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Representative Brianna Titone will participate today in a White House event on state actions to protect reproductive health care rights. < Back June 15, 2023 Titone Attends White House Event on Reproductive Rights WASHINGTON DC - Representative Brianna Titone will participate today in a White House event on state actions to protect reproductive health care rights. “Colorado is leading the way as a safe haven for Americans that live in neighboring red states and need access to reproductive health care, including abortion and gender-affirming care,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada . “While some states have passed dangerous anti-abortion and anti-trans legislation, Colorado passed legislation I sponsored that protects Americans from being prosecuted for traveling here to receive abortion or gender-affirming care. We’ve also passed new laws to crack down on deceptive advertising of abortion services and make reproductive health care more accessible. In a post-Roe America, people are relying on state legislatures to protect reproductive freedom, and Colorado is demonstrating exactly what states should do across the country.” The White House hosted over 80 state legislators, including Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Representative Brianna Titone, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision that made abortion rights a state-level issue. The legislators came from 41 states to discuss legislation that protects and expands access to abortion care following state-level attacks on reproductive rights after the Dobbs decision. In the 2023 legislative session, Colorado Democrats passed three laws that ensure abortion and gender-affirming care are accessible to both Coloradans and those who travel to Colorado to receive the care they need. SB23-188 , sponsored by Representative Brianna Titone, prevents Colorado from recognizing or enforcing civil lawsuits concerning protected reproductive health care that are without jurisdiction, and prevents Colorado state employees from participating in or assisting with interstate investigations or divulging information concerning protected health care. SB23-189 works to close gaps in accessing reproductive health care, including abortion, by limiting surprise medical billing and removes patient cost sharing for reproductive health care services and treatment. The last law in the Safe Access to Protected Health Care package is SB23-190 . This new law makes it a deceptive trade practice to share information or advertise for abortion care, emergency contraceptives or referrals of either of these services when the service is not actually provided. This law also clarifies it is a deceptive practice to advertise providing a “medication abortion reversal”. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes “medication abortion reversal” as “unproven and unethical,” and says that “claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards'' of care. Previous Next

< Back September 9, 2019 REP. MCCLUSKIE STATEMENT ON SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN SUMMIT COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE RATES DILLON, CO — Representative Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) today released the following statement after Governor Jared Polis and Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway announced that Summit County residents purchasing health insurance on the individual market from Peak Health Alliance will see decreases ranging from 39 to 47 percent compared to last year’s premiums. “I am so proud to be a part of a community that is tackling the backbreaking costs of health care with new and innovative ideas. The Peak Health Alliance is significantly reducing health insurance premiums for the working people of Summit County, and I hope we can be a model for what is possible statewide. I was proud to work alongside Sen. Donovan and Rep. Roberts on the legislation that helped make these dramatic reductions in health insurance premiums a reality.” BACKGROUND A new law to create a reinsurance program (HB19-1168) and another bill to establish new health care options (SB19-004) are two bills that are successfully helping to lower health care costs in Summit County. Summit County is the first county in the state to stand up a healthcare co-op. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed three bills into law to save seniors and Coloradans with disabilities money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes, reinstate a refundable tax credit to save older Coloradans money on housing, and expand a refundable tax credit for seniors with disabilities. < Back June 7, 2024 Signed! New Laws Will Save Seniors, Coloradans with Disabilities Money DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed three bills into law to save seniors and Coloradans with disabilities money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes, reinstate a refundable tax credit to save older Coloradans money on housing , and expand a refundable tax credit for seniors with disabilities. “The rising cost of living has been tough on our seniors with fixed incomes and those planning to retire soon,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1142. “This bipartisan law saves eligible seniors and retired veterans with disabilities money by allowing them to deduct all federally taxed social security income on their state taxes. By increasing the cap of non-taxable social security income, we’re helping ensure eligible seniors receive more of their hard-earned benefits and have more money in their pockets to pay for groceries, rent and other necessities.” “Older Coloradans on fixed incomes and those living with a disability are especially impacted by high costs of living,” Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, said, sponsor of HB24-1142. “HB-1142 removes the current cap of social security incomes that qualifying individuals can deduct on their taxes, which will keep money in the pockets of those who need it most.” HB24-1142 , also sponsored by Representative Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, saves seniors money on their taxes. Under current law, taxpayers ages 55 to 64 may deduct up to $20,000 of pension and annuity income, which includes federally taxable social security income, when calculating their taxable income. For taxpayers 55 to 64 years of age and making $75,000 or less starting in 2025, this law allows all federally taxed social security income to be deductible in Colorado. Taxpayers over the age of 65 may already deduct the full amount of federally taxable social security income, or other forms of pension and annuity income up to $24,000. This bill would lower the age to ensure eligible Coloradans aged 55 to 64 can benefit from the full deduction. The current cap still applies to all other forms of pension and annuity income, and the cap may only be exceeded when social security income specifically is higher than the cap. HB24-1052 reinstates a refundable income tax credit for Coloradans aged 65 or older with incomes under $75,000 (or $125,000 if filing jointly) who have not claimed a homestead property tax exemption for the 2024 property tax year. The income tax credit was initially created by HB22-1205 . “Amidst our statewide housing crisis, seniors on fixed incomes need additional relief to afford their rent and stay in their homes,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1052. “While we’ve worked hard to extend housing support through property tax relief and a portable homestead property tax exemption, we must do more to help seniors who rent. This refundable tax credit will help even more lower and fixed income seniors remain in the homes and communities they love.” “The senior homestead property tax exemption is a helpful tool for seniors, who largely survive on a fixed income, to afford housing, but senior renters also deserve assistance,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB24-1052. “Renters are especially vulnerable to rising costs, with nearly 35 percent of Colorado seniors concerned over paying next month’s rent. Our new law works to ensure that all Colorado seniors, regardless of if they rent or own their home, can benefit from tax relief.” “We’ve been working hard to support Colorado seniors, and especially those living on a low fixed income while renting, or who are not eligible for the senior homestead exemption, which is why I am so proud to champion this important legislation,” Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1052 said. “This measure will save older Coloradans millions of dollars on housing, make our state a more affordable place to live, and ensure seniors can remain in the communities they have called home for years to come.” “Housing affordability is a priority for Colorado Democrats, which is why we passed these laws to save our seniors, especially those with disabilities, money,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1052 and HB24-1268. “Housing prices have skyrocketed in the last few years, making it nearly impossible for those with fixed incomes, such as seniors and people with a disability, to keep up which is why we’re reinstating an impactful housing tax credit for our seniors and improving a financial assistance program for those most in need. By converting the PTC to a streamlined, refundable income tax credit we’ll make it easier for eligible taxpayers to get the benefits they deserve so they can continue to afford to call our state home.” HB24-1268 converts the Property Tax, Heat & Rent rebate, known as the PTC, for persons with a disability to a new refundable income tax credit to expand financial support. This law will make it easier to claim the credit and increase utilization by integrating it into the tax filing system. The maximum credit amount is $1,200 for eligible single filers making less than $10,000 ($16,000 if filing jointly). “Benefiting from the tax credits you’re eligible for should be easy, which is why we passed this law to ensure people with disabilities can more easily receive the financial support that is available to them,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1268. “I’m proud to have sponsored this important law that will help people with disabilities better afford expenses like property tax, rent, and utilities.” “Currently, many eligible Coloradans may not know that the Property Tax, Heat & Rent Rebate is available to them,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1268. “HB-1268 will expand the rebate to more Coloradans living with disabilities, with a projected utilization increase of 1000 percent! This is a great win for communities most vulnerable to housing instability.” Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would save people money on housing by updating building codes to only require one stairwell for certain multi-family buildings. < Back April 2, 2025 Bill to Make Housing More Affordable Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would save people money on housing by updating building codes to only require one stairwell for certain multi-family buildings. “This smart stair policy is safe and will help us create more affordable housing in Colorado,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Firefighting technology and fire protection techniques have significantly improved in the last few decades, and it’s time that we modernize our building codes to account for these safety improvements and reduce the cost of building multi-family housing. The bill provides an innovative option making it easier to build family-sized apartments and condos that will help us meet Colorado’s housing needs and save people money on housing.” “Colorado Democrats are committed to passing legislation that will make housing more affordable,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “This bill would eliminate second stairwell requirements for certain buildings to drive down building costs and create more livable space without jeopardizing the health and safety of renters. Coloradans sent us here to pass policy that will make our communities more affordable, and this bill would help open up more housing opportunities that work for every budget.” Beginning December 1, 2027, HB25-1273 would require a municipality of 100,000 or more residents that is served by an accredited fire protection district, fire department, or fire authority to ensure that their building code allows certain multi-family residential buildings up to five stories to be served by a single exit. Additional requirements to qualify for a single-stairway exit include: Buildings no more than five stories tall with up to four dwelling units per floor, Safety features throughout the building that satisfy building codes and other relevant codes, including an automatic sprinkler system and fire resistance and smoke control systems, Stairways no more than twenty feet away from a door to each dwelling unit and 125 feet from the stairway to any point in a dwelling unit, and Buildings constructed of non-combustible or fire-resistive construction materials. The bill would also require a jurisdiction to notify their local International Association of Fire Fighters affiliate and the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association when they begin the code adoption process. These buildings would also be required to include signage to identify that they are single-stair buildings and have a fire-resistant box that contains keys to the buildings for firefighters to access the building and its units. According to a 2025 Pew Study , there has been no evidence of increased safety risks in New York City, Seattle, the Netherlands, and other jurisdictions that allow single stair apartments to be built. Adding a second stairway to an apartment building can increase building costs by 6- to 13-percent, and single stair apartments can reduce cooling costs by up to 80-percent due to improved window placement, which allows cross-ventilation. Previous Next

< Back January 17, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES HOSPITAL TRANSPARENCY & ER LICENSING BILLS State Ships Nearly $3 billion in State & Federal Dollars to Hospitals Every Year (Jan. 16) – The House Health and Insurance Committee approved two bills to increase transparency for health care costs in Colorado’s hospitals and improve safety at emergency room departments. “This bill is focused on ensuring transparency for consumers and for policymakers when it comes to hospital costs,” said Rep. Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This bill will ensure our continued support for rural hospitals and to prepare hospitals for the future in which they are reimbursed for value, not volume.” HB19-1001 will increase transparency in hospital billing and spending practices across Colorado. At a time when health care costs are out of control – especially in rural communities – it is important to identify inefficiencies and wasteful spending in our health care system and address them accordingly. This bill also requires hospitals to share more of their financial information with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). The bill passed on a vote of 8-2. HB19-1001 goes to the House floor. The committee also approved Rep. Kyle Mullica’s bipartisan Freestanding Emergency Departments Licensure bill. “This bipartisan bill will ensure patients receive care in a safe manner and that emergency departments in rural, urban and suburban communities offer the best services available,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn. Rep. Mullica is an emergency room nurse by trade. House Democrats have a number of health care workers in their ranks this session. This bill will bring freestanding emergency departments under the same regulatory umbrella as traditional hospital emergency rooms to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients. This will ultimately improve the quality of care for patients and increase health care affordability. HB 19-1010 creates a new license for Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSEDs) through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). It also requires FSEDs to medically screen every patient seeking care as well as prohibit them from delaying a medical examination in order to inquire about the patient’s ability to pay for the care or their insurance status. HB19-1010 passed by a vote of 10-0. The bill goes to the Finance Committee. Previous Next

< Back Monica Duran Majority Leader Representative Monica Duran is House Majority Leader and represents House District 23,of Lakewood, Lakeside, Applewood, and Mountain View. Previously House Co-Whip, Majority Leader Duran fights to ensure that our most vulnerable do not slip through the cracks. As a survivor of domestic violence, she has championed legislation related to domestic violence, animal welfare, and supporting working families. She has led legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to reduce gun violence in our communities in addition to legislation to improve wages for home care workers, support survivors of crime and violence and protect children.

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. < Back April 21, 2023 House Advances Support for Universal PreK DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to support and maintain Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program. HB23-1290, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Representative Emily Sirota, would refer a measure to the ballot to allow the state to direct all the revenue collected under a sales tax on tobacco and other tobacco products to support Colorado’s early childhood learners instead of refunding nearly $24 million to the tobacco industry. “The support for voter-approved universal preschool has been overwhelming because it will save families money, help parents get back to work, and boost learning opportunities for our youngest Coloradans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Supporting young learners sets them up for a lifetime of success, and funding universal preschool is one of the smartest investments we can make. The revenue collected from the tax on nicotine products has come in higher than originally predicted, and we want to confirm voters’ commitment to using these funds to provide preschool to all children in the state. That’s precisely what this legislation accomplishes.” “Universal preschool will be here in the fall, and the funds collected from the voter-approved Proposition EE made it possible for the state to begin to provide free, early childhood education to our youngest learners,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Colorado voters widely support free universal preschool, and our legislation reaffirms that commitment by asking them if the state may keep revenue collected from the special tax on nicotine and direct it toward UPK, rather than returning it to the tobacco industry. Studies show that preschool and early childhood education prepare kids for a lifetime of educational success.” HB23-1290 helps Colorado rise to the challenge of providing early education to every child in Colorado the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. The demand for universal preschool is high: more than 29,000 families and over 1,800 early care and education providers have already signed up to participate in the first year of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. Specifically, this bill would refer a measure to the ballot that asks voters to approve of the state keeping the excess revenue collected on tobacco and other tobacco products to fund universal preschool in Colorado. In 2020 Colorado voters approved Proposition EE, which created new excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine products to fund Colorado’s priorities - nicotine cessation programs, affordable housing, rural K-12 public schools, and Universal Pre-K. The new tax rates are designed to phase in over the next few fiscal years through 2027. When originally approved by voters with overwhelming support, it was estimated that this measure would raise $186.5 million in new tax revenue in the first year (FY 2021-22). However, actual revenues from the new tobacco taxes exceeded that predicted amount by $22 million. If passed, voters will see a measure on their 2024 ballots confirming the original intent of the voter-approved Proposition EE and clarifying that voters want the state to retain the full amount of nicotine sales tax revenue to put toward universal preschool. Previous Next

< Back March 31, 2021 HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH TRUMP TREATMENT PLAN FOR COVID-19 DENVER, CO– The House Health and Insurance Committee today defeated dangerous legislation sponsored by Representative Stephanie Luck that recklessly promotes the use of drugs like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. “The end of this pandemic is closer than ever, but we’ll never reach the light at the end of the tunnel if we ignore science and instead insert politics into medical decision making,” said Dr. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “Getting shots into arms and continuing to take common sense public health precautions like wearing a mask will end the pandemic. Taking hydroxychloroquine against the advice of the FDA and instead as modeled by politicians with no medical experience, like a former president whose response to this crisis was an unmitigated disaster, will only result in greater contagion and potentially dangerous side effects.” “We have one pathway to ending this pandemic, and that’s getting as many shots into arms as we can,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Boulder. “Colorado has relied on science and data to successfully reduce the spread of the virus and save lives, and we’ve done significantly better than many other states. We’re seeing people avoid the treatments and vaccines that we know work because Trump and other top officials in his administration led them down an unproven path. As a veterinarian, I’m concerned that this bill encourages the use of a deworming treatment primarily used in horses as a cure for COVID-19. We can’t have patients playing doctor and ignoring the scientific data.” HB21-1202 promotes the dangerous practice of prescribing hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin off-label for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. The World Health Organization has warned against using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, and the FDA has been vocal about the dangers of using ivermectin , especially veterinary ivermectin. The use of these drugs can cause adverse effects in patients, and they have been proven to be ineffective in treating COVID-19. The vaccines the FDA has approved for emergency use have been proven highly effective at preventing COVID-19. New research shows they are likely to be effective at stopping the spread of the virus, as well. All Coloradans will be eligible for the vaccine this Friday, April 2. For more information about where you can get vaccinated visit here: https://bit.ly/39yFt0d Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation that would fund transportation infrastructure projects to improve road safety and save Coloradans money on car insurance premiums and by preventing accidents. HB25-1303, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meghan Lukens, passed by a vote of 9-4. < Back April 1, 2025 Bill to Make Roads Safer Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation that would fund transportation infrastructure projects to improve road safety and save Coloradans money on car insurance premiums and by preventing accidents. HB25-1303, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meghan Lukens, passed by a vote of 9-4. “With pedestrian fatalities going up by 73 percent in the last decade, it’s clear that we need to take strong action to make Colorado roads safer for vulnerable road users,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Collisions not only threaten the health and safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, but they also drive up car insurance and health care costs. With this bill, we can create safer roads for all road users, saving Coloradans money and reducing costly and deadly accidents on our shared roads.” “As a Western Slope resident and legislator, I know how common it is to experience accidents with wildlife and other road hazards that delay travel and impact local economies,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “Wildlife crossings and other collision prevention strategies have been proven to improve road safety, which we’ve seen on the Highway 9 wildlife crossing project near Kremmling that has helped reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 92 percent. Mountain communities would greatly benefit from transportation infrastructure improvements, and this bill will help save lives, protect wildlife, and reduce lost business revenue due to road closures.” HB 25-1303 would create the Crash Prevention Enterprise to fund transportation infrastructure improvements that improve road safety and prevent collisions between vehicles, vulnerable road users and wildlife. Projects that would qualify for funding under this bill include enhancing sidewalks and bike lanes, implementing traffic circles or other speed-reducing strategies, animal detection systems and other safety projects. To ensure transparency, the enterprise must publish its ten-year plan, maintain a public accountability dashboard to make project progress accessible, and present an annual report to the General Assembly regarding its activities and funding. A Smart Growth America report stated that every dollar invested in active transportation saves $24 in averted medical costs. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, every hour the I-70 mountain corridor is closed, surrounding communities lose up to $2 million in economic activity. Additionally, the estimated annual cost of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Colorado is $313 million and the average cost of hitting a deer is over $23,500. Previous Next

< Back July 10, 2020 COLORADO’S PREMIER VOTE BY MAIL SYSTEM GETS AN UPGRADE Gov signs bill to improve administration of late ballots, ensure destroyed or spoiled ballots do not stand in the way of a Coloradan’s right to vote. Denver, CO — Today, at the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Denver Metro Local, Governor Jared Polis signed Rep. Tom Sullivan’s bill to improve Colorado’s nation-leading vote by mail system into law. “As the nation discusses whether or not to adopt vote by mail– a proven, safe, and democratic system– Colorado is busy working to make our already effective process even better,” said Rep. Sullivan, D-Centennial. “This new law will make sure that all registered voters can cast a vote even when they have issues with their original ballots. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to make sure that health concerns don’t get in the way of any Coloradan’s constitutional right to vote.” Colorado is one of only a handful of states that allows all voters to cast their ballot by mail. It has been recognized across the country as one of the most secure and successful ballot administration systems in the nation. The state’s universal mail ballot system means Colorado is uniquely positioned to safely administer upcoming elections and ensure that Coloradans can vote without risk to their health. HB20-1313 , the bill signed into law today, would improve the process for updating registration applications and records to ensure that new ballots are sent within an appropriate timeline. It would permit a voter to obtain a replacement ballot if their ballot was destroyed, spoiled or not received for any reason if the voter requests a new ballot at least eight days prior to the election. The bill requires mail replacement ballots to be sent to eligible voters who update their address or register to vote at least eight days prior to an election, even if their original ballot has already been mailed. Furthermore, counties are required to mail ballots by First Class Mail if they are sent within 11 days of an election, ensuring they will be delivered to the voter in a timely manner. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Chad Clifford on a preliminary vote to improve protections for law enforcement whistleblowers. < Back March 27, 2025 Law Enforcement Whistleblower Protection Bill Advances DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Chad Clifford on a preliminary vote to improve protections for law enforcement whistleblowers. “Whistleblower protections ensure that people can report a violation of law or policy without fear, and this is especially necessary within law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “After an Edgewater officer was assaulted by a fellow officer in 2019, it was clear that there were gaps in local law enforcement agencies’ policies regarding workplace issues and protections around retaliation. It is crucial that the people who are supposed to protect us can also protect each other, which is exactly what this bill does.” “This bill is about protecting the people who put their lives on the line to protect and serve their communities,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “After nearly a year of weekly stakeholder meetings with law enforcement, impacted community members and whistleblower advocates, we’ve crafted this policy to better protect those who raise concerns about wrongdoings. This legislation will improve due process and pathways to justice to protect law enforcement officers from retaliation when they report injustices in their workplace.” HB25-1031 would protect whistleblowers in law enforcement by prohibiting retaliation, including requiring disclosures to be made to external oversight agencies and ensuring confidentiality for the reporting officer. The bill would expand retaliation to include discharging, disciplining, demoting, denying a promotion, transferring or reassigning, discriminating against, harassing, suspending, creating a hostile work environment for, subjecting to corrective action, reprimanding, issuing an employment rating that causes a loss of pay or makes ineligible for a promotion, laying off, reducing work hours, or knowingly providing false information regarding a peace officer to negatively impact future employment opportunities. Additionally, the bill would protect a peace officer who shares information to the relevant supervising authority in good faith regarding a danger to public health or safety or an alleged violation of law committed by a fellow peace officer. If the relevant supervising authority is the individual being accused, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to provide an alternative reporting procedure. The bill also creates a private right of action and establishes penalties for employers who engage in retaliation, allowing peace officers to seek reinstatement, back pay with interest, attorney fees, and other remedies. Lastly, the bill outlines the process and deadlines for filing claims and establishes a reporting system to monitor implementation and consistency with existing whistleblower protection laws. Beginning January 1, 2026, all law enforcement agencies that employ POST-certified peace officers must provide annual training and accessible workplace postings about peace officers’ rights and protections under this bill. Employees hired after this date must provide information regarding this bill during their employee orientation. In 2019, an Edgewater police officer was retaliated against and ultimately forced to resign after she reported multiple assaults by a colleague. The perpetrator ultimately pleaded guilty to the assault and the City of Edgewater settled after the officer sued for discrimination. Colorado Democrats have passed whistleblower protection laws in recent years, including protections for essential workers who raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices or hazards during a public health emergency and those who report child labor violations . Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2020 TIPPER’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRANSPARENCY BILL PASSES COMMITTEE The House Judiciary Committee today unanimously passed Representative Kerry Tipper’s bill on telecommunications data in jails. The bill would require telecommunication providers who operate in jails to provide data related to the calls made by inmates in jail on a quarterly basis. “Affordable phone calls lower recidivism and massively improve the wellbeing of both incarcerated individuals and their families on the outside,” said Rep. Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This bill would bring much-needed transparency to a murky system and give us a better idea of where profits are going. I’m proud that the committee approved the measure today and I’ll keep working to make it a reality.” In-state long distance or local calls in Colorado’s correctional facilities can cost up to $0.99 per minute depending on the facility– and inmates’ loved ones shoulder the expenses. At 50 percent, Colorado’s recidivism rate is 10 percent higher than the national rate. A November 2011 study by the Minnesota Department of Corrections found that regular communication with a loved one can reduce the risk of felony reconviction by 13 percent and technical violations by 25 percent. Some government agencies, including counties and cities, receive a commission from telecommunication service providers. The commissions drive up the cost of jail phone calls, making it difficult for inmates to stay in touch with loved ones. In a 2013 contract between the city of Denver and Securus Technologies, the telecommunication corporation agreed to pay the city 80 percent commission on all debit calls within the system. HB20-1267 would require telecommunications providers to provide a copy of the existing contract between the provider and the jail that they service to the public utilities commission. Additionally, telecommunications providers must also provide the rates for in and out-of-state phone calls as well as the fees that are charged to the inmate making phone calls. The commission is required to publish all of this data and report on its website in a format accessible by the public. Previous Next