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< Back September 7, 2021 DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS OF COLORADO CO-CHAIRS’ STATEMENT ON SB8 DENVER, CO– Representatives Lisa Cutter and Monica Duran, the Co-Chairs of Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado, today released the following statement on SB8, the Texas law that will ban abortions as soon as six weeks–before many women know they are pregnant: “The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado strongly supports reproductive rights and the freedom for women to choose what’s best for their bodies. We are outraged at the passage of SB8, the Texas law banning abortions at six weeks. This law is another way to suppress, control, and shame women over their healthcare choices. Despite last week’s unprecedented and unconstitutional attack on abortion rights, Colorado will remain a safe place for patients to access abortion. Coloradans understand that the strength and independence of women promote a healthier and more economically vibrant society by every measure. We will continue to actively work to safeguard women’s rights to have autonomy over their own bodies and uphold the Colorado way of life, putting the health and safety of women first.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts. < Back June 2, 2025 Gov Signs Duran, Hinrichsen Bill to Crack Down on Gun Theft DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts. “Whether a gun costs $100 or $10,000, it can cause tragic, irreversible loss, and the penalty for firearm theft should be the same across the board,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats have passed numerous bills to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands, but firearm theft acts as a loophole to these gun violence prevention measures and threatens the safety of our communities. Our bipartisan law ensures that the price of the weapon does not dictate the penalty of the crime, helping drive down gun violence and address the epidemic of firearm theft.” “One of my top priorities as an elected official has been to pass legislation that ensures every Coloradan can live in a safe and thriving community,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Firearm theft of any kind increases the risk of violent crime for everyone, and we must do more to prevent such crimes before they occur. This bipartisan policy has been a multi-year effort, and I’m proud that this year we were able to get it across the finish line and see HB1062 signed into law.” Currently, the penalty for firearm theft can range from a petty offense to a class 2 felony, depending on the value of the stolen firearm. HB25-1062 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, will make theft of any firearm a class 6 felony. Over 3,500 firearms were stolen in Colorado between 2019 and 2023. It is reported that 70-percent of those firearms were recovered, and criminal charges were filed.Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, including laws to require gun owners to report when their firearm has been lost or stolen and properly store their firearms when not in use, including in their vehicles . The legislature also cracked down on “ghost guns” to keep unregulated, untraceable firearms out of our communities. This year, Colorado Democrats passed a law to help firearm dealers identify firearms that have been reported lost or stolen or involved in a criminal investigation. Previous Next

< Back April 6, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: AURORA DELEGATION STATEMENT ON FIRING OF POLICE CHIEF WILSON DENVER, CO – The Aurora Delegation in the Colorado General Assembly today released the following statement on the firing of Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson: “The firing of Aurora’s police chief will set back the critical and long overdue efforts currently underway in Aurora to ensure accountability and integrity in our police department. In 2020, we provided the Attorney General with the authority to investigate the department, which led to the finding that Aurora Police engaged in a longstanding pattern and practice of racist policing. Chief Wilson has been working hard to build a police force that reflects the diversity of our community and hold officers accountable for racially biased actions. Her firing in the middle of these efforts sends a terrible message to the police force and to the community about Aurora’s commitment to reforming these practices. “We commend Chief Wilson for her steadfast commitment to making our communities safer and rebuilding our community’s trust in our city’s police department. She held officers who engaged in misconduct accountable, and refused to tolerate the status quo that the Attorney General’s investigation found consistently endangered the lives of Black and Brown people in Aurora. We will not go back. Aurora needs a police chief who will continue these critical reforms to eradicate the department’s clearly documented pattern of racist policing and targeting of people of color.” The members of the Aurora Delegation are Representatives Iman Jodeh, Naquetta Ricks, Mandy Lindsay, Mike Weissman, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Senators Rhonda Fields and Janet Buckner. Previous Next

< Back May 5, 2021 HOUSE ADVANCES COLORADO COMEBACK PACKAGE TO SUPPORT WORKERS, STUDENTS, BUSINESSES, FAMILIES, AND MORE House advances five state stimulus proposals on second reading DENVER, CO– The House today gave preliminary approval to five Colorado Comeback state stimulus proposals to give restaurants a leg up, invest in jobs training, close the COVID learning gap, and boost affordable housing opportunities. The bills are part of the $800 million package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. “Restaurants, bars, and other food service businesses took quite a hit during the pandemic, but many are on the mend as our economy continues to safely reopen,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn. “Extending a crucial tax break that has served as a lifeline for many of these businesses will help our restaurant industry build back stronger. I hope and expect that the summer months will be a boon for small businesses across the state, and I’m proud to say that many of them will be able to take thousands of dollars in additional deductions. HB21-1265 , sponsored by Reps Kyle Mullica and Kevin Van Winkle R-Highlands Ranch, continues a successful sales tax assistance effort passed during the 2020 special session. It allows restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors (such as airline food service contractors and food concession contractors at sporting events) to deduct up to $70,000 in net taxable sales from their monthly state sales tax return for five different locations and retain the resulting sales tax revenue during the months of June, July, and August 2021. “Coloradans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 are eager to get back to work,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton. “By investing in the SNAP Employment First initiative, we’re making sure that the Colorado comeback extends to low-income workers across the state. The skills and jobs training provided by this proven program will go a long way toward helping Colorado’s workers find rewarding employment that will support them for years to come.” The SNAP Employment First initiative has successfully helped Coloradans who receive SNAP benefits obtain new skills to thrive and reenter the workforce. HB21-1270 , sponsored by Representatives Tony Exum and Yadira Caraveo, leverages $3 million in state funds to draw down an additional $3 million in federal funds to provide a total of $6 million for jobs and skills training services to SNAP recipients. The funds may also be used to support work based learning opportunities and expanding 3rd party partnerships to expand the SNAP employment and training program’s reach. “Affordable housing has long been a top priority for myself and my colleagues in the legislature,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “The pandemic only heightened the need to take bold action to ensure that Colorado families can keep a roof over their head despite the economic turmoil. As we work to build back a stronger Colorado, we’re giving local governments the tools and the funding they need to meet the unique affordable housing needs of their rural, rural-resort, suburban and urban communities.” Local governments are on the forefront of building affordable housing, but often lack the tools and resources to increase the available housing stock. HB21-1271 , sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Iman Jodeh, provides $13 million in incentives and technical assistance to local governments to provide for the rapid deployment of affordable housing projects and to also ensure local communities have the tools and resources they need to help them identify and meet their unique housing needs. HB21-1234 , sponsored by Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood, would create and fund the Colorado High Impact Tutoring Program. Data consistently demonstrates that high-impact tutoring, when administered during the school day to groups of four of fewer students by the same qualified tutor at least three times per week, is one of the most effective interventions to raise student achievement. This program would be administered under the Colorado Department of Education and would provide grants to local education providers for high impact tutoring programs designed to address COVID-related learning loss. The bill outlines the process and requirements for applying for funding, and establishes that rural education providers and schools serving low-income or underserved students must be among the criteria taken into consideration in awarding grants. Previous Next

< Back Reps. Bacon & Willford: Ready to Fight Legislatively to Provide Air-Quality Win for Coloradans Feb 21, 2024 See more This story was originally published in Colorado Politics here . Colorado’s legislative session lasts just 120 days. It is a sprint from January to May, racing against the clock to get as much good work done for the people of Colorado as we possibly can. But like every dedicated athlete or weekend warrior, we know wins come from the months of dedicated preparation leading up to a race, and that is exactly what we’ve been up to since last spring and in the first few weeks of the legislative session. Last year we fell short of a decisive win with House Bill 23-1294 , the Protecting Communities from Air Pollution Act. Our goal was to improve Colorado’s broken air quality permitting and enforcement system, which has worsened the state’s ozone crisis and kept any marginal improvements from making air in our communities more breathable. And though the version of the bill that passed took a few important steps in the right direction (requiring rule-making on cumulative impacts, updating complaint processes and eliminating loopholes for polluters), we knew our work needed to continue in 2024. Last fall, the Legislative Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality heard testimony from hundreds of Coloradans who bravely shared their stories about the ways poor air quality has negatively impacted their lives. We also made sure to bring state agencies and industry voices to the table — all of these perspectives were important for us to consider as we pondered and debated the best ways for us to address what is truly a crisis for so many Coloradans. The American Lung Association's 2023 State of the Air report reflects data so many of us know to be true anecdotally: air quality along the Front Range continues to get worse. Every county in the Denver metro area received a failing grade. But up to this point, that evidence, coupled with more bloody noses, increased instances of asthma and lung disease and days of school and work missed because of unbreathable air, have not been enough to make changes that would put Colorado back on the right track. No more — we’re at the starting line, revved up and raring to go as we and our colleagues prepare to launch three bills we believe everyone who cares about the health of their loved ones, communities and the planet, to boot, can get behind. Up first: permitting. Colorado’s permitting processes are standing in the way of ozone attainment by failing to adequately consider the air quality impacts of minor sources — including almost all oil and gas sources. The bill we are sponsoring will ensure emissions from proposed projects are aggregated so regulators get an accurate picture of the emissions a project will produce. It will also require greater scrutiny for permits in the nonattainment area, and require oil and gas operators to obtain a permit to pollute from the Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) before the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) can issue a permit for drilling or fracking. Immediate reduction measures are also critically important for the health of our communities, and our colleague, state Sen. Kevin Priola, is sponsoring a bill to address this. His bill targets a number of different emissions sources: cars, trucks, home appliances and oil and gas operations. By implementing seasonal restrictions on oil and gas production, creating standards for non-road engine emissions, finding ways to make electric appliances more accessible to more people, and setting goals for reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) we will have a fighting chance at getting back into compliance with federal air quality standards. None of those measures will matter, however, if the state doesn’t have the appropriate mechanisms to enforce them. That is where the bill of state Sen. Faith Winter and state Rep. Meg Froelich comes in. Right now, it is often more economical for polluters to pay paltry fines rather than comply; their bill will require repeat violators to pay mandatory fines, in part into a fund that will support environmental mitigation projects. It will also create a public right to enforce the APCD’s regulations if the APCD is not pursuing enforcement. It further takes steps to increase transparency. Our laws should do what they were passed with the intention to do. Communities along the Front Range and across the state, especially low-income and communities of color, have suffered for far too long. Thanks to the work of the Interim Committee, our constituents and advocates, we’ve begun this legislative session more prepared to fight for a win than ever before. Previous Next

Bill would reinstate and expand critical wetlands protections jeopardized by the Sackett v. EPA decision < Back April 29, 2024 Legislation to Protect Streams, Rivers and Wetlands Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands. “After the Supreme Court removed important protections and left our waterways in jeopardy, we knew we must take action now to secure Colorado’s water future,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “With the passage of this bill, we’re one step closer to a Colorado-specific approach to protecting our streams, rivers and wetlands. From brewing beer to sustaining our livestock and crops – fresh, clean water is at the core of nearly every industry in Colorado. This bill protects our state’s water supply now and into the future so generations to come can experience the Colorado way of life we all hold dear.” “Protecting our freshwater resources now means future generations can thrive in Colorado knowing they have clean and accessible water,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “A 2023 Supreme Court decision rolled back crucial water protections and we need legislation that helps effectively manage and protect our wetlands, rivers and streams. Our bill would outline regulatory certainty for our businesses, landowners and agriculture industry when it comes to Colorado’s water. Colorado’s water is a steady and vital resource that must be conserved and protected for generations to come, and this bill protects what we all find essential.” The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to define “Waters of the United States” and the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate discharges from dredge and fill activities into waters that meet that definition. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA in 2023 redefined what constitutes waters subject to federal regulation and placed an estimated 60 percent of Colorado wetlands at risk of losing protections. The impacted wetlands and seasonal streams in need of protection work to ensure adequate water supply, aid groundwater recharge, and provide for wildlife habitat in Colorado. HB24-1379 , passed the Hous e by a vote of 43 to 20 and works to protect Colorado waters that are no longer federally protected. The bill would create a permitting program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for dredge and fill activities impacting state waters. The permitting framework is based on well-established approaches already used by the Army Corps of Engineers and will provide clarity and certainty on when a permit is needed for dredge and fill activities. Normal farming, ranching, and agricultural activities, such as plowing, farm road construction, ditch maintenance, and erosion control practices would not require a permit. Until the recent decision in Sackett v. EPA , the Army Corps’ permitting program safeguarded the vast majority of Colorado’s state waters from pollution caused by dredge and fill activities. Dredge and fill activities involve digging up or placing dirt and other fill material into wetlands or surface waters as part of construction projects. These operations are necessary in many infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, housing developments, flood mitigation, and utility pipelines. This legislation provides a way for these projects to move forward while protecting Colorado’s water resources. Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES PAID FAMILY LEAVE BILL (Apr. 26) –The House Finance committee approved Rep. Matt Gray and Rep. Monica Duran’s bill, SB19-188 Family Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), that will ensure a seamless implementation of the best possible FAMLI policy for Coloradans. The plan creates an outline and execution schedule that lays the groundwork for the implementation of a strong, robust paid family leave policy for Colorado workers and businesses by 2024. “This has always been about helping hardworking families and individuals and this bill will help us reach that goal,” said Rep. Gray, D-Broomfield. “For too many Coloradans, their only option is unpaid leave. It’s past time to provide answers to one of the most critical issue affecting families today.” The implementation plan is comprised of a number of analyses that will ensure the program is administered efficiently, effectively, and fiscally responsibly, including: A family and medical leave implementation task force, which will be appointed by July 1, 2019 . A report prepared for the taskforce with results from a third-party study and recommendations from experts in the field by October 1, 2019 . An independent actuarial analysis completed by December 1, 2019 . The implementation plan also requires an analysis of the feasibility of contracting with a third party to administer parts of the program as an alternative to administration by the state. “I escaped domestic violence to save myself and my son but lost a job, lost a home, and was homeless. In that moment I made a promise to myself that if I was ever in position to make a difference and be a voice for others, I would step up and do it, and this plan is a step in the right direction,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “No one should ever be forced to choose between feeding your family, keeping your home or your job.” The plan does not change the timeline for when Coloradans can start receiving benefits from the program. These analyses will assist in the preparation of legislation in the 2020 legislative session establishing paid family leave in Colorado. Following the establishment of the program, education and outreach will begin on January 1, 2022, the funding stream will be established on January 1, 2023, and benefits will be provided beginning on January 1, 2024. The bill does require that the General Assembly grant permission for implementation of the program by legislation. Eighty eight percent of Coloradans do not have access to paid family leave, and even unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is inaccessible for 64 percent of working people. That means most Coloradans do not have time off to recover from a serious illness, to care for a sick family member, or to welcome the birth of a child. They are often forced to choose between their jobs or taking care of sick loved one. SB19-188 passed on a vote of 7-3 It now heads to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back March 16, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: LAWMAKERS UNVEIL BILLS TO BOOST ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE DENVER, CO – Lawmakers in the House will introduce two more bills today that will boost access to behavioral health care by expanding the state’s inpatient and residential treatment capacity and better integrating physical and behavioral health care. “Colorado doesn’t have the inpatient and residential treatment capacity we need, which is why we’re investing $65 million to build additional beds and expand critical services across the state,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “The addition of 16 beds at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state will transform care and provide the services that people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders need to get better. This transformational investment will expand treatment capacity in Colorado to increase access to behavioral health care.” “Right now, Colorado is struggling to provide the capacity needed to care for our state’s most vulnerable, leaving folks with serious behavioral health needs without the critical treatment they need,” said Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster . “This bill will help us boost bed capacity for inpatient and residential care so individuals with serious mental health and substance use challenges can access the care and treatment they need and deserve, helping us accomplish our overall goal of building a healthier Colorado for all.” Adult Inpatient and Residential Care: Sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile and Senators Faith Winter and Jim Smallwood, this bill invests $65 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment options. Currently, Colorado does not have enough residential treatment beds to treat individuals with serious mental health needs or substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occuring conditions or in need of civil commitment. The bill will support the addition of 16 beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state. These beds will be available for adults with urgent behavioral health needs that require long-term services and supports, and will be available as long as necessary for stabilization. They will provide integrated care to flexibly serve all populations, including individuals involved in the criminal justice system and those awaiting competency restoration services. Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: Sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will, and Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, this bill would invest $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. The funding could be used to better streamline and co-locate behavioral and physical health care services in outpatient, pediatric and primary care settings. “Integrating physical and behavioral health care will make a huge difference in the lives of Coloradans,” said Sen. Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “We will be able to reach more people who are in need of help, including those seeking substance use disorder screening and treatment. I am a proud champion of this legislation to make it easier for Coloradans to get the care they need.” “Better integrating primary and behavioral health will increase access to the care Coloradans need and build healthier communities through better outcomes,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Coloradans will be able to access both physical and behavioral health care more easily and at the same location, facing fewer barriers to critical care. Not only will this bill make it easier for Coloradans to make behavioral health care a regular part of their lives, it will make that care less expensive and save people money.” Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. < Back June 2, 2025 Signed! Bill to Improve Law Enforcement Training Becomes Law DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed a bill into law to implement voter-approved Proposition 130 and direct significant new resources to public safety and law enforcement training, recruitment and retention. “Colorado voters made it clear with Proposition 130 they want real investments in public safety,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “This bill delivers on that promise by responsibly investing in law enforcement recruitment, retention, and training over the next several years. Even in a tough budget year, made worse by federal chaos and uncertainty, Colorado’s budget reflects our commitment to public education, public health, and public safety.” "This law honors voter intent when they passed Prop 130 and increases the state’s investment in public safety,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Our law will invest $350 million to recruit, retain and train local law enforcement officers and ensure that families of first responders receive death benefits in the event their family member’s life is taken while in the line of duty. Our law ensures that the state is a partner in protecting the safety of every Coloradan and makes certain that local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to do their jobs well." SB25-310 , also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, will implement the voter-approved Proposition 130 by creating a funding mechanism for the distribution of $350 million for local law enforcement officer recruitment, retention and training. It makes a one-time investment of $500 million of the general fund reserve in PERA and reduces future general fund payments to PERA by the amount of interest earned. It will then divert that amount to the new Peace Officer Training and Support Fund each year, which will be distributed to local police departments. It also implements the death benefit required in Proposition 130 of $1 million to the surviving spouse, family member, or designee of any first responder who died as a result of injuries or an occupational disease sustained while performing their job, and creates the Death Benefit Fund. Previous Next

< Back January 17, 2019 HOUSE DEMS APPLAUD GOV POLIS’ EXECUTIVE ORDER ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES (Jan. 17) – House Democrats applauded Governor Jared Polis’ executive order in support of Colorado’s transition to zero emission vehicles (EV). Coloradans refuse to stand idly by while the federal government in Washington and special interests attempt to put our nation in reverse, jeopardizing public health and clean air in the process. “I was glad to join Governor Polis this morning as he signed an executive order to expedite the process of getting more electric vehicles on the road in our state,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Electric vehicles save consumers money and can improve air quality while reducing carbon pollution emissions.” Rep. Gray is chair of the House Transportation and Local Government Committee. “I thank the Governor for his leadership on this issue, and it’s critical that we at the legislature continue our commitment to clean air, climate action, consumer choice, and a robust economy,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “I’m proud to carry legislation this session to support EV charging infrastructure and support the transition to zero emission vehicles.” Rep. Hansen is a co-prime sponsor of SB19-077. Read more about that bill here . In recent years, House Democrats successfully passed a law promoting electric vehicles that has made Colorado one of the best states in the country to purchase one. They have also pushed back on federal attempts to undermine Obama-era fuel economy standards. Read the Governor’s executive order here . Previous Next

Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7. < Back July 29, 2024 New Laws to Prevent Student Overdoses, Expand Access to Health Care Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7. HB24-1003, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Mary Young and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will make opiate antagonists and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. SB24-034, sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman and Chris Kolker and Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Lorena Garcia, expands the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. “I’m so proud to have worked closely with the students from both Durango and Animas High Schools to create this life-saving law,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Too often, Colorado youth have seen their classmates suffer from the current opioid crisis, which is why our law will increase availability and training for the administration of opiate antagonists. The advocacy from these students on this topic will make a significant impact throughout our state and save countless lives, as they’ve seen the challenges their peers face.” “Our young people have not escaped being harmed by the opioid crisis that is impacting every corner of our state, and we must do more to protect them,” Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said. “This important legislation, which came to us from students who have been impacted directly by this terrible epidemic, gives schools more badly-needed tools to combat this crisis and will ultimately save lives.” “As a school psychologist, I understand how serious and common overdoses can be in our schools, and this new law will make it easier for schools to prevent these overdoses from becoming fatal,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Research shows that overdose education for students, teachers, staff, and families leads to increased involvement in treatment and this legislation empowers students, educators, and other school personnel to know how to respond to an overdose. This student-initiated law gives schools life-saving harm reduction tools to decrease the number of student overdoses across Colorado.” HB24-1003 , will allow trained bus drivers and other employees present on buses to administer certain medications, including opiate antagonists such as Naloxone, to students experiencing an overdose. This law also permits school districts to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses, and for trained students to possess and administer opiate antagonists on school grounds, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event. Additionally, HB24-1003 will allow schools to acquire and maintain a supply of testing strips designed to detect the presence of additional harmful components in an opioid, such as fentanyl. “School-based health centers deliver critical care where and when students need it,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “However, we still see gaps in care, especially in rural school districts. This new law will allow medical entities, in partnership with school districts, to use grant funding to support telehealth, mobile services and referrals for nearby services. This reduces barriers to care by bringing primary medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care directly to school communities.” “The School-Based Health Center Grant Program helps provide quality health care services to our youth and meet the needs of students in our state,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “Our new law extends this important program to also include telehealth services so every student seeking care can receive it in a convenient way that works for them.” “For years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has been instrumental in providing quality health care to students who need it most,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will help ensure every student seeking care can receive it in a timely, convenient manner. I’m thrilled to see us take another step forward to ensure every Colorado kid has the support they need to thrive.” “Expanding access to health care is critical, especially for our students and youth,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County . “This new law expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program so our students, regardless of their zip code, can receive the medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care they need.” SB24-034 will expand the successful School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Under current law, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. SB24-034 allows this program to work alongside other school-linked programs, such as telehealth and mobile health units. Previous Next

The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation to preserve Colorado’s fresh water. < Back March 23, 2023 Water-Saving Legislation Passes House Committee DENVER, CO – The House Energy & Environment Committee today passed legislation to preserve Colorado’s fresh water. HB23-1242 would require oil and gas operators to reduce, reuse and recycle water in their drilling operations. “As Colorado combats the worst drought conditions of our lifetime, we must use every tool available to preserve our freshwater resources across the state,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Our legislation creates a roadmap and process to increase the usage of recycled and reclaimed water in oil and gas operations, which is a critical step toward preserving Colorado’s limited fresh water and groundwater resources.” “Fresh water in Colorado is limited, and we’re working toward solutions that preserve this precious resource,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “This legislation improves transparency and reporting in oil and gas operations and requires them to transition from using fresh water to recycled water. We have the chance to save billions of gallons of water in Colorado, and it’s important that we pursue new opportunities to cut down on water usage.” HB23-1242 passed the House Energy & Environment Committee by a vote of 7 to 3. The bill directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules requiring operators to reduce, reuse, and recycle water used in oil and gas operations, and ensures operators regularly report the volume and source of the water used to the COGCC. Colorado and the entire west are facing the worst drought conditions in 1,200 years . Last year, oil and gas operations used nearly 24 million gallons of freshwater per well. Requiring oil and gas operators to use recycled water in lieu of using fresh water will save billions of gallons of fresh water for farmers and Colorado communities. HB23-1242 also establishes new transparency and reporting requirements for all water used, recycled, and disposed of by oil and gas operators. This reporting will enhance the Commission's and public’s understanding of how water is managed and disposed of in oil and gas operations. The bill also creates the Colorado Produced Water Consortium in the Department of Natural Resources to make recommendations for the recycling and reuse of water in oil and gas operations. Under this bill the COGCC would undergo rulemaking to require that at least 90 percent of water used in hydraulic fracturing operations be recycled or reused by 2030 unless it is determined to be unfeasible by two thirds of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium. Previous Next