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< Back February 27, 2020 SCORE! COLLEGE ATHLETES A STEP CLOSER TO EARNING COMPENSATION FOR THEIR LIKENESS The House Committee on Education today passed landmark legislation to allow collegiate athletes to be compensated for the use of their likeness. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and James Coleman, passed by 11-2. “College sports are a cash cow for institutions and corporations alike, but the athletes who diligently train, work and perform every week aren’t sharing in the prosperity,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “This bill will support those college athletes by allowing them to profit off of their image and likeness and to monetize the brand they have worked so hard to cultivate.” “College athletes work their whole life to earn the right to play at this level,” said Rep. Coleman, D-Denver . “America loves to cheer on their favorite athletes, and more and more Americans are turning to college sports for entertainment. This is a substantive way to support the hard work of the young athletes who so many of us follow and admire.” Last October, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Board of Governors announced their intention to permit student athletes to profit from the use of their likeness. Prior to the NCAA announcement, California passed a bill that banned in-state schools from preventing athletes from accepting compensation from advertisers. It also allows them to hire agents. Illinois , New York , Florida and now Colorado have introduced bills to allow for athletes to profit from their likeness. SB20-123 would prevent higher education institutions in Colorado from upholding any rule, requirement, standard or other limitation that prevents a student athlete of the institution from earning compensation from the use of the athlete’s name, image or likeness. The bill would also prevent collegiate institutions from providing prospective athletes with compensation prior to their signing. Additionally, athletes will be able to secure athletic and legal representation, and any compensation the athlete receives cannot affect their eligibility to participate in collegiate sports. Athletes who decide to enter into an endorsement deal would have to let the athletic directors of their institutions know 72 hours after the contract is signed. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2019 HOUSE CLEARS SIROTA’S CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL (Feb. 15) – Rep. Emily Sirota’s bill to limit contributions for county offices passed the House today. Colorado has contribution limits for all statewide candidates for office, but there are no limits for county candidates. “Our state’s election system should provide a level playing field for all. Every candidate should have a shot at winning – not just those with wealthy friends – but in county races, we often see contributions of $5,000 and $10,000, and sometimes up to $40,000 from wealthy individuals,” said Rep. Sirota, D-Denver. “This bill puts in place common sense measures that ensure every voice can be heard.” HB19-1007 sets in place common-sense campaign finance limits to protect the integrity of county-level elections such as those for sheriff, commissioner, clerk and recorder, assessor, and others. This bill helps level the playing field by limiting individual contributions to county candidates to $2,500 per cycle with proportional limits for partnerships, political committees, small donor committees, and political parties. The bill was approved by a vote of 40-23 and now goes to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back January 24, 2020 EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH BILL ADVANCES Legislation would increase the availability of mental health consultants DENVER, CO — Representatives Julie McCluskie and Emily Sirota’s bill to improve statewide mental health services for children through age eight today advanced from the House Committee on Public Health Care and Human Services. The legislation passed 8-4. HB 20-1006 would create a statewide voluntary program of early childhood mental health consultants to increase the number of qualified consultants and improve access to these critical services. Mental health consultants are mental health professionals with experience working with young children and their families in a diversity of early childhood settings. “It’s no secret that Coloradans, especially in rural areas, don’t always have access to the quality mental health care they need,” said Rep. McCluskie (D-Dillion). “We want to invest in the health of future generations by making early childhood mental health services more available and convenient for parents and expectant parents to access, and that’s what this bill would do.” “As a social worker I have seen firsthand the need for mental health care across Colorado,” said Rep. Sirota (D-Denver). “This bill would greatly improve services for children and their families, improving the health and wellbeing of young children across our state. As a mother of two young children, I understand the importance of these critical services.” The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants bill would address the need for additional, trained mental health consultants focused on infants’ and young childrens’ mental health across the state. It would also create a standardized model for the program in consultation with key Colorado local community-based stakeholders and the National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Under the bill, early childhood mental health specialists would be available for on-site consultations at preschool and elementary schools, in public health and health care settings and other culturally and regionally appropriate early childhood settings. The visits would include support and appropriate methods for caregivers to implement tested, practical mental health care strategies for long-term success. As a part of the program, the standardized model would include job qualifications and expectations of mental health consultants, expected outcomes of the program and appropriate ratios of consultants for the communities that they support. The program will support the ongoing professional development of mental health specialists in the state to increase access to these critical services. Professional development plans for consultants and a certification process will ensure that mental health consultants are appropriately trained as well as well versed in the expectations of the program. Previous Next

< Back May 25, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BILLS TO BETTER CONNECT COLORADANS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE BECOME LAW Transformative legislation will help more people access the mental health & substance use disorder services they need DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bipartisan bills into law that aim to build a healthier Colorado by better connecting Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders with the appropriate care they need to maintain their health and well-being. HB22-1278 , sponsored by Representatives Mary Young, D-Greeley, and Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, and Senators Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will help increase and streamline access to behavioral health services through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. “The new Behavioral Health Administration will make accessing behavioral health care more attainable for Coloradans across the state,” said Young. “The pandemic has only exacerbated the long standing challenges Coloradans have faced when trying to access the behavioral health care they need to thrive. This law breaks down barriers to accessing behavioral health care so Coloradans can get the care they need, when they need it.” “Coloradans deserve easy access to the behavioral health care they need to maintain their health and well-being, but far too many folks are left with limited or no options for help,” Lee said. “Accessing our behavioral health system can be complex and difficult. The new Behavioral Health Administration will help streamline services for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. With this bill, we will be able to ensure accessible, equitable and high quality care for all.” The legislation will establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes over 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use treatment, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services, and more. The Governor also signed SB22-177 , sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, as well as Representatives Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, and Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, which invests $12.2 million to improve Colorado’s statewide care coordination infrastructure to better serve Coloradans seeking behavioral health care. “While there will always be more work to do to expand and improve our behavioral health care system, we need to make sure Coloradans can fully utilize already existing behavioral health services,” said Pettersen. “With this new infusion of funds, we can more quickly and efficiently connect Coloradans with the care they need. Behavioral health care navigators will be well equipped to help Coloradans navigate these complex systems to deliver quality, accessible services to those that need the most support.” “Our law improves statewide care coordination so Coloradans can access behavioral health care faster–saving everyone time and money,” said Titone. “Navigating the system that delivers care should not be a barrier to accessing that care. This law helps patients receive care and streamlines the process for providers.” The legislation requires the BHA to better train new and existing behavioral health care navigators on available behavioral health safety net system services and delivery, and on ways to better connect individuals seeking care with the support they need. The bill also seeks to cut red tape associated with provider enrollment and credentialing for navigators and care coordination providers, so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping Coloradans in need. SB22-177 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force . Previous Next

< Back Elizabeth Velasco Majority Whip Representative Elizabeth Velasco represents House District 57 in western Colorado. She is the first Latina to represent this rural-resort part of the state. As a new American, she proudly joined the Colorado House of Representatives for the 2023 session. Rep. Velasco has worked in language access for over 10 years. She is a small business owner, running an interpreting and translation agency. She is a wildland firefighter and public information officer and worked in the services industry. She also worked in education as a paraprofessional and later on as an adjunct professor with Colorado Mountain College. Ongoing challenges faced by working families and lack of action from previous representatives in her community led her to run for office. Rep. Velasco intends to expand the electorate, deeply engage constituents in creating policy solutions, and prioritize community resiliency, water quality and access, protecting our natural resources in rural Colorado, and support for working families. She is the Co-Whipe, serves as the Vice-Chair of the Energy & Environment Committee, and serves on the Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources and Appropriations committees.

< Back April 18, 2022 COLORADO ELECTION SECURITY ACT MOVES FORWARD Republicans on the committee vote to oppose bipartisan, common-sense measures to protect Colorado elections from insider threats DENVER, CO – The House State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to protect Colorado’s elections by a vote of 7-4. “Colorado has the gold standard for elections and leads the way nationally when it comes to voter access and holding fair and secure elections,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “This common sense legislation would hold people accountable when they break the law and tamper with our election equipment and would bar anyone convicted of election crimes from serving as an election official. These bipartisan reforms will stop insider threats and defend our democracy from ‘Big Lie’ conspiracy theorists who have used their positions to jeopardize our election security.” “I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues opposed the bipartisan Colorado Election Security Act,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, chair of the House State, Civic, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. “By voting against this bill, Republican lawmakers are standing on the side of election deniers and extremists rather than supporting common sense protections against actions that jeopardize our elections and undermine our democracy.” SB22-153, the Colorado Election Security Act, will improve election security by, among other measures, prohibiting anyone from serving as an election official if they have been convicted of any election offense or any offense or conspiracy to commit sedition, insurrection, treason, or conspiracy to overthrow the government. SB22-153 also prohibits election officials or candidates from physically tampering with voting equipment, and from having access to or being present in a room with voting equipment without being accompanied by one or more persons with authorized access. The Colorado Election Security Act further seeks to secure Colorado’s gold standard elections by improving training for clerks and election workers, and penalizes anyone who interferes with or obstructs the notification of a potential violation, or retaliates against someone providing notice. The bill also prohibits accessing electronic equipment or a reporting system without authorization, makes knowingly publishing passwords or other confidential information a class 5 felony, and directs the District and Supreme Courts to expedite scheduling and issuance of final rulings of any orders in connection with a violation of election code. Previous Next

< Back January 11, 2023 MCLACHLAN STATEMENT ON THE FIRST ANNUAL TRIBAL COUNCIL ADDRESS DENVER, CO – Representative Barbara McLachlan today released the following statement on the first annual Tribal Council address to the General Assembly. Last session, Rep. McLachlan sponsored SB22-105 to invite representatives from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian to share their priorities and voices with the general assembly. Statement from Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango: “It is a true honor to welcome the Chairmen of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe to the Colorado State Capitol for the first ever annual address to a joint session of the General Assembly. “This land has been home to generations of Ute who lived here long before the state of Colorado and the federal government forced them to give up their land. As Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Chairman Manuel Heart said in his remarks, “Just as a blanket is made, our history of the Ute people should be woven into the history of Colorado.” “It was a privilege today to hear the concerns of the Chairmen and the issues facing their communities. We cherish the government-to-government relationships we have with the Tribes in our state because the policies we pass are better when everyone has a seat at the table. “Tribal leaders outlined their priorities, including but not limited to, land and water preservation, improving health care access and educational opportunities for their communities, economic development and cultural preservation. “Today’s first annual remarks offer an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to continued collaborative efforts with Colorado’s sovereign Tribal governments.” Previous Next

< Back April 10, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES REP. HEROD’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO REINSTATE VOTING RIGHTS FOR PAROLEES Colorado would join 14 other states in allowing those on parole to vote (Apr. 10) — The House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, with bipartisan support, that would reinstate the voting rights of individuals on parole. “Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to voter turnout and voter enfranchisement. We should be very proud of that fact,” said Rep. Herod. “Today we took another step towards expanding access to the ballot box. Parolees are hardworking individuals who pay taxes, take care of their families, contribute to their communities, and it’s past time we allow them to fully participate in our democracy.” HB19-1266 clarifies that people who are on parole have completed their “full term of imprisonment” upon release from prison, thereby restoring their right to vote. The bill would restore voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans who are now disenfranchised. Parolees are denied the ability to vote because current law defines the “full term of imprisonment” to include the period of parole. The Colorado Supreme Court has stated that the state legislature has the authority to redefine the “full term of imprisonment.” The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 45-19 and now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

Legislation shields legally-protected health care providers, patients and helpers < Back April 14, 2023 SIGNED! Bill to Protect Reproductive Health Care Patients and Providers, Ensure Access to Critical Care Becomes Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Reps. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, and Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, that establishes protections from criminal prosecutions for receiving, providing, or assisting with legally-protected health care – including abortion and gender-affirming care – ensuring these overreaching interstate actions will not be recognized by the state of Colorado. SB23-188 also prevents Colorado from recognizing or enforcing civil lawsuits concerning protected health care that are penal in nature or without jurisdiction, and prevents Colorado state employees from participating in or assisting with interstate investigations or divulging information concerning protected health care. “The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade unleashed a wave of anti-abortion legislation across the country, and it’s putting Coloradans' ability to access critical reproductive and gender-affirming care in jeopardy,” Gonzales said. “Any barrier to health care in our state is unacceptable and puts lives at risk. This new law will protect the people who both seek and provide that care in our state, and will ensure that Coloradans can continue to access the life-saving care they need to thrive.” “We’ve seen nationwide attacks on our fundamental reproductive freedoms, but here in Colorado, we protect those seeking or performing legal, reproductive health care, including abortion,” said Froelich. “This law codifies important protections for legally protected health care services to make sure our patients, providers, and assistors are shielded from interstate prosecution, retaliation, and imprisonment. We’re making it clear – Colorado will never extradite a provider or patient to another state because Colorado respects bodily autonomy, privacy and the right to make your own medical decisions.” "We must do everything we can to protect vital health care professionals in Colorado,” said Jaquez Lewis. “As a pharmacist, if I dispense certain drugs that are considered abortion care medication in repressive states, I could be extradited, charged with homicide and fined hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am proud to champion this new law that ensures health care experts will feel safe making medically necessary decisions." “Anti-trans bills in other states and other egregious attempts to limit who we are will not stand in the way of our legal right to access gender-affirming and reproductive health care in Colorado,” said Titone. “Our law not only affirms the right to protected health care, but prevents other states from enforcing their regressive anti-abortion and anti-trans laws on people seeking treatment or living in Colorado. Research proves having access to gender-affirming care is validating and life-saving. I’m proud to champion a law that prioritizes patients and providers, protects our privacy and upholds your fundamental rights to reproductive and gender-affirming health care.” Previous Next

Bipartisan legislation outlines the fourth and final round of funding for the Opportunity Now grant program < Back March 20, 2024 Bill to Support Jobs, Meet Workforce Demands in Construction and Building Trades Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to extend funding to the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program. HB24-1365 would help communities address workforce shortages and create connections for Coloradans seeking high-paying, skilled careers. “Opportunity Now grants have fostered transformative changes for Colorado’s workforce, encouraged job growth and supported rural and mountain communities like mine in Northwestern Colorado,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan bill outlines the final round of funding for the grant program and has an important focus on the construction and building trades. We’re working hard to meet our workforce needs and that begins with helping Coloradans secure good-paying jobs in growing industries.” HB24-1365 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, passed committee unanimously. This bill supports the fourth and final round of the successful Opportunity Now Colorado grants. The goal of this bill is to connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-wage careers, specifically in the construction, infrastructure and building trades. This bill also creates the Regional Talent Summit Grant Program to help Coloradans get connected to these in-demand careers in their communities and establishes a workforce shortage tax credit to help with facility and equipment improvements needed to train workers in new, emerging fields by leveraging federal investments outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act and others. Opportunity Now is a grant program that has awarded $27 million to 46 grantees representing 145 businesses and 78 education partners in 38 different industries. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to improve high-speed internet access. < Back May 22, 2024 Polis Signs Bills to Improve High-Speed Internet Access FORT COLLINS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to improve high-speed internet access. HB24-1334 and HB24-1336 aim to make broadband internet more widely available to Coloradans, especially those living in mobile home parks, multi unit homes, and rural and underserved areas. “Whether you’re working remotely, writing an essay for school, or you rely on the internet for telehealth services – everyone deserves access to high-speed internet,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “However, many Coloradans living in apartment buildings or mobile home parks are not connected to high-speed broadband internet. This law ensures that broadband providers, including infrastructure teams, are not turned away by owners of multi unit buildings or mobile home parks, and tenants aren’t denied access to broadband. We’re stepping up to ensure underserved areas of our state can more easily access the high-speed internet for work, school, health care or leisure.” “When it comes to broadband grants and applications, the process can be tedious and confusing for our rural broadband providers,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie . “This law revamps the state-operated broadband grant program to make it easier for eligible recipients to find and apply for grants to install high-speed internet, especially in rural or underserved neighborhoods.” HB24-1334 prohibits a property owner of a multi unit building or mobile home park from denying a broadband internet service provider access to the property to install infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband service. The broadband service provider would be required to provide at least 60 days of notice to property owners prior to accessing the premises, and a property owner would maintain the right to manage access to the property, including the ability to make requirements of the provider to protect the safety, security, appearance and condition of the property. This law aims to improve high-speed internet access to those living in apartments, mobile home parks and other multi unit buildings. HB24-1336 , also sponsored by Representative Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, would streamline broadband grants, expand eligibility and target underserved areas. Specifically, this law transfers the duties of administering the High-Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM)to the Colorado Broadband Office to make it easier for applicants to apply for and secure grants to install broadband. Additionally, this bill modifies the types of projects that are eligible for HCSM funds, emphasizing middle mile infrastructure projects and projects in underserved areas. This law removes some of the red tape surrounding state-run broadband grants by allowing the Colorado Broadband Office to be the main office in charge of grant distribution and eligibility requirements until September 1, 2030. Previous Next

< Back March 12, 2019 HOUSE PASSES REP. VALDEZ’S BILL TO ADDRESS ANIMAL CRUELTY (Mar 12) – The House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, that seeks to provide more mental health treatment for people convicted of animal cruelty and also bar people convicted of certain kinds of animal cruelty from possession of a pet animal for a period of time while they receive treatment. “The goals of this bill are to remove animals from abusive situations and to identify behaviors that could lead to worse crimes,” said Rep. Valdez. “We should help offenders get the treatment they need so they can re-emerge as productive members of society.” Through HB19-1092, the judge can order the animal cruelty offender to complete a mental health treatment program. “There is absolutely a correlation between crimes against animals and violent crimes such as mass shootings or domestic terrorism,” said Rep. Valdez. A 2014 study of mass school shootings found that 43 percent of shooters had a history of animal abuse. This bill aims to find the underlying causes of the acts of animal cruelty and treat those issues. The bill passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 55-7. It now heads to the Senate. Previous Next