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< Back June 29, 2021 GOV SIGNS $50M FOR WORKFORCE PROGRAMS AND CRITICAL EDUCATION BILLS DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to provide a $50 million boost to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative to be allocated to institutions of higher education across the state. He also signed important education bills that will set Colorado on the path to creating a more equitable school finance formula, improve diversity in the educator workforce and protect borrowers with private higher education education loans. “As a refugee, I’ve seen first-hand in our communities how we can foster economic opportunity and success by helping workers learn new skills and complete postsecondary education programs,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This funding will offer more Coloradans the opportunity to enter or return to higher education initiatives. Colorado’s institutions of higher education and postsecondary degree programs have a critical role to play in our recovery to revitalize our workforce, support businesses looking for workers and help workers thrive. I’m also proud that Governor Polis signed my bill to help improve diversity in Colorado’s educator workforce so that more students have a teacher that reflects their background and experiences.” “With the legislature significantly increasing school funding and boosting resources for schools with more at-risk and underserved students, this has truly been a historic year for school finance in Colorado,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Colorado is going to take a thoughtful approach to make our school finance formula more equitable and really dig deep to see how we can better identify underserved students and students living in poverty and provide districts the funding they need to set every Colorado student up for success.” HB21-1330 , sponsored by Representative Julie McCluskie and Naquetta Ricks, uses federal funds to provide a $50 million boost to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative to be allocated to institutions of higher education across the state. The funding will increase access to robust pathways for workers to obtain news skills, earn higher wages and be prepared for the in-demand careers of the future. The bill seeks to rebuild and revitalize the state’s workforce by supporting students to complete their postsecondary credentials. The funding boost will be used to reverse the significant decline in enrollment in public higher education institutions, high rates of job loss and continuing unemployment, and the overall disruption to the workforce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides $1.5 million in grant funding to school districts to increase the number of students who complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) student aid applications before graduating high school. HB21-1325, sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Leslie Herod, creates a bipartisan interim committee to recommend changes to the school finance formula. The legislature set aside $90 million in the State Education Fund for the committee to use to implement the changes they recommend. Under the law, the committee shall consider how to modernize the formula to make it more transparent, equitable and student-centered. It must also look at improved methods of identifying students living in poverty and how to appropriately address small, remote and rural district funding. HB21-1010 , sponsored by Representatives Naquetta Ricks and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, takes a significant step toward improving Colorado’s educator diversity by creating a workgroup that would research ways to recruit, prepare, and retain educators from diverse backgrounds and make further policy recommendations to the legislature. A diverse educator workforce that reflects the identities of the students they teach can have an important impact on learning. “Colorado students will be better prepared for success by having educators that identify with their personal experiences,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. “We know that there aren’t enough people of color teaching in Colorado, and this effort will help our state do better. I’m also excited that borrowers with private student loans will now have enhanced consumer protections that are equal to those for federal student loan borrowers.” “Student loans are crushing far too many Coloradans with burdensome debt and payments that they are struggling to make every month,” said Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “Today, we are bringing new consumer protections to the private student loan market in Colorado to help level the playing field, make higher education more attainable and provide new recourse to borrowers harmed by predatory practices.” SB21-057 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Matt Gray, provides protections – similar to the protections granted for federal loans – to students who take out private loans for postsecondary education. Statewide, Colorado borrowers currently owe $9.1 billion in private student loan debt and that number is growing as the private student loan market grows. High rates of debt accumulation, especially as the cost of college has risen, widens an already large intergenerational debt and wealth gap between families of color and white families. Previous Next

< Back April 10, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO WORKERS ‘Just Transition’ legislation would ensure state studies and prepares for future (Apr. 10) – The House Business Affairs & Labor committee approved Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill to create the Just Transition Office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to support the livelihood of coal transition workers, their families and their communities, and to help provide these workers access to training and job opportunities. “The time to take action on climate is now, but we cannot work towards a clean energy economy without also working on solutions to support workers who are affected by this transition,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “Workers and communities whose livelihoods are threatened by shifting economic tides and advancements in technology need support. We can support these communities in this transition and that’s the intention of this bill.” Due to market forces, Colorado’s power sector is transitioning toward renewable energy resources and natural gas. This bill would help ensure communities and workers who are going to be impacted by this market driven transition away from coal won’t be left behind. The bill provides critical benefits to workers who are laid off to help them get back up on their feet and provides workforce and economic development grants to communities whose residents and local economies are disproportionately impacted by the decline of coal. “HD-50 is a working class community. I’m the daughter of working people and work in a blue collar job myself. I understand the plight of working people and the struggles they go through every day,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “This bill is about looking out for workers whose livelihoods could be impacted by inevitable market shifts. We need to be responsive, compassionate and proactive for workers when addressing the transition.” The bill was approved on a vote of 7-3. The bill now goes the the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

< Back May 20, 2024 SIGNED! Bipartisan Bill to Restore Wolverines in Colorado SB24-171 would enhance Colorado’s biodiversity DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed into law bipartisan legislation to restore the North American wolverine in Colorado. SB24-171 , sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Perry Will, R-New Castle, and Representatives Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, authorizes Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) to reintroduce wolverines and enhance Colorado’s biodiversity. “Wolverines were a natural part of Colorado's landscape for centuries and it’s long past time for us to bring them back and help play our part in restoring this threatened species and improving the health of our mountain ecosystem,” Roberts said. “This is the right way to do wildlife reintroduction - backed by science, supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders through years of deliberation, proper legal protections for agriculture and business, and with bipartisan support.” “Aiding in the restoration of wolverines in Colorado is a win-win for our state’s biodiversity and this threatened species,” said McLachlan. “This reintroduction is backed by biologists alongside a broad coalition of stakeholders and has been deliberated upon for years to effectively and safely bring wolverines back to Colorado. Our beautiful state provides the ideal mountainous habitat for wolverines, who live in solidarity and are built to withstand our cold, snowy winters.” “Wolverines were a part of our state’s natural ecosystem for generations, and this law will responsibly and thoughtfully reintroduce them into the mountainous landscapes in Colorado they once called home,” said Mauro. “Adapted for scavenging and surviving cold, alpine temperatures, wolverines strengthen our state’s biodiversity. This reintroduction effort is years in the making with CPW leaders, including my dad, John Singletary, working to ensure the wolverine reintroduction would be science-based and what’s best for our state’s ecosystem.” Wolverines are the largest terrestrial species of weasel in the world and live solitary lives in high alpine regions, meaning Colorado provides some of the best remaining wolverine habitat in the United States. Wolverines were listed as “threatened” in 2023 under the Endangered Species Act. SB24-171 also requires CPW to create rules for providing payment of fair compensation to owners of livestock for losses caused by wolverines and to create a robust public communications plan. Reintroduction will be contingent on the federal government designating wolverines as a “nonessential experimental population” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Previous Next

< Back August 4, 2023 Speaker McCluskie’s Statement on Departure of Senate Majority Leader Moreno DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, today released the following statement in response to Majority Leader Dominick Moreno’s departure from the Colorado General Assembly: “Majority Leader Moreno leaves a legacy of leadership steeped in his steadfast dedication to public service. It was my great honor to serve with him on the Joint Budget Committee and now as an ally in the House. “I will miss his quick wit and policy intellect, expansive knowledge of the state’s budget, and keen ability to broker compromise. While he will be deeply missed in the legislature, I know he will continue serving Denverites and the people of Colorado well in this new capacity.” Previous Next

< Back May 10, 2023 SIGNED! Bipartisan Health Care Savings Legislation Become Law DENVER, CO - Governor Polis today signed two bipartisan bills that would expand access to community health services through Medicaid reimbursement and save patients and business owners money on prescription drugs. “As an emergency room nurse, I work hard each session to make life easier for Coloradans seeking affordable, quality medical care,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “This year’s efforts will keep more money in the pockets of hardworking families and help Coloradans afford the life-saving medication and care they need. I’m proud to see these critical bipartisan bills signed into law, and I look forward to seeing their impact for years to come.” “Rural communities like mine often rely on affordable health care services provided by community health workers to receive preventative, primary, and mental health care, but the current funding mechanism makes it more difficult for communities to offer these services ,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This bipartisan legislation Governor Polis signed into law today will allow for Medicaid reimbursement for community health services, connecting Coloradans to necessary affordable health care while also boosting our health care workforce.” SB23-002 , also sponsored by Republican Senator Cleave Simpson and Republican Representative Mary Bradfield, would save money on health care by providing a lower cost option for preventative health care and seeks Medicaid reimbursement for community health workers that would incentivize growth in the workforce. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) would be authorized to seek federal authorization from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide Medicaid reimbursement for community health worker services, which would secure long-term funding to make urgently-needed care both easier to access and more affordable for the Coloradans who depend on it. Services provided by community health workers include preventative services, screening, assessments, behavioral or dental health-related services, health coaching, and advocacy. The bill requires HCPF to seek federal approval by July 1, 2024, and to begin implementing coverage once approval is received. “For every $100 spent at a pharmacy, $82 is evenly split between manufacturer profits and middlemen like Pharmacy Benefit Managers,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada . “Pharmacy Benefit Managers are charging employers one price for prescription drugs while reimbursing pharmacies much less and pocketing the difference. I’m proud that this legislation is becoming law today, so we can save business owners money on the prescription drug coverage they provide to their employees by prohibiting the pharmacy benefits industry from price gouging.” HB23-1201 is also sponsored by Republican Senator Jim Smallwood and Republican Representative Matt Soper. Currently PBMs can charge employers one price, but reimburse pharmacies less and keep the difference, a practice known as spread pricing. This bill makes it an unfair business practice for PBMs to charge employers more for a drug than what they pay pharmacies for and increase transparency for employers into how PBM and carrier behavior impacts their costs. Previous Next

< Back May 2, 2022 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO BOOST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND COMMUNITIES Legislation will provide grant funding for community revitalization and to local governments to address and prevent homelessness DENVER, CO – The House passed two bills today to provide grant funding for local governments, nonprofits and communities. HB22-1377 is part of the Colorado Democrats’ Homelessness package and invests $105 million for local governments to fund wraparound services and other services for Coloradans experiencing homelessness. HB22-1409 invests $20 million for community revitalization projects that create jobs and support local economies. “This bill invests $105 million in federal dollars to address Colorado’s homelessness crisis,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB22-1377 . “HB-1377 directs desperately needed resources to local governments and nonprofits to ensure Coloradans experiencing homelessness are able to access housing and treatment. This is a crucial step towards helping our neighbors who need it the most.” “This session, I have been working hard to direct resources toward addressing homelessness because it is an issue that expands beyond the Denver-Metro area to every community,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB22-1377 . “The $105 million federal economic relief funding in our bill invests in community-driven proven strategies to address and prevent homelessness, including care coordination and transitional housing, and connects people with the services they need.” “We’re working to revitalize communities and boost local economies in every part of our state,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB22-1409 . “The Community Revitalization Grant Program has successfully directed funding toward impactful projects that beautify communities, create sustained jobs and uplift our local businesses and now we’re investing an additional $20 million to continue this good work in communities across Colorado.” “This bill invests $20 million to continue the great success of the Community Revitalization Program, which was jumpstarted through a bill I sponsored last session that boosted main streets and fostered new economic opportunities for neighborhoods,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, HB22-1409 . “This funding can be used to begin new projects in communities across the state so each and every main street can thrive and grow.” Local Grants Program: HB22-1377 , sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Tony Exum, passed the House by a vote of 41 to 24. This bill directs $105 million in flexible grant funding to local governments and nonprofits that are pursuing innovative measures to address the needs of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Those initiatives may include wraparound supportive services, care coordination, emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing and property conversion. Community Revitalization Grant Program Funding: HB22-1409 , sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Brianna Titone, passed the House by a vote of 48 to 17. The bill directs an additional $20 million to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created last year as part of Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here . Previous Next

< Back March 17, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BECKER-CARAVEO BILL TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF COLORADANS & GIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES A VOICE (Mar. 19) – The House Energy and Environment committee approved SB19-181 tonight. The bill will update Colorado’s antiquated oil and gas laws to protect families and individuals from residential drilling by putting health and safety first, empowering local communities, and protecting Colorado’s clean air and clean water. “I’m proud of this bill and the stakeholder work that went into it. It proposes commonsense updates and modernization of our oil and gas laws that are more appropriate for the time and place that we are in now,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “Oil and gas drilling is taking place at unprecedented levels in neighborhoods and the industry must be more accountable to the communities where they operate. This bill will put health and safety first and protect our air, water and unique quality of life.” Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, the legislature’s only doctor and the co-prime sponsor of the bill, urged the committee to protect the health of the next generation of Coloradans by passing this bill. “As a pediatrician and legislator, I support this bill because we should be ensuring the health and safety of the children I care for in my clinic every day,” said Rep. Caraveo. “We should be balancing our economic growth with the actual growth of children who go to school and live around oil and gas operations. Additionally, given how localized the health effects of these operations are, we should give more tools to our local governments to decide what is the right balance between responsible resource extraction and the health of Coloradans in their communities.” Erin Martinez, a survivor of a tragic gas explosion in Firestone that killed her husband and brother, urged for stronger protections and spoke at length with members of the committee about the struggles she and her family have endured since that fateful day. Mrs. Martinez stated that had the protections outlined in SB19-181 been in place in 2017, her brother and husband might still be alive today. Martinez urged the committee to support the bill and said she believes the industry can put health and safety first and continue to thrive at the same time. “Erin Martinez shared powerful testimony with the people of our state and our committee today about a heartbreaking tragedy that could have been prevented. We need to put health and safety first in our state and that’s what this bill does,” said Rep. Dominique Jackson, D-Aurora, chair of the Energy and Environment committee. The bill directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to regulate oil and gas development to protect public welfare, and clarifies that local governments have the same authority to regulate the oil and gas industry as they have with every other industry in Colorado – including the mining industry. The bill also removes the prohibition against local governments requiring oil and gas companies to cover the direct costs of regulating, monitoring and permitting the sites in their communities. The bill addresses emissions and air quality by requiring increased monitoring and implementing a rule-making process to reduce emissions to better meet federal regulations. This month, a “brown cloud” returned to Denver and reports showed that the air quality was worse than that of Beijing. The bill would also ensure that taxpayers are not footing the bill for cleaning up orphan oil and gas wells that have been abandoned but not adequately plugged. Current bonding requirements are often found to be inadequate to cover the cost of clean-up when a company abandons a well. Clean-up costs for just one abandoned well costs an average of $82,000. Currently, there are more than 260 known orphan wells and 365 associated known orphan well sites in 31 Colorado counties. Finally, SB19-181 also provides increased protections for property owners with regard to forced pooling. Under current law, just one mineral rights owner can start the process of “force pooling” other mineral interest owners and require development of those resources – against the will of the majority of the owners. This bill would raise the threshold and put more transparency and guardrails on the process. The arguments peddled by the oil and gas industry are misleading. The sponsors and proponents of the bill made clear during the hearing that this bill is not a reiteration of Proposition 112, nor is it a moratorium or a ban on drilling. SB19-181 passed on a vote of 7-4 and now goes to the House Finance committee. Previous Next

< Back February 26, 2024 Landscaping Water Conservation Bill Clears House Committee DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to efficiently conserve water by prohibiting nonfunctional turf or invasive plant species on certain property areas. SB24-005 passed by a vote of 10 to 2. “Coloradans are counting on us to protect and conserve our freshwater resources,” said Rep. Karen McCormick. “This bill would cut back on unnecessary water usage on nonfunctional turf used in medians, greenways and parking lots. We’re taking steps to effectively manage our water resources and this bill sets Colorado on a path forward to conserving more water and embracing the natural landscape of our beautiful state.” “Taking steps now to preserve our precious water resources is a smart move,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan. “This bill would encourage water-wise landscaping and help us embrace the native plants and species that thrive in Colorado. Effective water management is important and if we can cut back on the amount of water we use to maintain nonfunctional turf near parking lots and medians we can better conserve this vital resource.” SB24-005 would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, common interest,and state property. This bill would also apply to other little-used areas like parking lots, medians, and transportation corridors. Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water. Much of this is used to grow nonfunctional turf, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. While some turf is used for parks, sports fields, and yards, much of it serves no community purpose, such as highway frontages and strips alongside industrial properties. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this bill focuses on limiting its installation in the first place. By transitioning away from nonfunctional turf, the bill encourages developers, city planners, and managers to choose plants that thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Previous Next

< Back January 30, 2024 State Legislators Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand DENVER, CO - State legislators today unveiled bipartisan legislation to create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). “We need an all-hands approach to tackle Colorado’s housing crisis, and that includes allowing homeowners to have Accessory Dwelling Units on their properties,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “ADUs are typically a more affordable option for renters, and they give homeowners the freedom to use their property to house a family member or earn some extra income. By allowing ADUs to be built and offering financing to lower- and middle-income Coloradans, we can make it easier for Coloradans to afford to stay in the communities where they live and work.” “Colorado families and communities are begging for solutions to help address the housing crisis and build more homes for working Coloradans,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “Our bill will give more Coloradans the freedom and support they need to build ADUs on their property, allow more older Coloradans to age in place, and create more affordable housing options in our communities..” "The people of the state, as well as local governments, have been pleading with the legislature to address and provide solutions to the housing affordability crisis," said Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. "I am strongly of the belief that this bill, while not being the complete solution, will provide relief to the citizens of Colorado and justify why we have been chosen to legislate." “Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live, but too many families are struggling to afford the cost of housing in our state,” said Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “By giving folks the flexibility to build ADUs on their property, as well as providing grant funding to help cover construction costs, we can bring down housing prices and keep more Coloradans in the communities they call home.” HB24-1152 would allow homeowners in high-density areas to build an ADU and creates a new state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote the construction of ADU’s. The bill would provide eligible local governments with access to grants that support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate or ADUs intended to serve demonstrated housing needs in the community. The bill also provides grants to increase housing accessibility and availability for Coloradans with disabilities. Finally, the bill includes funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners with down payment assistance or to buy down interest rates on loans connected with ADUs. Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single family home properties. Previous Next

< Back September 27, 2021 HOUSE AND SENATE DEMS RELEASE POWERING THE COMEBACK RESOURCE GUIDE DENVER, CO – House and Senate Democrats today released the Powering the Comeback Resource Guide to help Coloradans, businesses, nonprofits, local governments and education providers access the funding, services and programs created through the 2021 Colorado Comeback State Stimulus Plan , as well as initial investments made from the federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, which together invested roughly $1.3 billion to uplift struggling families, support small businesses, redevelop our workforce and revitalize our economy. “Our top priority in the 2021 session was to provide direct support for the small businesses, individuals and local governments that were ravaged by the pandemic,” said House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “I’m proud to say we delivered on this priority, and now we’re working hard to ensure the aid reaches those who need it most. From individuals to institutions of higher education, and from small businesses to nonprofits, there’s a program available for everyone in this resource guide.” “After a year of devastation, we entered 2021 with a plan to meet the moment and deliver for Coloradans. Thanks to the successful passage of our Colorado Comeback state stimulus plan, we were able to achieve those goals,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo . “Today, we’re thrilled to launch this helpful resource guide that will assist Colorado families, workers, educators, businesses, nonprofits and others as they navigate the resources and funding opportunities we secured for them this session.” “The resource guide we’re unveiling today includes everything from watershed restoration grants that protect our most precious resource to workforce development programs that will help Coloradans find sustainable, fulfilling careers,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo . “I’m immensely proud of the work we did this year to help build our state back stronger, and I’m excited to see these new opportunities become available for businesses, local governments and families across the state. I encourage anyone looking for assistance to look through the guide and find the program that’s right for them.” “Coloradans have been through a lot over the last year, and we know they are looking to us for support,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “As part of our ongoing economic recovery, we’re excited to provide additional tools and resources to help our communities get the vital support they need. With the help of this resource guide, Coloradans will conveniently be able to access the services and grant opportunities available to them that will help them recover and build back stronger.” During the 2021 legislative session, House and Senate Democrats passed a historic stimulus package to boost Colorado’s economy and help the state recover faster from the COVID-19 pandemic. These new programs are now offering services, funding and other supports across Colorado. The Powering the Comeback Resource Guide , which will continue to be updated, is intended to serve as a tool to connect Coloradans with these newly-created programs. The resources and programs in the guide are organized by individuals, businesses, non profits, agricultural producers, early childhood, school districts and higher education, and local governments. Previous Next

< Back April 19, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES MULLICA’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO INCREASE HEALTH CARE ACCESS IN SCHOOLS (Apr. 19) – The House final gave approval today to a bill sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica to hire more school nurses in schools across Colorado, especially schools in rural areas and in disadvantaged communities. “As a nurse, I see first hand how untrained school staff are administering medication to students with chronic illnesses. This can be dangerous for the staff and especially for the students,” said Rep. Mullica, D-Northglenn.“ This bill would ensure Colorado’s kids have access to health care professionals in their schools. School nurses provide a range of health care services to our students while also handling medical emergencies during the school day.” Rep. Mullica is a trained trauma nurse by profession. HB19-1203 would provide grants to improve the ratio of school nurses to students while also prioritizing nurses in rural areas and lower-income communities. This bill also allows school nurses to partner with local public health agencies so that nurse practitioners can also serve in schools. Currently, there are 632 nurses that serve 910,000 school-aged students. That’s roughly one nurse for every 1,500 to 1,700 students. HB19-1203 passed with a bipartisan vote of 51-13 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2019 BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL TO BETTER FUND SCHOOLS, TRANSPORTATION & HIGHER-ED GAINS INITIAL APPROVAL The proposal would go to the 2019 ballot (Apr. 12) – The House approved a bipartisan proposal by Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Julie McCluskie to better fund public schools, higher education and transportation. Colorado has one of the best economies in the country but the arbitrary TABOR cap severely restricts the state budget, preventing the investment of revenue already generated from growth in the economy. The cap also limits Colorado’s ability to invest in basic functions of government. As a result, Colorado’s investment in public schools, higher education, and transportation and infrastructure consistently rank at the bottom of the nation. “Colorado’s state budget should be able to grow with the economy so we can make important investments in our future,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “It’s commonsense to simply ask voters whether the state can keep and spend the money collects in taxes and that’s what we’re proposing. We are not investing enough in K-12, higher-ed and transportation. This bipartisan proposal won’t solve all our problems but it will help protect our way of life.” “This is not going to solve our state’s funding crisis but these are funds that can have a real impact on education, transportation and higher-ed funding,” said Rep. McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This is about doing what’s right for our rural, urban and suburban communities.” Witness after witness testified in support of the bills at an April 1st House Finance committee hearing. Colorado’s TABOR amendment restricts the amount of revenue all levels of government (state, local and schools) can retain, preventing the state from benefiting from economic growth and making critical investments. All but four of the 178 school districts in Colorado have obtained voter approval to retain and spend excess revenue. Of the state’s 272 municipalities, 230 municipalities have obtained voter approval to retain and spend all or a portion of excess revenue collected. Of the state’s 64 counties, 51 counties have obtained voter approval to retain and spend all excess revenue. The state has not yet followed suit, having only temporarily suspended the TABOR limit because of budget constraints through the voter-approved Referendum C in 2005. In the last 27 years since the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) was voted into Colorado’s Constitution, our state population has increased 50 percent – more than 2.3 million additional people live in our state in 2019 than in 1992. For decades, Colorado has not been able to keep up with the demands of growth because of the outdated fiscal restraints imposed on the state by TABOR. There is a $9 billion project backlog at the Colorado Department of Transportation. Investing in our state’s infrastructure and transportation system is critical for economic development, especially in rural Colorado. HB19-1257 refers a measure to the Fall 2019 statewide ballot asking voters to authorize the state to annually retain and spend all state revenues in excess of the TABOR cap. HB19-1258, a companion bill, contingent on voters approving the referred measure. It splits up the revenue retained due to the measure to be spent 1⁄3 each on public schools; higher education; and roads, bridges and transit. This effort is supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition. Click here to see the current list of supporters. At a news conference when the bill was introduced in March, Speaker Becker read a statement from Gov. Jared Polis about the measures: “Governor Polis supports allowing the state to keep the tax revenue it already collects. This common sense policy does not alter the right of citizens to vote on taxes but allows Colorado to keep pace with a growing economy. The governor is engaging bipartisan civic leaders across the state because he believes broad bipartisan support is essential to win in November.” HB19-1257 and HB19-1258 were approved on voice-vote and a recorded vote will be taken at a later date. Previous Next