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< Back April 19, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS BILL DENVER, CO – The House Transportation & Local Government Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to provide volunteer firefighters with more resources and tools to combat wildfires. “Colorado’s wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive — it is critical that we invest our firefighters so they have the tools they need to protect our land, homes and lives,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton. “The work of local fire departments will only become more difficult as climate change continues. So our bipartisan bill provides the funding our local fire departments need to upgrade old equipment, recruit new seasonal firefighters, improve training and address the behavioral health needs of our firefighters.” Resources For Volunteer Firefighters : SB22-002 , sponsored by Representative Lisa Cutter and Perry Will would invest $5 million to better prepare local fire departments and their firefighters for wildfires. Specifically, this bill would make local volunteer fire departments eligible for reimbursement for wildland fire suppression activities, including equipment costs and volunteer firefighter recruitment, training and retention. Local fire departments will also be able to use funds from the Local Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Grant Program for the replacement or disposal of damaged or obsolete equipment. The bill also creates the Firefighter Behavioral Health Benefits Trust to provide behavioral health care services to firefighters and paid for by public employers. SB22-002 passed committee unanimously. As climate change elevates the threat of destructive wildfires in Colorado, this bill aims to provide funding to Colorado’s local fire departments so they have the resources needed to purchase necessary equipment, train seasonal firefighters and respond safely to wildfires. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2024 House Passes Bills to Increase Access to Health Care DENVER, CO – The House today passed three pieces of legislation to improve health care access in Colorado. SB24-110 sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Emily Siorta, would save Coloradans money on prescription drugs. SB24-034, sponsored by Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Lorena Garcia, would expand the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. SB24-116, sponsored by Representative Iman Jodeh, would expand health care coverage for low-income patients. “Authorization requirements for antipsychotic medications are forcing patients to ration their prescription or skip doses entirely, which can be challenging for their recovery,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “This bill importantly removes unnecessary authorization requirements for some antipsychotic medications so Coloradans with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders can receive their medications when they need them.” “Coloradans with a serious mental health condition don’t have access to the prescription medication they need when they need it due to prior authorization requirements,” said Rep. Emily Siorta, D-Denver. “This bill removes access barriers so Coloradans can receive their antipsychotic prescription on time.” SB24-110 , passed the House by a vote of 57 to 5, and would make it easier for patients to access antipsychotic prescription drugs used to treat a mental illness or disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder without needing prior authorization from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. “The School-Based Health Center Grant Program will help provide quality health care services to our youth to meet the needs of students in our state,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora . “Our bill extends this important program to also include telehealth services so every student seeking care receives it in a convenient way that works for them.” “Expanding access to health care is critical, especially for our students and youth,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “This bill expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program so our students, regardless of their zip code, can receive the medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care they need.” SB24-034 would expand the successful School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units and passed the House by a vote of 45 to 17. School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Under current law, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. If passed, SB24-034 would allow this program to work alongside other school-linked programs, such as telehealth and mobile health units. “We need to ensure every Coloradan has access to the health care they need, when they need it,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “This bill would expand health care coverage for low-income Coloradans by allowing hospitals to make presumptive eligibility determinations. This will help ensure low-income patients can receive the care they need without having to jump through unnecessary hoops.” SB24-116 , sponsored by Representative Jodeh, passed by a vote of 46-16 and would expand health care coverage for low-income Coloradans. Specifically, this bill would modify requirements for the presumptive eligibility program and for indigent patients, receiving discounted care under the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). HCPF and Denver Health are currently the only institutions that can make a presumptive eligibility determination. The bill allows hospitals to make these determinations. Additionally, the bill makes changes to the requirements for indigent patients receiving health care discounts on services not reimbursed through the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) including: requiring a patient to attest to residing in Colorado; placing a price cap on comprehensive bills that aligns with the current caps on individualizes bills; authorizing health-care facilities to deny discounted care to a patient if, during the initial screening, the patient is determined to be presumptively eligible for Medicaid; clarifying that the health professional who provides services is responsible for billing the patient for those services, unless the services are billed on a comprehensive bill; excluding primary care provided in clinics in rural or frontier counties that offer a sliding-fee scale from receiving discounted care. Previous Next

A new law to cap financial contributions in municipal elections goes into effect on Jan 1, 2024. < Back December 22, 2023 Municipal Campaign Finance Reform Law Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO - A new law to cap financial contributions in municipal elections goes into effect on Jan 1, 2024. HB23-1245 , sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Parenti, Jenny Willford and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and Senator Kevin Priola, aims to limit the influence of special interests on local elections. “Establishing contribution limits and strengthening disclosure requirements for municipal elections will be a great step forward to protect the integrity of our local elections,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . “We’ve long had similar measures in place for state and federal elections and it's about time we provide similar protections to our local governments whose races are often more consequential to the lives of ordinary citizens. By giving the public more information about who is funding their local candidates, we promote government transparency and accountability and provide a foundation for trust. This law will help ensure that cities and towns across Colorado are implementing the best practices for campaign finance.” “In recent years we’ve seen more and more money flow into local elections,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “To help ensure these elections aren’t bought and influenced by special interests and big money donors, this new law caps campaign contributions made by individuals and small donor committees. With the new contribution caps, candidates who aren’t independently wealthy or already well-connected will be on a much more even playing field.” “The influence of dark money donors is growing in our local elections, making it more difficult for everyday people to play a role in deciding who should represent them,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn . “Soon, municipal election contributions will be limited to a reasonable amount, which limits the influence of wealthy dark money donors, creates a more even playing field for individual voters, and encourages candidates to campaign in their communities.” “This new law helps bring transparency to local elections,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson said. “Our local elections are better off when the public knows where candidates are getting money from and how they are spending it. With the new campaign contribution reporting requirements, the public will have much better access to information that will help them make more informed decisions.” HB23-1245 sets a municipal election campaign contribution limit at $400 for individuals and political parties and $4,000 for small donor committees to a candidate committee. Amounts are subject to inflation adjustments and the disclosure provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. The law also changes municipal clerk report filing timelines, subjects them to open record requests, extends filing retention requirements, and applies some additional disclosure requirements. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to save consumers money and combat electronic waste. < Back May 28, 2024 Signed! Right to Repair Electronic Equipment DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to save consumers money and combat electronic waste. HB24-1121, sponsored by Representative Brianna Titone and Steven Woodrow and Senators Jeff Bridges and Nick Hinrichsen, would extend the current right to repair laws to certain electronic equipment, including cell phones, gaming systems, computers and televisions. “Cell phones are a part of our daily lives, we should have more choices on how to fix them when they break,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “This new law will give consumers more options to fix their broken electronics, saving them money and time on costly repairs. Right to repair laws, like this one, are important for empowering consumers and keeping e-waste out of our landfills. From tractors to mobility devices, I’m proud to carry another consumer-focused right to repair law through the legislature and save Coloradans money.” “Accidents happen, people drop their phones and break their screens every day, but because of ‘parts pairing’ and repair restrictions, owners aren’t allowed to fix their devices,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County . “Colorado has led the nation in expanding right to repair laws, from agricultural equipment to wheelchairs to now electronics. This legislation is good for consumers, small businesses, and our economy.” “Consumers should have the right to fix their stuff—computers and cell phones included,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver . “This law strengthens our state’s right to repair laws so that consumers can access the tools and tech they need. This law saves Coloradans money while reducing waste and pollution.” “Manufacturer-imposed repair restrictions affect a wide variety of products from tractors to cell phones, resulting in surging costs, monopolistic business practices, and thousands of electronic devices thrown out every day,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you can’t repair something that’s yours, do you really own it? I would argue no, which is why this legislation is so important. Right to repair laws are essential for empowering consumers and ensuring a fair market.” HB24-1121 will require certain digital electronic equipment manufacturers to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. Specifically, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and others would need to provide software and physical tools to consumers and independent repair providers upon request so they can fix their broken electronics. Under this law, OEMs can charge a fee for physical tools but software tools must be made available free of charge for the consumer. This law aims to save electronics consumers money on necessary equipment repairs while speeding up the repair process. HB24-1121 also prohibits parts pairing, a technology used by manufacturers to program certain parts together which restricts the consumer's ability to independently repair their devices and allows OEMs to monopolize replacement parts. Last year, Rep. Titone championed a first-in-the-nation law for the right to repair agricultural equipment. This law saves farmers and ranchers money and time on costly agricultural equipment repairs. In 2022, 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 HB24-1121. Previous Next

< Back March 11, 2021 TITONE ELECTED AS LGBTQ CAUCUS CHAIR DENVER, CO– The Colorado Legislative LGBTQ Caucus today announced that Rep. Brianna Titone, Colorado’s first openly trans lawmaker, would succeed Rep. Alex Valdez as the new Caucus Chair. “I’m honored to have been chosen as the next LGBTQ Caucus Chair, and am eager to get to work,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, (D-Arvada). “Our caucus has made great strides for LGBTQ Coloradans in the past few years, banning conversion therapy, updating laws so Coloradans can more easily obtain ID that reflects their true selves, and we’ve pushed back against hateful policies that seek to take our community back. As Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus, I’ll continue fighting for progress while standing against hatred and bigotry wherever I see it. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support- I won’t let you down.” The Colorado Legislative LGBTQ Caucus includes members of both the House and Senate chambers and works to expand and protect LGBTQ rights. The caucus includes Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City), Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County), Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins), and Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver), Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver), Rep. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada) and Rep. David Ortiz (D-Littleton). Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Judy Amabile that would increase the success of eligible individuals referred from the criminal justice system by connecting them to an individualized care coordination plan in an effort to divert them from incarceration. HB24-1355 passed by a vote of 55-8. < Back April 26, 2024 Legislation to Reduce Competency Waitlist, Connect Coloradans to Mental Health Services Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey and Judy Amabile that would increase the success of eligible individuals referred from the criminal justice system by connecting them to an individualized care coordination plan in an effort to divert them from incarceration. HB24-1355 passed by a vote of 55-8. “The waitlist for competency services is so long that people who have not yet been found guilty of a crime are in jail longer than people who are convicted,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “This legislation will help address Colorado’s broken competency system so we can provide mental health services to people who need them. Not only will this better serve our most vulnerable, but it will also make our communities safer.” “People with mental health struggles are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, and they desperately need services,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “When a mental health disorder is left untreated, Coloradans are often sent to jail for a relatively low offense, limiting their ability to rehabilitate. Routing people to diversion programs instead of the competency system connects them to mental health services that can help prevent a crisis and reduce recidivism.” HB24-1355 would create the Bridges Wraparound Care Program to refer eligible individuals with mental health struggles from the criminal justice system into wraparound care services. A defendant can be eligible for the Bridges Wraparound Care Program if they consent to participate in the program, the district attorney and defense counsel agree that there is a reasonable cause to believe that the defendant will be found incompetent, and the defendant is not charged with a class 1, 2, or 3 felony, a level 1 and 2 drug felony, a sex offense, a crime of violence, or any offense described in C.R.S. 24-4.1-302 (1), unless the district attorney waives this requirement in the interest of justice. If the defendant is eligible and agrees to enter the program, the court will assign a coordinator within the program who will screen and access the defendant to create a plan for the defendant. After 182 days of care, the care coordinator will review the defendant’s progress and if the court finds the defendant is compliant with their care plan, the charges must be dropped. If the defendant has not complied with the individualized care plan but is engaged in the process, the court may continue the case for up to 91 more days. If the defendant is not engaged, the district attorney may end the defendant’s placement in the program and begin prosecuting the case. The bill would also require each judicial district to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the Bridges Wraparound Care Program with district attorneys, public defenders, the Department of Human Services, the Behavioral Health Administration, treatment providers, local behavioral health case management programs, and local behavioral health case management programs to come up with how they will provide treatment to individuals found eligible for this program. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed bills to protect Colorado agriculture, save farmers money and prevent livestock harm. < Back February 9, 2026 Bipartisan Bills to Protect Colorado Ag, Save Farmers Money Pass Committee DENVER, CO — The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed bills to protect Colorado agriculture, save farmers money and prevent livestock harm. “As tariffs negatively impact Colorado farmers and cut them off from critical markets, we’re making sure when a product says ‘Colorado Grown’ that it is actually grown in Colorado,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB26-1031. “Coloradans buying San Luis Valley potatoes or Pueblo green chile expect the products to come from those regions of our state. Mislabeled products undercut our farmers and take profits away from the hardworking people who grow the world-class foods our state is famous for. In the midst of federal tariffs and ongoing trade wars, this bill protects the integrity of Colorado-grown products and supports Colorado agriculture.” HB26-1031 , passed committee by a unanimous vote of 13-0, and would protect the integrity of Colorado-made products and ensure Colorado producers aren’t undercut by mislabeled products imported from other states. This bill prohibits identifying an agricultural product as being produced in Colorado when selling, marketing, advertising or distributing the product unless the product is grown in the state. First approved by the interim Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee, HB26-1031 would ensure fairness for local producers by cracking down on deceptive trade practices that allow out-of-state products to carry Colorado-made labeling and take market share away from real Colorado-grown foods. Also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, the bill boosts consumer protections by reassuring Coloradans that their dollars are getting them the local, premium products they expect. The Trump Administration’s tariffs have driven up costs for Colorado’s businesses, farmers, ranchers, and consumers and limited the available international markets for producers to sell their products. HB26-1031 aims to protect Colorado markets for farmers and ranchers to sell their locally-made products and food. “As our farmers and ranchers know, diseases or infections can wipe out an entire herd and spread across the state, which is not only devastating but expensive,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB26-1067. “This bipartisan bill would save farmers and ranchers money by extending the permissible uses of a livestock disease management fund to include preparations and responses to emerging threats to livestock health. Stopping the spread of harmful diseases is good for our greater agricultural ecosystem, and this bill makes it possible for our livestock owners to get ahead of the problem and keep their herds healthy.” HB26-1067 , also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, R-Trindad, passed committee unanimously by a vote of 13-0. To save farmers money and help prevent the spread of livestock diseases, this bill would authorize the Department of Agriculture to expend money in support of agricultural workers preparing for and responding to certain emerging threats to livestock health. Under current law, the fund can only be used to reimburse a farmer or rancher if they are forced to euthanize their livestock after it was exposed to or diagnosed with an infectious or contagious disease. This bill adds flexibility to the use of the fund so farmers and ranchers can take proactive measures to treat or prevent disease before it damages the herd. This bill also renames the fund to the "livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity" fund to capture its new role in preventative action and encouraging healthy herds. Last year, the Trump Administration announced that it would quadruple the amount of beef the U.S. imports from Argentina, which drastically undermined Colorado beef producers during peak season. The Colorado Department of Agriculture recently warned farmers and ranchers about the New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly that is “a threat to the livestock industry” in Colorado. Bird flu, formally known as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, has been negatively impacting livestock in Colorado and across the nation. Previous Next

< Back June 22, 2020 GOV. SIGNS SIX COVID RELIEF BILLS INTO LAW Denver, CO– Today, six bills passed by the General Assembly in response to the global pandemic were signed into law by the Governor. The Governor also signed the bipartisan budget or “long bill” into law this morning. “Coloradans are hurting, and I’m truly proud that we were able to pass crucial legislation to address those needs in a matter of weeks,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder . “These bills will go a long way towards helping Coloradans keep the lights on, keep food on the table, and stay in their homes during these unprecedented times. The House found important solutions that address this crisis head-on, and I’m thrilled that the Governor signed them into law today.” “Despite the unprecedented nature of this session, the legislature came together to support our state and deliver bipartisan results for the people of Colorado,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “Coloradans are struggling to keep their heads above water, and the signing of these bills into law will help soften the blow that this global pandemic has dealt. The hardships of the pandemic are by no means over, but this legislation will support Colorado’s hardworking individuals and small businesses as we kick off our recovery.” Coronavirus Relief Funds for Housing Assistance HB20-1410 — Reps. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Tony Exum, Sr. This bill provides $20 million in direct rental and mortgage assistance to Coloradans experiencing a financial need during these turbulent times, including $350,000 for legal aid for renters at risk of eviction. Coronavirus Relief Funds for Utility Assistance HB20-1412 — Reps. Chris Kennedy and Lisa Cutter The bill allocates $4.8 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, which helps Coloradans who are at risk of having their service shut off catch up on their utility payments.\ Coronavirus Relief Funds for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs HB20-1411 — Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Tracy Kraft-Tharp This bill dedicates $15 million to critical mental health programs and substance abuse treatment. 2-1-1 Statewide Human Services Referral System HB20-1197 — Reps. Marc Snyder and Janice Rich This bill provides an additional $500,000 to extend 2-1-1 information hotline to provide human services referrals related to the pandemic, including information on COVID test sites, emergency assistance, housing support, and information related to worker protections and health care discrimination through the end of 2020. Food Pantry Assistance HB20-1422 — Reps. Daneya Esgar and Lisa Cutter This bill provides $500,000 in funding for food banks to purchase more food and make it available across the state, and to create new market opportunities for Colorado’s agricultural producers. CARES Subfund HB20-1417 — Speaker KC Becker This bill establishes that the $70 million the governor allocated to the General Fund from the CARES Act will be set aside in an account called the CARESare Subfund and reiterates that the funds can only be used for CARES Act approved expenditures. Previous Next

< Back August 11, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: AURORA LAWMAKERS PRAISE AG INVESTIGATION INTO APD DENVER, CO – Lawmakers representing Aurora today released the following joint statement after Attorney General Phil Weiser announced an ongoing patterns and practices review of the Aurora Police Department, as authorized under Section 13 of SB20-217: “Today’s announcement that the Attorney General’s Office has an ongoing patterns and practices investigation into the Aurora Police Department after several high-profile cases involving community members of color, represents a monumental shift in the future of policing in Colorado. “The inclusion of pattern and practice investigative authority was one of the most crucial provisions in SB20-217, the police accountability bill we passed earlier this year. Rather than focusing only on individual issues, this review will examine the behavior of the police department as a whole, potentially going back several years. To achieve full accountability and to eliminate structural and systemic problems in an organization, it is necessary to look broadly and deeply, and this is exactly what we expect this investigation to do. “We also fully support the reforms that Chief Vanessa Wilson is seeking to make, and we will work to ensure that the department cooperates with the Attorney General’s investigation. Aurora is hurting, and we believe that this investigation and the cultural changes we hope it will bring can heal the deep wounds that divide our beloved community.” The Aurora delegation includes Reps. Janet Buckner, Dominique Jackson, Mike Weissman, Jovan Melton, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet; and Sens. Nancy Todd, Rhonda Fields, and Jeff Bridges. In recent days, the lawmakers have worked with the Attorney General’s office to explore possible grounds for a patterns and practices investigation based on the department’s extensive record of unchecked, systemic racism. Section 13 of SB20-217 makes it unlawful in Colorado for any government authority, including law enforcement departments, to “engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by peace officers… that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution of the United States or the State of Colorado.” The provision grants the Attorney General the authority, when there is reasonable cause, to file a civil action to eliminate the pattern or practice. Previous Next

Today Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sent a letter urging the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol, and others to address the abnormally high number of crashes occurring on US Highway 40. < Back January 23, 2025 Roberts and Lukens Urge Swift Action to Improve Safety on Highway 40 DENVER, CO – Today Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sent a letter urging the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol, and others to address the abnormally high number of crashes occurring on US Highway 40. In the last year Highway 40, which connects Steamboat Springs, Milner, Hayden, and Craig, faced numerous accidents resulting in significant delays, injuries, and six fatalities. Roberts and Lukens, the legislators representing the corridor, strongly support pursuing increased enforcement and funding that can lead to improvements on Highway 40. Extra attention to this corridor can and will save lives. “The safety of drivers and passengers that commute along Highway 40 could not be more important and we must do more to make that stretch of road safer,” said Roberts. “Representative Lukens and I are committed to working collaboratively with the state to ensure necessary improvements are made for the wellbeing of everyone on the road. Addressing these issues quickly requires the investment and support of all those involved, including CDOT, CSP, the Northwest Transportation Planning Organization, Routt County and other local government partners, and more. Today we are offering our support to ongoing efforts and urge increased attention and focus so that the road can be made safer as soon as possible.” "My deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost loved ones and to everyone who has been impacted by accidents on Highway 40. The safety situation on Highway 40 demands our immediate attention," said Lukens. "We must expedite short-term and long-term critical improvements like the Safe Crossings Project and the construction of more passing lanes. I remain committed to working alongside Senator Roberts, local elected officials, CDOT, CSP, and the Northwest Transportation Planning Organization to protect the lives of everyone who travels this essential corridor." The full letter is below: Dear Director Lew, Colonel Packard, the Transportation Commission of Colorado, and the Northwest Planning Organization: As the legislators representing Routt and Moffat Counties, including US Highway 40, which connects the communities of Steamboat Springs, Milner, Hayden, and Craig, we write with an urgent request to direct all available resources and efforts to improve the safety of Highway 40 for our constituents. As you know, this stretch of state highway has seen an abnormally high amount of crashes resulting in fatalities and injuries which have taken a toll on the communities in heartache and hours of delays on an important commuter corridor. In 2024 alone, there were six fatalities as a result of crashes on this stretch of highway, and numerous other accidents that resulted in injuries and hours of delays for thousands of drivers. While no traffic corridor can ever be accident-free, the tragedy we are seeing on Highway 40 is abnormally high and should be addressed by the State of Colorado and local officials immediately. We are grateful that everyone involved, including you and your employees, know this situation is dire and needs to be addressed - and we are optimistic about all the efforts currently underway to address the problem. We write this letter at the urging of our constituents and to offer support and encouragement for what is being done. For example, we offer our continued support for these existing efforts: Constructing more passing lanes throughout the US40 corridor. We know this takes some time and we add our support to CDOT to construct these as soon as possible. Further, we encourage the Northwest Transportation Planning Organization to specifically prioritize as much funding as possible for these new passing lanes as a proven way to reduce crashes and fatalities. Increased law enforcement along the road in order to enforce speeding, traction, passing, and other already-existing laws that are in place to keep travelers safe. Lessening the number of cars on the road through projects like Mountain Passenger Rail and the possibility of more frequent bus service through the creation of a Regional Transit Authority in the region. The Safe Crossings Project at Steamboat II & Heritage Park. We commend the local efforts by Routt County, and engaged citizens to conduct a study of safe crossing options that is currently under review by CDOT. We wholeheartedly support any and all grant funding being pursued to make this safe crossing a reality as soon as possible and encourage CDOT to continue its similar support for funding. Ongoing rockfall mitigation work through the corridor. City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County’s efforts to extend the Yampa River Core Trail west. We were pleased to see the approval of funding by the transportation commission to study avalanche mitigation and safety needs on Berthoud pass. We agree that this is needed and a good way to begin planning more significant safety upgrades to the Pass following resurfacing work last year. We would ask that the Commission consider expanding the scope of this study, before it is initiated, to include safety and hazard mitigation needs elsewhere on US40 from Denver through to Steamboat Springs and Craig. Further, we strongly encourage both CDOT and CSP to expend every possible resource to continue, expedite, and bolster these existing efforts with increased urgency. Whether it is relocating Troopers to the corridor to increase speeding enforcement, employing remote and autonomous speeding controls, expediting construction timelines, pursuing new federal grant opportunities, or anything else, any extra attention to this corridor could save lives - it is worth it. The state legislature in recent years has changed laws regarding vehicle traction, reducing distracted driving, directed historic funding to CDOT, and more. Should there be anything in addition that would be helpful in these efforts that would involve legislation, we stand by ready to assist in that way. Please be in touch with us should this be the case. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the safety of our constituents and to the people of Colorado. We stand ready to support your work however possible and appreciate your attention to this dire matter impacting our constituents. Sincerely, Dylan Roberts, Senate District 8 Meghan Lukens, House District 26 CC: Governor Jared Polis Moffat County Commissioners Routt County Commissioners City of Craig Town of Hayden City of Steamboat Springs Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. < Back April 21, 2023 House Advances Support for Universal PreK DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. HB23-1290, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Representative Emily Sirota, would refer a measure to the ballot to allow the state to direct all the revenue collected under a sales tax on tobacco and other tobacco products to support Colorado’s early childhood learners instead of refunding nearly $24 million to the tobacco industry. “The support for voter-approved universal preschool has been overwhelming because it will save families money, help parents get back to work, and boost learning opportunities for our youngest Coloradans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Supporting young learners sets them up for a lifetime of success, and funding universal preschool is one of the smartest investments we can make. The revenue collected from the tax on nicotine products has come in higher than originally predicted, and we want to confirm voters’ commitment to using these funds to provide preschool to all children in the state. That’s precisely what this legislation accomplishes.” “Universal preschool will be here in the fall, and the funds collected from the voter-approved Proposition EE made it possible for the state to begin to provide free, early childhood education to our youngest learners,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Colorado voters widely support free universal preschool, and our legislation reaffirms that commitment by asking them if the state may keep revenue collected from the special tax on nicotine and direct it toward UPK, rather than returning it to the tobacco industry. Studies show that preschool and early childhood education prepare kids for a lifetime of educational success.” HB23-1290 helps Colorado rise to the challenge of providing early education to every child in Colorado the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. The demand for universal preschool is high: more than 29,000 families and over 1,800 early care and education providers have already signed up to participate in the first year of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. Specifically, this bill would refer a measure to the ballot that asks voters to approve of the state keeping the excess revenue collected on tobacco and other tobacco products to fund universal preschool in Colorado. In 2020 Colorado voters approved Proposition EE, which created new excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine products to fund Colorado’s priorities - nicotine cessation programs, affordable housing, rural K-12 public schools, and Universal Pre-K. The new tax rates are designed to phase in over the next few fiscal years through 2027. When originally approved by voters with overwhelming support, it was estimated that this measure would raise $186.5 million in new tax revenue in the first year (FY 2021-22). However, actual revenues from the new tobacco taxes exceeded that predicted amount by $22 million. If passed, voters will see a measure on their 2024 ballots confirming the original intent of the voter-approved Proposition EE and clarifying that voters want the state to retain the full amount of nicotine sales tax revenue to put toward universal preschool. Previous Next