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  • HOUSE APPROVES ROBERTS-JACKSON STUDENT LOAN SERVICER ACCOUNTABILITY BILL

    < Back April 24, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES ROBERTS-JACKSON STUDENT LOAN SERVICER ACCOUNTABILITY BILL Coloradans issued over 1000 complaints against loan services in 2017 (Apr. 24) — The House approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Dominique Jackson that would help prevent fraud and misconduct, and improve transparency on student loan servicers. “By passing this bill we can ensure borrowers are not steered away from the best borrowing option for them and are not the victims of deception,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “This is one of the most pressing issues for my generation and people my age are growing frustrated with the inaction of their elected leaders on this issue. Student debt in Colorado has ballooned from $19 billion to over $27 billion in just three years – we can no longer wait to act. This is a crucial step that we can take for generations and generations to come and help borrowers repay their loans as quickly as possible.” This bill would include student loan servicers in the Uniform Consumer Credit Code to establish licensing requirements for these service providers. It also empowers the Colorado Attorney General’s office to field, review, and attempt to resolve any complaints by borrowers against service providers. “I put myself through undergraduate school and a very expensive graduate program. I took out a lot of student loans,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora, told the committee. “It’s not just my colleagues’ generation, it’s mine too. I don’t get to retire because I have this debt and I feel like I will die with this student loan debt.” In 2017, Coloradans issue over 1,000 complaints against loan service providers. That is a 78 percent increase compared to previous years, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. SB19-002 passed on a vote of 40-24 with every House Republican voting to leave student loan borrowers unprotected from fraud and misconduct. The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments. The Senate approved the bill on a bipartisan vote of 27-8 in March. The Senate sponsors are Sen. Faith Winter and Sen. Steve Fenberg. Previous Next

  • HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO RENTERS

    < Back February 21, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO RENTERS Titone and Gonzales-Gutierrez’s commonsense bill could help ease housing crunch (Feb. 21) – This morning, the House voted in favor of a bill that would protect renters from unnecessarily high rental application fees. “Unchecked rental application fees that are too high for families and seniors struggling with the rising cost of living have exacerbated Colorado’s affordable housing crisis,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “ We need to do everything we can to ease the housing crunch and increase transparency in the rental application process to ensure bad actors aren’t harming Coloradans seeking a home for themselves and their families. This bill helps accomplish that.” Under current state law, there are no limits on what landlords can charge for a rental application fee, and there are no safeguards to ensure the fee aligns with the actual costs of screening a prospective tenant. “Rental application fees should be used to conduct a consumer credit or reference check – not line a landlords pockets,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “This legislation will provide relief to individuals or families searching for housing from the Front Range to the Western Slope by putting in place a key consumer protection safeguard in the rental application process.” HB19-1106 puts in place commonsense limits on the application fees that renters face as they search for their next rental home. The bill limits application fees to the price of what is necessary to screen residents—such as credit reports, reference checks or tenant screening reports—and ensures the fee is refunded if the applicant is never screened. More than a dozen states have enacted policies that set reasonable terms for the collection and retention of rental application fees. For hardworking individuals or families struggling to find housing, the high cost of non-refundable application fees can easily exhaust their limited financial resources, sometimes making it impossible for them to pay a security deposit or the first month’s rent. The bill was approved by a vote of 40-23 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

  • SIGNED! Legislation to Prevent Gun Violence, Crack Down on Ghost Guns Becomes Law

    SB23-279 will prohibit the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers < Back June 2, 2023 SIGNED! Legislation to Prevent Gun Violence, Crack Down on Ghost Guns Becomes Law SB23-279 will prohibit the possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation aimed at preventing further gun violence and cracking down on “ghost guns” into law. Sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Representatives Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, and Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, SB23-279 prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of an unserialized firearm, frame or receiver. It also prohibits manufacturing a frame or receiver, unless done by a federally licensed firearm manufacturer, including via a 3D printer. Ghost guns are unregulated, untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home, often through DIY kits or downloadable blueprints. They are designed to avoid all gun laws, and are available to purchase without a background check, serial number, sale record, or other protections. “Ghost guns are untraceable, unserialized weapons that anyone can make or assemble in their own home - and they’re extremely dangerous,” Fields said. “We worked hard this session to make Colorado safer and prevent gun violence, and this new law is a big step towards reaching that goal. I’m proud to champion this legislation that will prevent ghost guns from causing further violence in our communities and create a safer Colorado for us all.” "Colorado Democrats have passed significant gun violence prevention legislation in recent years, but ghost guns bypass these life-saving firearm protections and make our communities more vulnerable to gun violence,” Boesenecker said. “Unserialized guns allow for dangerous individuals to possess a firearm and makes it harder for victims to seek accountability for gun crimes. With this new law, Colorado is cracking down on unserialized firearm parts so we can save more lives from senseless gun violence and improve accountability for victims and their families." “Right now it’s far too easy for young people in Colorado and others who shouldn’t possess firearms to access them, and ghost guns are a huge part of that problem,” Hansen said. “Nearly anyone can order the parts or have them 3D printed, and within minutes have access to a fully functional, untraceable firearm. By cracking down on ghost guns, we will get these dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, reducing gun violence and increasing safety across our state.” "Too many Coloradans have been affected by gun violence, and ghost guns are becoming increasingly prevalent in crime scenes,” Joseph said. “Through DIY kits or 3D printers, anyone can access a ghost gun on demand without going through the background check process. Our new commonsense law will prevent ghost guns from being in the hands of those seeking to harm themselves or others and keep our communities safer by limiting access to dangerous and untraceable firearms." Under the bill, if an individual has an unserialized firearm, frame or receiver, they have until January 1, 2024 to have it serialized. It also prohibits the possession of a “machine gun conversion device” which turns a firearm into a machine gun and imposes the same penalties as in current law for possessing a machine gun. Previous Next

  • HOUSE APPROVES MCCLUSKIE BILL TO RENEW EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM

    < Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES MCCLUSKIE BILL TO RENEW EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Only 40 percent of third graders in the state are reading at their grade level now (Apr. 30) – The House gave preliminary approval to a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie to renew the Colorado Reading To Ensure Academic Development Act (Colorado READ Act), a K-3 literacy instructional program that began in 2012. “Ultimately, strong readers are more successful in school, and we hope in all aspects of life. This bill builds on and improves the existing READ Act that was passed in 2012,” said Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We need to see stronger results in early childhood literacy. We worked together with members of the K-12 education community to strengthen and refine the efforts that are already in place. We hope this revitalized READ Act will support better reading growth and achievement.” SB19-199 allocates literacy funding towards evidence-based practices that will get Coloradan kids reading at grade level. The bill puts in place provisions to ensure that Colorado teachers are proficient in evidenced-based literacy and reading training practices. That funding can be used for summer literacy programs, professional development programming and tutoring services. Finally, the bill includes increased transparency measures and reporting requirements to ensure the appropriated funds are used in a manner to get the largest return on investment for Colorado’s early learners. SB19-199 passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

  • Story, Brown’s Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Committee

    Pipeline safety legislation, sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Kyle Brown, passed the House Energy & Environment Committee today. < Back April 18, 2024 Story, Brown’s Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Committee DENVER, CO – Pipeline safety legislation, sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Kyle Brown, passed the House Energy & Environment Committee today. HB24-1357 would address transparency and enforcement concerns about the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) Pipeline Safety Program. “This bill is about keeping our neighbors and environment safe from dangerous pipeline leaks,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “A recent state audit confirmed – pipeline operators are not being held to a high safety standard, jeopardizing people’s lives and livelihoods. We’re stepping up to ensure the Pipeline Safety Program is working as intended by increasing transparency requirements and establishing a minimum penalty amount for violators. Public health and safety is a top priority and this bill would require pipeline operators to check for and fix leaks in a timely manner.” “Damaged or leaky pipelines can pose a risk to public health and safety, and add powerful greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere that contribute to climate change,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This legislation ramps up the state’s enforcement, reporting and transparency regulations on pipeline operators so we can keep our communities safe. Minimum penalties for pipeline operators who violate the law will also help deter noncompliance. We’re serious about improving pipeline safety, and this bill gives the state the tools it needs to hold pipeline operators accountable.” HB24-1357 , which passed committee by a vote of 9-3, would require minimum penalty amounts for failure to follow rules designed to protect public health and safety. This bill would also limit the PUC's discretion for reducing or eliminating fines on violators and increase maximum penalty amounts. In 2023, the Office of the State Auditor produced a report that detailed six years of systemic failure of the Pipeline Safety Program, including failure to enforce safety requirements for 94 percent of instances of operator noncompliance. In addition to improving the efficacy of enforcement, this bill would also update pipeline reporting and transparency measures. Specifically, it would require the PUC to develop a user-friendly, public-facing website for pipeline safety data, including leak information, public complaints, and follow-up actions taken by the PUC in response. HB24-1357 would also improve public safety by requiring the PUC to engage in rulemaking to require pipeline operators to utilize advanced leak detection technologies, prioritize and fix leaks based on severity, and address owner responsibilities for abandoned or decommissioned pipelines. Previous Next

  • REP. ROBERTS’ BILL ON WINTER DRIVING CLEARS PASS(AGE)

    < Back March 8, 2019 REP. ROBERTS’ BILL ON WINTER DRIVING CLEARS PASS(AGE) (Mar. 8) – The House floor gave preliminary approval today to a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts to increase safety and efficiency on our roads by updating and revising language in statutes for motor vehicles driving the I-70 mountain corridor. “Given the recent record snowfall, this is a very appropriate day and week for this bill. Many drivers are not prepared for the winter driving conditions on I-70 and that leads to crashes, spin-outs, and closures along the I-70 mountain corridor – especially during winter months,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “Closures due to unprepared drivers on I-70 cause traffic and can hurt our economy on the Western Slope and across Colorado.” This bill gives state patrol more leeway to control the traffic during winter months. “We want to make sure drivers are prepared to drive on I-70 during winter conditions for the safety of themselves and the safety of others, ” said Rep. Roberts added. HB19-1207 updates current statutes to reflect modern traction technology and traction options. It sets minimum standards for tires being used in the winter in the mountain corridor. It also defines the I-70 mountain corridor by mileposts and sets out clear standards for the timeframe for traction equipments requirements. The heightened traction standards would be in effect from September 1 through May 31 of each year and apply to travel between milepost 133 (Dotsero) and milepost 259 (Morrison). HB19-1207 received preliminary passage on the House floor by a voice vote. It still requires a final vote before clearing the final pass in the House and moving to the Senate. Previous Next

  • Speaker McCluskie’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Zero-Cost Credentials Passes House

    The House today passed bipartisan legislation to break down financial barriers for aspiring professionals to enter new, high-demand careers through a zero-cost credentials program. HB23-1246, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would help meet the state’s workforce demands and save Coloradans money. < Back April 13, 2023 Speaker McCluskie’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Zero-Cost Credentials Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation to break down financial barriers for aspiring professionals to enter new, high-demand careers through a zero-cost credentials program. HB23-1246, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would help meet the state’s workforce demands and save Coloradans money. “Whether you’re headed back to school or switching careers entirely, zero-cost credentials are a win for everyone because they help meet workforce demands and offer Coloradans the training they need to succeed for free,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon . “Our communities need more childhood educators, nurses, and firefighters, and this bill breaks down the financial barriers to these and many other in-demand fields. This bill creates new, zero-cost pathways for Coloradans to pursue the careers of their dreams while expanding our state’s strong talent pipeline and helping Coloradans live and serve in the communities they love.” Zero-Cost Credentials for Aspiring Professionals: HB23-1246 passed by a vote of 56 to 7 and would invest $45 million over the span of two years and pave the way for aspiring professionals in high-demand fields to receive free training toward associate degrees and industry certificates in eligible industries. Eligible industries include elementary and early childhood education, firefighting, law enforcement, forest management, short-term nursing programs, and construction trades. For programs that are already zero-cost to students, such as Registered Apprenticeship Programs, funding will be provided to cover the costs associated with the training, such as instructor time and instructional materials. The funding to assist Registered Apprenticeship Programs in HB23-1246 is projected to train more than 3,000 students in the construction trades. HB23-1246 builds off the successful Care Forward Colorado Program that Democrats launched in 2022, by covering the costs associated with reskilling and upskilling, such as tuition, books, and additional instructional training, and expands the number of eligible career fields to include six foundational areas of the workforce. Since its launch in 2022, the Care Forward Colorado Program has successfully trained approximately 1,500 students as certified nursing assistants, emergency services professionals and other high-demand health care careers. On April 3, the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden visited the Colorado State Capitol to discuss this and other pieces of legislation that prioritize workforce training and uplift aspiring professionals to pursue career paths that do not require traditional, four-year college degrees. Previous Next

  • REP. SINGER’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECTION CASEWORKERS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED HOUSE

    < Back March 12, 2019 REP. SINGER’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECTION CASEWORKERS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED HOUSE (Mar. 12) – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, to protect the personal information of caseworkers that work in child abuse and neglect cases unanimously passed the House. “This bill protects the people who serve as frontline first responders to protect our kids,” said Rep. Singer, chair of the House Public Health Care & Human Services committee. “When these caseworkers are trying to raise their own families and get calls at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning to stand up for vulnerable children, they need a line of defense. This bill will ensure they receive the dignity and respect that their profession deserves.” HB19-1197 makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly put the personal information of a caseworker or their family on the internet if the information poses an imminent or serious threat to the safety of the caseworker or their family. This bill is to address the issue that child protection caseworkers sometimes face with threats against them or their families related to their duties. This protection will also extend to county attorneys who engage in legal action against those charged with child abuse and neglect. Rep. Singer’s bill would also require state or local government officials to deny a request for inspection of these caseworkers under the Colorado Open Records Act, which would serve the same purpose as prohibiting posting the person’s information online. Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs, is a co-prime sponsor on this bill. HB19-1197 unanimously passed the House. It now heads to the Senate. Rep. Singer has an extensive background in social work, having served for nearly a decade with child protection and family services in Boulder County. Previous Next

  • JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Faces Tight Budget Conditions as Economy Continues to Grow

    Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts. < Back March 16, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Faces Tight Budget Conditions as Economy Continues to Grow DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts. “Colorado’s economic outlook remains strong, despite the mixed signals and persistent challenges that are confronting us,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “We’ve fought hard in recent years to make critical investments in housing, health care, and education, and we must work to defend those gains while fulfilling our funding obligations. Despite the unpredictability, we are committed to passing a responsible budget that keeps Colorado on a sound and sensible economic path so our state can continue to thrive for generations to come.” “The economic forecast shows that Colorado continues to lead the nation with unemployment rates well below the national average and more job openings than unemployed workers,” said JBC Vice-Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “We have put our state on the path to success by governing responsibly, investing in the most pressing needs in our community, and supporting small businesses. This year, we face constraints from Colorado’s unique fiscal situation and will need to make thoughtful decisions on how we allocate resources. We are committed to passing a balanced budget that continues historic investments in public education, increases funding to improve public safety and grows our economy.” “Today’s budget forecast tells us a cautiously optimistic story of a strong economy for Colorado, one with falling unemployment rates and rising wages,” said JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “I’m incredibly proud of the many hours of work my colleagues and I have spent working on this year’s state budget. With this final forecast before the budget is introduced in the Senate, the JBC can finalize its deliberative work of crafting a budget that is thoughtful, responsible, bipartisan, and that will meet the many needs of Coloradans in every corner of the state.” “As we work to complete the budget, we are focused on making responsible investments that set up every Coloradan to thrive,” said JBC Member Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “In recent years, we’ve made important progress to boost access to early childhood education, save people money on health care and improve our public schools. Although the economic forecast looks promising, Colorado’s budget still faces unique fiscal constraints while contending with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide impacts of inflation. With this forecast, JBC can finalize a balanced budget that uplifts Coloradans and helps build a more equitable economy for all.” Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with more than two job openings for every unemployed worker and an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.4 percent. The majority of sectors have recovered all the jobs lost during the pandemic, and wages growth continues, outpacing inflation and the national average. While inflation remains high, mostly driven by the cost of housing, service, and food costs, it is decreasing and is projected to further decline next year with construction and energy costs trending downward. Revenue continues to increase, but fiscal constraints and higher costs from inflation limit the amount of funding available for new legislation and new ongoing obligations. The Legislative Council staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $17.16 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.74 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $296 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $391 million increase for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier December revenue forecast. The forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.44 billion for FY 2024-2025. The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $17 billion for FY 2022-2023, which OSPB revised upward by $128.1 million relative to its December estimate. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be $16.7 billion, which OSPB revised upward by $201.7 million relative to its December estimate. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion. LCS anticipates that budget writers will only have $1.79 billion to address caseload increases, inflationary pressures and spend or save this year. The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn. Risks that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation in the services industry, stronger wage growth, and reduced housing costs. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include financial contagion tied to recent bank failures and elevated inflation causing additional Federal Reserve policies to restrict consumer spending. Previous Next

  • Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act

    HB25-1239 will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act < Back May 22, 2025 Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act HB25-1239 will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed a new law to strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws. HB25-1239 , sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Representatives Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, and Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) to protect vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities. “People with disabilities should have the same rights to seek damages after experiencing discrimination as any other protected group,” said Weissman. “This bill ensures that people with disabilities can be compensated for attorney fees, emotional distress, and other noneconomic harms if they experience discrimination or violation of their civil rights.” “Under threat from the Trump Administration, it’s more important now than ever that we strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws,” said Zokaie. “When someone is wronged, we have a duty to create a pathway to justice. With this new law, we’re upholding our shared values of fairness, dignity, and equality under Colorado law and better protecting Coloradans who experience discrimination.” “The cost of hiring an attorney prevents many Coloradans from pursuing justice after facing discrimination,” said Daugherty. “People with disabilities who are denied housing or turned away from public spaces deserve a clear path to hold wrongdoers accountable and access the support they need to move forward.” “This law addresses unreasonable deadlines, barriers to financial compensation and other gaps in the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act to strengthen protections for Coloradans who experience discrimination,” said Boesenecker. “From housing discrimination to inaccessible building entrances, Coloradans with disabilities have faced barriers to access for far too long. This law provides crucial recourse to people with disabilities and other victims of discrimination to ensure they can receive the justice they deserve.” This law comes from a task force established by the legislature in 2023 to study the rights of Coloradans with disabilities and make recommendations. HB25-1239 is the largest expansion of CADA enforcement rights since CADA was passed nearly 70 years ago. This new law will allow victims of discrimination to receive monetary compensation for unfair housing practices, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights under the CADA for all protected classes. Under the law, victims will be able to recover attorney’s fees and costs, and either recovery of actual monetary damages, non-economic damages of up to $50,000, or a statutory fine of $5,000 per violation per aggrieved party. Awards for damages for non-economic loss or injury will be limited to $50,000. A defendant will be entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the amount of the non-economic loss or injury if the defendant corrects the violation within 30 days of the complaint and did not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly cause the violation. Previous Next

  • Polis Signs Bills to Save Students Money on Post-Secondary Degrees and Certificate Programs

    New laws will create free pathways to in-demand careers and offer graduating students scholarships for community college programs < Back May 16, 2023 Polis Signs Bills to Save Students Money on Post-Secondary Degrees and Certificate Programs New laws will create free pathways to in-demand careers and offer graduating students scholarships for community college programs SALIDA/ALAMOSA, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bipartisan bills into law that will support Colorado’s workforce by expanding the successful zero-cost credentials program and offering $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school students to help fill jobs in growing industries. HB23-1246 , sponsored by Speaker McCluskie and Representative Pugliese and Senators Buckner and Will, saves Coloradans money and helps meet our state’s workforce needs by breaking down financial barriers for aspiring professionals to enter new, high-demand careers. This law invests $45 million over the span of two years and paves the way for Coloradans to receive zero-cost training toward associate degrees and industry certificates in critical fields like early childhood and elementary education, firefighting, law enforcement, nursing and construction. “Colorado’s zero-cost credentials and degree program has already offered thousands of Coloradans a free pathway to degrees in critical fields such as nursing and emergency response,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “With the law Gov. Polis just signed, aspiring teachers, child care workers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement officers and construction workers will soon have a completely free pathway to the career of their dreams. This law will boost our economy, address Colorado’s workforce shortages, and help fill critical jobs – especially in rural communities.” “Colorado continues to struggle with workforce shortages in careers ranging from early childhood education to nursing and firefighting,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “Since 2022, the Care Forward Colorado program has made great progress in connecting students with high demand career pathways, but there is much more we can do. With this important bill, we’re further expanding opportunities for Coloradans to land jobs in critical career fields and lowering the barriers to entry for training and education programs.” SB23-205 , sponsored by Senator Bridges and Minority Leader Lundeen and Representatives Martinez and Wilson, creates a new scholarship program to help graduating high school students earn credit toward degrees in growing industries. “Opportunity is a core Colorado value, and this bill gives high school graduates in our state $1,500 to help them earn a good life,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “There are thousands of job openings in Colorado, but not enough trained workers to fill them. With this bill, we’ll get people the certificates, degrees, and apprenticeships they need, which is good for them, good for employers, and good for our economy.” “By creating this scholarship program, nearly 15,000 graduating students will save up to $1,500 toward the next step in their education, training and career development,” said Rep. Matt Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “With more job openings than workers in Colorado, we’re looking to provide the next generation of students with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive. Addressing our workforce shortage will create jobs, support small businesses across our state, and grow our economy.” The shortage of trained workers in Colorado leaves thousands of job openings across the state unfilled. SB23-205 provides 15,000 graduating students with a scholarship up to $1,500 for any approved training provider in Colorado, including apprenticeships and on-the-job training, trade school, community colleges, colleges and universities. Previous Next

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