Statement on Defeated Anti-Trans Bill DENVER, CO – Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, today released the following statement on anti-trans legislation defeated by Democrats on the State, Civic, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee: “It is infuriating that trans people, their families and allies must come to the Capitol to advocate against legislation that targets our community just months after a shooter attacked LGBTQ Coloradans at Club Q – violence incited in part by dangerous rhetoric elevated by politicians with platforms. While Colorado is long past being known as ‘the hate state,’ GOP lawmakers continue to sponsor dangerous legislation that would harm trans youth. Laws like these give legitimacy to the hateful rhetoric and increase bullying, physical assaults on trans youth, and rates of suicide and self harm. “Across the country, Republican-led state legislatures are attacking LGBTQ people and passing laws that endanger trans lives by legislating away their existence. From furries in classrooms to claims of voter fraud, discredited conspiracies are fueling Republican bills that are nothing more than solutions in search of problems that don’t exist. We won’t let them pass in Colorado. House Democrats will continue to govern responsibly, focus on the most pressing needs in our communities, and defend our freedoms and democracy.” Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2021 DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CREATED TO SUPPORT COLORADO FAMILIES DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed into law Speaker Garnett and Representative Sirota’s bill to create a new, cabinet-level state agency focused on early childhood education and care, setting up the framework for universal pre-K in Colorado. “This is a great day for Colorado’s kids, parents, educators, and early childhood advocates,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “Guided by their input, this year we set out to ensure Colorado families can access affordable, quality preschool education and early learning services. Today we delivered by creating an innovative new agency that will set us down the path toward guaranteeing universal pre-k to every family in Colorado. Investing in our kids means planting the seeds for a better, more prosperous Colorado to come.” “For too long, Colorado’s early childhood education and care system has been fractured and difficult to navigate,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “After today, our efforts to support, educate and care for our youngest Coloradans will be more efficiently organized and will have the resources and funding they need to make a difference. As a former early learning professional, I know that supporting families during the critical early learning years is among the most impactful things we can do to invest in our childrens’ success.” Based on the recommendations of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, HB21-1304 creates the Department of Early Childhood as a new, cabinet-level state agency with a mission to expand access to high-quality, voluntary, affordable early childhood opportunities, support parents in accessing programs and services, promote equitable delivery of resources, and unify the fragmented administration of early childhood services to reduce duplicative oversight and administrative burden on families, providers, and educators. The new law also requires the creation of a plan to implement voluntary universal preschool statewide in alignment with Proposition EE, and streamlines existing and new funding sources for early childhood education and care programs. Under this legislation, the Governor will submit the community-informed transition plan to the Joint Budget Committee in November as part of his 2022 budget request, to be considered for further legislative action by the General Assembly in the 2022 session. Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO ADDRESS DISRUPTED LEARNING FROM COVID-19 DENVER, CO– The House today passed two bills to address disrupted learning from the COVID-19 pandemic. HB21-1259 would make it easier for students to access critical extended learning opportunities, and SB21-013 would identify and collect resources and best practices for districts to deploy to address disrupted learning. “Disrupted learning could become one of the long-lasting impacts of this pandemic if we don’t act quickly and decisively to provide Colorado students with the resources they need,” said Denver Public Schools Director Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “These bills will help school districts in every corner of the state access additional tools and resources faster to help address students’ specific learning needs. The bills ensure that the best practices districts learn and uncover are reported and shared with all districts and families so we all have the tools we need to help students. We’re doing everything we can to put students, teachers and parents first as we recover from this pandemic and build back stronger.” HB21-1259, which passed by a vote of 53-1, is sponsored by Representative Baco. It streamlines the application process and reporting requirements for school districts seeking to access stimulus funding to provide students with extended learning opportunities. By making it easier to access these funds, more Colorado students will have access to these critical learning opportunities that will be utilized to address COVID-19-related disruptions to learning. “School districts across Colorado have deployed a range of tools and strategies to address disrupted learning from COVID-19, and now we’re creating a tool to facilitate access and share these best practices,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “We’re committed to helping school districts and teachers have the tools they need to work with students and reverse the impacts of learning disruptions related to COVID-19.” SB21-013, which passed by a vote of 42-21, is sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Meg Froelich. It directs the Department of Education to identify and collect resources to help school districts address learning disruptions. It will include products, strategies, and services that have been demonstrated to identify and address learning disruption experienced as a result of disruptions to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also directs local education providers to expand students’ access to online courses currently provided on the Colorado Digital Learning Solutions platform, and to communicate the availability of these learning recovery opportunities to students’ families. The Colorado Department of Education is expected to receive $1.2 billion in federal stimulus money from the American Rescue Plan, about $1 billion of which will go directly to school districts. Of the $120 million kept by CDE, approximately $58 million must be used on evidence-based interventions to address the impacts of COVID-19, $12 million for after school programming, and $12 million for summer programming. Previous Next

The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English that would reduce recidivism by improving access to quality behavioral health care in the criminal justice system. The bill passed by a vote of 6-5. < Back January 21, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Reduce Recidivism Through Behavioral Health Care DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English that would reduce recidivism by improving access to quality behavioral health care in the criminal justice system . The bill passed by a vote of 6-5 . “This bill will improve public safety by reducing recidivism rates and slowing the cycle of reincarceration,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “Unfortunately, many individuals in custody re-offend once released due to a lack of access to mental health services needed to stabilize and successfully reenter society. Supporting jails that provide behavioral health services and treatments for Coloradans with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, and overall behavioral health needs will make our communities safer and reduce the likelihood of someone reoffending.” HB25-1008 , also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County, would allow for funding to be utilized to increase training opportunities for jail staff to provide services and treatments for various behavioral health disorders for Coloradans in custody. The Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services Program, established by a bipartisan law in 2018, provides behavioral health screening and access to services such as therapeutic treatment and psychiatric medication prescriptions to individuals in custody while supporting continuity of care within the community once released. The committee also passed HB25-1058 to update the procedures for not guilty by reason of insanity cases requiring the court, the Department of Human Services, and involved parties to determine whether a sanity examination requires the defendant to stay overnight or longer for further examination. If the defendant is at liberty on summons or on bond, this bill would allow the court to have broader authority during situations when a defendant is placed in custody in order to conduct the sanity examination. The bill passed by a vote of 8-2. Previous Next

< Back May 7, 2023 House Passes Support for Universal Preschool Providers DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to provide one-time bonuses for universal preschool providers. “With Universal Preschool on the horizon, we’re making sure providers know that we’re grateful for their tireless efforts to educate our youngest learners,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “This bipartisan bill will help recruit more providers and will send preschool providers a bonus to help them renovate spaces, purchase new educational materials, and support their staff. Without our providers it would be impossible to implement free, high-quality universal preschool for our children, and this bill provides them with a much needed thank you.” Supporting Universal Preschool Providers : SB23-269 , sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens and Mary Bradfield, passed the House by a vote of 50 to 14. This bill invests $2.5 million in bonus payments for Universal Preschool (UPK) providers to support their programs, staff and facilities. This bill would provide one-time bonus payments for early childhood care providers participating in Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program . The bonuses must be used to implement the UPK, or to maintain or expand infant and toddler care capacity. This bill will help ensure there are enough providers in the state so that all families who want to participate in UPK can choose the right setting for their child, and provides support to child care providers in licensed community-based and home-based programs who are participating in state-run preschools for the first time. Recently, the Polis administration announced that more than 25,000 families who signed up for the first round of UPK Colorado have been matched with a provider, with more than 90-percent being matched with one of their top five providers. It is estimated that families who participate in UPK Colorado will save $6,000 per year. UPK sign up is available online on a rolling basis. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2020 PAY FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES IS ABOUT TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE The House today passed legislation to allow collegiate athletes to be compensated for the use of their image and likeness. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and James Coleman, passed the House by a vote of 55-9 and now moves on to the Governor’s desk for final approval. “This bill sends a message to colleges across the country: student athletes have the right to share in the wealth that their presences bring into institutions of higher education,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver . “Student athletes should be able to profit off of the brand they work so hard to create and cultivate. With the boom of the social media influencer profession, it’s more important than ever to give student athletes to earn from their likeness.” “This bill will give College athletes the opportunity to earn while they learn,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver . “This is a huge win and we hope that the bill will bring equity to the world of collegiate sports and allow more student athletes to stay in school without fear of financial instability.” Last October, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Board of Governors announced their intention to permit student athletes to profit from the use of their likeness. Prior to the NCAA announcement, California passed a bill that banned in-state schools from preventing athletes from accepting compensation from advertisers. It also allows them to hire agents. Illinois , New York , Florida and now Colorado have introduced bills to allow for athletes to profit from their likeness. SB20-123 would prevent higher education institutions in Colorado from upholding any rule, requirement, standard or other limitation that prevents a student athlete of the institution from earning compensation from the use of the athlete’s name, image or likeness. The bill would also prevent collegiate institutions from providing prospective athletes with compensation prior to their signing. Additionally, athletes will be able to secure athletic and legal representation, and any compensation the athlete receives cannot affect their eligibility to participate in collegiate sports. Athletes who decide to enter into an endorsement deal would have to let the athletic directors of their institutions know 72 hours after the contract is signed. Previous Next

Viewers accessed the video live stream of committees more than 15,000 times this interim < Back November 14, 2025 Speaker McCluskie Highlights Success of Committee Video Streaming Pilot Project DENVER, CO – The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council today received a report from Legislative Council Staff (LCS) on a recent pilot project to live stream and record video from legislative committee hearings. The pilot program is set to expire at the end of 2025. Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: “The committee video streaming pilot has been a resounding success – viewers accessed the live streams of 35 committee hearings more than 15,000 times this interim. For example, during our hearing with state economists and department leaders on the devastating impacts of the federal GOP budget on Medicaid, SNAP and health care, viewers accessed the live stream more than 2,500 times. “Video streaming increases transparency, improves civic engagement and helps modernize the legislative process. There is no doubt that video streaming is popular. While cost and budgetary constraints are certainly factors, I would like to find a way to continue streaming video of our committee hearings, and I want to thank our nonpartisan staff for their efforts to make this pilot possible.” According to LCS, viewers accessed livestreamed video a total of 15,251 times during 35 committee meetings between July 30 and November 5, 2025. Nearly 60-percent of the views were related to or occurred during August’s special session. Viewers accessed the live streams for the 10 committees of reference that met during the special session 4,500 times. The live stream was accessed more than 2,500 times for the July 30 Executive Committee, where state economists and departments presented on the impacts of HR. 1. The LCS report says the informal feedback has been “very positive” and that viewers “were especially happy to be able to see slide presentations live.” The pilot program, for which the Speaker strongly advocated, covered five committee rooms, including the Old State Library, the Old Supreme Court Chamber, House Committee Room 0112, Senate Committee Room 357, and Committee Room A in the Legislative Services Building. Colorado is one of two states in the nation that does not have video streaming in legislative committee rooms. Previous Next

< Back May 6, 2021 BILL TO EXPAND BACKGROUND CHECKS, SAVE LIVES ADVANCES Judiciary Committee Advances gun violence prevention measure DENVER, CO– The House Judiciary Committee today advanced Reps. Judy Amabile and Steven Woodrow’s bill to strengthen Colorado’s gun transfer background check system by preventing individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors from obtaining a firearm for a period of time and closing the ‘Charleston Loophole’. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “When my community was devastated by the senseless actions of a troubled individual with a history of violence, I was left reeling and grasping for answers on how to prevent this from happening again,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “As the investigation continues, it has become clear to me that the shooter’s conviction of a violent misdemeanor should have been the red flag that prevented him from buying a deadly weapon. I’m proud to honor my community with action today.” “Child abuse, hate crimes, possession of an illegal weapon — these are the types of recent convictions that would stop you from obtaining a firearm under this bill,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “While I’m certain we’ll continue to encounter opposition on this legislation moving forward, an overwhelming majority of Coloradans agree it really shouldn’t be controversial. This bill is about saving lives, and ensuring that individuals with a history of violence have a more difficult time getting their hands on the type of weapon that can take a dozen lives in mere seconds.” HB21-1298 prohibits a person who has been convicted of certain violent misdemeanor offenses from purchasing a firearm for 5 years. These specific criminal offenses show a propensity for violence or illegal usage of a weapon and include charges like child abuse, hate crimes, cruelty to animals, sexual assault, and third degree assault. The bill also closes the “Charleston loophole”, which allows an individual who may not have otherwise passed a background check to obtain a firearm if the results of said background check take longer than three days to process. This bill avoids that by creating a state requirement for a firearms dealer to receive approval from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation prior to transferring a firearm. Previous Next

< Back May 24, 2019 GOV SIGNS DEM-LED BILLS ADDRESSING OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid crisis (May 23) – Today, Gov. Polis signed a package of bills that are part of House Democrats’ efforts to combat the opioid crisis. First, Gov. Polis signed HB19-1009 sponsored by Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, and Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont. “This law is focused on people who are going through substance use recovery and are at the end of that spectrum,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Through this bill, we are trying to reintegrate these folks back into the community and break down the barriers they face, like access to housing.” “The majority of people with a substance use disorder are currently in recovery today. Supporting recovery is the right thing to do, costing the state far less in the long run,” said Rep. Singer, when the bill passed the House. “This will play a huge role in ending the opioid crisis.” The new law improves support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders by expanding housing assistance for people transitioning out of treatment, increasing oversight of recovery residences to ensure high quality care and investing in recovery services for people who have sought care and treatment. Gov. Polis then signed SB19-008, Rep. Kennedy and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s common sense bill that examines alternatives to incarceration for individuals who need treatment for addiction instead of sitting in jail for drug-related offenses. SB19-008 is a product of the opioid interim committee and also looks to provide medication-assistance treatment (MAT) to individuals who may already be incarcerated. “We need to think collaboratively and strategically in order to address this crisis” said Rep. Kennedy. “By providing treatment, we can increase the likelihood that people struggling with addiction released from incarceration will be able to rebuild their lives and start contributing to our community once again.” “Coloradans are literally dying in jail because they are not getting the appropriate treatment for their substance use disorder,” said Rep. Singer, D-Boulder. “This law will help those struggling with addiction become productive members of society, not return as burdens to themselves, their families and taxpayers. I’m thankful to the counselors, law enforcement, my colleagues and people across the state who came to support this bill.” Gov. Polis then signed SB19-227, sponsored by Rep. Kennedy and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. This bill authorizes schools to obtain a supply of opiate antagonists, specifies that a licensed or certified hospital may be used as a clean syringe exchange site, creates the opiate antagonist purchase fund and expands the household medication take-back program in the Department of Public Health and Environment. “Addiction is a public health issue and harm reduction is an important and vital step to combating this epidemic in our communities. This new law will save lives and expand treatment and recovery options across Colorado,” said Rep. Herod. Finally, Gov. Polis signed SB19-228, Rep. Bri Buentello’s bill requiring certain health care providers who have prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of their continuing education and prohibiting a physician or physician assistant from accepting any direct or indirect benefits for prescribing a specific medication. “This new law will give Southern Colorado more of the tools we need to address the opioid crisis, prevent addiction and give people more access to treatment and recovery” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. SB19-228 also requires a prescription for an opioid for outpatient use to bear a warning label; creates several grant programs to improve public awareness of the dangers of substance use disorders; improves youth treatment and pre-and-postnatal care for women. In addition, the bill introduces several other measures aimed at substance use disorders prevention. The Governor also signed HB19-1193 sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod to provide behavioral health support for high-risk families. “We can’t incarcerate our way out of this crisis,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “By providing treatment, we can increase the likelihood that moms struggling with addiction will be able to rebuild their lives and take care of their children in a healthy and loving way.” HB19-1193 expands existing programs that provide access to substance use disorder treatment to pregnant and parenting women. This bill creates a child care pilot program for parenting women engaged in substance use disorder treatment. All of these bills were signed at the Sobriety House in Denver. Previous Next

< Back June 22, 2020 GOV. SIGNS SIX COVID RELIEF BILLS INTO LAW Denver, CO– Today, six bills passed by the General Assembly in response to the global pandemic were signed into law by the Governor. The Governor also signed the bipartisan budget or “long bill” into law this morning. “Coloradans are hurting, and I’m truly proud that we were able to pass crucial legislation to address those needs in a matter of weeks,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder . “These bills will go a long way towards helping Coloradans keep the lights on, keep food on the table, and stay in their homes during these unprecedented times. The House found important solutions that address this crisis head-on, and I’m thrilled that the Governor signed them into law today.” “Despite the unprecedented nature of this session, the legislature came together to support our state and deliver bipartisan results for the people of Colorado,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “Coloradans are struggling to keep their heads above water, and the signing of these bills into law will help soften the blow that this global pandemic has dealt. The hardships of the pandemic are by no means over, but this legislation will support Colorado’s hardworking individuals and small businesses as we kick off our recovery.” Coronavirus Relief Funds for Housing Assistance HB20-1410 — Reps. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Tony Exum, Sr. This bill provides $20 million in direct rental and mortgage assistance to Coloradans experiencing a financial need during these turbulent times, including $350,000 for legal aid for renters at risk of eviction. Coronavirus Relief Funds for Utility Assistance HB20-1412 — Reps. Chris Kennedy and Lisa Cutter The bill allocates $4.8 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, which helps Coloradans who are at risk of having their service shut off catch up on their utility payments.\ Coronavirus Relief Funds for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs HB20-1411 — Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Tracy Kraft-Tharp This bill dedicates $15 million to critical mental health programs and substance abuse treatment. 2-1-1 Statewide Human Services Referral System HB20-1197 — Reps. Marc Snyder and Janice Rich This bill provides an additional $500,000 to extend 2-1-1 information hotline to provide human services referrals related to the pandemic, including information on COVID test sites, emergency assistance, housing support, and information related to worker protections and health care discrimination through the end of 2020. Food Pantry Assistance HB20-1422 — Reps. Daneya Esgar and Lisa Cutter This bill provides $500,000 in funding for food banks to purchase more food and make it available across the state, and to create new market opportunities for Colorado’s agricultural producers. CARES Subfund HB20-1417 — Speaker KC Becker This bill establishes that the $70 million the governor allocated to the General Fund from the CARES Act will be set aside in an account called the CARESare Subfund and reiterates that the funds can only be used for CARES Act approved expenditures. Previous Next