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Governor Jared Polis today signed Rep. Amy Paschal's bipartisan bill to encourage more geothermal energy production and save Coloradans money on their energy bill.  < Back May 27, 2025 SIGNED! Paschal's Bill to Boost Geothermal Energy, Lower Costs COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed Rep. Amy Paschal's bipartisan bill to encourage more geothermal energy production and save Coloradans money on their energy bill. “Colorado’s abundant geothermal energy–the heat beneath our feet–can reduce heating and energy costs and save Coloradans and businesses money,” said Rep. Amy Paschal, D-Colorado Springs. “This bipartisan law will boost geothermal energy production while establishing strong protections for geologic carbon storage facilities. We’re taking steps today to bring low-cost renewable energy sources to market in Colorado to save consumers and businesses money on energy costs.” HB25-1165 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, streamlines the geothermal energy production permitting process to better commercialize this renewable energy source. Geothermal energy can be produced 24/7 and is a stable, renewable source of energy for heating and cooling businesses and homes. This law also establishes a long-term funding mechanism to ensure the safety of geologic carbon storage operations. Geological storage, a form of carbon capture and sequestration, is a climate change mitigation strategy that stores greenhouse gases underground. Beginning in 2026, this bill establishes a stewardship fee to be paid by operators of geologic storage to maintain the geological storage facility and help prevent leaks or damage. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON TUITION AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills that will save Coloradans money on higher education tuition and behavioral health services. HB22-1155 passed by a vote of 41-19 and is sponsored by Representatives Perry Will and Julie McCluskie. The bill would expand in-state tuition to more Colorado students and families. Under current law, students must reside in Colorado for at least three years before they are eligible for in-state tuition. This bill changes the requirement to allow any student who graduates from a Colorado high school and has resided in the state for one year to receive in-state tuition. “The bill we passed today will save families and students money as they pursue their higher education degrees,” Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB22-1155. “Every Coloradan should have access to higher education opportunities that will set them up to thrive, and our workforce needs in the high country and across Colorado are significant. By reducing the cost of higher education, we’ll prepare more students for success and open the door for more high school graduates to access the education they need to secure better paying jobs and address our workforce shortage.” HB22-1278 passed by a vote of 46-14 and is sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Rod Pelton. The bill will improve Coloradans’ access to behavioral health services and save Coloradans money. This bipartisan bill is designed to streamline behavioral health care access for Coloradans through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). “This legislation takes the next step to stand up Colorado’s new Behavioral Health Administration, which will work to make mental health care and substance use disorder treatment less expensive and easier to access,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of HB22-1278. “The pandemic has only exacerbated the long standing challenges Coloradans have faced when trying to access the behavioral health care they need to thrive. This bill will boost access to the care Coloradans need and cut the red tape that prevents too many people from getting the help they need.” The bill would establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services and more. The BHA will reduce bureaucracy by consolidating fragmented behavioral health networks into one behavioral health administrative services organization (BHASO) per region. The push for this legislation stems from patient frustration surrounding disjointed behavioral health care services. With this bill, patients would be able to more easily access behavioral health services in their community. Previous Next

< Back February 18, 2022 REASONABLE INDEPENDENCE FOR CHILDREN BILL PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to foster youth independence in Colorado passed the House today on Third and Final Reading by a unanimous vote. HB22-1090, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Kim Ransom, would tighten the definition of child neglect giving kids reasonable independence to walk to school, ride their bikes and play in their neighborhood without adult supervision. “We’re working diligently to foster everyday independence for Colorado’s youth and this bill is a wonderful step in the right direction,” said Rep. Mary Young D-Greeley. “This bill makes it clear that there is no need to get the authorities involved when kids are out and about in their neighborhood, walking to school or playing on the playground. When youth are given independence they grow, learn and thrive and we’re pleased to pass legislation that empowers their right to independence.” HB22-1090 passed out of the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services unanimously and would tighten Colorado’s broad definition of neglect to exclude everyday activities deemed as reasonable independence that formerly would be constructed as neglect or abuse. This bill also aims to cut back on the amount of unnecessary involvement from child protective services and law enforcement officials. Colorado’s vague definition of neglect has left some parents worried that allowing their kids to walk to school alone could be misconstrued as neglect or abuse. HB22-1090 would allow parents to make family decisions when their child is “of sufficient maturity, physical condition, and mental abilities to avoid substantial risk of physical harm” to participate in activities without their supervision. Examples of these reasonable independence activities include playing outside, traveling to and from sports practices and staying home alone for a reasonable amount of time. Previous Next

Bill to require three day waiting period advances DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to create a minimum three day waiting period, delaying immediate access to a firearm and saving Colorado lives from gun violence. < Back March 10, 2023 Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Bill Advances in House Bill to require three day waiting period advances DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to create a minimum three day waiting period, delaying immediate access to a firearm and saving Colorado lives from gun violence. “A 3 day waiting period requirement for the purchase of a firearm is commonsense, evidence-based policy supported by 72 percent of Coloradans,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood . “We’re here to deliver on our promise to pass legislation that protects more Coloradans from becoming victims of senseless gun violence.” “I’ve seen firsthand how a ‘cooling off’ period is crucial in saving a life from preventable gun death,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder . “Research shows that this gun violence prevention policy is effective in reducing gun deaths from both suicide and homicide. Our bill is one step of many that Colorado Democrats are taking to improve public safety and make significant progress in reducing gun violence in our communities.” Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a 7 to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in 2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, accounting for more than half of all suicides in the state. From 2014 to 2019 , the number of firearm deaths in Colorado was greater than deaths from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. Among firearm deaths, more than 75 percent were caused by intentional self-harm or suicide. Current law mandates that a background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred, which often takes less than three days. HB23-1219 would require a gun purchaser to wait three days from the initiation of the background check or an approved background check, whichever is later, until they could be in possession of their newly purchased gun. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Mandatory waiting periods are supported by 72 percent of gun owners. Transferring a firearm prior to the expiration of the waiting period would be a civil infraction punishable by a $500 fine for the first offense, and a $500 to $5,000 fine for a second or any subsequent offenses. The bill would not apply to antique firearms. It also exempts the transfer of a firearm between an active duty military servicemember who is set to deploy overseas and their family. Previous Next

HB24-1051 would prohibit towing companies from patrolling parking residential lots < Back April 23, 2024 Legislation to Combat Predatory Towing, Ramp Up Consumer Protections Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House advanced legislation today on a preliminary vote to crack down on predatory towing, improve industry transparency, and ramp up consumer protections. “Leveling the playing field amongst towing companies and everyday Coloradans is essential, and that begins with dismantling financial incentives for towing companies,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “While the Towing Bill of Rights laid a strong foundation to protect vehicle owners, we’re doing more to improve transparency within the towing industry and prohibiting predatory towing companies from patrolling parking lots to look for vehicles to profit on. Today, we’re putting consumers first by requiring property owners to authorize residential non-consensual tows, outlining more guardrails for towing carries and making sure vehicles towed illegally are returned to the owner within 48 hours at no cost. ” “Imagine waking up to find, through no fault of your own, that your vehicle has been towed – this is an unfortunate reality for many in our state,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “Our legislation works to break down financial incentives for predatory towing practices, specifically patrolling parking lots, and drastically improves consumer protections. Under this bill, if a vehicle is illegally towed, the towing company would have to make it right by returning the vehicle within 48 hours at no cost to the owner. To ensure we’re leveling the playing field between Coloradans and towing companies, this bill also outlines new rules for towing carriers to create a better state for us all.” HB24-1051 would improve oversight, transparency and fairness in the towing industry in Colorado. Specifically, this bill would direct the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to promulgate new rules for towing carriers, including requiring carriers to disclose additional information necessary for effective oversight and meaningful reporting. It would also end the practice of towing carriers patrolling, monitoring or policing properties to enforce parking restrictions on behalf of property owners. Importantly, HB24-1051 changes the incentive structure for towing companies by requiring the property owner to authorize non-consensual tows. Unauthorized vehicles would still be towed at the expense of the vehicle owner. Another portion of the bill aims to ramp up consumer protections by requiring companies to return a wrongfully towed vehicle to the original location within 48 hours and at no charge to the vehicle owner, and improving parking lot signage to explain towing regulations clearly in both English and Spanish. The bill would also make it a deceptive trade practice to conduct a non-consensual tow in violation of the law. In an effort to improve long-term transparency in the towing industry, HB24-1051 would allow the PUC to suspend or revoke a towing carrier permit in certain circumstances and the bill would address conflicts of interest for members of the Towing Task Force . Previous Next

Two interim committees passed legislation to address Colorado’s educator shortage and encourage uniform tax collections yesterday. < Back October 30, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Interim Committees Pass Legislation to Address Educator Shortage, Simplify Small Business Tax Collection DENVER, CO – Two interim committees passed legislation to address Colorado’s educator shortage and encourage uniform tax collections yesterday. Bill 1 from the Pension Review Commission would allow more Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) retirees to re-enter the teaching profession without being penalized with a reduction in state retirement benefits. Bill 1 from the the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force would standardize tax collection, easing filings and remittances for small business owners. “From public K-12 schools to universities and colleges, Coloradans are counting on us to address our state’s dire educator shortage,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of Bill 1. “This legislation encourages retired educators to re-enter the classroom by ensuring their PERA retirement benefits go untouched. Retired educators can be a wealth of knowledge for Colorado’s learners, and this bill makes it easier for them to continue supporting our students and still receive the retirement benefits they earned over their careers.” "Colorado has faced a teacher shortage for years, but for too long, qualified and willing educators have been left on the sidelines for fear of impacting their PERA retirement benefits," said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of Bill 1. "This bill gives more flexibility to districts to engage retired educators so they can put their years of teaching experience to good use and help prepare our kids for the future." Bill 1 , from the Pension Review Commission, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, and Senator Hansen, helps encourage retired educators to re-enter the career field without a reduction in their Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) retirement benefits. This bill aims to update current law, which limits the number of service retirees that a state college, university or public school can hire without a reduction in the retirees' benefits. Under Bill 1, school districts could hire more retirees more easily and streamline the process of getting them back in classrooms. Bill 1 from the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Rick Taggart, and Senators Jeff Bridges and Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, would standardize sales and use tax collection for Colorado’s small businesses, saving them time on filings and easing the collection and remittance process through the electronic sales and use tax simplification system (SUTS). Under this bill, all local taxing jurisdictions would be required to use SUTS by July 1, 2025. Additionally, Bill 1 would raise the dollar threshold for monthly filing from $300 to $600 allowing more small businesses to make returns and pay taxes at quarterly intervals instead, saving them time and money. “Standardizing Colorado’s sales tax filing and collection system is huge for the average small business owner because it simplifies the process and cuts red tape,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, Vice Chair of the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of Bill 1. “Allowing more businesses to file quarterly or annually rather than monthly will save small businesses time and money. Reducing the frequency of tax collection, as appropriate, is a step in the right direction as we work to make it easier to operate a small business in our great state.” “Nobody wants to spend more time than necessary filing their taxes, especially the small business owners that form the backbone of our communities,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of Bill 1. “Our legislation will standardize and streamline that process, and will save small business owners both time and money. I’m excited to champion this bill that will help folks spend less time on their sales and use taxes and more time focusing on their businesses.” Previous Next

Two bills aimed at supporting students in military families and ensuring surviving spouses of state employees will receive lifetime death benefits if their spouse is killed on the job will go into effect on August 7. < Back July 30, 2024 New Laws to Support Military, First Responder Families Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - Two bills aimed at supporting students in military families and ensuring surviving spouses of state employees will receive lifetime death benefits if their spouse is killed on the job will go into effect on August 7. “Children of military families are especially vulnerable to the changes that come with moving schools, making new friends and joining extracurricular activities mid-season,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB24-1076. “This new law will help students that are part of military families during the transition process, allowing them to focus on learning, growing and socializing within a program that fosters support.” “Military families make big sacrifices to support service members and their communities, and it’s critical that we support them as well,” Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076. “This new law will help uplift kids in military families by making sure they get the support they need to thrive at school. I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation that will help military family members get connected to the support and resources they deserve.” “This important law uplifts our military families which strengthens communities, supports our workforce and recognizes the day-to-day sacrifices made by those who serve our nation and their families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076. “As a representative for a community with a long tradition of military service, this bill will help ease the school transition for kids in military families, making it easier to call our great state home.” HB24-1076 , also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, establishes the Purple Star School Program to designate and recognize K-12 public schools that show a strong commitment to military-connected students and their families. To qualify for the Purple Star designation, schools must: Designate a staff member as a Military Liaison, Maintain a website with resources for military-connected students and families, Maintain student-led transition programs, and Offer professional development opportunities relating to military-connected students. “When the surviving spouses of firefighters, Colorado State Patrol officers, and other first responders remarry, they lose the death benefits they are entitled to,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB24-1139. “Death benefits for spouses are crucial in supporting widows and widowers during these times of need. This law ensures that surviving spouses will continue to see death benefits, even if they remarry, to help them heal from the trauma of losing their spouse while allowing them to move forward with their life.” “Having served for over 35 years as a firefighter, I know the difficulties spouses of lost employees go through in the wake of their passing – and death benefits are critical for them during their times of need,” said Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1139. “The current remarriage penalty forces a surviving spouse to relive the trauma of their loss and prevents them from moving forward with their lives. With this law, widows can choose to remarry without sacrificing financial security.” HB24-1139 , also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, and Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, ensures lifetime workers’ death benefits for surviving spouses of state employees with high-risk jobs, even if they remarry. Prior to this law, a surviving spouse could be eligible to receive workers’ compensation death benefits for the rest of their life, but if they remarry, they forfeit the right to these benefits. The new law defines a job with high-risk classification as State Troopers, Colorado Bureau of Investigations officers, corrections officers, community parole officers, state firefighters, port of entry officers, parks and wildlife officers, and Colorado Department of Transportation safety and maintenance workers. Previous Next

Representative Katie Stewart today released a statement urging the U.S. Department of Education to restore federal funding to Fort Lewis College in Durango after it announced funding cuts that will hurt the college. < Back October 6, 2025 Rep. Stewart Urges Department of Education to Restore Funding to Fort Lewis College DURANGO, CO – Representative Katie Stewart today released a statement urging the U.S. Department of Education to restore federal funding to Fort Lewis College in Durango after it announced funding cuts that will hurt the college. Representative Katie Stewart, D-Durango: “It’s unacceptable that the Department of Education is cutting millions of dollars in funding for Fort Lewis College (FLC). FLC prioritizes local students, sustains good-paying jobs in Southwest Colorado, and serves as a strong economic driver for our community. “As the only Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution in our state, FLC plays an important role in Colorado’s higher education system and for tribal members across the nation. Many of FLC’s students are from Southwest Colorado, and 43-percent are first-generation college students. “This action hurts students and our community, and I strongly urge the Department of Education to restore the funding to Fort Lewis College.” Fort Lewis College was designated as one of six Native American-serving, non-tribal colleges by the U.S. Department of Education in 2008. According to reporting by Chalkbeat , the college will be unable “to spend the remaining $2.27 million over the final two years of a five-year grant.” Previous Next

SB23B-001 provides $434 million in property tax relief for the 2023 tax year while protecting funding for local services < Back November 21, 2023 Signed! Bill to Reduce Property Taxes, Protect Funding for Schools and Local Services SB23B-001 provides $434 million in property tax relief for the 2023 tax year while protecting funding for local services DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to cut property taxes for the 2023 tax year while protecting funding for essential local services like schools, fire districts, and ambulance and health districts. SB23B-001 , sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, increases the property value exemption for multifamily and single family residential properties from $15,000 to $55,000, and decreases the residential assessment rate from 6.765 percent to 6.7 percent for the 2023 tax year. “We have an obligation as the majority party to govern responsibly, which means making tough decisions to solve problems and deliver solutions responsive to the moment that we’re living in,” said Fenberg. “The property tax relief that we passed delivers urgent, responsible relief that gives local governments time to implement the tax cuts by their deadlines. I’m proud of the work we have accomplished to cut property taxes, protect local services, and provide relief to Coloradans.” “Hardworking Coloradans deserve real solutions that ease the affordability crisis, which is why we delivered urgent property tax cuts while protecting funding for schools, fire departments and critical services like our first responders,” McCluskie said. “This responsible package delivers real results for the people who need it the most – hardworking families, Coloradans on fixed incomes and the people feeling the greatest impacts of our affordability crisis – without jeopardizing our state’s reserves or impacting Coloradans’ TABOR refunds.” “Our legislation provides nearly half a billion dollars of additional property tax reduction; significant relief for Colorado homeowners,” said Hansen. “With the limited tools available to us, we were able to develop a responsible plan that stretches funding as far as we possibly can to support Coloradans that need it most. And thanks to the hard work of so many, we were able to provide critical relief while protecting funding for essential local services like schools, fire districts, and ambulance services.” “I’m proud that we have passed this legislation to responsibly provide property tax reductions for the hardworking Colorado families who need it the most,” deGruy Kennedy said. “This short-term solution will reduce upcoming property tax bills and offer Coloradans some support while local governments look into how they can better tackle property tax increases at the local level. This legislation, alongside the entire package of bills we passed in this special session, will help Coloradans stay afloat amidst the impacts of the housing crisis.” To offset revenue loss resulting from property tax reductions, SB23B-001 transfers $146 million of general fund dollars to the State Education Fund to be used to backfill school districts’ budgets, and appropriates $54 million of general fund dollars to be used to backfill local governments and services. Previous Next

Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce < Back May 31, 2024 Gov Signs Family Affordability Tax Credit, Bill to Support the Care Workforce Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will create the Family Affordability Tax Credit to boost the incomes of hardworking Colorado families and create a state income tax credit for care workers to address the care worker workforce shortage. Beginning tax year 2024, HB24-1311 creates the refundable Family Affordability Tax Credit. This credit will be available to parents with children 16 and younger with a maximum of $3,200 for each child under 6, and a maximum of $2,400 for each child ages 6 to 16. The credit will be adjusted for income, inflation, economic growth, and unemployment. “This historic effort will significantly reduce childhood poverty in Colorado, boost the incomes of hardworking families, and help millions of Coloradans who are feeling the greatest impacts of the cost of living in our state,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB24-1311. “Tax credit policies that benefit children and families, who could see up to thousands of dollars back under this law, will ensure our tax code works for more Coloradans and help address childhood poverty. I’m proud to have carried this law to help Coloradans afford essentials like rent payments and groceries and boost the incomes of thousands of families across the state.” “Looking out for Colorado families means making sure they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent or affording other necessities,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield . “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’ll pass this year. I am extremely pleased to see this bill get signed into law, because it will cut child poverty in half while making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.” “There are over 133,000 Colorado kids living in poverty, and this law, coupled with the Earned Income Tax Credit, will dramatically cut our child poverty rate,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1311. “These tax credits boost the incomes of our lower and middle-income families so they can keep their children safe and healthy by accessing quality health care, school supplies, and fresh food. Our law will increase tax credits for Colorado parents and put millions of dollars back into the pockets of families with children.” “Working Coloradans need our support, and I am pleased to say that we have an opportunity to make a real, transformative difference for kids and families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver. “This bill will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give more Colorado families the resources they need to thrive.” The Governor also signed HB24-1312 which creates a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages. Taxpayers must have an income of $75,000 or less for single filers or $100,000 or less for joint filers to be eligible for this state income tax credit. “Care workers are essential in providing care to our loved ones like our children and our parents, and they often do not receive the benefits and recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This workforce is critical in supporting Coloradans in all industries and they are a crucial component of a thriving economy. This tax credit will allow us to recruit and retain these important care workers while boosting their incomes by over a thousand dollars so they can better afford their bills while staying in the care worker industry.” “Robust access to care work increases workforce participation, creates better care for those receiving it, and supports the emotional and physical health of family members who are providing unpaid care work,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Care workers are essential but aren’t treated that way. This new law is an important first step to valuing care work appropriately in Colorado.” “Whether you receive support after an accident or have someone who helps your aging relatives, we have all benefited from the work and support that care workers provide,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This law is a small token of appreciation that we can give care workers, especially our Family, Friend and Neighbor child care providers, so they can continue the important work that they do and encourage our care workforce to grow.” “Forty percent of Colorado’s care workers rely on public assistance – we must do more to support them,” said Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “HB-1312 supports the care workforce across their entire lifetimes and provides economic support to all care workers, not just one group. This law will have far-reaching positive impacts on both the stability of this industry and the well-being of Colorado’s families, communities and economy.” For tax years 2025 through 2028, this law creates a refundable state income tax credit of $1,200 for: Direct care workers who are employed by a long-term care employer or provide community-based services and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, Child care workers who are employed or licensed by an early childhood education program or a licensed family child care home and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, or Informal family, friend, or neighbor child care providers who provided at least 720 hours of care to children 5 and under, and are registered with the Department of Early Childhood’s Professional Development Information System. Previous Next

< Back February 28, 2020 HOUSE WORKS TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE OF CRITICAL SCHOOL STAFF IN RURAL AREAS DENVER, CO– The House today passed HB20-1127 , bipartisan legislation to address the special education service provider shortage in rural areas, by a vote of 50-13. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie, a former school district official, and Barbara McLachlan, a former teacher. “We’re facing a shortage of critical professionals in our schools, such as nurses, psychologists and school counselors, that is especially acute in rural areas,” said Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “There are special education service providers who have retired and who would come back and help fill this need, but PERA’s rules make it difficult for them to do so. We’re grateful to PERA for their work with us on this important bill.” “This bill is a commonsense fix to help rural school districts attract nurses, psychologists and social workers, who are badly needed across our state,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “Special education service providers who have retired shouldn’t see their benefits reduced if they want to go back to work and help address our rural teacher shortage.” Boards of Cooperative Services (BOCES) supply educational services to two or more school districts that, alone, wouldn’t be able to afford the services. It allows districts to share costs in order to provide special education services to more Colorado children. BOCES primarily serve rural school districts and have faced significant challenges attracting and hiring new special education teachers. In the 2018-2019 academic year, Districts and BOCES reported having 1,177 special services provider positions to hire for, nearly 18.9 percent of all SSP positions in the state. BOCES would like to hire people who are willing to work and have retired from school districts, but PERA’s rules put a limit on the number of days a retiree can work before requiring a reduction in benefits. HB20-1127 would adjust these rules so that retirees can come back to work at BOCES without seeing a reduction in their retirement benefits. The bill would allow BOCES to hire 40 retired special education service providers without any reduction in PERA benefits. It would apply to school psychologists, social workers, early childhood special education teachers, school counselors, nurses, and other critical positions. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Mindy Lindsay and Meg Froelich that would update existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. SB24-094 passed by a vote of 8-3. < Back April 3, 2024 Lindsay, Froelich Bill to Protect Renters from Unsafe Housing Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Mindy Lindsay and Meg Froelich that would update existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. SB24-094 passed by a vote of 8-3. “Every renter deserves for their home to be a safe place to live, yet loopholes in our tenant laws have left Coloradans in dangerous living situations,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “These unsafe living situations negatively impact the health and safety of renters, and our current laws fail to hold landlords accountable for providing necessary repairs. With this legislation, we’re clarifying our Warranty of Habitability laws to protect Colorado renters and ensure their right to safe and healthy housing.” “From broken elevators to no access to running water, Colorado renters have struggled with ongoing maintenance issues that make it difficult for families, elders, and Coloradans with a disability to live their day-to-day lives,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “No one should be forced to deal with these living situations. Our bill would ensure that renters have the right to timely repairs for mold, sewage leaks, and other serious issues to avoid preventable housing-related health conditions.” Colorado’s current “warranty of habitability” law requires landlords to maintain a minimum standard of housing – however, in practice, most renters suffering from unsafe living conditions don’t receive the repairs they need due to easily-exploited loopholes in the law. SB24-094 would modify existing warranty of habitability laws by: Closing the timeframe loophole by setting deadlines for a landlord to complete necessary repairs: 14 days for many issues and seven days for more serious conditions that impact a tenant’s life, safety, or health. Requiring landlords to include in leases that tenants are entitled to safe and healthy housing and cannot be retaliated against for requesting repairs. Protecting tenants against having to use their own rental insurance to pay for repairs that fall under the warranty of habitability, which drives up their premiums. Clarifying the process for arranging alternative lodging pending the completion of a necessary repair. Updating policies that allow for appropriate cooling in extreme heat, like ensuring landlords fix cooling units they provide with the unit when they break, and allowing tenants to install their own cooling devices. Clarifying the current process by which a tenant may pursue a court order demanding compliance with the law or otherwise seek monetary damages. Additional changes include updating the civil process initiated by landlords or tenants regarding breaches, prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants, and provisions focused on children, older adults, and those with disabilities. Previous Next