Search Results

< Back April 21, 2022 BILL TO SAVE TEACHERS MONEY ADVANCES HOUSE Legislation would distribute more than $50 million in federal pandemic relief funds to save teachers money DENVER, CO – The House passed a bill today on a preliminary vote to save teachers money and prepare our students for success. This bill will invest more than $50 million of federal pandemic relief funds to build stronger schools and boost Colorado’s teacher workforce. “Colorado is facing a critical teacher shortage and pandemic pressures have heightened the situation,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Our bill saves teachers money through loan forgiveness and student educator stipends so more talented educators can enter the profession without the financial burden. To prepare students for success, we need more teachers in the classroom and this bill will boost their workforce.” “We are taking a multi-pronged approach to address Colorado’s teacher shortage and that includes breaking down financial barriers to entering the profession,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Our bill saves our educators money by providing loan forgiveness to new teachers and creating stipends for student educators. Investing in our teachers builds stronger schools, improves educational outcomes and better prepares students for the road ahead. I am proud to sponsor this legislation that invests more than $50 million to boost Colorado’s teacher workforce.” HB22-1220 , sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Barbara McLachlan includes multiple strategies to address the teacher shortage. As amended, the bill now includes $10 million for student loan forgiveness to teachers who recently entered the profession. Modeled after an existing student loan forgiveness program, this program will provide up to $5,000 of loan forgiveness to educators who entered the profession during the pandemic, reducing the financial burden for up to 2,000 educators. The legislation creates and fully funds two stipend programs for two years that will save student educators over $20 million a year as they pursue educator preparation programs. It also creates new options to assess prospective educators and allows more prospective educators to obtain temporary educator licenses, breaking down unnecessary barriers to enter the educator workforce. The program anticipates supporting over 1,300 student educators. The bill expands opportunities for all teacher candidates and reduces red tape. It would make student teaching a paid position for income-eligible students. These educators would no longer need to work second or third jobs while finishing their teaching programs. The bill also creates a stipend program to pay for teacher competency exams, which can cost educators hundreds of dollars while they complete their licensure program. The bill expands the measures used to examine competency, creating a new pathway to initial licensure for prospective educators that expands how prospective educators can prove their competency. The legislation builds on laws passed in recent sessions to address the educator workforce challenges, such as SB21-185, which invested $15 million into two new programs to recruit and retain educators. It also follows on bills passed earlier this session to encourage retired educators to return to school districts. Previous Next

< Back October 29, 2019 TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION DENVER, CO — The Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) today advanced five bills to update Colorado’s transportation codes. If approved by the legislature next session, the bills would create a new license plate color scheme and issuing process starting in 2021, establish a grant program to provide driver education courses to foster children, among several others. “Our committee has been hard at work during this interim session, and I’m proud to see our bipartisan legislation advance,” said TLRC Chair Rep. Matt Gray (D-Broomfield). “From providing driver’s education classes to foster kids to increasing transparency and making permanent a successful pilot program, the bills we passed today will move us forward in addressing our state’s critical transportation needs. I know my district in particular will be very pleased to hear that our committee has taken important steps towards improving accountability and transparency in public-private partnerships.” “In our committee today, we brought forth new proposals that will improve our license plates, update permitting standards and continue to streamline VIN Verification for commercial vehicles,” said TLRC member Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. (D-Colorado Springs). “I am especially excited about the grant program we proposed to help counties provide foster youth with driver education courses.” 1. License Plate reissuance : The committee approved a bill to create a license plate re-issuance process for plates that expire on or after January 2021. The license plates expire for any owner who transfers or assigns their title or interest in another vehicle, and the plates may not be transferred to another vehicle. Owners retain a priority interest in the number and letter combination on the expiring license plates and may apply for personalized plates to keep their unique set of numbers and letters. If approved, this bill would also create a new license plate color scheme beginning at that same time. License plates with the new color scheme would not be issued until the remaining stock of current license plates is exhausted. Sponsors: Sen. Kevin Priola and Rep. Alex Valdez 2. Public Private Partnership Transparency : The committee advanced legislation to increase transparency and accountability by requiring the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE) to include more information regarding public-private partnerships in their annual reports. This information will specifically cover public comment and selection processes and summaries of financial provisions in public-private partnership agreements. Sponsors: Sen. Foote, Sen. Winter, Rep. Hooton and Rep. Gray 3. Foster Children Driver’s Education : TLRC advanced a bill that would create a grant program to fund driver education courses for foster youth ages 15-17. The grant would be housed within the Department of Human Services and would reimburse counties who pay for these driver’s education courses. It would also grant counties immunity from related liability. Sponsors: Rep. Duran, Rep. Exum, Sen. Donovan and Sen. Hisey 4. Commercial Vehicle VIN Verification : The committee approved a proposal to make permanent a successful pilot program that allows third-party transportation associations or organizations to perform Vehicle Identification (VIN) verifications on commercial vehicles. This program is administered by the Colorado State Patrol in the Department of Public Safety. Sponsors: Sen. Hisey, Sen. Winter, Rep. Catlin, Rep D. Valdez 5. Updating Permitting for Overweight Commercial Vehicles : Finally, TLRC advance a bill that would update permitting standards for commercial motor vehicle fleets in the non-interstate overweight divisible load category. The bill combines two separate annual non-interstate overweight divisible load permits and creates one annual fleet permit for non-interstate overweight divisible load quad axles and two or three axle trailers. Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Sen. Hisey, Rep. D. Valdez, Rep. Gray ### Previous Next

< Back October 19, 2020 BUENTELLO ANNOUNCES JOBS GRANTS FOR LA JUNTA AND ROCKY FORD PUEBLO, CO – Representative Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, today announced that the Department of Local Affairs has approved $43,850 in Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grants for the cities of La Junta and Rocky Ford to help create new jobs. Buentello sponsored and passed SB20-002 , which cemented and strengthened the REDI grant program. “These REDI grants are aimed at boosting our rural economies, and they’re already getting to work creating critical new jobs in Rocky Ford and La Junta,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “I sponsored legislation to strengthen the REDI program because we need to build an economy that works for every corner of our state. I’m proud our state is investing in our communities and working with our local partners to help more Coloradans have a fair shot at success as our economy begins to recover.” Rocky Ford will receive a $18,850 REDI grant to continue the “Developing a Resilient Economy” project, an economic revitalization strategy that includes community and entrepreneurial trainings for existing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs aimed at building essential business skills. Training topics will include building trades, agricultural businesses, value-added manufacturing, and small business management. La Junta will receive a $25,000 REDI grant to help fund an Economic Action Plan to understand the forces shaping the business landscape and evaluate the city’s ability to respond to new opportunities and challenges. The project will also create a strategy and plan for economic development activities that support innovation, diversification, and business attraction, expansion and retention. The REDI is a proven grant program that provides critical resources to rural communities to spur economic development and create jobs. Reps. Buentello and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsored and passed SB20-002, which codified and improved the grant program to ensure that it continues to serve rural Coloradans. The law also made improvements to the program to more successfully bolster rural economies and requires DOLA to prioritize projects that create jobs or spur critical investments in key industries in the community. Previous Next

< Back August 3, 2023 New Bipartisan Laws Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs Five new laws to improve access and reduce the cost of prescription drugs go into effect August 7 DENVER, CO - On August 7, five laws to save Coloradans money on prescription drugs go into effect. The new laws create pharmacy dispensing machines, allow psychologists to prescribe certain mental health medications, expand access to contraception, improve oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers to reduce prescription drug costs, and expand the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to lower out-of-pocket costs. “Transportation, work hours, and other barriers often make it difficult to access prescription medication due to typical pharmacy hours,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of HB23-1195. “With the implementation of our new law, Coloradans will be able to access their essential medication through pharmacist-monitored dispensing machines on a timeline that works for their busy schedule.” “Coloradans who depend on prescription medications can’t always make it to a pharmacy to pick up their drugs during business hours,” said Senator Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB23-1195 . “This new law will make it easier for Coloradans to get medications they need by removing unnecessary roadblocks and will help more people access their prescriptions without compromising important pharmaceutical safeguards.” HB23-1195 , also sponsored by Republican Representative Matt Soper and Republican Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, allows pharmacies to operate automated prescription dispensing machines so patients can access their medication outside of regular pharmacy business hours. The machines would only be placed in pharmacy-licensed locations and would be live monitored to prevent theft. The medication would be stocked in the machine and patients would be able to discuss the prescription with a live remote pharmacist. “When someone is in a mental health crisis, they need to be able to quickly access remedies that protect themselves from harm, but getting a doctor’s appointment can often take weeks,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1071. “By allowing psychologists to undergo additional training to be able to prescribe certain mental health medications, we’re reducing costs for patients and helping them get the care they need when they need it.” “Across the state, we are seeing a prolonged mental health crisis, particularly among our youth," said President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1071. “Every day, Coloradans battling mental health struggles face prohibitively long wait times to receive help and a lack of providers who can prescribe them with medication they need, only worsening our crisis. Expanding prescriptive authority to specially trained psychologists will help Coloradans access the life-saving medications that they need on a timeline that makes sense.” HB23-1071 , also sponsored by Republican Representative Mary Bradfield and Republican Senator Cleave Simpson, establishes rigorous standards and education requirements that a psychologist must undertake before being able to prescribe medication to treat mental health illnesses. Starting August 7, psychologists can begin the process to obtain their required education, training, and certificates in order to begin prescribing certain mental health medications. Currently, if medication is part of the patient’s care plan, the patient must meet with a doctor or psychiatrist to have the prescription issued. Patients often struggle to find an available psychiatrist within their insurance network and few of only 800 psychiatrists across Colorado accept Medicaid, forcing patients to choose between large out-of-pocket costs or waiting months for the medication they need. Allowing psychologists limited prescribing authority to provide immediate access to medication can save the patient time and money. Psychologists work closely with their patients to determine how to best address their mental health needs. When patients meet with a doctor or psychiatrist, it’s often their first time discussing their mental health issues and telehealth appointments can make it difficult to accurately assess the patient’s condition. Allowing licensed psychologists who meet monthly or even more frequently with patients will streamline access to effective health care and lead to more appropriate care. “No one should have to ask for permission every month from their insurance company to not get pregnant,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, sponsor of SB23-284. “I spoke with a woman during the election who spends more than an hour on the phone every month just getting her birth control prescription refilled. That's absurd. Our new law protects the freedom of Coloradans to make health care choices on their own timeline.” “Whether folks live in rural areas or work odd hours, trips to the pharmacy can be inconvenient and difficult to make,” said Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of SB23-284. “With SB23-284, we’re tightening up restrictions so insurance companies and PBMs can’t skirt our laws, ensuring patients can access 12 months of birth control. This new law will expand and improve access to reproductive health care across Colorado.” Starting on August 7, SB23-284 requires both insurance plans and Pharmacy Benefit Management firms (PBMs) to cover a year's supply of contraception, which can be dispensed at one time or in smaller amounts if requested. SB23-284 builds off HB17-1186 , a bipartisan bill that allowed Coloradans to access 12 months of birth control. However, legal loopholes have allowed insurers and PBMs to not comply with the law. SB23-284 ties up loose ends, and ensures that Coloradans can easily access a twelve-month supply of contraceptives using their medical insurance. Research shows that dispensing one to three months of birth control at a time increases the likelihood of contraceptive discontinuation and can make it harder for people to plan their pregnancies. Additionally, access to 12 months of birth control can prevent unplanned pregnancies. “Barriers to receiving medication, like contraceptives and prescription drugs, make it harder for Coloradans to receive the remedies they need to meet their health care needs,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB23-284 and HB23-1227. “With our new laws going into effect soon, we can save Coloradans money on prescription costs and require insurance coverage for 12 months of contraception, expanding access to effective reproductive health care.” “Our new law cracks down on players in the health care industry that are not acting in accordance with the cost-saving measures that Colorado Democrats have fought for to save you money on your medication,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, HB23-1227 . “Affordable access to medication keeps our communities healthy and thriving. We now have the tools to hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers accountable, which will improve prescription accessibility and cut down on medication costs.” Starting on August 7, HB23-1227 ensures that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) follow through on critical cost savings reforms that the legislature has passed in recent years to save consumers money. This law provides the Division of Insurance (DOI) with more direct oversight over PBMs by requiring them to register and specifying that the DOI has the ability to enforce those reforms. “As a pharmacist I know firsthand how critical it is for Coloradans to be able to afford their prescription drugs, but too many of our families are still getting squeezed by high costs of medication,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB23-1227 and HB23-1225 . “The new laws taking effect are part of a multi-year effort to save people money on prescription drugs. I’m proud to see how these essential tools will continue to keep Colorado prescription drug prices affordable and save families even more money on their life-saving medications.” “Every Coloradan deserves access to essential medication at a price they can afford,” said Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB23-1225 . "Too many people ration their medication or skip refills because they can’t cover the cost. The implementation of HB23-1225 will help more Coloradans afford the prescriptions they rely on and put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families.” “House Bill 1225 makes important changes that will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1225. “Too many Colorado families are forced to choose between putting food on the table or paying for life-saving medication, and that has to change. I’m proud to be a part of the effort to continue saving Coloradans money on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.” “The Prescription Drug Affordability Board will now be able to implement more cost-saving measures that drive down prescription drug prices to save Colorado patients money,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1225 . “I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished this session to save Coloradans money on health care, and this law is one of many steps we’ve taken to ensure that more Coloradans can access affordable, quality health care.” HB23-1225 increases the effectiveness of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to help lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Coloradans. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to evaluate and place upper payment limits on the highest cost prescription drugs. The legislation implemented today will increase the impact of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to save people money on out of pocket prescription drug costs. It increases the limit on setting no more than 12 Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) per year in the first three years of the PDAB to 18 UPLs, and improves the criteria for selecting drugs for an affordability review. Previous Next

< Back June 5, 2024 ICYMI: JOINT RELEASE: New Law to Improve Concealed Carry Training Signed DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed HB24-1174, which improves concealed carry permit training to encourage responsible gun ownership, reduce gun violence and keep Coloradans safe. “States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit saw a 32 percent increase in gun assaults,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives. This important legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities.” “Responsible gun ownership takes work,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. “Creating minimum training requirements for safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals and more ensures we’re treating concealed carry permits with the seriousness they deserve. Too often, careless gun owners create dangerous situations that needlessly put many others in harm's way. I’m proud to champion this important legislation that advances gun safety measures and helps prevent senseless gun violence.” “When I received my concealed carry permit years ago, I was surprised to learn that Colorado law did not require live-fire training, a necessary skill to have before carrying a gun in public spaces," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "This law creates a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Our commonsense gun violence prevention legislation works to prevent senseless gun deaths by improving firearm training.” HB24-1174 , sponsored by House Majority Leader Duran and Representative Snyder, and Senator Mullica, requires handgun training classes to include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam with a minimum passing score. It also requires handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on the safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. HB24-1174 also prohibits a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by a county sheriff. Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2020 REP. MCLACHLAN’S COLLEGE CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE BILL PASSES Bipartisan legislation would allow college students to obtain academic credit for work experience DENVER, CO — The House today passed Representative Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to make it easier to obtain academic credit for work-related experiences across all state institutions. The vote was 62-3. “As we take the necessary steps to get our state back to work responsibly, it is critical that we do everything we can to make it easier for Colorado’s students to compete in a 21st century economy,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan (D-Durango). “As a former teacher, I know that some of the most important education a student can receive happens outside of the classroom. This bill would allow students who have had formative educational experiences in the workplace to get the academic credits they need to complete their degrees in a more affordable and expedited way.” HB20-1002, which advanced from the Making Higher Education Attainable Interim Committee, and was approved by the House Education Committee earlier this year, would require the Commission on Higher Education to create a model to award academic credit for work-related experiences. The credits would be acceptable and transferable across all state institutions, improving access and affordability for non-traditional students. The bill also includes a provision that will require state institutions to develop a mechanism through which students can test out of any undergraduate class through an individual assessment or other testing means. Previous Next

< Back October 31, 2019 BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE SCHOOL SAFETY MOVES FORWARD DENVER, CO — The bipartisan School Safety Committee today advanced five bills to improve school safety in Colorado, including improving coordination among state agencies working on school safety, expanding access to behavioral health training for educators and mental health days for students, and enhancing the Safe2Tell program. “Our goal must be that not one more child dies by violence in school, and we must always strive for this goal as we work to advance solutions that make our classrooms and campuses safer,” said School Safety Committee Chair Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City). “I’m proud of our bipartisan work, and I am grateful for the citizens, advocates, and agencies that have helped us develop these bills. The legislation we advanced today will help ensure that we are spending our state’s limited resources as best we can while improving students, parents and teachers’ access to the support and services they need.” “Too many students are facing violence in our schools, and we have a profound responsibility to address this crisis and save lives,” said Rep. Emily Sirota (D-Denver). “These bipartisan bills will provide better and enhanced resources to our students, teachers, and parents, and they will ensure that all levels of state government are aligned in our common goal of protecting our children and improving school safety.” “Above all, our students deserve to feel safe in our schools. I believe that we have made significant progress on this committee in doing just that,” said School Safety Committee Vice Chair Sen. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). “We have worked together to come up with a package of five bipartisan bills that will help address the crisis we are experiencing in our schools. We have put forth legislation that will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based, consistent approach to addressing school safety and the behavioral health of our students, filling the gaps that exist across schools and districts, providing improved oversight, and enabling us to continue moving forward on this critical issue. We know there is more work to be done, but this is a big step in the right direction, and I am grateful to our committee members for their diligence and commitment.” “I am proud of each of the bills voted out of committee today, because we will improve school safety in the immediate future by ensuring the safety of students at school and addressing the behavioral health needs of young people,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “We also will continue these critical efforts through a working group comprised of the people who are directly impacted by the need for school safety collaboration: educators, law enforcement agencies, the relevant state agencies, and lawmakers. We have benefited greatly over this interim of creating a space to listen to one another, describe our challenges, and work toward solutions, and this working group will allow that important work to continue.” Interagency Working Group on School Safety: While several Colorado school safety programs are national models and are studied across the country for their effectiveness and innovation in this critical field, last month the State Auditor released a report that found some inefficiencies, duplications, and shortcomings in coordination and communication between state agencies. The final bill advanced today would establish a state working group of all the agencies and groups working on school safety issues to streamline programs and improve communication across agencies in response to the audit’s findings. The group will study the use of lockdown drills, identify school safety best practices districts can adopt, improve transparency and facilitate interagency coordination. Sponsors: Reps. Michaelson Jenet and Van Winkle; Sens. Gardner and Gonzales Expand Behavioral Health Training for Educators: This bill would direct the Department of Education to develop and offer a voluntary “train the trainer” program that will help teachers learn skills to assist their students who are struggling with behavioral and mental health challenges. Students report a need for trusted adults to confide in, and many teachers and parents have expressed interest in being better equipped to talk with students about difficult subjects and provide them the support they need. Teachers would learn many skills including the use of trauma-informed approaches to improve school climate and culture and how to identify behavioral health challenges. It would also help them identify and access available resources, services and treatment available to their students, bullying and suicide prevention, and de-escalation techniques in crisis situations. Sponsors: Sen. Fields; Reps. Sirota and Beckman Enhancements to Safe2Tell: Safe2Tell, developed in Colorado after the Columbine tragedy, provides students a confidential way to report and talk with someone about behavioral health issues and has become a national model. Other states have taken Colorado’s lead and made improvements, adapting the now 20 year old program for new technologies and best practices developed in recent years. The Safe2Tell enhancements would include aligning the Safe2Tell program and the crisis hotline more closely to ensure that individuals in crisis can rapidly access crisis counseling. It would also align the processes for all types of incoming tips and adjust the annual advertising campaign to raise awareness about the program and reduce its misuse. Finally, it would enhance law enforcement’s ability to prevent imminent physical harm. Sponsors: Reps. Michaelson Jenet and Van Winkle; Sens. Fields and Lundeen Behavioral Health Sick Days: The second bill would require school districts to include mental and behavioral health concerns as excused absences in their attendance policies in order to reduce stigma and encourage students to prioritize their health. Writing this explicitly into school absence policies will help normalize students taking time away from school in order to improve their behavioral health and is a step towards a full understanding of parody between physical and behavioral health. Sponsors: Sen. Fields and Rep. Michaelson Jenet Services for Juveniles with Severe Behavioral Health Conditions: The legislation tasks the School Safety Resource Center to convene a working group to conduct a gap analysis with respect to the adequacy and availability of behavioral health treatment for children and youth. The goal is to ensure that behavioral health services are available for those who have a severe need. Sponsors: Reps. Beckman and Michaelson Jenet; Sen. Gonzales Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2022 BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HEALTH CARE ADVANCE Bipartisan legislation would boost hospital transparency and improve protections from surprise medical bills DENVER, CO – The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed two bipartisan bills sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar that will increase hospital billing transparency and save Coloradans money on health care. “We’ve made tremendous progress saving people money on health care, and these two bills will save Coloradans even more money by improving protections against surprise billing, increasing hospital transparency and limiting debt collections from hospitals that aren’t transparent about what they’re charging,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “These bipartisan bills will ensure that hospitals are transparent and follow the rules when it comes to their billing, and they will protect consumers from unfair surprise bills that can cost them thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.” HB22-1285 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Patrick Neville, would save Coloradans money on their health care costs by increasing hospital transparency and prohibiting hospitals that are out of compliance from referring medical debt to collections. In July 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop detailed rules to increase hospital billing transparency. Hospitals must now publicly post their “standard charges,” which are the gross charges, discounted cash prizes, payer-specific negotiated charges, and de-identified minimum and maximum negotiated charges. Under the bill, hospitals that are not in compliance with federal hospital price transparency regulations will be prohibited from referring, assigning or selling medical debt to collectors, and they will be prohibited from using the courts to obtain a judgment for an outstanding medical debt. The bill would award damages to patients if the courts find that the hospital has violated the provisions of the bill HB22-1285 passed unanimously. HB22-1284 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Marc Catlin, would improve Colorado’s surprise medical billing protections by aligning them with recently passed federal legislation. The bill provides clarity to consumers, providers and insurance carriers about how to move forward with surprise billing protections. It adds balanced billing protections for post-stabilization services to ensure that patients are protected from surprise bills until they can consent and be safely transferred to an in-network facility. It mirrors the No Surprises Act’s notice and consent requirements to ensure that out of network providers and facilities provide notice to a consumer before a scheduled service, including an estimate of the total charges the consumer will be responsible for. Finally, it updates Colorado laws to allow for a 90 day period of continued coverage at in-network rates for transitional care. HB22-1284 passed unanimously. Previous Next

< Back January 26, 2023 Committee Passes Bill to Boost Access to Tax Credits DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed legislation requiring employers to provide information on the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit to their employees. “Between a global pandemic and the economic turbulence that followed, many working-class families are still struggling to pay for critical necessities,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley/Evans. “This bill aims to expand awareness of the tax credits we’ve recently increased in order to boost the incomes of more hardworking Coloradans. We’ve built the infrastructure, and now we’re spreading the word so that every Coloradan who is eligible for financial assistance through our tax code knows they can claim their Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.” “One of our top priorities this session is to make Colorado more affordable,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Under this bill, employers will provide important information to their employees that will connect them with the economic assistance that they are eligible for. Colorado Democrats boosted tax credits for hardworking people by closing loopholes that primarily benefited the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations, now we’re making sure people know they are available to them.” HB23-1006 , which passed by a vote of 11-0, instructs employers to provide information about federal and state earned income tax credits and child tax credits to their employees. The notice must be provided at least once a year in English or any other language used to communicate with the employee. This bill builds on legislation passed by the General Assembly in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty previously passed SB22-182 to help Coloradans file for and receive their earned income tax credits and child tax credits. Colorado Democrats passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which doubled the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and funded the Child Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. ### Previous Next

< Back March 3, 2021 CRITICAL EVICTION AND RENT PROTECTIONS PASS COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed HB21-1121, sponsored by Representatives Dominique Jackson and Iman Jodeh, which would provide renters with additional protections before facing eviction and limit the frequency of rent increases. The bill passed 8-5: “Year after year, I come to the capitol and fight the uphill battle for more equitable and fair housing laws because for decades, the scales have been tipped against justice,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora. “To build back stronger, we have to protect renters and finally start making our housing laws more balanced in the face of systemic racism that has perpetuated barriers to affordable housing.” “Right now, you can be evicted through a court action and have just 48 hours to pack everything you own and leave your home and landlords have the power to raise your rent every single month after you lease has expired with hardly any notice,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “This bill gives renters additional time before law enforcement will take action in an eviction, limits rent increases to once per 12 month period, and requires landlords to give at least 60 days notice to raise the rent for people without a written rental agreement.” HB21-1121 would provide renters with additional time before law enforcement can assist in an eviction. It also prohibits residential landlords from increasing rent more than once in a 12 month period and increases the notification timeline for rent increases when there is not a written tenancy agreement, for example, under a month-to-month agreement. Under current law, if a landlord wins a judgement in an eviction action, the court must wait 48 hours to direct the county sheriff to assist in the eviction, which provides a minimum of two days between an eviction order and the actual sheriff-assisted eviction. Under the bill, courts can still finalize an eviction order, but sheriffs may not carry it out for an additional eight days after the initial 48 hours, providing renters with 10 days before they have to move out and find a new home after an eviction has been finalized, instead of two. Under current law, when there is month-to-month tenancy where there is no written agreement, landlords must give 21 days written notice prior to increasing the rent; the bill extends the notice period to 60 days. Previous Next

< Back June 16, 2022 GOVERNOR POLIS, BLACK DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS OF COLORADO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH DENVER — Juneteenth celebrations will take place across Colorado in the coming days and today Governor Polis and the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado commemorated this historic event and raised the Juneteenth flag at the State Capitol. “We are building a Colorado for All and Colorado is made stronger by the diversity of our people. It’s our shared responsibility to foster and protect that strength. Juneteenth is a celebration of joy and one of many shining examples of what a Colorado for All looks like,” said Gov. Polis. “Juneteenth is a commemoration of the end of slavery and honors freedom for all of us, and for the first time in Colorado history, we will celebrate this momentous day as an official state holiday,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “I was incredibly proud of the work we did this session to ensure Colorado properly recognizes Juneteenth, and know that it will help educate all Coloradans about the horrors of slavery, make space to celebrate the Black community, and lift up our ongoing work to make sure we don’t forget our past.” “This Emancipation Day reminds us of the atrocities our ancestors endured and how we must never give up hope in uncertain times,” said Rep. Herod, Chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, D-Denver . “Juneteenth uplifts the voices of the Black community and showcases our perseverance. I’m proud to recognize Juneteenth as Colorado’s 11th state holiday so it can finally receive all the formal celebration and reflection it deserves.” “Juneteenth is more than just a federal holiday we recognize in historical Black communities like Five Points where we march, eat good food and listen to good music,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver. “Celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday means Colorado not only recognizes that Black people are free, but that all people are free. It is a recognition that we not only desire for some Coloradans to prosper, but for all to prosper, and for all Coloradans, regardless of race or background, to earn a living wage, have an affordable place to call home, and get the equitable access to health care and education people need to move forward and thrive.” This May at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Gov. Polis signed a new law officially recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday and was joined by bill sponsors Rep. Leslie Herod, Sen. James Coleman, Sen. Janet Buckner, members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, President of Colorado WINS Skip Miller, President of Juneteenth Music Festival Norman Harris, Cleo Parker Robinson, and community members. Juneteenth was recognized as a national holiday last year by the U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden. Legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in Colorado was first introduced this February and passed the legislature with bipartisan support. This new law was led by Senator Janet Buckner, Senator James Coleman and Representative Leslie Herod. State offices will be closed Monday June, 20, 2022 in observance of the holiday. Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2024 House Passes Bipartisan Bills to Boost Rural Economies, Support Farmers and Ranchers DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens that would create jobs and boost rural economies. HB24-1001 passed by a vote of 59-5. The House also passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez that would create a refundable state income tax credit for a farm or ranch that uses certain stewardship practices that benefit the environment like improving soil health and water efficiency. HB24-1249 passed by a vote of 57-7. “The Rural Jump-Start Program has supported numerous small businesses and created new jobs for rural Coloradans in communities like mine,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “With this bipartisan legislation, more small business owners can continue to receive grants and tax credits through the Rural Jump-Start Program to grow, support, and retain employees. We’re boosting Colorado’s mountain and rural resort towns and helping rural businesses thrive.” HB24-1001 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, aims to extend income tax credits and grants available to businesses and their employees that participate in the Colorado Rural Jump-start Zone Program and Grant Program. Under this bill, the Grant Program would extend through June 2026 and the Jump-start Zone Program, which includes the business tax incentives, would extend through 2031. These successful programs are designed to reduce the costs of starting a new business or hiring new employees in rural economic jump-start zones . HB24-1001 would play a crucial role in boosting rural economies, supporting small businesses, and creating new jobs in all four corners of the state. HB24-1249 , also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, would create a new refundable income tax credit from 2026 through 2030 for farms and ranches that engage in agricultural stewardship practices. These stewardship practices can include rotational grazing, reductions in tilling soil, compost application and other practices that increase soil health, improve water efficiency, or create more diverse and thriving ecosystems while maintaining the productivity of the farm or ranch. “With the help of this bill, we are ensuring that our farmers and ranchers are recognized and benefit from the work that they do to keep our lands thriving and conserving water as they utilize practices that improve soil health,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “This tax credit will benefit our agriculture producers who invest in stewardship practices on their lands, saving them money while they produce and support agricultural systems for our state.” Under this bill, farmers and ranchers would be eligible for a refundable income tax credit determined by the number of stewardship practices that the farm or ranch uses. The tax credit amounts are: Up to $75 per acre for one stewardship practice, with a maximum yearly credit of $150,000, Up to $100 per acre for two stewardship practices, with a maximum yearly credit of $200,000, and Up to $150 per acre for three or more stewardship practices, with a maximum yearly credit of $300,000. Previous Next