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< Back April 5, 2019 GOV. SIGNS MCLACHLAN-ROBERTS BILL TO PROTECT CLEAN WATER (Apr. 5) – This week, Gov. Jared Polis signed Rep. Barbara McLachlan and Rep. Dylan Roberts’ bill to help prevent water pollution from future hardrock mining operations in Colorado. “This is good for our environment, and keeps a thriving mining industry moving forward,” said Rep. McLachlan, whose district was impacted by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill. “We can’t go back in time but we can ensure we have a brighter, safer future and one that protects our precious water.” “Mining is a part of our history and always has been. For a long time, it has shaped our economy, our water rights system, and our communities,” said Rep. Roberts. “However, water is our state’s most precious resource and must be protected. This new law will modernize our hard-rock mining laws to protect clean water and ensure that taxpayers are never left on the hook for a private company’s spills.” Mining operations have polluted more than 1,600 miles of Colorado rivers and streams, and our state is one of just seven that allow “self-bonding,” which allows mines to operate with insufficient recoverable assets, leaving taxpayers vulnerable to potential cleanup costs. HB19-1113 will ensure that when new mining permits are issued, sufficient and secure bonds are in place to ensure cleanup and better protect public health and the environment. The new law will end self-bonding for hardrock mines in Colorado and will explicitly include water quality protection in the calculation for the amount of bonding required. It will also require mining license applicants to set an end date for the cleanup of their operation, so that they can no longer just to do water treatment into perpetuity. Numerous small business owners, rafting outfitters, farmers, local elected officials and others from across western and southern Colorado testified at a House hearing in support of the bill and it passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. < Back June 3, 2025 Bill to Combat Predatory Vehicle Booting, Increase Consumer Protections Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory vehicle booting, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. HB25-1117 , sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, and Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, will improve oversight, transparency, and fairness surrounding vehicle immobilization, including booting. “Booting can be a useful tool for property owners, but it must be done fairly, with clear rules and oversight,” said Joseph. “This new law protects Coloradans from predatory booting practices while giving responsible companies the clarity they need to operate legally and transparently. By empowering the Public Utilities Commission to oversee booting, we’re making sure companies follow the rules and consumers are treated with respect.” “Lack of oversight has enabled predatory and abusive practices in the vehicle booting industry, and it’s time for Colorado law to catch up,” said Gonzales. “In previous years, we have made important progress to protect Coloradans from predatory towing practices, and this law is a step toward doing the same for vehicle booting. It establishes clear guidelines including prohibiting indiscriminate patrolling of parking lots and providing advanced notice before a car is immobilized, ensuring that no Coloradan unfairly loses access to their vehicle.” “Right now, vehicle booting companies are taking advantage of a lack of regulations to immobilize Coloradans’ vehicles for profit,” said Boesenecker. “Our law cracks down on booting companies that patrol parking lots and authorize their own booting practices that typically end up costing Coloradans money and time. To improve transparency and strengthen consumer protections, booting companies would be required to give consumers a fair warning and place a written notice on vehicles at least 24 hours before immobilizing them.” “For most Coloradans, a car is not a convenience – it is a livelihood. Cars are how Coloradans get to work, buy groceries and medicine, and take their kids to school,” said Weissman. “This new law is about preventing abuse by the vehicle booting industry, which currently operates with very little oversight, and establishing basic protections for Colorado drivers like clear signage and access to a payment plan. These protections prevent predatory booting and ensure that hardworking Coloradans can quickly restore access to their cars.” The law gives the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) additional oversight to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a permit to a vehicle booting company if the company is violating specific guidelines. Under the law, vehicle booting companies will be required to: Document a vehicle’s condition and the reason for immobilization before they immobilize it, Display the name of the company, the permit number, and a phone number of the company on each company vehicle used for immobilization, Not charge more than once for the removal of more than one immobilization device, and Remove an immobilization device if at least $60 of the total amount owed is paid. Additionally, vehicle booting companies must refrain from immobilizing a vehicle if: It has already been immobilized by another company, It is on private property, unless given appropriate permission, There is inadequate signage posted by the property owner, or Less than 24 hours notice has been given for a vehicle in a parking space or common parking area, with certain exceptions including if a vehicle is in a spot reserved for people with disabilities, is blocking a fire hydrant or roadway, or is in a spot designated for a specific individual. In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed landmark legislation to protect consumers against predatory towing practices, including HB21-1283 , HB22-1314 , and HB24-1051. Previous Next

< Back December 22, 2020 GARNETT STATEMENT ON FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE DENVER, CO — Speaker-designate Alec Garnett today released the following statement after Congress approved a bipartisan COVID stimulus bill. “Out of work families and struggling small businesses in Colorado have been waiting for months for Congress to put politics aside and people first,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “While I’m glad that this stimulus package will begin to chip away at the enormous need we have in our state, it’s clear that a great deal of work remains to be done. I applaud and appreciate the efforts of the members of Colorado’s congressional delegation who fought for increased direct economic relief and aid to states and local governments, and I encourage Congress to pass this in the next bill. While this is a welcome start, we need more from Washington. Congress should take a page from Colorado’s book and put aside their differences to build back stronger.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado. < Back May 10, 2024 Polis Signs Bill to Create the Office of Rail Safety PUEBLO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado. “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver . “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.” "Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry." “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Senator Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs, said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.” HB24-1030 will create the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office will be required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office would be required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by: Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination; Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems; Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches; Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations. Previous Next

< Back July 13, 2020 BILLS TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC SIGNED INTO LAW Governor signs bills to address opioid harm reduction and improve substance use disorder treatment Denver, CO — Today during a virtual bill signing Governor Jared Polis signed three bills to support Coloradans affected by opioid addictions and other substance use disorders into law. The bills will address harm reduction practices and enhance access to treatment for substance use disorders, including within the criminal justice system. SB20-007 , sponsored by Representatives Bri Buentello and Jim Wilson, requires insurance carriers to provide coverage for the treatment of a substance use disorder (SUD) in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine or other evidence-based guidelines. It also encourages access to medical or SUD treatment services, including recovery services, to people participating in prescribed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for a SUD and prohibits courts, probation or community corrections from prohibiting MAT as a condition of participation or placement. Finally, it authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to ensure that insurance carriers’ formularies include medications for MAT and coverage for opioid antagonists, such as naloxone (Narcan). “The opioid crisis was already a serious public health issue, and the pandemic has only made matters worse for our communities,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “This bill, and the larger opioid epidemic package we passed this year, will help get Coloradans who are working to overcome substance use disorders the treatment they need to break through. I’m proud of the work we did this year for Southern Colorado and other areas of our state that have been hit hard by this crisis.” HB20-1065 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Leslie Herod, aims to lower the rate of opioid overdoses and related deaths and better prevent the spread of communicable diseases that can be associated with the injection of illicit opioids. It would protect people who act in good faith to respond to overdoses by administering an opiate antagonist, such as naloxone, that has expired. The bill would also require insurance plans to reimburse hospitals that provide opiate antagonists to counteract overdoses that often occur upon discharge. To help prevent communicable diseases, the bill would allow pharmacists to sell clean syringes and remove a regulatory barrier to operating syringe exchange programs. HB20-1017 , also sponsored by Reps. Kennedy and Herod, seeks to support incarcerated individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder. The new law encourages the Department of Corrections (DOC), private contract prisons, local jails, and Department of Human Services (DHS) facilities to make available at least one opioid agonist and one opioid antagonist to a person in custody with an opioid use disorder throughout the duration of the person’s incarceration or commitment. It also allows a person to turn in any controlled substances at a safe station without being subject to arrest or prosecution, and requires those staffing safe stations to evaluate a person’s need for medical attention. Finally, it also requires correctional facility officials to provide post-release resources for inmates to help prepare inmates for release and reintegration into their communities and to give favor to inmates in record sealing requests to those that have completed a substance use disorder treatment program. “Substance use disorder has ravaged and devastated our communities, and we have no time to waste in fighting back,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “These bills will keep more Coloradans alive by focusing on harm reduction and access to treatment, including for incarcerated Coloradans. Currently, Colorado’s largest treatment facilities are our jails and prisons– this cannot stand. Our state can’t incarcerate addiction away. Instead, we must focus on treatment and providing needed support. These bills take important steps forward and will no doubt save lives, but a great deal of work remains to be done.” Opioid use disorder is impacting communities across Colorado. The state recorded 543 opioid overdose deaths in 2018. Data tracking the number of pills dispensed per person shows that some Colorado counties have rates that are higher or at the same level as some of the hardest-hit states, such as West Virginia and Kentucky. A 2018 estimate from the White House Council of Economic Advisers found that the opioid epidemic has cost the US $2.5 trillion from 2015 to 2018. Previous Next

< Back June 23, 2021 NEW LAWS SUPPORT COLORADO’S VETERANS Bills to create a veterans suicide prevention program, veterans mobile support unit, veterans hiring preference, and rename Lincoln park to honor our veterans signed into law DENVER, CO– Governor Polis today signed four bills to support veterans and make sure Colorado remains a great place to live for those who served our country. “One of my top priorities when coming to the legislature was to use my voice to ensure my brother and sister veterans are given the care and support they’ve earned,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB21-1065, SB21-129 and SB21-032 . “Today’s bill signing demonstrates the incredible progress we made this year, helping veterans find good jobs, preventing veteran suicides, and providing a lifeline for rural and homeless vets going through tough times. We have a world-premier, all-volunteer fighting force, and to keep it that way we need to be proactive about ensuring veterans can go on to thrive after their service.” “Colorado is home to more than 400,000 veterans, and this year we worked hard to ensure Colorado remains a great place for veterans to live,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1257. “Watching these four bills be signed today, I feel extremely proud of the legislative results we were able to deliver for veterans this session. While renaming a beautiful part of the Capitol grounds in honor of our veterans is only a small sign of our appreciation, it represents the legislature’s commitment to looking out for those who selflessly served our nation.” HB21-1065 allows a private employer to give a preference to a veteran or the spouse of a veteran when hiring a new employee as long as the veteran or spouse is qualified for the job. To address higher rates of unemployment among post-9/11 veterans, the employer’s policy must apply to veterans who have been discharged in the last 10 years. Establishing a veterans hiring preference policy would be optional for employers. The bill includes safeguards against discrimination by still allowing a job applicant who is in a protected class to file a discrimination claim. This ensures that the bill will encourage the hiring of veterans without having unintended discriminatory impacts against women and people of color. Furthermore, the bill would offer businesses creating the hiring preference educational tools to help them navigate anti-discrimination laws so they can implement the policy fairly. SB21-129 will 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. SB21-032 will provide funding to establish a mobile veterans support unit to serve as a point of contact for veterans in rural areas and those veterans experiencing homelessness. The unit will distribute supplies, transport veterans who do not have access to transportation services, and work with the Office of Economic Development to offer business and job opportunities to veterans. The bill provides funding for a veteran-owned or veteran-focused organization to purchase a vehicle and operate the program. HB21-1257 , also sponsored by Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, honors Colorado’s veterans by changing the name of Lincoln park and Liberty park in the Capitol complex to “Lincoln veterans’ memorial park”, and provides a small amount of funding to facilitate the name change. 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

Legislation passed today includes strengthening consumer protections during the ticket buying process and legalizing water-wise landscaping options for Coloradans living in HOAs < Back April 26, 2023 House Passes Bills to Combat Deceptive Ticket Sale Practices and Drought Legislation passed today includes strengthening consumer protections during the ticket buying process and legalizing water-wise landscaping options for Coloradans living in HOAs DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to protect Coloradans from deceptive ticket sale prices and combat drought through removing barriers to water-wise landscaping in Homeowner Associations (HOAs). “Between hidden fees and deceptive sales practices, it’s no secret that ticket purchasing can be a frustrating process to navigate ,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB23-060. “People travel from all over the country to visit our famous venues, and sometimes they’re turned away because they unknowingly purchased a counterfeit ticket on a third-party website. Our bill improves fans’ protections in the ticket purchasing process and prevents fraudulent tickets from ending up in the marketplace.” "We need to keep tickets in the hands of fans and this bill works to address the deceptive practices that lead to sky-high ticket prices which keeps Coloradans from seeing their favorite artists or teams," said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB23-060 and SB23-178. “I’m proud we also passed SB23-178, which will allow water-wise landscaping for homeowners in HOAs, saving them money and conserving water right in their backyard. Property owners should be able to swap their water-intensive lawn for beautiful native landscaping without HOAs standing in the way.” SB23-060 passed by a vot e of 49 to 16 and would implement new protections for consumers purchasing tickets online, including against “speculative ticketing”, a process where brokers sell tickets they do not yet possess. The bill would require a ticket reseller to have actual possession of a ticket before making it available for resale. It also requires online companies to clearly and transparently display “all-in prices”, which are inclusive of all service charges and other fees required to purchase the ticket. “As Colorado combats historic drought conditions, water-wise landscaping is a great place to cut back our freshwater usage,” said Rep. McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB23-178 . “Our legislation allows Coloradans living in HOAs the opportunity to have drought-tolerant landscaping options for their lawns, which supports biodiversity and saves Coloradans money. Beautiful yards don’t have to be water-intensive lawns, and this bill reduces barriers to having landscaping that’s eco-conscious and sustainable.” SB23-178 , passed by a vote of 48 to 17 and would reduce barriers facing Colorado homeowners in homeowners associations (HOAs) who wish to replace their lawns with water-wise landscaping. SB23-178 would promote water-wise landscaping, emphasizing native plants that better sustain Colorado’s local ecosystem while requiring little or no irrigation. The bill would require HOAs to select and pre-approve three water-wise landscape designs for homeowners to choose from. The bill would also prevent an HOA from requiring hardscape on more than 20 percent of a landscape area and prohibiting vegetable gardening in a homeowner’s front yard. About half of the water used in single-family homes in Denver goes toward “outdoor use,” according to Denver Water . Last year, the legislature passed legislation to create the Turf Replacement Program , which provides financial incentives for voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping. SB23-178 complements that initiative by helping homeowners who may not need financial incentives but are hindered by HOA regulations. Previous Next

< Back December 10, 2020 SPEAKER-DESIGNATE GARNETT ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS DENVER, CO– Speaker-designate Alec Garnett today announced the chairs, vice chairs and committee appointments for the 11 House committees of reference, appointing seven new committee chairs. Of the 22 members in committee leadership, 13 are women. Rep. Jeni James Arndt, D-Fort Collins, will chair the Agriculture, Livestock and Water committee , formerly known as the Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee, and veterinarian Rep.-elect Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, will be the vice chair. “Agriculture, livestock and water have always been the lifeblood of our state, supporting jobs in every county in Colorado,” said Rep. Jeni James Arndt, D-Fort Collins. “We must ensure that our farmers and ranchers have the tools and resources they need to get through the pandemic and reemerge stronger. Our precious water resources require careful stewardship as we move into a water-short future.” Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, will chair the Business Affairs and Labor committee , and Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, will be the vice chair. “Colorado’s businesses and workers are the backbone of our economy, and we know they are struggling right now as COVID-19 spreads at dangerous rates and Congress refuses to help,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “In Colorado, we are going to support our businesses and prioritize the safety and health of our workers to help our state get through this crisis and build back stronger.” Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, will chair the Energy and Environment committee , and Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder, will be the vice chair. “We have a responsibility to protect our air and water, as climate change and worsening wildfires threaten our Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “In Colorado, we’ve made tremendous progress. We’re going to continue fighting for the environmental justice our communities deserve and to secure our planet for future generations.” Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, will chair the Finance committee , and Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, will be the vice chair. “We have a long road ahead to recover from this pandemic,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “A necessary part of our recovery is ensuring that small businesses and hardworking families get through these challenging months and bounce back stronger. We will do this by ensuring that our policies are smart, common sense and fiscally responsible.” Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, will chair the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services committee , formerly called the Public Health and Human Services Committee, and Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, will be the vice chair. “As a longtime champion of access to behavioral health, it breaks my heart to see how hard this pandemic has been on adults as well as children across our state,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “To build back stronger, we must ensure that every Coloradan has access to the mental and physical health care and support services they need to recover.” Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, will chair the Transportation & Local Government committee , and Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, will be the vice chair. “Our local governments are on the frontlines responding to this pandemic, providing testing, health care, and so many other critical services,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs. “To boost our economy, we have to work together in a bipartisan way to improve our transportation infrastructure and invest in our state’s future. It is an honor to chair this committee, and I look forward to working with Colorado’s cities, counties and towns to help our state get through this crisis. ” Following the precedent in which the members of the Joint Budget Committee are appointed to lead the Appropriations committee , Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, will be the Appropriations committee chair and Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, will be the vice chair. Rep. McCluskie will continue to serve as vice chair of the Joint Budget Committee and will chair that committee in the second year of the 73rd General Assembly. All seven majority lawmakers on the Appropriations committee are women. “With so many hardworking families and small businesses just barely hanging on, I know we have a lot of work ahead to help our state recover from this pandemic and build back stronger,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We’re going to have to make a lot of tough decisions due to our state’s limited budget, but I’m excited to see the legislation lawmakers are going to bring forward to help all Coloradans, especially those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, make ends meet and have a fair shot to succeed as our economy recovers.” Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, will continue to chair the Education committee , and Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, will be the vice chair. Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, will continue to chair the Health and Insurance committee, and Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, will continue to serve as vice chair. Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, will continue to chair the Judiciary committee , and Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, will be the vice chair. Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, will continue to chair the newly named State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs committee , and Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, will be the vice chair. Committee structure, leadership and majority caucus appointments are made by the Speaker. “House Democrats are humbled by the trust Coloradans have placed in us as we continue to govern responsibly through the worst public health and economic crisis our nation has seen in recent memory,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Our committee leadership reflects the diverse voices of all our communities. Together, we’re going to help Colorado build back stronger by forging an economic recovery where everyone has a fair shot to succeed and no one is left behind.” The complete list of Majority committee assignments is below: Agriculture, Livestock, and Water Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Jeni Arndt, D-Fort Collins Vice Chair, Rep.-elect Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara Appropriations Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver Vice Chair, Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon Rep.-elect Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge Rep.-elect Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood Business Affairs and Labor Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon Vice Chair, Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial Rep.-elect Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn Rep.-elect Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Education Committee (6-3) Chair, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Vice Chair, Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Energy and Environment Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Vice Chair, Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder Rep.-elect Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Finance Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Vice Chair, Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County Rep.-elect Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Health and Insurance Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver Vice Chair, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Rep.-elect Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn Rep.-elect David Ortiz, D-Littleton Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Judiciary Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Vice Chair, Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood Rep.-elect Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County Rep.-elect Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee (8-5) Chair, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Vice Chair, Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver Rep.-elect Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Rep.-elect David Ortiz, D-Littleton Rep.-elect Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Vice Chair, Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Rep.-elect Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Rep.-elect Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Rep.-elect Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Transportation and Local Government Committee (7-4) Chair, Rep. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs Vice Chair, Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield Rep. Jeni Arndt, D-Fort Collins Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BECKER-CARAVEO BILL TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS & GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES A VOICE (Mar. 29) – The House gave final approval to a bill that will update Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, empowering local communities, and protecting our clean air and clean water. “For years, bill after bill to put reasonable oil and gas reforms on the books were blocked at the legislature and the voices of our communities were ignored. Today, we are listening to our communities and refusing to ignore the growing health and environmental impacts of oil and gas drilling near homes and schools,” Speaker KC Becker said. “Today, our state took a big step forward toward reforming our antiquated oil and gas laws. This bill offers simple changes around forced pooling, orphan wells, flow lines, local control and air quality.” “I thank Erin Martinez for lending her powerful voice to this fight. My colleagues and I share her belief that the industry can put health and safety first and continue to thrive at the same time. We, like many Coloradans, admire Erin Martinez’s strength, commitment, and courage,” Speaker Becker added. The landmark bill directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to regulate oil and gas development to protect public welfare, and clarifies that local governments have the same authority to regulate the oil and gas industry as they have with every other industry in Colorado – including the mining industry. The bill also removes the prohibition against local governments requiring oil and gas companies to cover the direct costs of regulating, monitoring and permitting the sites in their communities. “This bill will reform COGCC and ensure health and safety comes first,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, the legislature’s only doctor and the co-prime sponsor of the bill. “I look forward to the day in clinic when I know an asthma exacerbation is simply the result of allergies. Local governments deserve a voice when it comes to residential drilling. It is time for our government to listen to science, not rhetoric from special interests looking to profit at the expense of our safety and health.” “I hope that we are able to protect the health, safety and welfare of communities through this bill. I thank my colleagues, my community and Speaker Becker for all of her efforts to put this commonsense bill on the books,” Rep. Caraveo added. The bill addresses emissions and air quality by requiring increased monitoring and implementing a rule-making process to reduce emissions to better meet federal regulations. A “brown cloud” returned to Denver earlier this month and reports showed that the air quality was worse than that of Beijing. SB19-181 would also ensure that taxpayers are not footing the bill for cleaning up orphan oil and gas wells that have been abandoned but not adequately plugged. Current bonding requirements are inadequate to cover the cost of clean-up when a company abandons a well. Clean-up costs for just one abandoned well costs an average of $82,000. Currently, there are nearly 400 known orphan wells in Colorado and a long list of wells that should be investigated. Finally, SB19-181 also provides increased protections for property owners with regard to forced pooling. Under current law, just one mineral rights owner can start the process of “forced pooling” other mineral interest owners and require development of those resources – against the will of the majority of the owners. This bill would raise the threshold and put more transparency and guardrails on the process. The arguments peddled by the oil and gas industry are misleading. The sponsors and proponents of the bill made clear during the hearing and floor debate that this bill is not a reiteration of Proposition 112, nor is it a moratorium or a ban on drilling. SB19-181 was approved on a vote of 36-28 and it now goes back to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2022 BILLS TO ADDRESS COLORADO’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS WIN COMMITTEE APPROVAL Legislation includes more than $140 million to expand access to behavioral health care for Colorado youth and adults DENVER, CO – The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee today unanimously passed two bills to expand access to behavioral health services for adults and youth. These bills were developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force and will invest $140 million to build a healthier Colorado. “We’ve made it a top priority to expand access to behavioral health care, and that’s what this transformational bill will do,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, D-Denver. “With these federal funds, we have a once-in a generation opportunity to significantly expand behavioral heath care and address the cries our state is facing. This legislation provides $90 million directly to local governments, nonprofits and community-based programs to expand access to behavioral health care and fill critical gaps across the state so that more Coloradans can seek the care they need to thrive.” “This transformational $90 million investment will lay the foundation for a more accessible, affordable, and inclusive system of behavioral health care in our state,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “Our behavioral health care crisis will not be solved overnight, but with these funds, we have a unique opportunity to address some of the most pressing concerns in our state. Every community is different and has different circumstances and different needs. This bill encourages collaboration, uplifts local solutions, and ensures that funding reaches every corner of Colorado and that no community is left behind.” Community Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Gap Grants: HB22-1281 sponsored by Representatives Gonzales-Gutierrez and Naquetta Ricks, will ensure Coloradans across the state — including children, youth and families — have access to the behavioral health care they need. This bill will invest $90 million in grant funds for local governments and nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, community-based programs with the goal of filling regional gaps across the continuum of care and transforming behavioral health outcomes for families, children and youth living in Colorado. The bill passed unanimously. Previous Next

New laws will create property tax credits and rebates aimed at incentivizing more affordable rentals, identify sources of rising property insurance costs < Back July 31, 2024 New Laws to Spur Affordable Workforce Housing, Address Rising Property Insurance Rates in Rural, Mountain Communities Go Into Effect New laws will create property tax credits and rebates aimed at incentivizing more affordable rentals, identify sources of rising property insurance costs DENVER, CO – On August 7, legislation to grant local governments the authority to create property tax rebate programs to address areas of specific local concern including affordable housing development and legislation to help uncover root causes of rising property insurance for HOAs, timeshares and condo owners in rural and mountain towns go into effect. SB24-002 allows local governments to establish property tax incentive programs to address critical issues related to housing, childcare, behavioral health, economic development and other areas of local concern. For example, a municipality will be able to authorize tax credits or rebates that incentivize property owners to convert rental properties from short-term to long-term, boosting the availability of workforce and more permanent housing. “There has been a significant rise in the cost of housing, especially on the Western Slope, forcing Coloradans to spend more of their money on housing and less on other necessary costs, like health care and groceries,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB24-002 and HB24-1108. "With our bipartisan legislation going into effect, local governments will have new tools to address the unique challenges their communities face, like shortages in workforce housing, childcare, mental health care services, and much more. Additionally, my legislation soon goes into effect to create a market study so we can learn more about what leads to rising HOA fees and lodging facilities insurance rates, which are often passed on to consumers and property owners. This will help us develop legislation that will create more affordable and reliable property insurance options for communities like mine in rural and mountain areas of Colorado.” SB24-002, also sponsored by Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, allows a local government to renew a tax rebate or incentive program for up to one year if they find that it has been effective in addressing the area of specific local concern. HB24-1108 creates a market study of property and casualty insurance for homeowners’ associations and owners of lodging facilities. This law aims to explore current market conditions and will be used as a baseline for future legislation or state-operated programs. “Due to the rising threat of extreme weather and wildfires, HOAs and lodging facilities have a difficult time securing affordable property insurance, which means fees increase for residents,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1108. “This law will help uncover some of the causes that lead to rising insurance rates and lack of coverage in our HOAs and lodging properties in the urban-wildland interface and beyond. Tourism is a massive economic driver in the high country, and ensuring our HOAs and lodging facilities can acquire property insurance uplifts our economy and supports our local communities.” This law requires the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies to conduct a study of property and casualty insurance policies for HOAs and lodging facilities. The report must include key metrics including: Current market conditions, Availability of insurance coverage, Affordability of insurance coverage, Areas of the state with insurance availability concerns, and Recommendations for long-term sustainability and availability of property and casualty insurance policies. The report must be submitted to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Previous Next