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The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti and Jenny Willford to better protect youth and keep them safe when participating in private organized sports.  < Back February 20, 2024 Legislation to Protect Youth in Sports Passed Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti and Jenny Willford to better protect youth and keep them safe when participating in private organized sports. “Youth sports are incredibly popular in Colorado at all ages and skill levels. This legislation expands the use of background checks, CPR and First Aid training to ensure our kids can learn, play and compete in the safest environment possible,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . "An important part of protecting kids is working to ensure harm doesn’t happen in the first place.” “Keeping our youth safe while participating in non-school related sports is a top priority,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “This legislation would require youth sports organizations to run criminal background checks on coaches and other leading personnel as well as require personnel to receive First Aid certifications to keep our kids safe.” HB24-1080 , which passed committee by a vote of 9 to 3, would require private youth sports organizations to conduct criminal history record checks on personnel who work directly with youth athletes, in both a volunteer or paid position. This bill would also require paid directors, coaches, assistant coaches or athletic program personnel to be CPR and First Aid/AED certified to help youth in the case of an emergency. HB24-1080 aims to prevent childhood sexual assault and keep our youth safe while participating in out-of-school activities. Previous Next

he House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to combat wage theft and boost the economic security of workers in the construction industry, ensuring construction workers receive pay for their work. < Back April 18, 2024 Wage Theft Prevention Bill Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to combat wage theft and boost the economic security of workers in the construction industry, ensuring construction workers receive pay for their work. “From not paying for overtime work to shortchanging paychecks, wage theft is a very serious issue that threatens the economic security and well-being of Coloradans,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Women and workers of color are disproportionately more likely to be victims of wage theft, forcing them to choose between paying their rent and putting food on the table for their families. By strengthening Colorado’s wage theft laws, Coloradans can feel more confident that they will be paid for the work that they do.” “Wage theft is theft, and it prevents hardworking Coloradans from affording their rent, groceries, medication, and other essential costs,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Construction workers are especially vulnerable to wage theft because they are often hired under subcontractors who can more easily abuse their power to avoid paying their workers. Our legislation would require lost wages to be paid to workers so they are guaranteed to receive the money they worked for.” HB24-1008 improves wage theft accountability by requiring general contractors to cover lost wages if a subcontractor commits wage theft and increases transparency to improve compliance. It also imposes a $2,000 fine on a subcontractor if they do not forward a written demand for payment to the general contractor. Reps. Duran and Froelich also sponsored legislation in 2022 that ensures Colorado workers are able to recover legally-earned wages. The law modernizes Colorado’s wage enforcement procedures by streamlining the enforcement of wage theft laws and expanding the Department of Labor and Employment’s ability to investigate wage violators. A 2022 report by the Colorado Fiscal Institute found that nearly 440,000 low-wage Colorado workers experience $728 million in wage theft annually. Workers of color and women are most likely to be victims of wage theft, and the most common industries for wage theft are retail, construction, and food service. Construction workers are particularly at risk for wage theft due to the high rates of subcontracting and other labor market intermediaries. Wage theft can include not paying workers minimum wage, non-payment of wages, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime and taking tips that were meant for the employees. Previous Next

< Back March 31, 2023 Legislation to Protect Reproductive Health Care Providers and Patients Moves Forward SB23-188 establishes shield laws to protect those seeking or performing reproductive health and gender-affirming care DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to establish that the state of Colorado will not recognize any out of state prosecutions for those receiving, providing, or assisting with legally-protected health care, including abortion and gender-affirming care.SB23-188, part of the Safe Access to Protected Health Care legislative package, works to protect health care providers and patients from overreaching interstate criminal and civil threats. “Colorado Democrats will always defend reproductive freedom, and I’m proud of the important progress we’ve made to protect those seeking or performing legal, reproductive health care,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood . “Our bill codifies important protections for legally protected health care service to make sure our patients, providers, and assistors are shielded from interstate prosecution, retaliation, and imprisonments. In Colorado, we trust you to make your own medical decisions and will protect you from other states’ baseless attempts to enforce their restrictive abortion laws.” “Anti-trans bills, bans and laws have been sweeping the country, yet in Colorado we’re focused on protecting the fundamental right to gender-affirming and reproductive health care,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Our legislation not only affirms the right to protected health care, but prevents other states from enforcing their regressive anti-abortion and anti-trans laws in Colorado. For many, having access to gender-affirming care is both life-saving and validating. This important legislation protects our privacy, prioritizes patients and providers over politics and upholds our fundamental rights to health care.” Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care: SB23-188 prevents Colorado from recognizing or enforcing civil lawsuits concerning protected health care that are penal in nature or without jurisdiction, and prevents Colorado state employees from participating in interstate investigations or divulging information concerning protected health care. For 1.2 million people, Colorado is the closest state to receive legal abortion and reproductive health care. In order to protect patients, providers and assistors from anti-abortion lawsuits or legal action, this bill establishes a shield law to protect those receiving, providing, or assisting with legally-protected abortion and gender-affirming health care. This includes protections for out-of-state patients and providers. Across the nation, many states are enacting strict laws to limit access to reproductive and gender-affirming care. In both Texas and Oklahoma , anyone providing, assisting, or paying for an abortion that occurs within the state are subject to criminal and civil penalties. Under these laws, residents and non residents of these two states are subject to penalties. During the 2023 legislative session, 431 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the country. Mississippi, Utah, South Dakota, Iowa , Florida and Tennessee have joined, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, in passing bans or restrictions on gender-affirming care. The bills included in the Safe Access to Protected Health Care legislative package are part of an effort to make Colorado one of the safest states in the nation to receive reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2022 LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO SAVE BUSINESSES MONEY, IMPROVE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR COLORADO WORKERS Legislation will invest $600 million to improve and expand unemployment benefits, create a more resilient future economy DENVER, CO – Members of the House and Senate today announced bipartisan legislation to save businesses money and improve unemployment insurance for Colorado workers. Sponsored by Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, the bill would infuse the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund (UITF) with pandemic relief funds while expanding eligibility and improving benefits to help support Colorado’s working families. “When the pandemic hit and thousands of Coloradans lost their jobs, the state’s unemployment insurance program was there to help families pay rent and keep food on the table,” Hansen said . “Now we’re doubling down to protect this critical safety net for working families and our economy by investing hundreds of millions into unemployment insurance to protect future solvency while improving and expanding the benefits it offers. This bill will better prepare us to weather any future economic downturns, and help make sure unemployment insurance continues to benefit working Colorado families for years to come.” “The bipartisan legislation we introduced today has the support of the business community, workers and lawmakers in both parties because we all agree – this is a responsible path forward to reduce costs for businesses, improve protections for workers, and save everyone money,” Snyder said. “The pandemic made it very clear – Colorado workers need an unemployment insurance system that works for them and delivers the assistance they need, when they need it. We’ve crafted a bill that will help ensure the stability of the fund and make common sense improvements to ensure the system meets the needs of the moment.” “This bill reforms our unemployment insurance program to better deliver assistance to workers and save people and businesses money,” Ortiz said. “At the start of the pandemic, changes to the system worked well to help get people back to work, and I’m excited to make them permanent. Not only does this bill stave off steep cost increases on businesses, it will ensure more workers get the assistance they need to get back on their feet.” “Colorado businesses have endured one of the most challenging economic environments in our state’s history,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman, who was instrumental in the bill negotiations. “Through no fault of their own, many were forced to close and lay off valued employees, which has put them on the hook for the depletion of the UITF. After months of negotiations, this bill is an important first step in providing real relief to Colorado businesses. While we are still in need of a long-term solution, these funds will prevent significant unemployment premium increases, which will in turn help Colorado workers and local communities across the state.” The legislation announced today invests $600 million to shore up the solvency of the UITF and protect against potential future economic downturns. This will save businesses money on premiums and provide certainty to workers who depend on unemployment benefits to continue paying for essentials like food, rent, and transportation while they search for new work. The bill makes further improvements to ensure the unemployment system works better for Colorado families. It raises the benefit amount part-time workers can receive from 25 percent to 50 percent of the weekly benefit amount, in order to remove disincentives for workers who are laid off to find part-time employment while seeking a full-time job. It also creates a Benefit Recovery Fund to ensure that workers in Colorado who lack work authorization can access the benefits they contribute to and their employers pay premiums into. The bill also eliminates the one-week waiting period to help workers access their benefits as quickly as possible once the Fund reaches a sustainable level, clarifies what constitutes an overpayment, and requires employers to inform their workers of their unemployment benefit eligibility upon separation. Previous Next

< Back March 13, 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY REACTS TO COVID-19 Today during a hearing of the Executive Committee of the General Assembly Senate and House leadership from both parties showed a united front in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leadership submitted a resolution to temporarily suspend the 72nd Session of the General Assembly for two weeks. The session will adjourn on Saturday, March 14 and return on Monday, March 30. FOR UPDATES AND RESOURCES REGARDING THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC, PLEASE CLICK HERE. Previous Next

Legislation would help alleviate housing crisis across Colorado < Back January 30, 2024 Colorado House Democrats Pass Bill to Make Housing More Affordable Legislation would help alleviate housing crisis across Colorado DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to prohibit local governments from implementing or enforcing residential occupancy limits except for health and safety reasons. “Arbitrary housing limits exacerbate the housing crisis, creating an unnecessary barrier that makes it even more difficult for Coloradans to find a place to live,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “Prohibiting occupancy limits opens up affordable housing options, reduces our environmental impact, and gives Coloradans the freedom to live with others even if they aren’t related. This legislation is critical in giving Coloradans more housing choices and creating more affordable housing opportunities.” “Occupancy limits that are not genuinely based on health and safety concerns limit the ability of Coloradans struggling to get by to find affordable housing,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “At a time when Coloradans face a shortage of housing supply, our governments should not be limiting the supply of housing. This legislation will expand housing options for all and allow people to make their own housing choices that benefit their families and save them money.” HB24-1007 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, would prohibit local governments from limiting the number of people who can live together in a residence, regardless of familial relationship. Exceptions include only for demonstrated health and safety standards, such as fire code regulations, wastewater and water quality standards and international building code standards. Occupancy limits cap the amount of people that can live in a residence if they are not related, even if the residence has more bedrooms than the occupancy limit standard. In 2023, there were over 14,000 Coloradans experiencing homelessness. More than 50 percent of renters in the Denver Metro Area, as well as counties like Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, Pueblo, Summit, Eagle, and Mesa, are cost burdened. In 2021, Denver City Council passed a measure to increase their occupancy limit standards from two to five people, and last year, Boulder City Council voted to increase their occupancy limit standards from three to five people. Previous Next

< Back March 5, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES ROBERT’S BILL TO UPDATE WINTER MOUNTAIN DRIVING REQUIREMENTS (Mar 5) – The House Transportation and Local Government committee gave approval today to a bill sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts to increase safety and efficiency on our roads by updating and revising language in statutes for motor vehicles driving the I-70 mountain corridor. “Many drivers are not prepared for the winter driving conditions on I-70 and that leads to crashes, spin-outs, and closures along the I-70 mountain corridor,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “Closures on I-70 have dramatic impacts to traffic and the economy on the Western Slope and across Colorado.” HB19-1207 updates current statutes to reflect modern traction technology and traction options. It sets minimum standards for tires being used in the winter in the mountain corridor. It also defines the I-70 mountain corridor by mileposts and sets out clear standards for the timeframe for traction equipments requirements. The heightened traction standards would be in effect from September 1 through May 31 of each year and apply to travel between milepost 133 (Dotsero) and milepost 259 (Morrison). HB19-1207 passed through committee with a bipartisan vote of 9-2 and now heads to the House floor. Previous Next

< Back June 30, 2020 GOV. SIGNS MARIJUANA BILL TO INCREASE ACCESS TO LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS Denver, CO — Today, at Simply Pure, a marijuana dispensary, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill that increases access to the Social Equity license, which makes owning and operating a retail marijuana store accessible to more Coloradans. The bill is sponsored by Representative James Coleman. “All hardworking Coloradans deserve a fair shot at sharing in the prosperity of the booming marijuana industry,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver . “This bill will help overcome decades of inequity in an industry where black people have been criminalized and others have been able to make profits. We should not be defined by our past alone, and this bill provides Coloradans who want to make an honest living in the marijuana industry with the opportunity to do so. Creating equal economic opportunity for all makes us stronger. ” “Colorado has led the way for the nation’s fast-changing laws and attitudes towards marijuana,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont . “By allowing the Governor to pardon individuals with small possession offenses and improving access and equity in the booming marijuana industry, this bill moves our state boldly forward. The bill signed today is good for small businesses, hardworking Coloradans, and our state’s economy as a whole.” In order to drive socioeconomic equity to the retail marijuana trade, HB20-1424 establishes that applicants for a marijuana license cannot be denied access based on a marijuana conviction if they qualify as a social equity applicant. The bill also allows the governor to pardon individuals who were convicted of possession of marijuana for up to two ounces — effectively offering these Coloradans a clean slate. In order to be eligible for the Social Equity license, applicants must be a Colorado resident and one of the following regulations must apply. Applicants must have either: resided in Colorado for 15 years, have been arrested or convicted of a marijuana offense, or have a household income that did not exceed a predetermined amount. Marijuana retailers who have a Social Equity license are eligible for the Accelerator Program, which authorizes stores with a Social Equity license to operate under established state laws as long as they are endorsed by an Accelerator Store. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to ensure that surviving spouses will receive lifetime death benefits if their spouse is killed on the job. < Back February 12, 2024 House Passes Bill to Secure Death Benefits for Surviving Spouses DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to ensure that surviving spouses will receive lifetime death benefits if their spouse is killed on the job. “When the surviving spouses of firefighters, Colorado State Patrol officers, and other first responders remarry, they lose the death benefits they are entitled to,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood. “Death benefits for spouses are crucial in supporting widows and widowers during these times of need. Our legislation ensures that surviving spouses will continue to see death benefits, even if they remarry, to help them heal from the trauma of losing their spouse while allowing them to move forward with their life.” HB24-1139 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, passed by a vote of 56-8. Currently, a surviving spouse may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation death benefits for the rest of their life, but if they remarry, they forfeit the right to these benefits. This bill would ensure lifetime workers’ death benefits for surviving spouses of state employees with high-risk jobs, even if they remarry. The bill defines a job with high-risk classification as State Troopers, Colorado Bureau of Investigations officers, corrections officers, community parole officers, state firefighters, port of entry officers, parks and wildlife officers, and CDOT safety and maintenance workers. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to improve access to housing for survivors of domestic violence. The bill passed by a vote of 8-4. < Back April 9, 2024 Lukens Bill to Improve Access to Safe Housing Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to improve access to housing for survivors of domestic violence. The bill passed by a vote of 8-4. “Housing is critical in allowing survivors of domestic and sexual violence to escape their abuser, and when a survivor doesn’t have a safe place to live, they are either forced to stay in a dangerous situation or are at risk of becoming homeless,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Barriers to housing should never prevent someone from seeking safety. Our legislation would make it easier for survivors to secure housing away from their abuser, keeping them and their children safe and housed.” HB24-1431 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would create the Stable Housing for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence Program. The program would coordinate with community-based organizations to provide short-term assistance payments to survivors of abuse so they can secure safe housing. A 2023 study found that survivors who received housing support reported a decrease in physical, psychological, and economic abuse for themselves and their children. Previous Next

< Back May 31, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: BILLS SIGNED TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS Laws direct $155 million to create a statewide grant program and regional navigation campus in the Denver-Metro area DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will provide $155 million to address and prevent homelessness across Colorado. HB22-1377 , sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Tony Exum and Senators Chris Kolker and Julie Gonzales, directs $105 million in flexible grant funding to local governments and nonprofits that are pursuing innovative measures to address the needs of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These initiatives may include emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and property conversion, as well as wraparound services and care coordination. “This package of legislation works to address and prevent homelessness across Colorado by funding innovative measures that provide shelter and help people transition to permanent housing,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “Local governments and nonprofits can’t fill this need on their own, so the state is stepping up to fund the programs and projects we know will help provide the housing and supports people need to get back on their feet and thrive.” “The crisis of unhoused Coloradans has only grown, and we must take action,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “This law will enable local communities to better tackle this crisis, and arm them with resources to implement innovative, community-driven strategies that address and prevent homelessness and get more Coloradans the help they need.” “Too many Coloradans, including over 1,000 veterans, are experiencing homelessness across our state,” said Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “This legislation provides funding for critical services and shelter for people in immediate need of a safe place to sleep and will also help people transition out of homelessness. We worked to ensure that each community in Colorado would have an opportunity to access this funding. From reducing the cost of housing and increasing access to behavioral health care to making Colorado more affordable and boosting skills training programs, we’re doing everything we can to address the root causes of homelessness and create opportunity for everyone in Colorado.” “We’ve seen clearly over the past few years that crisis exacerbates inequality. As our state’s housing issues have worsened significantly, even more Coloradans find themselves without a place to call home,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force . “This new law is critically important, and will help local communities connect unhoused Coloradans to essential support and resources. It’s only a start – but providing these resources will help folks get back on their feet by expanding access to the housing, care and support services that they need.” HB22-1378, sponsored by Representatives Iman Jodeh and Tom Sullivan and Senators James Coleman and Chris Hansen, directs $50 million to local governments and nonprofits in the Denver-Metro area to build or acquire and then facilitate a regional navigation campus to holistically respond to and prevent homelessness. This campus will integrate emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing with behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, medical care, case management, employment and skills training and more – all in one location. “The homelessness crisis in our communities demands an innovative approach that will deploy best practices and comprehensive strategies, and that’s what we’re doing by creating a central location where people can get the wraparound services they need to avoid homelessness,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “I am proud of this legislation that creates and funds a regional navigation campus in the Denver-Metro area that will integrate health care, job services and housing supports – some of the best practices available to reduce and prevent homelessness.” “The homelessness crisis has hit our communities hard, and addressing it requires all hands on deck, which is exactly the approach this legislation takes,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver . “This law will connect folks without stable housing to the services, care and housing they need, and give more Coloradans support to help them move forward and thrive.” “As a veteran, it is deeply troubling to see so many people who served our nation struggle to find safe and stable housing and access to the job services and health care they need,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “I’m proud Governor Polis has signed our legislation into law to invest in proven strategies that will reduce and prevent homelessness. This new regional campus will be a one-stop-location for people experiencing homelessness to be connected with behavioral health care, job training, housing options and other critical services that we know help people find long-term housing and employment.” “Too many of our neighbors are struggling to find a place to call home, and they need assistance,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver . “This law will provide significant new resources to support folks experiencing homelessness, and give nonprofits and local governments more capacity to address this crisis and help more Coloradans get back on their feet.” Previous Next

< Back June 9, 2021 JACKSON CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF MONUMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION DENVER, CO– Rep. Dominique Jackson released the following statement after the passage of HB 21-1266. The bill re-passed in the House by a vote of 37-27. “Colorado leads the nation on many environmental efforts, but to continue our leadership role we need to get serious about meeting our climate goals and we must ensure that disproportionately impacted communities have a seat at the table,” said Representative Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “This bill gives communities that seat at the table and takes real, tangible steps to reduce carbon pollution. There can be no environmental justice in Colorado without significantly improving our air quality, and I’m so proud that we took this bold step forward.” Previous Next