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Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed three bills into law to save seniors and Coloradans with disabilities money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes, reinstate a refundable tax credit to save older Coloradans money on housing, and expand a refundable tax credit for seniors with disabilities. < Back June 7, 2024 Signed! New Laws Will Save Seniors, Coloradans with Disabilities Money DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed three bills into law to save seniors and Coloradans with disabilities money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes, reinstate a refundable tax credit to save older Coloradans money on housing , and expand a refundable tax credit for seniors with disabilities. “The rising cost of living has been tough on our seniors with fixed incomes and those planning to retire soon,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1142. “This bipartisan law saves eligible seniors and retired veterans with disabilities money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes. By increasing the cap of non-taxable social security income, we’re helping ensure eligible seniors receive more of their hard-earned benefits and have more money in their pockets to pay for groceries, rent and other necessities.” “Older Coloradans on fixed incomes and those living with a disability are especially impacted by high costs of living,” Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, said, sponsor of HB24-1142. “HB-1142 removes the current cap of social security incomes that qualifying individuals can deduct on their taxes, which will keep money in the pockets of those who need it most.” HB24-1142 , also sponsored by Representative Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, saves seniors money on their taxes. Under current law, taxpayers ages 55 to 64 may deduct up to $20,000 of pension and annuity income, which includes federally taxable social security income, when calculating their taxable income. For taxpayers 55 to 64 years of age and making $75,000 or less starting in 2025, this law allows all federally taxed social security income to be deductible in Colorado. Taxpayers over the age of 65 may already deduct the full amount of federally taxable social security income, or other forms of pension and annuity income up to $24,000. This bill would lower the age to ensure eligible Coloradans aged 55 to 64 can benefit from the full deduction. The current cap still applies to all other forms of pension and annuity income, and the cap may only be exceeded when social security income specifically is higher than the cap. HB24-1052 reinstates a refundable income tax credit for Coloradans aged 65 or older with incomes under $75,000 (or $125,000 if filing jointly) who have not claimed a homestead property tax exemption for the 2024 property tax year. The income tax credit was initially created by HB22-1205 . “Amidst our statewide housing crisis, seniors on fixed incomes need additional relief to afford their rent and stay in their homes,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1052. “While we’ve worked hard to extend housing support through property tax relief and a portable homestead property tax exemption, we must do more to help seniors who rent. This refundable tax credit will help even more lower and fixed income seniors remain in the homes and communities they love.” “The senior homestead property tax exemption is a helpful tool for seniors, who largely survive on a fixed income, to afford housing, but senior renters also deserve assistance,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB24-1052. “Renters are especially vulnerable to rising costs, with nearly 35 percent of Colorado seniors concerned over paying next month’s rent. Our new law works to ensure that all Colorado seniors, regardless of if they rent or own their home, can benefit from tax relief.” “We’ve been working hard to support Colorado seniors, and especially those living on a low fixed income while renting, or who are not eligible for the senior homestead exemption, which is why I am so proud to champion this important legislation,” Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1052 said. “This measure will save older Coloradans millions of dollars on housing, make our state a more affordable place to live, and ensure seniors can remain in the communities they have called home for years to come.” “Housing affordability is a priority for Colorado Democrats, which is why we passed these laws to save our seniors, especially those with disabilities, money,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1052 and HB24-1268. “Housing prices have skyrocketed in the last few years, making it nearly impossible for those with fixed incomes, such as seniors and people with a disability, to keep up which is why we’re reinstating an impactful housing tax credit for our seniors and improving a financial assistance program for those most in need. By converting the PTC to a streamlined, refundable income tax credit we’ll make it easier for eligible taxpayers to get the benefits they deserve so they can continue to afford to call our state home.” HB24-1268 converts the Property Tax, Heat & Rent rebate, known as the PTC, for persons with a disability to a new refundable income tax credit to expand financial support. This law will make it easier to claim the credit and increase utilization by integrating it into the tax filing system. The maximum credit amount is $1,200 for eligible single filers making less than $10,000 ($16,000 if filing jointly). “Benefiting from the tax credits you’re eligible for should be easy, which is why we passed this law to ensure people with disabilities can more easily receive the financial support that is available to them,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1268. “I’m proud to have sponsored this important law that will help people with disabilities better afford expenses like property tax, rent, and utilities.” “Currently, many eligible Coloradans may not know that the Property Tax, Heat & Rent Rebate is available to them,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1268. “HB-1268 will expand the rebate to more Coloradans living with disabilities, with a projected utilization increase of 1000 percent! This is a great win for communities most vulnerable to housing instability.” Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2021 POLIS SIGNS BILLS TO IMPROVE DISASTER MITIGATION, PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDING MATERIALS DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation that will help communities mitigate the threat from natural disasters like wildfires and promote the use of building materials for public projects that reduce emissions and help address climate change. “Colorado is seeing more intense natural disasters, often fueled by climate change, that are threatening people’s homes, lives and our Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “The bill Governor Polis signed today will help our communities access federal funds to pay for mitigation projects that will reduce damage and destruction and prevent greater losses from wildfires, floods and other natural disasters.” “Mitigation projects are some of the best tools we have to reduce the threat of dangerous wildfires, floods and other disasters,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Now, Colorado communities will have a new way to fund and access federal resources for these critical efforts to protect homes, property and infrastructure.” HB21-1208, sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Matt Gray, creates a natural disaster enterprise to draw down federal funds to help Colorado communities mitigate the impact and reduce the threat of climate-related natural disasters, such as wildfires. The bill establishes a small $2 per year flat fee on certain disaster related insurance policies that will be leveraged for three times as much federal funding. The funding will be used to finance disaster mitigation projects in communities that are actively working to increase their resiliency. The grant program will also provide technical assistance to local governments to help them address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. “This new law signed today will help Colorado’s departments and agencies meet our climate goals by promoting the use of building materials that are made with and produce less carbon emissions,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “I’m proud Colorado is looking at how we can use more climate-friendly building materials and create jobs along the way in rural areas and in growing industries.” HB21-1303 , sponsored by Representative Tracey Bernett and Representative Barbara McLachlan, also known as the “Buy Clean Colorado Act,” requires state agencies to look at public infrastructure projects and how the state can encourage the use of certain materials that are manufactured in a way that releases fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Under the bill, state departments would accept and evaluate Environmental Product Declaration information from contractors when materials are specified in bids, and define policies that prioritize purchasing the cleanest materials available. By selecting materials that are manufactured with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP), state agencies will reduce the state’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, helping meet Colorado’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. This encourages use of recycled materials, lower GWP emissions materials and manufacturing processes, use of renewable energy, and use of low emissions fuels. By selecting more environmentally friendly materials, Colorado can reduce smog, toxic emissions, particular matter, and greenhouse gasses released into our atmosphere, and reduce respiratory and other public health issues. Colorado is home to some of the greenest cement and steel manufacturers in the country. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2019 HOUSE PASSES LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Mar. 4) – The House gave final approval today to the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This life-saving bill would provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The bill has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, the mental health community, advocates for gun violence prevention and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “My son Alex lit up rooms and was beloved. One of the reasons I ran for office was so I could tell all of you about Alex and about other victims and families of gun violence,” said Rep. Sullivan. “Today, the House stood up and did the right thing. This bill will give law enforcement and families the tools that they need to stop tragedies from constantly happening and save lives. ” Rep. Sullivan’s son, Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. Sullivan wears Alex’s jacket every day and wore it during the course of the debate in the House. “We have a choice between maintaining the status quo or putting forward meaningful change that can truly save a life and that’s an easy choice for me,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, “This carefully crafted bill has the support of the vast majority of Coloradans and will help save the lives of law enforcement and members of our communities.” HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during that time period. The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House with bipartisan support, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, testified at a Feb. 21 House hearing on the bill. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee during the hearing how the language in the bill is legal under the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Testimony in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Fourteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Colorado lost over 1,100 people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their ERPO legislation was enacted. The bill was approved on a vote of 38-25 and now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed a bill to streamline the construction of and expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for homeowners and renters.  < Back May 23, 2023 Polis Signs Bill to Expand EV Charging DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed a bill to streamline the construction of and expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for homeowners and renters. “There are many Coloradans who are interested in owning an EV, however it can be difficult to secure charging locations near their home or even in their neighborhoods,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our law builds up and expands EV charging infrastructure across our state so we can accommodate current and future EV owners. We’re committed to making EV use more accessible for all Coloradans because it cuts back on our greenhouse gas emissions, creates more jobs and saves people money.” “With more EVs on the road than ever before, Colorado needs to invest in EV-specific infrastructure to help meet growing demand and cut down our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “ This law breaks down barriers to owning an EV by creating more charging stations, which can be tough to secure if you’re living in an apartment. We’re setting into motion a plan to vastly expand EV charging across the state and save Coloradans money in the process.” HB23-1233 , sponsored by Representatives Tisha Mauro and Alex Valdez, removes barriers to EV ownership by improving access to EV charging, especially for renters and those living in multifamily housing. Specifically, HB23-1233 expands electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new construction to accommodate future and current EV owners. The law updates electric code requirements, removes burdensome parking restrictions for EVs, and provides property tax relief to Coloradans for EV charging stations. HB23-1233 is part of a broader legislative package to incentivize the advancement and adoption of clean energy technologies, accelerate the clean energy transition and make Colorado a leader in budding clean energy technologies. Previous Next

< Back May 4, 2022 WILDFIRE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS BILLS PASS COMMITTEE Legislation directs funding toward creating the Office of Climate Preparedness and a wildfire investigation fund for local fire departments DENVER, CO – The House Health State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee today passed two bills to build a safer Colorado. SB22-206 would create the Office of Climate Preparedness and two new programs to improve Colorado’s disaster recovery efforts and prevention plans. SB22-280 would provide more resources to local fire departments to investigate and prevent wildfires. “The rise in wildfire destruction and displacement is very real, and we must be prepared for future natural disasters,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, B-Boulder, sponsor of SB22-206 . “Our bill creates the Office of Climate Preparedness to help Colorado coordinate emergency response efforts, mitigate damage caused by natural disasters and connect Coloradans to the services they need after a disaster. This bill is forward-thinking and a smart investment toward building a safer Colorado and helping our neighbors rebuild after a disaster.” “Wildfires in Colorado are a growing concern for Coloradans across the state and our local fire departments need more resources to investigate the cause behind these wildfires,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, sponsor of SB22-280. “My bill creates a fire investigation fund specially designed to aid local fire departments in investigating, mitigating and preventing wildfires. Keeping Coloradans safe from wildfire begins with prevention, and our bill makes it easier for local departments to learn from past wildfires to better prevent future ones.” Disaster Preparedness And Recovery Resources: SB22-206 , sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile, passed committee by a vote of 7-3. This bill would establish two programs to help communities recover and rebuild following disasters. $15 million would go to the Disaster Resilience Rebuilding Program to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments rebuilding after a disaster emergency. The bill also allocates $20 million to the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Program to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments to cover costs related to rebuilding more resilient and energy efficient homes and structures. The bill also transfers $15 million to the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps Fund to lease wildfire fighting aviation resources and to establish and maintain a statewide dispatch center to ensure rapid response of fire mitigation resources. Finally, the bill creates the Office of Climate Preparedness in the Governor’s office, tasked with coordinating disaster recovery efforts to better respond to natural disaster emergencies and developing a climate preparedness roadmap to ensure Colorado is better prepared for future climate-induced disasters. Wildland Fire Investigations: SB22-080 , sponsored by Representative Dylan Roberts passed committee by a vote of 9-0. This bill would create the Fire Origin and Cause Investigation Fund to help local fire departments investigate and collect data about the cause of wildland fires. Under this bill, local fire departments and the Colorado Department of Public Safety (DPS) can utilize collected data to more effectively prevent and mitigate future wildfires. Representative Robert’s bill aims to build a safer Colorado by investigating wildfires and utilizing data to prevent future wildfires. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Elizabeth Velasco that would improve safety and keep traffic flowing on Colorado’s mountain highways. SB24-100 passed by a vote of 60-4. < Back April 30, 2024 Bipartisan Velasco Bill to Improve Safety, Keep Traffic Flowing on Mountain Highways Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Elizabeth Velasco that would improve safety and keep traffic flowing on Colorado’s mountain highways. SB24-100 passed by a vote of 60-4. “My community of Glenwood Springs experiences the most accidents of the entire stretch of I-70, and road closures due to these accidents can have negative consequences on our businesses and the safety of our residents,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “When I-70 is closed, employees can’t make it to work and first responders can’t address an emergency in a timely manner. The goal of our bill is to reduce accidents on I-70 so we can keep our roads open and communities safe.” SB24-100 also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would improve safety by allowing the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to establish a zone with increased speeding fines for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in Glenwood Canyon. The bill would also ban CMVs from driving in the left lane on I-70 in several key stretches where crashes are most frequent and disruptive, exceptions are permitted to pass vehicles going under the speed limit. According to CDOT , CMVs represent about 7 percent of traffic, but account for more than 52 percent of traffic incidents. Wrecks involving CMVs take nearly twice as long to clear as passenger incidents. SB24-100 would further expand locations where CDOT may require traction equipment from parts of I-70 to key mountainous stretches of other state and U.S. highways. The bill would also give port of entry officers the powers of a peace officer when enforcing highway closures and direct CDOT to study additional locations for chain-up and chain-down stations. Previous Next

< Back February 8, 2019 COMMITTEE APPROVES BIRD BILL TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS Bill would invest more marijuana revenue into schools (Feb. 7) — A bill sponsored by Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, that would require a greater portion of state marijuana tax revenue to go towards school renovation and construction through the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program passed the House Education committee. The BEST program helps Colorado school districts modernize their classroom spaces by funding projects to rebuild or repair the state’s worst off PreK-12 facilities. “We have schools today that are in desperate need of repair. Kids are going to school in cold classrooms, hot classrooms, classrooms that aren’t in the best condition,” said Rep. Bird. “This bill will help us make an investment and a positive change in the lives of the students who are counting on us.” Some schools in Colorado have sewage and plumbing problems, classrooms that have asbestos and lack central air conditioning. Currently, only 90 percent of state retail marijuana excise tax revenue goes towards school capital construction projects. The bill increases that to 100 percent. This legislation would also bolster the funding for BEST, the only statewide source of capital construction funds for public schools, by allowing the BEST board of directors to fund additional grants via Certificates of Participation (COPs), which help school districts finance construction improvement projects. “When the voters approved Amendment 64 they intended that the vast majority of the tax revenue would go to our schools,” continued Rep. Bird. ”This bill responds to the will of Colorado voters by utilizing this revenue stream to address the dire needs of our schools.” HB19-1055 passed the committee with bipartisan support on a vote of 12-1 and now heads to the Finance committee. The bill is also supported by an array of stakeholders. Previous Next

The House today passed Representative Martinez’s bipartisan bill to help graduating high school students afford the training they need to land jobs in good-paying, in-demand fields. < Back May 3, 2023 House Passes $1,500 Skills Training Scholarships for High School Students DENVER, CO – The House today passed Representative Martinez’s bipartisan bill to help graduating high school students afford the training they need to land jobs in good-paying, in-demand fields. “This legislation provides a $1,500 scholarship to graduating students for universities and community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training so they can begin their next step after graduation,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “By saving students money as they pursue their degrees, this bill removes the financial barriers that can prevent high school graduates from entering growing industries. This effort will boost our economy, grow our workforce, create affordable pathways to in-demand careers and help students thrive.” Scholarship for High School Seniors: SB23-205 , sponsored by Representatives Matthew Martinez and Don Wilson, passed the House by a vote of 59 to 4 and would create a Universal High School Scholarship Program to make it easier and more affordable to access postsecondary education and training opportunities for Colorado students. The program will provide each qualifying applicant with a scholarship up to $1,500 to take to an approved training provider in Colorado, from apprenticeships and on-the-job training to trade school, community colleges, colleges and universities. This transformative financial support has the capacity to serve 15,000 graduating students in the class of 2024, more than 25 percent of all high school graduates statewide. Scholarships are available to Colorado residents who graduated from a Colorado high school or earned a high school equivalency credential in the 2023-2024 academic year, completes the state or federal financial aid application, submits the scholarship application, and has not received a grant or other scholarship. Previous Next

< Back April 19, 2021 LIFE SAVING GUN SAFETY BILLS BECOME LAW DENVER, CO– Two life saving gun safety bills were signed into law by Governor Jared Polis today. The bills seek to prevent suicides, community violence, and tragic accidents by promoting the prompt reporting of lost or stolen firearms and the safe storage of guns when children or other vulnerable populations are present. “There’s no single gun safety policy that can put an end to the epidemic of gun violence in America, but by taking commonsense steps like the two laws signed today, we can start to make a dent and save some lives,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Reporting a missing firearm is a simple measure that will stop firearms from ending up in the wrong hands and give law enforcement more tools to find these weapons before they end up in crime scenes.” “Coloradans are tired of seeing gun violence rip families apart and take precious lives away from us far too soon,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “Our bill to require that missing firearms be reported to police is a simple and commonsense request that will hopefully prevent senseless tragedies like the one that took Isabella Joy Thallas’ life. I’m immensely proud that we were able to honor her memory by naming this law after her today.” “Asking all gun owners in Colorado to safely store their firearms the way the majority of responsible gun owners already do is a small measure that can save countless lives,” said Representative Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn . “A simple and affordable lock on a firearm could prevent the type of tragedies and injuries that befall Colorado families every day.” “Responsible gun owners who frequently have children in the home should already be locking their firearms away safely,” said Representative Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “I know that many gun owners, including myself, already take this simple step to prevent tragedies. The bill signed into law by Governor Polis today will get us closer to our goal of ensuring everyone practices safe storage.” SB21-078 , sponsored by Representatives Sullivan and Herod, requires an individual who owns a firearm and has reasonable cause to believe that the firearm has been lost or stolen to report that firearm to a law enforcement agency within five days after discovering that the firearm is missing. A first offense for failure to make such a report is a civil infraction punishable by a $25 fine, and a second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $500 fine. The bill requires a law enforcement agency that receives a report to enter information about the lost or stolen firearm into the National Crime Information Center database and report the information to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Through an amendment, SB21-078 was renamed the ‘Isabella Joy Thallas Act’, in memory of the young woman who was murdered on June 10, 2020 while she and her boyfriend were walking their dog outside of their apartment in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood. The high-powered semi-automatic rifle used in the killing was stolen. HB21-1106 , sponsored by Representatives Duran and Mullica, will promote responsible gun ownership by creating an educational campaign to encourage gun owners, especially those with children in the home, to properly store their firearms. The bill also requires licensed firearms dealers to provide a locking device at the time of sale or transfer of all firearms. Federal law already requires that handguns sold by licensed dealers be sold with locking devices. Finally, the bill would create the charge “unlawful storage of a firearm” when a firearm is not stored safely and a juvenile or someone who is ineligible to possess a firearm is present, making it a class 2 misdemeanor. Previous Next

SB23-190 would prohibit deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers, including the so-called “medication abortion reversal” < Back March 28, 2023 House Committee Passes Legislation to Prohibit Deceptive Practices at Anti-Abortion Centers, Protect Patients SB23-190 would prohibit deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers, including the so-called “medication abortion reversal” DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to protect those seeking reproductive health care by prohibiting the use of deceptive advertising by anti-abortion centers (AACs). Part of the Safe Access to Protected Health Care legislative package, SB23-190 cracks down on AACs, also known as crisis pregnancy centers, posing as comprehensive reproductive health care clinics to mislead patients seeking abortion care. “Patients seeking reproductive health care are often misled or outright lied to by anti-abortion clinics – our bill puts an end to those deceptive practices,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Every patient deserves access to real, accurate medical information so they can make informed decisions about their own reproductive health care. AACs purposely blur the line between health care and misinformation, making it difficult for patients to know if the care they’re receiving is based on fact and science or fueled by the anti-abortion movement. Our bill cracks down on these misleading practices to ensure Coloradans are able to make informed decisions about their own care.” “In Colorado, we’ve made important progress in protecting reproductive health care,” said Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver. “Abortion is legal, but legality doesn’t mean accessibility and anti-abortion centers impede access to care, especially for our most marginalized communities. Our legislation helps make sure patients receive accurate, honest information about what is being offered at anti-abortion centers and what is not. Taking these steps to protect patients from the misinformation that some AACs spread will help Coloradans' make informed medical decisions about their reproductive health care.” Prohibiting Deceptive Practices at Anti-Abortion Centers: SB23-190 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 5. This bill would make it a deceptive trade practice to share information or advertise providing abortion care, emergency contraceptives or for referrals of either of these services when the service is not actually provided. This bill also clarifies it is unprofessional for a health care professional to provide or administer a “medication abortion reversal”. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes “medication abortion reversal” as “unproven and unethical,” and explains that “claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards'' of care. Earlier this legislative session, Colorado Democrats on the House Health and Insurance Committee defeated HB23-1150 which would have required physicians and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to spread and maintain information about the so-called “medication abortion reversal”. In Colorado, AACs outnumber abortion-providing clinics 51 to 20 and Custer, Fremont, Las Animas, Otero and Rio Blanco counties have AACs but no state or federally funded birth-control options. AACs particularly target locations that may lack a comprehensive clinic, often posting Spanish-language billboards in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations and offering free services, such as ultrasounds and counseling, to low-income communities. Anti-abortion centers are the on-the-ground presence of the national anti-abortion movement, posing as comprehensive reproductive health care clinics to intercept patients seeking abortion care, provide false information, and prevent people from seeking abortions. Previous Next

< Back April 1, 2022 GOVERNOR POLIS, LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY LEADERS TAKE BOLD CLIMATE ACTION, UNVEIL TRANSFORMATIVE LEGISLATION TO FIGHT FOR CLEAN AIR & A HEALTHIER, CLEANER COLORADO NEW BILLS WILL ADVANCE POLIS ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATURE’S BOLD CLIMATE GOALS, HELP CREATE MORE GOOD-PAYING GREEN JOBS, SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY BILLS DENVER, CO — Today, Governor Polis joined legislative leadership, bill sponsors, and community leaders to unveil comprehensive legislation to preserve and protect Colorado’s air quality, and ensure Coloradans are healthy, safe, and can thrive. The Polis Administration has made record investments to improve air quality since day one, and the newly unveiled legislation is a critical step forward towards achieving a healthier, cleaner Colorado. “We are fighting for a cleaner, healthier Colorado. I am proud that in partnership with the legislature, we are moving forward on a comprehensive plan for clean air that will benefit Colorado for years to come while helping save people and businesses money. The time is now for bold action,” said Gov. Polis . The historic package of bills includes record investments in clean transportation, energy efficient buildings, and air quality monitoring, regulation, and incentives. The electrification of school bus fleets will protect Colorado kids from harmful pollutant exposure and save Colorado schools money on both expensive fuel and maintenance costs. “Cleaning up our air and building a healthier Colorado requires all hands on deck,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder . “That’s why we’re taking a comprehensive approach to ensure every Coloradan, particularly communities who have historically borne the brunt of air pollution, can breathe clean air. With transformative investments to reduce industrial emissions, initiatives to clean up our transportation system, and plans to improve air monitoring, we’re putting Colorado on the path to a cleaner future for all.” The newly introduced legislation supports good-paying jobs for drivers, mechanics, and construction workers with bold investments in expanded public transit service and energy efficient buildings. “This legislation will improve our air quality, save people money and create jobs in Colorado,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “By investing in new technologies, we will reduce harmful industrial emissions, and our air will be cleaner. Our kids deserve a smog free ride to school, and electric school buses will reduce emissions and protect students’ health. I’m excited that we are taking significant action to reduce pollution and create good jobs in critical industries.” “Every Coloradan deserves safe and healthy air to breathe, but too often we are exposed to dangerous emissions and high ozone levels that threaten our health and hit disadvantaged communities the hardest,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “This legislation represents an important step toward reducing those harmful emissions and achieving true environmental justice for all.” “Last summer Colorado had the worst air quality in the world, and we must take immediate action to address it,” said Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster. “That’s why I am proud to bring this legislation to reduce local air pollution by offering free transit rides during peak ozone season. This commonsense bill will encourage transit ridership, reduce harmful emissions, and help us further our climate goals while giving Colorado families cleaner, healthier air to breathe.” “The future is coming, and we want Colorado homes to be ready so consumers don’t have to spend thousands retrofitting their properties for the technologies we know are going to be commonplace in just a few years,” said Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Louisville. “Our building codes need to be forward looking, and with this bill, new homes are going to be ready for clean heat, solar power and electric vehicles. With these codes in place, Coloradans will benefit from cleaner indoor air and save money on their utility bills.” “For too long, we’ve suffered from unhealthy, unsafe air in Colorado, and it’s only getting worse. That’s why I am proud to champion this legislation that will help upgrade our homes and buildings to reduce emissions throughout Colorado,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “This $22 million investment will help families, businesses, and communities improve buildings to reduce energy use and pollution, improve our indoor air quality, and help give more Coloradans a cleaner, healthier future.” Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2019 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REFORM CRIMINAL JUSTICE, GIVE PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE Bill was approved on a bipartisan vote 59-3 (Apr. 26) – The House approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Mike Weissman to broaden access to record sealing. HB19-1275 will allow more people to successfully obtain and maintain housing and employment, to help them move on from their past mistakes after they have served their sentences. “This bill will help give people who have served their time for lower level offenses and paid their debt to society a second chance. I thank my co-sponsor Rep. Soper for his work on this bill and I am glad that we have broad bipartisan support,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. More than 1.8 million Coloradans are in the state criminal record database. For many of these individuals, involvement with the justice system has led to a cycle of unemployment or underemployment, housing insecurity, or a loss of income for themselves or their families. The bill will streamline record sealing processes for individuals eligible under existing law. It will also allow some individuals who would be newly eligible under the bill to petition the court to seal their existing case as opposed to having to file a new civil case, helping to make our court system more efficient.. Victims and prosecutors will be able to provide input to a judge who will ultimately decide whether a case will be sealed. The Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Violence Free Colorado all support the bill. The bill was approved by the House by a bipartisan vote of 59-3. Previous Next