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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

New laws to preserve access to affordable prescription medicine through the 340B program, safely donate and dispense certain unused medicine, and reduce barriers to changing dose or frequency of a medication all go into effect on August 6. < Back July 28, 2025 Legislation to Lower the Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – New laws to preserve access to affordable prescription medicine through the 340B program, safely donate and dispense certain unused medicine, and reduce barriers to changing dose or frequency of a medication all go into effect on August 6. SB25-071 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, will ensure prescription drug manufacturers do not impose restrictions on facilities, such as pharmacies and clinics, that utilize the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, and will require hospitals to include certain information in their annual reports. The new reporting requirements, including the hospitals' reported 340B savings and how they utilized those savings, aim to improve transparency. “Colorado families are counting on us to put their health and safety first,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This new law will ensure that all Coloradans, especially those who rely on rural hospitals, pharmacies, and providers, don’t lose access to the services they depend on to stay safe and healthy.” “This law helps ensure that Coloradans, especially those in rural and underserved communities, receive the prescription drugs they need to lead healthy lives,” said Martinez. “This bipartisan law bars pharmaceutical companies from imposing restrictions on the local pharmacies, clinics, and safety net providers that are dependent on the federal 340B program and serve our rural communities.” SB25-071 aims to preserve access to affordable prescription drugs across Colorado, especially in Colorado’s rural and underserved communities. This law will also help preserve no-cost clinics and vaccines that help keep Coloradans healthy. To improve accountability and ensure 340B savings are passed down to the consumer, this law prohibits hospitals from spending the 340B savings on executive salaries, gifts, lobbying, and advertising. The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a federal program that requires drug manufacturers participating in Medicaid to provide outpatient drugs to covered hospitals, clinics, or pharmacies at a discount. To qualify for these reduced drug prices, health care facilities must serve a high percentage of low-income patients. In Colorado, an estimated 68 hospitals and 20 federally qualified health centers participate in the 340B program. SB25-289 , sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Representatives Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and Emily Sirota, D-Denver, will allow individuals and institutions to safely donate certain unused medicine to eligible recipients. Recipients can include distributors, pharmacies, clinics, health care providers, and hospitals. They are required to keep records on donors and donated medicine, store donated medicine separately from regular stock, and have it inspected by a licensed pharmacist. “Every year, the United States spends billions to dispose of unused prescription medicines from nursing homes, assisted living residences, hospices, and jails,” said Cutter. “Additionally, many left-over prescriptions are flushed down the toilet or thrown into the trash, which causes immeasurable harm to our environment and water supply. With this new law, we are creating a program to reduce waste, protect the environment, and help Coloradans access the medication they need.” “No one should have to go without the medication they need, yet some patients cannot afford their prescriptions,” said Brown. “This law is a win-win because it cuts back on pharmaceutical waste, which can be harmful to our environment, and redirects medication to patients who need it.” “From capping the cost of epi-pens to expanding rural health care, we’ve taken important steps in Colorado to lower the cost of health care,” said Sirota . “This law safely redirects certain unused prescription medication to patients who might not be able to afford their prescriptions. SB25-289 saves patients money, reduces waste, prevents environmental contamination and makes health care more accessible.” In 2021, 9.7 percent of Colorado residents reported being unable to fill their prescription due to cost. Of those, 40 percent said their health condition worsened as a result. Under this new law, patients in need will have access to free and low-cost donated medicine. The program will exclude opioids, scheduled medications, and medicines that require special storage conditions unless storage conditions can be verified. The creation of this program was extensively researched by a task force created by SB22-098 , which included best practices from other states and safety provisions. SB25-301 , a bipartisan law sponsored by Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, will prohibit insurance companies from imposing prior authorization requirements to adjust the dose or frequency of medication already being used by a patient for a chronic condition. Providers could make such adjustments up to two times without prior authorization. “SB25-301 will increase affordable, consistent access to the medication Coloradans with chronic illnesses rely on by allowing a health care provider to adjust the dose of a medication without needing to go through additional, lengthy insurance authorization processes,” said Wallace. “Colorado’s health care providers know what’s best for their patients, not insurance companies. This new law gives providers the flexibility to respond to their patients’ needs without fear of losing insurance coverage for necessary adjustments.” “Consistent, reliable health care improves patient outcomes,” said Lieder. “Our law breaks down administrative barriers by allowing health care providers to adjust the dose and frequency of certain medications for patients with chronic conditions without preauthorization. By reducing the back-and-forth between insurance companies and providers, Colorado patients can receive the medication they need, when they need it.” In 2015, 3.1 million Coloradans had at least one chronic disease. Many chronic diseases may require adjustment of medication doses to effectively treat the illness. This law will reduce administrative burdens and accelerate access to timely, appropriate care. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to preserve Colorado’s fresh water. < Back April 20, 2023 Water Conservation Legislation Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to preserve Colorado’s fresh water. HB23-1242 would require oil and gas operators to reduce, reuse and recycle water in their drilling operations. “Fresh water in Colorado is limited, and we’re working toward solutions that preserve this precious resource across our state,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins . “This legislation creates tools to increase the recycling and reuse of produced water in oil and gas operations. As we continue to combat the worst drought conditions of our lifetime, it’s vital for us to use every method at our disposal to preserve our water.” “Freshwater is precious, and we’re taking necessary steps to conserve it in Colorado,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “This legislation improves transparency and reporting in oil and gas operations that will help transition from using fresh water to recycled water. Clear actions outlined in this bill will save billions of gallons of water in Colorado and are essential to address these long term drought conditions that impact our day to day lives.” HB23-1242 directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules requiring operators to reduce, reuse, and recycle water used in oil and gas operations, and ensures operators regularly report the volume and source of the water used to the COGCC. Colorado and the entire west are facing the worst drought conditions in 1,200 years . Last year, oil and gas operations used nearly 24 million gallons of freshwater per well. Requiring oil and gas operators to use recycled water in lieu of using fresh water will save billions of gallons of fresh water for farmers and Colorado communities. HB23-1242 also establishes new transparency and reporting requirements for all water used, recycled, and disposed of by oil and gas operators. This reporting will enhance the Commission's and public’s understanding of how water is managed and disposed of in oil and gas operations. The bill also creates the Colorado Produced Water Consortium in the Department of Natural Resources to make recommendations for the recycling and reuse of significant water in oil and gas operations in line with the COGCC’s mission. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. < Back April 17, 2024 House Passes Legislation to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Address Disparity of Care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. HB24-1262 includes modifying the midwife licensure process and creating a new professional title, collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period, and requiring advance notice to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. HB24-1262 passed the House by a vote of 48 to 12. “Coloradans increasingly want expanded birth options, especially in Black and Latino communities, but existing barriers prevent community birth facilities from providing these services,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Increasing access to maternal care, including midwives, will allow Colorado parents to choose a birth plan that fits their needs. By giving Coloradans more options for maternal health care, we can reduce the impacts of the maternal mortality crisis and save lives.” “The worsening maternal mortality crisis is a growing issue, especially for Black, Indigenous, and rural parents, and our bill seeks to address these preventable deaths,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Maternal health deserts and other barriers to maternal health care access prevent parents from receiving necessary, and sometimes life-saving care. By boosting health care provider options and perinatal resources, we can create a health care system that keeps our parents and newborns safe and healthy.” Starting September 1, 2024, HB24-1262 would require any individual who practices certified professional midwifery to have a valid license. The bill would update the title of “direct-entry midwives” to “certified professional midwives” (CPMs) and change the regulation from registration to licensure. The licensure process includes passing an exam, graduating from an accredited midwifery education program, holding a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives, being certified by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross to perform adult and infant CPR, or having an equivalent education that is approved by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations. The bill would also: Direct the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help identify ways to address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination, Create an advisory panel to provide recommendations on disciplinary actions against CPMs, Add a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board, Require a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services, Require the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study the availability of perinatal health care, facility and practice closures and the impacts on maternal and infant health, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly, and Add pregnancy as a protected class for the purposes of discrimination in places of public accommodation. The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee made recommendations to combat the maternal mortality crisis, including increasing access to varied health care like midwifery, addressing maternal health workforce shortages, and studying the impact of facility shortages on Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, rural, and immigrant and refugee communities. A 2022 report found that 38 percent of Colorado counties are a maternal health care desert, meaning they don’t have perinatal health care providers or birth centers. A 2023 report found that Black Coloradans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or within one year postpartum, while Indigenous communities are three times as likely. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law that will protect Coloradans’ biological data, support military families by easing occupational credentialing, and increase penalties for cruelty to law enforcement animals. < Back April 17, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Protect Privacy, Support Military Families and Protect Law Enforcement Animals Signed into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills into law that will protect Coloradans’ biological data, support military families by easing occupational credentialing, and increase penalties for cruelty to law enforcement animals. As technology has advanced, there has been an increase in the volume and type of personal data being generated, collected, stored and analyzed, including neurotechnology. With neurotechnology, users cannot decide what specific neural information they are disclosing. HB24-1058 , sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Matt Soper and Senators Kevin Priola and Mark Baisley, expands the definition of “sensitive data” in the Colorado Privacy Act to include all biological data, including neural data. “This first-in-the-nation law will protect the privacy of Coloradans’ thoughts and biological data,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “The advancements underway in this field have tremendous potential to improve the quality of life, especially for people with disabilities, which is why we must provide a clear framework to protect Coloradans’ personal data from being used without their consent while still allowing these new technologies to develop.” “Neurotechnology is no longer confined to medical or research settings, it’s in devices we use every day,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson. “Outside of these settings, neurotechnologies can currently operate without regulation, data protection standards, or equivalent ethical constraints. While neurotechnology has made significant progress in recent years, it’s important we protect users so that their sensitive information isn’t being collected without their control.” HB24-1097 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Rick Taggart and Senators Rhonda Fields and Bob Gardner, allows dependents and Gold Star spouses of US Armed Forces members to participate in the Occupational Credential Portability Program. The Occupational Credential Portability Program was created by 2020 bipartisan legislation to streamline and centralize the credentialing of individuals licensed in another state. The law applies to professions ranging from doctors and veterinarians to electricians and barbers. “This successful program has helped military families transition to new jobs when they move to Colorado, and with this bill being signed into law, dependents and Gold Star spouses will now be able to benefit, as well,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “This legislation will make it easier for military families to keep their occupational licenses or credentials when they move to Colorado, so they can more easily continue their careers.” “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, said. “Expanding the Occupational Credential Portability Program will help uplift members of military families by opening up new opportunities for them to quickly enter the workforce and thrive in Colorado. I’m proud to see this bill signed into law so that we can get military family members the support and resources they deserve.” HB24-1074 , sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Ryan Armagost and Senators Joann Ginal and Bob Gardner, clarifies that aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony, occurs when a person knowingly or recklessly kills or causes serious physical harm to a law enforcement animal. “Intentionally harming or killing a law enforcement animal is a deeply serious offense, and I’m pleased we have taken a common sense step to make it clear that it is unacceptable,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge . “It breaks my heart when a law enforcement animal is harmed or killed in the line of duty, and I believe this new law will better align the sentencing for this crime with the seriousness of the offense.” “Law enforcement animals are a critical part of the law enforcement team, and we must do more to protect them,” Senator Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, said. “The injury or death of a law enforcement animal results in significant setbacks in crime detection or deterrence, and causes significant emotional distress for the officers who work alongside them. This new law expands the definition to include any animal used by law enforcement to protect the public, and increases penalties for harming them which will help protect the law enforcement animals that keep us safe.” Previous Next

Legislation would improve transit system to help reach housing and climate goals < Back May 3, 2024 House Passes Bill to Improve Public Transit, Meet Housing and Climate Goals Legislation would improve transit system to help reach housing and climate goals DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to better align the Regional Transportation District (RTD) with initiatives to address housing and climate issues. The legislation would also increase accountability, improve coordination between RTD and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and create a strategic 10-year plan to improve ridership. HB24-1447 passed by a vote of 42-22. HB24-1447 would work alongside a newly revealed legislative package to boost and stabilize funding for transit agencies across the state, including RTD. This significant investment to expand and improve access to transit would help mitigate the negative impacts of oil and gas operations through a fee on production. “We’re working toward a more interconnected transit system that will help us reach our critical housing and carbon emissions goals,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “This exciting legislation takes a multi-faceted approach to transit reform by increasing transparency and coordination between our transit systems and encouraging longer-term planning coordination. With the help of new funding, we can increase transportation options to cut commuting costs, get Coloradans to their workplace, and reduce air pollution.” “Coloradans deserve a transit system that gets them where they need to go, and this bill is a big step in delivering a more reliable mass transit system,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This transit reform bill, in tandem with funding from our new legislative package, will increase connectivity, accessibility and reliability so Coloradans can fully utilize bus and train travel and get more cars off our roads.” HB24-1447 would require the RTD Board of Directors to create a 10-year strategic plan that outlines the RTD's plans to improve ridership, support regional and state climate, housing and transportation goals, and identify potential new funding opportunities. To best serve RTD customers, this bill directs the Transportation Legislation Review Committee to create an interim subcommittee to collaborate with community members and make recommendations including: The ideal size of the RTD Board of Directors Consideration for how many directors should be elected versus appointed and the appointing authority Director pay as well as duties and responsibilities of board members Methods to ensure equitable representation on the board The subcommittee would be a diverse group of 19 people including lawmakers, appointees from local government, transit-dependent communities, the disability community, current RTD directors, and a leader from a disproportionately impacted community, among others. To improve coordination between RTD and its metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), the bill requires RTD to: Submit its proposed fixed-route transit service plans to DRCOG Coordinate with DRCOG regarding the implementation of these routes, Ensure that the transit provider's service decisions are consistent with DRCOG's regional transportation plan Coordinate transit and land use decisions to ensure that transit services will be provided to new and existing transit-oriented communities Under the bill, RTD would be required to create three public accountability dashboards and create, maintain, and regularly update a website containing information about RTD's financial plan as well as route ridership and reliability of services. Colorado Democrats, alongside a broad coalition of major environmental non-governmental organizations, announced an agreement with large operators in Colorado’s oil and gas industry to support funding for public transit while cutting back on harmful pollution. The legislative package would impose a new production fee on oil and gas operators. 80 percent of the fee revenue would go toward local transit agencies and public transit projects across the state. This new fee is expected to generate an average of $138 million annually. Previous Next

< Back May 21, 2021 E&E INVESTS IN COLORADO’S CLEAN ENERGY COMEBACK The Energy and Environment Committee today advanced Representative Alex Valdez and Tracey Bernett’s bipartisan bill to put $40 million toward financing clean energy projects DENVER, CO– The House Energy and Environment Committee today advanced a bill to invest in clean energy projects through the Colorado Energy Office. This bill is part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus , a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed by a vote of 10-3. “As Colorado’s economy becomes cleaner and greener, we’re working to ensure that innovative clean energy projects can access the private capital entities looking to fund them,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Clean energy is a booming industry, and as we work to build back a stronger Colorado it makes sense to use proven models to encourage investment in a cleaner future for our state.” “Transitioning to clean energy in Colorado is good for the environment, good for future generations and good for our economy,” said Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont. “As we help Colorado bounce back from the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic, we have an opportunity to invest in the industries of the future, and that’s exactly what we’re doing today. Our bill will help more clean energy projects get off the ground, save residents and businesses money through energy efficiency and also help to meet our state greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.” SB21-230 invests $40 million in clean energy finance initiatives through the Colorado Energy Office. The majority of the funds will go to the Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), which uses the “ green bank ” model already in operation in over a dozen states to finance clean energy projects and bridge the gaps between businesses and private capital providers. By leveraging limited public funds, the CCEF can draw over $120 million of total investment and create over 2,000 in Colorado communities most impacted by climate change. The remaining funds will be allocated to proven programs within the Colorado Energy Office that support clean energy retrofits, energy-efficient new construction, clean energy lending and funding for the installation of EV charging stations at facilities across the state. Previous Next

The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. HB24-1262 includes modifying the midwife licensure process and creating a new professional title, collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period, and requiring advance notice to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. The bill passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back March 12, 2024 Legislation to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Address Disparity of Care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. HB24-1262 includes modifying the midwife licensure process and creating a new professional title, collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period, and requiring advance notice to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. The bill passed by a vote of 11-0. “Our country is in a maternal health crisis and we need to focus on expanding care options and identifying causes of maternal mortality and mistreatment to better protect the health of our Colorado families,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “A report found that 89 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Colorado were preventable, and this is especially true for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Our legislation works to increase access to maternal care, including midwives, to provide trauma-informed care, safe transitions, and other wraparound services so pregnant Coloradans can receive the care they need.” “As a new mom, I know how important it is to have quality health care providers by your side that will advocate for the best health outcomes for you and your baby,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Families should have the freedom to choose a health care provider that best fits their needs, especially for the Black and Indigenous Coloradans that are two to three times as likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth. This bill will help improve Coloradans’ access to life-saving health care to keep Colorado families safe and healthy.” Starting September 1, 2024, HB24-1262 would require any individual who practices certified professional midwifery to have a valid license. The bill would update the title of “direct-entry midwives” to “certified professional midwives” (CPMs) and change the regulation from registration to licensure. The licensure process includes passing an exam, graduating from an accredited midwifery education program, holding a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives, being certified by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross to perform adult and infant CPR, or having an equivalent education that is approved by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations. The bill would also: Provide more direction to the Civil Rights Commission on how to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help identify ways to address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination, Create an advisory panel to provide recommendations on disciplinary actions against CPMs, Add a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board, Require a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide notice at least 90 days before the reduction or end of these services, Require the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study closures and availability of perinatal health care, impacts on affected populations, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly, and Add pregnancy as a protected class for the purposes of discrimination in places of public accommodation. The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee made recommendations to combat the maternal mortality crisis, including increasing access to varied health care like midwifery, addressing maternal health workforce shortages, and studying the impact of facility shortages on Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, rural, and immigrant and refugee communities. A 2022 report found that 38 percent of Colorado counties are a maternal health care desert, meaning they don’t have perinatal health care providers or birth centers. A 2023 report found that Black Coloradans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or within one year postpartum, while Indigenous communities are three times as likely. Previous Next

< Back September 18, 2020 JOINT RELEASE: COLORADO DEMOCRATS SPEAK OUT ON ALLEGATIONS OF FORCED HYSTERECTOMIES PERFORMED BY ICE DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the House and Senate, with the full support of the Colorado Latino Democratic Caucus, today released the following statement regarding the claims made by Dawn Wooten, a nurse at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Georgia that detainees there have been denied basic medical care and subjected to hysterectomies without their consent. “These whistleblower claims of sterilization surgeries performed on immigrant women without their consent are horrifying and infuriating. If found to be true, these actions represent an unspeakable affront to human decency, dignity and rights. We support calls for Congressional investigations and demand that those responsible are held accountable and swiftly removed from their responsibilities overseeing the detention of immigrants. “Reports of families being separated, women being sexually assaulted, children being kept in cages and now women being sterilized without their consent – the Trump administration repeatedly doubles down on practices that treat undocumented immigrants as less than human. We must work to increase accountability and move towards a system that can enforce our country’s laws while treating immigrants with decency, compassion, and respect. That’s exactly why this year the legislature passed legislation allowing the state to conduct regular and unannounced follow-up inspections of ICE facilities in Colorado, just as it would conduct inspections of any other penal facility in our state. While not an overarching solution to the inhumane treatment of immigrants, this oversight is an important step that we can take at the state level to ensure basic health, and safety standards are met. “Crossing a border without proper documentation does not take away a person’s humanity or basic human rights. We demand a full and fair investigation into these allegations, and if they are found to be true, a swift end to these inhumane practices, accountability for any perpetrators and justice for victims.” Today’s statement is signed by Representatives Lontine, Garnett, Froelich, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Alex Valdez, Woodrow, Coleman, Herod, Sirota, Hooton, Singer, Jaquez-Lewis, Becker, Exum Sr., Snyder, Kennedy, Duran, Cutter, Roberts, Titone, Tipper, Kraft-Tharp, Sullivan, Melton, Michaelson Jenet, Caraveo, Benavidez, Mullica, Bird, Weissman, Buckner, Jackson, Esgar, Buentello, Young, Kipp, McLachlan, McCluskie, and Donald Valdez, as well as Senators Garcia, Fenberg, Todd, Fields, Donovan, Winter, Bridges, Danielson, Moreno, Story, Gonzales, Pettersen, Williams, Lee, Foote, Hansen, Zenzinger, Rodriguez, and Ginal. Previous Next

The House Appropriations Committee today passed a bill that would better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. SB25B-001 passed by a vote of 11-0. < Back August 22, 2025 Bill to Increase Oversight and Collaboration Between Executive & Legislative Branches During Revenue Shortfalls Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Appropriations Committee today passed a bill that would better balance the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly during times of economic uncertainty. SB25B-001 passed by a vote of 11-0. “When Congressional Republicans passed Trump’s tax bill last month, it immediately blew a billion-dollar hole in this year’s state budget, putting us in a position to make difficult spending cuts,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, JBC member. “Current law gives the Governor sole power to make cuts to programs and services during a revenue shortfall, which is why I’m sponsoring this law to strengthen collaboration by bringing the Joint Budget Committee to the table. With this bill, we can encourage a more balanced approach to fill the revenue hole that was caused by the reckless federal GOP budget.” “Because of Trump’s corporate giveaways, we are forced to make cuts to our budget. This legislation will help us make well-informed, data-driven decisions to minimize the harm caused by Congressional Republicans,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Creating a responsible and thoughtful process to reduce state spending is a much better approach than the legislature rebalancing the budget on the fly, on the floor without any analysis from our nonpartisan staff, data or input from the Joint Budget Committee. By balancing the Governor’s authority and updating spending reduction triggers, we can better serve the people of Colorado.” Under current law, the Governor has broad unilateral authority to suspend programs and services during a revenue shortfall via executive order. SB25B-001 would require the Governor to notify the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of executive orders to reduce spending and require the JBC to promptly meet with the executive branch to discuss the plan. The bill balances the authority between the Governor and the General Assembly by ensuring the JBC is involved in decision-making processes early on and by adding guardrails to the executive branch’s existing authority to help ensure that they continue to meet and implement legislative directives. The bill would also update the required spending reduction triggers to more accurately reflect economic pressures and the current status of the reserve, which Democrats have worked to build up to 15 percent since the COVID pandemic, when it fell below 4 percent. In addition to the triggers in existing law, the bill would add that if a revenue estimate indicates that the state needs to use an amount of the reserve equal to 3 percent of the general fund appropriations for that fiscal year (e.g. around $490 million for FY26), the Governor must take action to reduce spending. Previous Next

Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Chair of the Commission on Property Tax, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to responsibly reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. < Back September 4, 2024 JOINT RELEASE: Bipartisan Bill to Responsibly Reduce Property Taxes and Protect Colorado’s Future Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Chair of the Commission on Property Tax, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to responsibly reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. Using SB24-233 as the baseline, HB24B-1001 reduces assessment rates and lowers revenue caps. Also sponsored by House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, and Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, the new law also preserves flexibility for school districts and local governments by allowing them to carry forward unused growth capacity into the next assessment cycle while shielding taxpayers from dramatic spikes in value growth. “We are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, and with this new law we’re delivering additional property tax relief to homeowners and small businesses in a responsible way while protecting funding for our schools, parks, libraries and community institutions,” said McCluskie. “Two initiatives from wealthy special interests on the November ballot would de-fund schools, lengthen emergency response times, and strip health care away from our most vulnerable Coloradans. Stopping these measures with small changes to the bipartisan property tax package from last session is a win for Colorado, our schools and local governments.” “Building on the bipartisan success of SB24-233, this legislation represents the culmination of more than six years of work to craft sustainable, responsible property tax reform in the wake of the Gallagher repeal,” said Hansen. “This new law is the product of partnership, compromise, and a shared commitment to the people of Colorado. The Commission on Property Tax, local governments, schools, and countless other stakeholders all have been involved in a public discussion of an extremely complicated problem – resulting in policy that provides both meaningful relief to taxpayers and stability for essential community services. In recent years, we have been able to secure a stronger future for Colorado by ending the negative factor for education funding, establishing sustainable funding paths for higher education and Medicaid providers, and now with this policy, we can avoid the devastating impacts of Initiatives 50 and 108 and protect the progress we’ve already made.” Additionally, the new law: Reduces the local government revenue cap from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent annual growth, or 10.5 percent over one assessment cycle; Changes the school revenue sharing ratio to a 6 percent annual growth cap, or 12 percent over one assessment cycle; Allows voters to override the local government revenue cap at the ballot box and school districts to override the cap at the state-wide level; and Extends the backfill mechanism in SB24-233 for local government entities most impacted by this measure for one more year, through 2025. The law also directs the Commission on Property Tax to evaluate the property tax changes made in SB24-233 and HB24B-1001 and report on how Colorado’s tax code does or does not deliver relief to the people who need it the most. Importantly, the governor, in partnership with legislative leadership, has directed state departments to develop and recommend new ways to provide sustainable funding to fire districts, many of which are struggling to keep pace with increasing costs and demands on their services. In May, the General Assembly passed SB24-233 to reduce statewide local taxes by more than $1 billion, prevent future spikes in property taxes, and protect critical services that Coloradans rely on. HB24B-1001 makes minor adjustments to SB24-233 in order to avoid devastating ballot measures from wealthy special interests. Irresponsible ballot measures threatened to reduce revenue for public schools, fire departments, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, and public outdoor recreation by nearly $3 billion. They risked the major strides Colorado Democrats have made to boost public education funding and eliminate the Budget Stabilization Factor, and could have led to deep cuts to emergency services. Previous Next

< Back May 30, 2019 ONE STEP CLOSER TOWARD ENSURING PAID FAMILY LEAVE: GOV SIGNS FAMLI BILL INTO LAW (May 30) – Today, Gov. Polis signed Rep. Matt Gray and Rep. Monica Duran’s bill, SB19-188 Family Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), that will ensure a seamless implementation of the best possible FAMLI policy for Coloradans. “There is consensus across all political spectrums that paid leave should be a reality,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Denver. “This new law is the biggest next step we can take and look forward to taking bigger ones in the future that will help make life better for the majority of workers in our state who don’t have access to paid leave.” “After I escaped domestic violence to keep my son safe, I lost a job and a home. I made a promise to myself that if I was ever in position to make a difference and be a voice for others, I would,” said Rep. Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This law will help offer safe leave. Whether you’re a server, a nurse, a fast food worker, or a lawyer, you should have access to paid leave. The plan creates an outline and execution schedule that lays the groundwork for the implementation of a strong, robust paid family leave policy for Colorado workers and businesses by 2024. Over 90 percent of Coloradans don’t have access to leave to care for a sick loved-one or a newborn. The implementation plan is comprised of a number of analyses that will ensure the program is administered efficiently, effectively, and fiscally responsible, including: A family and medical leave implementation task force, which will be appointed by July 1, 2019 . A report prepared for the taskforce with results from a third-party study and recommendations from experts in the field by October 1, 2019 . An independent actuarial analysis completed by December 1, 2019 . The implementation plan also requires an analysis of the feasibility of contracting with a third party to administer parts of the program as an alternative to administration by the state. The plan does not change the timeline for when Coloradans can start receiving benefits from the program. These analyses will assist in the preparation of legislation in the 2020 legislative session establishing paid family leave in Colorado. Following the establishment of the program, education and outreach will begin on January 1, 2022, the funding stream will be established on January 1, 2023 and benefits will be provided beginning on January 1, 2024. The bill does require that the General Assembly grant permission for implementation of the program by legislation. Eighty eight percent of Coloradans do not have access to paid family leave, and even unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is inaccessible for 64 percent of working people. That means most Coloradans do not have time off to recover from a serious illness, to care for a sick family member or to welcome the birth of a child. They are often forced to choose between their jobs or taking care of sick loved one. Previous Next