Search Results

The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to save Coloradans money on rental applications and bolster residential renter rights. < Back February 25, 2023 Bills to Save Renters Money, Strengthen Renter Rights Advance DENVER, CO - The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to save Coloradans money on rental applications and bolster residential renter rights. “As a renter, I’ve experienced firsthand how quickly fees can add up when someone applies to various housing opportunities,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB23-1099 . “Rental application fees are around $40 per adult on average, and rental applicants pay this fee at every stop, just to turn up the same information. This bill will allow rental applicants to pay that fee once and then share that report with multiple landlords, saving Coloradans potentially hundreds of dollars in repetitive fees.” “Renters often apply to multiple housing opportunities when their lease ends,” said Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1099 . “Lower-income Coloradans are often forced to choose between spending money on necessities and covering these application fees. Allowing renters to reuse these documents means that they can save more money that could otherwise go toward rent, food, and utilities.” HB23-1099 builds off the Rental Application Fairness Act that was passed by Colorado Democrats in 2019 by allowing prospective renters to reuse a rental application for up to 30 days without paying additional fees. It also minimizes the number of times a credit score is pulled, protecting a potential renter’s credit score from being continuously damaged from credit score inquiries. Under this bill, a landlord must return an application to a potential tenant to reuse if the application is denied and provide a notice of the applicant’s right to dispute the accuracy of the report. Rental and credit history reports and criminal record documents must come from verified consumer reporting agencies to be eligible for reuse. “Renters unknowingly sign away key rights when they secure housing,” said Rep. Stephen Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1095. “Rental agreements often exceed 50 pages of dense text littered with hidden fees, legal traps and waivers of key rights like the right to a jury or to participate in a class action. Renters shouldn’t have to be experts in tenant law just to keep from being exploited.” “Many Coloradans are facing the very real threat of housing insecurity and often have to choose between homelessness and rental opportunities that strip away the rights they’re entitled to by Colorado law,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1095. “We created renter protection laws to ensure renters aren’t taken advantage of, but some landlords are writing leases that carve out these important protections. This bill prevents landlords from creating lease agreements that infringe on the rights of renters.” HB23-1095 prohibits most rental agreements from including: Any waiver of the right to quiet enjoyment of the property Any waiver of the right to a jury trial, unless all parties agree to waive a jury trial in a hearing to determine occupancy, Any waiver of the right to participate in a class action, Penalties or charges if a renter does not provide notice of non-renewal unless the landlord incurred actual losses as a result, or The landlord’s ability to charge renters for both third party services like pest control and valet trash that is in excess of 2% of the actual charge and a monthly administrative fee of $10 to cover these services Landlords often profit from renters by including inflated third party charges like pest control and valet trash services in administrative fees. Under this bill, landlords would not be allied to charge renters more than the actual cost for services, limiting excessive profiting off of tenants. The right to enjoyment protects renters from landlords entering the property without notice and their right to have peace and quiet in their home, as landlords often include clauses that waive these rights. Large rental companies often use a class action waiver to protect themselves from lawsuits by preventing renters from collectively pursuing legal action. Individual renters usually can’t afford a legal fight against a large rental company, which allows rental companies to get away with violations. ### Previous Next

Congressional Republicans’ budget created a $1 billion deficit by allowing corporations to dodge nearly $1 billion in taxes owed to Colorado < Back August 21, 2025 Democrats Advance Bills to Close Corporate Tax Loopholes and Protect Funding for Core Services Congressional Republicans’ budget created a $1 billion deficit by allowing corporations to dodge nearly $1 billion in taxes owed to Colorado DENVER, CO – The House Appropriations Committee today passed two bills that would close a special interest corporate tax loophole for insurance companies and allow corporations to pre-pay taxes at a small discount, after Republicans in Congress created a $1 billion hole in Colorado’s budget with massive corporate tax cuts. HB25B-1004 allows businesses to pre-pay taxes at a discount for future years when Colorado is anticipated to collect more revenue than the state’s spending limit under TABOR, and HB25B-1003 would repeal a special tax break for insurance companies. “Congressional Republicans passed a budget bill that created a billion-dollar revenue shortfall in Colorado in order to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich, and we’re doing everything we can to combat the destruction that the GOP budget will cause for hardworking Coloradans,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB25B-1004. “This bill would allow companies to pre-pay future taxes to boost revenue now and save them money in the process. This is crucial to protect funding for core services that Coloradans depend on.” “Our legislation utilizes a proven, business-friendly method to offset the draconian GOP budget bill,” said Rep. Sean Camacho, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1004. “Colorado’s budget funds essential services that all Coloradans benefit from, like our K-12 public schools and transportation infrastructure, and the GOP budget blew a massive hole in it that we have to address now. It’s going to take an all-hands approach to safeguard our state from the impacts of Trump’s budget bill, and by allowing businesses to pay their future taxes now, they can save money and help us protect core services.” HB25B-1004 , which passed by a vote of 7-4, would allow a one-time auction of future tax credits, giving companies the opportunity to buy tax credits to pre-pay a portion of their future taxes at a small discount. This saves businesses money, allowing companies to pre-pay future taxes now and offsetting the immediate impacts of the GOP budget bill. This does shift state revenue out of future years, but after 2025-2026 the state budget is forecasted to be limited by the TABOR cap, not the amount of revenue collected, so this won’t cut deeper into state services. Under the current law established in the 1950s, insurance companies with a headquarters or regional home office (RHO) in Colorado can pay a lower tax rate if at least 2.5-percent of their domestic workforce resides in Colorado. HB25B-1003 repeals this reduction. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “While the GOP sides with corporations, Colorado Democrats fight for everyday Coloradans,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1003. “When Congressional Republicans passed Trump’s budget bill, they carved out massive tax breaks for the 1 percent and corporations by increasing costs for everyone else. Colorado Democrats are ending special interest tax breaks like this that aren’t effective, don’t create jobs, and are nothing more than corporate handouts that come at the expense of everyone else.” “The data shows this special interest corporate loophole doesn’t create jobs and is clearly unnecessary,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25B-1003. “While it was created to increase jobs, this corporate tax loophole has had the opposite outcome, and data shows that most insurance companies are receiving tax breaks while actually eliminating Colorado jobs. We’re eliminating this special interest tax break and putting hardworking Coloradans first.” A 2025 report from the Office of the State Auditor found that the tax credit is not achieving its goal of incentivizing job creation in Colorado’s insurance agency, yet it has impacted state revenue by $68 million to $105 million per year. Since the implementation of the workforce percentage requirement, the number of insurers and groups that qualify for the RHO rate reduction has not only decreased, but 15 of the 18 qualifying insurance groups reported a decrease in Colorado jobs while receiving a $17.5 million increase in credits. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to improve wildfire mitigation in rural communities < Back April 30, 2024 Legislation to Improve Wildfire Mitigation in Rural Communities Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to improve wildfire mitigation in rural communities. HB24-1006, sponsored by Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Marc Snyder, would make it easier for rural communities to locate and apply for state and federal wildfire prevention grants. “Rural communities like mine are often most at risk for wildfire-related damage and displacement,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “This bill would connect rural communities to state and federal wildfire mitigation grants and assist with the application process. From improved emergency response efforts to risk management, there are many things that communities can do to ease the impact of wildfires. This bill uplifts rural communities and connects them to the resources they need to mitigate wildfires and keep their homes and businesses safe.” “Rural communities often have fewer resources to mitigate destructive wildfires, which can leave communities in disarray,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “This bill makes it easier for our rural communities to find and apply for state and federal wildfire mitigation grants. From wildfire prevention tactics to increased emergency response efforts, there are many wildfire mitigation efforts that can keep our communities safe and better prepared.” HB24-1006 , which passed by a vote of 57 to 7, would he lp rural communities find and apply for state and federal wildfire mitigation grants. Specifically, this bill would establish a rural grant navigator program within the Colorado State Forest Service to aid rural communities in locating and applying for wildfire mitigation grants. Grants can help communities obtain the resources they need to combat wildfires through prevention tactics, response efforts, and risk management. Previous Next

< Back August 11, 2021 GARNETT, SULLIVAN REACT TO ERPO IMPLEMENTATION REPORT DENVER, CO– The Colorado Department of Law today released a report on implementation of the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Law, recommending continued education and outreach on how individuals can appropriately use it to help prevent gun violence. Speaker Alec Garnett and Representative Tom Sullivan, sponsors of the original bill, released the following statements. “The ERPO law was designed to save lives, and that’s exactly what it’s done in the year and a half since it took effect,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Today’s report confirms that the law is working as intended. Primarily employed by law enforcement officers, the protection orders allowed under ERPO have protected Coloradans from intimate partner violence, helped to prevent mass shootings, and have been used as a tool to intervene when suicide is threatened. I’m proud of the lives we’ve saved and look forward to continuing to monitor the progress of this law.” “Opponents of gun violence prevention laws often seek to slow down our progress by claiming that nothing can be done about the gun violence crisis in America,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Today’s report shows we are making change and saving lives. I’m proud to see so many police departments across the state use ERPO as a tool for their service to the community. It is my sincere hope that other departments will see the data presented today and take it as an opportunity to learn more about how they can also use the law to save lives. As the report highlights, the next major step we must take is to improve education and awareness around gun violence prevention, which is exactly what the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention is designed to do.” Previous Next

On August 6, two laws to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence go into effect. HB25-1168 improves housing security, expands access to justice, and keeps Coloradans safe. SB25-116 ensures that courts consider domestic violence and abuse history during divorce and spousal support proceedings. < Back July 29, 2025 Laws Take Effect to Strengthen Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence DENVER, CO - On August 6, two laws to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence go into effect. HB25-1168 improves housing security, expands access to justice, and keeps Coloradans safe. SB25-116 ensures that courts consider domestic violence and abuse history during divorce and spousal support proceedings. “Housing instability is one of the biggest threats to people who experience gender-based violence, with 20 percent of people experiencing homelessness in the Denver Metro Area fleeing domestic violence,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1168. “Many victims can’t safely leave their abuser, which is why our new law strengthens Colorado’s victim protection laws and establishes new mechanisms to improve a victim’s access to justice and safe housing. Gender-based violence is traumatic, and no one deserves to face long-lasting financial consequences or homelessness as a result.” "Too often, survivors of domestic violence are forced to choose between their safety and their housing," said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1168. "No one should be stuck in a dangerous situation because they can’t afford to break a lease or are left with damages they didn’t cause. This law gives survivors the legal protections they need to reclaim their safety and move forward with dignity." “The Violence Against Women Act is near and dear to my heart, and I’m proud to sponsor this law to better align Colorado law with these protections to keep survivors safe,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1168. “As a judge, I know how important it is to have strong protections in statute, and this law is a meaningful change that better allows survivors to end their leases early while providing a payment plan to protect landlords and keep survivors housed. This is a huge win for survivors of gender-based violence to ensure they have the tools they need to build a strong, safe future away from their abuser.” "Survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking often face a lose/lose situation when it comes to their housing," said Sen. Mike Weissman, sponsor of HB25-1168. "It can be expensive to try to stay in one's home or expensive to relocate, on top of the immense personal cost of victimization. Whatever difficult choice they make, this important new law will help survivors by offering payment plans for back rent or limiting the costs of relocating such as losing a security deposit. Either way, survivors have a better path to safety, stability, and a chance at a fresh start." Currently, a tenant cannot be found guilty of unlawfully residing in a property if the tenant is experiencing domestic violence or domestic abuse and they provide a police report or civil or emergency protection order proving they were a victim. HB25-1168 expands these victim protections to include victims of unlawful sexual behavior and stalking and allows self-attestation or a letter signed by a qualified third party to be used as proof, reducing hurdles to accessing critical protections. Additional victim protection expansions include: Allowing victims who terminate a lease not to be held liable for property damage caused by their abuser during incidents of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse, Ensuring victims can change locks to their rental property on their own if the victim provides documentation to prove they are a victim-survivor, Prohibiting a landlord from assigning debt allegedly owed by a tenant who is a victim-survivor to a third-party debt collector, with exemptions, and Requiring tenants to pay no more than one month’s rent after they vacate the residence and terminate the lease if, within 30 days, the landlord provides proof of economic damages as a result of the early lease termination. To strengthen eviction protections, this law also requires landlords to offer a repayment plan to victim-survivors for late or unpaid rent before a court may issue an eviction order. The repayment plan cannot exceed nine months from the date the plan was established. A 2023 report from the Colorado Coalition of the Homeless found that 1,265 Coloradans experiencing homelessness also reported being a victim of domestic violence. SB25-116 , also sponsored by Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, ensures that proceedings involving spousal support consider a spouse’s history of domestic violence. It also broadens disclosure requirements related to restraining and protection orders. “Survivors who make the courageous decision to leave their abusive spouse often face complex legal systems and serious financial burdens,” said Sen. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of SB25-116. “No survivor should be forced to pay spousal support to the person who harmed them. This law brings much-needed clarity and ensures that courts have the full context to make fair and just decisions..” “As a survivor, I am proud that this legislation is now in effect to ensure that courts can make an informed decision and better support survivors who are leaving their abusers,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of SB25-116. “Leaving an abusive partner is one of the most dangerous things a survivor of domestic violence can do, and it is important that the justice system can access the reported history of abuse during divorce and separation proceedings. By increasing the disclosure window and including a variety of abusive actions that must be considered during a case involving spousal support, we can lift up survivors and their stories during the scariest time of their lives.” Under current law, courts consider a list of relevant factors when determining spousal support. This new law expands that list to include whether a spouse has engaged in domestic violence, coercive control, economic abuse, litigation abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, or unlawful sexual behavior against the other spouse. The law also extends the disclosure window for prior restraining or protection orders from two years to five, ensuring judges have access to a more complete history of abuse during divorce or separation proceedings. Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO STUDENTS Bill to expand financial assistance for ASSET students (Mar. 25) – The House approved a bill to expand state financial aid resources for ASSET students. HB19-1196, sponsored by Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, would provide Advancing Students for a Strong Tomorrow (ASSET) students the abilities to receive state financial aid. “Increasing the eligibility for state financial aid will help Colorado’s rural institutions that lack financial resources to supplement state financial aid for ASSET students,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez. “Improving access to higher education by increasing financial assistance will erase our state’s equity gaps and serve as an investment in Colorado’s future.” Currently, ASSET students are eligible for the College Opportunity Fund and institutional aid, but they are not eligible for state aid, including scholarships awarded by the state. The ASSET bill passed the legislature in 2013 with bipartisan support and makes the in-state tuition rate at state colleges and universities in Colorado available to all students, regardless of immigration status, who graduate from high school in Colorado after attending for at least three years. HB19-1196 passed by a vote of 41-24. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representative Naquetta Ricks that would require companies to post the full price of a product, good, or service, including any mandatory fees, to improve price transparency for Colorado consumers. HB24-1151 passed by a vote of 7-3. < Back February 28, 2024 Ricks Bill to Increase Price Transparency Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representative Naquetta Ricks that would require companies to post the full price of a product, good, or service, including any mandatory fees, to improve price transparency for Colorado consumers. HB24-1151 passed by a vote of 7-3. “From ‘service fees’ to ‘processing fees’, last-minute fees for goods and services cost families over $3,000 per year, taking hard-earned money from Colorado families to boost corporate profits,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “These fees mislead consumers about the true price of a good or service, driving customers away from Colorado businesses that are honest about their prices. Our legislation would require businesses to include any mandatory fees when posting the price of their goods and services so Coloradans can compare prices and trust that the price they see is what they can expect to pay.” HB24-1151 would prohibit a company from advertising the price of certain products, goods, or services unless they disclose all of the mandatory or non-discretionary fees upfront. Violation of this law would be an unfair or deceptive trade practice subject to a fine for each violation. Greystar, the largest apartment management company in the U.S., was recently sued by a Colorado resident for charging hidden fees that were not included in the advertised monthly rental rate. The average American family reportedly spends over $3,200 per year on junk fees. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON TUITION AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills that will save Coloradans money on higher education tuition and behavioral health services. HB22-1155 passed by a vote of 41-19 and is sponsored by Representatives Perry Will and Julie McCluskie. The bill 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 we passed today will save families and students money as they pursue their higher education degrees,” Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB22-1155. “Every Coloradan should have access to higher education opportunities that will set them up to thrive, and our workforce needs in the high country and across Colorado are significant. By reducing the cost of higher education, we’ll prepare more students for success and open the door for more high school graduates to access the education they need to secure better paying jobs and address our workforce shortage.” HB22-1278 passed by a vote of 46-14 and is sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton. The bill will improve Coloradans’ access to behavioral health services and save Coloradans money. This bipartisan bill is designed to streamline behavioral health care access for Coloradans through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). “This legislation takes the next step to stand up Colorado’s new Behavioral Health Administration, which will work to make mental health care and substance use disorder treatment less expensive and easier to access,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB22-1278. “The pandemic has only exacerbated the long standing challenges Coloradans have faced when trying to access the behavioral health care they need to thrive. This bill will boost access to the care Coloradans need and cut the red tape that prevents too many people from getting the help they need.” The bill would establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services and more. The BHA will reduce bureaucracy by consolidating fragmented behavioral health networks into one behavioral health administrative services organization (BHASO) per region. The push for this legislation stems from patient frustration surrounding disjointed behavioral health care services. With this bill, patients would be able to more easily access behavioral health services in their community. Previous Next

HB23-1272 saves Coloradans money with more than $60 million in annual tax credits and exemptions to businesses and consumers for decarbonization investments < Back April 6, 2023 Clean Energy Tax Incentives Win Committee Approval HB23-1272 saves Coloradans money with more than $60 million in annual tax credits and exemptions to businesses and consumers for decarbonization investments DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation to save Coloradans’ and businesses money by expanding tax incentives for clean transportation, heat pumps, geothermal energy, and industrial emissions reductions. This bill is part of a broader legislative package to incentivize the advancement and adoption of clean energy technologies that build upon federal initiatives to maximize Colorado’s ability to benefit from federal funds, create good-paying jobs and help the state meet its climate goals. “This monumental legislation is pivotal in helping Colorado reach its climate goals while significantly lowering energy costs for businesses and families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora . “From e-bikes and electric vehicles, to geothermal heating and cooling systems, this bill shepherds clean energy tax incentives to improve our air quality and save Coloradans money. We’re committed to investing in innovative clean energy sources to power our economy and heat our buildings, and this bill builds upon federal investments to help Colorado utilize the latest technology to meet our climate goals and transition to more sustainable energy sources .” “Our bill makes it easier for Coloradans to implement some of the impressive clean energy tools and technologies that not only save them money, but bring us closer to reaching Colorado’s climate goals,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “This bill offers consumers significant tax credits to reduce the cost of electric vehicles, prioritizes incentives for clean energy sources, and will attract new businesses to create good-paying jobs. This bill is good for consumers, businesses, the economy and our planet.” Tax Incentives to Advance Decarbonization : HB23-1272 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 3. This bill would reduce the costs of clean energy technologies for residents and businesses across Colorado through tax incentives. This includes incentives for investments in geothermal electricity development and high-efficiency heat pumps, and for measures to reduce industrial pollution. It would also extend and expand tax credits for electric trucks and passenger vehicles and discounts on electric bikes to help increase adoption of cleaner transportation methods. Specifically, this bill builds upon the federal incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Job Acts to help Colorado maximize the impact of federal dollars. Tax incentives in HB23-1272 are expected to exceed $60 million with individual elements ramping up or down over time depending on available technologies. The bill: Extends and expands the innovative motor vehicle tax credits and creates an additional $2,500 credit for certain electric passenger vehicles. Continues the innovative truck tax credit for electric and plug-in hybrid electric trucks, with the credit ranging between $5,000 and $12,000 depending on the truck’s weight until 2032. Creates a refundable income tax credit for the sale of qualifying e-bikes if the retailer offers a $700 discount to the customer. Designs a refundable income tax credit for the installation of heat pump technology in residential and nonresidential buildings. The credits will vary based on the type and use of the heat pump. Establishes the refundable industrial clean energy tax credit to implement greenhouse gas emissions reductions at qualifying large facilities. Creates the refundable sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility tax credit worth up to $1-5 million annually for the costs of constructing a SAF production facility. Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2022 BILL TO BOOST FUNDING TO PREPARE AT-RISK STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House passed legislation today that would create a new method for identifying and serving at-risk students. HB22-1202 which passed by a vote of 48 to 17, would more accurately count at-risk students and direct additional resources to school districts that serve at-risk students. “We’re taking a modern, data-based approach to identify at-risk students so schools can better serve them,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “This bill creates a new holistic method for pinpointing at-risk students that goes beyond those eligible for free and reduced-price lunches to include data from Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus program. It also considers important neighborhood socioeconomic factors that can affect academic success including unhoused status, an incarcerated parent and English as a Second Language. Gathering this information is vital for getting school districts that serve at-risk students the funding they need." “We’re setting every Colorado student up for success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion “Better serving Colorado’s at-risk students requires a multi-faceted approach and that includes considering more than just a few factors that might hinder academic success. This bill creates a new definition in the formula so Colorado can more accurately identify at-risk students and subsequently provide their school districts with more funding to meet their needs.” HB22-1202 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Leslie Herod, would create a new method in the school finance formula to identify students who are at risk of below-average academic outcomes due to socioeconomic disadvantage or poverty. The new formula aims to better pinpoint at-risk students by considering multiple socioeconomic factors that affect them, including eligibility for free lunches, unhoused status and a neighborhood index status. Based on the new formula, school districts would be eligible for more state funding beginning in the 2023-24 school year to better prepare their at-risk students. A recent statewide poll revealed that 83% of respondents consider it important to provide resources and support to students who are falling behind so teachers can make sure every student has an opportunity to get back on track. Previous Next

Governor Polis today signed into law legislation that will reduce Colorado’s competency waitlist and improve efficiency and effectiveness in the competency system. < Back June 6, 2024 SIGNED! Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Competency Waitlist Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed into law legislation that will reduce Colorado’s competency waitlist and improve efficiency and effectiveness in the competency system. Last year, Colorado had 448 people who were deemed to be incompetent to proceed by a court and were waiting to receive competency restoration services before proceeding to trial, with an average wait time of 66 days. HB24-1355 , sponsored by Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, aims to reduce this competency waitlist through the creation of the Bridges Wraparound Care Program, which will refer eligible individuals with mental health struggles from the criminal justice system into wraparound care services. “The waitlist for competency services is so long that people who have not yet been found guilty of a crime are in jail longer than people who have been convicted,” said Mabrey. “This legislation will help address Colorado’s broken competency system so we can provide mental health services to people who need them. Not only will this better serve our most vulnerable, but it will also make our communities safer.” “Colorado’s exorbitantly long competency waitlist is a long-standing issue, and I’m proud that this year we’re advancing policy to start addressing the problem,” said Michaelson Jenet. “When individuals languish on the competency waitlist, they’re not receiving the treatment they need and their likelihood to reenter the criminal justice system greatly increases. The Bridges Wraparound Care Program offers folks a path forward that ensures their needs are being met while helping break the cycle of reoffense and reentry in our criminal justice system.” “People with mental health struggles are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, and they desperately need services,” said Amabile. “When a mental health disorder is left untreated, Coloradans are often sent to jail for a relatively low offense, limiting their ability to rehabilitate. Routing people to diversion programs instead of the competency system connects them to mental health services that can help prevent a crisis and reduce recidivism.” A defendant is deemed eligible for the Bridges Wraparound Care Program if a district attorney and defense counsel agree that there is reasonable cause to believe the defendant will be found incompetent and if the defendant does not pose a risk to public safety. Allowing eligible defendants to participate in the program will give them access to critical behavioral health services while helping reduce Colorado’s recidivism rates. Under HB24-1355, if a defendant in the Program complies with their individualized care plan for a specified amount of time, the court must dismiss the charges against the defendant. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2020 HOUSE PASSES FY20-21 LONG BILL DENVER, CO — Joint Budget Committee Chair Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Representative Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today released the following statements after the House passed the FY20-21 Long Bill ( HB20-1360 ) by a vote of 41-23. Lawmakers have spent the last six weeks working to responsibly balance the budget and prioritize funding for education and critical health and safety services. “This was a really difficult budget, and we had to make a lot of painful decisions,” said JBC Chair Esgar, D-Pueblo. “It’s not easy to govern and craft a balanced budget in these economically dire times. I’m proud of the way we came together to govern responsibly and protect our most vulnerable Coloradans as we prioritized funding for education and critical health and safety services. I am grateful for the tireless work of our nonpartisan staff, my colleagues on the Joint Budget Committee, and my colleagues in the House Democratic caucus that dug in to help find compassionate and responsible solutions to help our state overcome this crisis.” “We had to make painful decisions on proposals for heartbreaking cuts to responsibly craft a budget that serves our most vulnerable and protects as much money as possible for K-12 education,” said JBC Member Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We rejected cuts that would devastate Coloradans with intellectual or developmental disabilities and kick children off their health insurance. It isn’t the budget we wanted to pass, but I’m proud of the work the JBC did to meet the needs of vulnerable Coloradans during this unprecedented and dire budget crisis.” The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a $3.3 billion budget shortfall. With Congress’s failure to provide additional relief to states, lawmakers were forced to cut over 20 percent of the budget that the legislature controls, which covers core state priorities such as K-12 education, higher education and critical health and safety services. The House also passed HB20-1366 , which makes significant reforms to the higher education funding formula. The product of months of stakeholding, the new formula focuses on student outcomes, helps secure the long-term sustainability of rural institutions and protects the rural economies that rely on public colleges and universities. Previous Next