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Legislation creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient passenger rail in Colorado < Back March 19, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Fenberg, McCluskie Introduce Bill Aimed at Establishing Passenger Rail for Colorado DENVER, CO - As part of their ongoing work to reduce congestion on our roads, cut emissions and deliver reliable, efficient transportation options in Colorado, Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today introduced legislation that aims to leverage millions in federal infrastructure funding to bring passenger rail service to Colorado and expand public transportation options across the state. SB24-184 also sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representative Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, would implement a congestion reduction fee that would be used to offset climate impacts and mitigate the congestion, and wear and tear on Colorado’s roads caused by rental vehicles. Proceeds from the fee would create a sustainable funding source to be used as a matching source for federal investment opportunities for statewide transit and rail, as well as other forms of public transportation. “For years Coloradans have been waiting for the promise of a fast, efficient passenger rail system that makes it easy, safe, and affordable to travel all across our great state,” Fenberg said. “Now, with the availability of critical federal funds through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver on that promise. I am excited to champion this effort that will secure more efficient transit options while cutting emissions, reducing traffic, and connecting communities across Colorado.” “We’re capitalizing on the recent historic federal infrastructure investments to build an expanded passenger rail system, creating new transit options for Coloradans from the Front Range to the Western Slope,” McCluskie said. “Mountain rail will reduce traffic, expand housing options for workers and make it easier for Coloradans to get where they need to go while helping us meet our climate goals. This legislation will boost our economies, create jobs and move us forward by making passenger rail a reality for communities across our state.” “Expanding our transit system and making it easier for folks in my district to travel across our great state is a key priority of mine at the Capitol,” said Marchman. “Expanding passenger rail service will connect communities like mine with the rest of the state and save people both time and money on their commutes, all while emitting less pollution and reducing traffic. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to expand our transit options so that more Coloradans can get where they need to go safely and efficiently." “Building a Front Range passenger rail system has been a dream of many Coloradans for decades, and it’s exciting that we have the opportunity to connect Coloradans from Fort Collins all the way down to Pueblo,” said Boesenecker. “This legislation would give Coloradans more travel options besides our over-crowded highways, reducing traffic, saving money and reducing our carbon emissions. We’re one step closer to creating a passenger rail system that Coloradans have been asking for.” The bill would encourage RTD, Front Range Passenger Rail, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to coordinate efforts to secure the funding needed to establish passenger rail service from Denver to Fort Collins, while exploring near-term opportunities to fund regional transit and rail projects along the Front Range and up to the mountains. It would also direct the Colorado Transportation Investment Office to use three studies in the near term to fund regionally important transit and rail services originating from the Front Range Passenger Rail Service Development Plan, the Mountain Corridor Service Development Plan, and the Statewide Connectivity study that aims to build a more comprehensive statewide bus system, building on the successes of Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus. Finally, the bill encourages CDOT to consider public-private partnerships and other innovative funding structures throughout the state to fund a full suite of multimodal infrastructure projects, including bus and passenger rail, and would require a new, multimodal strategic capital plan that aligns with CDOT’s ten-year plan, statewide transit plans, greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals, and other greenhouse gas reduction priorities and pollution reduction planning standards. Transit advocates and business leaders across Colorado applauded the legislation: "Trains and buses give Coloradans more travel options to get around the state, their city and their community," said Danny Katz, Executive Director of CoPIRG. "More and better transit options allow people to choose to take the bus or train to the places they want to go safely and with less pollution, hassle and costs. I'm glad the Governor and legislative leaders are committed to going big on transit in 2024 from statewide rail to eliminating fares for youth riders to expanding the frequency of local service." “We are taking a visionary approach to allow for the reintroduction of passenger rail to our Front Range and mountain communities. With much of the railway infrastructure in place and access to federal funding, the opportunity is now,” said Rob Perlman, Executive Vice President Alterra Mountain Company . “With this nominal fee, Coloradoans and our guests will have access to sustainable transportation to our mountains aboard passenger rail.” "GreenLatinos supports expanded public transportation to tackle pollution and emissions, prioritizing vulnerable communities reliant on transit. We're dedicated to mitigating negative impacts, such as noise and air pollution, on those living closest to train routes," said Ean Thomas Tafoya GreenLatinos Colorado State Director. “The vision of FRPR is to unite the entire Front Range with passenger rail, recognizing that we must capitalize on every opportunity to deliver each piece of the system when we can,” said Chris Nevitt, Board Chair of Front Range Passenger Rail District. “ We are deeply appreciative of the support and collaboration of the state assembly and the governor’s office to bring creative solutions to the table – to deliver the train to Fort Collins sooner than anyone thought possible, and to lay a stronger foundation for delivering the train to Pueblo and Trinidad as well.” SB24-184 will be heard in the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee in the coming weeks. Track the bill’s progress HERE . Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Shannon Bird to strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism by ensuring Coloradans who have served their time can re-enter our workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families, and succeed in their careers. HB24-1004 passed by a vote of 64-0. < Back May 1, 2024 House Passes Bills to Boost Colorado’s Workforce DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Shannon Bird to strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism by ensuring Coloradans who have served their time can re-enter our workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families, and succeed in their careers. HB24-1004 passed by a vote of 64-0. The House also passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Jenny Willford that would create a refundable state income tax credit and grant programs to boost registered apprenticeship opportunities. HB24-1439 passed by a vote of 45-19. “This legislation is crucial in bridging the gap between workforce shortages and Coloradans with a criminal history who are trying to break their way out of cycles of incarceration,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1004. “Current Colorado law makes it difficult for Coloradans with criminal records or histories to qualify for certain careers, reducing their ability to find a good-paying job. With this legislation, we’re streamlining the process for the consideration of Coloradans in these careers to make it easier for them to successfully re-enter our communities and to reduce recidivism.” “We’re committed to addressing workforce shortages in critical industries, which is why we’re passing this legislation to make it easier for people with criminal records to qualify for careers in crucial sectors like health care and construction,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB24-1004. “This bill would build on our previous laws that strengthen processes for regulators so we can employ previously incarcerated Coloradans in key areas. With this legislation, previously incarcerated Coloradans will have an easier path to success and industries will have more qualified candidates to choose from to fill job vacancies.” HB24-1004 establishes a uniform process for considering criminal records in occupational registration, certification, and licensure applications. The bill includes a wide range of careers from the construction and banking industries to IT. The bill prohibits regulators from automatically refusing to grant or renew a license based on an applicant’s criminal record unless the applicant’s conviction is directly related to a specific element that is still relevant at the time of an individual’s application. Reps. Bacon and Bird passed a 2022 law to ensure that when pursuing a credential, applicants were only denied based on their criminal history if that history would hinder their ability to do their job safely and competently. HB24-1439 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would create a refundable state income tax credit for eligible employers starting in tax year 2025. “Colorado has made a lot of progress in our efforts to expand apprenticeship opportunities, and this bill would help employers offset the costs of creating high-quality registered apprenticeships to connect Coloradans with on-the-job experience and address workforce shortages,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1439. “By creating a tax credit for employers in new and emerging industries, they can offer apprenticeships that pay a wage so Coloradans can earn money while they learn the ropes of their chosen industry. This legislation would allow us to help local businesses keep their doors open and create a stronger workforce with in-demand skills to keep our communities running.” This income tax credit is available to businesses operating in a new and emerging industry with a registered apprenticeship program. HB24-1439 would also create the Scale-Up Grant Program to start new or expand existing registered apprenticeship programs and the Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grant Program to connect employers or apprenticeship program participants to registered apprenticeship programs. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2020 COMMITTEE VOTES TO REMOVE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR FUTURE CIVIL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS Bill would give survivors of sexual assault time to heal without losing their right to hold perpetrators accountable. DENVER, CO — The House Judiciary Committee today voted to approve Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bipartisan bill to remove the statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual misconduct. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 8-1. “Healing from the impact of trauma and sexual assault has no timeline or expiration date, and neither should a survivor’s opportunity to seek justice through the courts,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “This bill will give survivors going forward time to heal, will ensure we keep more perpetrators accountable, and will enhance fairness in the civil justice system. We can and must do better by survivors, and this will move us in the right direction.” HB20-1296 removes the statute of limitations on bringing a civil claim based on sexual misconduct, which is defined in the bill to include all current criminal sexual offenses including offenses against a child, and other criminal behavior of a sexual nature including requests for sexual favors accompanied by coercion, threat, or violence. The bill also allows claims to be brought against a person or entity that is not the perpetrator of the sexual misconduct. This bill would become effective for claims arising on or after January 1, 2021 but allows for those victims for whom the current statute of limitations has not yet run to bring a claim based on the provisions of this law. The Colorado constitution has been interpreted to guarantee vested rights in relation to statutes of limitations but not to allow the legislature to make retroactive changes to them. Previous Next

Today, Governor Polis signed into law landmark legislation to save Coloradans money on their energy bills and improve pricing stability to prevent unpredictable rate spikes. < Back May 11, 2023 Signed! Landmark Legislation to Improve Accountability & Transparency for Utilities, Save People Money on Energy Bills Becomes Law BOULDER, CO – Today, Governor Polis signed into law landmark legislation to save Coloradans money on their energy bills and improve pricing stability to prevent unpredictable rate spikes. SB23-291, sponsored by Democratic members of the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Reps. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, and Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, presents a package of reforms to lower utility bills now and in the future. The bill rebalances the kind of expenses paid by utility shareholders versus ratepayers, aligns incentives on fuel purchasing, and levels the playing field at Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proceedings, where costly infrastructure plans are proposed and approved. SB23-291 limits utility expenses that can be paid by ratepayers, such as lobbying and advertising, which are more appropriately paid by company shareholders. It also creates a cost-sharing mechanism to incentivize utilities to save their customers money on fuel costs, and allows the PUC to set a maximum monthly fuel cost to smooth out monthly bills and avoid sudden sharp increases. “Colorado families were hit hard this winter by unexpected and severe price shocks, which is why we convened the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates to investigate the causes and find solutions,” Joint Select Committee Chair Fenberg said. “The legislation signed by Governor Polis today improves transparency and holds utilities more accountable to the ratepayers they serve while better aligning utility companies’ and Coloradans’ interests and expectations about their energy service. I’m excited to see many months of work result in policy that will help save Coloradans money on their energy bills and make much needed improvements to the way utilities are regulated in Colorado.” “Coloradans are counting on us to address rising and erratic utility costs, and we’re proud to move forward with this solution,” said Joint Select Committee Vice Chair deGruy Kennedy. “This important law sets in motion both short and long-term, cost-saving solutions that increase transparency and accountability to protect Coloradans from rate spikes that leave them choosing between heating their home and putting food on the table while utilities rake in record profits. It also rebalances the relationship between ratepayers and utility companies so Coloradans aren’t subsidizing lobbying, advertising and other expenses that utilities pass on to consumers.” “The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates was hard at work this session searching for answers and working to save people money on their energy bills,” said Cutter. “One thing quickly became clear, Coloradans are bearing the brunt of volatile rate increases while utility companies are empowered to set their own rules. This important legislation will help level the playing field at the PUC and create fairer processes in utility rate setting that will impact Coloradans today and for generations to come.” “With this law, Colorado’s ratepayers are now front and center as we implement new ways to improve utility company transparency and accountability,” said Martinez. “For months, we’ve listened to consumer advocates, policy experts, utility companies and everyday Coloradans as we worked to find solutions to high, unpredictable utility bills that left many families struggling to heat their homes. I am proud to say this important law provides cost-saving solutions and protects Colordans from future drastic price hikes.” Additionally, the bill requires utilities to report more detailed justification for their plans when they request a rate increase, which will help regulators and consumer advocates evaluate whether proposed investments are truly in the public interest. In addition, the bill empowers the PUC to reduce utilities’ ability to charge their consumers for expensive consultants and lawyers that argue on behalf of rate increases. Convened in response to recent spikes in energy prices by Senate President Fenberg and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates worked to better understand issues such as the impact of volatility in natural gas markets, the frequency and justification for rate increases sought by utilities, and other relevant factors. Previous Next

< Back March 2, 2019 HOUSE GIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO SULLIVAN & GARNETT LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Mar. 1) – Tonight, the House gave preliminary approval to the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This life-saving bill would provide a critical tool to help prevent gun violence and suicide and protect families and first responders. The bill has been in the works for over a year and includes input from law enforcement, the mental health community, advocates for gun violence prevention measures and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “We need to stand up and do the right thing. Give our law enforcement and our families the tools that they need to stop these tragedies from constantly happening. I am confident that we can do better than this in the state of Colorado.” said. Rep. Sullivan. “The time for action is now and I call on my colleagues to support this life-saving bill.” Rep. Sullivan’s son Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. Sullivan wears Alex’s jacket every day and wore it during the course of the debate. HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family members or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or is at significant risk of causing personal injury to themselves or others. If approved, a temporary order would be placed for up to two weeks and the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided with legal counsel at no cost to ensure due process rights are protected. 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, the protection order may be approved for up to 364 days. The respondent can also request to have the order terminated at any point during the 364-day time period. “Coloradans deserve solutions to the epidemic of gun violence – not inaction,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, “This carefully crafted legislation will help save the lives of law enforcement and members of our communities.” The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House with bipartisan support, is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III, who was killed in the line of duty New Year’s Eve in 2017 by an individual in the middle of a mental health crisis. Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, testified at a Feb. 21 House hearing on the bill. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. Attorney General Phil Weiser submitted a letter in support of the legislation. Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh explained to the committee how the language in the bill is legal under the second, fourth, and fifth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Testimony in support of the bill included survivors and their families as well as gun owners and members of law enforcement. Fourteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. Colorado lost over 1,100 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 ERPO legislation was enacted. The bill was approved on voice-vote and a formal recorded vote on final passage will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to allow businesses to pre-pay taxes at a small discount, after a $1 billion hole was created in Colorado’s budget by recent federal tax changes. < Back August 28, 2025 Signed! Bill to Auction Future Tax Credits at Discount DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to allow businesses to pre-pay taxes at a small discount, after a $1 billion hole was created in Colorado’s budget by recent federal tax changes. HB25B-1004 , sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and Representatives Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood, and Sean Camacho, D-Denver, allows businesses to pre-pay taxes at a discount for future years when Colorado is anticipated to collect more revenue than the state’s spending limit under TABOR. “HB25B-1004 gives Colorado businesses a chance to save on future taxes while helping the state manage this year’s billion-dollar budget shortfall,” said Marchman. “It’s a practical approach that supports local economies, protects essential services, and makes sure businesses and communities both come out ahead.” “The billion-dollar revenue shortfall we’re facing from Congressional Republicans’ corporate tax breaks would require cuts to health care, public education, transportation and other essential services, which is why we took action with this special session to protect Coloradans and core services," said Stewart. “By allowing companies to pre-pay future taxes, we can boost revenue now to fund these services. We’re using all the tools in our toolbelt to address the crisis caused by Trump and Congressional Republicans when they passed a budget bill that hands out corporate tax giveaways at the expense of hardworking Coloradans.” “This new law lets Colorado businesses work with the state to save money now and protect the things we all rely on like K-12 public schools, roads, and health care,” said Snyder. “By prepaying future taxes at a discount, businesses can reduce long-term costs while helping the state weather the budgeting storm caused by Republicans in Congress. This law represents who we are as Colorado, where all of us chip in to keep our communities thriving.” “Unlike Republicans in Congress, Colorado Democrats are demonstrating that we prioritize the needs of our constituents, not the ultra-wealthy,” said Camacho. “Our legislation will allow businesses to pay their future taxes now, at a discounted price, to save them some money while protecting funding for services that all Coloradans rely on. This law is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to blunt the destructive impacts of Trump’s tax bill.” HB25B-1004 allows a one-time auction of future tax credits, giving companies the opportunity to buy tax credits to pre-pay a portion of their future taxes at a small discount. This saves businesses money, allowing companies to pre-pay future taxes now, and bolsters our state revenue to offset the immediate impacts of recent federal tax changes. This does decrease revenue in future years, but after 2025-2026 the state budget is forecast to be limited by the TABOR cap, not the amount of revenue collected, so this won’t cut deeper into state services. Previous Next

Colorado became one of the first states in the nation to implement new federal Summer EBT Program < Back November 28, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Reduce Child Hunger, Support Working Families DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Lorena Garcia’s, D-Unincorporated Adams County, legislation to take advantage of the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program and provide students with nutrition assistance during summer break. Under SB23B-002 – which passed with bipartisan support – Colorado children will receive an estimated $35 million to help their families purchase groceries while school is out for summer – a time when child hunger typically spikes. The Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase food from SNAP retailers. Families will receive $40 a month per eligible child for the summer benefit in 2024, to be adjusted for inflation in following years. “In Colorado, far too many children, through no fault of their own, face nutritional challenges—a problem that becomes exacerbated in the summer when they are not in school and they don’t have access to free and reduced meals,” said Zenzinger. “I’m proud of our bipartisan work to deliver these federal funds, making Colorado a national leader on this issue.” “Today, we’re taking an important step to combat childhood hunger,” said Bird. “This law utilizes federal funds to feed more children during the summer months when child hunger rises. We’re working to make it easier for hardworking Coloradans to make ends meet and feed their children.” “Ensuring kids have access to meals all year round is a great thing, full stop,” said Bridges. “Passing this legislation now means more than 300,000 Colorado kids will get meals for next summer, when they’re not receiving meals at school. Our bipartisan bill means Colorado will be a national leader in utilizing the federal funding available to us, and I’m proud to see it get signed into law.” “No child in Colorado should go hungry, and we’re taking significant steps to combat child hunger during the summer,” said Garcia. “This law will help feed more children and provide some much needed breathing room in the grocery budgets of thousands of families. Taking advantage of federal funding to feed our kids during the summer upholds the dignity of families and protects the health of the over 300,000 children in Colorado." The Summer EBT Program was established in December 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 , with the program beginning in the summer of 2024. After California, Colorado is the next state to opt into the program for the 2024 year. Sixteen other states indicated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they intend to do so next year, which would postpone their program’s start until 2025. Colorado became one of the first states in the nation to implement new federal Summer EBT Program Previous Next

< Back June 3, 2020 SPONSORS INTRODUCE BILL TO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABLE Ensures transparency in police departments and consequences for those who use excessive force Denver, CO – Today, Senate President Leroy Garcia, Senator Rhonda Fields, Representative Leslie Herod, and Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez unveiled legislation to improve public confidence in the integrity of law enforcement. The bill formalizes repercussive actions regarding police brutality and requires increased transparency by requiring the use of body-worn cameras. “Communities of color have been brutalized by police discrimination and violence for far too long and the recent demonstrations reflect that,” said President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “Police officers are in a position of public trust and should be held to the highest standard of conduct and accountability. But countless officers have escaped justice–eroding people’s confidence in those responsible for protecting the community. We need to root out those causing this erosion and reform our police transparency and repercussion standards.” “Coloradans who have taken to our streets to protest injustice and declare that Black Lives Matter were sparked by an incident in Minnesota, but we’ve seen similar tragedies happen in our own state,” said Black Caucus Chair Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “We need to make changes here at the State Capitol and at statehouses across the country. We will take action to protect black lives, hold law enforcement accountable, and ensure that police officers truly serve and protect all of us.” Additional transparency measures outlined in SB20-217 include mandating that all law enforcement agencies must track and publicly report data, including demographic information on uses of force, stops of civilians, searches of civilians, and forced entries into homes. This information will then be used by the Department of Public Safety to complete an annual report. The bill also works to rein in the use of deadly force by officers – bringing Colorado law in line with Supreme Court precedent which specifies that deadly force may only be used when there is an imminent risk to human life. If any peace officer is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or fails to intervene in the inappropriate use of physical force, they will be immediately terminated, de-certified, and barred from any future posting. Furthermore, SB20-217 works to prevent the rehiring of officers who are found untruthful, terminated for cause, or are decertified, by listing them in a database that would prevent them from moving from one law enforcement agency to another, where they could continue to do harm. Finally, this legislation would remove the ability of officers to avoid public accountability by removing their eligibility for qualified immunity which has shielded officers from consequences and denied families justice In the U.S., African Americans are at least 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white people. They are also 1.3 times less likely to be armed compared to Caucasians. Even more alarmingly, and despite well-documented cases of the use of excessive force, 99% of killings by police have not resulted in officers being charged with a crime. According to recent studies , there are solutions that are proven to significantly reduce the number of police killings, but few departments have adopted them. Previous Next

< Back June 7, 2021 HOTELS, MOTELS, AND HOUSING SUPPORT House passes innovative proposal to convert underutilized motels and hotels into affordable housing units DENVER– The House today passed Representatives Gonzales Gutierrez and Woodrow’s bill to invest $30 million of federal funds into a grant program that will allow local governments to convert underutilized properties into shelters or affordable housing units. The bill passed by a vote of 42-22. “Colorado’s housing crisis demands action, and today we empowered local governments to take immediate steps to help keep people housed,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-242 and SB21-027. “Revitalizing hotels and motels to meet housing needs is an innovative and commonsense way to tackle one of Colorado’s most persistent issues.” “Working to help families keep a roof over their heads isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a matter of investing in Colorado’s economy and improving public health,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-242. “By converting underutilized hotels and motels, we’re leveraging existing assets to provide shelter and housing to some of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents.” SB21-242 provides $30 million in federal funding for grants and loans for local governments and nonprofits to purchase underutilized hotels, underutilized motels and other underutilized properties for the purpose of providing shelter or affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Grant recipients, local governments and nonprofits are encouraged to invest in hotels and motels that are women and minority-owned, as well as those that are ADA compliant. The legislation also provides direct assistance to workers who were unable to receive prior federal and state relief. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to improve conservation and stewardship of public lands. < Back May 13, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: New Law Will Protect Colorado’s Public Lands LONGMONT, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to improve conservation and stewardship of public lands. "This new law will help Colorado protect its iconic landscapes, encourage outdoor recreation, and ensure that farming and ranching continue to thrive on state trust lands,” said Sen. Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. “Balancing these priorities is essential for the future health of our communities and our environment." “This bill is a critical step in preserving Colorado’s natural beauty while also recognizing the importance of traditional State Land Board land uses,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “By integrating conservation, recreation, and agriculture, we’re ensuring that future generations of Coloradans can continue to enjoy our land while supporting the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers.” “As Colorado prepares to celebrate its 150th birthday, now is a great time to take a comprehensive look at our state trust lands,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. "This work group will make recommendations to ensure that the State Land Board modernizes its priorities to promote conservation but also other benefits our state trust lands can provide, including agriculture, outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and more - all while maintaining the mission of generating funds for our public schools. I am glad to see this bipartisan bill signed into law and look forward to following the work group's efforts closely." Currently, the Colorado State Land Board (SLB) oversees most of Colorado’s trust lands, including state parks. HB25-1332 establishes a formal working group process to identify opportunities to improve and enhance conservation, agricultural operations, and outdoor recreation on state trust lands. There are more than 2.8 million surface acres and 4 million subsurface acres, such as lakes, caves and rivers, overseen by the Colorado SLB. Next year is the 150th anniversary of Colorado and the SLB. This law helps uncover challenges and opportunities to advance conservation, agricultural leasing programs, wildlife habitat, climate resiliency and low-conflict recreation while still driving funding to Colorado’s public K-12 schools. HB25-1332 requires the working group to include participation from Colorado’s Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes, rural schools, and renewable energy organizations, among others. Previous Next

Legislation to increase access to educator pathways and boost student success and wellbeing goes into effect on August 6. < Back July 24, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Address Teacher Shortage, Create Universal Dyslexia Screenings & Implement Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools Go Into Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to increase access to educator pathways and boost student success and wellbeing goes into effect on August 6. SB25-154 , sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, will address Colorado’s teacher shortage by expanding access to educator pathways. “As a former school board member and district volunteer, I know that students and educators, especially in rural communities, are hurting as a result of a shortage of teachers,” said Kipp. “This law will give aspiring educators more opportunities to pursue a career in teaching, helping students and teachers alike succeed in Colorado schools.” "In Colorado, we're focused on addressing the educator shortage and intervening early to provide students with the support they need to succeed in the classroom," said Hamrick. "Our law, going into effect soon, will create more pathways for educators to teach in areas facing more severe shortages, such as special education and early childhood education. Additionally, the implementation of universal dyslexia screening in Colorado schools will help ensure our elementary students receive the support, resources and tools they need to thrive." SB25-154 , also sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, will amend and clarify assessment requirements for currently licensed educators to obtain endorsements in early childhood special education, elementary education, early childhood education, and special education. This law will also allow candidates to demonstrate their qualifications in multiple ways. Additionally, SB25-154 will permit currently licensed teachers to teach subjects that may face even steeper shortages, like special education, without extensive barriers. To expand opportunities for low-income students to pursue a career in education, the law will also open more pathways for students to attend state universities that offer certain courses at a community college tuition rate. SB25-200 is also sponsored by Reps. Hamrick and Soper as well as Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. This new law will require schools to either adopt a universal dyslexia screening tool or develop a process to identify students in early elementary grades who exhibit characteristics of dyslexia by the 2027-2028 school year, adding to existing reading interventions in the Colorado READ Act . If evidence of a reading deficiency is assessed, then teachers are required to discuss this with parents. The law also allows schools to implement individualized readiness plans for students with a reading deficiency. “Supporting students with dyslexia requires a different approach than supporting those with general reading challenges – they need specific tools to succeed,” said Kolker. “The vast majority of other states already require universal dyslexia screenings, and with this law, Colorado is stepping up. Early intervention is everything, and every child deserves the opportunity to succeed with the right information and support.” “My ‘why’ for this bill is my amazing daughter, who has dyslexia,” said Mullica. “Even as a family actively involved in her education, we struggled to get her the support she needed to thrive. The screenings schools currently use for reading challenges don’t go far enough, and one-size-fits-all interventions simply don’t work. By implementing universal, early dyslexia screenings through this law, we can ensure that no child – regardless of their background or circumstance – falls through the cracks.” According to the Colorado Department of Education, dyslexia affects about 15 to 20 percent of the population, making it the most commonly diagnosed learning disability. Early intervention for dyslexia significantly improves educational outcomes. Before this law, Colorado was one of only seven states that did not mandate screenings for dyslexia. Finally, SB25-027 , sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, and Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley, establishes a work group in the Office of School Safety within the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop recommendations on the use of trauma-informed practices in conducting school safety drills. "Every child deserves a supportive learning environment, especially when facing adversity," said Marchman. "This law ensures school safety drills prioritize student well-being while respecting and maintaining local control. By incorporating trauma-informed practices, we are creating a safer, more supportive space for all students to learn and thrive." "A supportive, comfortable learning environment plays a big role in how our students engage and participate in the classroom," said Joseph. "Our law aims to make safety drills in schools less stressful for students and teachers by using trauma-informed practices." Trauma-informed practices equip school personnel with knowledge and strategies to make school safety drills less traumatic and anxiety-inducing for students. The work group will meet throughout 2025 and 2026 and will be required to submit a report to the legislature containing their findings and recommendations by June 30, 2026. Previous Next

The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. < Back April 8, 2024 McCluskie, McCormick Legislation to Protect Streams, Rivers and Wetlands Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. “This bill outlines a Colorado-specific approach to protecting our streams, rivers and wetlands so we can sustain our water quality and ensure future generations enjoy all the activities that make Colorado unique,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “ After the Supreme Court removed important protections and left our waterways in jeopardy, we’re taking steps now to secure our state’s water future. We know fresh, clean water is necessary for everything from brewing beer and maintaining our world class ski resorts to keeping up with increased household demands and sustaining our agriculture industry. This bill protects our water now and into the future.” “We’re stepping up to protect our vital freshwater resources to ensure that for future generations, Coloradans will have clean and accessible water,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Our important legislation creates regulatory certainty for our businesses and landowners when it comes to Colorado’s water – this means we can effectively manage and protect our wetlands, rivers and streams. From agriculture and tourism to everyday families living in the four corners of our state, Colorado’s water is a steady and essential resource that must be conserved and protected for generations to come.” The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to define “Waters of the United States” and the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate discharges from dredge and fill activities into waters that meet that definition. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA in 2023 redefined what constitutes waters subject to federal regulation and placed an estimated 60 percent of Colorado wetlands at risk of losing protections. The impacted wetlands and seasonal streams in need of protection work to ensure adequate water supply, aid groundwater recharge, and provide for wildlife habitat in Colorado. HB24-1379 , passed by a vote of 9-4 and works to protect Colorado waters that are no longer federally protected. The bill would create a permitting program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for dredge and fill activities impacting state waters. The permitting framework is based on well-established approaches already used by the Army Corps of Engineers and will provide clarity and certainty on when a permit is needed for dredge and fill activities. Normal farming, ranching, and agricultural activities, such as plowing, farm road construction, and erosion control practices would not require a permit. Until the recent decision in Sackett v. EPA , the Army Corps’ permitting program safeguarded the vast majority of Colorado’s state waters from pollution caused by dredge and fill activities. Dredge and fill activities involve digging up or placing dirt and other fill material into wetlands or surface waters as part of construction projects. These operations are necessary in many infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, housing developments, flood mitigation, and utility pipelines. The legislation provides a way for these projects to move forward while protecting Colorado’s water resources. Previous Next