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< Back April 25, 2019 COLORADO HOUSE PASSES TWO HOUSING BILLS (Apr. 25) – The House gave preliminary approval to two bills that would expand the supply of affordable housing and hold landlords accountable. HB19-1322, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, and Rep Perry Will, R-New Castle, will expand funding for affordable housing statewide. Under this bill, money will come from the State Treasurer from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund and be deposited into the Housing Development Grant Fund to supplement existing money. “This a responsible way to support affordable housing without raising taxes. It allows local communities to decide what is best for them,” said Rep. Roberts. “Housing is one of the most important issues across the state and this bill specifically points out our rural communities who need help and ensures the state is a strong partner in the effort to support affordable housing projects.” The bill was approved on voice-vote and a recorded vote will be taken at a later date. The House also approved Rep. Leslie Herod’s bill that establishes duties for landlords and tenants in addressing the presence of bed bugs. “Bed bugs are harmful. They disrupt our lives in profound ways, threatening the health and well-being of our families,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “This bill will ensure that landlords inspect and treat bed bug infestations quickly, so that people can resume their lives.” Under HB19-1328, tenants must promptly notify their landlord when they know or reasonably suspect the presence of bed bugs. Not more than 96 hours after receiving notice, a landlord must obtain an inspection by a qualified inspector and treat the bed bugs in that unit and any adjacent units also affected. The bill was approved on voice-vote and a recorded vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

< Back September 20, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Economy Continues to Grow 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 September quarterly economic forecasts. “Colorado’s economy continues to grow with new jobs being created every day, our unemployment rate well below the national average, and continued wage growth outpacing inflation,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Colorado is making strides to bring down the cost of living and make our state more affordable as housing costs and nationally high gas prices continue to impact Coloradans’ quality of life. I’m excited to get to work crafting a balanced budget that keeps our state’s economy strong, invests in education, improves public safety, and responds to the needs of Colorado’s families while continuing our state’s responsible growth into the future.” “Today’s forecast shows us that, despite some turbulence, Colorado’s economic outlook remains positive,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin the process of drafting next year's budget, we remain focused on supporting Colorado’s families by investing in priorities like housing, health care, and education, and ensuring that Colorado remains on a sound and sensible economic path now and into the future." “These forecasts will guide our work as we begin to develop next year’s budget and prioritize our limited state resources toward the issues that matter most to Coloradans – increasing funding for public schools, protecting our air and water, and building an equitable economy that delivers for Colorado’s working people,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m committed to continuing our work to provide high quality, free universal preschool, improve our air quality, and invest in the critical services our communities need to thrive.” “My top takeaway from this forecast is something that everyone already knows: housing is far too expensive in Colorado, and we have to do more to address it so that more families can afford to live here,” JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. "This forecast will help guide our discussions as we roll up our sleeves and get to work crafting a budget that will lower the cost of housing while meeting the needs of families and communities across our state. I am proud of the work we’ve done to support Coloradans during this volatile economic period, and I look forward to continuing our work to set Colorado on a path to further economic success.” Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.8 percent, with total employment growth clocking in at around 1.4 percent. Workers in the mountain region, which includes Colorado, saw 7.2 percent wage growth – the highest among US regions, and business activity remains near historic highs. The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.44 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $306 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $324 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier June revenue forecast. The LCS forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.49 billion for FY 2024-2025, an $82.3 million decrease from the June forecast. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion for FY 2022-2023, a $223 million increase over the June forecast. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB revised up its projected General Fund revenue by $793 million to $17.3 billion. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18.3 billion, an increase of $137.8 million as compared with the June forecast. The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn and that the risk of a near-term recession has dissipated. Factors that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation, an expanded labor force, and a rebound in real wages boosting consumer spending, and more accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include persistent inflation leading to further restrictive monetary policies, deteriorating household finances limiting consumption and continued geopolitical and trade uncertainty. Previous Next

SB23-303 is part of a legislative package to reduce property taxes and would send TABOR rebates of $661 for single filers or $1,322 for joint filers if Prop HH is approved by voters in November < Back May 9, 2023 House Passes Property Tax Reduction Bill SB23-303 is part of a legislative package to reduce property taxes and would send TABOR rebates of $661 for single filers or $1,322 for joint filers if Prop HH is approved by voters in November DENVER, CO - The House today passed part of a legislative package to lower property taxes for homeowners and businesses and create a flat TABOR refund mechanism that will increase refunds for Coloradans making under $100,000, while simultaneously protecting funding for critical community services. SB23-303 passed the House in a final vote of 39 to 7. “Coloradans are facing large increases in property taxes, which is why we’re bringing this legislation to help Colorado homeowners, businesses, and renters from rising costs,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “We carefully crafted this bill to reduce property taxes without cutting the essential community services that they fund. If voters approve of Prop HH this November, Coloradans can expect to save over $1 billion over the next two years, making it easier to afford necessities while maintaining quality K-12 education, fire district funding, and many other services.” “When Coloradans received their property assessment in the last few weeks, we knew we needed to act quickly to help hardworking Coloradans and seniors afford their quickly escalating property taxes,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “This property tax proposal expands the Homestead Exemption so seniors, who often live off a fixed income, can better afford homes that fit their health needs without disqualifying them from significant property tax relief.” SB23-303 creates a long-term solution to prevent growing home values from raising property taxes, and creates limits that protect homeowners and businesses from steep unexpected increases in their property taxes. Coloradans will vote on this package in November, and if approved these measures will provide sustainable, long-term reductions to property tax rates while delivering immediate savings on property taxes this year. Combined with property tax reductions the legislature previously enacted via SB22-238 , this proposal will cut the average homeowner’s tax increase in half, saving $1,264 on average over the next two years. In total, this package would provide between $900 million and $1.6 billion annually in property tax reductions for homeowners and businesses in Colorado. Other property tax reductions and protections proposed in this plan include: Reducing the residential assessment rate from 7.15 percent to 6.7 percent in 2023 and 2024, and continuing this reduction for primary residences. Incrementally reducing the business property assessment rate from 29 percent to at least 26.9 percent by 2032. Reducing the taxable value of residences by $50,000 in 2023 and 2024, and continuing this reduction for primary residences in future years. Capping the growth in district property tax collections excluding school districts at inflation and allowing local governments to override the cap after giving notice to property owners. Protecting funding for public education and backfilling revenue to fire districts, water districts, ambulance and hospital districts in areas of the state that aren’t growing as fast by dedicating a portion of the state TABOR surplus to backfill. Providing seniors who currently receive the Homestead Exemption a larger reduction of $140,000 and allowing them to continue to receive this reduction if they move. ### Previous Next

< Back February 20, 2020 FEDERAL FUNDS FOR WILDFIRE AND FLOOD MITIGATION COULD COME TO COLORADO UNDER HB20-1142 Legislation creates a state fund for local governments to help them secure federal resources for wildfire hazard mitigation DENVER, CO– The House Committee Energy and Environment today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter to make it easier for communities to secure federal funding for wildfire hazard mitigation projects. The bill passed 7-4. “From Colorado Springs and Salida to Jefferson County and Durango, wildfires have burned through communities across Colorado, destroying homes, critical infrastructure and livelihoods,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Nearly half of Coloradans live in areas at risk from wildfires, a threat that won’t go away unless we act. I’ve seen the heartbreaking toll on families who have lost everything while we continue to leave millions of federal dollars on the table that could help. This bill will allow our communities to take advantage of federal funding to reduce the risk of wildfires and floods, which have had catastrophic impacts on our friends, our neighbors and our state.” With limited state resources, Colorado communities are in desperate need of federal funding for wildfire hazard mitigation projects. These initiatives take a land and building code-based approach to reducing the hazards that cause wildfires to spread and increase their intensity. Nearly half of the state’s population lives in an area at-risk of wildfire, and that figure grew 45 percent from 2013-2018. The federal government has several grant programs that states can take advantage of to reduce wildfire hazards and risks, but they often require a local match. Recently, the City of Colorado Springs had to walk away from $2 million in federal funding because they couldn’t come find the small local match needed to accept the grant. Furthermore, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is creating a grant program known as the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) to provide resources for local governments to facilitate the development of hazard mitigation plans and support projects that improve building codes. Colorado needs to be positioned to take advantage of these newly available resources. HB20-1142 would create a cash fund to offer grants to local communities that they can leverage to take advantage of BRIC funding. The bill would allow the state to pull down federal funding for these critical projects. The funding for the cash fund would come from a very small .05 percent fee on premiums for some property and hazard insurance that would total approximately $3 per policy holder. The bill is supported by the Colorado Municipal League. Previous Next

The House today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Jennifer Parenti that will improve access to veteran services and benefits. It passed by a final vote of 64-0. < Back April 13, 2023 House Passes Parenti Bill to Improve Access to Veteran Services DENVER, CO - The House today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Jennifer Parenti that will improve access to veteran services and benefits. It passed by a final vote of 64-0. “Making critical services easy to access for our veteran community members and their families is crucial and the Western Regional One Source center provides all of the resources they need under one roof,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . “By extending these services, we can help ensure quick, easy, and affordable access to housing assistance, mental health care services, and many more critical resources for veterans across the Western Slope.” SB23-154 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, is a bipartisan bill that continues the Western Region One Source, a one-stop center based in Grand Junction for veteran services. The center opened in 2019 to host various veterans services under one roof, making it easier for veterans in rural areas to be connected to resources like health benefits, employment opportunities, housing, transportation, and more. This bill extends the program to keep the center running until 2030. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 9-3. < Back January 29, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Boost Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 9-3. “The Americans with Disabilities Act has helped make our world more accessible to people with disabilities, but unfortunately patchwork building codes have allowed some new and renovated buildings to forgo accessibility features that Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “As Colorado’s skyline continues to change and expand to accommodate our growing population, it’s important that we pass this bill to make it clear that buildings must meet accessibility requirements so people with disabilities are afforded equal access and mobility opportunities in buildings and facilities.” “Features like ramps and audio announcements are necessary tools that allow Coloradans with disabilities to be independent and able to engage with their communities, and our bill would ensure that more buildings incorporate these tools,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “We’re making it easier for Coloradans with disabilities to benefit from the laws we’ve passed that make housing, schools, and other buildings more inclusive for all.” Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments that adopt or amend a building code and public schools and health facilities that substantially amend a building code to ensure that they meet or exceed the accessibility standards set by the International Building Code and existing laws. The State Housing Board would also be required to meet or exceed these standards when it comes to substantial updates to uniform construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code. Colorado Democrats have championed many laws in recent years to break down accessibility barriers for Coloradans with disabilities, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to implement a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE GIVES FINAL APPROVAL TO BILLS TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis (Apr. 30) – The House gave final approval to a package of bills that are part of the House Democrats’ effort to combat the epidemic of opioid addiction. The House gave preliminary approval to Rep. Chris Kennedy and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s commonsense bill to examine alternatives to incarceration for individuals who need treatment for addiction instead of jail for drug-related offenses. The bill, a product of the opioid interim committee, also looks to provide behavioral & substance use treatment (MAT) to individuals who may already be incarcerated. “When we incarcerate people without providing treatment for their substance use disorders, we’re not actually addressing the real problem,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “By providing treatment, we increase the likelihood that people released from incarceration will be able to rebuild their lives and start contributing to society again.” “My sincere thanks to counselors, law enforcement and people across the state who came to support this bill. People are literally dying in jail because they are not getting the appropriate treatment for their substance use disorder,” said Rep. Singer, D-Boulder. “This bill provides a pathway that will help those struggling with addiction become productive members of society, not return as burdens to themselves, their families and taxpayers.” SB19-008 was approved on a bipartisan vote of 47-17. It heads back to the Senate for approval of amendments. The House also passed SB19-227, sponsored by Rep. Chris Kennedy and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. This bill authorizes schools to obtain a supply of opiate antagonists, specifies that a licensed or certified hospital may be used as a clean syringe exchange site, creates the opiate antagonist purchase fund and expands the household medication take-back program in the Department of Public Health and Environment. “While we work to reduce overprescription and increase access to treatment, we can also do more to prevent the spread of diseases and save the lives of those who have not yet sought treatment,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy. “Addiction is a public health crisis and we are stepping up and finding ways to save lives,” said Rep. Leslie Herod. “This bill will expand treatment and recovery options across the state.” SB19-227 was approved on vote of 40-24. It now goes to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

< Back July 11, 2020 BILL TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT SERVICES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH SIGNED INTO LAW Greeley, CO — Today, at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lori Saine to ensure services continue, uninterrupted for at-risk youth in out of home placements. “As a former school psychologist, I know how important it is that youth experiencing trauma continue to receive services without interruptions that could derail their progress or worsen the situation,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “This bipartisan law ensures that critical medical care will continue for youth in out of home placements so they can receive the services they need to recover and succeed.” When dependency and neglect actions or juvenile delinquency actions result in out-of-home placements, HB20-1237 requires that youth continue to receive medical care through a managed care entity (MCE) in the county where the action was initiated. This will limit disruptions in care that can happen when youth are transferred to new MCEs unnecessarily and ensure that services are delivered in the most appropriate setting. The new policy ensures that federal Medicaid resources follow youth as they receive services in out-of-home placements and make progress towards rebuilding their lives. 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 May 4, 2022 MULLICA’S BILL TO BOOST HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE WINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL Legislation invests $61 million toward education training, recruitment and retention of nurses and health care workers DENVER, CO – The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed Representative Kyle Mullica’s bill to bolster Colorado’s health care workforce. SB22-226 allocates $61 million in federal economic relief funds toward education, training, recruitment and retention of nurses and other health care workers. “I cannot stress this enough, Colorado needs more nurses and health care workers,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton . “Pandemic pressures and staffing shortages have taken their toll on our health care workers, and my bill invests more than $60 million to train and recruit more nurses. To build a healthier Colorado, we are directing funds toward getting more dedicated nurses and health care professionals into hospitals and clinics. I am proud to champion this legislation, not only for my nursing colleagues in the ER but for the millions of Coloradans who depend on our health care workers each and every day.” Boosting Health Care Workforce : SB22-226 sponsored by Representative Kyle Mulica passed the House Health & Insurance Committee by a vote of XX to XX. This bill would address the shortage of health care workers by assisting with tuition and fees to help people get into high-demand health care fields. These programs require clinical hours at health facilities, currently, a major limiting factor in how many students schools can accept. To address this, the bill would also provide funding for health care facilities to increase training slots to build long-term capacity to train new and existing employees. Additionally, the bill would create the Health Care Workforce Resilience and Retention Program in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to develop employee well-being programs and support the retention of health care workers. The bill also extends funding for the School Nurse Grant Program and invests in measures to recruit and re-re-engage health care workers who may have left the profession during the pandemic. Previous Next

Bill would increase financial penalties for businesses that violate the law, incentivize reporting and improve transparency < Back April 24, 2024 House Advances Legislation to Increase Penalties for Child Labor Violations DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to ramp up financial penalties for businesses that violate child labor laws. “Over the years, Colorado has made important progress to improve child labor laws - but we must ensure violators are held accountable for their actions,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “Under current law, businesses face small or non-existent fines for child labor violations that could be putting our youth at risk. Our bill would significantly increase financial penalties to hold bad actors accountable, and importantly, keep our youth safe. We’re also committed to protecting those who speak out about child labor violations from retaliation, and this bill sets up guidelines to ensure those whistleblowers are protected.” “We need to ensure our state’s child labor laws are working as intended – the health and safety of our youth depends on it,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill encourages violation reporting, improves transparency around enforcement measures, and increases penalties for violations of these common sense protections. Outlined in the bill are additional whistleblower protections to keep those who report child labor violations safe from retaliation. At the end of the day, we need to ensure our businesses are operating lawfully and our youth is protected, and this bill brings us closer to that important goal.” HB24-1095 would update the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 and strengthen the penalty structure. Under current law, first-time child labor law violators face no fines or fines of only a few hundred dollars. This bill would raise total employer liability to $750 for first-time offenses and $10,000 for willful or repeated offenses. HB24-1095 would also remove legal disincentives that keep victims of child labor violations from reporting and protect child workers from employer retaliation. Additionally, this bill would strengthen employer transparency by requiring the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to publish child labor violations or determinations. CDLE must issue a written notice to an employer with a description of penalties and damages owed if the act is violated. Under this bill, all fine revenue will be deposited into the Wage Theft Enforcement Fund, which distributes payments owed to Colorado employees who have filed claims of wage theft. Representative Lieder has championed important bills to strengthen worker protections and labor laws in Colorado. This includes HB23-1196 , which amended language in the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 to expand the legal action that a child, or a parent of a child, can take to hold a company accountable for breaking the law. Previous Next

< Back April 6, 2022 MCCLUSKIE BILLS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS AND SAVE FAMILIES MONEY ADVANCE DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed two bills sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie that will prepare students for success and save families and students money on their higher education degrees. “The legislation we passed today will save students and families money on higher education tuition and prepare our students for success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Workforce needs in the high country and across Colorado are significant, and this bill opens the door for all Colorado high school graduates to gain the education they need to secure better paying jobs and address workforce shortages. With these bills, we’re working to create new pathways for students to earn postsecondary degrees in less time with fewer costs and increase the resources we dedicate to K-12 education.” HB22-1155 , sponsored by Representatives McCluskie and Perry Will, would expand in-state tuition to more Colorado students and families. Under current law, students must reside in Colorado for at least three years before they are eligible for in-state tuition. This bill changes the requirement to allow any student who graduates from a Colorado high school and has resided in the state for one year to receive in-state tuition. The bill passed 5-3. HB22-1146 , sponsored by Representatives McCluskie and Colin Larson, creates a working group to determine how the state can improve earnings on funds invested in the State Public School Fund. The fund invests money from the State School Land Trust to support K-12 education. The bill passed 9-0. Previous Next