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< Back February 18, 2023 House Dems Defeat Extreme Abortion Ban Democrats put a swift end to GOP proposals to criminalize abortion, force the government to interfere in medical decisions and spread disinformation about medical abortions DENVER, CO – Democrats on the House Health and Insurance Committee today defeated three extreme Republican bills that would have criminalized abortion in Colorado and spread dangerous disinformation about a so-called abortion pill reversal. The Republican bills would have eliminated access to safe, legal reproductive health care in Colorado. “We won’t let Republican politicians take away Coloradans’ right to an abortion,” said House Health and Insurance Chair, Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Coloradans deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions and choices about when to start a family. Make no mistake, if Republicans were in power, they would criminalize abortion in Colorado, throw physicians in jail and put politicians in control of your private medical decisions–we won’t allow this to happen.” “Criminalizing abortion leads to higher maternal mortality rates, with the largest increases among Black women,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver , Chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus. “Abortion bans add to the compounding systemic social, health and economic disparities faced by people of color– often from a disproportionate lack of access to health insurance, reproductive and preventative health care, education and skills training, and job opportunities. The extreme bills presented in committee today are dangerous for women, and especially life-threatening for women of color.” In 2022, Colorado Democrats passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), which Governor Polis signed into law. This landmark legislation updated Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights and established a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion. Given the federal instability on reproductive justice issues, RHEA importantly enshrines the right to an abortion and other critical health care services into state law. Coloradans have been absolutely clear that they support the right to an abortion and have repeatedly defeated ballot measures that sought to ban access to abortion. HB23-1119 , sponsored by Representative Scott Bottoms, would have criminalized all abortions in Colorado with no exceptions. This bill would require the state to imprison providers for performing an abortion and would allow individuals to sue health care providers and potentially even patients. Research by CU Boulder shows that banning abortion would lead to a 24-percent increase in maternal deaths. The data is even more distressing for Black people with the expected increase in maternal deaths jumping to 39-percent if abortion were to be banned in every state. HB23-1097 , sponsored by Representative Stephanie Luck, disregards the autonomy of the patient and would have forced providers to administer legislative-prescribed medical treatments. It also violates the patient-provider relationship and permits governmental control over private medical decisions. HB23-1150 , sponsored by Representative Bottoms, would have required physicians to spread misinformation about a so-called abortion pill reversal. Abortion reversals through the use of progesterone are not scientifically proven , do not meet clinical standards and can be dangerous to recommend to a patient. This bill would have required the Department of Public Health and Environment to create and maintain misinformation about the effectiveness of this anti-abortion method. Abortion providers, patients and Coloradans who support abortion rights testified for hours about the dangerous impact of these bills and how they would insert government into families’ private medical decisions Democrats on the committee defeated each bill. ### Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and to modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. < Back May 28, 2024 Signed! New Laws Will Boost Colorado Communities, Support Film Industry ESTES PARK, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to expand eligibility for the successful Community Revitalization Grant Program that creates jobs and supports local economies, and to modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. “I’m proud to have carried Colorado’s first multi-year law that will improve Colorado’s Film Incentive Tax Credit to help support and build our film industry,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1295 and HB24-1358. "Extending this tax credit will attract new film projects to our state, creating new jobs in the film industry and boosting our economy. HB24-1358 was also signed into law to bolster the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which has provided crucial funding for local communities in every corner of our state, helping local businesses stay in their community while creating essential housing and child care opportunities. Our new law will expand the grant program, dedicating new funding for Colorado communities to maintain the unique character of their town while keeping up with the demand for workforce housing, commercial spaces, and other resources.” “The Community Revitalization Tax Credit supports many communities across Colorado to help them get housing and creative projects built,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1295. "Our legislation expands the eligibility criteria for the grant program, so we can fund more projects to revitalize communities and downtowns across Colorado and support artists and creators in Colorado’s creative sectors. With this new law, we’re creating job opportunities, boosting small businesses and local Colorado economies, and supporting Colorado artists.” In 2022, Representatives Brianna Titone and Leslie Herod and Senator James Coleman sponsored legislation to allocate $20 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created as part of the Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets, or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here . HB24-1295 expands eligibility for the Community Revitalization Grant Program to include projects that are qualified for funding under the Space to Create Colorado Program. The Space to Create Colorado Program helps communities develop affordable housing opportunities, commercial spaces, community gathering spaces, childcare centers, non-profit organizations, and other projects that provide community resources. The law also establishes a refundable tax credit program for tax years 2026 through 2032 for creative industries and mixed-use and creative-use spaces for the general public. HB24-1358 will modify the Film Incentive Tax Credit to include additional eligible expenses and extend the tax credit. These dollars would help spur additional film production in Colorado, creating new jobs in the creative sector. “Colorado is home to many beautiful sceneries that filmmakers would like to showcase, and we’re making it easier for them to afford to film here,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of HB24-1358. “By extending the Film Incentive Tax Credit, we’re opening up more jobs and boosting Colorado’s film industry to attract new projects and support Coloradans in the arts.” Previous Next

< Back January 9, 2020 SPEAKER BECKER REACTS TO TRI-STATE CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT DENVER, CO — Speaker KC Becker (D-Boulder) today issued the following statement reacting to an announcement from the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association outlining the retirement of all coal generation in Colorado and New Mexico: “I applaud Tri-State’s commitment to Colorado’s clean energy future and am impressed by the bold carbon emissions reduction target they set. Meeting our state’s targets requires immediate collective action, and I’m happy to see Tri-State take their role seriously. As our state transitions toward a clean, renewable energy future, we must always keep in mind that this change will bring difficult transitions for Colorado’s energy workers, their families and communities. A commitment to a clean energy future also requires a commitment to a fair and just transition for Colorado’s workers. Protecting and supporting workers and communities through these shifting economic tides remains a top priority for the legislature. I look forward to continuing to work with a broad array of stakeholders to find ways to support and protect working families affected by a changing energy economy. The Just Transition Office created by the legislature last year will work with impacted communities and worker representatives across the state on a plan to support those impacted by the transition away from coal.” Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2019 GRAY & JAQUEZ LEWIS ELECTRIC VEHICLE BILL ON THE MOVE Bill will help consumers and reduce carbon pollution emissions (Feb. 25) – The House Energy and Environment committee approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, that would extend the Electric Vehicle tax credit from 2022 to 2025 as it is currently set to expire in 2021. “We need to usher these vehicles at a time where they are the rule, not the exception,” said Rep. Gray. “We need to make sure we are supporting these vehicles, getting more of them on the road, and making a cleaner future for our state.” The state innovative motor vehicle income tax credit is intended to reduce the cost of alternative fuel vehicles and incentivize their purchase. This tax credit is especially accessible because customers may work with the auto dealer to receive the tax credit immediately at the time of purchase. Colorado is widely considered to be one of the best states to buy an electric vehicle. “The next several years are a critical time for the adoption of cleaner vehicles. The irrefutable scientific data says we must act now. More people driving cleaner cars will lead to cleaner air, improve public health and help protect our Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis. “This bill extends the innovative motor vehicle tax credits for the cleanest vehicles on the market. More Coloradans will be able to purchase or lease these vehicles and our communities will benefit from this growing technology.” 2018 was the fourth-hottest year on record and the five hottest years on record occurred in the past five years. Cars and trucks account for one-fifth of the United States carbon pollution emissions. The bill modifies the amount of the tax credit and extends the number of years the credit is available for the purchase or lease of an electric motor vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, an original equipment manufacturer electric truck and plug-in hybrid electric truck. The Auto Alliance has estimated that Colorado has just over 7,200 electric vehicles registered in Colorado. While small, support from this tax credit will help more drivers make the decision to go electric and thus reduce the amount of harmful carbon emissions in our atmosphere. HB19-1159 was approved by a vote of 7-4 now goes to the Finance committee. Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2019 GOV SIGNS MCLACHLAN BILL TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS Rep. McLachlan is chair of the House Education committee and is a former school teacher (May 10) – Gov. Polis signed a pair of bills today at Overland High School that is lauded as the one of the best school finance acts in recent memory and also provide resources to help with rural teacher retention. “This is one of the best school financing acts the people of our state have seen. It will affect every student in the state’s 178 P-12 school districts,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “We worked across the aisle to invest in Colorado’s future this session and that’s what this bill does.” SB19-246 buys down the budget stabilization factorby $100 million, increases average statewide per pupil funding by $357 per pupil; invests an additional $20 million into rural schools, $22 million for special education, $3 million for high-school dropout intervention efforts and $1 million to expand access to physical education courses. The bipartisan bill was also sponsored by Rep. James Wilson, R-Salida, Sen. Paul Lundeen, R-Monument. and Sen. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, and was approved unanimously in the House and Senate. The Governor also signed SB19-190 that will create the “Growing Great Teachers Act” to prepare more Coloradans for the experience of teaching in our public schools. This bill would allow institutions of higher education to offer approved educator preparation programs through a contract with the Department of Higher Education. “We can now ensure that all teachers who are trained in Colorado are taught best practices through mentorship. Across the board, every department and every teacher should be taught best practices,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “As teachers, we all know what best practices are for teaching, but it’s often not shared with new, incoming teachers. Through this bill, we can have really a great education for our kids that is consistent across the board no matter which Colorado school you graduate from.” This bipartisan bill was also sponsored by Rep. Wilson, Sen. Todd and Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale. It was approved unanimously in the Senate and with a vote of 49-16 in the House. Previous Next

HB23-1071 would allow psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications < Back February 27, 2023 Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Treatment Heads to Governor Polis HB23-1071 would allow psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications DENVER, CO – The House today approved Senate changes to HB23-1071, sending the bill to Governor Polis for his signature. This bill, sponsored by Representative Amabile, would allow psychologists to prescribe limited mental health medications after receiving additional education and training. “Colorado is experiencing a mental health crisis, and many patients across our state are waiting weeks or months for their appointment with a licensed prescriber,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder . “This bill will give prescribing authority to psychologists who receive additional training and education so Coloradans can get the mental health treatment they need, when they need it. We know psychologists often have well-established relationships with their patients and a deep understanding of how to treat mental illness. This bill bridges a gap in mental health care access by helping Coloradans receive treatment faster.” HB23-1071 , also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, establishes rigorous standards and education requirements that a psychologist must undertake before being able to prescribe medication to treat mental health illnesses. The House repassed the amended version of HB23-1071 by a vote of 57 to 5. Only licensed Ph.D. psychologists who receive an additional master’s degree in psychopharmacology, pass a national board exam, complete a preceptorship for up to two years, 750 hours of practicum work, and spend two additional years prescribing under the supervision of trained licensed prescribing clinicians or specialty provider if wanting to work with the pediatric or geriatric population will be able to prescribe. Once licensed, psychologists would work in conjunction with the patient’s primary care provider or general practitioner team to ensure that any prescribed medication is being monitored and working effectively for whole care health. Under this bill, these licensed psychologists will not be authorized to prescribe narcotic drugs. Currently, if medication is part of the patient’s care plan, the patient must meet with a doctor or psychiatrist to have the prescription issued. Few of the only 800 psychiatrists throughout Colorado accept Medicaid. Patients often struggle to find an available psychiatrist within their insurance network, forcing them to choose between large out-of-pocket costs or waiting months for the medication they need. Allowing psychologists limited prescribing authority to provide immediate access to medication can save the patient time and money. Psychologists work closely with their patients to determine how to best address their mental health needs. When patients meet with a doctor or psychiatrist, it’s often their first time discussing their mental health issues and telehealth appointments can make it difficult to accurately assess the patient’s condition. Allowing licensed psychologists who often meet monthly or even more frequently with patients and are more familiar with their mental health condition to prescribe medication, streamlines access to effective health care and leads to more appropriate care. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2021 SIGNED! BILLS TO CREATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADMIN. AND PREVENT SUICIDE DEATHS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will expand access to behavioral and mental health services for Coloradans and reduce suicide deaths. “The tragedy and devastation of a suicide death or attempt is something that far too many Coloradans have endured,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “Today, we’re taking a great step forward with a comprehensive approach to reduce youth suicide deaths and ensure our communities have the resources they need in the aftermath of a suicide attempt to prevent future tragedies.” “Far too many of us have seen firsthand just how devastating and widespread the impact of a suicide can be on a community,” said Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. “This bill empowers the Suicide Prevention Commission to proactively prevent, intervene, and react to suicide in Colorado by recognizing and addressing the full scope of the problem. We are meeting the moment with the urgency it requires and I’m proud to see the bill signed into law.” HB21-1119 , which is sponsored by Representatives Daugherty and Rich and Senators Donovan and Coram, expands the Crisis and Suicide Training Grant Program to include “‘train-the-trainer” programs at public schools and funds peer-to-peer specialist programs that help students support their classmates. The bill incorporates postvention and follow-up care into the state’s comprehensive suicide prevention approach to support individuals and communities in the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Importantly, CDPHE will update the department’s suicide prevention resources to include region-specific information for primary care providers on how to recognize and respond to suicidal patients, including information that can be shared with patients and information for health facilities to share upon a patient’s release. Research shows that people who have known someone who died by suicide were 1.6 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, 2.9 times more likely to have a plan for suicide themselves, and 3.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide. Suicide has become a far more common cause of death among peace officers, medical professionals, and school-aged children. Children or adolescents who know about a friend’s suicide attempt are nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide themselves. “Too many Coloradans have suffered because our state has not addressed gaps in our behavioral health system that prevent people from accessing the care they need,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “Today, Governor Polis signed legislation to create the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, bringing about critical reforms to address gaps and access challenges in our health system to ensure that Coloradans can get the mental health care services they need. This new administration will oversee and administer behavioral health programs in Colorado, creating a more comprehensive approach to connect services with those who need them.” “Mental and behavioral health is critical to Coloradans’ wellbeing, but too often it is treated as a luxury rather than a necessity – with prohibitive costs restricting access to those who need care the most,” said Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “HB-1097 sets the groundwork for a more connected, convenient mental health system in our state so that people can receive high-quality, professional help no matter their income level. I am incredibly proud to see this bill signed today and look forward to the difference it will make for our state.” HB21-1097 , sponsored by Representatives Young and Pelton and Senators Fields and Gardner, would create the Behavioral Health Administration to ensure that every Coloradan experiencing behavioral health needs has access to timely, high-quality services in their communities that they can afford. It tasks the Department of Human Services with creating a plan for a single state entity that would be responsible for administering and overseeing behavioral health programs in Colorado. Previous Next

Today Senate and House Leadership and Education Committee Chairs released statements following the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold up to $70 million in K-12 funding for Colorado schools – which had been previously appropriated by Congress for the 2025-2026 school year. < Back July 2, 2025 JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership, Education Chairs Release Statements on Trump Withholding $70 Million from Colorado K-12 Schools DENVER, CO – Today Senate and House Leadership and Education Committee Chairs released statements following the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold up to $70 million in K-12 funding for Colorado schools – which had been previously appropriated by Congress for the 2025-2026 school year. In a letter to superintendents, Colorado Commissioner of Education Susana Cordova warned districts to “engage in contingency planning in the event that Colorado does not receive allocations by the close of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.” Earlier this year, Democrats passed legislation to create the Colorado Defense Fund and set aside $4 million to protect Colorado’s interests from federal efforts to freeze funding, halt contracts, or otherwise disrupt essential services for Coloradans. “This latest move by the Trump Administration is sending our school districts into financial panic. In Colorado, we worked together to sustainability and strategically increase public school funding,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “However, without these federal dollars, our schools, especially in rural and underserved areas, will be forced to lay off teachers and staff. The Department of Education isn’t just withholding competitive grants; they’re withholding dollars already set aside by Congress for the 2025-2026 school year. We cannot let this happen. I urge the Trump Administration to restore the funding so our school districts can continue to meet the needs of our students.” “Coloradans pay our share in federal taxes, and in return, our public schools rely on federal funding,” said President James Coleman, D-Denver. “The Trump Administration is withholding millions of already allocated dollars that have been budgeted for teacher training, afterschool and summer programs, and students learning English. Politics should never stand in the way of supporting our kids and their future.” “Public education is the cornerstone of a strong community, and we need these federal dollars working for our students in Colorado, not tied up in Washington D.C.,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “In Colorado, we stand up for our students and teachers. This is just another attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle our education systems and withhold federal funding from school districts and devoted educators, like my mom, who worked as a special education and bilingual teacher for years.” “The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold tens of millions of dollars of funding for students and teachers will devastate districts’ budgets that they just finalized,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “These programs – like after school care and English language learning programs – support some of our most vulnerable students and are critical to their future success and opportunity. This funding must be released and sent to schools as previously promised – it’s what Colorado students and teachers deserve.” “In Colorado, funding our schools is bipartisan, but this federal funding freeze will set our rural and underserved districts back,” said Chair of the House Education Committee Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs . “As a teacher, I know we are used to doing more with less, but this move jeopardizes funding for the upcoming school year for certain after-school programs and specialized support for students living with disabilities, and English Language Learners. Colorado needs this funding so our students can succeed in the classroom.” “This federal funding for K-12 schools was already appropriated and approved by Congress, but now Trump is withholding these critical dollars because we’re not kowtowing to his agenda,” said Chair of the Senate Education Committee Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “We have worked hard to support our students, schools, and teachers by boosting per pupil funding and creating the Kids Matter Fund, but school districts need the federal funding that was promised to them to make ends meet for this coming school year. The US Department of Education must release these funds and make things right for Colorado kids.” Previous Next

< Back March 29, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: WINTER, DURAN AND WEISSMAN INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO BOLSTER SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME SB22-183 would invest $41 million to fund essential services for child and adult victims of crime DENVER, CO – The Senate yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Reps. Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) and Mike Weissman (D-Aurora) to ensure Colorado victims of human trafficking, stalking, domestic violence, child abuse, and rape can continue to receive essential services. Co-sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs), SB22-183 would fill a revenue gap in the Federal Crime Victims Fund to continue providing lifesaving services for child and adult victims of crime through a one-time investment of pandemic relief funding. “During the pandemic we saw an alarming rise in cases of domestic violence,” said Winter. “With this investment of American Rescue Plan funding, we can better support victims of domestic violence and ensure Coloradans in need never see an interruption in the essential care and services they rely on. I’m proud to support this effort and I know it will go a long way in providing victims of crime and domestic violence with the services they need.” “As a survivor of domestic violence, I can’t stress enough the importance of essential services for victims of crime,” Duran said. “States across the country have seen a rise in domestic violence as a result of the pandemic. I’m proud Colorado is going to use federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to prevent domestic violence, bolster our support for victims of crime, and ensure survivors have the services they need.” “Colorado has passed bipartisan legislation to enhance state assistance to victims of crime, and with this bill, we’re putting additional resources into these critical efforts,” Weissman said. “With crime rising nationally and here in Colorado as a result of the pandemic, it’s important that we increase our support for community based programs that focus on the needs of crime victims.” SB22-183 is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $35 million in pandemic relief funding to the Colorado crime victim services fund to ensure essential victim services can continue for the next four years. SB22-183 also invests an additional $6 million to services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as recommended by the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . SB22-183 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE . Previous Next

< Back June 30, 2020 PUBLIC HEALTH AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT BILL SIGNED INTO LAW BROOMFIELD, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed Representative Dominique Jackson and Yadira Caraveo’s bill to improve air quality and protect public health into law. “Focusing on Colorado’s air quality is about more than protecting the environment, it’s about improving public health at a time when respiratory threats are at an all time high,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw the dire public health consequences of poor air quality up close and personal in my pediatric clinic. This bill takes important steps towards cleaning up our air and protecting the health and wellbeing of all Coloradans.” “This bill represents one of several bold, concrete steps the legislature took this year to improve the quality of the air we breathe and to protect public health,” said Rep. Jackson, D-Aurora. “While the dire effects of climate change become more apparent every day, and this pandemic rages on, it’s more important than ever to ensure we are meeting air quality standards and enforcing regulations here in Colorado.” SB20-204 will protect Colorado’s public health and air quality by ensuring that environmental regulations are enforced and working to bring our state into compliance with federal ozone standards. It creates the TABOR-exempt Air Quality Control Enterprise in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The Enterprise would conduct air quality monitoring, assessment, data analysis and research and report on it to the General Assembly to promote science-based air quality policy. Governor Polis also signed HB20-1155 into law, Representative Alex Valdez and Mike Weissman’s bill to give home buyers more options with regards to energy efficiency products and infrastructure in new homes, such as electric vehicle charging, electric water heating and solar panel systems. Previous Next

The Governor today signed into law legislation that will better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. < Back August 28, 2025 Bill to Increase Oversight & Collaboration Between Executive & Legislative Branches During Revenue Shortfalls Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed into law legislation that will better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. Previously, the Governor had broad unilateral authority to suspend programs and services during a revenue shortfall via executive order. SB25B-001 now requires the Governor to notify the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of executive orders to reduce spending and requires the JBC to promptly meet with the executive branch to discuss the plan. Earlier today, JBC met to hear from Governor Polis and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting on his executive order to suspend certain spending during the current fiscal year. “Strong collaboration between the executive and legislative branches helps to create a more efficient government,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “This new law improves collaboration during times when it is arguably most important, times when the state faces revenue shortfalls that require spending reductions. This is a step in the right direction to ensuring the General Assembly has a stronger voice in these critical decision-making processes.” “When Congressional Republicans passed Trump’s tax bill last month, it immediately blew a billion-dollar hole in this year’s state budget, putting us in a position to make difficult spending cuts,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “The law signed today strengthens collaboration by bringing the Joint Budget Committee to the table, when previously the Governor had sole power to make cuts to programs and services during a revenue shortfall. With this law, we can encourage a more balanced approach to fill the revenue hole that was caused by the reckless federal GOP budget.” “In times of economic uncertainty, the executive and legislative branches must work together to do what’s best for the people of Colorado,” said Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “The Joint Budget Committee works year round to ensure that we’re budgeting responsibly, and it is only right that we have a seat at the table when the Governor is making spending reductions. This legislation is critical to ensuring that collaboration and updating spending reduction triggers to better reflect the current size of our reserves, which Democrats have worked hard to build up since the COVID pandemic.” “Because of Trump’s corporate giveaways, we are forced to make cuts to our budget. This legislation will help us make well-informed, data-driven decisions to minimize the harm caused by Congressional Republicans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Creating a responsible and thoughtful process to reduce state spending is a much better approach than the legislature rebalancing the budget on the fly, without any analysis from our nonpartisan staff, data or input from the Joint Budget Committee. We’re balancing the Governor’s authority, improving transparency and updating spending reduction triggers to better serve the people of Colorado.” The bill balances the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly by ensuring the JBC is involved in decision-making processes early on and by adding guardrails to the executive branch’s existing authority to help ensure that they continue to meet and implement legislative directives. The bill also updates the triggers requiring spending reductions to more accurately reflect economic pressures and the current status of the reserve, which Democrats have worked to build up to 15 percent since the COVID pandemic when it fell below four percent. In addition to the triggers in existing law, the bill adds that if a revenue estimate indicates that the state is on track to use an amount of the reserve equal to three percent of the general fund appropriations for that fiscal year (e.g. around $490 million for FY26), the Governor must take action to reduce spending. Previous Next

< Back October 30, 2022 Speaker Garnett and Majority Leader Esgar Statements on Passing of Minority Leader McKean DENVER, CO – House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today released the following statements on the passing of House Minority Leader Hugh McKean. Statement from Speaker Garnett: Emily and I are shocked and heartbroken by the passing of Minority Leader Hugh McKean. We will miss his kindness, the joy that he brought to the capitol every day, and the care that he showed every person he ever met. Hugh was the very definition of a statesman– a genuinely nice guy who always wanted the best for our state and his constituents. His integrity and the deep respect with which he treated every member of the House were a model for every lawmaker he worked with. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Democratic Caucus are with Leader McKean’s family and loved ones. Statement from Majority Leader Esgar: Heather and I join our entire caucus and every Coloradan in mourning the sudden passing of my friend and colleague Leader McKean. Hugh worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents and cared deeply about our state and our future. In our roles as Majority and Minority Leader, we worked closely together every day, with a shared commitment to doing the people’s work. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his loved ones and the House Republican Caucus. ### Previous Next