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< Back Amy Paschal Rep-Elect Amy Paschal represents House District 18, which includes Southwest Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Cascade, and Green Mountain Falls. She serves on the Transportation, Housing & Local Government, the Energy & Environment, and the Joint Technology committees. She is a mom and a software engineer. Her priorities at the Colorado Capitol are affordable housing and education, sustainable infrastructure, wildfire safety and environment stewardship. Rep-Elect Paschal vows to protect reproductive rights. Her experience as an election judge has made her passionate about protecting democracy through fair, secure and accessible elections.

< Back December 13, 2023 Speaker McCluskie Makes Committee Assignments DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today made committee appointments for the second regular session of the 74th General Assembly. These legislative appointments were necessitated in part by the resignations of Representatives Dickson, Michaelson Jenet and Gonzales-Gutierrez. “Committees are critical to the legislative process and where so much of our work gets done. With session just around the corner, these committee assignments lay the groundwork to continue doing the work Coloradans elected us to do,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Each lawmaker and the committees they serve on play an important role in crafting critical legislation that will uplift hardworking families, invest in public education, protect our water and air for future generations, and make Colorado a more affordable place to live and thrive.” The changes include a combined Health and Human Services committee, to take the place of the previously named Health and Insurance committee as well as the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services committee. House Democrats Committee Assignments for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly: Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Representative Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Appropriations Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Business Affairs and Labor Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Vice Chair, Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Education Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Vice Chair, Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Energy and Environment Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Vice Chair, Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder Representative Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Finance Committee (7-4) Chair, Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Vice Chair Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch Health and Human Services Committee (9-4) (This combined committee replaces the previously named Health and Insurance Committee and the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee) Chair, Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Vice Chair, Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Tim Hernández, D-Denver Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative David Ortiz, D-Littleton Judiciary Committee (9-4) Chair, Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Vice Chair, Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville Representative Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee (8-3) Chair, Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Vice Chair, Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Representative Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Legislative Audit Committee Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2022 THREE WILDFIRE BILLS ADVANCE HOUSE Legislation will save homeowners money on wildfire mitigation, invest in statewide wildfire prevention efforts and ensure Coloradans displaced by wildfires receive fair insurance payouts DENVER, CO – The House advanced three wildfire bills today to build a healthier, safer Colorado. These bills move forward as Colorado faces the worst fire conditions in over a decade. “The time to act on wildfire prevention efforts is now,” said Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, sponsor of HB22-1007 “My heart goes out to all those displaced by the recent wildfire in Monte Vista and yet this is another reminder of why we need to invest in prevention efforts to protect communities and build a safer state. Our bill saves homeowners money on removing debris, restoring fire damaged land and other mitigation efforts.” “Damage from wildfire trickles down our watersheds, endangering our access to clean drinking water and making it harder for agricultural producers to supply the products we need,” Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB22-1379. “Our bipartisan bill makes investments to improve our watersheds so we can protect Coloradans’ access to clean water and reduce widespread wildfire risk. We are taking steps to combat destructive wildfires in Colorado by protecting our watersheds.” “We are making it clear, Coloradans who’ve lost everything in a wildfire should receive the insurance payouts they are owed,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB22-1111 . “This bill cuts the red tape for Coloradans displaced by wildfire, so they can file and receive insurance claims faster. Recovering after a wildfire is stressful enough, and our bill ensures Coloradans face fewer insurance barriers and have more time to rebuild.” Saving Homeowners Money on Wildfire Mitigation : HB22-1007 , sponsored by Representatives Donald Valdez and Mike Lynch, passed the House by a vote of 56 to 8 and would save people money on wildfire mitigation measures. The bill extends an existing income tax deduction and creates a state income tax credit to reimburse landowners for the costs incurred in performing wildfire mitigation measures on their property. A landowner with a federal taxable income at or below $120,000 is allowed a state income tax credit equal to 25% of mitigation costs, up to $625 per year. It also creates a grant program to fund local outreach efforts to communicate best practices in wildfire mitigation and prevention to landowners. Preventing Wildfires and Conserving Colorado’s Watersheds: HB22-1379 , sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Marc Catlin advanced the House on a preliminary vote and would invest $20 million to protect Colorado’s watersheds and reduce the risk of wildfires. HB22-1379 directs $20 million in federal pandemic economic relief funds to prevent wildfires and conserve Colorado’s watersheds through mitigation, watershed restoration and flood mitigation grants ensuring that Colorado can compete for other available water and wildfire funds. Insurance Coverage For Loss Declared Fire Disaster: HB22-1111 , sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile, concurred with the Senate amendments and the House repassed the bill by a vote of 54 to 10. HB22-1111 now heads to the Governor’s desk. The bill takes a proactive approach to ensure homeowners displaced by wildfires receive a fair and comprehensive payout for lost property after deeply traumatizing and catastrophic disasters. This bill would update a 2013 law by standardizing what insurers will pay out in claims for lost property and additional living expenses after a declared wildfire disaster. More specifically, it would require insurers to pay disaster victims 65 percent of the value of the contents of their home up front without requiring the victim to do a comprehensive inventory of their personal property. Current law only guarantees 30 percent upfront, creating a burdensome process for many people to claim what they are owed after a deeply traumatizing event. The bill also puts in place several provisions that would streamline the insurance claims process for disaster victims. Previous Next

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

< Back March 29, 2021 HOUSE APPROVES BALLOT ACCESS EXPANSION Legislation to create a multilingual ballot hotline and require certain counties to print ballots in languages other than English passes House on third reading DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bill to increase voter turnout and access by expanding access to multilingual ballots. The bill passed the House by a vote of 40-23. “Ensuring that more eligible voters thoroughly understand their ballots and are able to freely cast their vote is good for democracy and good for Colorado,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton). “Colorado’s elections system is among the best in the country and the world because it makes it easy for voters to participate in the democratic process while guaranteeing the integrity of our elections. Today we took a important step towards improving our gold-standard system by truly enfranchising eligible voters in Colorado who do not speak English very well but want to make their voices heard.” HB21-1011 would give all voters access to a hotline that would provide over-the-phone ballot translation in the top languages in which the census was offered. In addition, it would require that counties where a minority language is spoken by either 2,000 eligible voters or 2.5% of those eligible print ballots in that language, either on paper or electronically. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2022 SIGNED! Bill to Provide Free Transit Services During Ozone Season, Improve Air Quality Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation that will create the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program to provide grants to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and transit associations that offer free transit rides during ozone season which will save Coloradans money on transportation and improve Colorado’s air quality. SB22 - 180 is championed by Senators Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Representatives Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Last summer Colorado had the worst air quality in the world, and we are taking immediate action to address it,” said Winter. “This new law will reduce local air pollution by offering free transit rides during peak ozone season, encourage transit ridership, and help us further our climate goals while giving Colorado families cleaner, healthier air to breathe.” “Denverites face some of the worst air quality in the world during the ozone season,” said Bacon. " Our law will help improve air quality by making public transit including buses, trains and the light rail free during peak ozone season, typically experienced in Colorado during the summer months. The goal is to incentivize Coloradans to use the public transit system, which will cut down on harmful emissions and help clean up our air while also supporting communities. This will increase access to transit and save riders money, as well.” “The top emitter of carbon is our transportation sector, and a key way to address it is by getting more folks to utilize our transit system,” Hinrichsen said. “This new law will increase access to public transportation while reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted during peak ozone season – an important step we must take to build a healthier Colorado for all and move our state forward." “Reducing vehicle emissions will help improve Colorado’s air quality,” said Gray. “This law increases multimodal transportation options and incentivizes ridership on our transit system in order to cut down on harmful emissions during the summer months. Together, we are improving the air we breathe to build a healthier Colorado for all.” SB22-180 invests $30 million into a transit services pilot project in the Department of Transportation to increase ridership on state-run transit services, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and reduce ground-level ozone. The top emitter of carbon pollution in Colorado is the transportation sector which includes personal vehicles. Free transit has increased transit use and can help rebuild ridership. The law allocates $28 million to provide grants to RTD and other transit agencies to offer 30 days of free transit during ozone season. The law also invests $10 million in the successful Main Street Revitalization Grant Program to fund projects that increase the use of transit and create better pathways for bikers and pedestrians. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN REINSURANCE BILL TO HELP LOWER THE COST OF HEALTH CARE Reinsurance is a proven approach to helping cut health care costs (Apr. 8) – The House gave final approval to a bipartisan bill to help lower the cost of health care today. The chamber also voted in favor of a bill to increase medical assistance with rural EMTs. Coloradans on the individual market are struggling to keep up with the out-of-control costs of health care, particularly in rural areas of the state. By establishing a reinsurance program Colorado can stabilize the individual marketplace, increase health insurance participation and share the risks more broadly. “After all the work we’ve put into this, I am ecstatic to see this bill move into the Senate on its way to do what it’s intended to do — save Coloradans money on their health care. Reinsurance is a proven concept that will work to lower the cost of health insurance premiums, especially on the Western Slope,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This will have a meaningful reduction in health insurance rates on the individual market across the state. We don’t have any more time to waste. People are deciding between paying their mortgage and their health insurance right now.” Rising health care costs are driven in part by the underlying cost of care but are exacerbated by an insurance market that assigns the highest risks and highest costs to the individual market. This is particularly the case on the Western Slope and in rural Colorado, causing families and individuals to forgo health insurance coverage and putting them at major risk of medical debt if emergencies arise. Rep. McCluskie introduced the bipartisan bill in the House with Rep. Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction. Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, are the Senate sponsors. Recently, the Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), released an actuarial study on the reinsurance program. The Colorado Reinsurance Program Analysis looked at multiple scenarios that showed the expected reductions to the costs of medical claims through Medicare-reference-based pricing. These reduced costs lead to a statewide decrease in individual health insurance premiums of nearly 23 percent, or approximately $250,000,000. This bipartisan bill aims to reduce insurance premiums for individuals and families by January 2020 to provide much-needed relief to Coloradans, many of whom are paying up to a third of their income on monthly premiums. Our state, especially the Western Slope, has some of the highest health insurance costs in the country. The bill will establish three tiers, from the highest cost areas of the state to the lowest cost areas, in order to pass savings on to Coloradans. The first tier, consisting of regions in the state with the highest costs, will experience the greatest reduction in premiums, by 30 to 35 percent. The second tier will experience reductions in premiums by 20 to 25 percent. Finally, the third tier, regions with the lowest costs, will experience reductions in premiums by 15 to 20 percent. HB19-1168 passed on a bipartisan vote of 47-15. Republicans who voted in favor of this bill include bill sponsor Rep. Janice Rich, Rep. Marc Catlin, Rep. Lois Landgraf, Rep. Larry Liston, Rep. Hugh McKean, Rep. Matt Soper, Rep. Perry Will, and Rep. Jim Wilson. The House also approved SB19-052, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica. This bill would allow EMS workers to work under the medical supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse at a clinic or health facility. “This bill will allow for EMTs to come into health care facilities and clinics to help care for more patients, especially in rural clinics and cities that have hard-to-get-to facilities,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn . “Currently patients end up suffering because they have to drive further for care because clinics are closing down in their area.” SB19-052 passed unanimously. Both bills now head to the Senate. Previous Next

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

< Back March 29, 2022 HOUSE PASSES TWO BILLS TO PROTECT WHEELCHAIR USERS DENVER, CO – Two bills to protect the rights of wheelchair users and improve adaptive features in rental vehicles today passed the House. “My wheelchair provides more than mobility, it’s a critical part of my health and safety,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “I’m proud we’ve passed two accessibility rights bills that affirm the rights of wheelchair users. These bills focus on transparency and accountability for providers so we have the right to repair our chairs in a timely manner and rent a car that’s accessible for us. The accessibility issues faced by the community that lives with a disability are real, challenging and place us and our families at risk. We’re taking the lead on breaking down accessibility barriers so we can create a safer, more equitable and healthier Colorado.” “We’re looking out for the rights of Coloradans who use wheelchairs,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Many wheelchair users, especially in rural Colorado, face long waits and unpredictability when it comes to repairs and routine maintenance on their mobility devices. Our bill would expand repair options beyond the manufacturing companies, saving Coloradans who use wheelchairs money and time. Mobility isn’t something to take for granted and wheelchair users in Colorado deserve the freedom to repair their mobility aids.” HB22-1031 , sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Brianna Titone, passed by a vote of 44 to 21. This bill would require powered wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts, software and tools to independent repair providers and wheelchair owners. Typically, wheelchair owners and users can only seek repair, modification and maintenance of their wheelchair from manufacturers. This market monopolization drives up costs for Coloradans and leaves them without their mobility device for longer. Under this bill, independent repair providers and owners would have the tools and manuals to perform regular maintenance, diagnostic or repair service themselves. This will save Coloradans money and allow them to get their mobility devices repaired sooner. HB22-1253 , also sponsored by Representative Ortiz, passed by a vote of 42 to 23. This bill would require rental car companies to provide leasers with an online option to secure a vehicle with adaptive equipment such as hand controls, pedal extenders, left foot accelerators and spinner knobs upon request. This bill would also protect disabled vehicle leasers by allowing the recovery of damages if rental car companies violate the adaptive equipment requirement in the bill. Previous Next

< Back April 28, 2022 TRANSFORMATIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BILLS ADVANCE HOUSE Legislation would fund the responsible gaming program and water preservation efforts DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee passed Speaker Alec Garnett’s bill today to promote responsible gaming and support Colorado’s watersheds. HB22-1402 would allocate more than $3 million to create a grant program to provide services to Coloradans experiencing problem gaming and boost funding for the Colorado Water Plan. “In the last two years, Colorado’s gaming industry has experienced significant growth and the excitement of sports betting has raised limits and boosted state revenue,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “As Colorado’s gaming industry adapts, it is our responsibility to make sure Coloradans have the recovery and treatment resources they need to combat a gaming problem – this bill does that and more. It takes us one step closer to the original goal of legalizing sports betting in Colorado which is to provide proper funding to the Colorado Water Plan; and thanks to the increase in revenue, we can direct millions toward preserving Colorado’s watersheds and building a safer, healthier Colorado for everyone.” Responsible Gaming Grant Program: HB22-1402 , sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett, passed committee by a vote of 9-2. The introduction of sports betting in Colorado in 2020 has led to major growth in the gaming industry, partly due to higher limits and additional games. This bill provides more funding for the responsible gaming grant program in the Department of Revenue (DOR) to promote responsible gaming and address problem gaming. The grant program will distribute funding to help Coloradans struggling with gaming problems with prevention, recovery and treatment resources. The grant funding can also be used for research purposes to aid the DOR in providing better support for Coloradans recovering from a gaming problem. The bill also allocates more funding for the Colorado Water Plan by limiting the number of free bets that Sports Betting Operators can offer tax-free. Under the bill with fewer tax-free bets, the additional money raised from taxes on gaming will be allocated toward improving Colorado’s watersheds and environment. Previous Next

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

< Back May 23, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! COLORADO CASHBACK PLAN TO PROVIDE EXPEDITED TAX RELIEF SB22-233 will provide relief to more than 3 million Coloradans DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed legislation to expedite Coloradans’ tax refunds and provide relief as soon as possible. Under the Colorado Cashback plan, individual tax filers will receive early refund checks in September, currently estimated at $500 for individuals and $1,000 for joint filers, or even more. Final refund amounts will be determined based on updated revenue statistics. SB22-233 , sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, Senator Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, Representative Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, speeds up the timeline for refund checks to help families afford basic necessities like gas and groceries. All full-time residents of Colorado who file their 2021 income tax returns by June 30th, 2022, or who received a tax filing extension and file their return by the extension date, will receive a check by September 30th. “Coloradans are feeling the pain of inflation because of the pandemic, and they need our help,” Hinrichsen said. “That’s why we’re taking action to provide immediate support to families and individuals in the form of direct relief to taxpayers. This relief will put money back into Coloradans’ wallets as soon as possible, making it easier for folks to afford everyday necessities like rent and groceries and helping families make ends meet during this challenging time.” “Our state’s economic recovery will mean we send even more money back to taxpayers in September to help them afford the rising cost of living and pay for necessities,” said Exum, Sr. “In September, Coloradans will receive their early tax refund check, putting more money back into people’s pockets when they need it the most.” “We worked hard this session to save Colorado families money, and this legislation will do even more to ease the pain we’re all feeling due to rising inflation,” Rodriguez said. “As we continue building back from the pandemic, this relief will help ease the financial burden folks across our state are struggling with when they need it most.” “From reducing property taxes to free universal preschool, we’ve worked hard this session to put more money back in people’s pockets and this law will expedite tax refunds to provide urgent relief,” said Daugherty. “Coloradans are struggling and this new law delivers relief in a meaningful way when people need it the most.” Colorado Democrats’ state stimulus plan, fair tax reform, and responsible governance combined has led to a robust economic recovery and a record state surplus that is being returned to taxpayers via this tax rebate, in addition to existing refund mechanisms, including the senior homestead exemption and a temporary reduction in the state income tax rate. The expedited tax relief provided by SB22-233 will add to the savings from the comprehensive tax reform legislation and property tax relief passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Polis last year that is already putting money back into Coloradans’ pockets. By repealing tax loopholes for large corporations and millionaires and reducing property tax assessment rates, Democrats have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in economic assistance and tax relief for hard working Coloradans, seniors, and small businesses. Previous Next