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< Back May 23, 2019 GOV SIGNS TIPPER-CARAVEO BILL TO CREATE 2020 CENSUS GRANT PROGRAM 2020 Census is at risk of being inaccurate (May 22) – The 2020 Census is underfunded and behind schedule. Gov. Polis signed Rep. Kerry Tipper and Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill that allocates funds around the state to ensure a complete census count of all Coloradans. “Our economy and population are growing so it’s important that we count every person in Colorado in the census. Our state could lose over $630 million in heath care, education and transportation funding with even a one percent undercount,” said Rep. Tipper, D-Lakewood. “The census is a critical component of our democracy. It impacts every level of government, our roads, our schools and our future,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “This new law will help Colorado compete for valuable federal dollars. If we don’t get the count done right, that money could go to another state.” Valid census data is tied to billions of dollars of federal funding allocations for Colorado. The state is estimated to receive over $1,480 per person annually from the federal government based on population numbers from the Census. Census dollars help fund transportation (public transit, road rehabilitation and construction); Head Start programs; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Nutrition Service, Health and human services programs, and more. HB19-1239 creates an appointed bipartisan and diverse committee, administered by the Dept. of Local Affairs, to award grants to nonprofits and local governments to ensure a complete count across all of Colorado for the 2020 Census. Previous Next

< Back February 16, 2022 BILL TO SAVE BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS MONEY PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – Legislation to save Colorado small businesses and entrepreneurs money passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today by a vote of 11 to 1. HB22-1001 , sponsored by Representatives Lisa Cutter and Tom Sullivan, would reduce business filing fees through a credit applied by the Secretary of State’s office. “This session, we’re laser focused on saving Coloradans money and this bill will do just that by reducing several business filing fees,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “We know Colorado’s small business community has faced significant hardships during the pandemic which is why we’re using every tool available to reduce fees, jumpstart our state’s economic recovery, and put more money back in the pockets of business owners and entrepreneurs.” “This bill is part of our efforts to save Coloradans money, specifically focusing on the business community,” said Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton . “I am a small business owner, and I understand how difficult it is to start a new business. By reducing many of the filing fees, we’re eliminating red tape to help ensure that operating a business in Colorado is as easy as possible. We are an entrepreneurial state — small businesses are essential to our state’s economic recovery and shape our communities. I’m proud to support this effort to help move Colorado forward.” If passed, HB22-1001 would reduce several business filing fees and other costs associated with operating a business to $1.This includes new business registrations, annual renewals and other fees typically paid to the Secretary of State’s Office. The cost savings associated with this bill would be in effect for one year. Previous Next

< Back April 14, 2022 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO BOOST COLORADO’S EMERGENCY STOCKPILE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill, sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullica, that would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE). “Colorado is preparing now so we’re not caught flat-footed during the next national emergency or pandemic,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. “This bill boosts Colorado’s stockpile of essential materials and personal protective equipment so our state is prepared to keep Coloradans safe, healthy and protected. With this legislation, we’re taking steps to ensure our healthcare professionals haves the masks, gloves and other medical grade PPE they need when they’re caring for Coloradans.” HB22-1352 passed committee by a vote of 8-3. This bill would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials and PPE to be available for distribution after the governor has declared a disaster emergency. Facial masks, medical gloves, eye protection and other PPE worn by health care professionals are necessary for treating patients and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. This bill will invest nearly $2 million to stockpile medical-grade PPE in Colorado so hospitals, vaccine clinics and other medical sites can have access to the protective equipment to keep them safe. Schools, community centers and other organizations can also receive stockpiled PPE which will be distributed via state agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was charged with maintaining the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE and associated warehouses. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has since maintained a 60-day stockpile of five key PPE product categories to dispatch to state agencies as needed. This bill ensures Colorado has adequate PPE supplies for the next pandemic or declared national disaster. Previous Next

< Back March 10, 2020 AIR TOXICS REGULATION PASSES COMMITTEE DENVER, CO– The House Committee on Energy and Environment today approved Representative Adrienne Benavidez and Alex Valdez’s bill to regulate air toxics emissions. The bill passed 7 to 4. “My constituents in Commerce City and Coloradans across the state have a right to know what factories, refineries, and coal plants are putting into the air,” said Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City . “We’re moving forward today to deliver environmental justice and protect the health and safety of our families while holding polluting corporations accountable.” “Today we’re standing up for our neighborhoods, our families, and our state,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “The toxic chemicals that this bill would regulate can cause ailments ranging from headaches and nausea to cancer and death. Since the bulk of the damage done by these chemicals is borne by those living closest to the facilities, it’s no surprise that communities of color are the hardest hit. Enough is enough– it’s time to take action.” HB20-1265 would regulate certain hazardous air toxics, including hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and other hazardous air pollutants specified by the Air Quality Control Commission in rulemaking. The bill would create a program to regulate these pollutants in a manner more strict than required by the Federal Clean Air Act. The bill would also require facilities emitting these chemicals to monitor their emissions of covered air toxics and set health-based emission limits for covered air pollutants. Finally, the program would be tasked with creating a real-time community alert system for informing communities when pollution “incidents” occur. The bill also requires facilities that frequently emit the air toxics specified by the legislation monitor their emissions of toxic air pollutants and create transparency by promptly and thoroughly providing information regarding a pollution incident. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES BILL TO ADDRESS CAMPUS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT One in five women and one in sixteen men are sexual assaulted during college (Apr. 30) – The House Education committee unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner and Rep. Barbara McLachlan that would add more guidelines and protections around sexual misconduct and violence in higher education institutes in Colorado. “Our current policy has a problem when we are seeing studies that one in five women and one in 16 men experience sexual assault during college. And what’s even more troubling is that only about 12 percent of victims actually report their assault,” said Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “Sexual misconduct poses a serious threat to the safety of our students and interfere with our students’ ability to learn. This bill ensures a fair and consistent response to sexual misconduct in higher education settings and creates equal rights for reporting and responding to parties in an incident.” SB19-007 creates a fair and consistent response to sexual misconduct in higher education settings to ensure that all students know how to report and know that the administrative process will be fair for both parties. It requires institutions of higher learning to adopt policies that clearly outline the process for survivors of sexual misconduct, to provide support services for survivors, and to distribute information campus wide in order to inform students of the institution’s policies and procedures. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Higher Education to convene a biennial working group that will study best practices in order to prevent and raise awareness surrounding sexual misconduct. “This bill will help get rid of sexual violence and abuse on campus. While we are waiting for the federal laws to adopt and clarify the law, we are making sure our state laws are ready to follow and maintain protections for survivors,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This is not a one size fits all bill but rather puts minimum requirements for policies regarding reporting options and procedures for investigations for all higher education institutions.” In 2017, the Trump administration rescinded guidance for institutions of higher education on how they should address sexual assaults under the federal law, Title IX. The lack of federal direction means that states like Colorado have to step up to develop policies that promote and ensure the safety of students on campuses around the state or risk losing important protections. SB19-007 passed unanimously in the House Education committee. The bill now goes to the House floor. Previous Next

The House today passed SB25-010 to modernize health care communications. SB25-010 passed the House by a vote of 64-0. < Back February 18, 2025 House Passes Bill to Modernize Health Care Communications DENVER, CO – The House today passed SB25-010 to modernize health care communications. SB25-010 passed the House by a vote of 64-0. “Many consumers prefer electronic communications from banks and utility companies, why not make it more widespread for health insurance communications,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “With this bill, we’re helping provide timely health insurance information to patients, while keeping their personal data safe and protected. Our goal is to reduce administrative costs and improve Coloradan’s access to their health care information.” SB25-010 would allow consumers to opt in to receive and respond to electronic communications from health insurance providers. Additionally, the bill would allow employers providing insurance coverage to opt their employees in to receive electronic communications, in which case employees would be given an opportunity to opt out. Under the bill, carriers would still be required to send paper communications to any individuals that do not have access to the internet, and consumers could elect to receive paper communications. Previous Next

< Back April 23, 2022 HOUSE ADVANCES $90 MILLION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to expand access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. HB22-1281 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . “These federal funds offer us a once in a generation opportunity to expand access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “This legislation provides $90 million for local governments, nonprofits and community-based programs to fill critical gaps in behavioral health care in their communities. With this bill, Colorado’s children, youth and families will have better access to and save money on behavioral health care. I’m proud that a substantial portion of this funding will go directly toward expanding access to substance use disorder treatment across the state.” “Every community is different, has different circumstances and different needs when it comes to gaps in access to behavioral health care,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “The legislation we advanced today makes a $90 million transformational investment to make behavioral health care more accessible and affordable in our state. This bill encourages collaboration and supports local solutions. Importantly, this legislation ensures that funding reaches every corner of our state so that no community is left behind.” Community Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Gap Grants: HB22-1281 sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Naquetta Ricks, will ensure Coloradans across the state — including children, youth and families — have access to the behavioral health care they need. This bill will invest $90 million in grant funds for local governments and nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, community-based programs with the goal of filling regional gaps across the continuum of care and transforming behavioral health outcomes for families, children and youth living in Colorado. A floor amendment that passed today sets aside at least $15 million of the total $90 million grant funding to prioritize substance use disorder treatment and services. Previous Next

< Back May 17, 2021 HOUSE STRENGTHENS AND CLARIFIES SB-217 PROVISIONS DENVER, CO– The House today advanced Reps. Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to clarify and strengthen certain provisions of SB20-217, the sweeping police accountability reform bill signed into law last year. The bill passed on Second Reading. “The work of improving law enforcement-community relations, ensuring police accountability, and protecting Black lives did not begin and end with SB-217,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver . “Today, after a careful and thorough stakeholding process, we moved to strengthen existing law to ensure the realities of what goes on during law enforcement and community interactions meet the legislature’s expectations. We still have a great deal of work to do, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come.” “It has been almost a year since Colorado made history by ending qualified immunity and passing a sweeping police accountability reform measure,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, D-Denver . “The bill we advanced today represents a necessary next step that will clarify language in the law and ensure it is meeting our goals of better policing and safer communities. I’m grateful for the months of input and dialogue with law enforcement representatives, community partners and colleagues in the legislature that led us to this point.” HB21-1250 makes changes to the provisions of law enacted by SB20-217 to provide clarity and strengthen the progress made to date on its implementation. The bill clarifies requirements related to the instances when body-worn cameras must be operating to include welfare checks. It directs the Division of Criminal Justice to create a single form to streamline the reporting requirements for peace officers, which will now include whether an ambulance was called to the scene of an incident, whether there was a forcible entry into a residence, and the number of officer-involved civilian deaths. Among other provisions, HB21-1250 explicitly outlines a peace officer’s due process rights and allows an administrative law judge to participate in an internal affairs investigation. The bill defines what it means for a peace officer to be exonerated from a charge of misconduct. It extends the elimination of qualified immunity to the Colorado State Patrol and it prohibits employers from preemptively determining whether a peace officer acted in good faith before such action in question even occurred, closing a loophole in SB20-217 that was taken advantage of by the city of Greenwood Village last year. Previous Next

Two bills would prevent false electors, add protections against deepfake media < Back March 8, 2024 Colorado Democrats Advance Election Protection Bills Two bills would prevent false electors, add protections against deepfake media DENVER, CO - The House today debated legislation to prevent false electors and add protections against deepfake media that falsely portray political candidates. “In 2020, our country experienced an attack on democracy when the former president and his supporters tried to overturn the election results,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1150. "Donald Trump organized an effort to replace the electoral college voters with imposter electors who would cast their vote for him instead of Biden, the actual winner. This scheme ultimately failed, but we must be firm that these efforts can never materialize again. Our bill is a proactive step to protect democracy in Colorado.” "Our nation has survived for centuries based on the people's faith in our democracy. I took my first oath to protect and defend that democracy when I was 17 years old and I continue to honor that oath today," said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, sponsor of HB24-1150. “Schemes to undermine our presidential elections are a direct attack on that democracy and the values upon which our nation was founded. This legislation clarifies that those who participate in or conspire to create a false slate of electors are committing forgery and perjury and are therefore subject to prosecution under Colorado law. The legislature has a duty to the people of Colorado to send a strong message that elections matter and we will do everything in our power to protect the integrity of their votes.” HB24-1150 would make it a crime of perjury and forgery to create, serve, or conspire to create or serve in a false slate of presidential electors. Each crime would be punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and may include up to 364 days in prison. A person who is convicted of these crimes would be disqualified from serving in the Colorado General Assembly. After the 2020 election, Trump and his Republican allies attempted to recruit fake electors in key swing states in an attempt to overturn President Biden’s victory. John Eastman, an attorney and advisor to Trump, was one of 18 people indicted with the former president for their alleged effort to overturn Georgia’s election results in 2020. He is accused of attempting to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to either delay Congress’ certification of electoral votes on January 6, 2021 or reject some states’ slate of electors to allow alternate electors who would support Trump. “Deepfakes of candidates for elected office are created to spread misinformation and disrupt our fair election process,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1147. "Coloradans deserve to know if the videos they are watching are fake so they can make accurate, informed decisions. Artificial intelligence poses a real threat to our elections, and our legislation is crucial in protecting our democratic process.” “Deepfakes can have a major negative effective on the election process and are a real threat to our democracy,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1147. "Our legislation would safeguard our elections by requiring AI-generated deepfake content to include a disclaimer and establishing legal avenues for candidates who have been negatively impacted by deepfake technology. Colorado voters should know what candidates actually say and not be deceived by depictions of things they did not.” HB24-1147 would create new regulations for people who use artificial intelligence and deepfake-generated content that includes candidates for elected office. Deepfake media that includes a candidate for elected office would be required to include a disclaimer that the content is not real or truthful. Under the bill, a candidate who is the subject of an undisclosed deepfake communication can pursue civil action and file a complaint with the office the Secretary of State. In February 2024, deepfake audio of President Biden was sent via robocall in New Hampshire to discourage voters from participating in the primary election. Previous Next

< Back April 30, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES MCCLUSKIE BILL TO RENEW EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Only 40 percent of third graders in the state are reading at their grade level now (Apr. 30) – The House gave preliminary approval to a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie to renew the Colorado Reading To Ensure Academic Development Act (Colorado READ Act), a K-3 literacy instructional program that began in 2012. “Ultimately, strong readers are more successful in school, and we hope in all aspects of life. This bill builds on and improves the existing READ Act that was passed in 2012,” said Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We need to see stronger results in early childhood literacy. We worked together with members of the K-12 education community to strengthen and refine the efforts that are already in place. We hope this revitalized READ Act will support better reading growth and achievement.” SB19-199 allocates literacy funding towards evidence-based practices that will get Coloradan kids reading at grade level. The bill puts in place provisions to ensure that Colorado teachers are proficient in evidenced-based literacy and reading training practices. That funding can be used for summer literacy programs, professional development programming and tutoring services. Finally, the bill includes increased transparency measures and reporting requirements to ensure the appropriated funds are used in a manner to get the largest return on investment for Colorado’s early learners. SB19-199 passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next

The bipartisan American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee today advanced three bills. < Back September 26, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: American Indian Affairs Interim Committee Advances Three Bills DENVER, CO – The bipartisan American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee today advanced three bills. This includes bills to extend the interim committee for an additional five years, reclassify bison as big game and recognize Tribal legal authority in arrest warrants and civil commitments. “When we formed this interim committee, we affirmed our commitment to working alongside the sovereign Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and community partners to create stronger government-to-government relationships,” said Chair Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of Bill 1. “One of the bills we advanced today will extend this interim committee for another five years so we can continue to keep an open line of communication between American Indian Tribal Nations and the state of Colorado. Lasting, impactful policy is formed when everyone has a seat at the table, and I’m proud to support these bills that will continue to build trust and support.” “The General Assembly has worked intentionally over the past few years to meaningfully integrate Tribal Nations into decision-making at the Capitol but this dedicated committee was an especially important process,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, sponsor of Bill 5. “The American Indian Affairs Interim Committee has been a productive opportunity to work hand-in-hand on the issues and goals of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and all native people living in Colorado. The legislation I’m sponsoring will ensure the state recognizes decisions by Tribal courts, helping to honor the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and improving public safety.” “The Native Ute people were here long before Colorado was a state, and this interim committee is another avenue to build and strengthen our inter-governmental relationship,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bill 3 and 5. “The bills advanced today, specifically our legislation to protect bison and recognize an arrest warrant issued by a Tribal court, will help us bridge the communications gap between governments while honoring the sovereignty of the Tribal Nations.” “It is my honor to work alongside leaders of the Native American community. The interim committee moved three good policies forward today,” said Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of Bills 1, 3, and 5. “There is still more work to do, and I am committed to these efforts – beyond this interim committee and into the years to come.” Bill 1 , sponsored by Committee Chair Majority Leader Duran, Vice Chair Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, Sen. Danielson, and Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, extends the American Indian Affairs Interim Committee for an additional five years. Under this bill, after five years this committee will be re-evaluated by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council members. The extension of this six-member committee would entail a new progress reporting process to continue to examine issues and challenges that impact American Indian Tribal Nations. Bill 3 , sponsored by Sen. Danielson and Rep. Joseph, would reclassify bison as “wildlife” and “big game” unless the bison are owned as livestock. Classifying bison as wildlife would mean that hunting or poaching the animal is illegal unless authorized by rule of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). CPW would manage the bison in order to help maintain the health of the population and provide compensation for farmers and ranchers if damage to property occurs. Under this bill, bison would join classification with other big game, such as elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose and bighorn sheep. Bison are sacred animals to the Tribal community and this bill would help prevent illegal hunting and poaching. Bill 5 , sponsored by Sens. Roberts and Danielson and Reps. Weinberg and Joseph, would change Colorado state law to recognize an arrest warrant issued by a federally recognized Tribe with a reservation within the exterior boundaries of the state. This bill also requires that any commitment order issued by a Tribal court is recognized to the same extent as a commitment order entered by a state court, which includes orders from law enforcement agencies, behavioral health facilities and health care providers. This bill would ensure that a state court shall give full faith and credit to an arrest warrant and civil commitment issued by a Tribal court. The bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2025 session, interim bills will follow the standard legislative process. Today’s meeting also included presentations from the Office of the Liaison for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, Director Melody Delmar, the Division of Criminal Justice within the Department of Public Safety, Director Dr. Matt Lunn, and the Colorado Attorney General, Phil Weiser. Previous Next

Increase would have been much higher without Colorado Democrats special session legislation which preserved coverage for nearly 30,000 Coloradans < Back October 28, 2025 Mauro Statement on GOP Congress Causing Health Premiums to Double in Pueblo, 75,000 Could Lose Coverage Increase would have been much higher without Colorado Democrats special session legislation which preserved coverage for nearly 30,000 Coloradans DENVER, CO – Representative Tisha Mauro today released the following statement after the Division of Insurance announced that 2026 health care premium rates will increase by 101-percent due to Congress’s failure to continue the enhanced premium tax credits. “With the GOP Congress failing to extend critical tax credits, health care rates are expected to increase significantly in Pueblo, which will have devastating consequences for Coloradans who can’t afford to pay an extra $1,000 a month for health care,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo. “While only Congress can fix this problem entirely, Colorado Democrats took action and passed a law to blunt some of the sharpest cost increases. Because of our action, premiums in Pueblo are nearly 13 percent lower than they would otherwise be. Still, Pueblo deserves better, which is why Congressional Republicans must act now so Coloradans don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for health care next year.” Statewide health care rates for individuals who purchase their own insurance are expected to increase by 101-percent due to Congressional Republicans’ failure to extend the tax credits. Open enrollment begins this Saturday, and Coloradans who want coverage in 2026 must choose their plan before December 15. Democrats have repeatedly urged Congress to extend the tax credits, which help make health care more affordable for around 225,000 Coloradans. In August, Rep. Mauro signed onto a letter to Colorado’s congressional delegation urging them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that were intentionally omitted from the GOP’s H.R. 1. The expiration of these tax credits on December 31 will lead to fewer people having health insurance and higher health insurance costs for everyone, including small businesses and Coloradans with employer-sponsored health insurance. If Congress extended the enhanced premium tax credits, the average premium increase would be 16-percent, instead of 101-percent, and some Coloradans would see no increase. Colorado Democrats have significantly lowered health care costs with the state’s reinsurance program, which has saved consumers over $2 billion, and Colorado Option health care plan, which offered the lowest or second lowest cost plan in Pueblo in 2025. A recent study by Brown University found that the Colorado Option reduced monthly premiums by $101, even for non-Colorado Option plans. The average family of four in Pueblo that chose the Colorado Option plan save d nearly $4,500 in 2025. Earlier this year, the Colorado General Assembly returned to the Capitol to combat some of the harm caused by Trump’s Megabill and Congress’s failure to extend the ePTCs. Colorado Democrats passed a law that will invest in Colorado’s reinsurance program and blunt some of the most severe cost increases from the expiring tax credits. This law reduces the statewide average premium increase from 174-percent to 101-percent, saving Coloradans $220 million on health care next year and preventing 28,000 Coloradans from being kicked off their health coverage. The law reduced premiums by over 13-percent in the Pueblo metro area. In 2025 in Pueblo County, the reinsurance program saved the average 40 year old individual over $6,600 and a family of four has saved nearly $25,000 from 2020 through 2025 due to the Reinsurance Program. Previous Next