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< Back June 29, 2020 NEW LAWS TO BOOST RURAL ECONOMIES AND HIRE RURAL PEACE OFFICERS SIGNED INTO LAW PUEBLO, CO– At Musso Farms in Pueblo, Governor Jaerd Polis today signed four bills that will boost rural economies, help smaller communities afford the costs of peace officer training programs, improve seed regulation and better protect energy consumers. “We can’t leave Colorado’s rural communities behind as our state recovers from the pandemic,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo . “The legislation signed today will improve a critical economic development initiative and enhance seed regulation to help Colorado’s agriculture producers. To support our communities that are struggling with smaller and smaller budgets, we created a new scholarship to help them afford to hire and train new law enforcement officers. I’m proud of our work to boost rural economies and help build an economy that works for all parts of our state.” HB20-1229 , sponsored by Representative Bri Buentello, establishes a scholarship fund for rural and small communities to assist in paying for the cost of potential police officers to attend an approved basic law enforcement training academy. SB20-002 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Buentello, strengthens and cements a successful existing program, REDI, in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to ensure that the program continues and make improvements to spur rural economies. HB20-1184 , sponsored by Representatives Buentello and Rod Pelton, improves seed regulation in Colorado to help agricultural producers. “Colorado’s rural communities have been hit hard by ongoing trade disputes, declining tourism revenue from the pandemic and dwindling town budgets,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Today, the governor signed my bill to spur rural economic growth. The law makes the successful Rural Economic Development Grant Initiative permanent and bolsters the program to help our small businesses and rural communities recover faster and get back on their feet.” SB20-030 , sponsored by Representative Daneya Esgar, imposes various requirements on public utilities and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) related to information reporting, billing, and customer interactions. The bill nearly doubles the level of income that the PUC may use to means test the medical exemption, allowing more Coloradans with medical needs to take advantage of the program. “Across our state, hardworking Coloradans are struggling to make ends meet and pay their electricity bills,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We can lower electricity costs by strengthening consumer protections and increasing transparency in billing. Importantly, this new law provides utility relief that so many Coloradans rely on to a lot more older Coloradans with medical conditions to help them make ends meet.” Previous Next

Legislation would extend the popular Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program, extend a tax credit for alternative transportation use, and establish a free transit program for youth < Back May 7, 2024 Vigil, Marvin Bill to Increase Transit Ridership Passes House Legislation would extend the popular Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program, extend a tax credit for alternative transportation use, and establish a free transit program for youth DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Stephanie Vigil and Julia Marvin that would increase the use of transit in Colorado. SB24-032 passed by a vote of 44-17. “As a multi-modal traveler in a city on the rise, I'm so proud of the progress that Colorado has made in recent years to expand transit options, and to carry this legislation that will boost and expand our efforts,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “We’re building on our existing zero fare program to cover either zero fare during the summer months or year-round free transit for Colorado youth. Transportation choice means more freedom and opportunities for Coloradans, less traffic, and cleaner air." “During my time as a local elected official, my community expressed a great need for more transit options in the Northern Corridor to get to work, school, and appointments,” said Rep. Julia Marvin, D-Thornton. “Our legislation looks to address barriers to public transportation ridership, increase connectivity between local and regional transit agencies, and create more multi-modal travel opportunities for our communities. I know this bill will have a significant impact on hardworking Coloradans and will reaffirm our commitment to reaching our air quality goals.” SB24-032 would create the Youth Fare Free Transit Grant Program to provide grants to transit agencies around the state for fare-free year-round transit services for Coloradans ages 19 and younger. The bill would also extend the successful Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program that funds Colorado’s free transit rides during peak ozone season, which is set to expire without further legislative action. Finally, the bill would extend the income tax credit for alternative transportation options and create a statewide transit pass exploratory committee within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to produce a proposal for implementing a statewide transit pass. The committee would be created by October 1, 2024, and offer a proposal by July 1, 2026. The committee members would be appointed by the executive director of CDOT and must include representatives of transit agencies from across the state. RTD data revealed a significant increase in the use of services, particularly buses within the district, during RTD’s 30-day Zero Fare for Better Air program. RTD also experienced a 36 percent ridership increase between August 2021 and August 2022 as well as a 21 percent ridership increase between July 2022 and August 2022. There was also a significant increase in ridership in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and mountain communities. Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to exempt small businesses from paying the retail delivery fee (RDF), saving them and consumers money. < Back March 20, 2023 Bipartisan Bill to Save Small Businesses Money Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee today passed legislation to exempt small businesses from paying the retail delivery fee (RDF), saving them and consumers money. This bill, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Matt Soper, makes the RDF more equitable to smaller businesses, saves consumers money and allows all businesses more flexibility in how they implement the fee. “Colorado’s small businesses are integral to our economic recovery and growth,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “We’re committed to making it easier for small businesses to not only get by in our state, but to thrive. This bipartisan bill works to save small businesses and consumers money on retail delivery fees while simplifying the fee collection process and maintaining critical funding for our roads and clean transportation programs.” SB23-143 , which passed committee unanimously, would exempt small businesses that have $500,000 or less in retail sales from paying RDFs. This would apply retroactively to July 1, 2022, to when RDFs were first imposed. Established by SB21-260 , the RDF is a 27-cent fee imposed on all deliveries made by motor vehicles to ensure that our transportation systems account for all types of users. However, this legislation did not create distinctions for small businesses that have minimal delivery impacts on Colorado’s transportation system. SB23-143 modifies the RDF to exempt small businesses and offers all businesses flexibility in how they implement the fee, including allowing businesses to pay the fee on behalf of their customers. Previous Next

The House today advanced a bipartisan bill to identify improvements in trainings for judicial personnel so they can better understand the complex issues that victims of crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence face. < Back March 6, 2023 House Advances Improvements to Judiciary Training in Assault, Domestic Violence Cases DENVER, CO - The House today advanced a bipartisan bill to identify improvements in trainings for judicial personnel so they can better understand the complex issues that victims of crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence face. “As a survivor myself, I know how distressing it can be to seek accountability through the justice system as a victim of domestic violence,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “Judges, attorneys, and other judicial personnel often don’t have a firsthand understanding of the complicated emotions and dynamics that victims of crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault experience. One of my major focuses as a legislator is to create safer outcomes for victims while they seek justice from their aggressor, and this legislation gives us the tools to do that.” HB23-1108 , which passed by a vote of 56-8, creates a task force to examine current victim and survivor awareness and responsiveness trainings within the Office for Victims Programs. The task force would report their findings and make recommendations on how to improve trainings for judicial personnel to better serve victims and survivors of crimes including sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence. The task force would be required to submit a report including findings and recommendations to the House and Senate Judiciary committees by November 1, 2023. Previous Next

< Back March 25, 2021 PASSED! BILLS TO HELP STUDENTS PLAN FOR HIGHER ED & IMPROVE EDUCATOR DIVERSITY DENVER, CO– The House Education committee today passed legislation that would increase diversity in the educator workforce and improve financial literacy standards so that students have the tools they need to plan for the cost of higher education, manage debt, save for retirement, and achieve financial stability as they navigate adulthood. Both bills passed unanimously. “With students taking on more and more debt to attain a higher education degree, it’s critical that we provide them all the tools they need to weigh decisions that could have decades-long financial consequences, said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “This bill will provide students with the knowledge they need to plan for how to pay for higher education and manage the financial aspects of adulthood so they can graduate with less debt and have the opportunity to thrive.” HB21-1200, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Janice Rich, would require the Department of Education to include higher education planning tools in financial literacy standards the next time they are updated. Financial literacy standards for ninth through 12th graders would ensure students understand the costs associated with obtaining a degree, managing credit card and student loan debt, buying a home, and saving for retirement. The updated standards would also include tools to help students manage student loan debt and access both federal and Colorado higher education financial assistance. The bill adds how to budget and pay for higher education and how to manage student loan debt to the suggested financial literacy curriculum and requires school districts to inform students and parents about the importance of applying for state and federal financial aid. “All Colorado students should be able to see themselves in their teachers, but we see far more diversity among our students than we do in our educator workforce,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “We know students of color do better when they have a teacher with a similar background. That’s why we’re taking action to help make our educator workforce more diverse.” “Educators are so important in our children's’ lives, but far too often in Colorado, students grow up without ever having a teacher that looks like them or shares their life experiences,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. “The legislation we moved forward today will help bring greater diversity to our schools and classrooms and ensure that more Colorado students have the role models they need to thrive.” HB21-1010, sponsored by Representatives Naquetta Ricks and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, passed unanimously and directs the Department of Higher Education and the Department of Education to create a workgroup on diversity in the educator workforce. The workgroup would investigate barriers to the teaching profession for educators of color, including obtaining a professional license, and recommend strategies to increase the preparation, recruitment and retention of a diverse educator workforce to serve Colorado students. In Colorado, 76 percent of teachers are women and 67 percent of teachers identify as white women. The bill requires the departments to report on graduation rates from teacher preparation programs, as well as first-time pass rates on the educator licensure exam, broken out by gender, race and ethnicity. Previous Next

< Back February 21, 2020 HOUSE PASSES ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS The House today passed Representatives Mike Weissman and Alex Valdez’s bill to give home buyers more options with regards to energy efficiency products in new homes, such as electric vehicle charging, electric water heating and solar panel systems. The bill passed in third reading by a vote of 37-23. “When buying a home, which is perhaps the most significant investment of their lives, homeowners deserve to have more options to make their homes more energy efficient,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora . “This legislation would reduce the headache of having to install greener solutions down the road, which makes sense for anyone in Colorado who is interested in reducing their carbon footprint or the cost of their bills.” “To protect the Colorado way of life, we need to do all we can to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Rep. Valdez, D-Denver . “Withthis legislation, Coloradans can take part in moving towards carbon-free homes while saving money in the process.” HB20-1155 requires single-family home builders to make a non-mandatory offer to install or pre-wire homes for electric vehicle charging, electric heating, or electric water appliances. The home buyer would pay for the installation, and the bill does not mandate that a builder build or install anything that a buyer doesn’t want. Current law asks home builders to offer, if a buyer wants, to pre-wire for solar or thermal systems. This would expand that to electric vehicle charging, heating and water. It is less expensive to install or pre-wire for energy efficient appliances and vehicles when a home is being built than to retrofit a new home after it’s been purchased. Homebuyers can save money on electric vehicle charging if it’s installed when they build their homes. Together, these options will lead to more homes having energy efficient appliances, reducing the direct use of fossil fuels. ### Previous Next

< Back May 27, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO BOOST FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION AND ADDRESS TEACHER SHORTAGE DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two education bills into law that will increase K-12 public school funding on average by $545 per pupil and address Colorado’s critical teacher shortage. The School Finance Act, HB22-1390 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Barbara McLachlan and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, makes historic investments to increase funding levels for Colorado’s public schools to the highest level since the last economic recession. “The 2022 School Finance Act is a record investment in our public schools to improve educational outcomes for students and buy down a massive portion of the Budget Stabilization Factor,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “This law increases funding for K-12 schools so our districts can maintain small class sizes, boost teacher pay and make sure classrooms have the resources they need to provide high-quality public education.” “Thanks to the hard work we have done on this year’s School Finance Act, the Budget Stabilization Factor will fall to the lowest level since its inception,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “I’m proud of the responsible way that we have managed this issue, and of the increases we will see to Colorado school districts’ per pupil funding. This year’s School Finance Act makes resources available to teachers and students that they need and deserve.” “I am proud to say Colorado is investing in teachers, students and K-12 public schools,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, Chair of the House Education Committee . “This year’s school finance act will increase per pupil funding to a record high, which school districts can use to reduce classroom sizes or increase teacher pay. We are also knocking down financial barriers to entering the teaching profession by providing loan forgiveness and stipends for teachers statewide. More resources leads to stronger schools, improving learning and better preparing students for the road ahead and I am so proud to stand behind both of these bills as they’re signed into law.” The 2022 School Finance Act increases total funding for public schools by $431 million to a record $8.4 billion total and reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by over $180 million to the lowest level since it was created. The increases in funding for K-12 public schools will result in an average increase of $545 per student. This funding will be used to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay and provide individualized support to help students learn. The School Finance Act was amended to incorporate the text of HB22-1002 , which lifts the current cap on the number of students who can participate in the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program (ASCENT) and makes it available to more students. This program saves Coloradans money as they pursue their higher education degrees. The Governor also signed HB22-1220 , championed by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Barbara McLachlan and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, which will invest more than $52 million in federal funding to attract new educators to the workforce by reducing financial barriers to entry. “This law is designed to address Colorado’s critical teacher shortage,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “We’re saving teachers money through loan forgiveness and student educator stipends so more talented educators can enter the profession with less of a financial burden. Colorado students need teachers to prepare them for educational success, and this law works to get more talented, qualified teachers in classrooms.” “I know from personal experience how nearly impossible it is for student teachers to meet their prep obligations while supporting themselves financially via a second or third job,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This bill establishes several programs that will help reduce student teachers’ stress and make the pathway toward a career in education far more appealing. It’s way past time to implement this kind of legislation.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to make it faster, easier and less expensive for local governments to approve solar installation projects < Back May 11, 2023 SIGNED! Brown’s Bill to Streamline Clean, Solar Energy Projects BOULDER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to make it faster, easier and less expensive for local governments to approve solar installation projects. This law, sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Matt Soper, helps local governments implement free automated permitting and inspection software by establishing a grant program to offer one-time financial assistance. “With this law, it will be easier and cheaper for Coloradans to transition to solar energy and take climate action,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville . “Permitting can be a huge barrier to bringing new solar energy sources online, and this legislation speeds up the permitting process, so more Coloradans can begin powering their homes with clean, renewable energy. Streamlining this permitting process saves local governments and their residents time and money, cuts bureaucratic red tape and boosts the transition to renewable energy.” HB23-1234 , establishes the Streamlined Solar Permitting and Inspection Grant Program to assist local governments with the start-up costs associated with implementing free automated permitting and inspection software. This program would offer one-time financial assistance to implement the software, helping local governments to review and approve residential solar projects faster. Automating the permit and inspection process will reduce costs for consumers and local governments and accelerate Colorado’s transition to clean energy. Previous Next

< Back May 28, 2019 HOUSE DEMOCRATS DELIVER ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM Herod, Exum, Tipper bills signed into law (May 28) – Gov. Polis signed several bills led by House Democrats into law today to help reform Colorado’s criminal justice system. Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, has been a champion for criminal justice reform. Rep. Herod headed up a number of criminal justice reform bills this session, many of which are now law. Today, Gov. Polis signed a handful more. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work that went into getting these bills to reform our criminal justice system signed into law,” said Rep. Herod. First up were two bipartisan pieces of legislation which reflect changing attitudes about giving members of our society that have made mistakes in the pasta second chance. These new laws will help felons find stable employment and gain a higher education, by banning the ‘box’ that asks about previous criminal history on initial employment applications and college applications. 1.8 million Coloradans are currently listed in the state’s criminal record database and employment practices that filter out these applicants can make it hard for these individuals to bounce back from their past and find a job or get accepted to college. “Banning the box will give Coloradans a chance to tell their own story during an interview, rather than letting the ‘box’ do the talking. Employment is the most significant factor in reducing recidivism,” said Rep. Herod. “We are more than our worst mistakes.” HB19-1025 is sponsored by Rep. Herod and Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora. Colorado now joins 11 other states which ban the box for private employers, including Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Oregon, Washington, California and Vermont. SB19-270 is sponsored by Rep. Herod and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta. The law will prohibit questions regarding criminal history on an initial college application. The law would not prohibit questions regarding criminal history on college housing applications. Educational programming reduces recidivism by 40 percent and provides opportunities for employment and positive support that decrease the likelihood of committing future crimes. Gov. Polis then signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, and Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, that creates the Colorado Second Chance Scholarship program to award scholarships to people who have previously been in the custody of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) and are pursuing their higher education. “If we can get our young people the help they need to get a higher education after they’ve gone through the rehabilitation process, then we can lower the recidivism rate and in return, they will be productive members of society,” said Rep. Tony Exum. “It will cost taxpayers more in the long term than it will to improve the lives of our young people with education and give them a more fulfilling life.” Rep. Exum has a Division of Youth Services facility in his district. SB19-231 will award scholarships of up to $10,000 each to youth offenders exiting the DYS system to pursue higher education. It will create a five-person advisory board consisting of four people appointed from various state agencies and one person who previously served in a DYS facility to award the scholarships based upon need. “This is an important investment in our vulnerable youth who are just now getting their lives back on track. This program could be the only opportunity many of these kids will have to get a fresh start,” said Rep. Tipper, D-Lakewood. Next, Gov. Polis signed a bipartisan bill eliminating felony charges for drug possession. HB19-1263, sponsored Rep. Herod and Rep. Shane Sandridge, R-Colorado Springs, would save the state up to $13.7 million over five years. The new bipartisan law lowers the penalty for drug possession from a level 4 drug felony to a level 1 misdemeanor. Level 4 drug felonies are punishable by 6 to 12 months in prison and level 1 misdemeanors, as defined in this bill, would be punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to 2 years of probation. “The war on drugs has devastated communities across Colorado,” said Rep. Herod. “It has been especially destructive for communities of color, which are disproportionately impacted by harsh drug laws. Reducing the current felony penalty for possession is a critical step toward fair and sensible drug policy in Colorado. It reflects the position held by most Coloradans that the state should focus more on treatment and less on incarceration.” The law would not change the punishments for those charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute. The Gov. also signed a bipartisan bill that would reinstate the voting rights of individuals on parole. HB19-1266, sponsored by Rep. Herod, clarifies that people who are on parole have completed their “full term of imprisonment” upon release from prison, thereby restoring their right to vote. The bill would restore voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans who are now disenfranchised. Parolees are denied the ability to vote because current law defines the “full term of imprisonment” to include the period of parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has stated that the state legislature has the authority to redefine the “full term of imprisonment.” Gov. Polis also signed another bill sponsored by Rep. Herod. SB19-143 allows the Department of Corrections to better manage their population when the vacancy rate falls below 3 percent. It will better align parole board decision-making with the parole release guidelines for people who have been assessed to be less than high risk. Under the bill, technical parole violations would not be used to send a parolee convicted of certain low level crimes back to prison. The Gov. then sign a Herod-led bipartisan bill to charge a peace officer with unlawful sexual conduct when they knowingly engage in sexual contact, sexual intrusion or sexual penetration anytime the victim is in custody, regardless of consent. The bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 59-5. Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is a class 4 felony when the offense is committed by sexual contact and is a class 3 felony (a more serious offense) when the offense is committed by sexual intrusion or sexual penetration. A class 4 felony carries a possible sentence of two to six years in the Department of Corrections, and a class 3 felony carries a possible sentence of four to 12 years. An offender convicted of unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is required to register as a sex offender. An offender convicted of a class 3 felony due to unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is subject to lifetime supervision. The bills were signed at the Second Chance Center in Aurora. Previous Next

New law will safeguard voting rights in Colorado amid federal uncertainty < Back July 23, 2025 Colorado Voting Rights Act Goes Into Effect New law will safeguard voting rights in Colorado amid federal uncertainty DENVER, CO - The 2025 Colorado Voting Rights Act , sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Representative Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, goes into effect on August 6, 2025. “The right to vote is under attack by a federal administration testing the limits of its power,” said Gonzales. “Generations of brave activists, women, and people of color have fought for the right to vote – and now, it’s our turn. This law will ensure that in Colorado, no matter your gender, race, or the language you speak, your sacred right to vote is protected.” “With courage, conviction and sacrifice, generations of Black Americans fought for the Voting Rights Act, transforming democracy and ensuring equal access to the ballot for Black Americans and other minority groups,” said Bacon. “With voter suppression and voter dilution tactics being used throughout the country, we’re celebrating this law going into effect to protect the constitutional right to vote. This law makes it clear to Coloradans that, while the federal government continues to chip away at the Voting Rights Act, Colorado Democrats are committed to protecting voting rights.” “As the first Black person elected to represent my area, I know I stand on the shoulders of those who fought for the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” said Joseph. “Without the protections secured by that landmark legislation, my path to public office might never have been possible. I am proud to sponsor our own Colorado Voting Rights Act to expand on the foundation laid in 1965 and ensure that all Coloradans—especially those in historically marginalized communities—can access the ballot box freely and fairly. At a time when federal protections are under threat, it is more important than ever that Colorado leads in safeguarding our democracy and protecting the voting rights of LGBTQ+ people, tribal members, and our most vulnerable communities.” In anticipation of efforts to dismantle the national Voting Rights Act of 1986, which prohibits discriminatory election practices, SB25-001 protects and strengthens the right to vote in Colorado. This law codifies stronger voter protections, expands access to voting information for historically excluded communities, and prohibits discriminatory election practices, even if federal protections are rolled back. The law protects access for eligible voters confined in local jails, requires residential facilities that house people with disabilities to provide nonpartisan voter information, and empowers the Attorney General to enforce voting rights. It also prohibits impairing an individual’s right to vote based on their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation and creates a publicly available, statewide database of election information without compromising any personal voter data. The law also gives municipalities until January 2027 to expand access to multilingual ballots in certain local elections. In April, the US House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act that would require in-person proof of citizenship to register to vote, threatening the future of voter registration by mail and disenfranchising millions of eligible voters, especially the almost 70 million Americans who have changed their name. This would make it impossible for many Americans who do not have a passport, REAL ID, or access to their birth certificates to vote. Colorado is a national role model for administering secure, accessible, and fair elections. Colorado Democrats have passed legislation to reduce barriers to voting access for Native Americans, incarcerated Coloradans, and college students. In 2021, Colorado Democrats also passed a law to expand multilingual ballot access beyond federal requirements. Colorado has one of the highest voter registration and turnout rates in the country. Over 93-percent of eligible Coloradans are registered to vote, which is nearly 10-percent higher than the national average. Previous Next

< Back March 5, 2021 BILL TO REDUCE CMAS TESTING LOAD PASSES EDUCATION COMMITTEE Legislation would propose to administer one test per student in grades 3-8 this year, with the goal of complying with federal requirements for statewide measures of learning DENVER, CO — The House Education Committee today passed HB21-1161 , sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota and House Education Chair Barbara McLachlan, to significantly reduce the standardized testing load for students, parents and teachers this year. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 8-1. HB21-1161 requires the Colorado Department of Education to seek a federal waiver to more than halve the amount of time students will be expected to spend in testing while still seeking to comply with federal guidelines that require the compilation of statewide education data and ensuring parents have access to information on their children’s learning. The data received will also ensure that policymakers have valuable information to support students and schools moving forward. “This year has been extremely challenging for our students and educators, and with this bill, we will make a meaningful difference by easing the testing burden while still complying with federal guidance,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Today, we heard from the education community about why it’s so important to get this right, and with this bill, I believe we have found a solution that works for Colorado.” “This is a solution that will allow teachers and school districts to focus their time on helping students overcome the difficulties of the last year and also provide the data the federal government is asking for,” said House Education Chair Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “I am proud and grateful to all the stakeholders who came together to find a balanced way to help students, parents, teachers and districts during these challenging times.” HB21-1161 requires the administration of the English Language Arts exam in grades three, five, and seven, while students in grades four, six, and eight will take the Math exam. Parents will also have the option to opt their child in to taking whichever exam they did not automatically receive. The legislation also requires the Colorado Department of Education to request a waiver to suspend science exams normally administered in grades 5, 8, and 11, and social studies exams administered in grades 4 and 7. The bill also implements consensus recommendations from a departmental task force last year, including suspending the link between tests, accountability, and educator evaluation. The bill would direct the Colorado Department of Education to seek a waiver from the federal Department of Education to implement these policies as soon as practicable. Previous Next

The House today on a preliminary vote passed two bills to protect reproductive rights in Colorado. < Back April 4, 2025 Pair of Bills to Implement Voter-Approved Abortion Protections, Strengthen Reproductive Health Care Advance DENVER, CO – The House today on a preliminary vote passed two bills to protect reproductive rights in Colorado. SB25-183 would update Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by the passage of Amendment 79. SB25-139 would strengthen Colorado’s shield law to protect patients and providers from out-of-state attacks on reproductive health care. “Colorado voters have spoken – abortion must remain safe, legal and protected,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of SB5-183. “Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion access or restrict funding altogether, Coloradans believe it’s your constitutional right to access the reproductive health care you need. This bill will expand access to life-saving reproductive health care, including abortion.” “It’s our responsibility to implement the will of the voters, and that’s what this bill does by further protecting and increasing access to abortion in Colorado,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of SB25-183 . “Nationally, the future of reproductive health care is uncertain, however, it’s clear Coloradans trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference. This bill implements the will of the voters and reduces barriers so public employees can access the essential reproductive health care they need.” “It’s time to fight back against out-of-state interference and Trump administration threats to restrict abortion and health care for LGBTQ+ Coloradans,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB25-129. “Whether you're a Colorado resident or not, this shield law will protect your fundamental right to access the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion.” “We’re reaffirming Colorado’s position as a sanctuary for safe, legal and protected reproductive health care by strengthening our shield laws,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB25-129. “Our bill expands Colorado’s shield laws to include telehealth and prescription label privacy. In the face of hostile, out-of-state attacks on our reproductive rights, we’re making sure Colorado has the ability to fight back and protect our patients and providers.” SB25-183 would implement the will of the voters by updating Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage. In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 (62 percent of the vote statewide ) to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. Beginning on January 1, 2026, the bill would ensure that state employee health insurance plans cover abortion care and require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to authorize reimbursements for abortion care under publicly funded insurance, including community members with coverage through Health First Colorado, and the Reproductive Health Care Program. SB25-129 protects providers by allowing a practitioner to request to have their name excluded from a medication abortion label. Instead of their name, the prescription would list the prescribing health-care practice. The bill would also prohibit Colorado entities, or a person or entity licensed or regulated by the state, from cooperating with hostile out-of-state investigations related to legally protected health care. Given recent legal action surrounding out-of-state abortion access, this bill fights back against hostile attacks to keep patients and providers safe while accessing legal health care. Additionally, the bill would enhance privacy protections for patients by placing restrictions on health data collecting and published reports published by the Office of the State Registrar. Previous Next