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< Back March 11, 2019 LOCAL WAGE OPTION LEGISLATION RECEIVES HOUSE APPROVAL Growth in worker wages spurs consumer spending & a healthier economy (Mar 11) – The House gave final approval to a bill sponsored by Rep. Rochelle Galindo, D-Greeley, and Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, to provide local governments the option to raise the minimum wage within their jurisdictions. “We are giving the power to set the local minimum wage to our municipalities and counties,” said Rep. Galindo. “Our state is so diverse and what works for Denver is not necessarily going to work for Greeley or Trinidad. The Local Wage Option is a tool that can help Colorado’s workers and communities thrive.” HB19-1210 would allow local governments to adjust their minimum wage up to more effectively address the local cost of living, rather than have to adhere to a statewide standard in a state where local real estate markets and health care costs vary dramatically. “Colorado is a very big, diverse state and economic situations can be very different in different areas of the state. One size does not fit all when it comes to addressing the needs of every Coloradan,” said Rep. Melton. “ This is really about allowing local communities to decide what is best for them.” The bill would allow counties and cities to increase the minimum wage in their localities beyond the state minimum wage, currently set at $11.10 an hour. Research shows that wage growth spurs consumer spending and a healthier economy and that concerns of potential negative impacts to businesses or jobs are not borne out in the data on this issue. Denver City Mayor Michael Hancock and Summit County Commissioner Thomas Davidson testified in support of this bill at a House hearing this month. The bill passed the House on a vote of 40-24. It now heads to the Senate. A similar bill passed the House last session but it was blocked by Republicans who were in control of the chamber. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2022 BILL TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HYGIENE PRODUCTS PASSED HOUSE DENVER, CO – Legislation to eliminate the state tax on essential hygiene products including feminine hygiene products and diapers passed the House today on Third Reading by a vote of 50 to 13. HB22-1055, sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Leslie Herod, would create a tax exemption for all state sales and use taxes on feminine hygiene products and diapers. “We’re removing the tax on dignity and saving Coloradans money,” said Susan Lontine D-Denver . “By eliminating the sales tax hygiene products, including diapers and period products we’re making these products more affordable to everyone who uses them. These items are essential to many families in our state and making them more affordable just makes sense.” “Too many Coloradans are going without necessary hygiene products, and something needs to be done,” said Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Eliminating the sales and use tax on period products, diapers and incontinence products makes these products more accessible and saves Coloradans millions of dollars in the process. This bill also paves the way towards destigmatizing hygiene products, so everyone can feel comfortable and confident in their bodies.” HB22-1055 , would create a tax exemption for all state sales and use taxes on feminine hygiene products, diapers and incontinence products. If passed, specific hygiene products would join other tax exempt essentials like food and medicine. The current sales and use tax on essential products falls disproportionately on communities of color and older Coloradans with fixed incomes. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. < Back February 15, 2024 Committee Passes Bill to Prevent Evictions, Homelessness DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to prevent evictions and keep Coloradans safely housed, outlining the conditions when landlords would have grounds to file for evictions or “no-fault” lease terminations. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “After I escaped my abuser, I struggled to make ends meet as a single mom, and I spent endless nights worrying that my son and I would lose the roof over our heads,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Unnecessary evictions perpetuate cycles of abuse and are another barrier that survivors face when they leave their abuser. I’m proudly sponsoring this legislation to prevent Colorado families from being displaced from their homes so they can create an environment for their children to learn, grow, and thrive.” “Far too many Coloradans have ended up homeless because of discriminatory or retaliatory evictions against renters that abided by their lease,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “‘Our ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation protects Colorado renters from avoidable evictions by clearly outlining reasons when an eviction is allowed, protecting renters that pay their rent and abide by their lease from being pushed out of their homes. This critical legislation will help alleviate housing insecurity, reduce homelessness, and protect the health and safety of Colorado renters.” Currently, Colorado law exposes renters to possible arbitrary, retaliatory or discriminatory evictions. The ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation would prevent a landlord from evicting a tenant unless there is cause for eviction. Under HB24-1098 , the reasons a landlord could lawfully evict a tenant include failure to pay rent in a timely manner, destruction of property, or a substantial violation of the rental agreement. The bill also includes allowable reasons for a no-fault lease non-renewal, including substantial repairs or conversion of a residential premises, and selling the property. Some exceptions to the ‘For Cause Eviction’ bill include rentals within the landlord’s primary residence, short-term rentals, mobile homes and for employers who provide housing to employees. Evictions threaten the health and safety of Coloradans, with research showing that individuals who experience an eviction are more likely to report poorer physical or mental health outcomes . In 2023, Denver set a new record of annual evictions, reaching nearly 13,000 filings. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed a bipartisan bill to expand the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to strengthen incentives for businesses transitioning to an employee-owned business model. < Back May 23, 2023 Gov. Polis Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Employee-Owned Businesses DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed a bipartisan bill to expand the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to strengthen incentives for businesses transitioning to an employee-owned business model. “With the expansion of Colorado’s Employee Ownership Tax Credit, local businesses can continue to increase wages, improve job security, and offer better benefit options for hardworking Coloradans,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “Employee-owned business models make succession planning easier for business owners while keeping businesses within their community. With this bill being signed into law today, Colorado business owners will now have additional tools to sell or retire and employees will have more opportunities to own the business they work for.” In 2021, Colorado Democrats created a first-in-the-nation refundable income tax credit that incentivizes business owners to move towards employee-owned business models. It allows business owners who are looking to move on from the company to pass the business on to their employees, allowing the business to stay within the community and giving hard-working Coloradans a stake in the company. HB23-1081 , also sponsored by Republican Representative Rick Taggart, expands on the Employee Ownership Tax Credit by: Making partially employee-owned businesses eligible to help cover the costs associated with expanding employee ownership; Expanding methods that businesses are using to transfer equity to employees; and Strengthening incentives for eligible businesses that are transitioning to employee ownership with existing resources. Previous Next

Representative Bob Marshall yesterday attended the annual South Metro Water Symposium at the Parker Water Headquarters. < Back July 24, 2024 Marshall Attends South Metro Water Symposium PARKER, CO – Representative Bob Marshall yesterday attended the annual South Metro Water Symposium at the Parker Water Headquarters. This event gathered regional water authorities to discuss the past, future and present issues facing water supply in the South Metro area of Denver. “Yesterday's symposium was incredibly informative and offered great insight into Colorado’s water future, specifically in Douglas County and Southeast Arapahoe County,” said Rep. Bob Marshall. D-Highlands Ranch. “Securing sustainable water for Colorado and future generations requires us to be diligent, work together across the aisle and craft solutions that will allow us to maintain our lifestyles and livelihoods.” The event featured keynote speaker Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, a presentation from South Metro Water Supply Authority , Castle Rock Water , and the Platte Valley Water Partnership . Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to eliminate arbitrary caps on housing development that drive up costs for families in order to save people money on housing, improve our environment and increase our housing supply. The bill passed by a vote of 9-2. < Back April 5, 2023 Lindstedt, Dickson Bill to Eliminate Growth Caps Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to eliminate arbitrary caps on housing development that drive up costs for families in order to save people money on housing, improve our environment and increase our housing supply. The bill passed by a vote of 9-2. “ Anti-growth laws in some communities hinder Colorado’s bold efforts to address our crushing housing shortage and accommodate rapidly growing communities throughout the state ,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “ Housing that is affordable for Coloradans of all incomes is becoming increasingly difficult to find . As a former city councilor, I know how growth caps increase demands on neighboring communities, especially for critical services like education, water, and police and fire. By eliminating arbitrary growth caps, we can increase our housing supply, reduce our carbon footprint, and protect hardworking Coloradans from these exclusionary measures.” “Smart housing plans save Coloradans money, limit air pollution, and support a thriving workforce,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial. “Arbitrary housing growth caps imposed by a handful of jurisdictions impact the entire state. These caps reduce housing options close to where Coloradans work-- forcing sprawl, air pollution, and long commutes. This bill will create good jobs, support local businesses, and drive down costs for Colorado families.” HB23-1255 would prevent local governments from enacting and enforcing housing growth restrictions that limit housing development to a certain number of building permits or approvals without a transparent process and fair consideration of a proposal’s merits. Under the bill, local governments would not be required to accept any specific developments or projects, but they would not be able to reject a proposal simply due to an arbitrary growth cap. There are exceptions in cases of a declared disaster emergency. This bill was introduced alongside SB23-213 in March 2023 with Governor Jared Polis, climate champions, local government officials, economic development organizations, labor groups, and housing affordability advocates to announce Colorado’s plan to address the statewide housing crisis. The bills aim to create more housing supply for every budget so Coloradans can afford to stay in their communities without being priced out. These policies also improve air quality, protect open space, conserve water, create jobs and help local communities plan for future growth. Previous Next

The House Appropriations Committee today passed HB24B-1001, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, that will reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, fire response, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. HB24B-1001 passed by a vote of 8-3. < Back August 26, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Responsibly Reduce Property Taxes and Protect Colorado’s Future Advances DENVER, CO – The House Appropriations Committee today passed HB24B-1001, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, that will reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, fire response, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. HB24B-1001 passed by a vote of 8-3. “Making Colorado more affordable is our top priority, and we’re back at work to reduce property taxes in a responsible way that protects our future and the critical institutions that make our communities run,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We believe that from our littlest learners to working families and eldest Coloradans, everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive. However, irresponsible ballot measures from wealthy special interests jeopardize the Colorado we love and disproportionately impact those facing the brunt of the high cost of living. This proposal is a win for Colorado communities and I’m proud that stakeholders and from across the political spectrum have come together to support this path forward.” Democrats have stepped up to avoid steep property tax hikes and are leading a multi-year effort to deliver meaningful relief while protecting critical funding for schools and local services. In May, the General Assembly passed SB24-233 by a vote 92-8 to responsibly reduce statewide local taxes by more than $1 billion, prevent future spikes in property taxes, and protect critical services that Coloradans rely on. HB24B-1001 makes minor adjustments to SB24-233 in order to avoid devastating ballot measures from wealthy special interests. Irresponsible ballot measures would reduce revenue for public schools, fire departments, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, and public outdoor recreation by nearly $3 billion. They would risk the major strides Colorado Democrats have made to boost public education funding and eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor. If these measures were to pass, they would lead to draconian cuts to fire response and public safety. HB24B-1001 reduces property taxes in a responsible way while protecting funding for crucial institutions, especially Colorado’s K-12 public schools. Using SB24-233 as the baseline, the bipartisan proposal would reduce assessment rates and the local government revenue cap. Residential Assessment Rates (RARs) Depending on the growth in assessed valuation (AV) between property tax years 2024 and 2025, there are two options for adjustments to RARs: *RARs and value exemptions would apply to and stack with the Senior Homestead Exemption. Nonresidential and Personal Property Assessment Rates Nonresidential assessment rates and exemptions are for both schools and local governments. Oil and gas and producing mines remain excluded from this classification. Colorado Democrats have passed legislation in recent years to reduce the cost of housing, health care, and child care. In the 2024 legislative session, Colorado Democrats passed new laws that will provide two years of free college , reduce evictions , and boost the incomes of hardworking families with new tax credits. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed two bills to improve health care in Colorado. < Back February 27, 2024 Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs, Prevent Violence Against Health Care Workers Pass Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed two bills to improve health care in Colorado. HB24-1010 would streamline prescription drug access for Coloradans with chronic, complex, rare, or life-threatening medical conditions and save them money on life-saving prescription drugs. HB24-1066 would help prevent workplace violence against nurses, CNAs and other health care workers. “Health care decisions should be based on the health and safety of a patient, not dictated by profits for health care insurers,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1010. “Doctors are sometimes required to order medications for their patients through specific pharmacies, which leads to delays in care and additional costs. Our legislation saves Coloradans money on these medications and breaks down prescription drug access barriers to ensure that Coloradans can access the medication they need, when they need it.” HB24-1010 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed by a vote of 9-3. The bill would protect Coloradans’ access to critical provider-administered prescription drugs by breaking down unnecessary barriers, including added fees, that make it difficult for patients to access their life-saving medication. The bill would: Prohibit insurance carriers from requiring certain prescription drugs to be available only by specific pharmacies, or only at in-network pharmacies, Prevent insurance carriers from limiting or excluding provider-administered prescription drugs due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy, or Prohibit insurance carriers from imposing additional fees, copayments, or coinsurance due to the patient’s choice of preferred pharmacy or if the provider-administered drug was not provided by a pharmacy in the carrier’s network. “Violence in the workplace should never be tolerated, and we’re stepping up to help protect our valued health care workers,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1066. “With verbal and physical aggression against our health care workers on the rise, this bill establishes procedures and protocols to prevent these instances and creates proper channels for reporting. No one should feel unsafe while on the job, and this bill works to protect our health care workers from violence.” “The majority of health care workers are reporting an increase in verbal abuse and physical aggression while they’re on the job,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor HB24-1066. “This bill takes the necessary steps to protect our health care workers from violence by incorporating evidence-based solutions, such as reporting channels and dedicated worker safety plans in facilities, to curb violence. Our health care workers have worked tirelessly the past few years to keep Coloradans safe and healthy, and this legislation is a step in the right direction to keep them safe from violence in the workplace.” HB24-1066 , passed by a vote of 12 to 1 and would work to protect health care staff from violence. This bill would require facilities, such as hospitals, nursing care facilities and assisted living residences, among others to establish a workplace violence prevention committee that documents and reviews violent incidents, develops and implements prevention plans for their employees, offers immediate post-incident services, and submits biannual incident reports to the Department of Public Health and Environment or the Behavioral Health Administration. The bill specifies that facilities must not discourage staff from reporting incidents to law enforcement. It also protects health care workers who choose to either report a workplace violence incident, advise a staff member of the right to report, or choose not to report an incident. HB24-1066 intends to curb the increase in violence against health care workers, including verbal aggression and physical violence . Health care workers are 5-times more likely to experience violence at the workplace compared to other workers. Previous Next

< Back May 13, 2019 BUCKNER, LONTINE FIGHTING FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS Bills signed into law today (May 13) – Gov. Polis signed two bills sponsored by House Democrats today at the Hope Center in Denver. First on the docket was Rep. Janet Buckner’s bill, HB19-1005, which creates a tax credit for early childhood educators. “This new law will address two major challenges facing hardworking families and early childhood educators: quality and stability,” said Rep. Buckner, D-Aurora. “Our educators need to be paid more and that includes those who care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.” This tax credit was endorsed by the Colorado’s Teacher Shortage Report and encourages child care professionals to improve their skills as educators to better support the development of young students. Next was Rep. Susan Lontine’s bipartisan bill, HB19-1194. This bill reduces preschool and early elementary out-of-school suspensions and expulsions. In Colorado and across the country, young children are being removed from pre-school and early elementary grades at alarming rates. “This law is truly about addressing a civil rights issue for Colorado’s youngest learners. Suspensions and expulsions disproportionately impact children of color and children with disabilities and this will help put that to an end,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver. “This new law will help reduce the likelihood of dropouts, academic failure and an increased likelihood of entry into the criminal justice system.” Suspensions and expulsions result in the loss of valuable learning and enrichment time for Colorado’s kids. Young students, when they return to school, are often behind their classmates and more likely to be disruptive. Previous Next

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

< Back May 29, 2019 MICHAELSON JENET BILL TO MODERNIZE CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT SIGNED BY GOV New law aims to help address teen vaping epidemic (May 29) — Gov. Polis signed a bill that modernizes the 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, would add hookah smoking, electronic smoking devices or e-cigarettes to the list of prohibited activities in indoor public places and workplaces. Reports show that over a quarter of Colorado’s teens currently use a vaping product. “Our state is number one in teen vaping and that’s not a title we want to hold. As a parent of teenagers, I share the concern of parents across our state who are increasingly disturbed by this growing public health problem and how it is impacting our children and their development,” said Rep. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “This new law will help show our young people that vaping is harmful for them, their peers and their health.” HB19-1076 protects people of all ages against the dangers of secondhand smoking exposure from electronic cigarettes. It also ensures that existing smoke-free laws are being enforced. In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called teen vaping an epidemic . In January of this year, the American Lung Association released the State of Tobacco Control report and gave Colorado a “B” grade for its smoke-free air citing Colorado’s use of electronic smoking devices indoor. The report also suggested strengthening state and local laws around youth access to tobacco products to raise its “D” grade for Colorado’s funding for state tobacco prevention programs. The report found the state is spending only half the amount the Center for Disease Control recommends on prevention programs. Previous Next

New law creates the Office of Sustainability to coordinate efforts to implement Colorado’s climate goals < Back May 17, 2024 Signed! Legislation to Streamline Sustainability Practices, Help Colorado Reach Climate Goals New law creates the Office of Sustainability to coordinate efforts to implement Colorado’s climate goals BOULDER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law legislation sponsored by Senators Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Representatives Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, to create the Office of Sustainability to coordinate efforts to implement Colorado’s climate goals. “Colorado has passed nation leading legislation in recent years to set reasonable and reachable climate goals and put us on a path to a sustainable future,” said Hansen. “With the many policies we’ve passed, there are a number of agencies and offices working independently towards the same goals. The Colorado Office of Sustainability will ensure these many moving parts are working in concert to implement our climate goals, reduce emissions, and put our state on a path to climate sustainability for generations to come.” “Colorado’s beauty is part of what makes our state so special, and it’s important that we do our part to meet the climate goals we’ve created to protect our environment and our communities,” said Amabile. “With our new law, we’re better aligning sustainability measures across numerous state agencies and higher education institutions to promote more environmentally sustainable practices.” “From my first day as a legislator, I've worked on sustainability issues,” Cutter said. “It is critical that we fully support and employ in state agencies the practices that align with our goals and values as a state. From coordinating efforts on sustainable infrastructure projects to leveraging federal funding available for sustainable practices, the Office of Sustainability will be a critical asset as we continue our work to achieve Colorado’s climate goals.” “Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws in the past few years to help us meet our climate goals, but it can be difficult for all of the agencies and offices that are running sustainability programs to coordinate effectively,” said McCormick. “Our new law creates the Colorado Office of Sustainability to support clean energy technology adoption and boost coordination so we can reach our climate goals in an efficient and impactful way.” SB24-214 creates the Office of Sustainability within the Department of Personnel and Administration to streamline sustainability practices across state agencies. The Office is charged with: Facilitating sustainable infrastructure projects with other state agencies, such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy efficiency, and waste diversion; Conserving water, including through xeriscaping and native plant landscaping; Developing baseline metrics for reducing negative environmental impacts; Tracking financial savings from implementation of sustainability policies; and Seeking federal funding to support sustainability practices. The law also advances a range of other measures to make progress on state climate goals including: Creating the Sustainability Revolving Fund to replace state-owned gas and diesel-powered equipment located in the ozone nonattainment area on the Front Range; Initiating a study to advance the adoption of energy-efficient heat pump technology; and Requiring newly constructed buildings that receive state financial assistance – which is growing due to new investments in affordable housing – to use energy-efficient appliances. Previous Next