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< Back January 16, 2019 JOINT PRESS RELEASE: JBC DEMS ON GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL (Jan. 16) – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) welcomed Gov. Jared Polis’ first budget proposal this afternoon. In response to the budget proposal, members of the JBC released the following statements: “After meeting with Gov. Polis to learn more about his budget proposal, I believe his ideas are a solid blueprint which we can build upon for our next budget. I look forward to continued conversations between the JBC and the Governor to see how we can best fulfill these requests and fund these programs in the long-term,” said JBC Chair Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “I thank the Governor for speaking with us today about his budget proposal,” said JBC vice-chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “As we start the work of building the budget over the coming months, I look forward to working with the Governor to make responsible investments in education and infrastructure, ensure state employees are paid a living wage, and to lower the cost of living in order to meet the needs of Southern Colorado and our entire state.” “I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet with the Governor to discuss his budget proposal, and we are ready to get to work on a budget that will help us enact these bold ideas without compromising fiscal responsibility,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin to hammer out the details, I’m confident that we will find viable paths forward on bold ideas like implementing full-day kindergarten, addressing our teacher shortage, funding special education programs, and other critical issues facing Coloradans.” The Governor’s budget includes shared priorities of both House and Senate Democrats, including legislation to lower the cost of out-of-control prescription drugs and creating a public reinsurance program. “We are ready to work with Gov. Polis and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance our shared policy goals and ensure that we responsibly manage our state budget,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “As we move through this process, that means investing in renewable energy, education, health care and transportation solutions that will lead to continued success for Colorado.” Previous Next

< Back Rep. McLachlan: Legislators work on tax relief, protecting funding during special session Aug 27, 2024 See more The article was originally posted in the Durango Herald here . As a former educator, I ran for office in 2016 with the priority of passing legislation to increase funding for our public schools and support the needs of both our students and educators. I spent six years as chair of the House Education Committee, overseeing legislation to improve student academic performance, boost the teacher and school personnel workforce, and support our students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2024 legislative session, I had my biggest win at the Capitol – the 2024 School Finance Act. This bipartisan law buys down the Budget Stabilization Factor, fully funding Colorado’s public schools and increasing total funding for public schools by more than $500 million to $9.7 billion. Colorado’s K-12 public education is funded by state General Fund money, local property tax revenue and income tax revenue via the State Education Fund. More than 52% of local property taxes go to our K-12 public education, giving us the capital to hire more teachers and school personnel, provide after-school programs, and improve student achievement. Complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, growth and other factors have made our state less affordable, especially in rural areas like Southwest Colorado. Colorado legislators have responded with landmark legislation to reduce the cost of housing, health care and child care. We have taken steps to avoid steep property tax increases by extending and expanding 2021 property tax relief in 2023. Last session, we also passed a bipartisan solution to Colorado’s property tax code to reduce property tax costs. Recently, Gov. Jared Polis called the Colorado General Assembly to convene into a special session beginning on Aug. 26 to pass further property tax relief to avoid two devastating initiatives appearing on the November 2024 ballot. One of these initiatives, lobbied by dark money special interest groups, would reduce revenue for public schools, fire departments, health care, libraries, water infrastructure and public outdoor recreation by nearly $3 billion. The two goals of our special session are saving Colorado homeowners money on property taxes and protecting funding for our communities – like schools and fire districts. We have been working diligently since Polis’ call for a special session to deliver property tax relief for hardworking Coloradans while protecting funding for vital institutions, especially for our public schools and special districts. Colorado has the third lowest property tax in the nation; the bipartisan proposal would reduce the local government residential assessment rate by 0.15 points and the school district assessment rate by 0.1 points. It would also reduce the local government growth cap by 0.25% and set the schools growth cap to 6%. Our priority is to make our state a more affordable place to live for all Coloradans, and these reductions will help homeowners better afford the rising cost of living. Constituent requests have been forwarded to House leadership and property tax committee; as of this writing, we are still waiting to see how all concerns are addressed. As I end my eight-year service to Southwest Colorado, I’m proud to look back on everything we were able to accomplish. We bought down the Budget Stabilization Factor, provided two years of free college and boosted the incomes of hardworking Coloradans with new tax credits. I’m happy to get back to work at the Colorado Capitol to save property owners money while maintaining funding for our public K-12 schools, fire departments and other important community services. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is serving her fourth term representing La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta and San Juan counties. She has been a journalist and teacher. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to help meet Colorado’s climate goals, reduce energy costs and increase Colorado’s affordable housing supply. < Back February 4, 2025 House Passes Bill to Increase Housing DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to help meet Colorado’s climate goals, reduce energy costs and increase Colorado’s affordable housing supply. HB25-1006, passed by a vote of 50-12. “With this bill, we’re making it easier for school districts to lease their land for long-term projects that benefit their community, including affordable housing and renewable energy sources,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “We know finding affordable housing is challenging for our educator workforce, especially in the high county. This bipartisan bill would give school districts more flexibility in their leases to work with investors and developers to create more affordable housing or generate renewable energy.” HB25-1006 , also sponsored by Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, would provide school districts flexibility in their leases to pursue solar fields and affordable housing projects. Under current law, school districts can only lease their land for up to ten years, which can hinder bids from investors or developers looking for longer-term leases. This bill would eliminate the ten year lease so school districts have more opportunities to lease their land for long-term, community-focused projects including renewable energy and affordable housing. Previous Next

Join our team, now accepting applications for Policy Analyst. Apply online by Jan 13, 2025. Policy Analyst Policy Analyst House Majority Office Colorado House of Representatives Description: The House Majority seeks an analytical thinker and skilled relationship builder with a commitment to democratic values to join our team as a Policy Analyst for the legislative session. We’re looking for someone with legislative or electoral experience who can advise and support the development and execution of the House Democrats’ legislative agenda. The position serves the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader, and reports directly to the Chief of Staff. This is a dynamic and exciting position at the center of the action in the Capitol, interacting with legislators, leadership, and advocates every day. The Policy Analyst is responsible for staffing several Committees of Reference and supporting and serving as a resource to the Chairs and Vice Chairs of those committees on the impacts of various bills in their particular policy areas. As capacity allows, the Policy Analyst supports the broader work of year round committees, works one-on-one with legislators to develop concepts for legislation, and conducts in-depth policy research and analysis on topics of interest to the caucus and its individual members. This is a unique opportunity for an individual who wants to have an impact on the most pressing issues facing Coloradans today, and who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. About the House Democratic Caucus and Staff The 43-member House Democratic caucus is the second largest and most diverse caucus in state history, with members bringing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences from all over our state. In the six years since voters put Democrats in control of the state legislature, the House Dems have passed transformative, impactful legislation that we intend to continue building upon. The House majority staff is composed of 12 staff members - the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff, five Policy Analysts, two Communications professionals, two Advisors to the Speaker and Majority Leader, and one Legislative Aide Program Manager - all working to support the caucus. Responsibilities Track bills as they are amended throughout the legislative process, staying attuned to policy and political issues and anticipating problems before they arise, and being prepared at any time to summarize key issues to staff and House leadership; Take point on consequential bills and support the sponsor in all stages of the bill’s development from stakeholding and committee hearing(s) to floor debate; Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and advocates, organizing outreach and facilitating difficult conversations when necessary; Analyze briefing materials from executive branch departments and interface with the relevant legislative liaisons, as well as with policy staff for the Senate and Governor; Contribute to a variety of communication materials, including daily press releases. What We’re Looking For Ability to distill complex policy concepts, long committee hearings, and opposing perspectives into concise and digestible summaries, quickly and accurately; Highly organized with a keen attention to detail to ensure accurate analysis; Political acumen, solid judgment, honesty, humility, and a strong sense of discretion; Good relationship builder and excellent communicator, both in writing and speaking; Motivated self-starter who can “manage up” effectively, anticipate needs and challenges, identify opportunities, and organize others into action to keep projects moving forward and drive them towards resolution, producing high-quality results on tight deadlines. An ideal candidate will have: Prior experience in a state legislature, Congress, or electoral campaign Prior experience working in Colorado politics Comfort working with Google suite (docs, sheets, slides, forms) and Slack Compensation Salary for this position will be $67,000-$72,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a session-only position that starts in December 2025 and concludes in June 2026. We provide a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance covered mostly by the employer, choice of a PERA retirement plan, 5 days of personal leave (not including state and federal holidays) for the duration of the position, and a free parking space near the Capitol. How to Apply To apply for this position, please send an email to COHouseDemJobs@gmail.com with “Policy Analyst” in the subject line and your resume attached. In the body of the email, please describe in a few paragraphs why you are a good candidate for the job. The application deadline is Monday, September 15 by 5pm MT. Colorado House Majority Office is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or disability. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and identities to apply.

< Back August 1, 2019 DELIVERING RESULTS FOR COLORADANS: HOUSE DEMS TOUT NEW LAWS Suite of bills going into effect Friday address health care costs, affordable housing, environment, and more (August 1) – 221 new state laws are set to go into effect on Friday, representing key components of the Colorado House Democrats’ agenda focused on building a fair economy that expands opportunity for all; investing in our future; and protecting the Colorado way of life. Over half of the new laws going into effect tomorrow had bipartisan sponsors, and the vast majority passed with bipartisan support. “I’m proud of what we accomplished this year – we were able to make progress on a wide range of issues including health care, climate change and the environment, education, transportation, election access and fair campaigns,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “The laws going into effect tomorrow will help Coloradans get ahead and ensure that Colorado continues to be the best state in the nation to live, work and play.” A selection of highlights on key issues is below, and a full list can be found here . ✓ Expanding Opportunity & Building a Fair Economy Too many hardworking Coloradans aren’t seeing the benefit of our state’s economic success and feel like they can’t get ahead. This year Democrats made important progress on leveling the playing field for all Coloradans. One new law going into effect on Friday will help families with the high cost of child care. Another new law will help kick-start college savings for every baby born or adopted in Colorado, helping address the burden of higher education costs on students and their families. HB19-1013 (Exum), HB19-1280 (Herod & Becker) Also going into effect on Friday is a bill increasing protections for student loan borrowers by establishing licensing requirements for loan service providers and increasing enforcement of complaints. SB19-002 (Roberts & Jackson) ✓ Helping to Lower the Cost of Health Care Democrats focused on lowering health care costs this year, improving transparency and enacting cost-cutting measures. Multiple bills going into effect on Friday require increased cost transparency by hospitals , implement protections for consumers when accessing freestanding emergency departments , and streamline access to care . HB19-1001 (Kennedy), HB19-1010 (Mullica & Landgraf), HB19-1211 (Michaelson Jenet & Caraveo) Democrats also focused on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs by capping co-pays for life-saving insulin , allowing importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, and increasing transparency of prescription costs for both prescribers and patients. HB19-1216 (Roberts), SB19-005 (Jaquez Lewis), HB19-1131 (Jaquez Lewis) Also going into effect this week, but for a different reason, is the landmark Reinsurance bill, which is expected to decrease health insurance premiums on the individual market by 18.2% statewide next year. HB19-1168 (McCluskie & Rich) Click here to see our release announcing the approval of a federal waiver allowing the program to proceed. ✓ Increasing Access to Jobs & Workforce Training The SHOP Act, which goes into effect this week, will help Colorado schools build or renovate career & technical education facilities , expanding opportunities for students to explore skills training and a range of career options. HB19-1008 (Kraft-Tharp & Larson) Another new law will help students and adults pursuing careers in the trades access opportunity by building a directory of apprenticeship programs and coordinating with local workforce centers, businesses, and education institutions. SB19-171 (Sullivan & Galindo) ✓ Protecting Colorado’s Environment & Promoting Clean Energy Clean air and water are key to Colorado’s unique quality of life. This year Colorado Democrats took action to protect our environment and promote clean energy. Two key bills that go into effect on Friday will prevent pollution of precious water resources from future hardrock mining operations and protect water sources and firefighters from dangerous PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam. HB 19-1113 (Roberts & McLachlan), HB19-1279 (Exum & Landgraf) Also going into effect is a bill to increase access to renewable energy for Coloradans by expanding and streamlining the community solar gardens program. HB19-1003 (Hansen & Valdez A.) ✓ Increasing Affordable Housing and Renters’ Rights One of the major issues impacting hardworking Coloradans is the cost of living, and in particular the lack of affordable housing. Two key components of the House Democrats’ efforts to boost investment in affordable housing go into effect on Friday and will provide much-needed relief in areas across the state. HB19-1245 (Weissman), HB19-1322 (Roberts & Will) Another important component of the housing crisis is the lack of protections for renters. Also going into effect on Friday are a law to improve a renter’s rights if their home becomes uninhabitable or unfit for human habitation, and a law to put reasonable limitations on the application fees landlords can charge prospective tenants. HB19-1170 (Jackson & Weissman), HB19-1106 (Titone & Gonzales-Gutierrez). ✓ Investing in Student Success On top of historic investments in K-12 and higher education this year, House Democrats have been working to invest in targeted strategies to improve student success. This Friday, two new laws will go into effect increasing access to AP and IB courses for low-income students. Also going into effect is a bill to support local accountability systems to ensure high quality education programs in schools. SB19-059 (Buckner), HB19-1222 (Kipp & McCluskie), SB19-204 (Arndt & Bird). Another bill going into effect Friday will expand access to concurrent enrollment opportunities for students to earn higher education course credit while enrolled in high school and improve workforce readiness. SB19-176 (McCluskie & Geitner) ✓ Improving Access to Mental Health Services An important part of the House Democrats’ legislative agenda this year was to improve mental health care in Colorado and increase access to services. The K-5 Social and Emotional Health Act , which goes into effect this week, will increase access to mental health services for children through a pilot program that provides a social worker in participating elementary schools. HB19-1017 (Michaelson Jenet) Another bill going into effect on Friday creates a new mental health facility to provide residential care, treatment, and services for individuals with mental or physical health diagnoses, to provide treatment options that are more tailored and cost-effective than acute care hospitals. HB19-1160 (Landgraf & Singer) In addition, the new law banning the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy” against LGBTQ individuals partially goes into effect on Friday. This discredited practice has been found to make young people three times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, six times more likely to fall into depression, and eight times more likely to attempt suicide. The bill will be in full effect by October 1st. HB19-1129 (Michaelson Jenet & Esgar) ✓ Pursuing Criminal Justice Reform This year, Colorado made great progress in a significantly bipartisan fashion on reasonable reforms to our criminal justice system. One new law going into effect expands access to record sealing to help more people successfully obtain and maintain housing and employment and move on from their past mistakes after they have served their sentences. HB19-1275 (Weissman & Soper) The legislature also passed a “Ban the Box” bill giving former offenders a chance to demonstrate their qualifications for a job based on their merit and skill during an interview, rather than being immediately passed over because they checked “the box” indicating criminal history on an initial application form. HB19-1025 (Herod & Melton) Another new law creates a scholarship program for former youth offenders who are pursuing a higher education, lowering the chance of recidivism and helping them become productive members of society. SB19-231 (Exum & Tipper) The legislature also passed a bill to increase mental health support for peace officers , as well as training and prevention programs, peer support groups, and other services. HB19-1244 (Coleman & Carver) ✓ Standing Up for Rural Colorado Legislators also continued to work together to address the unique needs of rural Colorado. On Friday, a new law will continue the legislature’s efforts to expand the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the state and close the digital divide. SB19-107 (Roberts) Another bill going into effect promotes both Colorado agriculture and healthy eating by encouraging schools to use food grown in our state. Also going into effect is a bill to improve produce safety standards . HB19-1132 (Buentello & Pelton), HB19-1114 (Catlin & Valdez D.) ✓ Supporting Open & Transparent Government, Fair Campaigns, and Access to the Ballot The legislature passed a range of bills this year to significantly increase access to the ballot and make our elections more secure and transparent. Two particularly notable bills go into effect this week that require expanded disclosure of funding behind campaign communications and increased transparency of political spending . Another bill establishes contribution limits for county candidates to better ensure a level playing field. SB19-068 (Weissman & Cutter), HB19-1318 (Weissman), HB19-1007 (Sirota) Also going into effect are three bills that expand access to the ballot by updating our elections laws, reducing wait times at voting centers, expanding automatic voter registration, and improving access for voters with disabilities. HB19-1278 (Lontine), SB19-235 (Esgar & Mullica), SB19-202 (Froelich) See full list of bills going into effect on Friday, August 2nd, here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mo2mOp8gF14OSaEpQsgbB8LDVWSDnaC9 Previous Next

Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. < Back June 3, 2024 Governor Signs Bills to Increase Federal Funds for Nutrition Support, Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. SB24-110 , sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representatives Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Emily Sirota, D-Denver, prohibits the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing from requiring prior authorization for an antipsychotic prescription drug used to treat a mental illness or disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. “The two bills signed into law today will make life more affordable for families I represent in Denver,” Rodriguez said. “SB-110 removes barriers to prior authorization requirements so that more Coloradans will be able to access the antipsychotic prescription drugs they need to thrive, while HB-1322 will redirect Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition programs. Together, these laws will support Coloradans – especially those from historically marginalized communities.” “Authorization requirements for antipsychotic medications are forcing patients to ration their prescriptions or skip doses entirely, which can be challenging for their recovery,” said Amabile. “This law removes unnecessary authorization requirements for some antipsychotic medications so Coloradans with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders can receive their medications when they need them.” “Many Coloradans with a serious mental health condition don’t have access to specific prescription medication when they need it due to prior authorization requirements,” said Sirota. “This law removes barriers and improves access so Coloradans can receive their antipsychotic prescription on time.” HB24-1322 , sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and also Rodriguez and Kirkmeyer, lays the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. This legislation will create a path to redirect Medicaid funding for services that address health-related social needs of Coloradans who already rely on the federal Medicaid program. “With this law, we’re one step closer to securing additional federal funds to help with rental assistance, pantry stocking, and nutrition support that will strengthen our communities,” said Bird. “Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and a roof over their heads. This law will help and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors, such as youth transitioning out of foster care or older adults seeking nutrition assistance.” “By leveraging federal funds for nutrition and housing support, Colorado can help meet the diverse needs of families in our state,” said Brown . “This law allows Colorado to access Medicaid funding for housing and nutrition programs for existing Medicaid patients,helping someone afford their rent or put food on the table. This law saves Coloradans money by leveraging federal dollars and ensures our most vulnerable neighbors are set up to thrive.” The new law directs the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing to conduct a feasibility study and pursue a 1115 Waiver so Medicaid can fund housing and nutrition services. The feasibility study determines how Medicaid can pay for specific nutrition-based services such as medically tailored meals and pantry stocking, as well as helping with temporary housing, rent, utility assistance, and eviction prevention and tenant support. Utilizing dollars already spent on housing and nutrition support services through a 1115 Medicaid Waiver would provide Colorado with a federal match and the flexibility to design and improve Medicaid programs to fit the needs of Coloradans. It would also help the state conserve local and state financial resources. This cost-neutral model for redirecting Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition support is successfully used in more than 15 states across the nation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and North Carolina. Previous Next

< Back January 29, 2020 REP. JACKSON’S FAIRNESS IN EVICTION COURT RECORDS BILL PASSES HOUSE Legislation would protect renters rights and ensure fairness in the renting process DENVER, CO — Legislation sponsored by Representative Dominique Jackson to protect renters from being discriminated against for vacated evictions today was approved by the House of Representatives on third reading and sent to the Senate for Consideration. “Today the House moved us one step closer to guaranteeing that people who have an eviction filed against them, but who haven’t actually been evicted, can access the housing they need,” said Rep. Jackson (D-Aurora). “Affordable and accessible housing has long been a top priority of mine, and I’m pleased to see so many of my colleagues join me today in standing up for renters rights.” Currently, when an eviction is filed against a tenant it produces an official court record, regardless of whether the filing was dismissed for being unfounded or retaliatory in nature. This can result in a scarlet letter on one’s rental history and often prevents Coloradans and their families from accessing housing in the future. HB20-1009 would create an automatic suppression of court records while eviction proceedings are ongoing so that they do not become public until after the final court order is entered. It would also remove these court records from public view if an eviction filing is dismissed. Doing so will ensure that Coloradans and their families can access safe, affordable housing. Previous Next

< Back April 5, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES TWO BILLS TO SAVE HEALTH CARE WORKERS MONEY DENVER, CO – The House advanced two bills today on a preliminary vote that would save health care workers money on professional licensure and certification. HB22-1298, sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullica, would provide fee relief to nurses and psychiatric technicians. HB22-1299, sponsored by Representative Mary Young, would reduce license fees for mental health professionals. “Over the past two years, our health care professionals have gone above and beyond to do what they do best – keep Coloradans safe and healthy,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. “This bill gives our essential workers a break by reducing fees for professional licensing or certification. We recognize the extreme pressures faced by our essential workers and this bill saves our nurses, aides and technicians money.” “Mental health professionals have stepped up to provide necessary services to more Coloradans than ever before,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This bill will save mental health professionals, including psychologists, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors and social workers, money when they apply or renew their licenses. We’re doing what we can to support these essential workers while building a healthier Colorado in the process.” Fee Relief for Nurses: HB22-1298 , sponsored by Representative Mullica, would provide licensure and certification fee relief for nurses, nurse aides and psychiatric technicians. Colorado’s health care workforce is experiencing a major shortage of qualified health care professionals. In addition, above-capacity patient levels and frequent exposure to COVID-19 have only added to the stress for health care professionals working at hospitals, assisted living residences and mental health facilities. This bill aims to save health care workers $11.7 million on their professional licensing and certification. Fee Relief For Mental Health Professionals: HB22-1299 , sponsored by Representative Mary Young, would reduce license fees for two years for mental health professionals regulated by state boards. Collectively, mental health professionals seeking licenses will save nearly $3.7 million next year. Pandemic pressures have contributed to an increase of Colorado adults seeking mental health services for symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. To recognize the selfless efforts of our mental health professionals, this bill aims to save them money on their professional licensing. Previous Next

< Back May 4, 2022 BIPARTISAN COMMUNITY SAFETY INVESTMENT ACT PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed two bipartisan bills that will improve public safety and prevent crime. “This legislation will address the rising crime we’re seeing in our communities and across the nation that has come as a result of the pandemic and the strain of the economic disruptions that followed,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “This bill focuses on proven strategies such as co-responder models and violence interruption programs to prevent crime before it happens and reduce recidivism. It also provides significant resources to law enforcement to recruit, train and retain a high quality, diverse workforce that reflects the communities they serve.” SB22-145 , the Community Safety Investment Act, is sponsored by Representatives Alex Valdez and Perry Will. The bill will establish critical crime prevention programs and address workforce shortages in law enforcement. Research shows that crime prevention strategies that include collaboration between communities and local law enforcement are most effective. The bill will create three grant programs within the Department of Public Safety: The first grant program will provide $7.5 million over two years to community-based organizations and local law enforcement agencies to implement collaborative, data-driven intervention strategies such as co-responder programs, violence interrupter programs, early intervention teams, and restorative justice services in identified high-crime areas. The second grant program will provide law enforcement agencies with $3.75 million over two years to help recruit and retain staff, as well as improve training curriculums, including mental health training. The third grant program – the State’s Mission for Assistance in Recruitment and Training (SMART) policing grant – will provide $3.75 million over two years to help local law enforcement agencies recruit and train officers that better represent the communities they serve. The bill also establishes a front-end stakeholder crime prevention forum, and provides funding for oversight and administration within the Colorado Department of Public Safety which will administer the grant programs. It passed 8-3. “SB22-005 will help law enforcement departments recruit and retain qualified peace officers and will provide additional resources to help officers when they experience traumatic events,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “We’ve heard the tragic stories from officers who have witnessed horrific situations while serving their communities. It’s time we support them with the counseling services and peer support they need.” SB22-005 , sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Dan Woog, would direct $5 million to a program that helps law enforcement agencies retain and recruit qualified and trained POST-certified officers. The funding would expand access to behavioral health and counseling support for law enforcement officers to support peace officers and prevent peace officer suicide deaths. The bill passed 9-1. Previous Next

< Back July 6, 2023 LGBTQ+ Caucus Statement on Recent US Supreme Court Decisions DENVER, CO– The Colorado Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus today released the following statement on recent decisions by the US supreme Court: We, the members of the Colorado General Assembly LGBTQ+ Caucus, stand strongly aligned with our brothers and sisters in the Black, Latino and Women’s Caucuses to express our outrage and dismay at the recent attacks against all of our communities leashed upon us by the US Supreme Court. We will not sit back and allow our country to sanction discrimination against its own people simply because of how they look, how they live or who they love. When Coloradans elected an overwhelming Democratic majority to the General Assembly in 2022–with the highest representation of LGBTQ people, women and people of color in our history, they sent a clear mandate to ensure our state will be one that stands as a beacon of freedom, equity, diversity and inclusion here in the Mountain West and across the country. We stand together not just to represent Colorado’s LGBTQ community, but to lead with our values, by shaping the legislation this Assembly puts forward and holding accountable those who seek to threaten and harm us and our neighbors. We will not allow an extremist minority to set progress back in our state or our nation. The recent decisions condoning anti-LGBTQ discrimination, cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking, while simultaneously crippling affirmative action and student debt relief, represent an unprecedented attack on our civil rights, racial and social justice and basic human decency: To prioritize one citizen’s right to make money in a particular way over another person’s right to live and love as they were created is not freedom–it is state-sanctioned discrimination. To interfere in the values set forth by our institutions of higher education, who understand that our nation is stronger with a diverse, educated workforce, is not equality–it is state-mandated aristocracy. To suggest that one person’s right to harass, bully, intimidate and threaten others is more important than another person’s right to feel safe in their own home, school or workplace, is not liberty–it is state-sanctioned abuse. To rule that providing assistance to those struggling under the burden of student debt is un-American, while forgiving billions of dollars of pandemic-era PPP loans and tens of thousands of dollars of mortgage interest relief each year to homeowners, is not promoting responsibility–it is state-sanctioned plutocracy. Here in Colorado we are proud to be a national leader in the movement to expand and strengthen civil liberties and protections for our LGBTQ community. Since our shameful decision on Amendment 2 over thirty years ago, we have made great strides to right a previous wrong and recognize we carry a special responsibility to create a safe and welcoming place for all people to grow, live and love as they choose. We know that within that diversity lies a profound strength–for our caucus, our communities and our state. This extremist court has opened the dangerous door for discrimination against any marginalized peoples and would seek to create second-class citizens who must take a back seat to religious views in the name of free speech, but we will not allow them to distract us from our mission to cultivate a state where education, family, opportunity, community and prosperity are accessible to all who seek it. As thousands of our neighbors from across the country flock to our state seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care, as Colorado stands strong against the tide of anti-LGBTQ legislation sweeping the country, and as we continue to right the wrongs of our own checkered history, the members of this LGBTQ caucus will stand together against this dangerous rise of Christian nationalism, call out hate and bias where we see it, and fight to defend the protections of liberty we have enshrined in our laws against all who would seek harm upon us and our community. This is who we are as a caucus, as a people and as a state. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2023 President Fenberg, Speaker McCluskie Convene Joint Select Committee to Investigate Rising Utility Rates Committee will explore causes of price increases, identify potential solutions to save people money on their energy bills DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg and House Speaker Julie McCluskie announced today that they are forming a Joint Select Committee to investigate the causes of Coloradans’ rising utility rates and explore potential actions to prevent future price hikes, saving Colorado’s working families money on their energy bills.The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates will seek expert testimony from utility companies, relevant agency staff, regulators, consumer advocates, and policy experts in order 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. “The recent spikes in energy prices have sent Coloradans’ utility bills through the roof, and it’s costing too many working Colorado families an arm and a leg just to heat their homes,” President Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. “Democrats are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, which is why we’re convening this critical committee so we can uncover the root cause behind high prices and hopefully find solutions that will better protect consumers, improve stability, and save people money on their energy bills.” "Shockingly high utility bills have left Coloradans from Denver to Dillon struggling to heat their homes during the coldest time of the year," said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. "We need to get to the bottom of what's sticking hardworking families with unpredictable and far too expensive utility bills. We’re creating a bipartisan committee to dig into utility bill increases and target solutions that make our state more affordable." The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates will meet at least three times, and will include lawmakers from both chambers and both sides of the aisle. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Committee may suggest legislative avenues for the General Assembly to consider. Previous Next