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< Back April 23, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES COMPREHENSIVE BILL TO PREVENT FENTANYL DEATHS Legislation significantly increases penalties on dealers and invests in proven public health solutions DENVER, CO – The House today advanced comprehensive legislation sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett and Rep. Mike Lynch on a preliminary vote to combat the fentanyl crisis and save lives. “This comprehensive legislation will crack down on fentanyl dealers and deploys a robust public health strategy to get this deadly poison off our streets and save lives,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Far too many Colorado families have experienced the devastating pain of losing a loved one to fentanyl. Under this legislation, people spreading this deadly drug in our communities will have severe consequences, and if someone distributes fentanyl that leads to death, they will face even harsher penalties. This is an aggressive response that acknowledges the deadliness of this drug and invests in proven public health approaches that will expand access to treatment, make Narcan and test strips widely available, and create a robust education and awareness campaign to save lives.” “We are seeing unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths in Colorado. The fentanyl crisis demands an aggressive response that will hold dealers accountable and remove this deadly drug from our streets, and that’s what this comprehensive fentanyl legislation will do,” said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. “This solution will save lives by giving prosecutors the tools we need to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. This legislation will allow us to respond aggressively to dealers who take Coloradans’ lives when distributing this drug, and I encourage lawmakers to pass this bill.” “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on fentanyl dealers to get this dangerous drug off our streets,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “Fentanyl doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat; people are dying in every community in our state. This bill is a comprehensive solution that will save lives and prevent fentanyl deaths.” HB22-1326 is a comprehensive approach that includes both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers to save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. The bill will strengthen criminal penalties on any individual distributing fentanyl. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory SUD assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to ensure people get the treatment they need. The bill focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs or substances, and will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with an SUD. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties. The bill gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in CDPHE. Individuals assessed as having a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment. HB22-1326 would make it a felony to knowingly possess more than one gram of fentanyl compound/mixture. Additionally, once Colorado’s labs have the ability to test for the percentage of fentanyl within a compound, this bill turns on a no tolerance policy for the possession of pure fentanyl. The bill was amended in the Appropriations Committee to repeal the new felony on June 30, 2025 and to include what is known as a “wobbler” provision that allows individuals who complete treatment to have the felony moved down to a misdemeanor. Amendments adopted on the floor include creating a grant fund for law enforcement agencies to pursue investigations of fentanyl poisonings, providing additional funding to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program and crisis stabilization centers and detoxification centers, and expanding Medication-Assisted Treatment in jails . This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address root causes and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this more deadly drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system. While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. The proposal also makes opiate antagonists more widespread, which will help save lives by preventing overdoses. Previous Next

< Back September 18, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Water and Agriculture Review Committee Advances Bills to Remove Mining Waste, Protect Habitats, and Plan for Future Water Projects DENVER, CO – The Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee today advanced bills to facilitate the removal of harmful mining waste, protect fish and wildlife habitats, and explore a sustainable funding plan for future water projects. Bill 4 , sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, and Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, would create a new permit process in the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to facilitate the removal of mining waste piles and refuse, both of which have significant negative impacts on the environment. The new reclamation-only permit would lower barriers to cleanup efforts to reduce the backlog of over 20,000 abandoned mines in Colorado. Also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, the bipartisan bill would enter Colorado into the Interstate Mining Compact. States in the compact agree to establish a program for the conservation and use of mined lands, including the conduct of mining and handling of waste. “Waste and runoff from mine tailings can have detrimental impacts on downstream waters,” said Bridges, sponsor of Bill 4. “The bill we advanced today will promote the cleanup of pollution-causing tailings while expanding economic opportunities for the companies that do these cleanups. By making a simple change to permitting processes and entering Colorado into the Interstate Mining Compact, we can expedite mining reclamation and ensure our environment remains clean and safe for generations to come.” “Colorado’s outdoors is part of our identity, and without resources for our water and agricultural lands, our identity and way of life is threatened,” said Chair McCormick, sponsor of Bills 4 and 12. “One of our new bills will add Colorado as a member of the Interstate Mining Compact and will incentivize the cleanup of abandoned mines to improve and protect our precious waters. We also moved forward with legislation that would create the Future of Severance Taxes and Water Funding Task Force to help secure water funding.” “From agricultural needs to recreational use, access to clean water is crucial for Southwest Colorado,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of Bills 4, 12, and 13. “As a member of the Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee, I’ve heard from organizations and community members throughout the state about concerns and requests for policy solutions that can help support Colorado’s agricultural sector. Today, we advanced legislation that will improve water quality, identify possible funding sources to support important water projects, and continue funding for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program to support rural Colorado.” The committee also advanced Bill 12 , sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Senator Simpson, and Representatives McCormick and Martinez, which would create the Future of Severance Taxes and Water Funding Task Force in the DNR. The nine-member task force created by the bill would hire a contractor to conduct a study and develop recommendations to present to the legislature. The contractor would explore options to continue funding water needs for the state while severance tax revenue is expected to decrease. “Protecting Colorado’s vital resources and habitats is one of my top priorities,” said Roberts, sponsor of Bills 12 and 13. “The legislation we’re advancing today will explore how we can future-proof funding sources for critical water projects and make permanent our financial support for fish and wildlife habitats throughout the state. Colorado’s natural resources power everything we do, from agriculture to our outdoor recreation economy, and I’m excited about the potential of these new bipartisan bills to secure funding and support critical preservation projects.” Sponsored by Roberts, Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Martinez and Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, Bill 13 would make permanent the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee. The program provides funding for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) efforts to work with private landowners, local governments, and conservation organizations to protect fish and wildlife habitats. Funding comes from the CPW’s habitat stamp sales, which must be purchased in order to buy a hunting or fishing license. The Committee is charged with reviewing relevant habitat projects and making recommendations to the CPW. “The Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program is a great tool to raise funding for critical habitat conservation projects,” said Marchman, sponsor of Bill 13. “This program and its accompanying committee have had proven success in past years, which is why I’m excited that we’re now bringing forward legislation to make them permanent. Fish and wildlife habitat conservation is an important way for us to invest in Colorado's future and ensure our natural spaces remain natural.” The committee also approved five additional bills. The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2025 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEGISLATION Bills invests $35 million to integrate physical and behavioral health care DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation that will make transformational investments to increase access to behavioral health care by better integrating primary care and behavioral health care. “This session, we’re directing $450 million in federal funds to increase access to and save people money on behavioral health care,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “The legislation we advanced today will invest $35 million to integrate behavioral health care into primary care so that Coloradans can access both at the same location at the same time. This will save Coloradans money when they seek behavioral health care or substance use disorder treatment and make critical care more available throughout the state, especially in rural and underserved areas.” Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1302 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will and Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, invests $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. Previous Next

< Back October 1, 2020 REPRESENTATIVES PRAISE PARDONS FOR MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS DENVER, CO – Representatives James Coleman, D-Denver, Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, today released the following statements after Governor Jared Polis announced pardons for 2,732 Coloradans with state-level marijuana convictions, utilizing expanded authority granted through HB20-1424 . “Today, our state has taken a major step forward in securing justice for the thousands of Coloradans who have been living with a conviction on their record for a crime that no longer exists in our state,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver, the House sponsor of the legislation. “For too long, these convictions continued the injustices perpetrated under the discriminatory policy of marijuana prohibition, making it harder for Coloradans with convictions to find housing, employment or access critical services. Governor Polis’ decision to grant these pardons will finally bring justice to Coloradans who have been denied opportunity and have continued to be punished for possession of small amounts of marijuana long after the state rolled back its prohibition.” “This pardon is long overdue and will make a real difference in the lives of countless Coloradans,” said Colorado Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, who also championed the change. “Far too many people in our state have continued to suffer the consequences of a small mistake made decades ago while others profit off of the booming and legitimized cannabis industry. I’m proud to have played a part in the justice being served today.” “These convictions for marijuana possession, which disproportionately fell on people of color, have persisted on Coloradans’ records despite being in opposition to our fundamental values of fairness, justice and opportunity for all,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont, who advocated for creating the pardon authority under HB20-1424. “I’m proud our state is moving forward and righting this wrong.” Under HB20-1424, the governor has expanded authority to pardon a class of persons convicted of possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana. The conviction must be for a state-level offense. Previous Next

< Back October 1, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee Advances Legislation to Reduce Food Waste and Promote Environmental Justice DENVER, CO – The Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee (COYAC) today approved legislation to reduce food waste in schools and promote environmental justice. Bill 5 , sponsored by Chair Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, Vice Chair Steph Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, and Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would encourage school districts and charter schools to adopt policies aimed at reducing food waste in school cafeterias such as composting and “share tables,” where whole food or beverage items that students choose not to consume may be redistributed to others. Food “share tables” are still required to follow all sanitation and health requirements and cannot be brought from home. Schools are encouraged to seek technical assistance and grant funding for these policies from the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise. “It is always a joy to partner with the bright, young members of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council and develop policies on the issues that matter most to them,” said Marchman, sponsor of Bills 4, 5 and 6. “This year, I am proud to sponsor legislation to improve health literacy for Colorado’s youth, reduce food waste in schools, and incorporate youth voices on the state’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board. I look forward to continuing to partner with COYAC members next session as we introduce these policies and work hard to see them become law.” “Colorado youth are engaging in the legislative process, and it has been an honor to work closely with them to develop policy that will have a deep impact on their daily lives and futures,” said Vigil, sponsor of Bills 4, 5 and 6. “Our youth are our future, and they deserve to have their concerns and input taken seriously. I’m proud to be their advocate at the Colorado Capitol by advancing legislation to reduce food waste in our schools, boost our focus on environmental issues, and provide students with relevant health information.” “Colorado’s young leaders have once again brought forward impressive policy proposals that are the result of meticulous research and extensive community discussions,” said Winter, sponsor of Bills 4 and 6. “ These students are leading the way in saving our planet, both in environmental and health justice. I’m honored to help shepherd legislation to better incorporate youth voices in decision-making about the state’s environmental justice work, as well as legislation to improve health literacy in schools.” Bill 6 , sponsored by Marchman, Winter, and Vigil, would require two youth members to be appointed to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to serve a two year term with one youth voting member and one youth non-voting member who are between 14-21 years old. Additionally, the bill would charge the Colorado Energy Office with compiling guidance and developing best practices for the adoption of clean energy in schools, including the use of solar panels, and understanding how much money schools can save. The committee also advanced Bill 4 , sponsored by Marchman, Winter, and Vigil, which would improve access to educational health literacy materials for school districts. The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2025 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills Previous Next

< Back April 13, 2023 Snyder, Joseph Wildfire Resiliency Grant Program Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to distribute funds to help homeowners better protect their properties from wildfire damage. “Wildfires can wipe out entire neighborhoods in just a couple of hours and have devastating consequences for communities throughout Colorado, including my hometown with the Waldo Canyon fire in 2012,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “This bill will save property owners money on effective firefighting strategies and proactive approaches to retrofit their home, barns, or other buildings on their property to be more resilient to wildfire while promoting education on wildfire resiliency.” “Colorado is ranked in the top five states with the highest wildfire risk, and what used to be a wildfire season is now a year-round threat,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts can save Colorado millions of dollars, while also greatly reducing displacement and the devastation of entire neighborhoods. This bill will create a grant program to help property owners harden their structures through strategies and technologies to mitigate the risk of wildfires.” HB23-1273 , which passed by a vote of 10-3, creates the Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program. Qualified homeowners can apply to the program to receive grant money to cover retrofitting or structural improvements to existing houses and other buildings. This grant program also expands to new-builds and rebuilds to make any structure on a homeowner’s property more resilient against wildfires. Wildfires have become an increasing threat in Colorado, with the three largest wildfires in Colorado history occurring in 2020 alone. The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) provides standards for building wildfire-resilient homes, including non-combustible roofing, underfloor protection, defensible space, and residential sprinklers. 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

< Back March 18, 2024 Lukens and Velasco Bill to Improve Educator Safety Advances DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Megan Lukens and Elizabeth Velasco to improve educator safety in Colorado. HB24-1320 passed by a vote of 7-4. “As a teacher, I understand how important it is for students and educators to feel safe at school, which is why we are taking steps to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “The idea for this bill came from educators who have reported seeing an increase in violence targeting educators. Keeping educators safe will encourage more teachers to enter and stay in the profession and foster the environment students need to learn.” “This legislation will help identify actions schools can take to keep educators safe so they can focus on teaching our students,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “I’m excited to focus on the role that unequal access to resources and restorative justice play in staff safety issues. Everyone deserves to be safe in school, including educators, and I know this is possible without contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.” HB24-1320 seeks to generate recommendations on improving safety for educators and school staff through the creation of the Educator Safety Task Force. Representatives of the task force will represent school support professionals, teachers, administrators, nonprofits, and students and families from various communities who are impacted. In making their recommendations related to school safety, the task force will look at the impact of funding needs, wraparound supports, staffing, incidents of student behavior, and resource inequality. Previous Next

< Back February 6, 2024 Amabile Suicide Prevention Bill Passes DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation to prevent suicides by regulating sales of sodium nitrite products. The bill passed by a vote of 60-4. “Colorado is in a mental health crisis, and the growing frequency of suicide by sodium nitrite products indicates that these products are too easily accessible,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Some private online sellers are marketing concentrated sodium nitrite products as a way to complete suicide, profiting off of the mental health struggles of our loved ones and neighbors. This bill brings much needed regulation to these products so we can keep it out of the hands of people most susceptible to it and focus instead on getting them help.” Sodium nitrite “suicide kits” are easily accessible online and have been reported to be used by Colorado residents, especially youth, in recent years. Websites that sell these kits often have step-by-step instructions on how to use sodium nitrite to complete suicide. HB24-1081 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Catlin, would regulate the sale or transfer of products that contain 10 percent or greater of sodium nitrite. Sellers would be required to verify that commercial businesses require the product before a transaction could be made, and records of sales or transfers must be kept for three years. Violators could see $10,000 in civil penalties for a first violation, with up to $1 million for a second violation. Previous Next

< Back April 6, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: AURORA DELEGATION STATEMENT ON FIRING OF POLICE CHIEF WILSON DENVER, CO – The Aurora Delegation in the Colorado General Assembly today released the following statement on the firing of Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson: “The firing of Aurora’s police chief will set back the critical and long overdue efforts currently underway in Aurora to ensure accountability and integrity in our police department. In 2020, we provided the Attorney General with the authority to investigate the department, which led to the finding that Aurora Police engaged in a longstanding pattern and practice of racist policing. Chief Wilson has been working hard to build a police force that reflects the diversity of our community and hold officers accountable for racially biased actions. Her firing in the middle of these efforts sends a terrible message to the police force and to the community about Aurora’s commitment to reforming these practices. “We commend Chief Wilson for her steadfast commitment to making our communities safer and rebuilding our community’s trust in our city’s police department. She held officers who engaged in misconduct accountable, and refused to tolerate the status quo that the Attorney General’s investigation found consistently endangered the lives of Black and Brown people in Aurora. We will not go back. Aurora needs a police chief who will continue these critical reforms to eradicate the department’s clearly documented pattern of racist policing and targeting of people of color.” The members of the Aurora Delegation are Representatives Iman Jodeh, Naquetta Ricks, Mandy Lindsay, Mike Weissman, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Senators Rhonda Fields and Janet Buckner. Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2024 Bill to Boost Colorado Communities Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and creates a tax credit for capital improvements. HB24-1295 passed by a vote of 10-1. “The Community Revitalization Tax Credit offers significant help to many communities across Colorado to help them get housing and creative projects built,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. "Our legislation expands on our past grant program’s eligibility criteria, so we can fund many projects waiting for funding to revitalize communities and downtowns across Colorado. With this bill, we’re creating job opportunities and boosting small businesses and local Colorado economies.” “The Community Revitalization Grant Program has provided crucial funding for local communities in every corner of our state, helping local businesses stay in their community while creating essential housing and child care opportunities,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. "This bill would bolster the grant program, dedicating new funding that Colorado communities need to keep the unique character of their town while keeping up with the demand for workforce housing, commercial spaces, and other resources.” In 2022, Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod sponsored legislation to allocate $20 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created as part of the Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets, or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here . HB24-1295 would expand eligibility for the Community Revitalization Grant Program to include projects that are qualified for funding under the Space to Create Colorado Program. The Space to Create Colorado Program helps communities develop affordable housing opportunities, commercial spaces, community gathering spaces, childcare centers, non-profit organizations, and other projects that provide community resources. The bill also establishes a refundable tax credit program for tax years 2026 through 2032 for creative industries and mixed-use and creative-use spaces for the general public. The committee also passed HB24-1358 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Marc Snyder, that would modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. These dollars would help spur additional film production in Colorado, creating new jobs in the creative sector. Previous Next

< Back May 3, 2022 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS OF COLORADO STATEMENT ON DRAFT SCOTUS OPINION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE DENVER, CO— The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado today released the following statement on the draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and Casey: The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado is outraged and appalled at the Supreme Court of the United States which, according to a leaked draft opinion , is signaling that the court will overturn Roe v. Wade. While we wait for the official ruling, expected to come out in the next couple of months, abortion is still legal in this country. Clinics are open and operating, and everyone should make or keep the appointments they need. We passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act this year because we knew it was possible that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. This was the number one priority for our caucus because we strongly believe that all people deserve access to abortion care when they need it, on a timeline of their choosing, and in a community and an environment they trust and feel safe in. It is important to reassure every pregnant person and their family that their fundamental right to all abortion care and reproductive health care services are protected in Colorado. No matter what the Supreme Court does, Colorado will continue to lead in order to ensure all people in need of these services are safe, and that anyone who must travel to Colorado in order to get abortion care will be supported. The obstacles that many face to obtaining abortion care–violence, judgment, costs, needing to travel long distances for care, and politicians attempting to make decisions in private health and personal medical matters– don’t impact us all equally. Communities of color and marginalized populations do not have equal access to health care and abortion care because of racism and structural inequities. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental and essential right for all people. We are deeply committed to this fight. Our hearts are with all the people impacted by this pending decision and leaders in the reproductive health and justice community. Previous Next