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< Back May 6, 2022 HOUSE PASSES $48 MILLION FOR CRIME VICTIM SERVICES DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation that will provide critical resources to programs that support victims of crime. The bill passed 43-20, with 20 of 24 House Republicans voting against the bill, which previously passed the Senate 34-1. “I’m proud that Colorado is putting additional resources toward helping survivors of crime,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This bill will provide critical support to survivors of crime, including survivors of domestic violence, to help people get back on their feet. This funding fills a gap in the resources available for these programs that was created when the Trump administration cut off their funding.” “This legislation directs $48 million of pandemic economic relief and state funds to support survivors of crime to improve access to the services they need,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “The pandemic has placed enormous strain on our society, and we’ve seen an increase in domestic violence and other crimes as a result. This legislation continues essential crime victim services and programs to help survivors of crime access the assistance they need.” SB22-183 , sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Mike Weissman, would fill a revenue gap in federal funding for crime victims to continue providing lifesaving services for child and adult victims of crime through a one-time investment of pandemic relief funding. The bill is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $42 million in pandemic relief funding to the Colorado crime victim services fund to ensure essential victim services can continue for the next four years. SB22-183 also invests an additional $6 million to services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as recommended by the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2020 COMMITTEE VOTES TO REMOVE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR FUTURE CIVIL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS Bill would give survivors of sexual assault time to heal without losing their right to hold perpetrators accountable. DENVER, CO — The House Judiciary Committee today voted to approve Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bipartisan bill to remove the statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual misconduct. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 8-1. “Healing from the impact of trauma and sexual assault has no timeline or expiration date, and neither should a survivor’s opportunity to seek justice through the courts,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “This bill will give survivors going forward time to heal, will ensure we keep more perpetrators accountable, and will enhance fairness in the civil justice system. We can and must do better by survivors, and this will move us in the right direction.” HB20-1296 removes the statute of limitations on bringing a civil claim based on sexual misconduct, which is defined in the bill to include all current criminal sexual offenses including offenses against a child, and other criminal behavior of a sexual nature including requests for sexual favors accompanied by coercion, threat, or violence. The bill also allows claims to be brought against a person or entity that is not the perpetrator of the sexual misconduct. This bill would become effective for claims arising on or after January 1, 2021 but allows for those victims for whom the current statute of limitations has not yet run to bring a claim based on the provisions of this law. The Colorado constitution has been interpreted to guarantee vested rights in relation to statutes of limitations but not to allow the legislature to make retroactive changes to them. Previous Next

< Back May 3, 2024 House Advances Bills to Establish Passenger Rail, Incentivize Economic Development in Colorado Legislation creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal dollars for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail in Colorado and boost economic diversification for coal-transitioning communities DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote aimed at leveraging millions in federal infrastructure funding to bring passenger rail service to Colorado and expanding public transportation options across the state. The House also advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would support both the realization of mountain passenger rail and economic diversification efforts in transitioning coal communities in Northwest Colorado. “Increased car traffic on our roads wears down our infrastructure and worsens air quality, which is why we’re passing this historic legislation that will allow us to build a passenger rail system through the Front Range and our Western Slope communities,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB24-184 and SB24-190. “Our passenger rail legislation will also boost economic prosperity for our rural economies, especially those in our coal transition communities. I’m proud to carry these bills to leverage federal transportation funding and create jobs and commerce on the Western Slope.” “The Front Range Passenger Rail is a long time in the making, and this legislation would secure federal funding and create a long-term funding mechanism to make expanded passenger rail a reality across Front Range communities,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of SB24-184. “From Fort Collins and the Western Slope to Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Coloradans have been asking for more transit options. Our legislation would build on existing transit systems and expand transit partnership opportunities to ensure we’re providing transportation services that work for the needs of our communities.” SB24-184 would implement a congestion impact fee to mitigate the congestion, and wear and tear on Colorado’s roads caused by rental vehicles and offset the climate impacts of congestion. Revenue from the fee would create sustainable funding to be used as a matching source for federal investment opportunities for statewide transit and rail, and support other forms of multimodal transportation. The bill would encourage the Regional Transportation District (RTD), the Front Range Passenger Rail District, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to coordinate efforts to secure the funding needed to establish the first phase of Front Range Passenger Rail service from Denver to Fort Collins, while exploring near-term opportunities to fund regional transit and rail projects along the Front Range, through Southern Colorado and into the mountains. It would also direct the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) to use three studies in the near term to fund regionally important transit and rail services originating from the Front Range Passenger Rail Service Development Plan, the Mountain Corridor Service Development Plan, and the Statewide Connectivity Study that aims to build a more comprehensive statewide bus system, building on the successes of Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus. Finally, the bill encourages CTIO to fund a full suite of multimodal infrastructure projects, including bus and passenger rail, and would require a new, multimodal strategic capital plan that aligns with CDOT’s ten-year plan, statewide transit plans, greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals, and other greenhouse gas reduction priorities and pollution reduction planning standards. SB24-190 would make the design and use of mountain passenger rail more sustainable by incentivizing the transportation of freight from companies that establish operations in coal transition communities along the potential rail line, particularly in Craig and Hayden. The bill would incentivize businesses and operators to utilize freight lines that are at risk of inactivity due to declining usage as a result of the transition away from coal. “Expanding rail operations into the Western Slope opens up the door for economic opportunities that will bring jobs and business into coal transition communities like Craig and Hayden,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of SB24-190. “This bill incentivizes new economic activity along the Mountain Rail corridor by offering new tax credits for rural businesses that use rail to transport their products. Our legislation is crucial in supporting rural businesses as we transition to renewable energy.” SB24-190 would create two income tax credits – one for businesses that use rail to transport their freight into or out of a coal transition community, and one for rail carriers that utilize a rail line at risk of inactivity or abandonment due to lack of demand. It would also make more of the region eligible for economic support from OEDIT, creating opportunities for economic diversification and offering needed support for mountain rail development. Potential mountain rail would also facilitate increased tourism in the region, create additional economic growth, and allow locals to commute safely between Winter Park and Craig, with stops in between. Previous Next

< Back November 4, 2019 ENERGY LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN BILLS TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY DENVER, CO— The Energy Legislation Review Interim Study Committee today advanced three bipartisan bills to promote renewable energy transmission, storage and use after spending the last several months meeting with stakeholders across the state on energy issues. “From improving our state’s air quality to taking action on climate change, increasing the use of renewable energy is critical to making the progress we need to address our climate crisis,” said Energy Legislation Review Interim Study Committee Chair Rep. Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “These bills, which we developed through extensive discussions with stakeholders throughout the energy industry and communities across the state, will make it easier to transmit renewable energy, increase the use of biodiesel fuels and encourage investment in new battery storage technologies to lower energy costs and protect our environment.” “Because of the importance of addressing climate change, we’ve decided to examine energy issues year round,” said Committee Vice Chair Senator Foote (D-Longmont). I’m pleased that we moved forward today with bipartisan support on some common sense energy solutions that will facilitate Colorado’s transition to renewable energy.” “We’ve made a lot of progress in increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing emissions in our state, but we still have work to do to ensure we meet our climate goals and lower our reliance on fossil fuels,” said committee member Rep. Dominique Jackson (D-Aurora). “The legislation we passed today will improve our state’s use of renewable energy and continues our commitment to advancing energy policies that protect public health.” “Our planet is facing a climate crisis,” said committee member Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Longmont) . “Increasing the use of renewable energy is a critical part of our efforts to pass along a livable planet to our children, and I’m pleased to see these bills move forward to encourage the use of biodiesel and make it easier to transmit and store renewable energy.” “The bills we passed today will continue to build on our progress toward reducing carbon emissions and supporting our transition to renewable energy,” said committee member Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “I’m proud of the work this committee has done over the past several months to ensure Colorado remains a leader in addressing the climate crisis at the state level.” Committee members have been traveling across the state and engaging with stakeholders and communities about the Colorado’s energy landscape. Over the course of several months, the committee heard from the oil and gas industry, coal communities, renewable power industries, and local governments about innovative new jobs and technologies. The committee engaged in conversations, hearings, testimony and site visits to communities and energy facilities such as the coal-powered Pawnee Generating Station in Fort Morgan; a wind facility in Limon; a hydro-electric facility in Palisade and the net-zero, all-electric community in Basalt. 1. Conservation Easement Safeguards for Transmission Development: The first bill advanced today would enable a modification of conservation easements to include the placement of electrical transmission lines primarily used for renewable energy. This would allow private wind or solar companies, among others, to enter into agreements with willing private landowners to transfer energy from the renewable energy source to where it is needed in communities across the state. Sponsors: Sen. Jake Tate, Sen. Faith Winter, Rep. Chris Hansen 2. Biodiesel Blend Requirement: The second bill moving forward would create a 5 percent biodiesel blending standard for all diesel fuel sold during the summer months in Colorado by January 2021 and a 10 percent standard by January 2023. Under the bill, Air Quality Control Commission must create a waiver process for supply disruptions or extreme weather. Sponsors: Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis 3. Valuation of Energy Storage Equipment: The final bill wouldtreat the assessed value of battery storage for the purposes of property taxation in the same manner as renewable energy facilities used to generate and deliver electricity. Renewable energy production tends to peak when demand for electricity is low, so this bill incentivizes investments in storage to ensure the energy produced can be used when there is demand for it. Sponsors: Rep. Hansen, Rep. Dominique Jackson, Sen. Faith Winter Previous Next

< Back April 17, 2023 Legislation to Support Universal PreK Passes Committee DENVER, CO – House Finance Committee today passed legislation to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. HB23-1290, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Representative Emily Sirota, would refer a measure to the ballot to allow the state to direct all the revenue collected under a sales tax on tobacco and other tobacco products, including vapes, to support Colorado’s early childhood learners instead of refunding nearly $24 million to the tobacco industry. “When Colorado voters approved Proposition EE in 2020, they overwhelmingly supported funding nicotine cessation programs, affordable housing, rural K-12 funding, and universal preschool,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Universal preschool saves families money, supports our youngest learners and sets our students up for success. The revenue collected from the tax on nicotine products has come in higher than originally predicted, and our legislation will allow voters to confirm their commitment to see preschool provided to all children in the state. Putting these funds towards young Coloradans’ lifelong success is one of the smartest investments we can make in our state’s future.” “Beginning this fall, funds collected from the voter-approved Proposition EE will begin supporting voluntary, universal preschool and educating our youngest learners,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our legislation asks voters if the state may keep all revenue collected from the special tax on nicotine and utilize these funds for universal preschool programs. Colorado voters clearly understand the need for free, universal preschool and the benefit that 15 hours of quality UPK programming will have for our youngest learners, and we now ask voters to continue to meet that need.” HB23-1290 passed by a vote of 6 to 5 and helps Colorado rise to the challenge of providing early education to every child in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. The demand for universal preschool is clear: more than 29,000 families and over 1,800 early care and education providers have already signed up to participate in the first year of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. Specifically, this bill would refer a measure to the ballot that asks voters to approve of the state keeping the excess revenue collected on tobacco and other tobacco products, including vapes, to fund universal preschool in Colorado. In 2020 Colorado voters approved Proposition EE, which created new excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco products and nicotine products to fund Colorado’s priorities - nicotine cessation programs, affordable housing, rural K-12 schools, and Universal Pre-K. The new tax rates will phase in over the next few fiscal years through 2027. When originally approved by voters with overwhelming support, it was estimated this measure would raise $186.5 million in new tax revenue in the first year (FY 2021-22). However, actual revenues from the new tobacco taxes exceeded that predicted amount by $22 million. If passed, voters will see a measure on their 2024 ballots confirming the original intent of the voter-approved Proposition EE and clarifying that the voters want the state to retain the full amount of nicotine sales tax revenue and put it toward universal preschool. Previous Next

< Back February 13, 2024 Corner Qualifications Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed Representative Vigil’s legislation to require county coroners to have certain qualifications and training. HB24-1100 passed by a vote of 9-2 and aims to ensure high standards of Colorado’s death investigators. “This important legislation will ensure that coroners in large counties are well-equipped to continue providing the critical regional service that we all depend on,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs . “County coroners' findings have major implications for public health and safety, criminal justice proceedings, and in providing closure for surviving loved ones of the deceased. This bill, which was brought to me by the El Paso County Coroner, is about upholding the integrity of this essential public service." HB24-1100 would require a county coroner in a county with a population over 150,000 to either be a death investigator certified by and in good standing with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, or be a forensic pathologist certified by and in good standing with the American Board of Forensic Pathologists. County coroner is an elected position and under current law, county coroners only need to be residents of the county they serve and have a high school diploma or college degree. This bill helps ensure that those who run for a county coroner position are properly trained and certified by national organizations. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2021 OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY OFFICE BILL MOVES FORWARD UNANIMOUSLY Bill would create an office to oversee and coordinate outdoor recreation industry matters DENVER, CO– The House Agriculture, Livestock, & Water Committee today advanced Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to create the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office in the Office of Economic Development. The bill passed committee by a vote of 10-0. “Outdoor recreation is critical for local economies across Colorado, and this new office would ensure that this economic driver continues to grow sustainably,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango . “It’s crucial that we strike a balance between supporting this job-creating industry while also protecting the beautiful public lands where we all love to recreate. This bill would create an office dedicated to doing just that.” HB21-1223 would formally create the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office in the Office of Economic Development. The Office was formed by the governor in 2015, and this bill would cement the Office in statute and outline the Office’s specific responsibilities and objectives. HB21-1223, which is also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, calls for the cultivation, promotion, and coordinated development of the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado and for the protection and conservation of public lands, waters, air, and climate. It directs the Office to help address some of the inequities preventing underserved communities from engaging in the recreation opportunities available throughout the state. It calls on the state to partner with the outdoor recreation industry to ensure that the industry serves as a good steward of Colorado’s natural beauty. The Office would support the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado by working with state, federal, local governments and nongovernmental organizations to promote economic development, conservation, stewardship, education, workforce training, and public health and wellness. Previous Next

< Back June 17, 2020 HOUSE DEMS RELEASE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT Dems deliver with COVID-19 relief package, legislation to prioritize education and expand economic DENVER, CO — House Democrats today released the 2020 Legislative Session Report . From an unprecedented global health emergency and dire budget crisis, to protests against racial injustice on the steps of the Capitol, the 2020 legislative session was unlike any other session before it. Colorado House Democrats rose to the occasion and worked to pass responsible laws to protect the health and safety of hardworking Coloradans and get our state back on track. In response to the pandemic,we passed legislation to provide $270 millions in grants and loans to small businesses, channeled tens of millions into direct housing assistance, utilities support and mental health assistance, ensured access to paid sick leave for Colorado workers and expanded unemployment benefits to help hardworking Coloradans make ends meet. When the murder of George Floyd sparked protests about generations of racial injustice in Denver and across the country, House Democrats stepped up and passed sweeping, bipartisan reform measures to enhance accountability, integrity, and transparency in law enforcement. We also continued to move our state forward on issues that are important to Coloradans, such as improving air quality, lowering the cost of health care, addressing youth nicotine use, creating a robust retirement savings system and increasing access to higher education. We worked to protect renters and increase access to affordable housing, and advanced bills to help more hardworking Coloradans access the critical services they need. Read the full end of session report here. Previous Next

< Back June 29, 2020 COLORADO SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINE BAN DENVER, CO – This morning, the Colorado Supreme Court ended a seven-year case by ruling that Colorado’s 2013 large capacity magazine ban is constitutional. The law passed in 2013 prohibits the sale and transfer of gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. House Majority Leader Alec Garnett and Representative Tom Sullivan released the following statements. “Today the Colorado Supreme Court upheld a commonsense law that protects public safety without infringing on Coloradans’ right to bear arms,” said House Majority Leader Garnett, D-Denver. “I’m proud that the Supreme Court has determined that this reasonable law will stand, and glad to see the end of yet another frivolous legal attempt to unwind common sense gun violence prevention laws.” “I’m encouraged to see the Supreme Court uphold the 2013 large capacity magazine ban,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Gun violence has ravaged our state and our nation, and I came to the legislature to work to put an end to it. Large capacity magazines like the 100 round drum that was used on the night my son Alex was murdered can cause devastating carnage and have absolutely no place on our streets. I’ll keep working day in and day out to fight the epidemic of gun violence.” The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that HB13-1224 represents a “reasonable exercise of the police power that has neither the purpose nor effect of nullifying the right to bear arms in self-defense encompassed by article II, section 13 of the Colorado Constitution.” Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2023 Housing Affordability, Rental Protections, and Mobile Home Water Quality Bills Pass House The House passes three bills to address housing affordability, water quality issues, and rental protections DENVER, CO - The House today passed three bills to increase flexibility in the housing affordability programs approved by voters by the passage of Proposition 123, improve water quality in mobile home parks, and reduce overbearing rental application qualifications, making it easier for lower-income communities to access housing. “From mountain communities to the Front Range, Coloradans are struggling to find housing that they can afford,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1304. “Voters approved of Proposition 123 in the 2022 election to direct resources to create more housing options for Coloradans that are affordable. This bill offers some flexibility for our mountain towns to address the housing shortage. I’m proud to deliver legislation that makes the path to homeownership easier for Coloradans around the state, and especially in rural and mountain communities.” HB23-1304 will ensure the housing affordability programs created through Proposition 123, which voters approved in the 2022 election, can be implemented effectively across the state and have the greatest impact by getting dollars out the door as soon as possible. The bill ensures that tribal governments can access Proposition 123 funds in addition to local governments. It also makes it possible for rural resort communities to access the historic funding of Proposition 123 to accommodate the high cost of living in these areas. Local governments across the state will also be able to partner with neighboring communities to reach their targeted growth rate of three percent. In 2022, voters approved Proposition 123, which created new housing affordability programs funded with surplus state income tax revenue. The proposition dedicated an estimated $300 million to help local governments purchase land for affordable homes, provide financing for low- and middle income multi-family housing and provide direct support to renters, supply debt financing for projects that qualify for housing tax credits, offer grants and loans for nonprofits to help people purchase homes, and fund programs for people experiencing homelessness. HB23-1304 passed the House by a vote of 61 to 4. “Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, sponsor of HB23-1257 . “Mobile home park residents in my district have been forced to live in conditions where their water is colored red and smells like sewage, which is staining their clothing, breaking appliances, and making them and their family sick. No one should have to live like this. Our legislation would improve Colorado’s water quality standards to ensure that mobile park residents have access to clean and safe water.” “Veterans, senior citizens, people with a disability, and racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented in mobile home park communities where residents often do not trust the water in their homes,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB23-1257 . “This legislation creates a framework to address water quality concerns to better protect vulnerable communities from water that can cause long term health problems.” HB23-1257 addresses water quality concerns in mobile home parks by establishing a water quality testing program and creates a path to remediation for mobile park owners to fix water quality issues discovered through the testing program. Under this bill, all mobile home parks must be tested by July 1, 2028. If the water test does not comply with drinking standards and contamination levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, mobile park owners would have to notify residents within 48 hours of receiving the test results in English, Spanish, and any other applicable language. The bill also creates the Mobile Home Water Quality Grant Program to help mobile home park owners, eligible non-profit groups, and local governments to address water quality and wastewater issues in mobile home parks. Mobile home park residents have been raising concern over the poor water quality in their homes in recent years. A 2022 study by the Colorado Latino Policy Agenda found that 30% of Latino Coloradans do not trust or drink the water in their homes, but that number rises to 40% with Latino mobile home residents. Water quality issues are especially difficult to remediate for mobile home park residents because they do not own the pipes or parts that connect their home to the water source. HB23-1257 passed the House by a vote of 45 to 18. “Sky-rocketing rent prices are quickly pricing Coloradans out of their communities,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of SB23-184 . “People are picking up second or third jobs to meet the often excessive income requirements that landlords require just so they have a place to live. By capping income requirements and setting a limit on security deposits, we can create more realistic housing opportunities for hardworking Coloradans that want to stay in their community.” “Senior Coloradans, Coloradans with a disability, and others that rely on a fixed income through public assistance programs are finding it increasingly difficult to qualify for housing because their income isn’t matching the rising cost of housing,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of SB23-184 . “People are desperate for housing, and some of our vulnerable Coloradans can’t just pick up additional work to offset the increasing cost of living. Our legislation is crucial in keeping our lower-income and fixed income communities healthy, safe, and housed.” Because there are no current regulations to prevent landlords from requiring prospective tenants to make three to five times as much as their annual rent, some hardworking Coloradans find it impossible to qualify for housing opportunities even if they can afford the rent through their income or housing assistance. SB23-184 would expand access to housing by limiting any minimum income requirement to two times the cost of the rent. For prospective tenants with a housing voucher or subsidy, this cap would only apply to their portion of the rent obligation, and landlords wouldn’t be able to inquire about or consider their credit score. Large security deposits can also price renters out of housing. This bill would break down cost-barriers by capping security deposits at two times the monthly rent. Although Coloradans who experience housing discrimination can sue or file a civil rights complaint, they’re not able to raise discrimination as a defense to an eviction. SB23-184 would further protect tenants from eviction by establishing that a violation of the bill's new prohibitions is an unfair housing practice and clarifying that fair housing violations, including source of income violations, are an affirmative defense to eviction. SB23-184 passed the House by a vote of 43 to 22. Previous Next

< Back February 1, 2023 House Welcomes Rep Kyle Brown to 74th General Assembly DENVER, CO - Speaker Julie McCluskie swore in Representative Kyle Brown today to fill the vacancy in House District 12. “I’m so excited to fight for legislation that will make a real difference for the community I grew up in,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “From taking climate action and creating affordable housing to helping our community recover from the Marshall Fire, I’m ready to get to work to help address the most pressing needs in our communities. I look forward to using my experience on the Louisville City Council and in health care policy to deliver results that move Colorado forward.“ Representative Kyle Brown represents House District 12, which includes Lafayette, Louisville, Niwot, and Superior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgetown and his Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard before returning to Louisville with his wife and kids. His background in public service includes serving on the Louisville City Council and as Deputy Commissioner for Affordability Programs at the Colorado Division of Insurance. He worked closely on designing and implementing the Colorado Option and advised US Senators and Colorado governors on issues involving health care, education, human services, and economic security issues. Rep Brown has been appointed to the House Health and Insurance Committee and the House State Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2024 Bipartisan Water Conservation Bill Signed Into Law PAONIA, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan water conservation bill into law. HB24-1436 will refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow the state to keep and spend all sports betting tax revenue to fund water conservation and protection projects. “From agricultural use to recreation that drives our tourism economy, protecting Colorado’s waters is essential and will ensure its availability for generations to come,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We’re asking for a reaffirmed commitment from Colorado voters to fund our water conservation projects by keeping excess revenue from Colorado’s sports betting tax. I’m proud to carry this law to continue our bipartisan commitment to the future of water in Colorado.” “Water is Colorado’s most precious natural resource, because it powers everything we do, from agriculture to our outdoor recreation economy, which is why I am fighting tooth and nail to secure our state’s water future,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “Now, we’re giving Colorado voters an opportunity to join in the fight and allow sports betting revenue to fund critical water projects that will benefit communities across our state. I am proud of this bipartisan effort that will help protect our precious water resources and our Colorado way of life.” In 2019, Colorado voters approved Proposition DD, allowing the state to keep and spend $29 million of sports betting tax revenue per year for water conservation efforts. Current law requires any additional revenue above $29 million to be refunded to casinos and online sports betting entities. HB24-1436 , also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, will refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow revenue above the $29 million cap to be transferred to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. This fund supports water projects across the state, including water storage and supply, agricultural projects, and watershed health and recreation projects. Speaker McCluskie and Senator Roberts also sponsored legislation this session to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands for Colorado waters that are not federally protected. Previous Next