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The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Junie Joseph on a preliminary vote to prevent gun violence and save lives prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. < Back May 5, 2023 Legislation to Crack Down on Ghost Guns Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Junie Joseph on a preliminary vote to prevent gun violence and save lives prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers. “Homemade guns created from untraceable and unserialized parts allow a gun owner to evade federal and state firearm laws that protect communities and prevent crime,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “All too often, these ghost guns can end up in the hands of people who are at risk of harming themselves or others. This legislation cracks down on ghost guns to better protect our communities from senseless gun violence and improve accountability for victims and their families.” “Gun violence has devastated communities throughout Colorado, and gun crimes are becoming an increasingly common threat,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Now, through DIY kits or 3D printers, almost anyone can access a gun on demand without having to go through a background check process. This bill is a critical step in preventing Colorado youth and criminals from accessing an unserialized gun to protect our communities.” SB23-279 aims to prevent further gun violence by cracking down on “ghost guns”, which are unregulated and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. Ghost guns are designed to avoid all gun laws and are available to purchase without a background check, serial number, sale record, or other protections. Under the bill, if an individual has an unserialized firearm, frame or receiver, they have until January 1, 2024 to have it serialized. A background check would be required before the owner could receive their item after it had been serialized. Serialization records must be kept and available for law enforcement. It also prohibits the possession of a “machine gun conversion device” which turns a firearm into a machine gun and imposes the same penalties as in current law for possessing a machine gun. Ghost guns are often constructed using unfinished frames or receivers and are easily accessible through a 3D printing device. Once assembled, ghost guns look, feel, and function exactly like traditional guns and are equally as deadly and dangerous. These weapons have been connected to suicides, homicides, mass shootings, robberies, and domestic violence throughout the country. Since 2016, the number of ghost guns used in crimes throughout the USA increased by 1000% , yet over 99% of those guns can’t be traced back to a user or owner. When a gun used in a crime is untraceable, it can be impossible for a gun violence victim and their family to seek accountability. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will allow Prop KK revenue to fund community-based behavioral health services for military members, veterans, and their families. < Back May 1, 2025 New Law Will Increase Behavioral Health Funding for Veterans, Military Families DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will allow Prop KK revenue to fund community-based behavioral health services for military members, veterans, and their families. “As a member of the Air Force, I have seen firsthand how military veterans and their families can struggle to access proper health care for their behavioral health issues ,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver. “Voters approved Prop KK, boosting funding for crime victim programs, public safety grants, and behavioral health crisis services just like the one this law funds. Military members and veterans desperately need quality health care, and this new law seeks to boost lifesaving behavioral health support for Colorado heroes and their loved ones by implementing the will of the voters.” “Since my time in the Army, I’ve become intimately familiar with the critical need for community-focused mental health services for veterans,” Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, said. “Our veterans and their families gave everything they had to protect and serve our country, and they deserve all the life-saving support we can give in return.” “Far too many military members and veterans suffer from debilitating PTSD, anxiety, and other behavioral health struggles that impact their day-to-day life without the proper treatment ,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “Our law better allows Colorado to fund community behavioral health programs and other beneficial services, improving access to the behavioral health care that veterans and their families deserve.” “Too many of our state’s veterans struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and other life-altering mental health conditions without access to proper treatment,” Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. “Voters approved Prop KK, which boosts funding for crime victim programs, public safety grants, and behavioral health services like the ones supported by this bill. This new law will provide crucial support for our service members while implementing the will of the voters.” HB25-1132 allows Proposition KK revenue to fund non-profit organizations that establish and expand community behavioral health programs for military service members, veterans, and their families. These organizations must meet the following requirements to receive grant funding: Provides local behavioral health services to service members, veterans, and their families, Utilizes evidence-based practices, Trains staff on military cultural competency, and Has established and verifiable community partnerships to deliver behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their families. The law also allows reimbursement for services that help address behavioral health struggles. Health care professionals are required to provide at least four health care sessions to each veteran they accept as a client in order to qualify for reimbursement. Colorado Democrats passed a law referring a ballot measure to voters in the November 2024 election to create a new excise tax on gun dealers, gun manufacturers, and ammunition vendors to fund the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund, Behavioral Health Administration, and school safety efforts. Nearly 54.5 percent of Colorado voters approved Prop KK to bolster crime victim support and behavioral health programs. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation, sponsored by Representatives Chad Clifford and Yara Zokaie, to protect equal opportunity to housing for Coloradans with disabilities. < Back February 2, 2026 Housing Protections Bill for Coloradans with Disabilities Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation, sponsored by Representatives Chad Clifford and Yara Zokaie, to protect equal opportunity to housing for Coloradans with disabilities. “We’re ensuring that Colorado law provides equal protections for housing for Coloradans with disabilities,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “Everyone deserves housing that fits their needs. Service animals provide life-saving care, and it is crucial that people with disabilities aren’t turned away from housing opportunities due to their service animal. Our law would combat Trump’s attacks against housing protections and ensure that Coloradans with disabilities can live safely and comfortably.” “Colorado Democrats are continuing our work to strengthen protections for Coloradans with disabilities and protect Colorado communities from Trump’s continued attacks,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “This bill would codify housing protections into state law and will ensure Coloradans with assistance animals have safe and reliable housing." HB26-1045 would establish that it is an unfair or discriminatory housing practice to deny housing to Coloradans due to their live-in service animals. The bill would also create definitions for “assistance animal” and “emotional support animal” to provide clarity to housing providers and Coloradans with disabilities and reduce litigation. Last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rescinded federal guidelines that outlined the rights that people with disabilities have regarding service animals under the Fair Housing Act. These guidelines also helped landlords, property managers and tenants understand how to distinguish between service animals and Emotional Support Animals. The repeal of these guidelines has created confusion regarding the rights of Coloradans with disabilities and what reasonable accommodations housing providers must provide. In recent years, Colorado Democrats have passed laws to bolster housing protections for Coloradans with disabilities. Colorado Democrats passed laws that save Coloradans money on accessibility modifications to rental housing and prevent unjust evictions for Coloradans who rely on safety net programs, like disability insurance. Last year, Rep. Zokaie passed a law to expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act to protect vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities, by allowing victims of discrimination to receive monetary compensation for unfair housing practices. Previous Next