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< Back February 8, 2023 House Advances Bill to Streamline Mental Health Treatment DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bill on a preliminary vote allowing psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications after receiving additional education and training. “If medication is part of a mental health treatment plan, patients often wait months or pay large out-of-pocket costs to find a licensed prescriber to write their prescription,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill will improve access to the medication patients need by creating a path for psychologists to prescribe mental health treatment. Psychologists have a close relationship with their patients and a thorough understanding of how to treat mental illness, offering them important insight when it comes to the appropriate treatment.” HB23-1071 establishes rigorous standards and education requirements that a psychologist must undertake before being able to prescribe medication to treat mental health illnesses. Only licensed Ph.D. psychologists who receive an additional master’s degree in psychopharmacology, pass a national board exam, complete a preceptorship for up to two years, 750 hours of practicum work, and spend two additional years prescribing under the supervision of trained licensed prescribing clinicians or specialty provider if wanting to work with the pediatric or geriatric population. Once licensed, psychologists would work in conjunction with the patient’s primary care provider or general practitioner team to ensure that any prescribed medication is being monitored and working effectively for whole care health. Under this bill, these licensed psychologists will not be authorized to prescribe narcotic drugs. Currently, if medication is part of the patient’s care plan, the patient must meet with a doctor or psychiatrist to have the prescription issued. Few of the only 800 psychiatrists throughout Colorado accept Medicaid. Patients often struggle to find an available psychiatrist within their insurance network, forcing them to choose between large out-of-pocket costs or waiting months for the medication they need. Allowing psychologists limited prescribing authority to provide immediate access to medication can save the patient time and money. Psychologists work closely with their patients to determine how to best address their mental health needs. When patients meet with a doctor or psychiatrist, it’s often their first time discussing their mental health issues and telehealth appointments can make it difficult to accurately assess the patient’s condition. Allowing licensed psychologists who often meet monthly or even more frequently with patients and are more familiar with their condition to prescribe medication, streamlines access to effective health care and leads to more appropriate care. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to improve educator safety in classrooms across the state. < Back June 6, 2024 ICYMI: Gov. Polis Signs Bill to Protect Educators DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to improve educator safety in classrooms across the state. “As a teacher, I know how important it is for students and educators to feel safe at school – and this law is a big step forward toward creating a safe learning environment for everyone,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Educator safety should be a top priority, and unfortunately, Colorado educators have reported an increase in targeted violence. Ensuring our educators feel safe and comfortable in the classroom will help recruit, retain and strengthen our educator workforce for years to come.” “This legislation will help identify actions schools can take to keep educators safe so they can focus on teaching our students,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “By creating a task force to study this issue, we can examine the role that unequal access to resources and restorative justice play in staff safety issues. Feeling safe in school is essential to fostering a positive educational environment that is more equitable.” HB24-1320 seeks to generate recommendations on improving safety for educators and school staff through the creation of the Educator Safety Task Force. Members of the task force will represent school support professionals, teachers, administrators, nonprofits, and students and families from various communities who are impacted. In making their recommendations related to school safety, the task force will look at the impact of funding needs, wraparound supports, staffing ratios, incidents of student behavior, and resource inequality. The 2023-2024 State of Education report conducted by the Colorado Education Association found that nearly a third of respondents, 32 percent, experienced physical abuse by a student in the two years prior to taking the survey . Previous Next

< Back December 20, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado’s Economy is Strong, But Budget Outlook Remains Constrained DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the December economic forecasts. “Despite national headwinds, Colorado’s strong economy continues to grow and gain jobs, with the state’s unemployment rate well below the national average,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “As we look at the road ahead, it’s clear that our costs will soon exceed what we are able to spend each year, so we’ll look to make smart investments that strengthen our economy, prioritize education, reduce crime and protect critical services. I’m excited to work with my colleagues to pass a balanced budget that sustainably increases funding for public schools, helps build an economy where everyone has a fair shot, and moves Colorado forward.” “Today’s forecast is a reminder that while Colorado’s economic outlook remains strong, we are facing fiscal challenges that will test our limits and put enormous pressure on the state budget,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “We’ve fought hard for the gains we’ve made in recent years on education, housing, health care, and more. Now, we must work to protect those critical investments while fulfilling our funding commitments and keeping our budget on a sound and sensible path so that Colorado remains strong for generations to come.” “While our economic outlook is bright, our state’s fiscal constraints and persistent inflation mean that we could soon face a daunting funding shortfall that jeopardizes the services that Coloradans depend on,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We’ve made tremendous progress to boost funding for public schools, increase economic assistance to Colorado families, invest in infrastructure and transit, and direct resources to make housing more affordable. This year, we will continue our efforts to lower costs for Coloradans and deliver the services that everyone in our state needs.” “Colorado’s economy continues to do better than the rest of the country, but because TABOR limits are tied to the cost of washing machines instead of wages we could face a dangerous budget shortfall," said JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. "As a state we spend more on people than anything else. If we can't keep pace with real wage growth we'll have to cut critical state services that people depend on, from education to transportation to state parks. The budget is a moral document that reflects what we value as a state, and we could face some hard choices in the months ahead. Thankfully the folks I serve with on JBC from both chambers and both sides of the aisle are exactly the kind of good and intelligent people you want making those tough decisions." Colorado continues to have a tight labor market, with significantly more job openings than before the pandemic, and the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5 percent, below the national average of 3.7 percent. While wage gains in Colorado are outperforming the national average, pressure from increased prices are impacting household wealth. The state has now exceeded pre-pandemic job numbers with far more job openings than before the pandemic, and the majority of sectors have recovered the jobs lost during the pandemic. While inflation remains high, it is projected to decline next year with energy and transportation costs already easing in the state. The Legislative Council staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $16.87 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.35 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $707 million decrease for FY 2022-2023 and a $559 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier September revenue forecast. The forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.195 billion for FY 2024-2025. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $16.8 billion for FY 2022-2023, which OSPB revised upward by $412.2 million relative to its September estimate. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be close to $16.5 billion, which OSPB revised downward by $225 million relative to its September estimate. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $17.6 billion. LCS anticipates that budget writers will only have $1.32 billion to address caseload increases, inflationary pressures and spend or save this year. The forecast anticipates continued growth despite escalating risks of a near-term recession. Evolving monetary policy, the war in Ukraine and a housing market correction are upside risks to the forecasts. A sustained drop in energy prices, resolution to the war and a stabilized supply chain are upside risks. Previous Next

Policies would restrict grass turf in new developments, study green infrastructure feasibility, and legalize raw milk < Back November 1, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Water Resources Committee Advances Bills to Preserve Water Resources, Support Green Infrastructure Policies would restrict grass turf in new developments, study green infrastructure feasibility, and legalize raw milk DENVER, CO - The Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee today advanced bills to preserve water resources, build more efficient water systems, and ease restrictions on the sale of raw milk.Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water, with much of this being on non-native turf grass. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this new bill focuses on restricting its initial installation. Sponsored by Chair Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Vice Chair Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, Bill 6 would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting local governments and homeowners’ associations from installing or planting nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf on commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. Nonfunctional means areas like medians or parking lot perimeters which are seldom used; the policy makes no changes to the use of turf in functional areas like yards, sports fields and playgrounds. Additionally, the bill would impose the same restrictions on state facilities. “We have been hard at work this interim looking at ways to address Colorado’s water crisis and develop a number of solutions to conserve water and create more efficient systems,” said Roberts, sponsor of Bill 6. “Our new bill makes a simple change that will have major ripple effects. By restricting the installation of grass turf in new developments and nonfunctional areas, we can significantly cut down on nonessential water use and ensure we’re using our water as efficiently as possible.”“Water is our state’s most precious resource, and this legislation encourages conservation and natural landscapes,” said McLachlan, sponsor of Bill 6. “This bill would not allow local governments and HOAs to install new water-intensive lawns, artificial lawns or invasive plant species in nonfunctional areas, such as parking lots, to protect Colorado’s ecosystem and cut back on water usage. We must all do our part in addressing the water crisis and promoting more natural spaces that mitigate the impacts of climate change.”“Native landscapes are important for supporting Colorado’s ecosystem, which is teeming with plants, insects and animals,” said McCormick, sponsor of Bills 6 and 9. “This bill would prohibit local governments and HOAs from installing invasive species, turf and astroturf in nonfunctional areas which would help encourage water-wise landscaping. Together, we’re working to save Coloradans’ money, water and preserve natural landscapes. Another policy we passed today explores using green infrastructure for traditional wastewater systems, which could include anything from planting more native plants and trees to protecting our state’s wetlands. Green infrastructure is just one of many tools we have to improve wildfire mitigation, boost water quality and encourage natural cityscapes.” Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, Rep. McCormick, Sen. Simpson, and House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, Bill 9 would require the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), in collaboration with the University of Colorado and Colorado State University, to study the feasibility of substituting green nature-based infrastructure for traditional centralized wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. The study would determine if green infrastructure, a planned and managed network of natural green spaces, is a feasible alternative for water providers, would attract new sources of environmental-focused funding for water quality compliance and for water infrastructure projects, and would create cost savings for CDPHE and local water providers.The study would be completed by December 31, 2025. After completing the study, CDPHE would establish at least one pilot program to demonstrate the use of green infrastructure as an alternative compliance program supported with environmental-focused funding. “Why use chemicals to treat wastewater if nature can do it just as well?” asked Bridges, sponsor of Bill 9. “Today’s bill will give water experts the resources they need to see if we can naturally improve water quality enough to keep our residents safe while cutting costs for our communities, especially our small rural towns.” The committee also advanced Bill 15 , sponsored by Roberts, Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, which would legalize the sale of raw cow or goat milk when it is sold directly to consumers at the point of production, the consumer’s residence, or at a farmer’s market or roadside market. To sell raw milk, a raw milk producer must be registered with the state and comply with handling, storage, labeling, and transportation requirements for the sale of raw milk issued through rulemaking. Raw milk producers may face a civil penalty or embargo for violations of the program’s requirements.The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills. ### Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2020 JBC MEMBERS: ECONOMIC FORECAST SHOWS DIFFICULT BUDGET DECISIONS AHEAD DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts, both of which project lower general fund revenue compared to earlier estimates and which signal some tough budgetary decisions to come. “We knew this would be a difficult budget year, and it’s clear that uncertainty in the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic will make an already tight budget even tougher than we had anticipated just a few months ago,” said JBC Chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We remain committed to delivering a bipartisan and balanced budget that supports critical priorities for Coloradans in every part of our state, and will also be highly attuned to the immediate needs of the state as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health and safety are a key priority at this time.” “Like the rest of the nation, Colorado’s economy is taking a hit from the spread of COVID-19,” said JBC Vice-Chair Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “But we have worked under similar budget restrictions before and will continue to prioritize the most pressing concerns of Coloradans. The important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. No matter what happens, we will find budgetary solutions that address critical health concerns and support our community.” “We have had one of the strongest economies in the country, and I know that Colorado will get through the difficult months that lie ahead as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic,” said JBC Member Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The state of the economy is changing quickly, and it’s clear we’ll have significantly less revenue than we expected due to the pandemic. The committee will need to make hard decisions about what we can fund and how to support our critical priorities as we closely watch the state’s financial stability.” “As we continue to navigate this public health crisis, the JBC is committed to formulating strong budgetary plans that reflect the most urgent needs of working families,” said JBC Member Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “Now is the time to come together and build a budget that meets the moment—ensuring that those who are hit the hardest by this pandemic are able to access the relief they need. Looking forward, we will also be cognizant of how our state needs may shift and change in the coming year.” The forecast from Legislative Council staff estimates that General Fund revenue will grow by 1.4 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the previous fiscal year, a figure that was revised down from 4.1 percent in the December forecast. Relative to the December forecast, General Fund revenues are now expected to be $396.1 million less in FY 2019-2020 and $749.9 million less in FY 2020-2021 than anticipated in the December forecast. The new forecast also estimated that revenue will be below the Referendum C Cap by $247.7 million in FY 2019-20, $629.6 million in FY 2021-22 and $142.7 million in FY 2021-22, so TABOR refunds are no longer expected in these years. The forecast from the governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting anticipates General Fund revenues will grow by 3.3 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the previous fiscal year, a drop from four percent projected in the December forecast. The OSPB forecast estimates that revenue will be below the Referendum C Cap by $22.1 million in FY 2019-20 and $33.7 million in FY 2020-21, and will be above the cap again by $216.6 million in FY 2021-22. Revenue forecasts relative to the December estimate are down by $300 million for FY 2019-20, $400 million for FY 2020-21 and $370 million for FY 2021-22. Both forecasts acknowledge additional downside risk to the estimates due to the spread of COVID-19 and the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic. While the fundamentals of the state’s economy are strong, the forecast estimates near-term contraction of economic activity and an elevated risk of recession. The pandemic is anticipated to impact hospitality and tourism as well as service industries that drive state and local tax collections. Previous Next

The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Naquetta Ricks that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on ‘junk fees’. < Back March 4, 2025 House Cracks Down on ‘Junk Fees’ to Save Coloradans Money DENVER, CO - The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Naquetta Ricks that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on ‘junk fees’. HB24-1090 passed by a vote of 41 to 21 with every House Republican opposing the effort to rein in unpopular, surprise junk fees. “Hidden ‘junk fees’ often add up to hundreds of dollars in monthly expenses for Coloradans, so we are taking action to crack down on these surprise costs to save people money,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Whatever the ‘junk fee’ is disguised as, the goal is to hike up prices and drain money out of the pockets of hardworking Coloradans to increase corporate profits. With the passage of this bill, we’re one step closer to cracking down on junk fees so Coloradans know the upfront cost of products, goods and services.” “It is estimated that ‘junk fees’ add up to $90 billion per year in our country, costing households more than $650 annually that could be better spent on groceries, health care, and child care,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “Junk fees are often not disclosed until a consumer is ready to check out or after they’ve paid a non-refundable security deposit, which means Coloradans end up paying higher prices than they are expecting. Addressing junk fees in our state has been one of my biggest priorities, and this legislation brings us closer to honest pricing so Coloradans can make buying decisions that fit their budget.” HB25-1090 would improve transparency in pricing and save Coloradans money by: Prohibiting pricing information for a good, service, or property being offered, displayed, or advertised unless the total price is disclosed, with the exception of a government or shipping charge, third-party fees, and utilities, Prohibiting the misrepresentation of pricing information, Requiring the nature or purpose of pricing information to be disclosed for a good, service, or property that is not part of the total price, and Restricting fees landlords can charge for utilities and third-party services if they comply with legal limits, ensuring that tenants are not charged additional fees. On January 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a letter to Governor Polis to provide information about the efforts they have made to address junk fees and called for the passage of legislation like HB25-1090, that works to combat these unforeseen costs. The FTC and the Colorado Attorney General have announced they are taking action against the nation’s largest multi-family rental property managers for using deceptive advertising and failing to disclose recurring fees. Previous Next

< Back Tisha Mauro Representative Tisha Mauro is the Vice-Chair for the Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee and a member of the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. Representative Mauro represents House District 46 which spans the majority of Pueblo County, including Avondale, Beulah, Colorado City and Rye. Rep. Mauro’s focus is on legislation that conserves and protects Colorado’s water, land and air. As a chile farmer herself, she’s an advocate for the workers, small business owners, farmers, and ranchers who keep local economies running. During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Mauro championed legislation to expand and improve EV charging stations across the state, especially for those living in apartments or townhomes.

< Back January 14, 2019 HOUSE DEMOCRATS REACT TO MARTINEZ V. COGCC RULING (Jan. 14) – This morning, the Colorado Supreme Court released their ruling on Martinez v. Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). The Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision that the COGCC must condition oil and gas operations on ensuring protection of health, safety, and environment. Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder and Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora, chair of the Energy & Environment Committee, released the following statements: “Communities in every corner of our state want to know that their health and safety are being prioritized when it comes to oil and gas operations. This ruling puts the decision back into the hands of lawmakers to take action and we are committed to addressing this concern this legislative session,” said Speaker KC Becker. House Democrats have passed bills in recent years to address the health and safety concerns around oil and gas operations in Colorado. Most of these bills died in the formerly Republican-controlled Senate. “I am frustrated with this ruling, and I share the concerns of my constituents who are worried about protecting our air and water. At the legislature, we will continue working together to protect the health and safety of all Coloradans when it comes to oil and gas operations,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson. The ruling can be found here . Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2020 HOUSE VOTES TO BAN THE GAY AND TRANS PANIC DEFENSE The House today passed Representatives Leslie Herod and Matt Soper’s bipartisan bill to ban the use of the gay and trans panic defense. The House vote was 49-19. “It’s long past time to ban this trans and homophobic defense tactic, “ said Rep. Herod, D-Denver . “A victim’s gender, gender identity or gender expression should never be used to blame a victim for the crime committed against them. We all have the right to a fair trial, and this defense is anything but fair.” The gay and trans panic defense is a legal tactic that has been allowed as a legal defense but that aims to play on the prejudice of jurors against LGTBQ people. HB20-1307 states that evidence about a defendant’s knowledge or discovery of a victim’s gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation can no longer be asserted as a legal defense constituting ‘sudden heat of passion’ in a criminal case. Previous Next

< Back March 24, 2022 SPEAKER GARNETT, GOVERNOR POLIS, COOKE, PETTERSEN, LYNCH, DAS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS UNVEIL BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PREVENT FENTANYL DEATHS AND SAVE LIVES DENVER, CO – Speaker Alec Garnett, Governor Jared Polis, Senators Brittany Pettersen and John Cooke, Representative Mike Lynch, Colorado district attorneys, public health experts and state lawmakers today unveiled comprehensive bipartisan legislation to combat the fentanyl crisis, remove fentanyl from Colorado communities and save lives. “We are taking bold, comprehensive action to get fentanyl off our streets and save lives,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Working with Colorado’s district attorneys and public health experts, we’ve crafted a proposal that will crack down on the dealers peddling death in our communities and provide treatment options to individuals who need help. By focusing on the root causes of overdoses and going after dealers, this solution will stem the tide of fentanyl deaths in Colorado and protect our communities from this dangerous drug.” “We are acting now to make Colorado neighborhoods and communities safer and we welcome the legislature’s action to save lives and address the dangers of fentanyl. The introduced bipartisan legislation, crafted in partnership with legislative leadership, law enforcement, district attorneys, and public health experts provides a better comprehensive solution that will save lives and improve public safety,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Sheriffs and law enforcement need new tools to hold dealers accountable for distributing deadly fentanyl, and we’re going to give them what they need,” said Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley. “This bill treats fentanyl seriously and significantly strengthens the criminal penalties for dealing it. Going after the dealers will crack down on fentanyl and prevent more people from dying.” "All over the state, Coloradans are struggling with substance use disorder, our kids are accidentally overdosing on pills, and families are trying as hard as they can to cope and keep on going. This is a heart-wrenching crisis that has traumatized families, destroyed lives and impacted entire communities, an epidemic that requires a thoughtful, forward-thinking and empathetic response,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, chair of the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force. “That’s why I spent the last several months working with behavioral health experts, law enforcement, community leaders and others on the Behavioral Health Task Force to help develop the evidence-based policy solutions presented in this bill. This legislation represents an important step forward to combat this crisis so we can get fentanyl off our streets, help people access care they need, and most importantly save lives.” “I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will crack down on dealers of fentanyl and support our law enforcement as they work to stop these drugs from being sold on our streets,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “ We’ve come together with a bipartisan solution because fentanyl doesn't care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. This bill is going to prevent overdose deaths and hold dealers accountable when they spread death in our communities.” Fentanyl is a drug unlike any other in its potency, lethality and addictiveness, and people across the country are dying from it at alarming rates. A comprehensive approach including both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers will save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. This response was crafted in partnership with law enforcement, district attorneys and public health experts. The bill will strengthen criminal penalties for individuals distributing fentanyl to get dangerous dealers off Colorado streets. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory SUD assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to ensure people get the treatment they need. The bill focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs, and will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with an SUD. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties. “I’m proud of the work of Speaker Garnett and Colorado’s district attorneys to craft this new approach that will crack down on fentanyl dealers, remove this deadly drug from our communities and save lives,” said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. “This crisis demands the comprehensive response we’ve developed, which will provide prosecutors with the tools needed to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. Through this legislation, we will be able to respond aggressively to dealers taking lives when distributing this deadly drug.” The bill gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in CDPHE. Individuals assessed to have a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment. This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address the root causes and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this more deadly drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system. “Fentanyl is finding its way into nearly every street drug in Colorado, so we are taking a multi-pronged approach that focuses on public safety and public health,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “The public health strategy emphasizes education, treating addiction, and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves and others. We will increase penalties for drug dealers and deploy proven harm reduction strategies to save lives, help cut off the supply of fentanyl and get people the help they need without turning addicts into felons.” While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. The proposal makes opiate antagonists more widespread, which will help save lives by preventing overdoses. “I am extremely supportive of, and grateful for, the bipartisan bill offered today to combat the fentanyl scourge that has plagued our communities,” said 19th Judicial District Attorney Michael Rourke. “This bill addresses both of the top priorities of Colorado’s prosecutors: increasing the penalties for the possession with intent to distribute, manufacture, dispense or sell this poison in our communities, and holding accountable those who peddle this poison when such conduct results in the death of our fellow citizens.” “Throughout Colorado and across the nation, there have been many tragic deaths and countless lives ruined due to fentanyl,” said Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty. “We need greater penalties for those who seek to profit from this crisis by intending to distribute or selling fentanyl -- especially for those that lead to a death. Individuals who are poisoned by fentanyl deserve justice and this bill is a positive step forward. And, for those struggling with addiction, this proposal would provide resources and treatment that is long overdue in the State of Colorado. This crisis requires a comprehensive response and that’s what we see in this bill.” “This bill is a crucial step forward in holding accountable those who distribute fentanyl in our community,” said 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason. “Fentanyl is killing our kids. Drug distributors are selling this poison to unsuspecting buyers, leading to tragedy and death. This bill will give us important new tools to prosecute those who are selling this drug and will help us get more fentanyl off the streets.” "In my more than 30 years in law enforcement, I've never seen a drug with such devastating consequences as illicit fentanyl. Too many Coloradans are dying from illegal use of this potent drug, and too many families are being changed forever. Every step we can take to reduce the presence of fentanyl on our streets is a step in the right direction,” said Stan Hilkey, CDPS Executive Director. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to strengthen protections for Colorado’s mobile home park residents. < Back April 11, 2024 Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents Advances DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to strengthen protections for Colorado’s mobile home park residents. HB24-1294, sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Elizabeth Velasco, would improve accessibility, strengthen guardrails in rent-to-own contracts, and update tenant protections. “It was clear that residents living in mobile home parks did not have enough legal protections, which is why we’ve made significant improvements over the years to Colorado’sMobile Home Park Act,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “We’re continuing that work to improve the health, safety and financial protections for mobile home park residents by ensuring that both parties in a rent-to-own agreement are informed of their rights and responsibilities. This legislation helps to keep mobile home parks affordable, empowers our neighbors to stay in their homes and works to improve access to clean water.” “To support our neighbors living in mobile home parks, this bill improves language accessibility and housing security,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Our bill would improve equity by requiring important information such as a water boil notice, to be communicated in both English and Spanish. We’re also working toward closing gaps in current law that would expand tenancy and rent protections and require more transparency for rent-to-own contracts. Keeping mobile home parks safe and affordable is the right thing to do for our communities and supports Coloradans living in affordable communities across our state.” HB24-1294 would close some of the remaining gaps in the Mobile Home Park Act that have left some park residents vulnerable to displacement and financial harm. Specifically, this bill would update owner and landlord responsibilities, strengthen tenant protections, ensure important park notices and meetings are accessible to Spanish speakers, and clarify the conditions of the sale of mobile homes and parks. The bill also establishes clear provisions for rent-to-own contracts by ensuring that both parties in a “rent to own” agreement are informed of their rights and responsibilities, such as the steps to exercise a purchase option, and the refundability of payments in the event a tenancy terminates prematurely. To improve accessibility, this bill would require that parkwide meetings, and written notices of potential evictions or rent increases, are communicated and accessible in both English and Spanish. Additionally, this bill would clarify the circumstances when park residents are protected against rent increases. Colorado Democrats have passed landmark legislation in recent years to strengthen protections for mobile home residents by improving water quality in mobile home parks ( HB23-1257 ), expanding protections provided under the Mobile Home Park Act (HB22-1287 ), and creating a pathway for residents to purchase the land under their mobile home ( HB20-1201 ). Previous Next

< Back February 17, 2023 Titone’s Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to save farmers and ranchers money and time on costly agricultural equipment repairs. “Right to repair gives farmers and ranchers the tools, information and parts they need to repair their equipment so they can get back in the field,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Often, farmers are forced to spend outrageous amounts on equipment repairs and are left waiting months for a repair technician. This bill gives farmers and ranchers the freedom to fix their own equipment or hire local technicians, saving them money and time and getting them back to work faster.” HB23-1011 passed the House on a preliminary vote and would require agricultural equipment manufacturers to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. Specifically, agricultural equipment manufacturers would need to provide necessary parts, software, firmware, tools or documentation to independent repair providers and owners at a fair and reasonable price. Under this bill, agricultural equipment manufacturers or dealers selling on behalf of the manufacturer cannot upcharge for any repair items. This bill aims to save farmers and ranchers money on necessary equipment repairs while speeding up the repair process. Agriculture is one of the largest and leading industries in the state of Colorado. HB23-1011 is supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, the Corn Growers, Wheat Growers, Wool Producers, Fruit and Vegetable Producers, the Cattleman, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Last year, Representatives Titone and Ortiz passed two trailblazing right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users. These laws require wheelchair manufacturers to provide parts and software to consumers and eliminate the need for prior authorization to repair powered wheelchairs and other complex mobility devices for Medicaid recipients. These laws provided the framework for HB23-1011. Previous Next