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< Back April 22, 2021 HOUSE ED PASSES BILLS TO ADDRESS LEARNING DISRUPTIONS, PREVENT BULLYING IN SCHOOLS DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today passed SB21-013 and HB21-1221, legislation that would address COVID-19 related learning disruptions and prevent bullying in schools. “Building back stronger means making sure that every child in our state gets through this school year and the next with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive,” said Denver Public Schools Director Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Every student in Colorado should have the opportunity to address their specific learning needs. I’m proud of the package of bills we’ve developed to address the disrupted learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” “Students have been through so much the last year; we have to do everything we can to ensure learning loss related to COVID-19 and the disruption of in-person learning is reversed,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood . “This bill will help school districts across the state access the best practices they’ll need to work with students and help them get where they need to be.” SB21-013, which is sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Meg Froelich, directs the Department of Education to identify and collect resources to help school districts address learning disruptions. It will include products, strategies, and services that have been demonstrated to identify and address learning disruption experienced as a result of disruptions to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also directs local education providers to expand students’ access to online courses currently provided on the Colorado Digital Learning Solutions platform, and to communicate the availability of these learning recovery opportunities to students’ families. The bill passed 7-2. “Bullying harms one in five students, often leading to tragic outcomes that are avoidable,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “We can do more to prevent and stop bullying, and that’s what this bill would do. It asks school districts to adopt a model bullying prevention policy and ensures that policy is effective by including parent voices and addressing cyberbullying.” “The wellbeing of our students must be a top priority, which is why we are always looking at how we can better keep them safe and healthy both at school and at home,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “The bill we advanced today will do that by strengthening schools’ bullying policies and ensuring that educators have the tools and strategies they need to prevent both in-school and cyberbullying that can happen anywhere.” HB21-1221, which is sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Mary Young, would ensure important changes for when the Department of Education’s model bullying policy is updated next year, including making a crucial distinction between conflict and bullying which are often conflated. The bill would ensure parents of students who have been bullied are involved in developing the policy, and extend the policy to cyberbullying that occurs during online instruction. It requires districts to implement the model bullying policy and report bullying incidents. Approximately 15 percent of students in high school in Colorado experience bullying, and nationwide, 20 percent of middle and high schoolers experience bullying. Persistent bullying can lead to feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair, and they can also lead to suicidal behavior. The committee also passed HB21-1273, which is sponsored by Representative Cutter and would require CDE to report on the total number of licensed school psychologists in Colorado who work in schools across the state. Yesterday the committee passed HB21-1259, another bill in the package to address COVID-19 related learning loss, which streamlines the application process and reporting requirements for school districts seeking to access stimulus funding to provide students with extended learning opportunities. Previous Next

< Back January 17, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES HOSPITAL TRANSPARENCY & ER LICENSING BILLS State Ships Nearly $3 billion in State & Federal Dollars to Hospitals Every Year (Jan. 16) – The House Health and Insurance Committee approved two bills to increase transparency for health care costs in Colorado’s hospitals and improve safety at emergency room departments. “This bill is focused on ensuring transparency for consumers and for policymakers when it comes to hospital costs,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This bill will ensure our continued support for rural hospitals and to prepare hospitals for the future in which they are reimbursed for value, not volume.” HB19-1001 will increase transparency in hospital billing and spending practices across Colorado. At a time when health care costs are out of control – especially in rural communities – it is important to identify inefficiencies and wasteful spending in our health care system and address them accordingly. This bill also requires hospitals to share more of their financial information with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). The bill passed on a vote of 8-2. HB19-1001 goes to the House floor. The committee also approved Rep. Kyle Mullica’s bipartisan Freestanding Emergency Departments Licensure bill. “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. Rep. Mullica is an emergency room nurse by trade. House Democrats have a number of health care workers in their ranks this session. This bill 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. HB 19-1010 creates 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. HB19-1010 passed by a vote of 10-0. The bill goes to the Finance Committee. Previous Next

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

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to attract dentists and dental hygienists to Colorado. < Back April 9, 2024 Legislation to Boost Dental Care in Colorado Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to attract dentists and dental hygienists to Colorado. SB24-010, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, would create an interstate compact for certain dental professionals. “From routine check-ups to emergency care, dental health and hygiene impacts our overall well-being,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “With this interstate compact, we’re making it possible for dentists and dental hygienists licensed in another state to practice in Colorado and begin taking care of patients. I worked in the dental field for more than a decade, and this bill helps create new professional pathways for out-of-state dental professionals and improves access to critical and needed dental health care services.” SB24-010 , also sponsored by Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, passed committee by a vote of 12-0. This bill would create new professional pathways for out-of-state dentists and dental hygienists to gain licensure to practice. The "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact" creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed dentists and dental hygienists in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state to practice dental services. The compact would be enacted as soon as seven states join it. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for those in the dental practice by easing the state-to-state licensure process to increase dental services and access to critical health care in Colorado and would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. To participate in the compact, applicants must already be licensed dental professionals. Dentists and dental hygienists using a compact privilege to practice in Colorado must adhere to this state’s laws and regulations of practice, which are regulated by the Colorado Dental Board. SB24-010 only applies to dentists and dental hygienists, not dental assistants or expanded duty dental assistants. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws in recent years. This list does not include 2024 mobility compact legislation currently pending before the legislature, such as HB24-1096 for school psychologists and HB24-1002 for social workers. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2020 JBC MEMBERS: ECONOMIC FORECAST SHOWS DIFFICULT BUDGET DECISIONS AHEAD DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts, both of which project lower general fund revenue compared to earlier estimates and which signal some tough budgetary decisions to come. “We knew this would be a difficult budget year, and it’s clear that uncertainty in the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic will make an already tight budget even tougher than we had anticipated just a few months ago,” said JBC Chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We remain committed to delivering a bipartisan and balanced budget that supports critical priorities for Coloradans in every part of our state, and will also be highly attuned to the immediate needs of the state as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health and safety are a key priority at this time.” “Like the rest of the nation, Colorado’s economy is taking a hit from the spread of COVID-19,” said JBC Vice-Chair Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “But we have worked under similar budget restrictions before and will continue to prioritize the most pressing concerns of Coloradans. The important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. No matter what happens, we will find budgetary solutions that address critical health concerns and support our community.” “We have had one of the strongest economies in the country, and I know that Colorado will get through the difficult months that lie ahead as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic,” said JBC Member Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The state of the economy is changing quickly, and it’s clear we’ll have significantly less revenue than we expected due to the pandemic. The committee will need to make hard decisions about what we can fund and how to support our critical priorities as we closely watch the state’s financial stability.” “As we continue to navigate this public health crisis, the JBC is committed to formulating strong budgetary plans that reflect the most urgent needs of working families,” said JBC Member Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “Now is the time to come together and build a budget that meets the moment—ensuring that those who are hit the hardest by this pandemic are able to access the relief they need. Looking forward, we will also be cognizant of how our state needs may shift and change in the coming year.” The forecast from Legislative Council staff estimates that General Fund revenue will grow by 1.4 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the previous fiscal year, a figure that was revised down from 4.1 percent in the December forecast. Relative to the December forecast, General Fund revenues are now expected to be $396.1 million less in FY 2019-2020 and $749.9 million less in FY 2020-2021 than anticipated in the December forecast. The new forecast also estimated that revenue will be below the Referendum C Cap by $247.7 million in FY 2019-20, $629.6 million in FY 2021-22 and $142.7 million in FY 2021-22, so TABOR refunds are no longer expected in these years. The forecast from the governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting anticipates General Fund revenues will grow by 3.3 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the previous fiscal year, a drop from four percent projected in the December forecast. The OSPB forecast estimates that revenue will be below the Referendum C Cap by $22.1 million in FY 2019-20 and $33.7 million in FY 2020-21, and will be above the cap again by $216.6 million in FY 2021-22. Revenue forecasts relative to the December estimate are down by $300 million for FY 2019-20, $400 million for FY 2020-21 and $370 million for FY 2021-22. Both forecasts acknowledge additional downside risk to the estimates due to the spread of COVID-19 and the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic. While the fundamentals of the state’s economy are strong, the forecast estimates near-term contraction of economic activity and an elevated risk of recession. The pandemic is anticipated to impact hospitality and tourism as well as service industries that drive state and local tax collections. Previous Next

Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand < Back February 28, 2024 Committee Passes ADU Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). HB24-1152 passed by a vote of 9-2. “Nearly 80 percent of Coloradans agree that this bipartisan bill can help solve Colorado’s housing crisis and save people money,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Giving Coloradans the freedom to build an ADU on their own property allows them to care for a loved one with a disability, house an aging parent, or bring in some extra money all while providing much needed housing in our communities. We need to take a multi-faceted approach to address Colorado’s housing crisis, and this bill will create more housing options Coloradans can afford and make it easier to live in this great state.” HB24-1152 , also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would allow homeowners in jurisdictions defined under the bill to build an ADU and create a new state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote the construction of ADUs. The bill would provide local governments with access to grants that support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate or ADUs intended to serve demonstrated housing needs in the community. The bill also provides grants to increase housing accessibility and availability for Coloradans with disabilities. Finally, the bill includes funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners build ADUs, including with down payment assistance, affordable loans, and buying down interest rates on loans for the conversion or construction of ADUs. Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single-family home properties. Previous Next

The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation to help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. < Back March 5, 2024 Bill Increases Federal Funds for Nutrition and Housing Support DENVER, CO – The House Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation to help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. This cost-neutral plan would lay the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. “Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and a roof over their heads,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster . “This bill would bring down additional federal funds to help with rental assistance, pantry stocking, housing and nutrition support that will strengthen our communities. Our legislation is a step forward to help and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors, such as youth transitioning out of foster care or older adults seeking nutrition assistance.” “By providing housing and nutrition support for Coloradans who need it the most, we can meet the diverse needs of our state and uplift families,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This bill allows Colorado to access Medicaid funding for housing and nutrition programs for existing Medicaid patients. For example, Medicaid funding could be used to help someone afford their rent or put food on the table. This bill would save Coloradans money by taking advantage of federal dollars and help ensure our most vulnerable communities are supported.” HB24-1322 , which passed committee by a vote of 8-4, would support Coloradans on Medicaid to afford housing and nutritious meals. Specifically, this bill would direct the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to conduct a feasibility study and pursue an 1115 Waiver so Medicaid could fund housing and nutrition services. This legislation aims to create a path to redirect Medicaid funding for services that address health-related social needs of Coloradans who already rely on the federal Medicaid program. The feasibility study would determine how Medicaid could pay for specific nutrition-based services such as medically tailored meals and pantry stocking. It could also help with temporary housing, rent, utility assistance, as well as eviction prevention and tenant support. The study would also determine the eligibility requirements to access these services and which populations across the state would benefit the most. Utilizing dollars already spent on housing and nutrition support services through an 1115 Medicaid Waiver would provide Colorado with a federal match and the flexibility to design and improve Medicaid programs to fit the needs of Coloradans. It would also help the state conserve local and state financial resources. This cost-neutral model for redirecting Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition support is successfully being used in more than 15 states across the nation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and North Carolina. Previous Next

< Back April 7, 2022 PROTECTIONS FOR ELECTIONS OFFICIALS WINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bill to provide additional protections for election officials throughout Colorado. Protections For Elections Officials, sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran and Emily Sirota, will ramp up penalties for threatening or doxing an election worker. “The dramatic increase in threats and intimidation against our election officials cannot continue,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado’s election workers uphold our democracy and they deserve to feel safe on the job. This bill makes it clear that it is criminal to intimidate, threaten or coerce election workers or to attempt to do so. These civil servants secure fair and free elections in Colorado and we’re prioritizing their safety and well-being.” “More and more election officials are leaving the job because of ongoing threats against their safety and the safety of their families,” said Rep. Emily Sirota D-Denver. “We’re strengthening Colorado’s gold standard election system by protecting those who secure the right to vote. This bill increases the criminal penalties for threatening or doxing election workers so they can feel safe on the job and continue to uphold our democracy.” Protections For Elections Officials, HB22-1273 , would establish clear penalties for threatening or doxing an election worker. While Colorado law already prohibits individuals from interfering with an election official, this bill clarifies that intimidating, threatening or coercing an election official while they are performing official duties or retaliating against them performing their official duties is criminal. Protections For Elections Officials also prohibits attempts to intimidate, threaten or coerce an election official. HB22-1273 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 2. According to research conducted by The Brennan Center , one-third of U.S. election officials feel unsafe on the job and one in six reported being threatened because of their work. Previous Next

< Back May 21, 2021 BILL TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Julie McCluskie to create critical new teacher training, recruitment, and retention programs. The bill passed 7-1. “Teachers are used to doing two things at once, and that’s what we’re doing here in Denver as we work to help students get back on track while also addressing one of the most significant long-term challenges in education: our educator shortage,” s aid House Education Chair Rep. Barabara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This bill helps Colorado build back stronger from the pandemic by investing in two new initiatives that will train and recruit more teachers, create teaching jobs, and prepare Colorado schools for the future. Importantly, it will also provide mental health support to educators, which will help districts retain more teachers.” “Schools across Colorado are struggling to find teachers to hire and to retain the teaching force they already have,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The programs we’re creating will encourage new teachers into the profession, pay for critical training and certification programs, and make it easier for high-school students and graduates to earn postsecondary credentials to become educators. We have a lot of hard work ahead to bring more people into the teaching profession, but this bill is a big step forward to address Colorado’s teacher shortage.” SB21-185 would reduce the teacher shortage in Colorado by helping districts retain and recruit new teachers. The bill directs the department of education to publicize teacher preparation programs and facilitate entry into the teaching profession. Specifically, the bill creates the Educator Recruitment and Retention (ERR) program in CDE to provide support to local education providers to recruit, select, train, and retain highly qualified educators across the state. Eligible ERR participants may receive up to $10,000 for the tuition cost of participating in an educator preparation program. Furthermore, the bill allows a public or charter school to hire a teacher who holds an adjunct instructor authorization to teach in all content areas. The bill restores two grant programs that were cut last year due to the pandemic: the Quality Teacher Recruitment Program and the Educator Loan Forgiveness Program. In addition, the bill creates the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation program (TREP), which would aim to increase the number of students entering the teaching profession and create a more diverse educator workforce to reflect the diversity of the state. A TREP participant may concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses in the two year directly following the year in which the participant was enrolled in grade 12. Finally, the bill charges the University of Colorado with establishing and operating an educator well-being mental health program to provide support services for educators. Previous Next

HB25-1293 would improve and standardize drug overdose education in public high schools < Back April 21, 2025 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Combat Youth Overdose DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to standardize drug overdose education in Colorado’s public high schools. HB25-1293, which passed by a vote of 60-4, aims to keep students informed and safe. “Fatal overdoses are preventable, and we’re working to inform and educate Colorado high school students so lives can be saved,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora . “This bipartisan bill standardizes drug overdose education in our public schools so our high schoolers are better informed and can act quickly during an overdose emergency. We’re fighting back against youth overdose deaths, and if this education requirement saves even one student, it will be worth it.” HB25-1293 , also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, requires the State Board of Education to adopt standards regarding drug overdose education in schools. The bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt health education standards for 9th through 12th grades in public schools on drug overdose identification, risks, prevention, and response by 2028 or earlier. HB25-1293 would standardize Colorado’s public school response to drug overdose, spread prevention awareness and save students’ lives. Colorado lawmakers have made strides to help prevent youth overdoses in schools. Last year, a bipartisan group of legislators championed a law that made opiate antagonists and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. Rep. Jackson is also sponsoring SB25-164 , which would improve access to Naloxone in schools to combat fatal overdoses. Previous Next

SB25-196 will safeguard insurance coverage for preventive health care services in the event of federal action < Back May 12, 2025 SIGNED! New Law Will Bill Protect Insurance Coverage for Preventive Health Care SB25-196 will safeguard insurance coverage for preventive health care services in the event of federal action DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation sponsored by Senators Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, and Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora, to proactively protect insurance coverage for preventive health care in the event of federal action. “Regular check-ups, cancer screenings, and immunizations are life-saving care that must be protected,” Jodeh said. “In recent months, we’ve seen dangerous threats to cut fundamental departments at the federal level that protect patients and providers. This new law ensures that even if those cuts do happen, Coloradans’ health care remains protected. Preventative services today mean avoiding emergency events tomorrow—events that can leave families with crippling debt and devastating health outcomes.” “From cancer screenings to routine checkups, preventive health care saves lives,” Lieder said. “In the wake of federal threats to cut fundamental health care coverage, we’re stepping up to protect preventive health care in Colorado. Preventive care saves Coloradans money and leads to better health outcomes for everyone.” “As an emergency care nurse, I’ve seen the worst-case scenarios that happen when preventive care measures are not taken – often because they’re not covered by insurance,” Mullica said. “This law will make life-saving preventive care more accessible and help more patients avoid those worst-case scenarios.” “We know preventive care is one of the most impactful ways to improve patient health outcomes and save money on costly emergency care,” Jackson said . “We won’t sit idly by as preventive health care coverage is put at risk. Preventive care helps level some of the racial disparities in our health care system, and this bill protects access to essential care.” SB25-196 will give the Colorado Commissioner of Insurance within the Department of Regulatory Agencies the authority to reinstate recommendations on preventive care from federal agencies such as the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or the Health Resources and Services Administration in the United States Department of Health and Human Services in the event that any of these agencies are repealed, dismantled, or disempowered. It also permits the Commissioner to consult the Nurse Physician Advisory Task Force for Colorado Health Care in developing their recommendations. Since January, the Trump Administration has made devastating cuts to essential services for Americans. Recently, the administration cut billions of dollars from state health services , prompting measures such as this one to protect Coloradans’ access to health care. Previous Next

On January 1, a new law goes into effect to expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. HB23-1008 also goes into effect, closing tax loopholes in order to expand access to healthy foods in lower-income and under-served communities and help small food retailers and small family farms. < Back December 18, 2023 Laws to Put $170M Back into the Pockets of Hardworking Coloradans, Boost Food Assistance Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - On January 1, a new law goes into effect to expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. HB23-1008 also goes into effect, closing tax loopholes in order to expand access to healthy foods in lower-income and under-served communities and help small food retailers and small family farms. “This bipartisan new law will put $170 million dollars back into the pockets of hardworking families,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB23-1112. “These tax credits will boost the incomes of hundreds of thousands of Coloradans and help vulnerable families afford basic necessities as we continue to tackle the high cost of living in our state. I’m proud of our efforts to create a more fair tax system that supports the Coloradans who need it the most.” “Colorado’s working families deserve a break,” said Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “These critical tax credits will put more money in their pockets, and make it easier to pay for necessities like groceries and rent. I’m proud to champion this legislation that will lift folks out of poverty and will make life easier for Colorado families.” “This law will put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans, boosting our local economies,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB23-1112 . “These extra dollars could make a world of difference for low-income working people. I’m proud that the legislature came together in a bipartisan way to reduce taxes for working families and boost the incomes of the Coloradans who are feeling the brunt of our cost of living crisis.” “Boosting tax credits for hardworking Colorado families just makes sense,” said Sen. Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “This new law eases the burden people across our state face, and will help them build better futures for themselves and their families. I am proud to see this critical support go into effect, and look forward to the benefits and security it will bring to working families all across Colorado.” HB23-1112 expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and returns nearly $170 million more to hardworking families. The law increases the Colorado EITC from 25 percent to 38 percent of the federal EITC for tax year 2024, an almost four-fold increase from where it stood in 2020. By increasing the EITC and CTC, families will see hundreds of additional dollars back in their wallets. During the 2023 special legislative session, Colorado Democrats also passed HB23B-1002 , which increased the state EITC for tax year 2023 from 25 to 50 percent, one of the highest state matches in the country. A refundable tax credit available to certain families with children under the age of 6, the Colorado Child Tax Credit will now range from $200 to $1,200 depending on income and filing status starting in tax year 2024, with the tax credit ranging from 20 to 70 percent of the federal CTC depending on marital status, number of qualifying children and income. The federal Child Tax Credit has lifted over 57,000 Colorado kids out of poverty and helped over 630,000 families across the state, while the federal Earned Income Tax Credit has helped cut the national poverty rate in half . The bill builds on legislation passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. The General Assembly passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which at the time doubled the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and funded the Child Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. “All Coloradans deserve access to healthy and nutritious foods, and with this law going into effect, more lower-income and underserved Coloradans will more easily be able to access locally sourced foods,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1008 . “One in three adults living with children have reported missing meals or eating smaller portions so they can provide their kids with enough food. We’re ending a tax loophole that benefited wealthy corporations to connect everyday Coloradans with fresh produce and groceries and support our small Colorado farmers and food producers.” “Working people in my district and across the state don’t get a tax break on their lunches, and too many of them don’t have enough to eat at all," said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “I am happy to close this tax loophole that only benefits the wealthiest Coloradans, and redirect the funds toward addressing food insecurity so that more Coloradans can afford to put food on the table.” “Family owned farms and food retailers need our support more than corporate boardrooms," said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “This new law will reduce hunger and strengthen local supply chains in urban and rural parts of Colorado, with a minimal impact on state finances.” For income tax years 2024 through 2030, HB23-1008 ends the state tax loophole that allows corporations to deduct business meal expenses from their taxes. Ending these tax deductions supports efforts to reduce food insecurity for hard-working Coloradans and fund a tax credit to help our local farmers and food retailers acquire necessary equipment and better access market opportunities. HB23-1008 creates an income tax credit for small food retailers and small family farms worth up to 85% of the cost of new systems, equipment, and food distribution for tax year 2024 and 75% of the costs for subsequent tax years. Partnerships between Colorado food producers and small retailers boost revenue and cycle money into local economies. This law builds off HB22-1380 , a bipartisan law passed by the General Assembly in 2022 to save Coloradans money on healthy foods. The funding allocated by the 2022 legislation supports programs including the Community Nutrition Incentive Program, which assists women, children, and older Coloradans in subscribing to weekly produce deliveries from a local farm; the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which doubles the value of SNAP benefits in participating markets and stores for fruits and vegetables; and the Community Food Access program, which allows more small retailers to acquire equipment to store and sell produce and supports small family farms in connecting their crops to market demands. On August 8, 2023, $250,000 was allocated by this law to the Department of Public Health and Environment to connect low-income communities throughout the state with healthy eating program incentives and improve access to fresh, Colorado-grown produce. Previous Next