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< Back April 15, 2023 Bipartisan Bills to Reduce Rx Costs and Improve Funding for Nursing Facilities Pass House DENVER, CO - The House today passed two bipartisan bills to save patients and business owners money on prescription drugs and increase annual funding for nursing facilities while prioritizing reimbursement for facilities that serve a higher rate of Medicaid patients. “Spread pricing is taking money out of the pockets of hardworking Coloradans, small businesses and local pharmacies,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB23-1201 . “Our bill prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers from charging employers one price and reimbursing pharmacies less while profiting from the difference. Creating a health care system that is affordable for everyone is one of our top priorities this session, and this bill is one step of many that we’re taking to save people money on healthcare and prescription drugs.” Currently PBMs can charge employers one price, but reimburse pharmacies less and keep the difference, a practice known as spread pricing. HB23-1201 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, makes it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for the same drug and increase transparency for employers into PBM and carrier behavior that impacts their costs. The bill passed 55-8. “Nursing facilities provide care and support to our grandparents, parents and family members, but without proper funding, many are at risk of closing,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1228. “After losing so much of our workforce during the pandemic, we’re at a crossroads in Colorado - if nursing facilities don’t receive the funding they need, they won’t be able to continue to retain and attract the caregivers our communities so critically need. Our legislation allocates $62 million toward nursing facilities so they can stay open, hire staff and continue to provide essential care to our loved ones. We’re taking steps to identify long term funding solutions to nursing facilities, so facilities can focus on providing critical care rather than barely making ends meet.” “Nursing facilities provide around-the-clock care for our loved ones, but some have closed and others are struggling from low reimbursement rates,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB23-1228. “This legislation includes stronger financial transparency to ensure nursing facilities and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing are working in tandem to properly allocate funding. Directing this additional funding toward nursing facilities allows them to keep their doors open, accept new residents and provide them with the critical care, treatment and services they need.” HB23-1228 , which passed by a vote of 60-3, would make several changes to the Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement rates to ensure Colorado’s nursing facilities are getting the proper funding to care for high-need residents, accept new residents and maintain their operation. Specifically, this bill repeals the standard core per diem rate of 3-percent annually and increases it to 10-percent next fiscal year, 3-percent in fiscal year 2024-25, 1.5-percent in 2025-2026, and then a rate to be determined by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) in the following years. Targeted funding will supplement the needs of facilities that serve residents with severe mental health conditions, severe dementia and brain injuries. This bill increases the core per diem rate combined with a new supplemental payment for facilities with disproportionately high Medicaid utilization, facilities that are geographically critical to ensuring access to care, and facilities that admit compassionate release individuals will result in HCPF receiving more than $62 million this year to support Colorado’s nursing facilities. To ensure financial transparency, nursing facilities will be required to submit audited financial statements to HCPF. Currently, Colorado’s nursing home facilities can report costs that have already been reimbursed by Medicare for Medicaid reimbursement, but due to complications from funding sources, nursing facilities are not currently being reimbursed for their full costs. HB23-1228 changes this Medicaid reimbursement structure by directing HCPF to undertake a three-year stakeholding process to create a more sustainable, flexible, and innovative reimbursement structure so nursing facilities are getting the full reimbursement they deserve. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2023 House Dems Pass Bills to Reduce Premiums and Lower Drug Costs DENVER, CO - The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation that will save Coloradans money on health insurance premiums for Colorado Option plans and make prescription drugs more affordable. “We’re building on the success of the Colorado Option to continue to drive down health care premiums and make it easier to find high value plans on the exchange,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1224 .” The Colorado Option is helping Colorado families and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money and has increased access to high quality health care, especially for lower income people who have disproportionately faced barriers to getting the care they need.” “We’ve made bold progress to drive down the cost of health care and create new options for consumers,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB23-1224 . “The legislation we passed today ensures that excessive profits and administrative costs won’t be passed down to consumers while also improving the rate review process to ensure that these plans actually reduce premiums for consumers.” HB23-1224 , which passed by a vote of 8-1, will lower insurance premiums and make it easier for consumers to shop for high value standardized health plans that work for them and their families. The updates to the Colorado Option strengthen the Division of Insurance’s (DOI) ability to hold carriers accountable for the premium rate reduction requirements on Colorado Option Standardized Plans by granting the DOI to: Limit factors such as as excessive profit and administrative expenses; Structure the public hearings process efficiently while ensuring all parties have the opportunity to participate; Help consumers easily find and compare plans that could lower their out-of-pocket costs. “Colorado is leading the nation with innovative ways to save people money on prescription drugs and lower the cost of health care,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB23-1225 . "We established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2021 to ensure that consumers can afford the highest cost drugs. Now, we’re expanding these cost saving measures to reduce out-of-pocket prices for more medications by increasing the board’s efficacy and saving Coloradans more money on their essential prescriptions.” “Coloradans should never have to ration life-saving prescription drugs due to price gouging from big pharmaceutical companies,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1225 . “This legislation will limit out-of-pocket costs for more life-saving prescriptions and help more Coloradans avoid the difficult decision of paying for the medication they need and other necessities.” HB23-1225 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, increases the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to help lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Coloradans. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to evaluate and place upper price limits on the highest cost prescription drugs. The legislation introduced today will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to save people money on out of pocket prescription drug costs. It removes the limit on setting no more than 12 Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) per year in the first three years of the PDAB, and improves the criteria for selecting drugs for an affordability review. Previous Next

< Back July 1, 2021 GOV SIGNS BILLS TO PROTECT AND BETTER SERVE COLORADANS WITH DISABILITIES DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation that will ensure that state resources are in compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and revamp training to improve first responder interactions with people with disabilities. “Every Coloradan should be able to access state services and information online, but not all state websites and services are accessible to people with disabilities,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Denver. “During the pandemic, some Coloradans weren’t able to get critical information or had to wait longer to access it because state websites didn’t meet accessibility standards. The bill Governor Polis signed today will bring Colorado’s state government inline with federal standards to ensure everyone can use and access state services online.” HB21-1110 , sponsored by Representative David Ortiz, requires that all rules promulgated by Colorado departments are at least as strong as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law tasks state agencies with developing an accessibility plan that enables an individual with a disability to access digital content with the same privacy and ease of use as individuals without disabilities. “Today, Colorado is taking an important step forward to ensure that first responders have the training and tools necessary to guarantee safe and appropriate outcomes while interacting with people with disabilities,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Denver. “This new law will bring people together and give voice to people in the disability community to better inform law enforcement, prevent tragedies and protect people with disabilities, who we know are disproportionately more likely to be the victims of crimes and have unique needs and considerations for preserving their wellbeing.” HB21-1122 , sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Colin Larson, establishes a twelve-person commission tasked with performing a detailed study of existing training for peace officers on interactions with persons with disabilities and provide a report to the POST Board by February 28, 2022. The bill requires the resulting curriculum be implemented for basic training and the annual in-service training by July 1, 2022. Once the curriculum is implemented, the commission must monitor the training process, assess any challenges and the effectiveness of the training to present and suggest to the POST Board. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILL TO MAKE JUNETEENTH A COLORADO STATE HOLIDAY BECOMES LAW New state holiday would commemorate the day Union soldiers arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and declare that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed landmark legislation championed by members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado to make Juneteenth a Colorado State Holiday. The bill, SB22-139 , is sponsored by Senators James Coleman, D-Denver, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, as well as Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Soldiers, led by Major General Gordan Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and declare that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free. “Juneteenth is more than just a federal holiday we recognize in historical Black communities like Five Points where we march, eat good food and listen to good music,” said Coleman . “Making Juneteenth a state holiday means Colorado would not only recognize that Black people are free, but that all people are free. It is a recognition that we not only desire for some Coloradans to prosper, but for all to prosper, and for all Coloradans, regardless of race or background, to earn a living wage, have an affordable place to call home, and get the equitable access to health care and education people need to move forward and thrive.” “Juneteenth has been celebrated by the Black community for generations, and beginning today, this statewide holiday will receive all formal recognition, celebration and reflection it deserves,” said Herod, Chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado . “This Emancipation Day reminds us of the atrocities our ancestors endured and how we must never give up hope in uncertain times. Juneteenth uplifts the voices of the Black community and showcases the perseverance of past and present generations–I’m proud to call it Colorado’s 11th state holiday.” “It’s long past time to make Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery and honors freedom for all of us, a Colorado state holiday,” said Buckner . “I am proud to champion this important legislation which will help educate all Coloradans about the horrors of slavery, make space to celebrate the Black community, and lift up our ongoing work to make sure we don’t forget our past.” “Today, as we celebrate Colorado’s newest state holiday, we reflect on the fearless attitudes and leadership of our Black ancestors,” said Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs . “Juneteenth educates Coloradans on the past and reserves space for Black voices. This important Emancipation Day has been celebrated by the Black community for decades and now it will receive the statewide recognition it deserves.” Today’s ceremony was held at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance facility in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver in coordination with the Juneteenth Music Festival (JMF Corporation), where members of the dance company along with Tony Exum Jr. performed to celebrate the historic bill signing. Previous Next

< Back June 7, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! FUNDING TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS CENTERS AND NONPROFITS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed HB22-1077 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaleson Jenet and Iman Jodeh and Senators Chris Hansen and Kevin Priola, creates a grant program to enhance security for nonprofits. “Today, we’re making Colorado communities safer by providing grant funding to boost security at sacred spaces, including synagogues, churches, temples and mosques,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “With violence and threats on the rise, I am worried about the safety of my community. Antisemitic incidents are increasing to new records, and reported incidents in Colorado grew by 53 percent in 2021. This law secures funding to protect our communities from violence now by creating a grant program to improve security and help make Colorado safer for everyone.” “We worked tirelessly this session to pass legislation to build a safer Colorado for all, and this effort builds on that progress by ensuring the safety and security of marginalized communities,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and this new law will help protect Coloradans who experience threats, violence, hate crimes, and other forms of bigotry in their places of worship, community centers, schools, and other spaces.” “With this law, we’re prioritizing the safety and well-being of Colorado’s minority communities who continue to experience threats and acts of violence at their places of worship,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora . “We’re not waiting around for the next incident or threat of violence at community centers, places of worship, schools and community spaces. This law provides funding to help the pillars of our communities improve security and keep people safe.” HB22-1077 creates the Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The program would offer grants to eligible entities to enhance the physical security of Colorado’s nonprofit and charitable organizations. Currently, the federal government provides grants for this purpose through the Department of Homeland Security, however the increase in threats combined with not enough funding have led to unmet security needs for Colorado-based organizations. The law provides $500,000 for these grants to additional Colorado organizations to complete critical security upgrades for their facilities. Minority communities are facing a growing threat from violent extremists who are targeting shared spaces such as mosques and synagogues. In Colorado, there has been an increase in violent rhetoric and threats. In 2019, there was an attempted bombing at a synagogue in Pueblo and an individual was recently arrested after threatening congregants with a weapon outside of the Downtown Denver Islamic Center. Previous Next

< Back April 1, 2019 SOLAR GARDENS GROWING: HOUSE APPROVES HANSEN-VALDEZ COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS BILL (Apr. 1) – The House approved the Community Solar Gardens bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. This bill modifies Colorado’s community solar garden program by increasing the maximum size of these facilities as well as eliminating burdensome regulations restricting their location. “All citizens should have access to, a direct ownership in, and a direct stake in our clean energy future,” said Rep. Hansen. “Only 25 percent of homes in Colorado are able to put solar panels on their roofs. This bill enables more Coloradans to purchase share in a community solar garden, thereby reducing their carbon emissions and pollution and fostering the creation of good paying jobs all across our state, particularly in rural Colorado.” HB19-1003 will take Colorado’s community solar garden program to the next stage of development by increasing the maximum size of a community solar garden from 2 megawatts to 5 megawatts. It also removes the requirement that a community solar gardens subscriber’s identified physical location be in the same county as that solar garden while keeping the requirement that it be within the service territory of the same electric utility. “We must act on climate and do our part to encourage a greater use of creative renewable energy sources like community solar gardens,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “This bill allows people whose property can’t accommodate the use of solar gardens to still have a hand in our energy future, especially low-and moderate-income Coloradans.” HB19-1003 was approved on a vote of 40-23. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO PROTECT LGBTQ VETERANS Bill to restore benefits for LGBTQ veterans who were wrongly dishonorably discharged passes House on third reading. DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative David Ortiz’s bill to ensure that LGBTQ veterans who received a dishonorable discharge from the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity can access the veterans benefits they have earned. The bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 47-16. “No one who is willing to put their life at risk to serve our country should be prevented from accessing the benefits they earned because of who they love or how they identify,” said Rep. Ortiz, D-Littleton. “Coming home and reintegrating into your community after military service is hard enough without facing the additional stigma of being unjustly discharged. I’m proud that we were able to deliver some relief for my brothers and sisters in the armed forces today.” Before the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”, countless servicemembers were discharged other than honorably due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. This prevented many LGBTQ+ veterans in Colorado from qualifying for the same state programs and benefits that their peers have access to. SB21-026 , the Restoration of Honor Act, will create the “discharged LGBT veteran” status and allow Coloradans who fall under this category to access existing state programs available to honorably discharged veterans. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will protect gender-affirming health care insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ Coloradans. < Back May 23, 2025 Signed! New Law Protects Gender-Affirming Health Care Coverage DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will protect gender-affirming health care insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ Coloradans. “While the GOP continues to attack the LGBTQ+ community, Colorado Democrats passed this new law to ensure trans Coloradans have access to gender-affirming care,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This law codifies insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, protecting access to medically necessary and evidence-based health care. We’re creating a Colorado that respects, protects and values the trans community.” “Trans and nonbinary Coloradans deserve access to the evidence-based, lifesaving care they need,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Colorado already requires insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, and this new law strengthens those protections by writing them into law and ensuring they can’t be easily undone. The law also removes testosterone from the prescription drug monitoring program which has been misused in other states to target providers and patients. I’m proud to sponsor this new law that will protect what already works and safeguard our freedoms.” “Now more than ever, it is crucial that we ensure Colorado law protects trans people,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Colorado has become a safe haven for trans Americans who face relentless attacks from their government, which is why I sponsored this law to protect gender-affirming health care coverage. As the first openly trans legislator in Colorado, I am proud to pass this law to ensure our state continues to be a place where trans people can safely live and thrive.” “In Colorado, we believe in bodily autonomy and the freedom to live as our authentic selves,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Everyone has the right to make personal health care decisions without political interference. At a time when the trans community is being targeted across the country, I’m proud to stand up for the individual rights and liberties of all Coloradans.” HB25-1309 codifies into Colorado statute that health care insurance plans cannot deny or limit gender-affirming health care that is determined medically necessary by a health care provider. Gender-affirming care can include hormone therapy, facial reconstruction, hair removal and other treatments or procedures. The law also adds privacy protections for Coloradans who undergo hormone therapy by exempting testosterone from Colorado’s prescription drug use monitoring program tracking requirements. This January, President Trump signed an executive order to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, leading to medical providers across the country ending medically necessary care overnight. Congress is currently considering the Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, which includes a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender people on Medicaid and insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. This would impact over 270,000 transgender adults throughout the country who receive health care through Medicaid. Currently, 26 states have passed legislation banning gender-affirming care. One report found that 94-percent of trans and non-binary adults feel unsafe due to bans on gender-affirming care. Previous Next

< Back February 24, 2022 BILL TO END TRANSCRIPT WITHHOLDING MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Naquetta Ricks to prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts because a student owes a debt to the institution passed the House today on Second Reading. “With this bill, we’re working to dismantle a debt collection tool that disproportionately affects low-income students and students of color,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver . “When post-secondary institutions withhold transcripts because of unpaid parking tickets, library fines or some other fees, students have a harder time entering the workforce or transferring schools. Holding the credits a student earned for ransom prohibits talented graduates from enlisting in the military, enrolling in nursing courses or applying for their dream job. This legislation will prepare our students for success and ensure Colorado’s workforce is stronger and more talented than ever.” “Transcript withholding is an unnecessary barrier for graduates entering the workforce,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This bill would prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts and diplomas from students with unpaid debts. Graduates have done the work and earned the credits, now let’s make it easier for them to prove it to future employers. Whether our students are applying for their first post-college job or enrolling in a new program, this bill prepares our students for success and moves Colorado forward.” HB22-1049 would protect students from transcript withholding when students owe an unpaid debt. It would also prohibit institutions from charging a higher fee or providing less favorable treatment in response to a transcript or diploma request because a student owes a debt. Debts protected by the bill range from unpaid fees to parking tickets, library fees and other minor costs students may not realize they owe. The bill also protects students with debt from tuition, financial aid funds, and room and board fees from having their transcript withheld when they apply for a job, credit transfer or financial aid. It also protects transcript withholding for those pursuing opportunities in the military and post-secondary institutions. Across the country, students owe approximately $15 million in unpaid balances, impacting over 6.6 million students. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Chad Clifford on a preliminary vote to improve protections for law enforcement whistleblowers. < Back March 27, 2025 Law Enforcement Whistleblower Protection Bill Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Chad Clifford on a preliminary vote to improve protections for law enforcement whistleblowers. “Whistleblower protections ensure that people can report a violation of law or policy without fear, and this is especially necessary within law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “After an Edgewater officer was assaulted by a fellow officer in 2019, it was clear that there were gaps in local law enforcement agencies’ policies regarding workplace issues and protections around retaliation. It is crucial that the people who are supposed to protect us can also protect each other, which is exactly what this bill does.” “This bill is about protecting the people who put their lives on the line to protect and serve their communities,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “After nearly a year of weekly stakeholder meetings with law enforcement, impacted community members and whistleblower advocates, we’ve crafted this policy to better protect those who raise concerns about wrongdoings. This legislation will improve due process and pathways to justice to protect law enforcement officers from retaliation when they report injustices in their workplace.” HB25-1031 would protect whistleblowers in law enforcement by prohibiting retaliation, including requiring disclosures to be made to external oversight agencies and ensuring confidentiality for the reporting officer. The bill would expand retaliation to include discharging, disciplining, demoting, denying a promotion, transferring or reassigning, discriminating against, harassing, suspending, creating a hostile work environment for, subjecting to corrective action, reprimanding, issuing an employment rating that causes a loss of pay or makes ineligible for a promotion, laying off, reducing work hours, or knowingly providing false information regarding a peace officer to negatively impact future employment opportunities. Additionally, the bill would protect a peace officer who shares information to the relevant supervising authority in good faith regarding a danger to public health or safety or an alleged violation of law committed by a fellow peace officer. If the relevant supervising authority is the individual being accused, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to provide an alternative reporting procedure. The bill also creates a private right of action and establishes penalties for employers who engage in retaliation, allowing peace officers to seek reinstatement, back pay with interest, attorney fees, and other remedies. Lastly, the bill outlines the process and deadlines for filing claims and establishes a reporting system to monitor implementation and consistency with existing whistleblower protection laws. Beginning January 1, 2026, all law enforcement agencies that employ POST-certified peace officers must provide annual training and accessible workplace postings about peace officers’ rights and protections under this bill. Employees hired after this date must provide information regarding this bill during their employee orientation. In 2019, an Edgewater police officer was retaliated against and ultimately forced to resign after she reported multiple assaults by a colleague. The perpetrator ultimately pleaded guilty to the assault and the City of Edgewater settled after the officer sued for discrimination. Colorado Democrats have passed whistleblower protection laws in recent years, including protections for essential workers who raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices or hazards during a public health emergency and those who report child labor violations . Previous Next

< Back May 13, 2019 HOUSE DEMS DELIVER ON AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HIGHER-ED College Kickstarter and student loan borrower bills signed into law (May 13) – Gov. Polis signed a pair of bills sponsored by House Democrats at the University of Colorado campus in Boulder. First up was SB19-002, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Dominique Jackson, to help protect student loan borrowers. “This new law will help student loan borrowers and ensure they are not victims of scams or deception,” s aid Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “This is a pressing issue for young people who are demanding that their elected officials take action. This is a crucial step that we are taking to help Coloradans pay off their loans as soon as possible.” Student debt in Colorado has skyrocketed from $19 billion to over $27 billion in just three years. This new law will would include student loan servicers in the Uniform Consumer Credit Code to establish licensing requirements for these service providers. It also empowers the Colorado Attorney General’s office to field, review and help resolve any complaints by borrowers against service providers. “I put myself through undergraduate school and a very expensive graduate program. I took out a lot of student loans,” Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora said during debate on the bill. “It’s not just my colleagues’ generation, it’s mine too. I don’t get to retire because I have this debt and I feel like I will die with this student loan debt.” In 2017, Coloradans issued over 1,000 complaints against loan service providers, a 78 percent increase compared to previous years, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Children with college savings accounts are twice as likely to go to college. That’s why House Democrats passed HB19-1280, a program will be created to help and encourage Colorado parents to open a College Savings Account (CSA) for their children. The bill was also signed into law today. “I am so excited about this new law! Colorado will now help to “kickstart” college savings for every baby born or adopted in Colorado,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Studies show that savings can help address the economic and racial barriers to building wealth in our country by incentivizing savings and encouraging families to invest in education at zero cost to the taxpayers.” Beginning in 2020, $100 of seed money will be contributed to the CSA if an account is opened within the first five years of the child’s life. “The College Kickstarter program will create funding for a college savings account for every child born or adopted in Colorado,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “This will help give our kiddos a running start and have a strong impact on our state’s future.” Watch the bill signing ceremony here . Previous Next

< Back March 9, 2021 HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP WELCOMES POLITICAL WORKERS GUILD ANNOUNCEMENT DENVER, CO– Speaker Alec Garnett and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following statement following the announcement that Colorado Democratic legislative aides and campaign workers launched the Political Workers Guild, affiliated with CWA Local 37074. “Our aides have tough jobs and do crucial work to keep our Capitol running smoothly so our state government can deliver for the people of Colorado,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, (D-Denver). “I welcome their announcement today; making sure our aides feel fulfilled and cared for in their jobs is good for the General Assembly and good for our state.” “I am a fierce supporter of every Coloradans’ right to collectively bargain and fight for better pay and benefits,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, (D-Pueblo). “I stand in solidarity with our hardworking aides and am proud of them for making their voices heard through the power of a union.” Previous Next