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< Back April 11, 2019 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE APPROVES GRANT TO HELP 9TH GRADERS SUCCEED & LOWER DROPOUT RATE Bipartisan bill approved on a vote of 10-3 (Apr. 11) — The House Education committee passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, and Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, that would create a program to help students in the 9th grade succeed, as studies have shown that 9th grade can be an indicator on if a student will drop of out of school. “As a teacher, I know how crucial it is to provide resources for these students and help them succeed early on,” said Rep. Buentello. “Data shows that ninth grade is the make or break it moment for students. Students are not just passed up anymore, they have to pass or fail, and this reality often hits them like a ton of bricks. The data shows these types programs that focus on keeping kids in schools succeed in their mission.” HB19-1276 establishes a ninth grade success grant program administered by the Department of Education to help ninth grade students develop the skills needed to graduate from high school and succeed afterwards. The bill outlines best practices that must be utilized for the purposes of the program in order for a local education provider to be eligible for a grant. The department would reviews applications from local education providers and recommends to the State Board of Education about awarding grants. “In Colorado Springs, we’ve got a school district that has a dropout rate of around three percent, which is higher than the state average. This puts that school district in the bottom 20 percent of graduation dropout rate statewide, which is really heartbreaking” said Rep. Exum. “If we can do something to help kids succeed in school, then we should do it.” This grant would prioritize schools with four-year high school graduation rates that are in the bottom 20 percent statewide. The bill passed the committee with a bipartisan vote of 10-3 and now heads to the House committee on Appropriations. Previous Next

< Back April 22, 2019 HOUSE SUPPORTS EXPANDING ACCESS TO VOTING (Apr. 22) – The House gave preliminary approval to the Colorado Votes Act (COVA), a bill to expand access to voting and minimize long lines on Election Day. Colorado is a national role model for secure, accessible and fair elections, and this bill will expand upon the state’s successful model. “Colorado’s election systems are some of the best in the country, but we still have work to do to ensure we are giving every Colorado the access they deserve to participate in our democracy,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “We must continue to break down barriers that prevent all Coloradans from voting and this bill is a step in that direction. I’m proud of the stakeholder work we conducted with the county clerks.” Of the voters who used VSPCs to cast their vote in 2018, 18 percent were first time registrants and additional 20 percent needed to update their registration. In other words, these voters didn’t receive a mail ballot or have the option to vote by mail or drop-off and had to rely on in-person service. In-person voters are more likely to be from underserved or marginalized communities. In 2018, an estimated 18 percent of in-person voters were people of color and nearly half were under 35 years old. In 2013, Colorado passed election reform that created formulas for the number of voter service and polling centers (VSPCs) by active voters, and gave voters in-person services for voting, ballot replacement, same day registration and updating their voter information, such as their addresses. COVA adjusts the formulas based on actual voter behavior since 2013, updating the VSCPS and voter drop box formulas to increase access to the ballot closer to Election Day, decrease VSPC requirements during the under-utilized early voting period, and increase resources for Election Day voting. Colorado’s smaller counties are largely unaffected by these changes. On Election Day, which are common in the larger Colorado counties, long lines have proven to be a deterrent to voting. In 2018, self-reported wait times by counties for Election Day was more than 30 minutes in the state’s biggest counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa and Weld. This bill would increase the amount of drop boxes which are more popular in larger counties according to voter data. Here’s what the Colorado Votes Act does: COVA creates a new tier for the largest Colorado counties (Tier 0) to deal with longer lines in urban populations and college/university VSPCs, where there are traditionally long lines on Election Day. Creates three phases of VSPCs to be open: early voting (first week through Thursday of the second week) when services are least utilized, final weekend (final Friday and Saturday in the largest counties and Friday, Saturday and Monday everywhere else) when we see a measurable increase in voters using in-person services, and Election Day (includes final Monday for largest counties) when utilization is at its peak. Encourages public buildings, particularly on college and university campuses to make space available to the counties for VSPCs. Counties have increasing challenges in getting adequate space for VSPCs, particularly in higher education buildings. Larger campuses would also have to have a drop box for ballots. Increases voting hours on Election Day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Allows district court to extend voting hours if there are issues at particular polling places that have interrupted access such as weather, technological problems, equipment failure, supply shortages, voter suppression activity, or other circumstance. Previous Next

< Back April 24, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Democrats working to lower the cost of health care (Apr. 24) –Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis’ bill to reduce the price consumers pay for prescription medications passed in the House Health and Insurance committee. The bill will allow the wholesale importation of prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for resale to Colorado pharmacies. “As a pharmacist, I know there are many Coloradans who are having to choose between feeding their families or the life-saving drugs they depend on,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “We’ve seen drug price increases of nearly 500 percent that are drowning patients. The ability to import prescription drugs from Canada will help lower the cost of health care for struggling families.” Rep. Jaquez Lewis is a licensed pharmacist. As amended in the Health and Insurance Committee, SB19-005 creates the “Colorado Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act” where the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will apply for a waiver under Federal law to contract with a vendor to design and implement a program to import prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for sale to Colorado pharmacies. The program design must ensure both drug safety and cost savings for Colorado consumers. “The federal government is failing to help lower the cost of health care, this is a commonsense approach that can help Coloradans and cut the cost of medication,” Rep. Jaquez Lewis added. SB19-005 passed on a vote of 7-4. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back May 7, 2022 ESGAR’S MONUMENTAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EXPANSION BILL MOVES FORWARD Legislation would expand collective bargaining rights to more than 36,000 public service workers and builds upon the 2020 state workers bill DENVER, CO – The House today on a preliminary vote passed Majority Leader Daneya Esgar’s monumental collective bargaining bill. SB22-230 would expand collective bargaining rights to more than 36,000 county workers, more than doubling the number of public workers in Colorado entitled to negotiate for better pay, benefits and working conditions. SB22-230 ensures that county workers would receive recognized collective bargaining rights that private-sector and state employees in Colorado already have. “This bill stands up for the thousands of county workers who carried us through the pandemic by providing critical services that kept our communities safe,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Extending collective bargaining rights to nearly 40,000 public service workers across the state means hardworking Coloradans will have the right to join together to improve their workplace conditions, negotiate for better benefits and have the choice to form a union. This bill is about making sure the workers who serve the public have a seat at the table to discuss decisions that directly impact their lives and the lives of their families.” SB22-230 builds upon the state workers bill from 2020 , also sponsored by Majority Leader Esgar. This bill extends collective bargaining rights to county workers, more than doubling the current number of public workers with recognized collective bargaining rights in Colorado. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would give public service workers who choose to form a union a seat at the table to collectively bargain on issues like working conditions, job safety, pay and benefits, and to collaborate with management to address shared challenges like staff shortages, high turnover, and improving public services. This bill is a historic step forward in Colorado’s labor and workers’ rights movement. Right now, only four out of Colorado’s 64 counties recognize their workers’ right to collectively bargain. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would guarantee Colorado statutory county workers in counties with over 5,000 residents the ability to organize and form a union to advocate for safer workplaces and better public services if they so choose. Additionally, the Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would extend protections to workers who are currently vulnerable to retaliation, discrimination, and coercion for exercising basic union rights. Previous Next

< Back November 5, 2020 GARNETT, KENNEDY STATEMENTS ON REP. BUENTELLO DENVER, CO — House Majority Leader Alec Garnett and Rep. Chris Kennedy released the following statements after Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, conceded in the race to represent House District 47: “Bri Buentello is one of the most committed, dedicated and tenacious lawmakers I have ever had the privilege of working with,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “Her experience as a special education teacher, as a mom, as a military family member, and as a proud Southern Coloradan were invaluable to our caucus and the legislature as a whole. In her time at the Capitol, Bri worked overtime, represented her district passionately and always kept the best interests of her constituents in mind. Her voice, her talent and her larger than life personality will be missed in the upcoming session, but I believe and hope that this is only the beginning of a long career in public service for our dear friend Bri.” “Representative Buentello is a great legislator who made her mark on policies that will positively impact the people of Colorado for decades to come,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood . “I am proud of the campaign she ran and the vision she offered to the voters of House District 47. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for Rep. Buentello and am confident she will continue to work for the people of Southern Colorado in the years to come.” In her two years in the state legislature, Rep. Buentello was one of the most effective lawmakers in Denver, with the governor signing 24 of her bills. Rep. Buentello always worked to support rural Colorado. She sponsored and passed SB20-002, which improved the Rural Economic Development Grant Program to boost rural economies in the state. In passing HB20-1229, she created a scholarship fund to help rural law enforcement departments afford the cost of training new officers. Rep. Buentello also focused on mental health and the opioid crisis, passing a package of bills to increase access to addiction treatment and services (SB20-028 and SB20-007). She sponsored and passed SB19-228 to help prevent substance use disorders and SB19-001 to expand access to medication-assisted treatment. In the 2020 session, she sponsored and passed legislation to support Colorado’s military families. HB20-1275 provides in-state tuition for all military families and veterans in Colorado and SB20-069 allows for free state park access for all disabled veterans. A special education teacher, Rep. Buentello fought for Colorado students. She sponsored and passed SB19-006 to help schools provide high-cost special education services and HB19-1132 to help ensure children have access to healthy school lunches. She sponsored HB19-1192 to ensure a history inclusive of all Coloradans is taught in our schools and HB20-1128, to help teachers have a better awareness of special education issues to help more special education students. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS House Democrats have long been working on solutions to the opioid the opioid crisis (May 2) – The House approved Rep. Bri Buentello and Rep. Jonathan Singer’s bill to require certain health care providers who have prescriptive authority to complete substance use disorder training as part of their continuing education and prohibits a physician or physician assistant from accepting any direct or indirect benefits for prescribing a specific medication. “This is an important bill that will help us address the opioid crisis that is devastating parts of Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Buentello, D-Pueblo. “ This bill will help our neighbors, our friends and any Coloradan who is struggling with addiction get the treatment they need.” SB19-228 requires a prescription for an opioid for outpatient use to bear a warning label; creates several grant programs to improve public awareness of the dangers of substance use disorders and improves youth treatment and pre-and-postnatal care for women. In addition, the bill introduces several other measures aimed at substance use disorder prevention. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont. “This bill will ensure local community agencies and medical professionals can help divert Coloradans from addiction before it starts.” The bill was approved on a bipartisan vote of 43-20. The bill goes back to the Senate for approval of amendments. Previous Next

Op-Eds Jan 5, 2025 Speaker McCluskie: Perspective: 2025 Legislative Preview Read More Source Sep 20, 2024 Rep. Weissman & Rep. Jodeh: If Trump brings his invective to Aurora, he should know we are proud to be the “The Ellis Island of the Plains” Read More Source Aug 27, 2024 Rep. McLachlan: Legislators work on tax relief, protecting funding during special session Read More Source Aug 25, 2024 Rep. Weissman: Here’s a plan to keep local property tax control local Read More Source Aug 20, 2024 Rep. deGruy Kennedy: Cause to celebrate state Rx affordability board milestone Read More Source Aug 20, 2024 Rep. deGruy Kennedy: After Colorado legislature’s latest special session is finished, we must restore local control over property taxes Read More Source Aug 20, 2024 Rep. Joseph: Rethink the Kids Online Safety Act to balance safety, freedom Read More Source Aug 7, 2024 Rep. Lukens: Increasing affordability across Colorado Read More Source Aug 1, 2024 Rep. McLachlan: 30 bills sponsored, signed in 2024 Read More Source Jun 17, 2024 Rep. McCormick: Ballot initiatives 144 and 145 will not help animals Read More Source Jun 12, 2024 Rep. McCormick: As a veterinarian and a lawmaker, please don’t let big businesses undermine Colorado pet care Read More Source Jun 12, 2024 Rep. Lukens: Breakthrough legislative session Read More Source Jun 6, 2024 Rep Joseph: Air Force proposal threatens Colorado’s workforce pipeline Read More Source May 29, 2024 Rep. Story: Colorado’s broadband funding can be a boon for jobs Read More Source May 28, 2024 Rep McLachlan: ‘When we take the “I” out of legislating, using “we” instead, we proved we can get a lot done’ Read More Source May 18, 2024 Speaker Julie McCluskie: A breakthrough session for the Western Slope Read More Source Mar 8, 2024 Majority Leader Duran: Coloradans need greater protection from evictions, and our legislation will help protect renters Read More Source Mar 1, 2024 Rep. McLachlan: ‘Long nights, in-depth debate, good legislation for Colorado’ Read More Source Feb 28, 2024 Reps. Jodeh & Woodrow: The state can and should encourage housing near transit with legislation this year Read More Source Feb 27, 2024 Rep. Lukens: Friend of the Family Farmer Read More Source 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 6

< Back November 30, 2020 Direct Aid for Small Businesses, Housing Assistance, Utility Relief, and Emergency Funding for Colorado’s Public Health Response Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Debate SOON DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide direct assistance to the Coloradans and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The legislation will next be considered on the floor for Second Reading. “Small businesses have faced some of the most challenging impacts of this crisis, struggling for survival while Washington fails to deliver the relief they desperately need,” said SB20B-001 sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We are doing everything we can to boost small businesses and help them through the winter months ahead until we have a vaccine and Congress passes additional relief. Cultural venues, artists and minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. This assistance will help the small businesses that have been hit hardest so that they don’t permanently shutter.” SB20B-001, sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, would send $57 million in direct aid, grants and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses – prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority owned businesses. Capacity limits have severely impacted small businesses across the state, especially bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. This bill will help these industries bridge the gap through difficult winter months ahead. The bill passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “Thousands of Coloradans are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and are facing agonizing decisions every day about which bills to pay and how to avoid being thrown out of their homes,” said SB2B-002 sponsor Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. D-Colorado Springs. “There is an astounding need for housing assistance to help Coloradans bridge the gap and avoid eviction or foreclosure. This assistance will directly help the Coloradans who have been hit hardest by this pandemic so they aren’t left behind as our state recovers.” “This assistance will help landlords, tenants, and homeowners who are facing the brunt of the pandemic get through the challenging months ahead,” said SB20B-002 sponsor Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This assistance will help Coloradans across the state avoid foreclosure and eviction and keep from falling farther behind. This critical relief will protect our recovery by preventing Coloradans from falling into homelessness and poverty.” SB20B-002, sponsored by Reps. Tony Exum, Sr. and Kerry Tipper, would provide $60 million for emergency housing assistance to landlords and households who are in financial need due to COVID-19. Of the funding, $1 million will support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter by providing critical legal assistance for housing related needs. The impending expiration of federal assistance programs such as enhanced unemployment benefits, leaves millions of Coloradans vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure in the coming months. In fact, according to recent surveys, over 40 percent of Coloradans are living in a household that is behind on their rent or mortgage and at risk of foreclosure or eviction. Finally, the bill puts in place a provision that seeks to ensure tens of thousands of unemployed Coloradans can continue to have access to the federally funded State Extended Benefits Program through December 26. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “We are determined in this special session to help Coloradans make ends meet through the tough winter months ahead,” said SB20B-003 sponsor Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Helping Coloradans heat their homes and keep the lights on will go a long way towards supporting hardworking families across the state. The end of this pandemic is in sight, and this assistance will make an important difference for those who need it most.” SB20B-003, sponsored by Reps. Monica Duran and Lois Landgraf, would appropriate $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to meet the 25 percent increase in applications that Energy Outreach Colorado has seen this year. As unemployment numbers remain high and federal resources have dried up, many Coloradans are at risk of losing their utilities – a dangerous outcome in the winter months. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “With promising vaccine trials shining a light on the end of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to ensure our public health systems are able to care for and protect Coloradans in the months ahead,” said SB20B-004 sponsor Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Ensuring these resources are available is an important investment in our medical professionals and the health and wellness of the people of Colorado.” SB20B-004, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, would allocate an additional $100 million to ensure the state can continue to protect public health while we await additional federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With many hospitals across Colorado reaching critical capacity in recent weeks, additional funds are needed to continue the state’s robust public health response. The bill passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. Sales Tax Relief, Broadband Expansion for Students, Child Care Support, and Food Pantry Assistance Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Action in House TONIGHT DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide sales tax relief to businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, expand broadband capacity for students, preserve and increase access to safe child care options, and support food pantries. The legislation is expected on the floor for Second Reading this evening. HB20B-1004 , sponsored by Reps. Alex Valdez & Kevin Van Winkle, would allow restaurants, bars, and food trucks to retain state sales tax they collect from November 2020 through February 2021. This will provide bars and restaurants up to $2,000 per location and limited to five locations for up to $10,000in tax relief each month to help them make ends meet. The legislation passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Colorado restaurants, bars and small businesses are struggling and need assistance now so our recovery can stay on track,” said HB20B- 1004 sponsor Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Only the federal government can deliver the kind relief our state needs most, but we are committed to using what limited state resources we have to boost our recovery and help as many hardworking families and small businesses as possible as we tackle the very challenging months ahead. This sales tax relief will provide immediate help to thousands of restaurants and bars that are facing capacity restrictions from COVID-19.” HB20B-1002 , sponsored by Reps. Cathy Kipp & Lois Landgraf would distribute $45 million to enable existing child care providers to keep their doors open and new providers to open and meet the needs of working parents, especially in child care deserts. Colorado’s economic recovery depends on its workforce having access to stable child care, but due to temporary closures and the increased costs of health and safety precautions for child care providers, many are on the brink of financial collapse. These grant programs are estimated to support 2,600 child care facilities, preserving child care for over 100,000 children and creating capacity for tens of thousands more. Moreover, research shows that for every dollar spent on early childhood programs, $2.25 is contributed to our state’s economy. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the House floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Safe and affordable child care options are critical for working families who are juggling the stressful and difficult challenges of working while caring for young ones,” said HB20B-1002 sponsor Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “These grants will keep thousands of child care providers open and provide critical funding to make facilities safer during the pandemic. Retaining this workforce is critical to ensuring Coloradans don’t have to choose between going to work and keeping their kids safe.” HB20B-1001 , sponsored by Reps. Mary Young and Matt Soper would dedicate $20 million towards increasing our state’s broadband capacity – connecting more students to their teachers so that they can learn safely in the months ahead. Internet access is absolutely essential for students during this difficult time. But many families who are struggling with financial stability simply can’t afford to cover the cost, while numerous school districts lack the infrastructure to educate their students remotely. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading “At a time when Colorado families are learning, working, socializing, and generally living online from their homes, what could be more important than expanding broadband use in schools,” said HB20B-1001 sponsor Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Every Colorado student should have access to a quality education, and in 2020 that means having a reliable internet connection. While we work to determine what the future of our childrens’ education will look like, expanding broadband access to every school in our state is a necessity.” HB20B-1003 , sponsored by Reps. Lisa Cutter and Rod Bockenfeld would devote $3 million to replenishing essential community services that increase access to food for Colorado families facing food insecurity. 1 in 3 Coloradans are struggling with hunger as more and more families are being forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Food banks, food pantries and their partners need additional assistance to meet the rising demands, especially as the December expiration for federal hunger relief looms. The legislation has passed the Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committee and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading tonight. “Across our state and our nation, hunger and food insecurity have only been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic,” said HB20B-1003 sponsor Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This direct support to food pantries builds on the work we did earlier in the year to bring us closer to a hunger-free Colorado. While we know there is a great deal of work left to be done, I’m proud that we are taking bold action to help hardworking families keep food on the table.” Previous Next