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< Back February 22, 2022 BIPARTISAN BILL TO UPDATE COLORADO’S DEFINITION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to update the state’s definition of sexual assault passed the House today by a unanimous vote. HB22-1169, sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Matt Soper, would update the definition of sexual assault in state law to include consent. “This bill makes an update to Colorado’s dated definition of sexual assault to include ‘knowing the victim does not consent’,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet D-Commerce City. “Through modernizing the definition of sexual assault, we’re making it clear that without known consent, it's sexual assault in the eyes of the law. This session, we’re taking big steps towards making Colorado safer, and this bill works to modernize the definition of sexual assault to make it easier for prosecutors to charge perpetrators and get survivors the justice they deserve.” Under current Colorado law, sexual assault is defined as “sexual intrusion or penetration when the actor causes submission of the victim by means sufficient to cause submission against the victim's will.” If passed, HB22-1169 amends this definition to “...when the actor causes sexual intrusion or sexual penetration knowing the victim does not consent.” Colorado’s definition of sexual assault originated nearly 50 years ago when Coloradans’ scope of sexual assault victims was narrow and non-inclusive. This bill aims to modernize the definition of sexual assault to include consent. Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2019 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING INTRODUCTION OF OIL AND GAS LEGISLATION PRIORITIZING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS Denver, CO – Senate and House leadership, joined by Governor Polis and supporters, today announced oil and gas legislation that prioritizes the health and safety of Coloradans will soon be introduced in the General Assembly. The legislation, sponsored by Speaker KC Becker and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, seeks to provide the most meaningful changes to oil and gas regulations Colorado has seen in more than 60 years. The bill will not only provide peace of mind for Coloradans by clarifying that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s mission is to regulate, not foster, the industry, but will empower local communities to take control over what is happening in their backyards and equip them with the tools they need to stand up for their best interests. “Coloradans simply do not have confidence that the laws in place are sufficient to protect their health and safety. They are right, and they are looking to their leaders for change,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “For too long, the legislature has stood in the way of common sense reforms that would keep communities safe, and protect the Colorado we love. Today, we are announcing change.” “Right now, oil and gas laws in Colorado tilt heavily toward the industry. We are going to correct that tilt so that health, safety, and environment are no longer ignored by state agencies,” said Speaker KC Becker. “This bill would also ensure that local governments have a greater ability to represent the interests of the people they serve.” “The legislation we outlined today puts health and safety first and gives communities a meaningful seat at the table,” said Governor Jared Polis. “While we know this doesn’t solve all of the problems our communities face, it is a practical approach to finding a solution for many of our issues and providing more stability by updating our laws to reflect today’s realities.” Erin Martinez, the survivor of a tragic gas explosion in Firestone that killed her brother and husband, urged for stronger regulation saying “the only way to make sure this never happens again is to learn from this tragedy and create safer regulations and guidelines that put human safety first.” The full legislation will be introduced in the coming days. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to combine two waiver programs to create the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver, streamlining access to services for behavioral health conditions or complex health needs. < Back March 31, 2025 Gov Signs Law to Streamline Access to Youth Behavioral and Complex Health Care DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to combine two waiver programs to create the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver, streamlining access to services for behavioral health conditions or complex health needs. “I’ve seen the positive impact that access to essential health care and services has on children with IDD, behavioral health, and long-term medical needs, which is why it's so important that we expand and streamline the process for receiving care,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “This bill is near and dear to my heart, and I am excited that this new law will expand the services available to Colorado kids and families so they can enjoy life at home while receiving the health care they need and deserve.” “We owe it to our children to provide the support they need in their early years. That is not only the right thing to do, but an important investment in our future,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This legislation helps protect and streamline children’s health care and early intervention services to make sure every child in Colorado has the opportunity to thrive.” HB25-1003 , also sponsored by Rep. Max Brooks, R-Castle Rock, creates the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver by merging the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) and the Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI) waivers. This helps streamline waivers to better support Colorado’s youth with behavioral health conditions or complex needs. The CHCBS provides home and community-based services for families with children with significant medical needs so they can continue to live at home and prevent institutionalization. The CLLI provides in-home services and treatments for families with children with a complex health need, including respite care and pain management. Colorado Democrats have passed legislation in recent years to improve access to behavioral health care, including creating the I Matter program to offer no-cost behavioral health services to students, training for first responders and community leaders to identify and respond to symptoms of mental health struggles or substance use disorders, and expanding behavioral health care coverage for Colorado youth. Previous Next

< Back Steven Woodrow Chair of the Finance Committee Steven L. Woodrow represents House District 6 located in east-central Denver--The Fightin’ 6th! A class action attorney by trade, Rep. Woodrow brings to the General Assembly his experience as a litigator and detailed understanding of law and policy, to examine an issue, understand where commonalities lie between parties, and execute a plan to bring a favorable resolution for his constituents and community. He is the Chair of the Finance Committee. Steven was raised outside of Detroit by his hardworking, widowed mother, a public school teacher, who taught him and his sister the importance of a strong work ethic, even in times of struggle. This allowed him to matriculate at the University of Michigan and the Chicago-Kent College of Law, successfully argue multiple landmark appeals, and to head his own consumer protection practice which he started in 2015. Representative Woodrow is a passionate advocate for social, racial, environmental, and economic justice for all Coloradans--believing that healthcare is a human right, every child deserves an excellent education, the American Dream should be accessible for all, and clean air, water, and soil essential. One is never surprised to see him standing strong with those who need help, regardless of age or status and fighting for what is right and true. His goal is to leave every situation and every interaction #BetterThanWeFoundIt .

< Back March 26, 2019 BECKER-CARAVEO BILL TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS & GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES A VOICE TAKES NEXT STEP (Mar. 25) – The House Finance committee passed a bill to update Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, empowering local communities, and protecting Colorado’s clean air and clean water. “Oil and gas drilling is happening in neighborhoods at unprecedented levels and if industry continues to ignore the Coloradans who are raising issues around drilling–as they have been for years–they will continue to be in the same position,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “I’m proud of this bill and the stakeholder work that has gone into it because it will finally put health and safety first, protect our air, water and enhance our way of life.” “As a pediatrician and legislator, I support this bill because we should be protecting the health and safety of the children I care for in my clinic every day,” said Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, the legislature’s only doctor and the co-prime sponsor of the bill. “ We shouldn’t prioritize well sites over of the health of wheezing infants. Flow lines shouldn’t be more important than the cardiovascular systems of seniors. That’s why this bill gives tools to local governments to decide what is the right balance between responsible resource extraction and the health of Coloradans.” The bill directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to regulate oil and gas development to protect public welfare, and clarifies that local governments have the same authority to regulate the oil and gas industry as they have with every other industry in Colorado – including the mining industry. The bill also removes the prohibition against local governments requiring oil and gas companies to cover the direct costs of regulating, monitoring and permitting the sites in their communities. The bill addresses emissions and air quality by requiring increased monitoring and implementing a rule-making process to reduce emissions to better meet federal regulations. A “brown cloud” returned to Denver earlier this month and reports showed that the air quality was worse than that of Beijing. SB19-181 would also ensure that taxpayers are not footing the bill for cleaning up orphan oil and gas wells that have been abandoned but not adequately plugged. Current bonding requirements are often found to be inadequate to cover the cost of clean-up when a company abandons a well. Clean-up costs for just one abandoned well costs an average of $82,000. Currently, there are more than 260 known orphan wells and 365 associated known orphan well sites in 31 Colorado counties. Finally, SB19-181 also provides increased protections for property owners with regard to forced pooling. Under current law, just one mineral rights owner can start the process of “force pooling” other mineral interest owners and require development of those resources – against the will of the majority of the owners. This bill would raise the threshold and put more transparency and guardrails on the process. The arguments peddled by the oil and gas industry are misleading. The sponsors and proponents of the bill made clear during the hearing that this bill is not a reiteration of Proposition 112, nor is it a moratorium or a ban on drilling. SB19-181 passed the House Finance Committee on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back June 12, 2020 SWEEPING POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY REFORM PASSES THE HOUSE DENVER, CO – The House today passed Representative Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to ensure transparency, integrity, and accountability of Colorado’s law enforcement, and to finally make justice possible for victims of police brutality. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 52-13. “This historic bill stands as a testament to the tireless work that advocates, protestors, and justice-seeking Coloradans have done for generations,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver . “We’ve come a long way and we still have a long way to go. But today I’m proud to say that my co-sponsor Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez and I took action to enact sweeping reform and correct the injustices that Black and Brown communities have suffered at the hands of law enforcement for far too long.” “It’s not every day we have the opportunity to vote on a true life or death issue in the legislature, but that’s exactly what we did today,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver . “The bill we passed today will make lasting, overdue change to our law enforcement system and will hopefully prevent the deaths of Black and Brown people at the hands of police in Colorado. I am honored to have accomplished this work with another woman of color, Representative Herod. This long-fought struggle for true justice has been going on for generations, and although this is a great victory for the movement, our work is nowhere near done.” SB20-217 , the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act, would enact several provisions to prevent police brutality and increase transparency and accountability in our law enforcement. Among these provisions are the following: Mandate body cameras. The bill requires officers to wear body cameras and record interactions with members of the public that have potential for enforcement, and for footage of an incident of misconduct to be released to the public within 21 days. The bill includes privacy provisions for victims, witnesses, and juveniles, or when footage contains highly personal circumstances such as nudity, and it ensures the victim of the officer misconduct and the victim’s family receive the footage 24 hours prior to public release. Require public reporting on policing. All law enforcement agencies would be required to track and publicly report data for any contacts they initiate for law enforcement purposes. That data would include any use of force (both the type and severity), civilian searches, forced entries into homes, the unholstering and discharge of a firearm, and demographic information on race, ethnicity, sex and age of the person contacted. Rein in use of deadly force by officers. It would bring Colorado law in line with Supreme Court precedent holding that an officer may only use deadly force, including on someone who is fleeing the police, when there is an imminent risk of danger to human life if their apprehension is delayed. It also repeals an officer’s authority to ever use dangerous tactics like the chokehold. Prevent the rehiring of bad actors. If an officer is convicted of, or pleads guilty to, any inappropriate use of physical force, their POST certification would be revoked. Officers who are found untruthful, terminated for cause, or decertified would be listed in a public database to prevent them from moving from one agency to another. Hold individual officers liable for their actions. It would allow victims of police misconduct to bring a lawsuit for the violation of their constitutional rights within a two-year statute of limitations, and officers convicted of misconduct would no longer be shielded by the doctrine of qualified immunity. It would make the failure to intervene during another officer’s inappropriate use of physical force a class 1 misdemeanor Restricts the use of chemical agents and projectiles. In light of incidents at recent protests, this bill would prohibit law enforcement officers from using tear gas without first verbalizing orders to disperse a crowd and allowing individuals adequate time to comply. The bill prohibits officers from targeting rubber bullets at someone’s head, torso, or back. Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2019 REP. SINGER’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECTION CASEWORKERS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED HOUSE (Mar. 12) – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, to protect the personal information of caseworkers that work in child abuse and neglect cases unanimously passed the House. “This bill protects the people who serve as frontline first responders to protect our kids,” said Rep. Singer, chair of the House Public Health Care & Human Services committee. “When these caseworkers are trying to raise their own families and get calls at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning to stand up for vulnerable children, they need a line of defense. This bill will ensure they receive the dignity and respect that their profession deserves.” HB19-1197 makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly put the personal information of a caseworker or their family on the internet if the information poses an imminent or serious threat to the safety of the caseworker or their family. This bill is to address the issue that child protection caseworkers sometimes face with threats against them or their families related to their duties. This protection will also extend to county attorneys who engage in legal action against those charged with child abuse and neglect. Rep. Singer’s bill would also require state or local government officials to deny a request for inspection of these caseworkers under the Colorado Open Records Act, which would serve the same purpose as prohibiting posting the person’s information online. Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs, is a co-prime sponsor on this bill. HB19-1197 unanimously passed the House. It now heads to the Senate. Rep. Singer has an extensive background in social work, having served for nearly a decade with child protection and family services in Boulder County. Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2022 SIGNED! BILLS TO BOOST RURAL TEACHER WORKFORCE AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will boost Colorado’s teacher and school staff workforce. These bipartisan bills come at a time when Colorado is facing a dire teacher shortage, especially in rural school districts. “Getting talented educators back in the classroom will prepare our students for success and I’m thrilled these laws will ease the path for reentry,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan D-Durango. “Our state is facing a significant teacher and school staff shortage, and this couldn’t be more true for rural school districts. I’m proud of the bipartisan work we’ve done to craft these bills and their passage today is a step in the right direction in addressing the teacher shortage, improving education outcomes for our students and moving Colorado forward.” PERA Service Retiree Employment in Rural Schools: This bill will make it easier for rural school districts to address the teacher and employee shortages. HB22-1101 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Marc Catlin, will make permanent a program that is currently scheduled to expire that allows retired public employees to return to full-time work in a rural school district without an impact on their retirement benefits. It also expands the program to include school nurses and paraprofessionals. PERA Employment After Teacher Retirement: This bill will temporarily waive the limitations set by the public employees' retirement association (PERA) regarding the number of days qualified service retirees can substitute teach. HB22-1057 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Mary Bradfield, will make it easier for retired teachers to re-enter the classroom. Under current limitations, if retired teachers work over the number of allotted days, their PERA benefits are reduced. The bill temporarily lifts the waiver until July 1st, 2025. Additionally, qualified service retirees can teach in any school district while there is a critical substitute teacher shortage in Colorado. Colorado is facing a significant teacher shortage. During the 2020-2021 school year nearly 13% of teacher positions were filled through a shortage mechanism and more than 200 positions went completely unfilled statewide. These bills aim to break down barriers for retired teachers, educators, paraprofessionals, school nurses and bus drivers to work in districts facing a shortage of school staff. Sourcing quality teachers and school staff help better prepare students for success. Previous Next

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Representative Brianna Titone today released the following statements as the United States Supreme Court begins hearing oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar. < Back October 7, 2025 Titone, Michaelson Jenet Release Statements on SCOTUS Conversion Therapy Hearing DENVER, CO – Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Representative Brianna Titone today released the following statements as the United States Supreme Court begins hearing oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar . Senator Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City: “In 2019, after years of work and repeated legislative attempts, I sponsored and successfully passed a law to prohibit the life-threatening and inhumane practice of conversion therapy. While writing the bill and fighting for its passage, my co-sponsors and I had meetings with parents, children, child psychology experts, and doctors. We heard gut-wrenching personal testimony, research and data about the lifelong consequences of conversion therapy, and even stories of suicide. The evidence was overwhelming: conversion therapy is deeply and often permanently harmful to youth. “Now, the Supreme Court is taking up a case that challenges these fundamental protections in yet another attack against the LGBTQ+ community. No matter what happens in this case, I will always fight for Colorado youth to grow up happy, healthy, and with the freedom to be themselves.” Representative Brianna Titone, D-Arvada: “In Colorado, we trust the science and medical professionals. Conversion therapy is harmful and ostracizes our LGBTQ+ youth. The research is clear: conversion therapy does not work, and it leads to negative outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth that put their lives at risk. This SCOTUS case is another attempt by MAGA loyalists to demonize the LGBTQ+ community and harm LGBTQ+ youth. We strongly urge the Court to uphold this law and protect children across the country. ” In 2019, Colorado Democrats sponsored legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy is a debunked treatment intended to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity through harmful interventions. The vast majority of medical and mental health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, are opposed to conversion therapy. In 2009, a task force at the American Psychological Association published a report conducting a systematic review of conversion therapy and concluded that “...efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm, contrary to the claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates.” More than 20 states , including Colorado, New York and Utah, have banned conversion therapy for minors. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2019 GOV SIGNS SINGER-DURAN FOSTER SIBLINGS BILL OF RIGHTS (May 20) – Gov. Jared Polis signed a bipartisan bill today sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer and Rep. Monica Duran that outlines protections for siblings when they are placed in foster care passed unanimously out of the House. “Siblings share a special, lifelong bond often being each others’ first friends, and foster care should not change people’s status as siblings,” said Rep. Singer, D-Longmont . “These kids are survivors of abuse and have done nothing wrong. This bill says we should do everything in our power to keep siblings connected to each other.” HB19-1288 strongly emphasizes the importance of the sibling relationship to youth in foster care. It outlines protections that siblings should receive, such as placing siblings together, having regular contact and communication, and having their relationship encouraged despite their involvement in the foster care system. “Many studies have shown that relationships with siblings benefit their emotional and mental well-being,” said Rep. Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This new law was brought to us by foster youth who got through the horrible experience of being ripped away from their siblings. We need to keep these kids together and avoid any further mental trauma to them.” Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2022 BILL TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON FERTILITY TREATMENTS PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – Legislation to save Coloradans money on fertility treatments today passed the House on Third Reading and final passage. HB22-1008, sponsored by Representatives Kerry Tipper and Matt Soper, would ensure insurance plans cover fertility diagnosis and treatment passed by a vote of 45 to 20. “We are one step closer to saving Coloradans money on starting or growing their family by expanding health care coverage to include fertility treatments and diagnosis,” said Rep. Kerry Tipper D-Lakewood. “For many families around Colorado, the high cost of fertility and reproductive health care is often a financial barrier for starting a family. This bill aims to break down those barriers by making fertility diagnosis and treatment more affordable.” HB22-1008 would update legislation passed in 2020 to ensure that insurance plans cover fertility diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, the revised bill language would implement coverage requirements for fertility treatment to take place under some Colorado health care plans, with coverage extending to all Colorado health plans pending a decision from the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), is often a prohibitively expensive health care treatment for people wanting to start or expand their families. If passed, HB22-1008 would save Coloradans money by covering fertility treatments in large employer plans beginning January 1, 2023. It also applies to individual and small group policies within a 12-month decision from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Previous Next

< Back February 12, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES HANSEN BILL TO HELP CONSUMERS & ENERGY COMMUNITIES Bill could help lower energy bills and ensure Colorado leads on climate action (Feb. 11) – The House Energy and Environment committee gave approval to Rep. Chris Hansen and Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo’s bill to help lower the cost of energy bills and transition toward renewable energy today. As a result of market forces, Colorado workers and communities are being negatively affected by the closure of aging power plants. “We have a moral imperative to act on climate and ensure our state transitions to renewable energy sources in a responsible manner. This bill will help lower energy costs for consumers, invest in low-cost renewable energy, and provide direct assistance to communities impacted by the retirement of a fading power plant,” said Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. The Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act would offer job training and financial support to communities impacted by the decommissioning of power plants. “Coloradans are currently on the hook for the outstanding debt on aging power plants. This legislation would allow the state to refinance that debt at a much lower interest rate by authorizing ratepayer-backed bonds. The bill will help hardworking families save money on their energy bills and ensure a soft landing for when an aging power plant inevitably shuts down because of market forces,” Rep. Hansen added. The bill would have no impact on the state budget. As utilities retire facilities, workers and communities where the plants are located can face economic challenges, and this bill creates a means of mitigating those challenges. HB19-1037 creates the opportunity for Colorado to take advantage of low-cost ratepayer-backed bonds. Bonds can be used if an electric-generating facility is being closed. From a portion of bond proceeds, the bill also creates and funds the Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Authority, which acts to mitigate impacts of plant closures on affected Colorado workers and communities. Twenty-one other states have laws in place allowing ratepayer-backed bonds to be used but this would be the first time in U.S. history that savings from the bonds would help workers and communities transition and cost tax-payers zero dollars in the process. HB19-1037 was approved by a vote of 7-4. The bill now goes to the House floor. Previous Next