top of page

Search Results

2534 results found with an empty search

  • Privacy Policy | CO House Democrats

    This Privacy Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when you use the service and tells you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. Privacy Policy for Colorado House Democrats Privacy Policy Last updated: July 13, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Privacy Policy Generator . Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. Company (referred to as either "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to Colorado House Democrats , 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203. Cookies are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses. Country refers to: Colorado, United States Device means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. Personal Data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. Service refers to the Website. Service Provider means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Company. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the Company to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the Company, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the Company in analyzing how the Service is used. Usage Data refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit). Website refers to Colorado House Democrats, accessible from https://www.cohousedems.com/ You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable. Collecting and Using Your Personal Data Types of Data Collected Personal Data While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to: Email address Usage Data Usage Data Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service. Usage Data may include information such as Your Device's Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device You use, Your mobile device unique ID, the IP address of Your mobile device, Your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser You use, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. We may also collect information that Your browser sends whenever You visit our Service or when You access the Service by or through a mobile device. Tracking Technologies and Cookies We use Cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on Our Service and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze Our Service. The technologies We use may include: Cookies or Browser Cookies. A cookie is a small file placed on Your Device. You can instruct Your browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if You do not accept Cookies, You may not be able to use some parts of our Service. Unless you have adjusted Your browser setting so that it will refuse Cookies, our Service may use Cookies. Flash Cookies. Certain features of our Service may use local stored objects (or Flash Cookies) to collect and store information about Your preferences or Your activity on our Service. Flash Cookies are not managed by the same browser settings as those used for Browser Cookies. For more information on how You can delete Flash Cookies, please read "Where can I change the settings for disabling, or deleting local shared objects?" available at https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/disable-local-shared-objects-flash.html#main_Where_can_I_change_the_settings_for_disabling__or_deleting_local_shared_objects_ Web Beacons. Certain sections of our Service and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the Company, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity). Cookies can be "Persistent" or "Session" Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on Your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close Your web browser. Learn more about cookies on the Privacy Policies website article. We use both Session and Persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below: Necessary / Essential Cookies Type: Session Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services. Cookies Policy / Notice Acceptance Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website. Functionality Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website. For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy. Use of Your Personal Data The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes: To provide and maintain our Service, including to monitor the usage of our Service. To manage Your Account: to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user. For the performance of a contract: the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service. To contact You: To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application's push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, products or contracted services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation. To provide You with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information. To manage Your requests: To attend and manage Your requests to Us. For business transfers: We may use Your information to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which Personal Data held by Us about our Service users is among the assets transferred. For other purposes: We may use Your information for other purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns and to evaluate and improve our Service, products, services, marketing and your experience. We may share Your personal information in the following situations: With Service Providers: We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, to contact You. For business transfers: We may share or transfer Your personal information in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of Company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of Our business to another company. With Affiliates: We may share Your information with Our affiliates, in which case we will require those affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. Affiliates include Our parent company and any other subsidiaries, joint venture partners or other companies that We control or that are under common control with Us. With business partners: We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions. With other users: when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside. With Your consent: We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent. Retention of Your Personal Data The Company will retain Your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use Your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies. The Company will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods. Transfer of Your Personal Data Your information, including Personal Data, is processed at the Company's operating offices and in any other places where the parties involved in the processing are located. It means that this information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of Your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from Your jurisdiction. Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer. The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information. Disclosure of Your Personal Data Business Transactions If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy. Law enforcement Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency). Other legal requirements The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: Comply with a legal obligation Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public Protect against legal liability Security of Your Personal Data The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security. Children's Privacy Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If You are a parent or guardian and You are aware that Your child has provided Us with Personal Data, please Contact Us. If We become aware that We have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 13 without verification of parental consent, We take steps to remove that information from Our servers. If We need to rely on consent as a legal basis for processing Your information and Your country requires consent from a parent, We may require Your parent's consent before We collect and use that information. Links to Other Websites Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third party link, You will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services. Changes to this Privacy Policy We may update Our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. We will let You know via email and/or a prominent notice on Our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, You can contact us: By mail: Colorado State Capitol, Colorado House Majority Office Room 220, 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203

  • CLEAN ENERGY CAREER PATHWAYS ‘SPARC’ COMMITTEE’S INTEREST

    < Back April 1, 2021 CLEAN ENERGY CAREER PATHWAYS ‘SPARC’ COMMITTEE’S INTEREST Colorado Comeback proposal would invest millions in training for the renewable energy jobs of the future DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today advanced Representative Dominique Jackson and Brianna Titone’s bill to invest $5 million into job training and workforce development for the energy sector. The bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $700 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The committee vote was 8-5. “We’ve set bold renewable energy targets in Colorado, and this bill puts the state’s money where our goals are,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “Market forces, consumer choices, and the pressing reality of the climate crisis are moving Colorado’s energy economy towards a cleaner, greener future. This bill will help us build back stronger by making sure that Coloradans, especially communities of color and those who lost jobs due to COVID-19, are prepared to take on the clean energy jobs of the future.” “As the renewable energy sector continues to grow, exciting and profitable new jobs will continue to be created in our energy-rich state,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “As we come out of this devastating pandemic and work to build the Colorado Comeback, this bill will ensure that our workforce is able to capitalize on these new jobs and get started on the path toward a fulfilling and sustainable career. I’m confident that the SPARC program will give our economy just the jolt it needs to build back a stronger workforce.” HB21-1149 calls on the Colorado Workforce Development Council to work with local workforce boards, school districts across the state, the Colorado Department of Education, community colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning to create and implement a career pathway for students in the renewable energy sector. The bill invests $5 million into the career pathway so institutions of higher learning and workforce development authorities can implement what is known as the Strengthening Photovoltaic and Renewable Careers, or SPARC, program. Previous Next

  • JOINT RELEASE: JBC Members Swiftly Approve Emergency Funding to Boost Food Banks and Pantries During GOP Government Shutdown

    Lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee today approved two budget requests from Governor Jared Polis to fund critical food access programs during Republicans’ federal government shutdown. < Back October 30, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: JBC Members Swiftly Approve Emergency Funding to Boost Food Banks and Pantries During GOP Government Shutdown DENVER, CO – Lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee today approved two budget requests from Governor Jared Polis to fund critical food access programs during Republicans’ federal government shutdown. The first budget request allocates $10 million to support Colorado food banks and pantries in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) directive to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting November 1. The second budget request extends previously approved funding for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition access through November. “The Republican shutdown is hurting Colorado families,” said JBC Chair Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County . “Regardless of what’s happening in Washington, Colorado is stepping up to keep families fed and kids healthy. This is what responsible budgeting looks like. Focusing on results, not rhetoric, and doing what’s right for the people we represent. For the sake of families across our state and nation, I wish DC would act a bit more like Colorado.” “While Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration play political games with Coloradans’ health care, hundreds of thousands of people in our state are now at risk of losing their SNAP benefits as a result,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Today, Colorado Democrats stepped up to fill the gap and ensure that hardworking families in our communities receive the support they need to put food on the table. Half of the 600,000 Coloradans who benefit from SNAP are children; this emergency budget request pushes past the dysfunction in Washington to help families access food pantries and food banks.” “The JBC’s approval of an additional $10 million to food banks and pantries, plus an extension of funding for WIC, was a no-brainer,” said JBC Member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities who have lost their lifeline to afford groceries this month because of chaos in Washington. Regardless of your circumstance, everyone should have the basic right to feed themselves and their families.” “The federal SNAP program keeps children from going hungry, which is why we’re stepping up to protect hardworking families from the GOP Congress and Trump Administration’s cuts,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We are boosting funding for our food pantries and food banks as well as extending WIC because with SNAP benefits ending, families are depending on us. Unfortunately, kids in our communities are suffering from the fallout of the Congressional Republicans’ government shutdown. In Colorado, we’re acting now to ensure families can put dinner on the table.” SNAP is fully funded by the federal government and administered by the state. On October 10, the USDA informed regional and state SNAP directors that if the federal government shutdown continues, states are to pause funding for November. This means the Colorado Department of Human Services will be unable to issue approximately $120 million of November SNAP benefits. To help families that rely on nutrition assistance, the JBC voted to direct additional funding to food banks and food pantries so they can fill some of the need communities will see when the federal government stops SNAP payments. On Tuesday, Colorado joined 22 other states in a lawsuit to force the Trump Administration to restore SNAP benefits by tapping into an emergency reserve. SNAP provides food assistance to more than 600,000 Coloradans across 330,000 households; more than half of the recipients are children. Additionally, 10-percent of SNAP recipients are older Coloradans and 15-percent are Coloradans living with a disability. WIC supports food access for nearly 100,000 pregnant women, new mothers, and young children in Colorado. Previous Next

  • KIPP BILL EXPANDS ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

    < Back February 27, 2020 KIPP BILL EXPANDS ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION The House Committee on Education today passed Representative Cathy Kipp’s legislation to improve and expand the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI). The vote passed by unanimously. “Over the last six years, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative has helped 75,000 Coloradans access and be successful in their pursuit of higher education,” said Rep. Kipp, D-Fort Collins . “With this bill, the program can adopt best practices in higher education attainment, help more students be successful and provide additional and improved support services which will improve on an already extremely impressive success rate.” The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative seeks to address two primary challenges: the accessibility and affordability of higher education. It increases accessibility by funding programs that help prepare students for postsecondary education and which support them throughout their education. It increases affordability by providing tuition support for community scholarships so that tuition costs aren’t a barrier to attending a postsecondary institution. As of 2017 , $27.6 million in state funds has leveraged $28 million in local, private, philanthropic funds to support more than 75,000 Colorado students. Additionally, over 30 student support programs serve COSI students and more than 6,000 students received scholarship assistance. According to the program , 89 percent of students who receive COSI scholarships continue their education to the second and third years, which is 25 percent higher than their peers who have not received any support. Current statute limits COSI’s ability to adapt to best practices. SB20-006 , which is also sponsored by Representative Mark Baisley, R-Roxborough Park, would give the COSI Advisory Board the flexibility needed to support students and institutions so that every COSI scholar has the guidance and aid to persist and complete their education. Specifically, the bill would: Replace the definition of tuition assistance with financial assistance so that it is tied to the cost of attendance. Remove the 10 percent funding restriction for state agencies and nonprofits to provide student success support services so that more students can access these critical wraparound services Allows more government agencies to receive funding such as colleges and universities, and school districts, in addition to community organizations and related foundations. The bill passed the Senate on February 13 by a vote of 32-0. Previous Next

  • JOINT RELEASE: Legislation to Foster New Careers in Wildfire Mitigation, Reform Judiciary to be Introduced Next Session

    < Back October 14, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: Legislation to Foster New Careers in Wildfire Mitigation, Reform Judiciary to be Introduced Next Session DENVER, CO – The Legislative Council of the Colorado General Assembly today approved several interim committee bills to be introduced in the upcoming 2023 legislative session, including bills to create new career pathways for fire mitigation work and reform the state’s judicial discipline process. “We’ve passed a number of new laws to significantly expand wildfire mitigation, prevention and response efforts in Colorado, and I’m excited for this work to continue next session,” said Wildfire Matters Review Committee Member Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County “The bill approved today will boost our wildfire mitigation workforce and make it easier for Coloradans who want to work in wildfire mitigation to build their careers and enter this critical field. Advancing this legislation will also help employers find the workers they need and increase the availability of wildfire mitigation options for homeowners.” “Wildfires are now a part of Colorado's challenges. We need to be as prepared as possible when an emergency strikes, which is why we made a historic investment in wildfire mitigation this year to better equip our communities to handle future disasters," said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County . “Now, with this legislation, we will be able to create a robust wildfire mitigation workforce to help protect Colorado communities from the growing threat of wildfires." The committee unanimously approved Bill A from the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, which will foster internships and other career opportunities for workers who want to enter the wildfire mitigation field. The bill will be sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Perry Will as well as Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis. It directs the state forest service to develop educational materials for students, authorizes the expansion and creation of forestry programs at Colorado community colleges, and directs the state board for community colleges to recruit wildland fire prevention and mitigation educators for the new forestry programs. Last session, Colorado Democrats passed several new laws to fund wildfire mitigation and prevention efforts including HB22-1011 which created a $10 million matching grant program to help local governments develop and fund sustainable forest management and wildfire mitigation efforts. Democrats also created a new income tax credit for wildfire mitigation, improved wildfire insurance coverage , provided $35 million to help communities recover and rebuild following disaster emergencies, and invested $15 million to prevent and better prepare for wildfires. The Legislative Council also unanimously approved Bills A and B from the Legislative Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline. Both bills will be sponsored by Representaitves Mike Weissman and Mike Lynch as well as Senators Julie Gonzales and Bob Gardner. Bill A is a concurrent resolution that refers a constitutional amendment to voters that would create an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board. It also sets standards for judicial review of a discipline case. It would vastly increase transparency by allowing judicial discipline matters to be made public once formal proceedings commence against a judge or justice, and the new independent adjudicative board would act as a “court” for formal judicial discipline proceedings and determine appropriate sanctions. It also creates a clear, alternative appellate process for instances in which Supreme Court justices are implicated in disciplinary proceedings. Bill B would put these new changes into effect and enhance reporting by the Commission on Judicial Discipline to the legislature and the public. It would allow confidential and anonymous judicial discipline complaints and require the commission to update complainants throughout the process. These provisions will increase the information available to the public about judicial discipline matters. “Coloradans should be able to trust that our judges are being held to the highest ethical standards and that the judicial discipline process is effective, transparent and responsive to complaints,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline. “This Constitutional Amendment will create a new, transparent and accountable process to ensure that complaints against judges in Colorado are investigated and adjudicated through processes free from undue influence by the judicial branch of government in which they work.” "Public confidence in our judicial system is foundational to a functioning democracy and to safe communities, and for our system to work Colorado judges must be held to the highest standards of accountability," said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. "The courts belong to all of us, and these measures will improve integrity and bolster confidence that judges will act with the public good and the rule of law as their highest goals, and help ensure our judicial system remains honest, fair, ethical, and just." Previous Next

  • Rep. Meghan Lukens: Delivering results for the Western Slope

    < Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Delivering results for the Western Slope May 8, 2025 See more This story was originally published in the Vail Daily here . As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, I am proud to report that we have made significant strides in addressing the needs of our Western Slope communities. From enhancing education to improving health care access, increasing affordability, and protecting our natural resources, your input has guided our work at the Capitol and focused on practical solutions that make a difference in Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties. Investments in education As chair of the House Education Committee, improving our education system remained my top priority. I sponsored HB25-1320 , the School Finance Act, which significantly increases funding for Colorado’s public schools. This investment will benefit our rural schools and ensure districts across the state can provide students with the necessary resources to succeed. The bill prioritizes sustainable funding for years to come, with a focus on supporting our most vulnerable students. I also sponsored HB25-1135 , which empowers school districts to establish policies on cell phone use during school hours. This law addresses a concern I’ve heard repeatedly from educators and parents across our district. By allowing local solutions to this challenge, we’re helping students focus on learning while supporting their mental health. Another education priority I championed was SB25-167 , which addresses housing costs for educators by offering accessible mortgages and down payments to help teachers live in the communities where they teach. This initiative aims to support approximately 2,500 educators, strengthening our local districts and improving student outcomes. Making Colorado more affordable As I travel throughout the Western Slope, affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns I hear from constituents. That’s why I am proud of the work we have done this session to ease financial burdens on Colorado families. We took action to eliminate hidden costs that impact your budget by passing HB25-1090 , which requires businesses to be transparent about pricing and eliminates deceptive “junk fees” that often surprise consumers at checkout. We also tackled price gouging during emergencies through HB25-1010 , which prevents businesses from exploiting disasters to inflate prices on essential items like groceries and diapers. For renters, we passed HB25-1004 to regulate how algorithms are used in setting rental prices, preventing coordinated increases among landlords. For everyone dealing with the frustration of unwanted subscriptions, SB25-145 now makes it simpler to cancel recurring charges. We also protected vital health care access in our state budget this year by preserving Medicaid coverage, dental services, and health programs for children. For families with young children, we maintained support for child care assistance and school meals , ensuring that no child goes hungry during the school day. Health and safety This session, we built upon our progress to protect your fundamental right to reproductive health care. Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79, which enshrined the right to abortion care in the Colorado Constitution. We passed legislation to implement the ballot measure and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. We also passed legislation to strengthen our shield law and protect providers and out-of-state patients from hostile out-of-state investigations related to legally protected health care. Additionally, we passed legislation to ensure emergency access to abortion and miscarriage care by creating a state-level version of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Health care access remains crucial for our rural communities. During this session, I sponsored HB25-1222 , ensuring that rural independent pharmacies can use private couriers for prescriptions and receive fair reimbursement. The bill also defines “flex pharmacies” that can operate both in-person and remotely, bringing essential services closer to home for many rural residents. I also sponsored HB25-1223 , which initiates a comprehensive study of capital needs for rural and frontier hospitals throughout the state. This bipartisan effort will help us understand what our healthcare facilities need to meet current standards. I know how scary and challenging it is to drive on our mountain roads during the winter months. I sponsored SB25-069 , which authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue permits to qualified vendors who can help install or remove tire chains or other traction devices for both commercial drivers and passenger vehicles. These vendors will operate at designated highway locations, making winter travel safer and more efficient for everyone who travels our mountain roads. Moving forward together As we look ahead, I remain committed to bipartisan solutions that make Colorado more affordable, protect our natural resources, support quality education, and ensure health care access for all residents. It’s truly an honor to represent the people of Eagle, Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties. I welcome your thoughts on our accomplishments and your priorities for the future. Don’t hesitate to contact me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov with ideas, comments, or concerns. I invite you to join one of our upcoming town halls this summer to discuss these legislative achievements in person and share your thoughts on issues important to our communities. You can also join my newsletter for more regular updates by emailing me. Let’s keep in touch and continue making a difference in House District 26. Onward! Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties. Previous Next

  • House Advances Bill to Create Safeguards on Ammunition Purchases

    The House today advanced gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist in a preliminary vote. < Back February 21, 2025 House Advances Bill to Create Safeguards on Ammunition Purchases DENVER, CO - The House today advanced gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist in a preliminary vote. HB25-1133 would raise the minimum age to purchase ammunition for rifle and shotgun ammunition to 21 years old and require ammunition to be stored behind the counter like nicotine, cold medicine, and other commonly misused or harmful products. “Colorado Democrats have worked tirelessly to pass commonsense gun violence legislation to save lives, and we’re building on our work by filling gaps in our laws that allow ammunition to get into the wrong hands,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “While cold medicine is locked up behind a glass case, firearm ammunition is openly available in aisles for anyone to grab. By requiring ammunition to be securely stored and raising the age to purchase, this bill works to prevent senseless gun violence and theft to keep our communities safe.” “Current firearm laws make it far too easy for people to evade safety measures before purchasing ammunition, especially with online purchases,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “That’s why we’re bringing this gun violence prevention bill that would increase the minimum age to purchase ammunition to 21 and implement safety measures, like age verification and secure display requirements. I’m proud to sponsor this bill to prevent senseless gun violence in Colorado and save countless lives.” Under current law, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase any firearm but only 18 years old to purchase ammunition. HB25-1133 would raise the minimum age to purchase rifle or shotgun ammunition to 21 years old with limited exceptions. Sellers would be required to verify that the buyer is at least 21 years old using a valid government-issued photo identification. The bill also requires sellers to display ammunition in a position where an employee must assist the buyer, like in an enclosed display case or behind a counter, to help prevent theft. Any person delivering ammunition would be required to verify that the person receiving the delivery is at least 21 years old and obtain written proof of receipt of the delivery from the recipient. The bill exempts an active member or veteran of the US military or Colorado National Guard as well as Coloradans with a valid hunter education certificate or an expired or unexpired hunting license. Coloradans between 18 and 21 years old would be allowed to purchase ammunition at a shooting range if they use it on-site. It would also exempt Coloradans under 21 years old if they were born on or before January 28, 2007. Unlawful sale of ammunition would be a civil infraction, while subsequent violations would classify as a class 1 misdemeanor. The bill would take effect July 1, 2026. According to Everytown for Gun Safety , firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased by a staggering 41 percent in the last decade. Majority Leader Duran passed a law in 2023 to raise the minimum age to purchase a long gun firearm to 21, which was already the minimum age to purchase a handgun. She also passed a safe storage law that promotes responsible gun ownership by requiring gun owners to properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present. Previous Next

  • Law Takes Effect to Protect Homeowners in HOA Communities

    On October 1, legislation goes into effect to strengthen safeguards for homeowners with HOAs to help them retain the equity they built in their property and avoid HOA foreclosures. < Back September 30, 2025 Law Takes Effect to Protect Homeowners in HOA Communities DENVER, CO - On October 1, legislation goes into effect to strengthen safeguards for homeowners with HOAs to help them retain the equity they built in their property and avoid HOA foreclosures. “Homeownership is an important way to build generational wealth, but our current laws allow HOAs to strip away everything Coloradans worked hard for, which threatens the stability of hardworking families,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “If a homeowner suffers from a medical emergency, loses their job, or experiences other financial hardships that impact their HOA payments, their home can be foreclosed and sold for just cents on the dollar, and the owner’s hard-earned equity disappears instantly. This law helps create critical safeguards to ensure better notice, transparency, and accountability around HOA foreclosures so Coloradans can stay safely housed and protect their equity.” “Homeowners deserve the certainty and stability of knowing that their home will not be sold out from under them without an opportunity to retain their equity - regardless of whether or not they have an HOA,” said Sen. Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs. “Becoming a homeowner is a way to build generational wealth and secure housing stability for the long haul. By adding measures to increase transparency, strengthen homeowner protections, and prevent hasty enforcement and foreclosure actions from an HOA, we can keep Colorado families in their homes.” “Colorado HOA homeowners, especially in my district, have had their largest asset taken from them and sold at an auction for a fraction of its worth over sometimes very small amounts owed to the HOA,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “It can be difficult to recover after a foreclosure, especially with high housing costs and no equity to fall back on from the foreclosed property. With this law going into effect, we’re helping hardworking Coloradans from being senselessly displaced and ensuring that homeowners can recover some equity from the house they paid for.” In cases where an HOA pursues a foreclosure against a unit owner, HB25-1043 allows an owner to file a motion with the court to delay the sale of their home at auction for up to nine months, during which time the owner could sell the home at market price. Currently, an HOA may sell the unit at auction for only the cost of unpaid assessments and attorneys’ fees, leaving the homeowner with little to no equity from the sale. Before taking legal action or referring an HOA homeowner to a collection agency, the law strengthens the requirement that an HOA have a written policy of sending a unit owner the HOA’s ledger verifying the amount owed within seven business days after a homeowner requests it. Under HB25-1043, an HOA must also provide information from the HOA Information and Resource Center about its ability to foreclose and force a sale of a unit before taking legal action against a unit owner. The law also requires an HOA to provide homeowners with a notice regarding the right to participate in credit counseling at least 30 days before initiating a foreclosure. HOAs are now required to include additional information for the previous year when submitting their annual registration with the Department of Regulatory Affairs. This includes the number of unit owners who were late on payments of assessments, judgments obtained against unit owners, payment plans entered into with unit owners, and foreclosure actions filed by the HOA. Reps. Ricks and Bacon have passed numerous laws to protect HOA homeowners, including protections to prevent HOAs from quickly foreclosing on homeowners because of late or unpaid HOA fines and fees. Rep. Bacon and Sen. Exum also passed a law to create safeguards against foreclosure and protect HOA residents from having to pay excessive attorney fees that can result from enforcement actions. Homeowners in Colorado Springs are currently protesting an unexpected $20,000 special assessment fee from their HOA. Under HB25-1043, these homeowners would have additional protections if their HOA pursues foreclosure for nonpayment of the special assessment fee. Previous Next

  • JOINT RELEASE: SB19-181 SPONSORS TESTIFY AT COGCC

    < Back August 24, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: SB19-181 SPONSORS TESTIFY AT COGCC DENVER, CO – After testifying in front of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) during their pivotal rulemaking process for SB19-181, bill sponsors Speaker KC Becker, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, and Sen. Mike Foote today released the following statement: “We worked with a broad coalition of stakeholders to pass SB19-181, which represented the most sweeping reforms to Colorado’s oil and gas industry in decades. We greatly appreciated the opportunity today to continue engaging in these reforms and ensure the intent of the legislature is interpreted appropriately. We are grateful to the Commission and their staff for developing the draft rules to change the mission and fundamentally alter the way the Commission regulates the oil and gas industry. It is a monumental task and we value their careful deliberation during this process. “As we’ve made clear in the past, our intent with SB19-181, was to prioritize public health, safety and welfare, and the environment instead of “fostering” development of the industry. If a proposed oil and gas development cannot occur in a manner that is consistent with this new mission, it should not be approved. We believe this will and should represent a sea change in our state’s oil and gas industry, not just a course correction. “During this rulemaking process, the portion of this bill that has generated the most debate is the role of local governments in regulating oil and gas production in Colorado. SB19-181 makes it crystal clear that while both the COGCC and local governments have the authority to regulate surface oil and gas operations, local government regulations can only be stricter, or more protective, than state regulations. While the COGCC is now charged with creating a statewide standard to protect public health, safety and welfare, and the environment, local governments have the ability to go above and beyond this statewide ‘floor’. “We understand that there has been some opposition to this specific provision, and as elected representatives in a democracy, we welcome policy debates. However, disagreeing with a piece of legislation does not give an industry the ability to change a bill’s intent after it has become law. We look forward to seeing the COGCC continue to implement this critical piece of legislation and ensuring that health, safety and welfare, and the environment are our top priorities.” Previous Next

  • Legislature Adjourns with Dems Delivering Real Results on the Issues that Matter Most for Coloradans

    2023 legislation will prevent gun violence, protect reproductive rights, provide record public school funding, improve air quality and reduce the cost of housing, health care and prescription drugs < Back May 8, 2023 Legislature Adjourns with Dems Delivering Real Results on the Issues that Matter Most for Coloradans 2023 legislation will prevent gun violence, protect reproductive rights, provide record public school funding, improve air quality and reduce the cost of housing, health care and prescription drugs DENVER, CO – The First Session of the 74th General Assembly adjourned today. Democratic lawmakers passed legislation that focused on the issues that matter for Coloradans: addressing the cost of living, protecting reproductive rights, reducing gun violence and improving public schools. “From improving public education with a record investment in our schools, teachers and students, to reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs, this session delivered real results on the issues that matter most to Coloradans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The legislation we passed will protect access to abortion, support our workforce and save people money on housing. I’m proud of our work to boost rural economies, protect our water future, and pass bipartisan legislation that will uplift people all across our state and help everyone reach their Colorado dream.” “Coloradans demanded bold action on the issues that matter most to them, and this session we delivered,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. “From passing landmark gun violence prevention laws and working to lower your energy bills, to improving our gold standard elections and taking action to lower property tax bills for families and businesses, we fought tirelessly this session to make a real difference in our communities and for the people who make this state great.” “This session, we worked to address the most pressing needs in Colorado and did what we told voters we’d do when they elected the largest Democratic majority since the 1930s,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Democrats passed a landmark package of commonsense gun violence prevention laws, increased funding for crime victim services, and worked across the aisle to protect our freedoms, support working families, and improve public safety. We rejected the GOP’s extreme abortion bans, bills that would upend our gold standard election system, and anti-science climate denialism that threatens our future and our Colorado way of life.” “Democrats delivered real results for Coloradans this session that meet the needs of our growing state and position us well for the future,” Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, said . “We remained laser-focused on the issues that matter most to Colorado families: making Colorado a more affordable place to live, building safer, healthier communities, and setting students, teachers, and our workforce up for success. I’m proud of the progress we made this year, and I look forward to building a better Colorado for generations to come.” This year, the General Assembly passed packages of legislation to make housing more affordable, reduce health care costs, advance affordable clean energy, cut property taxes, prevent gun violence, increase access to protected health care, improve public education, and boost Colorado’s workforce. Reducing Housing Costs Building Homes for Every Colorado Budget: Lawmakers encouraged affordable housing development by making it possible to build housing on state-owned property through public-private partnerships ( SB23-001 ). Democrats also passed legislation to eliminate arbitrary local caps on new housing that restrict supply and drive up costs for families, thereby increasing our housing supply, saving people money on housing, improving our environment, and allowing people to live where they work ( HB23-1255 ). Lawmakers also passed first in the nation legislation that will give local governments a right of first refusal r on a multifamily or mixed-use rental property, if they commit to maintaining the property as affordable housing for at least 100 years ( HB23-1190 ). Proposition HH, which will appear on the ballot in November, would reduce property taxes, help seniors and veterans on fixed incomes stay in their homes, and boost TABOR refunds for everyone making under $100,000 to help renters, lower and middle income Coloradans, and put more money back into the pockets of the people who need it the most ( SB23-303 ; HB23-1311 ). Creating New Renter Protections and Saving Renters Money : Democrats passed landmark laws to protect renters. New legislation will limit security deposit amounts, cap income requirements, and reduce barriers to housing eligibility ( SB23-184 ). Lawmakers saved Coloradans money on rental applications by allowing potential renters to reuse a rental application for up to 30 days without paying additional fees ( HB23-1099 ). Democrats also strengthened residential lease agreements to protect renters against leases with hidden language that negate legal protections for excessive fees and legal rights ( HB23-1095 ). Lawmakers protected lower-income Coloradans and Coloradans living with disabilities who rely on critical safety net programs from unjust evictions by providing for mandatory mediation prior to an eviction being filed ( HB23-1120 ). Lawmakers also passed a bill to allow Coloradans to participate in eviction proceedings remotely, so renters can avoid a default judgment from not being able to attend in person ( HB23-1186 ). Saving People Money on Health Care Saving People Money on Prescription Drugs: Democrats strengthened the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs ( HB23-1225 ), held pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable for cost saving requirements ( HB23-1227 ), and made it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for the same drug ( HB23-1201 ). With the cost of critical drugs skyrocketing, lawmakers also tackled the high price of EpiPens so that Colorado residents can better afford this life-saving medication ( HB23-1002 ). Lowering Premiums, Reducing Costs and Increasing Transparency: Democrats passed laws to lower insurance premiums and make it easier for consumers to shop for high value health plans that work for them and their families ( HB23-1224 ), expanded access to affordable community health service workers in health-care settings ( SB23-002 ), ensured hospitals are reinvesting in their communities in ways that align with community needs ( HB23-1243 ), and improved hospital transparency requirements to identify ways to reduce costs for patients ( HB23-1226 ). Enhancing Medical Consumer Protections: Democrats created additional consumer protections from high interest rates for medical debt and confusing debt collection practices that lead to long-lasting financial instability ( SB23-093 ; HB23-1126 ) and protected patients, doctors, and hospitals from exorbitant costs in the case that a health insurance company becomes insolvent ( HB23-1303 ). Improving Access to Behavioral Health for Colorado Youth: Lawmakers passed bills to support the mental well-being of Colorado’s students by offering mental health screenings in schools ( HB23-1003 ) and by streamlining the hiring process for licensed mental health professionals and expanding access to mental health resources and support in schools ( SB23-004 ). New legislation will require insurance to cover multiple types of therapy and treatment planning services for Medicaid members who are under the age of 21 ( SB23-174 ). Investing in Education and Workforce Providing Record K-12 Public Schools Funding, Boosting Math Achievement, Increasing Special Education Resources: Democrats put more money into classrooms to increase teacher pay, reduce class sizes and set up students to thrive by increasing public school funding by $660 million next year– increasing per pupil funding to $10,614 per student on average. Lawmakers provided $30 million to rural schools and committed to fully eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor for the 2024-2025 school year ( SB23-287 ). Bipartisan legislation will ensure students get the support they need to improve their math skills by increasing access to affordable programs inside and outside of the classroom ( HB23-1231 ). The General Assembly also significantly increased funding for special education programs ( SB23-099 ). Boosting Colorado’s Workforce: Democrats invested $45 million over two years for aspiring professionals in high-demand fields to receive free training toward certificates and degrees in fields such as elementary and early childhood education, firefighting, law enforcement, forest management, nursing, and construction trades ( HB23-1246 ). Bipartisan legislation will provide qualifying students with a scholarship up to $1,500 for an apprenticeship or on-the-job training at a trade school, community college, or college and university ( SB23-205 ). To help working families, the legislature increased the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit by over $170 million, putting hundreds of dollars directly into the pockets of hundreds of thousands of Coloradans ( HB23-1112) . Addressing the Teacher Shortage: Lawmakers passed legislation to get more teachers into classrooms through the creation of an apprenticeship program as an alternative route to teacher licensure ( SB23-087 ), and created new pathways for qualified out-of-state teachers to more quickly gain professional licensure in Colorado and start teaching in our schools ( HB23-1064 ). A new law will save educators money by expanding the pool of student educators who qualify for stipend programs ( HB23-1001) . Preventing Gun Violence Expanding the ‘Red Flag’ Law: Democrats expanded who can file an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to now include district attorneys and other law enforcement officials, health care providers, mental health professionals, and educators ( SB23-170 ). Creating a Three Day Waiting Period: A new law will require a gun seller to wait for an approved background check or three days from the initiation of the background check - whichever is later - to deliver a firearm. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent suicides and impulsive acts of violence ( HB23-1219 ). Raising the Minimum Age to Purchase a Firearm to 21: Under current federal law, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun but only need to be 18 years old to purchase long guns. To reduce youth access to firearms and prevent gun violence, this law raises the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21, with limited exceptions ( SB23-169 ). Cracking Down on Ghost Guns: This bill prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of an unserialized firearm, frame or receiver. It also prohibits manufacturing a frame or receiver, including via a 3D printer, unless done by a federally licensed firearm manufacturer ( SB23-279 ). Improving Gun Violence Survivors’ Access to Justice: Previously, gun sellers and manufacturers enjoyed broad protections under the federal PLCAA law from most types of civil lawsuits - and Colorado law had a punitive provision that forced survivors of gun violence to pay legal fees in dismissed cases. This law removes Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections to allow for legitimate lawsuits to move forward to hold bad actors in the firearm industry accountable ( SB23-168 ). Taking Bold Climate Action and Wildfire Mitigation Lowering the Cost of Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and E-Bikes : This legislation will save Coloradans money and help meet our climate goals with approximately $60 million in annual tax incentives to businesses and consumers for electric vehicles, e-bikes, and investments in clean energy and industrial emissions reductions ( HB23-1272 ). Other laws will reduce the cost of energy bills by aligning utility company incentives with consumer interests ( SB23-291 ) and making electric vehicles more accessible ( HB23-1233 ). Reducing Emissions From Energy Sources: Democrats passed legislation to reduce the time and cost of residential solar installation and permitting to save Coloradans money on their energy bills ( HB23-1234 ), and lower Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions through new reduction targets, electrification incentives, and climate-aware investments ( SB23-016 ). Conserving and Protecting Water Resources: Conserves fresh water by requiring oil and gas operators to reduce, reuse and recycle water in their drilling operations ( HB23-1242 ) and allows all homeowners in HOAs to pursue water-wise landscaping ( SB23-178 ). Invests $12.6 million towards the implementation of the state Water Plan to support the Colorado River, outdoor recreation and agriculture ( SB23-237 ). Protecting Against Wildfires: Supports local governments to better investigate and prevent the causes of wildfires ( SB23-013 ), and invests in Colorado’s forestry and wildfire mitigation workforce and tree nursery to more effectively mitigate and recover from wildfire destruction ( SB23-005 , HB23-1060 ). Helps restore natural stream systems and freshwater resources to mitigate floods and wildfires ( SB23-270 ), and secures a second Firehawk helicopter, the most technologically advanced firefighting aircraft available ( SB23-161 ). Protecting Our Freedoms and Access to Reproductive Health Care Protecting Reproductive Health Care Patients and Providers: Establishes a shield law to protect those receiving, providing, or assisting with legally-protected health care – including abortion and gender-affirming care – from criminal prosecutions. Prevents Colorado state employees from assisting with interstate investigations in order to protect patients traveling to Colorado from other states to access protected health care ( SB23-188 ). Increasing Access to Reproductive Health Care: Limits surprise medical billing and removes patient cost sharing for reproductive health care services and treatment, including but not limited to sterilization, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and abortion care. Modernizes a 1971 law to expand access to contraception for all Coloradans, increases family-planning related services, and prioritizes access to life-saving HIV medication ( SB23-189 ). Cracking Down on Deceptive Practices by Anti-Abortion Centers: Protects Coloradans seeking reproductive health care by making it a deceptive trade practice to advertise providing abortion care, emergency contraceptives or referrals of either of these services when the service is not actually provided. Clarifies that it is unprofessional for health care providers to administer or prescribe a “medication abortion reversal” ( SB23-190 ). Expanding Access to Contraceptive Care: Improves access to the single dispensing of 12 months of contraception and ensures health insurance plans and PBMs are providing coverage in compliance with current law ( SB23-284 ). Defeating Dangerous Bills to Criminalize Abortion: Democrats in the House defeated dangerous Republican bills that would have criminalized abortion in Colorado and spread harmful disinformation about so-called “medication abortion reversals”. The efforts would have eliminated access to safe, legal reproductive health care in Colorado ( HB23-1150 ; HB23-1119 ; HB23-1097 ). Previous Next

  • GOV. POLIS, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES, SAVING COLORADANS MONEY

    BUILDING ON OVER $1 BILLION IN HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR COLORADANS, POLIS ADMINISTRATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE REAL RELIEF FOR HARDWORKING COLORADANS < Back May 1, 2023 GOV. POLIS, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES, SAVING COLORADANS MONEY BUILDING ON OVER $1 BILLION IN HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR COLORADANS, POLIS ADMINISTRATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE REAL RELIEF FOR HARDWORKING COLORADANS DENVER - Today, Governor Polis, Senate President Fenberg of Boulder, Senator Hansen of Denver, Representative deGruy Kennedy of Lakewood, and Representative Weissman of Aurora announced a proposal to provide historic property tax savings for homeowners and businesses while ensuring funding for schools and other local governments is protected. In addition to immediate relief, the proposal 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. This proposal, along with previous legislation, will save Colorado taxpayers $1 billion annually in property taxes, ensuring Colorado’s property taxes remain among the lowest in the nation. “It is no secret that Colorado is a great place to live and work, and as our state grows, we must take action to ensure people can thrive in the community they love. This proposal will cut the average homeowners' tax increase in half and deliver long-term relief to protect people, especially seniors on a fixed income, from being priced out of their homes,” said Governor Polis. “I appreciate the legislature's partnership to provide real relief on property taxes and save Coloradans money.” Coloradans will vote on this package in November, and should they choose to enact this proposal, it will provide major long-term reductions to property tax rates and deliver immediate savings on property taxes this year. This proposal, combined with reductions previously passed, 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 relief for homeowners and businesses in Colorado. "Coloradans are about to get hit with painful property tax spikes, which is why we're taking action now to meet the moment and provide real relief for Colorado families," President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. "This transformative proposal delivers long-term reductions in property tax rates while providing immediate savings on this year’s property taxes, so we can better support our schools and our communities and build a Colorado everyone can afford to love." “We recognize that property tax reductions cannot be considered without also accounting for the impacts these cuts will have on local governments,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This bill makes responsible reductions, unlike those proposed in recent ballot measures, and includes provisions to ensure we’re protecting school districts, fire districts, and county child welfare offices while we pass this important measure to help Colorado families keep up with the cost of living in our beautiful state.” “The cost of housing in Colorado is incredibly high, and if we don't act, Coloradans will suffer record increases on their property taxes. This would be especially difficult for working families, and would hit folks on fixed incomes incredibly hard," said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. "That's why we’re working to provide immediate property tax relief that will save families across our state more than a billion dollars and keep people in their homes. This proposal will also give voters an opportunity to protect sustainable funding for our schools and local services like hospitals and firefighters while addressing the urgent property tax situation. I'm proud to champion this legislation that will provide immediate relief and protect the critical services Coloradans depend on to thrive." “I’m proud to partner with Governor Polis to help significantly reduce property tax increases,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Property tax increases are driving up costs on families, and lower, and middle income Colorado families can least afford this. This proposal will help Coloradans stay in their homes and communities and targets savings to homeowners who need it the most.” Other property tax relief and protections proposed in this plan include: Reducing the residential assessment rate from 7.15% to 6.7% in 2023 and 2024, and continuing this reduction for primary residences (not second homes or investment properties) in future years. Reducing the taxable value of residences by $40,000 in 2023 and 2024, and continuing this reduction for primary residences (not second homes or investment properties) 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 backfill 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. Governor Polis has called for immediate and long-term plans to reduce property taxes and save Coloradans money, and in partnership with the legislature, has delivered more than $1 billion in savings so far. Last year, the governor and the legislature passed a property tax relief package that provided $700 million to lower Coloradans' property tax rates and reduced rate increases over two years. In 2021, the Property Tax Deferral Program was created which allows Coloradans to defer a portion of their property tax if they increase over 4%. This deferral opportunity was expanded from previously only being offered to seniors and veterans to now be available to all Coloradans. For more information on the Property Tax Deferral Program and other savings opportunities, visit the Colorado Treasury website. Previous Next

bottom of page