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< Back March 3, 2022 JUDICIARY PASSES BILL TO PREVENT IDENTITY-BASED CRIMES DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Dafna Michaelson Jenet to prevent identity-based crimes and build safer Colorado communities. The bill is part of the public safety package. “We've seen a scary increase in threats and crimes targeting specific communities, and this cannot continue,” said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “Improving public safety is a top priority, and identity-based crimes have no place in Colorado. Our legislation will help law enforcement develop the tools and strategies they need to prevent and solve serious crimes that impact our entire community’s sense of safety.” “Crimes that target specific communities cannot be tolerated,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “We need new strategies and resources to counter violent threats that make entire communities feel unsafe. The legislation we are advancing will focus on preventing and intervening in identity-based violence by developing new capabilities and collaboration with community organizations and law enforcement.” HB22-1234 , which passed by a vote of 7-4, creates a grant program to prevent identity-based violence. The grants will focus on building strong communities and preventing acts of violence that target a specific population of people, and on building awareness of these crimes to prevent them from happening in the first place. The bill positions law enforcement to develop the strategies needed to solve serious crimes that have widespread ramifications on a community’s sense of safety. This could include projects that strengthen local collaboration and capabilities to prevent and intervene in identity-based violence. The bill is supported by the Department of Public Safety, One Colorado, the Counter Terrorism Education Learning Lab, the Center on Colfax, and Out Boulder County. Previous Next

< Back April 19, 2019 HOUSE CLEARS MCLACHLAN BILL TO ADDRESS TEACHER SHORTAGE (Apr 19) – The House approved Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s bipartisan bill to create a pilot program providing professional development training for school principals to build strong leadership in our education system and provide better support for educators and students. “We must ensure teachers in every district–including our rural districts–have the support they deserve in our classrooms,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Teachers must have access to the leadership support they need. When teachers are at their best, our students receive the best education.” Rep. McLachlan is the chair of the House Education Committee and is a former public school teacher in Durango. HB19-1002 represents the latest effort by Colorado lawmakers to implement the state’s blueprint to reducing Colorado’s teacher shortage. It builds upon a McLachlan-led bill, HB17-1003, which required the Departments of Higher Education (DHE) and Education (DOE) to put forth relevant policy recommendations to address the teacher shortage. The pilot program will provide preliminary analysis on the efficacy of providing professional leadership and development training to Colorado principals, an effort supported by strong academic and statistical research. Because it is a pilot program, lawmakers in both chambers will have the opportunity to review the pilot’s results and make a decision for how to move forward following its conclusion. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 51-13. It now heads to the Senate. Rep. McLachlan also had another bill that passed on the House floor today. SB19-003 aims to help teachers drowning in student loan debt. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 47-17. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed two bills into law administratively to limit HOA-driven foreclosures and prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster. < Back June 6, 2024 ICYMI: Gov Signs Bills to Prevent HOA Homeowner Foreclosures, Price Gouging on Rent After a Disaster DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed two bills into law administratively to limit HOA-driven foreclosures and prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster. “Millions of Coloradans live in HOA communities, and although we have passed numerous laws to protect HOA homeowners, they are still at risk of losing their home over minor issues,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1337. “No family should forego buying food, medicine, or other necessities just to keep up with ballooning charges from their HOA. This legislation creates safeguards against foreclosures initiated by HOAs and ensures that Coloradans in HOAs will not lose their homes due to fines, fees, and exorbitant attorney fees, keeping Coloradans safely housed.” “No one should be at risk of losing their home for being in violation of minor HOA rules,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1337 . “In addition to ensuring Coloradans won’t have to pay sky–high attorney fees, this new law will give homeowners the right to purchase their property back before it's transferred, which creates more housing stability.” “Housing affordability is a serious issue for Coloradans, and excessive HOA fees and collections threaten housing security for thousands of families,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1337. “This law creates a pathway for homeowners to cure their debts and remain in their homes or allows affordable housing advocates to have an opportunity to buy the home before corporate developers. This change is crucial in keeping more Coloradans safely housed and preserving affordable housing.” “Home ownership is supposed to create generational wealth, but right now the housing crisis is creating generational debt,” said Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1337. “This law helps ensure HOA foreclosure is a last resort while lowering legal costs and providing Coloradans with the opportunity to buy back their property and stay in their communities. It’s a great step to improving financial and housing stability in Colorado.” Currently, HOAs can require a homeowner to reimburse the HOA for collection costs and attorney fees associated with collecting HOA fines and fees without starting a legal proceeding. HB24-1337 limits the reimbursement amount to 50 percent of the underlying payment owed or $5,000, whichever is less. The law prohibits foreclosing on a lien if the homeowner is in compliance with a repayment plan for the owed amount and requires an HOA to take specific steps before foreclosing on a home, ensuring foreclosure is the last resort. The law also creates a right of redemption for properties in an HOA that have been foreclosed on, which would allow unit owners, tenants, nonprofits, community land trusts, and other entities the opportunity to purchase the property before it’s transferred. HB24-1259 prohibits rental price gouging for one year after a disaster declaration issued by the Governor or the U.S. President, where the declaration specifically declares a material decrease in housing. Rent increases are to be capped at the percentage of the rent increase for the prior year or 10 percent compared to the unit’s rent immediately before the disaster, whichever is greater. “Many Coloradans saw rents skyrocket after the Marshall Fire, and those who had lost their homes were forced to juggle exorbitant rents while they tried to rebuild their lives,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB24-1259. “We know disasters cause financial and emotional trauma, and no one deserves to be taken advantage of while they try to piece their life back together. This legislation adds essential protections for Coloradans so they don’t experience excessive rent increases in the aftermath of a disaster.” “After the Marshall Fire, affected Coloradans saw their rents skyrocket, and those who lost their everything were thrown into a priced-gouged market that strained them even more,” said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB24-1259. “As our planet continues to warm, we know that wildfire season is a year-round threat and natural disasters like this one will become more frequent. This law will protect Coloradans from rental price gouging in the wake of disasters, and ease the burden of housing during already-difficult times.” “After the Marshall Fire, hundreds of families suddenly had to find housing overnight because they lost everything they had, only to experience huge increases in rent because of the influx of renters in the market,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1259. “Disasters devastate communities and have a ripple effect on neighboring communities that now must house Coloradans post-disaster. This consumer protection legislation reigns in price-gouging of rent for a one-year period after a declared disaster, preventing disaster survivors from being taken advantage of." The law makes it a deceptive trade practice to price gouge when providing rental housing during the year following a disaster that materially reduces housing units, allowing the Attorney General or a district attorney to pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties, under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Affected tenants are also able to pursue civil action for violations. While homeowners insurance policies cover up to two years of rent for people whose homes are uninhabitable, people who were renting prior to a natural disaster don’t have this support. In the year after the devastating Marshall Fire, a report showed many impacted residents saw their rents increase 30 to 50 percent. Previous Next

< Back May 12, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: JBC DEMS PRIORITIZING EDUCATION, HEALTH & SAFETY AS STATE FACES $3.3B SHORTFALL DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered revised economic forecasts, both of which project significantly lower General Fund revenue compared to earlier estimates. Both estimates forecast General Fund shortfalls next fiscal year of more than $3.3 billion. “Colorado is facing what may be the most dire budget situation in our state’s history, but I know that we will join together and meet this challenge,” said JBC Chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “The JBC has been working hard to protect vulnerable Coloradans and soften the impact of these cuts, as we prioritize education and critical health and safety services. We’re exploring every possible option for how we can best support our state’s recovery, but it’s critically important that Congress provide additional aid if we are to minimize the impact of these cuts on our schools and essential services.” “Colorado’s economy has a long road to recovery, and today’s forecast assures that there will be difficult cuts,” said JBC Vice-Chair Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “We are prepared to meet these challenges head-on to prioritize our education and health care systems. Our task is not an enviable one, but we will work tirelessly to protect the vital programs and services that our communities depend on.” “Today’s budget forecast is stark. Coloradans are strong and resourceful, and I am confident that we will step up to the enormous challenge that COVID-19 has presented,” said JBC Member Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We will continue to look for ways to address our state’s pressing public health concerns and minimize the impact from this crisis on education and critical public health and safety services. We are going to work as hard as we can to deliver a budget that eases the pain of these cuts, supports our recovery and helps Coloradans regain their footing through this crisis.” “This forecast confirms what we have anticipated for some time: there will certainly be painful decisions ahead,” said JBC Member Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada . “We must figure out how to do more with much less. Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in our convictions to ensure anticipated cuts do not fall disproportionately on our students, schools or health and safety programs.” The updated forecast from Legislative Council staff (LCS) estimates a $895.8 million General Fund deficit at the end of FY 2019-20, a reduction of $900.1 million than what was projected in the March forecast. Revenues will fall by 11.6 percent in FY 2020-2021 from the current fiscal year, a figure that was revised down from 1.4 percent growth in the March forecast. General Fund revenues are now expected to be $892.8 million less in FY 2019-2020 and $2.42 billion less in FY 2020-2021 than anticipated in the March revenue forecast. LCS anticipates lawmakers will have $10.3 billion available for the general fund next year, a 25.3 percent drop from FY 2019-2020, and $4 billion less than estimated in the December forecast. The forecast from the governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting anticipates General Fund revenues will fall by 7.5 percent in FY 2020-2021 over the current fiscal year, a drop from 3.3 percent projected growth in the March forecast. General Fund revenue forecasts relative to the March estimate are down by $1.1 billion for FY 2019-2020, $2.4 billion in FY 2020-2021 and $2 billion for FY 2021-22. The OSPB estimates that $11 billion will be available for the General Fund next year, $1.9 billion less than FY 2019-2020. The LCS estimate indicates there is downside risk to the forecast from a prolonged economic recovery or a double dip recession due to the resurgence of COVID-19 this fall or “vicious cycle.” There is upside risk to the estimate from a faster economic recovery. Previous Next

Legislation would reduce barriers for victims of crimes and improve safety of survivors < Back February 13, 2024 Bipartisan Victim Protections Legislation Passes Committee Legislation would reduce barriers for victims of crimes and improve safety of survivors DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to increase safety for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and other crimes by expanding protections around civil protection orders. HB24-1122 unanimously passed by a vote of 11-0. “Not everyone is as lucky as my son and I were to escape their abuser, and civil protection orders are a crucial tool for survivors to escape from dangerous situations," said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "Too many Coloradans live in fear of their safety every day, and they are especially vulnerable to abuse when the abuser finds out that their partner is taking steps to leave them. Our bill makes robust changes to our criminal justice system to reduce barriers and improve the safety of survivors.” HB24-1122 , also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would increase protections for victims of domestic violence by: Broadening the definition of domestic violence, changing sexual abuse to sexual violence including sexual harassment, and reframing these forms of violence as patterns of behavior rather than discreet actions, Reducing reasons why a civil protection order may be denied and directing judges to make a temporary protection order permanent without requiring additional evidence of testimony from the survivor when the respondent doesn’t appear at the hearing, Prohibiting a court from serving an abuser with a notice of a civil protection order unless the protection order is granted, improving the safety of victims after they take action against their abuser, Including temporary care and control of any shared children in the civil protection order when requested by one of the parties and prohibiting judicial officers from redirecting survivors to file in a district court instead, Prohibiting the court from hearing a motion to dismiss or modify a civil protection order if filed incorrectly, Preventing survivors from paying their abuser’s attorney’s fees, and Directing cell phone companies to transfer shared phone lines to the survivor’s name and control if requested with the civil protection order. Majority Leader Duran has spearheaded pivotal legislation supporting survivors, including HB23-1222 , which established standards for domestic violence cases tried in municipalities and increased data sharing, and SB22-183 which invested $48 million toward providing critical resources, programs, and support to victims of crime, including domestic violence. She has also passed laws to protect survivors of domestic violence by strengthening enforcement of requirements that certain domestic violence abusers relinquish their firearms. Previous Next

The House Education Committee today passed legislation to boost behavioral health professionals in schools. < Back February 22, 2024 House Education Committee Passes Bill to Boost Behavioral Health Professionals In Schools DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed legislation to boost behavioral health professionals in schools. HB24-1096, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Mary Young, would create an interstate compact for school psychologists. “To help our students succeed in the classroom and beyond we need to ensure they have access to behavioral and mental health professionals,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “As a teacher, I know how important it is to address our students' behavioral and mental health care needs so they can reach their full educational potential. Our legislation creates an interstate compact to streamline licensed school psychologists into Colorado school districts and boost behavioral health access for our youth.” “I spent most of my career as a school psychologist helping students grow and thrive in our public schools,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This important bill helps us attract more high-quality, licensed school psychologists to Colorado schools and meet the complex needs of our students. It’s clear – we need more behavioral health professionals working in schools. This bill will help break down barriers so already licensed school psychologists can begin working in school districts across the state.” HB24-1096 passed committee unanimously and would create new pathways for out-of-state school psychologists to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill creates the "School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed school psychologists in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state to practice school psychological services. This legislation aims to reduce barriers for school psychologists by easing the state-to-state licensure process to increase special education services and access to behavioral health care in Colorado schools. The “School Psychologists Licensure Interstate Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state. To participate in the compact, applicants must already be licensed school psychologists. This includes passing a qualifying national exam, completing at least 1,200 hours of supervision prior to licensure, and graduating from a qualifying school psychologist program. Colorado lawmakers have championed nine mobility compact laws over the years, including last year’s HB23-1064 to address Colorado’s teacher shortage. Previous Next

HB23-1194 invests $15 million to help local communities mitigate environmental risks of closed landfills < Back May 19, 2023 Signed! Bipartisan Bill to Mitigate Environmental Damage from Landfills Becomes Law HB23-1194 invests $15 million to help local communities mitigate environmental risks of closed landfills DENVER, CO – Gov. Polis today signed bipartisan legislation to help local communities mitigate environmental damage caused by landfills. HB23-1194 invests $15 million toward a statewide grant program to support communities to reduce environmental and public health risks surrounding closed landfills. “I’m proud to champion this bipartisan legislation today to keep rural Coloradans safe from health hazards caused by closed landfills,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango . “No Coloradan should have to worry about health and safety issues stemming from landfills, and many local governments lack the financial resources to properly remediate them. This law, which responds to concerns from communities in Southwest Colorado, ensures our landfills will comply with state and federal laws to keep everyone safe from contaminants that damage our water, soil and ecosystems.” HB23-1194 , sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Rose Pugliese, helps local governments by supporting the environmental remediation and management of closed landfills. Specifically, this bill allocates $15 million to create the Closed Landfill Remediation Grant Program Fund to help communities mitigate hazardous environments caused by older landfills that are no longer accepting new waste. This bipartisan legislation will keep Colorado communities safe and healthy by mitigating the harmful environmental effects of closed landfills. Some environmental risk factors that can be caused by closed landfills include groundwater, soil and farmland contamination, hazardous gas accumulation and exposure to dangerous chemicals. Previous Next

< Back April 28, 2022 BILLS TO SAVE RESTAURANTS MONEY AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES ADVANCE DENVER, CO – House committees today advanced two bills that will allow restaurants to save money by keeping some of the sales tax they collect and invest in community revitalization projects that create jobs and support local economies. “Despite the end of public health orders, restaurants are still struggling with workforce challenges and increased costs, so we are redoubling our efforts to save them money each month,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon. “This legislation will save almost 9,000 restaurants and retailers close to $40 million this summer, which they can use to cover expenses, expand their business, pay their workers more and reduce costs for consumers.” “Today, House committees passed two of my bills, which will save restaurants and retailers money and revitalize communities in every part of our state,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “HB22-1406 will allow restaurants to keep some of the sales tax they collect to provide them relief from rising costs and workforce challenges. The Community Revitalization Grant Program has funded amazing projects from Ridgway to Denver that have created and sustained jobs and boosted local economies. Because of the success of these grants, we’re dedicating an additional $20 million which will go directly to building vibrant spaces that drive economic opportunity.” “All you have to do is look at the incredible projects that are coming online across the state to see the amazing success of the Community Revitalization Program that we created last year through bipartisan legislation,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This program has proven so successful that we are dedicating an additional $20 million this year to help jumpstart new projects that will revitalize communities and mainstreets in every part of Colorado.” HB22-1406 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Dylan Roberts, passed the House Finance Committee by a vote of 9-2. The bill will save nearly 9,000 restaurants and retailers nearly $40 million by allowing them to keep some of the sales tax they collect. HB22-1409 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Brianna Titone, passed the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee by a vote of 11-1. The bill directs an additional $20 million to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created last year as part of Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, mainstreets or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here . Previous Next

< Back Rep. Amabile: Filing a wildfire insurance claim shouldn’t be another trauma Mar 23, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Colorado Sun. Many Coloradans who lost their homes and all of their personal belongings in fire disasters are living another nightmare as they seek reimbursement from their homeowner’s insurance policies. Most of these folks chose policies based on what their mortgage holder required and insurance agent recommended. They paid their premiums in good faith, some for decades. But many have found the claims process to be an unanticipated and onerous ordeal. We started to hear from constituents after the fires of 2020. One Grand County resident lost her home in the Cameron Peak fire. She had been paying premiums to her insurance company for nearly 35 years. Her personal property was insured for $161,000. Under current law, the insurance company would pay out an automatic 30%, but to get more she would have to complete a contents inventory. So she did. She and her husband, both in their late 60s, worked diligently to remember all of their worldly possessions. They placed a value on each item, recalled when they bought it and who they bought it from, searched for receipts, and declared what condition each item was in. As required, they used the insurance company’s software system to document all of this. Every day for the last year, they have entered items and answered all of these questions. The insurance company contacted them recently to say that the items had been entered into its system incorrectly. They would need to start over. This couple is agonizing over whether to just walk away with 30% or keep fighting for the full value of their policy. Right now, they feel they just can’t fight anymore. We have heard many variations of this story, with seniors and other vulnerable people struggling the most. It’s heartbreaking. Even people who hire attorneys to negotiate on their behalf feel they are on the losing end of what should be a straightforward business transaction. Not all insurance companies operate the same and not all experiences of wildfire victims have been so disturbingly unfair. But based on the stories we’ve heard and the complaints registered with the Commissioner of Insurance, too many are still agonizing over insurance settlements. Although many homeowners may actually have been underuninsured, the process of claims adjustment should be easier for victims of these horrible events. In Grand County, where the East Troublesome fire took 366 homes more than a year ago, many people still have not been paid by their insurance companies. Many of those who have received payments feel they are much too low; not even close to covering what was lost. People are tired, traumatized, and giving up. It’s unfair to the victims and doesn’t speak well for the laws and regulations of our state that support wildfire disaster victims. Unfortunately, we can expect repeats of those horrific events. That’s why we’ve introduced a measure, House Bill 1111, in this year’s General Assembly to address insurance claims in a declared wildfire disaster. The bill requires that insurance companies automatically pay out a higher percentage of the contents coverage residents have insured in their policies without requiring an inventory. From there, claimants can pursue the full amount with an inventory. An analysis by Colorado’s Division of Insurance showed that between 2015 and 2020, the 10 largest insurance companies in the state paid between 37% and 100% of the contents coverage provided for in homeowner insurance policies, averaging 65% across those 10 companies. Two companies paid below 40%. A standard higher payout percentage will move all of the companies to more fair adjustment processes. The bill provides other common-sense protections for people who have experienced a declared wildfire disaster. It gives people the option to use all available policy benefits to replace their homes by rebuilding or by buying in another location. It extends the time people have to rebuild, and the time people can collect additional living expenses. This is critical when the rebuilding process backs up. The House has passed the bill, but it still has a long way to go. We are going to work hard to see it through to the Governor’s desk. Unfortunately, the bill comes too late for Marshall fire victims who collectively lost nearly 1,100 homes in Boulder County. But it will help the Coloradans who most certainly have a major fire disaster in their future. Judy Amabile, of Boulder, represents House District 13, Steve Fenberg, of Boulder, represents Senate District 18, and Bob Rankin, of Carbondale, represents Senate District 8 in the Colorado General Assembly. Previous Next