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Legislation would help alleviate housing crisis across Colorado < Back January 30, 2024 Colorado House Democrats Pass Bill to Make Housing More Affordable Legislation would help alleviate housing crisis across Colorado DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to prohibit local governments from implementing or enforcing residential occupancy limits except for health and safety reasons. “Arbitrary housing limits exacerbate the housing crisis, creating an unnecessary barrier that makes it even more difficult for Coloradans to find a place to live,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “Prohibiting occupancy limits opens up affordable housing options, reduces our environmental impact, and gives Coloradans the freedom to live with others even if they aren’t related. This legislation is critical in giving Coloradans more housing choices and creating more affordable housing opportunities.” “Occupancy limits that are not genuinely based on health and safety concerns limit the ability of Coloradans struggling to get by to find affordable housing,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “At a time when Coloradans face a shortage of housing supply, our governments should not be limiting the supply of housing. This legislation will expand housing options for all and allow people to make their own housing choices that benefit their families and save them money.” HB24-1007 , which passed by a vote of 8-3, would prohibit local governments from limiting the number of people who can live together in a residence, regardless of familial relationship. Exceptions include only for demonstrated health and safety standards, such as fire code regulations, wastewater and water quality standards and international building code standards. Occupancy limits cap the amount of people that can live in a residence if they are not related, even if the residence has more bedrooms than the occupancy limit standard. In 2023, there were over 14,000 Coloradans experiencing homelessness. More than 50 percent of renters in the Denver Metro Area, as well as counties like Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, Pueblo, Summit, Eagle, and Mesa, are cost burdened. In 2021, Denver City Council passed a measure to increase their occupancy limit standards from two to five people, and last year, Boulder City Council voted to increase their occupancy limit standards from three to five people. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2022 DEMS DEFEAT CONSPIRACY-DRIVEN GOP ELECTION BILLS DENVER, CO – Democrats on the State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee today defeated three GOP “commitment to conspiracies” bills that would undermine Colorado’s gold standard elections system. “Colorado Democrats will continue to stand up for our democracy and protect our gold standard election system,” said State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Allegations of widespread voter fraud have been repeatedly debunked, and the Republican bill sponsors tonight failed to offer a single shred of evidence of voter fraud or improperly cast ballots. Policies like these could lead to citizens being purged from the voter rolls and legitimate ballots being cast aside. We'll soon be scheduling a hearing for another Hanks bill that would eliminate mail ballots and early voting, dramatically reducing voting access for thousands of eligible voters. The threats to our democracy are real.” “Colorado Republicans are stuck on the Big Lie and are using it to restrict voting rights in our State. We won't let them,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “The bills we defeated today are based on the same conspiracies that the GOP is pushing across the country to make it harder to vote. Republicans in Colorado have made it clear that these are the bills they’d pass if they were in control. We should craft our laws based on facts, not delusions spread by the My Pillow guy.” HB22-1085 , sponsored by Representative Ron Hanks, would require unnecessary and costly ballots with unproven technologies. Under the bill, ballots must include expensive but ineffective fraud countermeasures such as a “secure holographic foil” and “multicolored invisible ultraviolet inks.” During the unofficial audit staged in Arizona, the company used UV lights to examine ballots for bamboo fibers that could serve as proof they were counterfeit. No such evidence was uncovered. HB22-1078 , sponsored by Representative Mark Baisley, would require Colorado to adopt federal elections standards, some of which are weaker than those currently in place in Colorado. In addition, it would require Colorado to purchase voting systems that have not yet been put on the market or tested by the state’s rigorous processes. HB22-1084 , sponsored by Representative Andres Pico, would inappropriately remove people from voting rolls in violation of federal law. The state has a robust process to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls and to update voter rolls when individuals move, making this legislation unnecessary. The legislation could lead to people being removed from voter rolls when they are, in fact, eligible to vote. The legislation is part of a package of bills on Colorado’s elections sponsored by Republican lawmakers. HB22-1204 , sponsored by Representative Hanks, was also referred to the State, Civic, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee and would end vote by mail and early voting in Colorado. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 RX DRUG SAVINGS COMING TO CONSUMERS, EMPLOYERS, AND STATE GOV DENVER, CO– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Janice Rich to establish a competitive Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) marketplace, which will lower pharmacy benefit costs for Colorado state government, private employers, and consumers across the state. The bill passed by a vote of 11-2. “This bill is a win win–it will save consumers money on their prescription drug costs and save Colorado money, too,” said Health and Insurance Committee Chair Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver . “Using innovative technology, we can create a marketplace for pharmacy benefit managers that gets them to compete against each other to offer their services at a lower cost. House Democrats have made reducing the cost of prescription drugs and insurance a top priority, and this bill will help our state reduce costs while saving people money on their drugs.” HB21-1237 would establish a competitive marketplace for PBMs. Under the bill, the state would procure a technology platform that would allow PBMs to bid against each other in a reverse auction to secure state and private pharmacy benefit contracts. The state or private employers would then be able to select the lowest bidder. The bill creates a modern and transparent process to secure PBM contracts and allows for an audit of invoices to ensure PBMs are meeting their contract terms and to prevent consumers from overpaying. PBMs were created to help consumers save money on prescription drugs. However, often the PBMs negotiate discounts, but then keep the savings instead of passing them along to consumers. A reverse auction allows the state or employers to do an apples to apples comparison of each PBM’s pricing proposal. Initial estimates show the state could save between $6.7 million and $10.24 million a year. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 9-3. < Back January 29, 2025 Committee Passes Bill to Boost Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Rebekah Stewart to improve accessibility in new and renovated buildings and facilities for Coloradans with disabilities. HB25-1030 passed by a vote of 9-3. “The Americans with Disabilities Act has helped make our world more accessible to people with disabilities, but unfortunately patchwork building codes have allowed some new and renovated buildings to forgo accessibility features that Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “As Colorado’s skyline continues to change and expand to accommodate our growing population, it’s important that we pass this bill to make it clear that buildings must meet accessibility requirements so people with disabilities are afforded equal access and mobility opportunities in buildings and facilities.” “Features like ramps and audio announcements are necessary tools that allow Coloradans with disabilities to be independent and able to engage with their communities, and our bill would ensure that more buildings incorporate these tools,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “We’re making it easier for Coloradans with disabilities to benefit from the laws we’ve passed that make housing, schools, and other buildings more inclusive for all.” Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments that adopt or amend a building code and public schools and health facilities that substantially amend a building code to ensure that they meet or exceed the accessibility standards set by the International Building Code and existing laws. The State Housing Board would also be required to meet or exceed these standards when it comes to substantial updates to uniform construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code. Colorado Democrats have championed many laws in recent years to break down accessibility barriers for Coloradans with disabilities, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to implement a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2019 SPEAKER BECKER, REP. JACKSON INTRODUCE BILL TO ENSURE COLORADO LEADS ON CLIMATE ACTION Establishing science-based goals & taking action to meet them are critical to Colorado’s future (Mar. 21) – Speaker of the House KC Becker, D-Boulder, and Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora, introduced legislation this afternoon to take meaningful action to address climate change. Acting on climate will help protect clean air and water, and spur clean energy jobs, innovation, business development, and economic growth for Colorado. The overwhelming majority of Coloradans supports climate action. “Climate change is real. It’s happening. And we have a moral and economic imperative to act now,” Speaker Becker said. “As a mother, a defender of clean air and water and legislator, I am committed to ensuring our state is making responsible investments in our future and working to preserve our unique quality of life. I cannot think of a more important challenge for our state to tackle than climate change.” Coloradans are already seeing the negative impacts of climate change on a daily basis: poor air quality affecting our health; mountain residents are seeing more frequent and destructive wildfires; increased drought is harming our farms; smaller snow packs are resulting in shorter ski seasons; shallower rivers for fishing and rafting are threatening our thriving outdoor economy and our way of life. “We can cut carbon pollution and create good-paying jobs at the same time,” said Rep. Jackson, chair of the House Energy and Environment committee. “Colorado must lead and we must take action now for our communities of color – who are on the front lines of climate change – and for our children, and our grandchildren.” This reasonable, science-based legislation will direct the state to develop a plan to limit carbon pollution and ensure that Colorado leads on climate action. The bill puts carbon pollution reduction goals into statute and directs the state to work with industry on a plan to finally limit carbon pollution through rulemaking. The text of HB19-1261 can be found here ( link ). Speaker Becker outlined her commitment to goals to address the threat of climate change in her opening day remarks. Previous Next

< Back July 28, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: DEM LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ON REPUBLICAN PLAN TO DEFUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS Denver, CO – House and Senate Democratic leadership today released the following joint statement in response to Republicans’ public school voucher proposal that would defund public schools as they work to resume student learning during a pandemic: “The challenges families are facing are real, but this proposal is not a serious effort to address them. Their plan cloaks in the guise of crisis-response, a long-sought and unpopular voucher plan that would defund public education in our state at the worst possible time. Stripping away the funding schools need to protect students, their families and educators in the midst of a pandemic, is reckless and detrimental to the entire community.” “Our school districts have been working tirelessly with education partners and parents on innovative approaches to safely reopen based on the unique conditions in their localities. It is disappointing that our Republican colleagues chose to use media tactics to push their agenda rather than working with the Majority on solutions that meet the pressing needs of Coloradans. We urge them to come to the table in good faith to listen and understand the needs of our school districts, parents and teachers before rushing to extreme and partisan policies. “What we need right now is informed decision making, not shortsighted ideas that would radically change our state’s education system.” Previous Next

< Back April 27, 2019 BUENTELLO-GARCIA BIPARTISAN BILL TO TACKLE OPIOID ADDICTION HEADS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK Bipartisan to help increase child care options in the state also on the move (Apr. 27) – The House approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello and President Garcia’s that would expand a Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program that is currently only offered in Pueblo and Routt Counties. This expansion would add another ten counties across the state to the program. “Two years ago, the legislature created the pilot MAT program. We saw how well that program worked, so it’s time we expand this program to help those in Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “This bill will save lives and help Coloradans who are struggling with addiction get they treatment they need.” SB17-074 created a two year MAT expansion program through the University of Colorado’s College of Nursing to expand access to medication-assisted treatment to opioid-dependent patients. It also provided behavioral therapies in conjunction with medication as part of the provision. “Hundreds of Coloradans die every year at the hands of opioids and I am proud that this life-saving bill will soon be signed into law and helping Coloradans get the treatment they need,” said President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “We have seen tremendous results from this pilot program in Pueblo County and Routt County and this expansion will help even more Coloradans, particularly those in high-need areas of our state, who are battling drug abuse and addiction.” SB19-001 would expand the program to make it available to counties in Southern Colorado, including Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Sagauche, and two additional counties who demonstrate a need. It also increases the appropriation for the pilot program to $5 million for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fiscal years. Finally, it extends the program for another two years. The House approved SB19-001 on a bipartisan vote of 54-7. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

New laws aim to crack down on tax avoidance, tax breaks for corporations and helps fill $1 billion revenue hole created by Congressional Republicans’ budget < Back August 28, 2025 Bills to Crack Down on Foreign Tax Havens, Close Tax Breaks for Corporations and Protect Critical Services Become Law New laws aim to crack down on tax avoidance, tax breaks for corporations and helps fill $1 billion revenue hole created by Congressional Republicans’ budget DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law. These new laws will protect core services and close corporate tax loopholes after Republicans in Congress created a $1 billion hole in Colorado’s budget with massive corporate tax cuts. HB25B-1002 cracks down on foreign tax havens and offshore bank accounts, and HB25B-1001 limits tax breaks for higher-earning business owners by permanently decoupling from a federal tax giveaway. “This legislation prevents corporations from hiding money overseas so they can dodge paying their fair share of taxes, ” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “Congressional Republicans’ budget handed billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest people and corporations, and it’s only fair that we close these loopholes and protect funding for teachers, health care and transportation. Everyday people can’t stash their income overseas to avoid taxes, and neither should billionaires and corporations.” “In both terms, Donald Trump has given large corporations more leeway to dodge taxes by shifting profits overseas,” said Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “Colorado shouldn’t reward that behavior, and this law makes sure those companies pay their fair share towards Colorado's schools, health care, and roads.” “The irresponsible Republican tax bill not only runs the largest deficit since World War II to give massive tax giveaways to large corporations, it also undermines the strength of our country and blasts a billion-dollar hole in Colorado's balanced budget,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB25B-1002. “I sponsored this law to close loopholes used by large multinational corporations to shield and hide their income in foreign tax havens, including those that Trump's own Secretary of Commerce has called ‘tax scams’. It is disappointing that some colleagues chose to vote to protect these tax scams used by large multinational companies and ultra-wealthy individuals with access to sophisticated tax planning to avoid paying taxes, which increases the burden upon small businesses and individuals to fund the state's essential services, from roads to schools.” HB25B-1002 cracks down on foreign tax havens, offshore bank accounts and other tax loopholes for US companies that dodge Colorado taxes with foreign assets. Unless they can prove legitimate operations in the foreign country, Colorado requires companies incorporated in common tax havens, like Cayman Islands and Panama, to pay Colorado taxes to prevent international tax avoidance. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the law expands the list of countries to include Hong Kong, Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and Singapore. In 2017, President Trump created a special tax break, now known as the Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income (FDDEI) deduction, for multi-national businesses that kept their intangible assets in the US. The law decouples the state from the FDDEI to prevent companies from benefiting from larger Colorado tax breaks for investments and assets that are based outside of the state. President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts also allowed pass-through businesses, like S corporations and real estate investment trusts, to avoid paying taxes on up to 20-percent of qualified business income. In 2020, the Colorado legislature passed the “Tax Fairness Act” , decoupling from this federal tax cut by creating an add-back for this deduction for high-income business owners with an income over $500,000 per year for single filers or $1 million per year for joint filers. “These corporate tax breaks show loud and clear that Trump and Congressional Republicans care more about helping their wealthy friends hoard more wealth than providing essential government services to hardworking Americans,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “Legislation like HB25B-1001 will help us stop these corporate giveaways and continue life-saving food assistance and health care programs for Coloradans.” “Congressional Republicans passed a budget that adds even more tax breaks to high-earning business owners while kicking Coloradans off of their health insurance coverage and raising costs for all Coloradans,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “When Trump passed tax breaks in his first term that allowed high-earners to lop 20-percent off their taxable income, Colorado Democrats took action and decoupled from this federal giveaway for the wealthy. This law makes Colorado’s decoupling permanent and prioritizes hardworking Coloradans.” “In 2021, the Colorado legislature took major strides toward reversing Trump’s corporate tax breaks in order to protect essential services for Coloradans who depend on them,” said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB25B-1001. “This year, Trump and Congressional Republicans made those tax breaks permanent, so we're fighting to continue prioritizing the basic services that benefit hardworking Coloradans the most. With this new law, we’re permanently decoupling from these unfair tax breaks to ensure corporations pay their fair share to hardworking Coloradans.” The legislature previously extended the decoupling and add-back through 2025. HB25B-1001 makes Colorado’s decoupling permanent, responding to the action by Republicans in Congress to make the tax giveaway permanent at the federal level in HR 1. Previous Next

< Back January 11, 2023 SPEAKER MCCLUSKIE MAKES COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS DENVER, CO – House Speaker Julie McCluskie today made additional committee appointments for the 74th General Assembly. The appointments were necessitated in part by the resignation of Rep. Adrienne Benavidez. “I'm excited to make these new committee assignments and kick off our work to help more people in our state live their Colorado dream,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Each and every lawmaker in their respective committees will help us achieve our legislative priorities of building a Colorado everyone can afford, protecting our air and water, investing in education, improving public safety and protecting our freedoms. Now, let’s get to work!” Majority Committee Assignments for the 74th General Assembly. Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee Chair, Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Representative Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Appropriations Committee Chair, Representative Emily Sirota, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative Shannon Bird, D-Westminster Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Business Affairs and Labor Committee Chair, Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Vice Chair, Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Education Committee Chair, Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango Vice Chair, Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Energy and Environment Committee Chair, Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Vice Chair, Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Representative Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Representative Alex Valdez, D-Denver Representative Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Finance Committee Chair, Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Vice Chair Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood Representative Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch Health and Insurance Committee Chair, Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Vice Chair, Representative Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County Representative Sheila Lieder, D-Lakewood Representative Karen McCormick, D-Longmont Representative David Ortiz, D-Littleton Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Judiciary Committee Chair, Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora Vice Chair, Representative Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada Representative Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County Representative Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch Representative Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee Chair, Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City Vice Chair, Representative Mary Young, D-Greeley Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver Representative Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora Representative Tammy Story, D-Conifer State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Chair, Representative Steven Woodrow, D-Denver Vice Chair, Representative David Ortiz, D-Littleton Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver Representative Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora Representative Said Sharbini, D-Brighton Representative Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee Chair, Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood Vice Chair, Representative William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins Representative Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial Representative Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora Representative Javier Mabrey, D-Denver Representative Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo Representative Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie Representative Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs Previous Next

< Back March 2, 2019 LEGISLATION INTRODUCED EMPOWERING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND PRIORITIZING HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS (March 1) – Majority Leader Steve Fenberg today introduced SB19-181, Protect Public Welfare Oil And Gas Operations, a piece of oil and gas legislation that will empower local governments and prioritize the health and safety of Coloradans. Co-sponsored in the House by Speaker KC Becker, the legislation seeks to provide the most meaningful changes to oil and gas regulations Colorado has seen in over 60 years. “Colorado’s communities simply cannot afford to wait any longer,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “We also must empower communities to take control over what’s happening in their backyards and equip them with the tools they need to stand up for their best interests. These common-sense reforms will ensure the industry operates in an accountable and cooperative manner.” “Coloradans deserve a government that works for them – not the special interests. It is past time for action on this critical issue,” said Speaker KC Becker. “Let’s work together to update our antiquated oil and gas laws to give local communities more of a say when it comes to development near their homes and schools and protect the air we breathe and the water we drink.” In the last decade, oil and gas development in Colorado has rapidly evolved, introducing new technologies and expanding heavy industrial operations to populated urban and suburban neighborhoods. Unfortunately, as the industry has changed, our laws and regulations have not kept pace, leaving our neighborhoods, communities and our environment to bear the impacts and increasing risks. Key elements of the bill include: Providing clear language that local governments have land use authority to protect their public health, safety and welfare, environment and wildlife as drilling occurs. Clarification that the mission of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is to regulate oil and gas activities, not foster oil and gas development as statute currently reads. Enhancement of staff capacity and balanced representation on the COGCC, including adding a commissioner with public health expertise and ensuring COGCC can charge appropriate permit fees. Direction to the COGCC to increase disclosure of pipeline and flowline locations and enhance monitoring for pipelines. Ensuring proper financial assurances for operations in Colorado designed to prevent continued orphan wells. Allows the commission to conduct a rulemaking to establish a pipeline certification safety process for oil and gas field welders to ensure that workers are properly trained and as result enhances safe operations. Current law allows for permission from just one mineral right owner to make the determination to “force pool” other mineral interest owners and require development of those resources against the will of the owners. The bill establishes a threshold requiring more than 50 percent of the mineral rights owners to consent to developing before forced pooling occurs. Directs air quality commission to put forward common sense rules that reduce harmful emissions including methane, and ensure wells are being constructed to high standards. For more information about SB19-181, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-181 . Previous Next

Colorado became one of the first states in the nation to implement new federal Summer EBT Program < Back November 28, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Reduce Child Hunger, Support Working Families DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Lorena Garcia’s, D-Unincorporated Adams County, legislation to take advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and provide students with nutrition assistance during summer break. Under SB23B-002 – which passed with bipartisan support – Colorado children will receive an estimated $35 million to help their families purchase groceries while school is out for summer – a time when child hunger typically spikes. The Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase food from SNAP retailers. Families will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024, to be adjusted for inflation in following years. “In Colorado, far too many children, through no fault of their own, face nutritional challenges—a problem that becomes exacerbated in the summer when they are not in school and they don’t have access to free and reduced meals,” said Zenzinger. “I’m proud of our bipartisan work to deliver these federal funds, making Colorado a national leader on this issue.” “Today, we’re taking an important step to combat childhood hunger,” said Bird. “This law utilizes federal funds to feed more children during the summer months when child hunger rises. We’re working to make it easier for hardworking Coloradans to make ends meet and feed their children.” “Ensuring kids have access to meals all year round is a great thing, full stop,” said Bridges. “Passing this legislation now means more than 300,000 Colorado kids will get meals for next summer, when they’re not receiving meals at school. Our bipartisan bill means Colorado will be a national leader in utilizing the federal funding available to us, and I’m proud to see it get signed into law.” “No child in Colorado should go hungry, and we’re taking significant steps to combat child hunger during the summer,” said Garcia. “This law will help feed more children and provide some much needed breathing room in the grocery budgets of thousands of families. Taking advantage of federal funding to feed our kids during the summer upholds the dignity of families and protects the health of the over 300,000 children in Colorado." The Summer EBT Program was established in December 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 , with the program beginning in the summer of 2024. After California, Colorado is the next state to opt into the program for the 2024 year. Sixteen other states indicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they intend to do so next year, which would postpone their program’s start until 2025. Colorado became one of the first states in the nation to implement new federal Summer EBT Program Previous Next

The House today passed two bills to increase student access to mental health services in schools and support youth who use prosthetics. < Back April 18, 2023 House Passes Bills to Improve Mental Health in Schools and Access to Prosthetics DENVER, CO - The House today passed two bills to increase student access to mental health services in schools and support youth who use prosthetics. “Schools are short on school mental health professionals, putting the responsibility of addressing student mental health struggles onto educators that are already overworked and underpaid,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of SB23-004. “ Teachers, students, and parents throughout Colorado are asking for our help to support our kids. This bill expands Colorado schools’ ability to hire qualified mental health professionals so students have easier access to life-saving mental health services.” “Schools and students are in great need of mental health services to address our youth mental health crisis,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, a school psychologist and sponsor of SB23-004. “Our current laws require licensing through the Colorado Department of Education before a licensed mental health professional is qualified for employment in Colorado schools, despite their expertise in childhood behavioral health and the shortage of mental health providers in schools. SB23-004 will help our schools and students have the mental health services they need to combat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.” Current Colorado law requires a mental health professional to be licensed by the Colorado Department of Education in order to work in a school, making it more difficult for schools to hire enough professionally-licensed therapists to address students’ mental health needs. SB23-004 allows school districts to employ mental health professionals who hold a Colorado license and have experience working with children and adolescents, but don’t have a special service provider license through the Department of Education, to be school-based therapists. This bill streamlines the hiring process and increases access to mental health resources in schools for Colorado children and youth. SB23-004 unanimously passed by a vote of 62-0. The COVID-19 pandemic increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression among youth. About 40% of Colorado middle and high school students reported feeling depressed in 2020 per the Health Kids Colorado Survey . Additionally, a 2022 study found that Colorado Children’s Hospital saw a 103% increase of patients visiting emergency departments for behavioral health concerns compared to data from 2019. This bill is crucial in reducing and preventing mental health issues for Colorado youth before they reach crisis levels. “Colorado youth with limb loss can’t receive the prosthetics they need to enjoy biking, skiing, hiking, running and everything else Colorado’s great outdoors has to offer because they’re often not covered by their parent’s insurance,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB23-1136. “This bipartisan legislation updates our prosthetic insurance coverage law so Coloradan’s can access the prosthetics they need to participate in their favorite sports and hobbies. This bill saves families money, improves accessibility and breaks down barriers to entering youth sports and countless other physical activities.” HB23-1136 , sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Anthony Hartsook, would save Coloradans money and support youth by modifying Colorado’s current prosthetic coverage law so health insurance plans will be required to cover an additional prosthetic device necessary for physical or recreational activity. Without health plan coverage, Colorado families can incur expensive out-of-pocket costs to cover additional prosthetics because the alternative prosthetic is considered not medically necessary. HB23-1136 aims to ensure Coloradans living with limb loss or limb difference are able to participate in recreational activities such as youth sports, biking, rock climbing, running, skiing, snowboarding and more. The bill passed by a vote of 62-1 . Previous Next