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The House Health & Insurance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in hospital reporting requirements. The bill passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back March 28, 2023 Hospital Transparency Bill to Save Coloradans Money Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Insurance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in hospital reporting requirements. The bill passed by a vote of 11-0. “This legislation will help us understand how we can craft cost saving measures by understanding where price increases are coming from and how money is being transferred between entities and spent,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “By improving hospital reporting requirements, we’ll have a more thorough understanding of Colorado hospitals’ cash flow so we can continue to drive down health care costs for consumers and businesses.” HB23-1226 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, builds off of hospital transparency legislation also carried by Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy in 2019 to bolster price transparency and reduce health care costs. Under HB23-1226, hospitals would have to disclose detailed revenue and expenditure streams, including data from previous years, for the hospital expenditure report, which would be renamed to the hospital transparency report under this bill. Hospitals would also have to disclose investments and other assets to and from related parties, including the hospital’s parent organization, and whether the transfers were made within or outside Colorado. This would identify underlying drivers of high hospital costs and strengthen data collection on the financial health and performance of Colorado hospitals. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing would have the power to apply corrective action plans or fines to hospitals that do not comply with data collection procedures. Hospitals would also be required to provide patients with a detailed list of billed services and the associated charges and disclose the patient’s right to receive more detailed information about the billed services. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES MULLICA’S BIPARTISAN FREESTANDING ER LICENSING BILL Bill will help improve safety (Feb. 15) – The House gave final approval on a bill today sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn, that will improve safety at freestanding emergency room departments. “This bipartisan bill will ensure patients receive care in a safe manner and that emergency departments in rural, urban and suburban communities offer the best services available,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. HB 19-1010 will bring freestanding emergency departments under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional hospital emergency rooms to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients. This will ultimately improve the quality of care for patients and increase health care affordability. This bill will create a new license for Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSEDs) through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). It also requires FSEDs to medically screen every patient seeking care as well as prohibit them from delaying a medical examination in order to inquire about the patient’s ability to pay for the care or their insurance status. Rep. Mullica is an emergency room nurse by trade. The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Lois Landgraf, R-Fountain. HB19-1010 passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 54-9. The bill now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

In the spirit of celebration and appreciation, I am reminded how grateful I am to represent all of you in the state legislature. I am excited for the work ahead this legislative session to continue delivering results for our communities. < Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Gratitude in focus: Investing in education and community in House District 26 Dec 7, 2023 See more Originally published in the Steambot Pilot & Today here . In the spirit of celebration and appreciation, I am reminded how grateful I am to represent all of you in the state legislature. I am excited for the work ahead this legislative session to continue delivering results for our communities. This year, we have a historic opportunity to significantly increase funding for K-12 public schools and finally eliminate what is known as the Budget Stabilization Factor, which has reduced state funding for schools since the Great Recession. This landmark investment in our schools will finally meet the long-promised funding levels that Colorado students deserve. It will put more money into classrooms to increase teacher pay and reduce class sizes. For the last few years, Colorado Democrats have been working hard to increase funding for our schools to put us in the position we are in now. Each year, we have increased funding for schools and gotten closer to eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor. The increase we are planning this year is badly needed and will set up our state to finally fund schools closer to the levels we need. For far too long, schools have had to make do with fewer resources than they need, which has led to some of the lowest teacher salaries in the country. These additional dollars will help us recruit and retain new teachers and ensure every student in our community has the resources they need in the classroom to thrive. Under the governor’s budget for next year, the state will fully fund its share of public education, keeping our promise to invest in students’ success and increasing per-pupil funding to an average of $11,317 per student. This commitment to our students and their future is the Western Slope Way. During our special session last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to our schools while delivering urgent property tax relief. I am proud of the responsible package we passed that will reduce property taxes and protect funding for our schools, fire districts, emergency responders and critical local services our communities rely upon. As a teacher, I know we have to step up to make our state more affordable and prevent teachers from losing their homes because they can’t afford rising property taxes. At the same time, I know how important it is that we protect funding for our schools. It was important to do both, and we did. I know that the Western Slope Way is why so many of you bring up education when we bump into each other at the grocery store, on the slopes or at a community event. When we support and increase resources for our students, our entire community benefits. The 2024 legislative session begins on Jan. 10, and I have been working tirelessly with constituents and colleagues from both sides of the political aisle to gear up for the upcoming legislative session. I am committed to serving the people of Eagle, Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties, and am looking forward to passing laws this legislative session that deliver results on the issues most important to the people of House District 26, like affordable housing, behavioral health, education and economic prosperity. I would love to hear from you about education, and any other issues that matter to you. Please contact me at repmeghanlukens@gmail.com with comments and concerns. If you would like to be added to my newsletter for more frequent legislative updates, feel free to send me an email as well. Follow me on social media to be the first to know when I will be hosting town halls to answer your questions in person. Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward! Previous Next

< Back June 13, 2020 HOUSE GIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO PAID SICK LEAVE, PASSES TELEHEALTH EXPANSION DENVER, CO — The House today gave preliminary approval to legislation that would provide paid sick leave and passed on third reading legislation to expand access to telehealth by a vote of 64-1. “House Democrats are working to help our state get back to work safely by protecting workers when they get sick, so they can stay home and get better without hurting their coworkers or customers,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “No one should have to choose between their paycheck and going to the doctor or caring for a sick child. As a mother of two young boys, I know how important it is to be able to care for them when they are sick.” “As a pediatrician, I know how important it is for Coloradans to get the care they need when they are sick,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “It shouldn’t matter what industry you work in. All workers should be able to care for themselves or a child or family member. We won’t be unprepared the next time we face a health emergency like COVID-19. With this bill, Coloradans will be able to take time off when they get sick and protect their colleagues without giving up their livelihoods.” SB20-205 , sponsored by Speaker KC Becker and Representative Yadira Caraveo, would allow workers to earn paid sick leave. Currently, 40% of Colorado’s workforce is not afforded the opportunity to earn paid sick days –– creating a “work while sick” culture that increases the transmission of deadly viruses such as COVID-19. The bill allows Colorado workers, including part-time workers, to earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours of work, up to 6 days per year. Sick leave is earned, job-protected time off that workers can use to care for their own health needs or those of a family member. The bill also provides leave during a public health emergency like COVID-19; employees that work 40 or more hours a week will receive at least 80 hours of additional paid sick leave. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has allowed Coloradans across the state to get the care they need without risking their lives,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “Telehealth is critical for our rural communities, improves access to health care and lowers costs. This bill extends access to these critical services so they won’t go away when the public health emergency expires.” SB20-212 , sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Matt Soper, R-Delta, protects access to physical and mental health care via telehealth by continuing policies implemented during the pandemic to expand reimbursement for telehealth services. The bill requires that insurers, including Indian Health Services and Medicaid, continue to reimburse providers for telehealth services. Telehealth coverage helps Coloradans in rural and mountain communities access care without traveling long distances and provides access to care for people served by federally qualified health centers. Previous Next

New laws will create property tax credits and rebates aimed at incentivizing more affordable rentals, identify sources of rising property insurance costs < Back July 31, 2024 New Laws to Spur Affordable Workforce Housing, Address Rising Property Insurance Rates in Rural, Mountain Communities Go Into Effect New laws will create property tax credits and rebates aimed at incentivizing more affordable rentals, identify sources of rising property insurance costs DENVER, CO – On August 7, legislation to grant local governments the authority to create property tax rebate programs to address areas of specific local concern including affordable housing development and legislation to help uncover root causes of rising property insurance for HOAs, timeshares and condo owners in rural and mountain towns go into effect. SB24-002 allows local governments to establish property tax incentive programs to address critical issues related to housing, childcare, behavioral health, economic development and other areas of local concern. For example, a municipality will be able to authorize tax credits or rebates that incentivize property owners to convert rental properties from short-term to long-term, boosting the availability of workforce and more permanent housing. “There has been a significant rise in the cost of housing, especially on the Western Slope, forcing Coloradans to spend more of their money on housing and less on other necessary costs, like health care and groceries,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB24-002 and HB24-1108. "With our bipartisan legislation going into effect, local governments will have new tools to address the unique challenges their communities face, like shortages in workforce housing, childcare, mental health care services, and much more. Additionally, my legislation soon goes into effect to create a market study so we can learn more about what leads to rising HOA fees and lodging facilities insurance rates, which are often passed on to consumers and property owners. This will help us develop legislation that will create more affordable and reliable property insurance options for communities like mine in rural and mountain areas of Colorado.” SB24-002, also sponsored by Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, allows a local government to renew a tax rebate or incentive program for up to one year if they find that it has been effective in addressing the area of specific local concern. HB24-1108 creates a market study of property and casualty insurance for homeowners’ associations and owners of lodging facilities. This law aims to explore current market conditions and will be used as a baseline for future legislation or state-operated programs. “Due to the rising threat of extreme weather and wildfires, HOAs and lodging facilities have a difficult time securing affordable property insurance, which means fees increase for residents,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1108. “This law will help uncover some of the causes that lead to rising insurance rates and lack of coverage in our HOAs and lodging properties in the urban-wildland interface and beyond. Tourism is a massive economic driver in the high country, and ensuring our HOAs and lodging facilities can acquire property insurance uplifts our economy and supports our local communities.” This law requires the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies to conduct a study of property and casualty insurance policies for HOAs and lodging facilities. The report must include key metrics including: Current market conditions, Availability of insurance coverage, Affordability of insurance coverage, Areas of the state with insurance availability concerns, and Recommendations for long-term sustainability and availability of property and casualty insurance policies. The report must be submitted to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Previous Next

< Back June 24, 2021 NEW LAWS ADDRESS DROUGHT, FUND WATER PLAN DENVER, CO– Governor Polis today signed two bills into law to make historic investments in the state’s water plan and to create the Office of Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience. “Colorado’s precious water resources are dwindling and require our utmost attention and care,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1260. “The historic investment we delivered today helps us face the increasingly devastating droughts that threaten our water supply. By funding critical projects and being careful and responsible stewards of these water resources, we can build the water infrastructure of the future, create jobs and help our agricultural producers, outdoor recreation operators and others continue to prosper.” HB21-1260 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, provides $20 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to help implement the Colorado Water Plan and address water supply issues. The bill helps ensure that Colorado can meet its future water needs, which is critical for maintaining our state as a competitive place to work, play, and live. “The agriculture industry in Colorado faces an enormous threat from increasingly severe droughts and other extreme climate events that imperil our water supply,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsor of HB21-1242 . “By creating the Office of Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience, we’re helping our farmers and ranchers prepare for and mitigate the harm of these devastating consequences of climate change. Agricultural producers in Colorado are resilient, resourceful and have been at the forefront of this issue for decades. After today, the state will finally have an office dedicated to supporting them in this way.” HB21-1242 creates the Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office in the Department of Agriculture to help the industry respond to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and increasingly severe droughts. Frequent droughts are placing increasing pressure on Colorado’s already strained water supply and ecosystems that drive the agriculture industry. The office would provide voluntary technical assistance and incentives to help producers prepare for, mitigate, adapt to, and respond to hazardous events related to drought or our changing climate. Governor Polis also signed SB21-189 , a bill to fund certain Colorado water conservation board projects. Previous Next

The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey that would protect individuals from being financially responsible for costs associated with rental agreements due to the death of a loved one. < Back March 4, 2025 Bipartisan Bill Prevents Landlords From Going After Family Members When Someone Dies DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey that would protect individuals from being financially responsible for costs associated with rental agreements due to the death of a loved one. “I’m excited that we passed our bipartisan bill to prohibit landlords from charging family members for damages and fees for early lease terminations due to a tenant’s death,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “When someone is grieving the loss of their loved one, they shouldn’t be on the hook for covering outstanding costs associated with the deceased’s rental agreement. This legislation helps protect Coloradans by preventing landlords from collecting thousands of dollars in fees and future rent payments after the death of a family member.” HB25-1108 , known as “Letty’s Act”, would prohibit a rental agreement from requiring a person to pay for certain costs if a rental agreement is terminated due to the death of a tenant. These costs include liquidated damages, rent payments for a period that is beyond the end of the month or more than ten business days after the unit is vacated, and the landlord is provided notice, or fees, damages, or penalties associated with an early termination of the rental agreement. A 2024 CBS story reported that a family was charged over $4,000 in fees and rent after their loved one died in her apartment, claiming that the death of the tenant meant that she broke her lease early. HB25-1108, also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, passed by a vote of 53-9. Previous Next

< Back April 24, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Democrats working to lower the cost of health care (Apr. 24) –Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis’ bill to reduce the price consumers pay for prescription medications passed in the House Health and Insurance committee. The bill will allow the wholesale importation of prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for resale to Colorado pharmacies. “As a pharmacist, I know there are many Coloradans who are having to choose between feeding their families or the life-saving drugs they depend on,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “We’ve seen drug price increases of nearly 500 percent that are drowning patients. The ability to import prescription drugs from Canada will help lower the cost of health care for struggling families.” Rep. Jaquez Lewis is a licensed pharmacist. As amended in the Health and Insurance Committee, SB19-005 creates the “Colorado Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act” where the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will apply for a waiver under Federal law to contract with a vendor to design and implement a program to import prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for sale to Colorado pharmacies. The program design must ensure both drug safety and cost savings for Colorado consumers. “The federal government is failing to help lower the cost of health care, this is a commonsense approach that can help Coloradans and cut the cost of medication,” Rep. Jaquez Lewis added. SB19-005 passed on a vote of 7-4. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Back Rep. Cutter: $750 Colorado Cashback Checks coming to your pockets this August Aug 10, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Jeffco Transcript. Sen. Tammy Story, Sen. Jessie Danielson & Rep. Lisa Cutter For Coloradans all across the state, the past few years have been challenging to say the least. We’ve been dealing with the ongoing unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing housing costs, environmental catastrophes right in our backyards, rising inflation, and the war in Ukraine, which has caused soaring gas prices. We are all fighting the economic uncertainty and assimilating to our new reality. Many folks are struggling to stay afloat as they try to support their families and get by on a day-to-day basis – a reality that is hitting hard-working middle class people and communities of color the hardest. Basic necessities like housing, groceries, gas, and child care continue to increase in price, adding financial and emotional strain to our hard-working neighbors and community members. We have listened to your stories and understand you need help which is why we worked hard this year to deliver urgently-needed relief into your pockets through the Colorado Cashback Plan. As early as August, every Coloradan who has filed their income taxes will receive Colorado Cashback rebate checks in the amount of $750 for individuals or $1,500 for joint filers. Rather than waiting an additional year for you to receive these funds, Colorado Democrats – for the first time in state history – proactively passed legislation to expedite the process. That means you will get support now, when it’s most needed, rather than spring 2023. At the start of this year’s legislative session, we promised to fight to make our state a more affordable and accessible place to live, and we continue to deliver on that promise. We passed legislation to save Coloradans money on housing, healthcare fees, car registration fees and starting a business. We implemented free, universal pre-k to support our families and ended the tampon and diaper tax, which will help women and families. We also passed critical measures to close corporate tax loopholes and make our tax system more equitable. In fact, because of the commitment and steadfast leadership of Democrats in the Colorado Senate and House along with our strong economic recovery, 94 percent of single filers will receive even more money through the Colorado Cashback plan than they otherwise would. That means expedited refund checks are going directly to the hard-working Coloradans that keep our state moving forward, helping to alleviate the financial pressure folks are feeling and ensure that Colorado works for all rather than a select few. Coloradans who filed their taxes by June 30, 2022, can expect to receive their Colorado Cashback check in the mail beginning this August. These expedited checks are intended to help ease some financial burden, support your families, and help pay for things like gas, groceries and rent. For any questions related to the Colorado Cashback, please refer to tax.colorado.gov/cash-back. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, don’t worry – it’s not too late! Extended filers with a deadline of October 17, 2022 will receive their refund by January 31, 2023. Make sure you have your current address on record with the Colorado Department of Revenue as the checks will be mailed to your last known address. As your state elected officials, it is our duty to respond to your needs and ensure you have what you need to support yourselves and your families. We know how challenging the last few years have been and recognize the stress many of you have endured – we’ve felt it, too. That’s why we’re excited to deliver these checks directly to your wallets. Now and always, we will work to ensure every Coloradan has what they need to thrive. Previous Next

Legislation includes a taskforce to study issues that impact Coloradans living with a disability, expansions to the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and public employee protections < Back April 24, 2023 House Committee Passes Legislation to Support Coloradans with a Disability, Expand Workers Protections Legislation includes a taskforce to study issues that impact Coloradans living with a disability, expansions to the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and public employee protections DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee passed legislation to support Coloradans living with a disability and expand worker’s rights and protections. “Twenty-percent of Coloradans live with a disability, yet we’re failing to meet their right to access basic services,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB23-1296 . “Our legislation creates a diverse taskforce that will bring forward meaningful ways we can improve basic access to housing, employment, governmental services and the outdoors for those living with a disability. Basic access is a right, not a privilege, and we’re working toward achieving basic access for each and every Coloradan.” “When it comes to participating in government, securing housing, starting a new career or getting outside to enjoy the beautiful landscapes our state has to offer, Coloradans living with a disability often face significant accessibility barriers,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1296 . “From housing to employment, our legislation creates an innovative taskforce to dig into the accessibility issues faced by the disability community and work toward solutions. Securing basic access for those living with a disability is just the beginning, and we’re committed to developing solutions that work for everyone.” HB23-1296 , sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Leslie Herod, passed committee unanimously. This bill would create the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities task force to study issues concerning Coloradans’ with disabilities. This important task force would include four different subcommittees focused on state and local government, the rewrite of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and accessibility in housing and the outdoors. This legislation aims to ensure basic civil rights of individuals with disabilities in these four key areas by providing essential research and information to make Colorado more accessible for all. 20-percent of Coloradans live with a disability and this legislation works toward protecting civil liberties and expanding basic access to housing, employment, recreation and government services. “When we passed the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act in 2019, Colorado made significant strides toward equity in the workplace, however, more must be done to ensure women are paid fairly for their work,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-105. “We’re working hard to fight inequity, and this legislation strengthens Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act to further address the wage gap. This legislation combats wage discrimination that keeps our mothers, sisters, aunts and friends from earning less; if men and women are doing the same job, they should be compensated the same.” “The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act is law, yet women in Colorado are still earning less than men for doing the same job, and the wage gaps between Black women and white men are staggering,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-105 . “This important legislation would require the state to investigate, take action, and follow up when wage discrimination cases are filed so we can come closer to achieving pay equity. This bill requires that job opportunities and their salaries are posted and shared with employees. Not only does this improve wage transparency, but fosters an environment for women to advocate for better, fairer wages as we build back from the pandemic to uplift communities hit the hardest. When women succeed, we all succeed, and creating stronger communities begins with equal pay for equal work.” SB23-105 , sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Bacon and Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3. This bill would strengthen Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act to ensure all Colorado workers are compensated equally for their labor. Specifically, this bill would require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to accept and mediate complaints, provide legal resources concerning alleged wage inequality, and to promulgate rules to further prevent wage discrimination. Previously the department was only authorized to do so; this bill provides a clearer directive and the resources and staffing to back it up. This bill would also require CDLE to investigate complaints or other leads concerning wage inequality, and to address the situation if the complaint is found to be valid as well as requiring employers to follow specific guidelines for job postings. SB230-105 would also extend the maximum period for which a person pursuing a wage discrimination complaint may receive back pay to six years, doubling what is currently allowed under state law. “Plain and simple, public sector employees deserve the same workplace protections already offered to private sector employees,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, Chair of the House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee and sponsor of SB23-111. “Colorado’s public workers – firefighters, teachers, public defenders – keep our communities safe and thriving. Public workers should be allowed to discuss workplace issues, join an employee organization and participate in our political process without the fear of losing their job, and this legislation guarantees them that right.” SB23-111 , sponsored by Representative Woodrow, passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3. This bill aims to extend employee protections and rights for Coloradans working in the public sector. This legislation would give public employees the right to discuss views on employee representation or workplace issues, engage in mutual aid, participate in the political process while off duty and out of uniform and organize, join or assist in an employee organization. Private sector employees already have the concerted activity protections outlined in this legislation. SB23-111 aims to align public and private sector employee benefits to ensure every Colorado worker has equalized protections and rights. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to help identify individuals who are trying to sell a firearm that has been reported lost or stolen or involved in a criminal investigation. < Back June 2, 2025 New Law Helps Identify and Prevent the Sale of Stolen Firearms DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to help identify individuals who are trying to sell a firearm that has been reported lost or stolen or involved in a criminal investigation. “This law allows federally licensed firearm dealers to request verification that they are not buying lost or stolen weapons,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver. “We’re establishing a procedure and expediting serial number checks so firearm dealers have better tools to help keep our communities safe by identifying guns that have been stolen or involved in an unsolved crime.” “SB25-205 comes from concerns raised by firearm dealers in my district, and is a win for both public safety and responsible small businesses,” said Sen. Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “It ensures that when someone wants to trade in or sell a used firearm, dealers have a clear process and safeguards while they check if a gun is lost or stolen. By guaranteeing timely law enforcement checks, we keep firearm transactions aboveboard and help people buy and sell through safe, legitimate channels. This law also protects dealers from making costly, unintentional purchases that could hurt their business.” “We’ve created this law for the firearm dealers throughout Colorado who want to do their part to keep illegal guns off our streets,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “Running serial number checks alerts firearm dealers when they come across lost, stolen or crime-involved firearms that they wouldn’t be able to sell anyway. This law helps firearm dealers protect themselves from bad purchases while making their communities safer from gun crimes.” SB25-205 establishes a procedure to allow a federal firearms licensee to request a firearm serial number check before purchasing a firearm from an individual. Under the law, local county sheriff’s offices must complete the serial number check within three business days of the request. If a licensee has a reason to believe that a person sold or attempted to sell a firearm that is stolen, lost, or involved in an open criminal investigation, they will be required to report the information to law enforcement within 48 hours. Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, including laws to require gun owners to report when their firearm has been lost or stolen and properly store their firearms when not in use, including in their vehicles . The legislature also cracked down on “ghost guns” to keep unregulated, untraceable firearms out of our communities. Previous Next

< Back December 1, 2020 CRITICAL COVID-19 RELIEF ADVANCES Direct Aid for Small Businesses, Housing Assistance, Utility Relief, and Emergency Funding for Colorado’s Public Health Response Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Debate SOON DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide direct assistance to the Coloradans and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The legislation will next be considered on the floor for Second Reading. “Small businesses have faced some of the most challenging impacts of this crisis, struggling for survival while Washington fails to deliver the relief they desperately need,” said SB20B-001 sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We are doing everything we can to boost small businesses and help them through the winter months ahead until we have a vaccine and Congress passes additional relief. Cultural venues, artists and minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. This assistance will help the small businesses that have been hit hardest so that they don’t permanently shutter.” SB20B-001 , sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, would send $57 million in direct aid, grants and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses – prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority owned businesses. Capacity limits have severely impacted small businesses across the state, especially bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. This bill will help these industries bridge the gap through difficult winter months ahead. The bill passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “Thousands of Coloradans are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and are facing agonizing decisions every day about which bills to pay and how to avoid being thrown out of their homes,” said SB2B-002 sponsor Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. D-Colorado Springs. “There is an astounding need for housing assistance to help Coloradans bridge the gap and avoid eviction or foreclosure. This assistance will directly help the Coloradans who have been hit hardest by this pandemic so they aren’t left behind as our state “This assistance will help landlords, tenants, and homeowners who are facing the brunt of the pandemic get through the challenging months ahead,” said SB20B-002 sponsor Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This assistance will help Coloradans across the state avoid foreclosure and eviction and keep from falling farther behind. This critical relief will protect our recovery by preventing Coloradans from falling into homelessness and poverty.” SB20B-002 , sponsored by Reps. Tony Exum, Sr. and Kerry Tipper, would provide $60 million for emergency housing assistance to landlords and households who are in financial need due to COVID-19. Of the funding, $1 million will support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter by providing critical legal assistance for housing related needs. The impending expiration of federal assistance programs such as enhanced unemployment benefits, leaves millions of Coloradans vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure in the coming months. In fact, according to recent surveys, over 40 percent of Coloradans are living in a household that is behind on their rent or mortgage and at risk of foreclosure or eviction. Finally, the bill puts in place a provision that seeks to ensure tens of thousands of unemployed Coloradans can continue to have access to the federally funded State Extended Benefits Program through December 26. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “We are determined in this special session to help Coloradans make ends meet through the tough winter months ahead,” said SB20B-003 sponsor Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Helping Coloradans heat their homes and keep the lights on will go a long way towards supporting hardworking families across the state. The end of this pandemic is in sight, and this assistance will make an important difference for those who need it most.” SB20B-003 , sponsored by Reps. Monica Duran and Lois Landgraf, would appropriate $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to meet the 25 percent increase in applications that Energy Outreach Colorado has seen this year. As unemployment numbers remain high and federal resources have dried up, many Coloradans are at risk of losing their utilities – a dangerous outcome in the winter months. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “With promising vaccine trials shining a light on the end of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to ensure our public health systems are able to care for and protect Coloradans in the months ahead,” said SB20B-004 sponsor Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Ensuring these resources are available is an important investment in our medical professionals and the health and wellness of the people of Colorado.” SB20B-004 , sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, would allocate an additional $100 million to ensure the state can continue to protect public health while we await additional federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With many hospitals across Colorado reaching critical capacity in recent weeks, additional funds are needed to continue the state’s robust public health response. The bill passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. Previous Next