Search Results

< Back January 17, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES RENEWABLE ENERGY & WATER CONSERVATION BILLS (Jan. 17) – The House Energy and Environment Committee approved two renewable energy and water conservation related bills today, the first step in the House Democrats’ commitment to protecting our unique quality of life. “Deploying more renewable energy in Colorado is good for our economy and good for our planet,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “It will put more money back into the pockets of Coloradans and ensure we protect our unique environment and quality of life.” HB19-1003 will expand access to renewable energy for communities and individuals across Colorado. It will update Colorado’s community solar statute to allow customers to benefit from clean, low-cost energy even if they don’t have a rooftop solar option. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 7-3 and now heads to Appropriations Committee. The committee also approved Rep. Brianna Titone’s first bill this session on water conservation. HB19-1050 will help promote water-efficient landscaping on property subject to management by local supervisory entities. “In many homeowners associations, water is about a third of their budget,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “It is very important that we are being responsible with the usage of our water, especially on the Front Range and in our rural communities who have been hit hard by the ongoing drought.” Even as Colorado and other western states suffer from drought and severe water shortages, members of homeowners associations as well as residents of some metropolitan special districts often pay exorbitant water bills to satisfy requirements in their by-laws. By-laws can be written in a way that makes changing them time-consuming, burdensome, and cost prohibitive for an association or district. Allowing homeowner associations and special district boards to modify their master landscaping plans, will save water and lower costs. HB19-1050 passed by a bipartisan vote of 8-2. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration. Previous Next

< Back May 22, 2019 GOV SIGNS LANDMARK EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT For years, bills to ensure pay equity were blocked at legislature (May 22) – Gov. Polis signed Rep. Janet Buckner and Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to help close the wage gap in Colorado. “Pay discrimination is a persistent issue that short changes women and their families. As an African-American woman, this new law is personal because black women make 63 cents on the dollar compared to white men.,” Rep. Buckner, D-Aurora, said. “With this law, we are taking a bold step to help close the gender wage gap by addressing the root cause of pay disparity.” Women are the sole breadwinners in a growing number of hardworking families in Colorado. “We are fighting for women to be treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve. This new law is a Colorado solution that strikes a balance between workers and employers. Now is the time for our state to take the lead in achieving equal pay for equal work,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “To solve the pay gap, Colorado must address unintentional wage disparity. This new law implements common sense prevention and transparency measures to fight the pay gap.” Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood and Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Evergreen and former member of the state legislature Polly Baca and many others were on hand for the signing ceremony at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado in Denver. Colorado women are paid 86 cents for every dollar paid to men for doing the same job and African-American women earn 63 cents for every dollar paid to men for doing the same job. The law, SB19-085, provides an avenue by which Coloradans can, through mediation via the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment and through the court system, seek relief if they have been discriminated against in their compensation based on their sex. The law puts proactive measures to reduce the gender pay gap and prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on sex. The House approved the bill on a vote of 40-21 with every House Republican voting to maintain the status quo. Click here to view the full live stream. Attached are photos from the signing ceremony. Previous Next

HB23-1272 saves Coloradans money with approximately $65 million in annual tax credits and incentives for businesses and consumers for decarbonization investments < Back May 11, 2023 Signed! Legislation to Save People Money and Expand Clean Energy HB23-1272 saves Coloradans money with approximately $65 million in annual tax credits and incentives for businesses and consumers for decarbonization investments AURORA, CO – Today, legislation to implement tax incentives to reduce the costs of adopting clean energy technologies for Colorado residents and businesses was signed by Governor Jared Polis. HB23-1272 , sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenber, D-Boulder, Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Reps. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, is part of a package of legislation to incentivize the adoption of clean energy technologies and build upon federal initiatives to save Coloradans money, create good-paying jobs, and help the state meet its climate goals. The bill includes incentives to advance and adopt clean transportation methods, high-efficiency heat pumps, geothermal electricity development, and measures to reduce industrial emissions. Tax incentives in the bill are expected to average around $65 million each year with individual elements ramping up or down over time depending on available technologies and economic conditions. “Colorado has become a national leader in promoting clean energy technologies, but there’s much more we can do,” said Fenberg. “In order to further our commitment to our climate goals, we must do more to make adopting clean energy technology a feasible and attractive option for Coloradans – no matter their zip code or income level. The tax credits we passed this year will save Colorado residents and businesses money, help us meet our climate goals, and improve Colorado’s air quality.” “This legislation is pivotal in helping Colorado reach its climate goals while significantly lowering energy costs for businesses and families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “From electric vehicles to heat pumps, this law creates clean energy tax incentives to improve our air quality and save Coloradans money. Colorado Democrats are committed to investing in innovative, clean energy solutions across the board to help power our economy and heat and cool our homes.” “Many Coloradans want to make the switch to electric vehicles or install heat pumps, but costs stand in the way,” Cutter said. “With these tax credits, we will lower the prices of clean energy technologies for Colorado families and business owners, helping us to improve our air quality, meet our climate goals, and bolster our economy. I’m proud to see this important legislation signed into law.” “Under this law, more Coloradans can take advantage of clean energy technology in their homes, vehicles and businesses,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder . “A wide range of tax credits will soon be available to businesses and every day Coloradans that will save them money on energy efficient upgrades and streamline our transition to a clean energy economy in Colorado. With smart investments and strong clean technology adoption, we can move Colorado forward, reduce costs for consumers and protect our environment.” HB23-1272 : Extends and expands electric vehicle tax credits and creates an additional $2,500 credit for electric vehicles under $35,000. Continues the innovative truck tax credit for electric and plug-in hybrid electric trucks, with the credit ranging between $5,000 and $12,000 depending on the truck’s weight starting in 2024. Creates a $450 consumer credit for qualified e-bike purchases while supporting local retailers. Designs a refundable income tax credit for the installation of heat pump technology in residential and nonresidential buildings. The credits vary based on the type and use of the heat pump. Extends incentives for industrial and manufacturing facilities in Colorado to reduce air pollution through various qualifying efficiency, onsite energy generation, carbon capture, electrification, and other eligible measures. Creates the refundable sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility tax credit worth up to $1-3 million annually for the costs of constructing a SAF production facility. The law compliments and builds on incentives included in the Federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and helps Colorado residents and businesses maximize their ability to utilize federal investments. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BIPARTISAN BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HEALTH CARE Legislation would boost hospital transparency and improve protections from surprise medical bills DENVER, CO – The House passed two bipartisan bills sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar that will increase hospital billing transparency and save Coloradans money on health care. HB22-1285 passed the House today by a vote of 63 to 1 and would increase hospital pricing transparency practices. HB22-1284 passed the House yesterday by a vote of 63 to 0 and will improve surprise medical billing protections in Colorado. “These bills work to save Coloradans money on health care by improving hospital price transparency and protecting patients from surprise billing,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Hospitals are required to be open and honest about what they’re changing patients, and our bill not only ensures transparency but limits the hospital’s ability to collect medical debt if they’re not in compliance. Coloradans deserve to know what they’re getting when it comes to health care, and our legislation protects them against surprise medical bills that are often outrageously expensive.” HB22-1285 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Patrick Neville, would save Coloradans money on their health care costs by increasing hospital transparency and prohibiting hospitals that are out of compliance with federal price transparency laws from referring medical debt to collections. In July 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop detailed rules to increase hospital billing transparency. Hospitals must now publicly post their “standard charges,” which are the gross charges, discounted cash prizes, payer-specific negotiated charges, and de-identified minimum and maximum negotiated charges so that consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for health care services. Under the bill, hospitals that are not in compliance with federal hospital price transparency regulations will be prohibited from referring, assigning or selling medical debt to collectors, and they will be prohibited from using the courts to obtain a judgment for an outstanding medical debt. The bill would award damages to patients if the courts find that the hospital has violated the provisions of the bill. HB22-1284 , sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Marc Catlin, would improve Colorado’s surprise medical billing protections by aligning them with recently passed federal legislation. The bill provides clarity to consumers, providers and insurance carriers about how to move forward with surprise billing protections. It adds balance billing protections for post-stabilization services to ensure that patients are protected from surprise bills until they can consent and be safely transferred to an in-network facility. It mirrors the federal law’s notice and consent requirements to ensure that out-of-network providers and facilities provide notice to a consumer before a scheduled service, including an estimate of the total charges the consumer will be responsible for. Finally, it updates Colorado laws to allow for a 90-day period of continued coverage at in-network rates for transitional care. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. < Back April 29, 2024 Ortiz, Clifford Bill to Create State Office for Coloradans with Disabilities Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives David Ortiz and Chad Clifford that would create the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO). HB24-1360 passed by a vote of 51-12. “Despite Federal ADA being law for 34 years, housing, employment, access to participate in government and the outdoors remains inaccessible,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This important bill spearheads a permanent state office that will remove those barriers and secure those opportunities so that Coloradans with disabilities can thrive and fully participate in all the amazing opportunities our great state offers.” “Unfortunately, people living with disabilities disproportionately experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment; which is why Colorado needs to step up and provide the resources to help people lead successful lives,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “By creating the Office of Opportunities of Coloradans with Disabilities, Coloradans will have better access to the good-paying jobs and education they deserve, so they have a fair shot at creating a strong future that’s all their own. I’m proud to carry this legislation forward with Representative Ortiz because it prioritizes representation, advocacy and commitment to the success of all.” HB24-1360 would create a new office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment The goal of this office is to implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability for people with disabilities and promote successful economic, social, and community integration. Rep. Ortiz has been a long-time champion for disability rights at the Colorado State Capitol. He has led the charge in passing multiple bills to ensure Coloradans with a disability have the opportunity for legal recourse if they are discriminated against, expanding the youth prosthetic coverage law, creating the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities task force, and trailblazing two right-to-repair laws for wheelchair users. Previous Next

On August 6, two laws to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence go into effect. HB25-1168 improves housing security, expands access to justice, and keeps Coloradans safe. SB25-116 ensures that courts consider domestic violence and abuse history during divorce and spousal support proceedings. < Back July 29, 2025 Laws Take Effect to Strengthen Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence DENVER, CO - On August 6, two laws to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence go into effect. HB25-1168 improves housing security, expands access to justice, and keeps Coloradans safe. SB25-116 ensures that courts consider domestic violence and abuse history during divorce and spousal support proceedings. “Housing instability is one of the biggest threats to people who experience gender-based violence, with 20 percent of people experiencing homelessness in the Denver Metro Area fleeing domestic violence,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1168. “Many victims can’t safely leave their abuser, which is why our new law strengthens Colorado’s victim protection laws and establishes new mechanisms to improve a victim’s access to justice and safe housing. Gender-based violence is traumatic, and no one deserves to face long-lasting financial consequences or homelessness as a result.” "Too often, survivors of domestic violence are forced to choose between their safety and their housing," said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1168. "No one should be stuck in a dangerous situation because they can’t afford to break a lease or are left with damages they didn’t cause. This law gives survivors the legal protections they need to reclaim their safety and move forward with dignity." “The Violence Against Women Act is near and dear to my heart, and I’m proud to sponsor this law to better align Colorado law with these protections to keep survivors safe,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1168. “As a judge, I know how important it is to have strong protections in statute, and this law is a meaningful change that better allows survivors to end their leases early while providing a payment plan to protect landlords and keep survivors housed. This is a huge win for survivors of gender-based violence to ensure they have the tools they need to build a strong, safe future away from their abuser.” "Survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking often face a lose/lose situation when it comes to their housing," said Sen. Mike Weissman, sponsor of HB25-1168. "It can be expensive to try to stay in one's home or expensive to relocate, on top of the immense personal cost of victimization. Whatever difficult choice they make, this important new law will help survivors by offering payment plans for back rent or limiting the costs of relocating such as losing a security deposit. Either way, survivors have a better path to safety, stability, and a chance at a fresh start." Currently, a tenant cannot be found guilty of unlawfully residing in a property if the tenant is experiencing domestic violence or domestic abuse and they provide a police report or civil or emergency protection order proving they were a victim. HB25-1168 expands these victim protections to include victims of unlawful sexual behavior and stalking and allows self-attestation or a letter signed by a qualified third party to be used as proof, reducing hurdles to accessing critical protections. Additional victim protection expansions include: Allowing victims who terminate a lease not to be held liable for property damage caused by their abuser during incidents of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse, Ensuring victims can change locks to their rental property on their own if the victim provides documentation to prove they are a victim-survivor, Prohibiting a landlord from assigning debt allegedly owed by a tenant who is a victim-survivor to a third-party debt collector, with exemptions, and Requiring tenants to pay no more than one month’s rent after they vacate the residence and terminate the lease if, within 30 days, the landlord provides proof of economic damages as a result of the early lease termination. To strengthen eviction protections, this law also requires landlords to offer a repayment plan to victim-survivors for late or unpaid rent before a court may issue an eviction order. The repayment plan cannot exceed nine months from the date the plan was established. A 2023 report from the Colorado Coalition of the Homeless found that 1,265 Coloradans experiencing homelessness also reported being a victim of domestic violence. SB25-116 , also sponsored by Senator Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, ensures that proceedings involving spousal support consider a spouse’s history of domestic violence. It also broadens disclosure requirements related to restraining and protection orders. “Survivors who make the courageous decision to leave their abusive spouse often face complex legal systems and serious financial burdens,” said Sen. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, sponsor of SB25-116. “No survivor should be forced to pay spousal support to the person who harmed them. This law brings much-needed clarity and ensures that courts have the full context to make fair and just decisions..” “As a survivor, I am proud that this legislation is now in effect to ensure that courts can make an informed decision and better support survivors who are leaving their abusers,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of SB25-116. “Leaving an abusive partner is one of the most dangerous things a survivor of domestic violence can do, and it is important that the justice system can access the reported history of abuse during divorce and separation proceedings. By increasing the disclosure window and including a variety of abusive actions that must be considered during a case involving spousal support, we can lift up survivors and their stories during the scariest time of their lives.” Under current law, courts consider a list of relevant factors when determining spousal support. This new law expands that list to include whether a spouse has engaged in domestic violence, coercive control, economic abuse, litigation abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, or unlawful sexual behavior against the other spouse. The law also extends the disclosure window for prior restraining or protection orders from two years to five, ensuring judges have access to a more complete history of abuse during divorce or separation proceedings. Previous Next

< Back April 29, 2021 BILLS TO PROTECT BORROWERS, USE STATE PROPERTY FOR HOUSING, RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVANCE DENVER, CO– The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee today passed bills that would create consumer protections for mortgage borrowers and require the state to create an inventory of its unused property to determine if any buildings owned by the state could be transformed into affordable housing, renewable energy projects, or child care facilities. HB21-1282 , sponsored by Representative Mike Weissman, would regulate mortgage servicers, including requirements around notification, record keeping, examinations, inspections and enforcement, and a violation would be considered an unfair or deceptive trade practices. An assistant attorney general would be empowered to regulate the industry and receive complaints that could be acted upon. “After the financial collapse of 2008, we put in place rules to ensure that banks and other financial institutions play by the rules and can’t take advantage of consumers who use their products and services,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “But the financial sector has continued to evolve since then and Colorado is lagging behind many other states in oversight of non-bank mortgage servicers even as those entities handle an ever-larger share of the market. This bill ensures that non-bank mortgage services play by the rules and provides the Attorney General with the tools needed to investigate and stop abusive practices that threaten to harm Colorado homeowners.” HB21-1274 would require the state to create an inventory of all unused state-owned real property and determine if any of them could be used for affordable housing, renewable energy projects, or child care facilities. The department that owns the property would be authorized to solicit proposals from and enter into contracts with private partners to capitalize on the potential use of the property “All across Colorado, our state government owns unused properties that could be developed and turned into affordable housing, renewable energy facilities, or child care facilities – three types of projects that nearly every Coloradan wants to see more of,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “We need to put this land to use so that local communities can meet their housing and energy needs while also providing critical capacity for child care for working families.” Previous Next

Representative Bob Marshall held his fourteenth town hall yesterday at the Highlands Ranch library where he highlighted bipartisan legislative accomplishments to cap property taxes and prevent auto thefts. < Back July 19, 2024 Marshall Holds 14th Town Hall, Highlights Bipartisan Bills on Property Tax, Auto Theft, Equity Theft HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – Representative Bob Marshall held his fourteenth town hall yesterday at the Highlands Ranch library where he highlighted bipartisan legislative accomplishments to cap property taxes and prevent auto thefts. “It’s always great to hear from constituents in House District 43 about the issues that matter most to them, and it was a privilege to participate in my 14th town hall this year,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch. “I’m proud of our bipartisan work to reduce property taxes, which will save homeowners money and make our communities more affordable. I’m also excited that our bipartisan approach to cracking down on auto thefts has led to a significant state-wide reduction in stolen vehicles. Coloradans expect us to work together to put partisanship aside and deliver results, and that’s what we’ve done by cutting taxes while fully funding our schools.” Rep. Marshall sponsored legislation to reduce property taxes and voted for the bipartisan property tax package that will save homeowners money. In 2023, Rep. Marshall cosponsored bipartisan legislation to crack down on auto thefts, which led to a 45 percent reduction in stolen vehicles. He also sponsored legislation to reform Colorado’s tax foreclosure sale process to protect homeowners. This year, he voted for the bipartisan budget and School Finance Act which eliminated the budget stabilization factor and increased funding for public schools by over $400 million. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representative Tammy Story into law to help our forests recover from deforestation. < Back May 15, 2023 Gov Polis Signs Bill to Combat Deforestation DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representative Tammy Story into law to help our forests recover from deforestation. “Colorado is well known for having beautiful natural landscapes, which is why so many people visit our state or call Colorado home,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “Wildfires have caused significant damage to our forests, devastating Colorado families, ranches, businesses, and open spaces. With this new law, Colorado can reforest areas that saw devastating wildfires in the last few years and stabilize watershed banks to protect water resources. Also, Colorado can better mitigate wildfire threats, protect Colorado lives, and preserve our beautiful lands.” HB23-1060 updates and expands the operations of Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) Nursery to help them meet seedling trees and shrubs conservation demands and increase reforestation efforts. In Colorado, seedlings are used for burned forest restoration, creating climate-resilient watersheds and forests, and enhancing carbon storage. Last year, $5 million was allocated toward the CSFS Nursery from HB22-1323 and additional funding would help complete the upgrades and expectations to improve seed storage, seedling processing, and nursery fields amongst other needs that will help meet the growing demand of reforestation efforts. Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2019 BILL TO ASK VOTERS TO RAISE TOBACCO TAX AND PUT FUNDING TOWARD EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE PASSES HOUSE $1.89 billion in health care costs for Colorado directly caused by smoking (May 1) – The House approved Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill that would give voters the choice to raise taxes on tobacco products, including a new tax on liquid nicotine used for vaping. There is currently no tax on liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes. If approved by voters, the referred measure would raise more than $300 million, half of which would go toward early childhood education and half to health care. “In the six years I’ve been a pediatrician, I have seen the rise of the teen vaping epidemic and the negative impacts it is having on their health and development. Kids as young as eleven are vaping and this bill will help decrease youth use of nicotine and tobacco products,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “Right now, there is a major loophole that is allowing vaping products to go untaxed. This will ask voters to close that loophole and put the funding toward early childhood education and health care in order to invest in our children and our state’s well-being.” Rep. Caraveo is the only medical doctor in the legislature. Numerous economic studies in peer-reviewed journals have documented that cigarette tax or price increases reduce both adult and underage smoking. In Colorado, an alarming 33 percent of students use tobacco products and 26 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes, which is twice the national average for teen vaping. Typically, one vaping cartridge contains the same amount of nicotine of a pack of cigarettes. Colorado’s current tobacco tax rate on cigarettes is one of the lowest rates in the country. The average state tobacco tax is $1.79 a pack. Colorado’s tax today is 84 cents a pack. The revenue raised would be reinvested in preventing smoking and vaping, especially among youth, mental health, as well early learning and other health and education programs. Raising the taxes on tobacco products and cigarettes is highly effective at reducing smoking. Nationally, every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about 7 percent and total cigarette consumption by about 4 percent. Smoking-caused productivity losses in Colorado top $1.27 billion. HB19-1333 was approved on a vote of 34-31. It now goes to the Senate. Supporters of this measure include: Children’s Hospital Colorado, Healthier Colorado, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Mental Health Colorado, Early Childhood Summit, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Parent Possible, Gary Community Investments, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, American Heart Association, The Consortium, Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution, Clayton Early Learning, EPIC, Boys & Girls Club, Healthy Child Care Colorado, among others. ### Previous Next

< Back August 23, 2025 Bill to Limit Premium Increases, Restore Access to Health Care Passes House The House today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Lindsay Gilchrist to help blunt health insurance rate increases and significantly reduce the number of Coloradans who could lose their health insurance coverage due to the federal GOP tax bill. HB25B-1006 passed by a vote of 40-22. “This legislation will blunt Congressional Republicans’ nearly 30 percent increase in health care premium hikes and prevent 20,000 Coloradans from losing their health care coverage,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “If we don’t act now, Republicans’ failure to extend tax credits for people who purchase their health insurance will lead to over 100,000 Coloradans losing coverage next year and increased costs for businesses and families.” “Only Congress can fully prevent 100,000 Coloradans from losing health care next year and stop these outrageous premium increases, but we are doing what we can for one year in Colorado to protect care for as many people as we can,” said Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist, D-Denver. “When people don’t have health insurance, they either aren’t able to see a doctor, or when they do, everyone else has to pay for that care. This drives up costs for everyone and leads to worse health outcomes. Congress must act now to prevent massive price hikes for health insurance.” “The reinsurance program has saved Coloradans billions on health insurance, especially on the Western Slope where Congressional Republicans’ inaction will leave us facing nearly 40 percent increases in insurance premiums,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This bill will help us avoid even higher price hikes and preserve coverage for Coloradans who will lose access to health care if we do not act now. Congress has failed our state, and I urge Jeff Hurd, Gabe Evans and the Republicans in our delegation to act now to prevent 100,000 Coloradans from losing access to health care and to stop the 40 percent premium increases on the individual market that are coming next year as a result of their budget.” If the federal enhanced premium tax credit is not extended by December 31, 2025, HB25B-1006 would make changes to the Health Insurance Affordability Act by: Loaning $100 million from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund (UPTF) to the Health Insurance Affordability Cash Fund for the 2026 plan year, Giving the Department of Insurance and the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise (HIAE) Board the flexibility to use up to $5 million of the UPTF and up to $20 million of the residual HIAE reserves on HIAE programs, Allowing the Board and the Commissioner of Insurance to make changes to the OmniSalud program to maximize the number of Coloradans who can receive insurance coverage, which lowers health insurance premiums for everyone, and Increasing transparency by requiring the HIAE Board to annually report on certain financial metrics and authorizing the State Auditor to audit the programs. The bill would invest up to $50M to help the reinsurance program buy down premiums and cover the most expensive health care for patients. With Congressional Republicans choosing not to extend the enhanced premium tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, average statewide premiums are projected to increase by 28-percent. In the Eastern Plains, premiums are expected to rise more than 33-percent. The Western Slope will see premium increases of about 38-percent. This investment in reinsurance is projected to keep premium increases to a statewide average of only 20-percent. Connect for Health Colorado estimates that Congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits could lead to 112,000 Coloradans losing coverage. HB25B-1006 would invest up to $50 million in the premium wrap program to reduce the number of Coloradans who could lose their health insurance coverage by 20,000. Eighty-percent of individuals who get their coverage through this program can expect to see their premiums increase 175-percent. OmniSalud reduces health care costs for all Coloradans by connecting Coloradans who are not eligible for Medicaid to affordable health insurance. Without this program, there would be an increase in uncompensated care that would increase insurance costs for all Coloradans and force health care providers to close. There are currently over 12,000 Coloradans insured for plan year 2025, and if no action is taken to combat the impacts from the Republican budget bill, nearly all of them will lose their coverage in plan year 2026. When fewer people have health insurance, costs increase for everyone else, and providers struggle to stay afloat. Previous Next

< Back February 22, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES SULLIVAN, GARNETT’S LIFE-SAVING EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER BILL Bill Named in Honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III (Feb. 21) – Tonight, the House Judiciary committee approved the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial and Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. This 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, advocates for gun violence prevention measures, the mental health community and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. “I remember testifying at the capitol in 2013 and in the years since and being hopeful that the right thing was being done,” said Rep. Sullivan. “Today, I felt that hopefulness come once again – that I was sitting in a place where we were going to do the right thing. This is our chance to do the right thing and put us on the path to saving lives and bringing safety back to our communities.” Rep. Sullivan’s son Alex was murdered in the Aurora theater shooting on his twenty-seventh birthday. HB19-1177 will give law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe. Through this bill, family or law enforcement can petition a judge for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) for someone who is exhibiting violent or dangerous behavior or 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 then the court would hold a hearing to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a full ERPO. During this hearing, respondents will be provided 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. “Robust due process protections, a process for families and law enforcement to intervene to avoid the escalation of conflicts before they turn into tragedies, providing legal counsel to the respondent — our approach to the Extreme Risk Protection Order is unique and represents a Colorado solution,” said Rep. Garnett. “Together, we can save lives. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.” The bill, which was also introduced during the 2018 legislative session and passed the House, 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 Deputy Sheriff Parrish would have been thirty-one years old today. Last week, law enforcement officials, including Deputy Parrish’s Sheriff, Tony Spurlock, and Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, spoke in favor of the bill at a press conference. Pelle’s son Jeff is a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy who was also seriously injured responding to the same call with Deputy Parrish. It would also have been the birthday of two of the students murdered last year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, California. A number of young people testified in support of this life-saving legislation. One student described her generation as the “active-shooter generation.” 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. Thirteen states have enacted bipartisan ERPO laws (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington). At least 29 other states and Washington, D.C. have considered ERPO laws. 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. HB19-1177 was approved on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. Previous Next