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< Back June 7, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! CLEAN WATER FOR SCHOOLS AND DAYCARE CENTERS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill to build a healthier Colorado by eliminating lead from drinking water in schools and childcare centers. “Clean, lead-free drinking water in schools and childcare centers cuts down the risk of dangerous, lifelong impacts to children’s health and well-being,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our law takes bold action to test for lead, replace fixtures and install updated equipment to ensure the drinking water consumed by kids in school or childcare centers is clean. Colorado’s youngest learners deserve clean water, and this law ensures facilities that care for children have appropriate and updated water filtration systems.” “In far too many communities in Colorado, lead in drinking water at our schools is a problem, especially in disadvantaged regions of the state,” said Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster. “No matter where you live, you should have clean water to drink. This law will equip us with better tools to detect unsafe drinking water in schools and daycare centers so that our kids know the water they drink is safe and healthy.” “Every child should have clean water to drink, period,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “Unfortunately, far too many students face the threat of drinking water at school contaminated with lead, and that is simply unacceptable. This law takes important steps to ensure drinking water at schools is safe and clean, which will ultimately help improve health and educational outcomes for Colorado’s future leaders.” HB22-1358 , sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota and Senators Faith Winter and Rhonda Fields, would provide resources to school districts and childcare centers to install filters and clean water devices to eliminate lead children’s drinking water. The law provides school districts and child care centers $18 million to test for the presence of lead, and install clean sources of drinking water, such as faucet filters or bottle filling stations. Many Colorado schools do not test for lead and do not know if their water is contaminated. Samples that have been taken have found elevated levels of lead in the drinking in Colorado schools. Elevated levels of lead in children’s blood leads to life-long damage, including memory loss, fatigue and learning challenges. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2020 NICOTINE FLAVOR RESTRICTIONS PASS HOUSE COMMITTEE Legislation would only permit the sale of flavored nicotine products in retailers that restrict entry to those 21 years and older DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Health and Insurance today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Yadira Caraveo and Speaker KC Becker that would restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products to stores that only allow customers who are 21 years of age or older to enter. The vote was 7-3. “Flavored nicotine products are developed and targeted to our youth to get them addicted for life to dangerous chemicals,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “As a pediatrician, I’ve seen first hand how these products are harming our children and leading to long-term health conditions. Youth vaping is a public health crisis, and we need to use all the data-driven tools we have to keep these products out of our schools, classrooms and the hands of our youth.” “It sickens me when I hear my son come home from school and describe the vaping products he sees on the floor of his classroom at school and in the hands of his classmates,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “We need common sense restrictions on the sale of flavored nicotine products so that fewer Colorado children are introduced to these sleek vaping devices that are marketed towards children. We shouldn’t stand by while a predatory industry profits off the addiction of our kids to their harmful products.” HB20-1319 would ban the sale of flavored nicotine products in any store that allows entry to consumers under the age of 21. The prohibition includes flavor enhancers and any product that a responsible person would conclude has a flavor that doesn’t taste like tobacco. Violations of would incur an initial $250 fine, increasing to higher amounts with each additional violation. Flavored nicotine products are targeted at our youth. Nicotine product manufacturers know that if they can addict a young person to their products, then they will have life-time customers. By restricting access to flavored nicotine products, the state can help prevent more young people from becoming addicted to these dangerous chemicals. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2021 BILL TO FOSTER EMPLOYEE-OWNED CORPORATIONS PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed HB21-1241 , sponsored by Representatives Daugherty and Lynch, which would improve the state’s program that facilitates business conversions to employee-owned corporations by opening it up to more businesses. The vote was 11-2. “Employee-owned businesses create jobs, boost employees’ wealth, and typically pay higher wages and salaries,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “With this bill, we’re making it easier for businesses that want to convert to employee-owned to do so through taking advantage of Colorado’s Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Program. There’s no reason a business should be forced to close when ownership wants to sell and employees are ready and eager to take it over and keep it going.” The Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Program provides financial assistance to businesses looking to convert to employee-owned. HB21-1241 extends this program and makes critical changes to ensure more business, and thus their employees, can benefit from the program and follow through on their desire to convert to employee-owned. Employee-owned businesses often grow faster, provide greater job stability, and are better positioned to withstand an economic downturn. The over 50,000 employee-owned businesses in Colorado employ nearly 420,000 people and have retained a greater number of workers during the pandemic. HB21-1241 would allow the Office of Economic and International Trade the flexibility to change eligibility criteria for businesses applying for the Employee Ownership Revolving Loan Program to allow more businesses to apply. It would allow businesses to enter into employee-ownership agreements with less than 50 percent of its employees, which is more in line with industry standards. It also allows the funds to go directly toward the purchase of the business by employees, increasing access to capital for employees to start the conversion process. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation that would save older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the savings from the senior homestead property tax exemption portable between primary residences for the next two years. SB24-111, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Mary Young, passed by a vote of 60-3. < Back May 8, 2024 Lieder, Young Bill to Save Older Coloradans Money, Make Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption Savings Portable Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would save older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the savings from the senior homestead property tax exemption portable between primary residences for the next two years. SB24-111, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Mary Young, passed by a vote of 60-3. “The Senior Homestead Exemption helps seniors, Gold Star families, and veterans afford housing on their fixed income, and our legislation would expand eligibility so more people save money,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “We’re making the savings from this exemption portable so seniors have the freedom to move or downsize without losing this important cost-saving benefit, making larger homes available for new families. This bill is a major priority of mine and I am proud to carry this bill that will help address the housing affordability crisis.” “Seniors increasingly want to age in place, and moving may allow them to be closer to family and benefit from downsizing,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This is a straightforward, commonsense bill that makes this senior tax exemption portable, giving seniors the freedom to move closer to family or downsize and preventing seniors who want to move from losing eligibility for tax relief.” SB24-111 would create a new subclass of property called "qualified-senior primary residence real property" for an individual who has previously qualified for a senior homestead exemption. For this new subclass of property—qualified-senior primary residence real property—the bill sets the assessed value of the property as the actual value minus 50 percent of the first $200,000 of that actual value, which is consistent with the relief provided under the current senior homestead exemption. Under this bill, eligible seniors will benefit from this relief during the 2025 and 2206 property tax years. This bill helps provide financial sustainability and housing security to seniors who no longer qualify for the senior homestead exemption because they moved residences. In a Colorado Coalition for the Homeless report, Colorado was ranked first for housing instability for older adults. Previous Next

Majority Leader Monica Duran will receive the Carpenters Tool Bag Award this evening from the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters to celebrate her advocacy to prevent wage theft. < Back December 13, 2023 Majority Leader Duran to Receive Award for Advocacy Against Wage Theft Denver, CO – Majority Leader Monica Duran will receive the Carpenters Tool Bag Award this evening from the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters to celebrate her advocacy to prevent wage theft. “Coloradans rely on every dollar they earned to afford their rent, groceries, and other necessities, and wage theft makes it even more difficult for Coloradans to afford their bills,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “I’m honored to receive this award celebrating the laws we’ve passed to ensure Coloradans receive the money they’ve earned and to hold violators accountable. I am committed to continue championing workers’ rights to ensure that Colorado has the protections our workers deserve.” Majority Leader Duran sponsored SB22-161 , ensuring Colorado workers are able to recover legally-earned wages. The law also modernizes Colorado’s wage enforcement procedures by streamlining the enforcement of wage theft laws and expanding the Department of Labor and Employment’s ability to investigate wage violators. She also voted to approve a 2019 law that makes withholding or stealing wages a criminal offense. A 2022 report by the Colorado Fiscal Institute found that nearly 440,000 low-wage Colorado workers experience $728 million in wage theft annually. Workers of color and women are most likely to be victims of wage theft, and the most common industries for wage theft are retail, construction, and food service. Wage theft can include not paying workers minimum wage, non-payment of wages, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime and taking tips that were meant for the employees. Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2022 BILL TO SAVE PEOPLE MONEY ON HEALTH CARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Iman Jodeh and Emily Sirota to save Coloradans money on health care and prescription drugs. The vote was 8-2. “Everyone should have access to high quality health care and prescription drugs that they can afford,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “This legislation will save Coloradans money on health care and prescription medications, and make health insurance more dependable for patients. It will cut red tape to ensure patients get the treatments their doctors recommend and prevent health insurance companies from ripping away coverage for critical treatments.” “Prescription drug rebates can lower the cost of medications, but only if insurance companies don’t keep the savings for themselves,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “The bill we passed today will lower the cost of prescription drugs and ensure that consumers, not big corporations, get the savings from manufacturer rebates. Importantly, this legislation requires transparency so patients can know exactly what they’ll have to pay in copays before they get care.” HB22-1370 makes prescription drugs and health care more affordable and dependable. The bill ensures doctors are in charge of a patient’s treatment instead of insurance companies by limiting when a patient has to try and fail a treatment that their insurance company prefers before they can get what their doctor recommends. The bill ensures that patients know what they’ll be expected to pay for services by requiring that 25 percent of health plans have a set dollar amount for co-pays instead of unpredictable percentage-based coinsurance. The bill will save Coloradans money on prescription drugs by requiring insurance companies to pass along the savings from manufacturers’ rebates. The bill also bans health insurance companies from raising the out-of-pocket costs of someone’s prescription medications in the middle of their coverage and prohibits companies from dropping coverage of a medication a patient needs midway through the patients’ coverage. Previous Next

The House today advanced the “Freedom to Read Act” on a preliminary vote. < Back April 3, 2025 “Freedom to Read Act” Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the “Freedom to Read Act” on a preliminary vote. SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries. “Knowledge is power, and it’s never been more important to preserve access to literature in our public schools,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “We’re stepping up to protect our public libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights by creating a standard process to evaluate a book’s inclusion or removal from a library. This bill serves as a reminder that schools are for learning, and students deserve access to age-appropriate books that help them become more well-informed and critical thinkers.” “This bill is about preserving student access to books, including those that share the stories and voices of marginalized people,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “The freedom to read is a cornerstone to a strong democracy, and restricting what books our students are allowed to read is a slippery slope. When you can’t explore new places, discover new cultures, or learn about different experiences, books offer a window to the world, and our students deserve that experience. A well-rounded education is rooted in age-appropriate literature, and this bill safeguards our student’s freedom to read.” SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a standard policy on the acquisition, use and removal of library resources. The policy would ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair and consistent process. Without a policy in place, a local school board or the Charter School Institute could not remove a library resource from its collection. SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation. Previous Next

< Back June 25, 2020 AURORA HOUSE DEMOCRATS REACT TO ELIJAH MCCLAIN SPECIAL PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCEMENT DENVER, CO — Members of the House Aurora Delegation today released the following statement after Governor Polis announced he would direct Attorney General Phil Weiser to act as Special Prosecutor in an investigation into the death of Elijah McClain at the hands of Aurora Police officers: “The death of Elijah McClain at the hands of police is a tragedy, and far too many questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered. We’re heartened and grateful to see Governor Polis exercising his authority to appoint Attorney General Phil Weiser to conduct an investigation. High profile tragedies like this one shed light on the larger, systemic issues of police brutality that the legislature began to address this year by passing SB20-217. It is vitally important – for the McClain family, the Aurora community, and everyone in our state – that law enforcement responses resulting in death or potentially involving excessive use of force are investigated fully and fairly. We are confident that Attorney General Weiser will undertake a rigorous inquiry and are hopeful that the process will provide transparency and justice for the family of Elijah McClain.” The House Aurora Delegation includes Representatives Dominique Jackson, Mike Weissman, Janet Buckner, Jovan Melton, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet. Previous Next

< Back November 12, 2019 REP. ESGAR TAKES HELM OF JBC DENVER, CO– Representative Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo) today took the gavel of the Joint Budget Committee after serving as the committee’s vice-chair during the last legislative session. The JBC is responsible for authoring the Long Bill, which sets the state’s annual budget and departments’ spending priorities. “I’m honored to have the privilege to lead the Joint Budget Committee as we work to craft a budget that balances our state’s many competing priorities,” said JBC Chair Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo). “I’m committed to working with Governor Polis and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to write a balanced budget that invests in our state’s future, strengthens our economy so that it works for everyone and protects our Colorado way of life.” “Representative Esgar is a respected voice on budget issues in the legislature and is well known in Southern Colorado for fighting for her constituents and standing up for their priorities,” said Colorado House Speaker KC Becker (D-Boulder). “She will be an excellent JBC chair this session, and I know she will continue to produce results for Coloradans in all parts of our state.” The JBC is meeting this week to receive testimony on state departments’ budget requests. Tomorrow, Governor Polis will present his budget to the committee. The committee will continue to hold hearings and craft the state’s budget as the legislative session convenes in January. Rep. Esgar represents parts of Pueblo, Pueblo West, Beulah, Rye and Colorado City. The granddaughter of steelworkers, she was born and raised in Pueblo. Rep. Esgar is a graduate of Pueblo City Schools and Colorado State University-Pueblo. She has worked as a television news producer and a community organizer focusing on poverty and communities of color in Pueblo. Rep. Esgar is known for her work on issues of equality, education, justice, and poverty. She lives with her wife, Heather Palm, in Pueblo. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will reduce emissions, spur renewable energy development and create jobs. < Back May 21, 2024 Polis Signs Bills to Reduce Emissions, Spur Renewable Energy Denver, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will reduce emissions, spur renewable energy development and create jobs. “New technologies can help Colorado meet our climate goals, improve our air quality, save money on energy, and create jobs,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB24-1346 and SB24-212. “The new laws signed today will advance geologic storage to reduce carbon in our atmosphere and make it easier for local communities to approve new renewable energy projects that lower costs for consumers. Together, these laws will deploy new technologies to boost our economy and protect our Colorado way of life.” “Colorado is blazing our own trail to become a national leader on climate policy,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1346 and SB24-212. “From providing support to local renewable energy projects to embracing new technologies, these bills are part of a comprehensive climate strategy that will benefit all Coloradans environmentally and financially.” HB24-1346 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Karen McCormick and Senators Chris Hansen and Kevin Priola, will reduce emissions by establishing a clear regulatory framework for the geologic storage of carbon. It also improves the Energy and Carbon Management Commission’s enforcement procedures. “Carbon sequestration has the potential to create jobs and use our natural resources to reduce carbon pollution that is warming our planet and leading to more devastating climate consequences,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1346. “As a geologist, I know that there are lots of opportunities for this new technology to help us meet our climate goals and support a Just Transition for our workforce. I’m excited Colorado will be at the forefront of developing the safe and responsible use of geologic storage to help address carbon pollution.” SB24-212 , sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen and President Steve Fenberg and Representatives Karen McCormick and Kyle Brown, will spur the development of renewable energy projects. The new law will make it easier for new projects to be approved by helping local governments develop codes and procedures for approving and reviewing new renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and the supporting energy transmission. “Colorado needs to massively scale up our renewable energy capacity over the next 15 years if we’re serious about meeting our ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction goals,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB24-212, said. “Development of renewable energy resources will benefit all Coloradans by generating cost savings on electricity bills, providing more stable energy prices, reducing harmful air pollution, and increasing our energy security.”. “Renewable energy creates jobs, reduces costs for consumers and improves our air quality, which is why we are making it easier for these critical projects to get off the ground,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of SB24-212. “With this new law, local governments will have more tools to support renewable energy projects in Colorado, which will lead to lower energy costs, less reliance on fossil fuels and good paying jobs across our state.” Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2025 House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Address CBI Employee Misconduct DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation that would establish clear procedures for reporting misconduct in Colorado crime laboratories. HB25-1275, sponsored by Representative Yara Zokaie, passed unanimously by a vote of 65-0. “The CBI scandal has had devastating consequences for survivors of sexual violence, and it is crucial that we do everything we can to prevent this situation from ever happening again,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “This bipartisan solution will inform defendants if evidence in their case was implicated in the scandal, and gives them the opportunity to fight for the truth through post-conviction relief. With this bill passing today, we’re one step closer to a criminal justice system that is transparent and just.” HB25-1275 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, would establish a clear process within the CBI and the court system to address intentional and wrongful misconduct by crime laboratory workers. The bill would require crime laboratory employees who witness or discover misconduct or a wrongful action to notify their supervisor or the crime laboratory director within 14 days. It would also require both defendants and victims to be notified if there was lab misconduct in their case. Under the bill, defendants would have the right to return to court to challenge their conviction if the CBI misconduct interfered with substantial evidence in obtaining their conviction. Lastly, this bill mandates all crime laboratory directors to review all records to identify wrongful actions committed by current or former employees before July 1, 2025. Earlier this year, a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist was charged with manipulating and mishandling data in the DNA testing process of more than 800 criminal cases dating back as far back as 2014. This has contributed to the 558-day wait to receive results for a sexual assault kit. HB25-1275 is a direct response to misconduct by CBI crime laboratory workers and will help uphold the integrity of Colorado’s forensic system. Previous Next

< Back April 28, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO SAVE SENIORS MONEY ON HOUSING DENVER, CO – The House today passed HB22-1205, which will save seniors money on housing by creating a temporary new income tax credit. The bill passed 51-12 with half of all House Republicans opposing this relief for Colorado seniors. “This bill will save nearly 140,000 Colorado seniors money on housing by creating a new refundable income tax credit,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This credit will boost the incomes of seniors who rent their homes or haven’t owned them long enough to qualify for the senior homestead exemption. Rising housing costs and property values are hurting Colorado seniors, and this bill will bring much needed relief and save them money.” “With housing costs rising, Colorado seniors need relief, and that’s exactly what this bill provides through a new refundable tax credit,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “This legislation will put money back into seniors’ pockets, save seniors money on housing, and help vulnerable Coloradans afford the rising cost of living in Colorado.” HB22-1205 will save Colorado seniors $100 million on their housing costs by creating a new refundable income tax credit. Seniors with incomes under $75,000 who have not claimed the senior homestead exemption will be eligible for the tax credit. The credit starts at $1,000 for taxpayers with incomes below $25,000 and phases out slowly by $10 for every $500 of income above $25,000. Because the credit is refundable, taxpayers will receive the benefit even if the credit exceeds their tax liability. According to the bill’s fiscal note prepared by nonpartisan staff, nearly 60,000 Coloradans will receive the full $1,000 credit, and up to 77,000 Coloradans will see tax relief under the bill. The chart below shows the tax credit amount as it phases out by income level. Previous Next