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< Back March 29, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REDUCE SUICIDE DEATHS DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Janice Rich to reduce suicide deaths in Colorado. “Far too many Coloradans have felt the gut-wrenching sadness and heartbreak of a suicide attempt,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Today, we’re taking action to ensure that Colorado has a comprehensive approach to stopping suicide deaths. The bill expands a critical grant program so that more students and teachers are trained to support youth in crisis. Importantly, by focusing on the aftermath of a suicide attempt, the bill ensures individuals and communities have the support they need to prevent future tragedies.” HB21-1119 expands the Crisis and Suicide Training Grant Program to include “‘train-the-trainer” programs at public schools and funds peer-to-peer specialist programs that help students support their classmates. The bill incorporates postvention and follow-up care into the state’s comprehensive suicide prevention approach to support individuals and communities in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Importantly, CDPHE will update the department’s suicide prevention resources to include region-specific information for primary care providers on how to recognize and respond to suicidal patients, including information that can be shared with patients and information for health facilities to share upon a patient’s release. Research shows that people who have known someone who died by suicide were 1.6 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, 2.9 times more likely to have a plan for suicide themselves, and 3.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide. Suicide has become a far more common cause of death among peace officers, medical professionals, and school-aged children. Children or adolescents who know about a friend’s suicide attempt are nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide themselves. Previous Next

< Back May 16, 2024 SIGNED! Bill to Increase Use of Transit Legislation extends the popular Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program and establishes a free transit program for youth WESTMINSTER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Representatives Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, and Julia Marvin, D-Thornton, to increase the use of transit was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis today. SB24-032 offers flexible state support for public transit agencies to expand service in a way that works best for their community. Under this new law, transit agencies can apply for funding for either fare-free year-round transit services for youth (ages 19 and younger), or a continuation of the successful Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program , which funds Colorado’s free transit rides during peak ozone season and was set to expire without further legislative action. “During my time in elected office, Colorado has taken leaps and bounds forward when it comes to smart, successful transportation policy,” said Priola. “As I concluded my final year in the General Assembly, I’m proud to have sponsored legislation that will improve upon our past work while continuing to innovate. I’m excited for Senate Bill 32 to streamline a statewide transit system that encourages usage and saves people money.” “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 pass this law that will boost and expand our efforts,” said Vigil. “We’re building on our existing zero fare program to cover either zero fare for all riders 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." “Making it easier for Coloradans to opt for a bus or train instead of a car is critical to helping us reach our climate goals and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” Winter said. “The Ozone Season Grant Program and the Youth Fare Free Transit Grant Program will help lower costs for working families, while the tax credit will help Colorado businesses offer their employees reliable and discounted transportation.” “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 Marvin. “Our law 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 law will have a significant impact on hardworking Coloradans and will reaffirm our commitment to reaching our air quality goals.” Finally, the law creates 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 will be created by October 1, 2024, and offer a proposal by July 1, 2026. The committee members will 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

< Back June 3, 2024 Gov. Polis Signs Medical Liability Bill into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to update Colorado’s medical liability laws. The agreement from health care providers, business leaders and trial lawyers will prevent divisive ballot measures and provide certainty for both providers and patients. “I’m grateful to all the people who put aside differences and came together to do what’s best for Colorado and avoid divisive ballot measures,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville . “This new law will maintain access to health care, provide stability for providers and businesses, and ensure people can be compensated when they are injured because of negligence.” “By bringing people together, we’ve come to a long-term agreement that is good for Coloradans, ensures access to care and protects consumers,” said Health and Insurance Committee Chair Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “I appreciate the work of the sponsors, Governor Polis, business groups and consumer advocates to put aside their differences and bring forward legislation that will provide stability to the health care industry and allow patients and their families to pursue justice.” HB24-1472 , sponsored by Representative Kyle Brown and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, makes changes to noneconomic loss or injury and wrongful death damages caps and allows a sibling of the deceased to bring a wrongful death action in certain circumstances. It also increases the recoverable amount for noneconomic damages medical malpractice actions. For civil actions filed on or after January 1, 2025, the law increases the cap on damages for noneconomic loss or injury from $250,000 to $1.5 million and starting January 1, 2028, adjusts the damages cap based on inflation. The law adds a sibling of the deceased as a party who may bring a wrongful death action in certain circumstances. The law imposes a wrongful death damages cap of $2.125 million, and starting January 1, 2028, adjusts the damages cap based on inflation. The law incrementally increases the medical malpractice wrongful death damages limitation to $1.575 million, and adjusts the cap for inflation. The law incrementally increases the noneconomic damages limitation to $875,000, and adjusts the cap for inflation. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2023 House Committee Passes Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Energy Bills, Improve Transparency DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee yesterday passed legislation to save Coloradans money on their energy bills and improve pricing stability to prevent unpredictable rate spikes in the future. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Chris deGruy Kennedy and Matthew Martinez, would increase transparency and accountability of utility companies before the Public Utilities Commission. “After convening with policy experts, consumer advocates, and utility companies to uncover what is leading to rising utility rates, we’re moving a solution forward that will save families money on their utility bills,” said Joint Select Committee Vice Chair Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This bill works to create a fairer utility rate setting process so Colordans are not stuck with unexpected, high utility bills. Ratepayers’ interests should be prioritized, and this legislation would improve utility accountability and transparency to keep Coloradans’ concerns and wallets top of mind.” “The Joint Select Committee has been hard at work identifying real solutions to tackle high utility bills that have been impacting hardworking families all winter,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Our legislation will create a pathway toward long-term, cost-saving solutions that will increase rate transparency and save Coloradans money. This legislation also works to protect ratepayers from having to cover the costs of lobbying, advertising and other expenses that utilities pass on to consumers.” SB23-291 , which passed the House Finance Committee by a vote of 6 to 4, presents a package of reforms to lower utility bills now and in the future. It rebalances the kind of expenses paid by utility shareholders versus ratepayers, aligns incentives on fuel costs, and levels the playing field at Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proceedings, where costly infrastructure plans are proposed and approved. The bill would limit utility expenses that can be paid by ratepayers, such as lobbying and advertising, which would be more appropriately paid by company shareholders. It would also create a cost-sharing mechanism to incentivize utilities to save their customers money on fuel costs, and allow the PUC to set a maximum monthly fuel cost to smooth out monthly bills and avoid sudden price shocks. Additionally, the bill would require utilities to report more detailed justification for their plans when they request a rate increase, which will help regulators and watchdogs make sure proposed investments are truly in the public interest. In addition, the bill empowers the PUC to reduce utilities’ ability to charge consumers for expensive consultants and lawyers that argue on behalf of rate increases. Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Lawmakers Urge Congress to Fund Water Infrastructure Improvements for Tribes DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Barbara McLachlan, and Senators Dylan Roberts and Cleave Simpson today sponsored a joint resolution ( SJM24-002 ) to urge Congress to fully fund the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which would provide $35 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects across the country, including the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project (PRIIP). The PRIIP carries freshwater to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal land and is in desperate need of repair. “The Pine River Indian Irrigation Project is a vital resource for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and surrounding communities, and its deteriorated condition makes it nearly impossible for users to rely on it for fresh water,” said Speaker Julie McCluksie, D-Dillon . “Recent federal legislation authorized $35 million each year to update, maintain and repair critical projects, including the Pine River Indian Irrigation project. However, Congress has never appropriated this full amount, and the PRIIP has only received $135,000. We’re calling on Congress to appropriate the full $35 million to ensure this vital water project can be preserved and maintained.” “When the bipartisan Colorado Drought River Task Force, and specifically the Tribal Sub-Task Force, presented their recommendations, it was clear that the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project is in dire need of federal funds to modernize their system,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco . “We’re calling on Congress to fully fund the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act in Colorado, so the Tribes that rely on this precious resource can have safe, reliable water for their communities and agricultural economy.” “The deterioration of the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project means the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and those living in remote communities in Southwestern Colorado have unreliable freshwater resources for both drinking and agricultural needs,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This resolution is a call on Congress to fully fund commitments to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and make it possible for the PRIIP to serve communities as intended. The Colorado Drought River Task Force recommendations are clear, repairing this irrigation project is an urgent matter because the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has been living with unpredictable, unreliable water resources for far too long.” “The Ute nation especially knows that water is the lifeblood of our state,” s aid Senator Cleve Simpson, R-Alamosa . “This joint memorial is meant to highlight the federal government’s inaction in addressing water infrastructure, and my hope is to see the federal government step up, and live up to its commitments to the sovereign Ute Nation.” The PRIIP was constructed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs during the late 1800s and early 1900s and the continued deterioration of the water system means that only an estimated 15 percent of the 175 miles of canals is considered to be in good condition. This water system services the Southern Ute Indian Tribal lands and parts of Ignacio, Colorado for drinking and irrigation purposes. Since the WIIN Act was enacted in 2016, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Ute Agency which maintains the PRIIP, has only received $135,000 for repairs. The WIIN Act, if fully funded, authorizes an annual $35 million allocation split amongst many Tribal needs across the country, including the PRIIP. However, Congress has never fully appropriated the $35 million. In 2023, the Bureau of Indian Affairs completed a modernization plan for the PRIIP system which estimates a cost of $60.7 million, while other cost estimates for modernization range as high as $109 million. Last year, the Colorado River Drought Task Force deemed the deterioration of the PRIIP an urgent matter for Colorado to ensure Tribal communities have access to drinking water, maintain their traditional water use, and enjoy a thriving agricultural industry. Additionally, Governor Polis sent a letter to Congress urging them to fulfill their promise. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2023 Bill to Improve Judiciary Training in Assault, Domestic Violence Cases Advances DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bill to better equip the judicial system and judicial personnel with the tools needed to understand the complex issues that victims of crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence face. “As a survivor of domestic violence, I know how difficult and distressing it can be for victims to come forward with their story,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D- Wheat Ridge . “Victims of crimes like domestic violence or sexual assault are often forced to relive their trauma while navigating the judicial system in order to hold their aggressor accountable. This bill is essential in understanding how to create a judicial system that incorporates trauma-informed practices and training to better protect and support victims and survivors.” HB23-1108 , a bipartisan bill that passed out of committee by a vote of 11-2, 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 February 19, 2020 BILL TO ABOLISH COLUMBUS DAY PASSES THE HOUSE DENVER, CO — The Colorado House today passed a bill to remove state recognition of Columbus Day, a holiday named after the perpetrator of numerous crimes against humanity, and instead create a holiday that recognizes humanitarian Frances Xavier Cabrini. The new holiday would be the first state holiday named after a woman and would honor Cabrini’s tireless work on behalf of Colorado’s children. The bill was approved by a vote of 37-26. “I’m glad to finally see the House vote to end our state’s recognition of a holiday that brings pain to indigenous people in Colorado every year,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez (D-Adams County). “I’m proud that we were able to get this done after so many years trying — this is a momentous day. I’m especially glad that at the same time as we ended our recognition of Columbus, we were able to take a step towards establishing the first state holiday in Colorado to honor a woman.” “I’m proud to see the House vote to set the historical record straight,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn). “The legacy and memory of Columbus are a very present source of pain for many communities in our state, and I’m glad we took a step towards putting this pain behind us.” HB20-1031 would establish Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October as a state holiday. It would be a paid holiday for state employees, and the bill would remove state sanction of Columbus day, which occurs one week later. The holiday would recognize Cabrini’s humanitarian values and lifelong dedication to service, especially to the Italian American immigrant community, who faced discrimination and difficulty as they immigrated to America. She worked tirelessly to support the Italian-American community in the United States, including through several projects in Colorado. In 1904, Cabrini established Denver’s Queen of Heaven Orphanage for girls. In 1910, she founded a summer camp for the orphanage’s residents in Golden, Colorado. Currently, a shrine stands in her honor in the original location of the summer camp in Golden. The shrine includes the “Stone House”, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Columbus Day is one of the few holliday’s named after a person, and its continued existence perpetuates the pain and suffering he inflicted. He was responsible for the kidnapping, rape and murder of thousands. Over 50,000 indiginous people commited suicide rather than comply with his rule, and within two years of his landing in the bahamas, over 125,000 people died, half the population. The bill aims to end the state sanctioned pain this holliday The bill passed on Third Reading this morning; the bill will now move onto the Senate. ### Previous Next

< Back February 2, 2024 First-in-the-Nation Neural Data Protections Bill Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation in a preliminary vote to add biological and neural protections to the Colorado Privacy Act. “Companies like Apple and Meta are making amazing progress with technology that uses biological and neural data, but without proper privacy protections in our state law, Coloradans’ personal data can be used without consent,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “While neurotechnology has made significant advancements, especially for people with disabilities, bad actors can also use this data to learn how to change people’s thoughts and behavior. Our bill will protect Coloradans’ privacy of thought while continuing to encourage technological advancements.” HB24-1058 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, would expand the definition of “sensitive data” in the Colorado Privacy Act to include all biological data, including neural data. Neurotechnology has become increasingly popular in recent years. Scientists and tech companies like Apple, Meta and Neuralink have used neurotechnology to recreate songs from users’ brain waves and translate thoughts using artificial intelligence. It also has the potential to alter someone’s thoughts and behaviors. In 2021, Chile was the first country in the world to pass a law to protect brain rights so their personal neural data could not be sold, trafficked or manipulated. If HB24-1058 becomes law, Colorado will be the first state in the US to protect their residents’ biological and neural data. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2019 SULLIVAN, GARNETT INTRODUCE LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Feb 14) – Today, Rep. Tom Sullivan and Majority Leader Alec Garnett were joined by survivors of gun violence, law enforcement officers and state legislators to unveil new legislation to prevent gun violence and protect first responders. “This is why I’m here – I’m here to help save lives and to make sure what happened to my family and my son doesn’t happen to others,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “This Extreme Risk Protection Order bill is about saving lives. I wear my son Alex’s jacket every single day I come to the state capitol. Watching your child’s body drop into the ground is as bad as it gets. And I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that none of you have to do that. I don’t care what party you belong to, I’m going to everything I can until this jacket falls off of me.” Rep. Sullivan’s son Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. “When an individual is in crisis, loved ones and law enforcement are often the first to see signs that they pose a threat to themselves or others. Extreme Risk Protection Orders can save lives by creating a way for family members and law enforcement to act before warning signs escalate into tragedies,” said Rep. Garnett, D-Denver. “This bill has some of the strongest due process provisions of any ERPO bill in the country. Coloradans refuse to maintain the status quo and refuse to simply live with the consequences of doing nothing to address the epidemic of gun violence.” This bill will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe.Through this bill, family or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks. After that, family or law enforcement could petition the judge for a full Extreme Risk Protection Order. If the judge determines, by a clear and convincing evidence standard, that the respondent poses a significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others, they could approve the protection order for up to 364 days. During this hearing, respondents will be provided legal counsel at no cost. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during the 364-day time period. The bill, which was introduced during the 2018 legislative session and which passed the House, is once again named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty last New Year’s Eve by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Deputy Parrish was just twenty-nine years old. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, spoke in favor of the bill at a press conference today. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Senators Lois Court, D-Denver, and Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, also spoke at today’s press conference, sharing a statement from Deputy Parrish’s parents Zack and Cris Parrish to remind us all of the need for this life-saving legislation: “It is incumbent upon us to support the Zack S. Parrish, III Law, a measure which will limit the accessibility that a mentally and/or emotionally ill person would have to obtain such weaponry. This is not about taking gun rights away from anyone; it is about protecting our first responders, families, and the community at large, thus reducing these tragedies in the future,” the Parrish family urged. Kaylee Tyner, a senior at Columbine High School spoke at the press conference and led a moment of silence in honor of the one year anniversary of the Parkland High School shooting. Thirteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Jane Dougherty of Littleton whose sister Mary Sherlach was killed in the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Conn. And who has been a leader on gun violence prevention efforts here in Colorado and in the capitol also spoke at today’s press conference. Colorado lost over eleven-hundred people to suicide in 2017. Studies show that access to a gun in a home triples the risk of death by suicide. Indiana’s firearm suicide rate decreased by nearly eight percent in the ten years after their Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) legislation was enacted. The text of HB19-1177 can be found here. Watch Rep. Sullivan’s remarks here. Previous Next

< Back MONICA DURAN: Domestic violence awareness more important now than ever Oct 31, 2023 See more This op-ed was published in the Aurora Sentinel on Oct 30, 2023 I want people to know they are not alone in this battle Hidden behind closed doors and hushed about in dark hallways is the growing epidemic of domestic violence. Nationally, domestic violence is on the rise , and troubling data from the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board reveals Colorado is not immune to this trend. Economic uncertainty, isolation and lack of child care, all exacerbated by the pandemic, have created more dangerous conditions for many in our state. Throughout October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are tasked to spread awareness about this epidemic and connect those fleeing abusers with crucial services. The trauma, hardship and pain are very real for me, and a constant reminder of why this work is important. At just nineteen, I found myself in an abusive home situation that left me in fear for my life. Domestic abuse is difficult to talk about, let alone escape with a young son. It took me years to muster up the courage to leave my abuser, reclaim my life, and breakthrough stigmas to make my voice heard. Throughout those trying years, I navigated a challenging court system, limited survivor resources, financial uncertainty and ultimately homelessness. Today, I have my life. But we must remind ourselves that for every person who escapes, there are many more who are still living in dangerous and terrifying situations. After all this time, sharing my story still isn’t easy. As we face more domestic violence deaths than ever recorded before in Colorado, I want people to know they are not alone in this battle. I am fighting for you at the Capitol and working to break down the wall of silence surrounding domestic violence. Since the end of the last legislative session in May, I have been busy collaborating with local leaders, survivors, and advocates to help shape policy that supports domestic violence survivors. One of the persistent issues survivors face is the lack of resources to help them start anew. That daunting list of tasks can include arranging child care, hunting for a new apartment, seeking health care treatment and attending court dates. As I plan for the 2024 legislative session that begins in January, securing more funding for crime survivors, making survival resources more readily available and cutting red tape with criminal filings are at the top of my priority list. Our work this session will build on important legislation I helped pass that combats the domestic violence epidemic and protects survivors. In 2021, we passed HB21-1255 , which allows for the removal of firearms from someone who has a domestic violence-related protection order issued against them, and HB21-1165 , bipartisan legislation to make criminal investigations more seamless for victims of strangulation. To improve the court system experience for survivors, we passed HB23-1222 , which establishes standards for domestic violence cases tried in municipalities, strengthens oversight, and increases data sharing. These pivotal pieces of legislation, along with many others, make our communities safer and protect Coloradans. While it is humbling to see my own personal history shape statewide policy and to be awarded the Domestic Abuse Survivor Award by the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abuse non-profit and the Aquamarine Award for being a champion in our fight against domestic violence from Violence Free Colorado, our work is never done. We must continue to spread awareness of domestic violence and work toward a future where we can all live violence-free. October is the time to be extra aware of the lingering and growing dangers of domestic violence. Identify warning signs of abuse as a partner tries to gain or maintain power and control over you and your household. If you need help in Colorado, call (800) 799-7233 to be connected to the National Domestic Violence Hotline or visit violencefreecolorado.org . Those living in Jefferson County can call Porch Light, a Family Justice Center, at (720) 853-8850 to seek help. Majority Leader state Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, represents House District 23 which includes Lakewood, Lakeside, Applewood, and Mountain View Previous Next

< Back March 8, 2021 DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REDUCE COSTS AND INCREASE AFFORDABILITY OF LIFE-SAVING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS DENVER – This afternoon, Senators Jaquez Lewis and Gonzales, along with Representatives Caraveo and Kennedy, in partnership with Governor Polis, announced the introduction of SB21-175, a bill to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. “Prescription drugs cost too much and Coloradans are sick and tired of being ripped off. This bill is an important step toward our goal of saving people money on health care,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I want to thank the bill sponsors for their efforts to ensure that hardworking Coloradans can get the medicine they need for themselves and their families without worrying about astronomical costs.” “As prescription drug costs continue to skyrocket, people are forced to make impossible choices,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, a pharmacist and prime sponsor of the legislation. “This proposal–this group of non-partisan experts–has the potential to save Coloradans as much as 75% on the most unaffordable drugs. We have no choice but to address this issue–we absolutely must get this under control so we can build a healthy Colorado for all!” “The painful and heartbreaking accounts of Coloradans who are forced to choose between filling prescriptions, skipping doses or paying for basic necessities are far too common,” said bill sponsor Representative Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs is hurting families, and it’s hurting our economic recovery. Coming out of this pandemic, we must build back stronger, and that means making common sense reforms to lower the costs of the drugs that are eating away at the bottom line of so many hardworking Coloradans.” Too many Coloradans skip doses, stretch the length of their prescriptions, or delay filling prescriptions because they simply cannot afford them. As established in the bill, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will convene a panel of experts to investigate prescription drug cost increases, and set guardrails on cost increases for the most expensive prescription drugs in the state. The affordability board would set upper payment limits for prescription drugs that meet certain cost increase thresholds. These payment limits would apply to all purchasers in the state, but will only be placed on the highest cost drugs, with purchasers continuing to be able to negotiate rates for the vast majority of drugs. The board will collect and evaluate the data necessary to review the affordability of prescription drugs and make policy recommendations to legislators. The board will be made up of nonpartisan, unpaid experts who are free from conflicts of interest. “Even prior to the pandemic, nearly 1 in 3 Coloradans struggled to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy, forcing families to choose between buying their prescriptions or paying rent and buying groceries,” said bill sponsor Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “At a time when Coloradans are struggling with the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we should ensure that all Coloradans – particularly in communities of color – have access to affordable health care.” “Prescription drugs are essential to managing, preventing, and curing diseases, but not every Coloradan can access them because cost is a barrier when it shouldn’t even be a consideration,” said bill sponsor Rep Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, a physician. “Coloradans need us to act now. Colorado families are struggling with unfair and unaffordable drug costs. The affordability board will reign in the highest cost drugs and stop the out of control increases that are reaching deeper and deeper into Coloradans pockets and driving up the cost of healthcare for everyone.” A recent poll from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that 77% of Coloradans supported the idea of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to analyze and act to lower the cost of certain prescription drugs — and this bill seeks to answer their call. To read the full text of the bill and track it through the legislative process, visit leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-175 Previous Next

< Back March 22, 2019 HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE APPROVES BUENTELLO BILL TO TACKLE OPIOID ADDICTION Buentello’s bill to help increase child care options in the state also on the move (Mar. 22) – The House Public Health and Human Services committee approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, 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. “This is a bill that is about saving lives and helping Coloradans who are struggling in the midsts of the opioid epidemic to get the treatment they need,” said Rep. Buentello. “Two years ago, the legislature created the pilot MAT program. We saw how well that program worked, so it’s time to expand this program to help those in Southern Colorado.” 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. 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 bill passed out of the House Public Health and Human Services committee by a bipartisan vote of 10-1. It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Rep. Buentello’s other bill passed out of the House Public Health and Human Services committee, with Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, as the co-prime. This bill requires consensus-based recommendations to the legislature and other boards and commissions to remedy the shortage of licensed, safe and affordable childcare options in the state. SB19-063 passed unanimously and now heads to House Appropriations committee. Previous Next