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< Back April 22, 2022 RECORD INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY PASS COMMITTEE DENVER, CO – The House Energy and Environment Committee passed a bill to create a healthier Colorado through air quality improvements and transit investments after the Front Range was declared a “severe” violator of federal ozone standards by the EPA. SB22-193 passed committee by a vote of 8 to 4. “Prioritizing clean air improves our health and builds a pathway toward a healthier future for every Coloradan,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This transformational investment tackles air pollution from multiple angles, including improving air monitoring, electrifying school buses and cutting back on industrial emissions. Together, we’re investing in a cleaner future for ourselves and generations to come.” “Too often, disadvantaged communities and low-income Coloradans are exposed to higher rates of air pollutants and toxic emissions,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. “We have a plan to invest in clean air solutions, including electrifying school buses so our youngest Coloradans can breathe cleaner, healthier air. These record investments will work to clean up Colorado’s air and cut back on industrial emissions.” SB22-193 , sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Alex Valdez, would provide funding for several different programs in the transportation and industrial sectors, as well as the Department of Public Health and Environment, to reduce emissions and improve Colorado’s air quality. The bill includes record investments in clean transportation initiatives and air quality monitoring and incentives. SB22-193 will invest $109 million to improve Colorado’s air quality. This includes: $65 million for the Electrifying School Buses Grant Program to help school districts and charter schools convert and replace fossil-fuel reliant school buses with electric-powered school buses. $25 million for the Industrial and Manufacturing Operations Clean Air Grant Program to help private entities, local governments, and public-private partnerships finance projects to reduce industrial emissions through different technologies such as beneficial electrification, renewable energy projects, and methane capture. $12 million for the Community Access to Electric Bicycles Grant and Rebate programs which will ease and accelerate the adoption of electric bicycles by providing businesses, local governments, and individuals discounted e-bikes and easier access to e-bike sharing programs. $7 million for increased and expanded aerial surveying and localized monitoring to help identify leaks at oil and gas facilities. Previous Next

< Back February 15, 2024 Committee Passes Bill to Support Military Families DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to extend the Occupational Credential Portability Program to dependents and Gold Star spouses of military members. The bill unanimously passed by a vote of 11-0. “The Occupational Credential Portability Program has supported many military families' transition when they make the move to Colorado by streamlining the licensure process for skilled job seekers,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Our legislation expands the program to include the kids and spouses of military members, boosting our workforces and making it easier for military families to build their careers in Colorado.” HB24-1097 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, allows dependents and Gold Star spouses of US Armed Forces members to participate in the Occupational Credential Portability Program. It also changes the Occupational Credential Portability Program by: Eliminating the temporary nature of the licensing program, Requiring that regulators, when reviewing an application, focus on whether an applicant has a license in good standing and not whether the applicant has committed an act that would be subject to discipline in Colorado if that act is not prohibited in the home state, and Increases the validity of licenses from 3 to 6 years and makes them renewable. The Occupational Credential Portability Program was created by bipartisan 2020 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. Previous Next

< Back March 6, 2024 Judiciary Committee Passes Bills to Boost Legal Aid Funding, Expand Diversion Program Eligibility DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed two bills to boost legal aid funding and expand diversion program eligibility. HB24-1286, sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Mandy Lindsay, would increase access to affordable legal aid. SB24-006, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English, would increase eligibility to diversion programs for people with an intellectual or developmental disability or a mental health or behavioral health issue. “As a family law attorney who does pro bono work, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for hardworking Coloradans to access affordable legal representation,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB24-1286. “Economic status should never dictate justice. By creating the Equal Justice Fund Authority, we can ensure that hardworking Coloradans have equitable access to the legal resources they need to get the outcomes they deserve.” “Lack of access to resources while navigating the legal system can have devastating legal and economic consequences,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1286. “Our legislation would boost funding for organizations that provide lower-income Coloradans with legal resources and representation, giving them the tools to best represent their needs in the criminal justice system. Everyone deserves a fair fight, regardless of their income.” HB24-1286 would create the Equal Justice Fund Authority and the Equal Justice Fund to provide financial support to numerous organizations that provide pro bono or low-cost legal services to low-income Coloradans. The bill would add a $20 fee to appeal and civil court filings to fund the Equal Justice Fund Authority. This bill would increase funding for the Equal Justice Fund by $1.1 million in FY 2024-2025 and $2.2 million every year after. The bill passed by a vote of 6-5. Currently, district attorneys can use an assessment tool to identify individuals who are eligible to be diverted away from the juvenile or criminal justice system and into appropriate services. SB24-006 expands eligibility and diversion services for individuals to include juveniles and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those with behavioral health issues. SB24-006, also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, passed by a vote of 10-0. “People with behavioral health issues and intellectual disabilities often become involved in the criminal justice system, and they deserve to be considered for diversion programs that foster rehabilitation outside of jails and prisons,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of SB24-006. “Our legislation would prohibit district attorneys from denying participation in a diversion program based on mental health, behavioral health, or disability, creating a more fair criminal justice system.” Previous Next

< Back April 15, 2023 Housing Protections for Victims of Natural Disasters, Local Gov Oversight on Short Term Rentals Advance DENVER, CO - The House today passed bills in a preliminary vote to expand reverse mortgage protections and improve local governments’ ability to hold short-term rentals to local rules and regulations. “After the Marshall Fire, homeowners were saddled with unnecessary burdens that prevented them from putting their lives back together,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB23-1266 . “With this bill, homeowners with reverse mortgages won’t have their loan foreclosed upon just because they lost their home in a disaster. Homeowners deserve grace after devastation due to a wildfire or flood.” “Reverse mortgages require a homeowner to live in their home in order to draw money from their equity, which is an impossible ask for people that have lost their home due to a natural disaster,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB23-1266. “Many senior homeowners already have to take advantage of reverse mortgage income just to afford daily expenses like groceries and health care and can’t afford to build back on their own after an environmental disaster. Our bill helps vulnerable communities so they have one less burden after devastation.” Reverse mortgages allow older homeowners to borrow from the equity of their home. Under current law, reverse mortgages may become due and payable if the homeowner does not reside in the home they are borrowing money from as a principal residence, with an exception for temporary absences up to one year. HB23-1266 would create another exception to the residency requirement for homeowners when their property is uninhabitable due to a natural disaster or another major incident outside the control of the homeowner. This exception would allow a homeowner who is engaged in repairing the home and plans on reoccupying, listing for sale, or selling the house to live elsewhere for up to five years. “Short term rentals are important to Colorado mountain communities like mine for tourism, but without local governments’ ability to properly regulate these properties, short-term rentals are impacting the livability of our communities,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB23-1287 . “When bad actors in the short-term market create challenging situations for their neighbors, like drying up wells or overflowing septic systems, we have to do more to stick up for those who call our towns home year round. By creating pathways for our counties to collaborate with digital platforms, where short-term rentals are listed, we can increase transparency and create a housing environment that works for everyone in the community.” “Living in a rural resort community, I’ve witnessed the increased popularity of short-term rentals, and short-term rentals play an important role in our local economy,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, sponsor of HB23-1287 . “Our legislation allows counties to partner with digital platforms that host units, and gives counties the ability to remove a listing if the owners’ license is suspended or revoked, protecting owners, renters, and local communities from violations of local rules and regulations.” A board of county commissioners already has the authority to regulate units that are rented or used for short-term stays. HB23-1287 clarifies the definition of a short-term rental and provides counties with the authority to work with digital platforms to accurately list compliant short-term rentals. HB23-1287 gives counties the ability to require an owner of a property, or the owner’s agent, to include a rental license or permit in any listing for a short-term rental unit on a digital platform. If a county has regulations on short-term rentals, the county would be able to require a digital platform to remove any rental listing if the owner of the listing: Has their local short-term rental license or permit suspended or revoked, Has received a notice violation, or a similar legal process, for not holding a valid local short-term rental license or permit, or Is not allowed to list their unit as a short-term rental due to county rules. Previous Next

< Back February 25, 2022 VOTE WITHOUT FEAR ACT ADVANCES DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representatives Tom Sullivan and Jennifer Bacon to prevent armed voter intimidation at polling locations advanced in the House today on Second Reading. “Armed intimidation at voting locations is a threat to our democracy,” said Rep. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “The Vote Without Fear Act is common-sense legislation to protect voters against armed intimidation when they cast their ballot. We’ve seen cases of firearms being used to intimidate voters in Colorado; this cannot continue. The Vote Without Fear Act will protect access to the ballot and ensure every Coloradan can exercise their right to vote safely, fairly and freely.” “The Vote Without Fear Act protects voters and election workers from armed intimidation at polling places,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Firearms being used to intimidate voters, especially voters of color and poll workers, is nothing new in this county, but we need to stop the threats towards those exercising their fundamental right to cast their vote. We’re serious about protecting our democracy, and that means prohibiting armed voter intimidation at polling places.” HB22-1086 which passed the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 7-4, protects the right to vote by prohibiting the open carry of firearms at or near polling places. Incidents of armed voter intimidation are rising across the country, and there have been several well-publicized situations where armed individuals have attempted to dissuade people from voting. These incidents have not just been targeted at voters, but also have attempted to intimidate nonpartisan election officials from doing their jobs. The legislation advanced today would extend protections that already exist for settings such as government buildings and legislative hearings to polling places, as well. Last year in Littleton, two men, one of whom was armed, filmed people dropping off their ballots, leading some voters to feel unsafe. Similar laws to prohibit the open carry of firearms at polling places have been adopted in Michigan in an effort to protect voters from armed intimidation. Previous Next

< Back August 4, 2023 Laws to Reduce Emissions, Bolster Environmental Programs & Mitigate Wildfires to Take Effect DENVER, CO – New laws to set updated emission reduction goals, bolster environmental programs, and help mitigate and recover from wildfires will take effect on August 7. SB23-016 , sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Representatives Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, updates Colorado’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals to match the latest climate science by adding interim targets, including a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 levels by 2035, and a new goal of 100 percent emissions reduction by 2050. “As the effects of climate change become more and more pronounced, it is clear we must implement bold policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts on our climate and our environment,” Hansen said. “Coloradans are demanding we act, and with the implementation of this legislation, we will be demonstrating national leadership to tackle the climate challenge. The new statute will empower businesses, homeowners, and state and local governments to reduce emissions, set reasonable and attainable goals, and put our state on a path to climate sustainability for generations to come.” “This new law works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide and speeds up our transition to a clean energy economy,” said Sirota. “By reducing emissions, we’ll better protect our families and children for generations to come.” “Every Coloradan deserves clean air and a livable climate, which is why we’re working to reduce harmful emissions and conserve our freshwater resources,” said McCormick, sponsor of SB23-016 and SB23-178. “Our law creates interim targets to help Colorado reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and jumpstart clean energy implementation in our homes as well as businesses. We’re also reducing our water usage by making it easier for Coloradans living in HOAs to replace their water-intensive lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping.” To help reach these targets, the law requires the PUC and local governments to consider and prioritize upgrades and additions to the state’s electric transmission infrastructure system, and ensures quicker connections to the grid for residential solar. Other provisions of the law, including a study on transmission capacity to pave the way for electrification across the state, requirements for climate risk disclosures for insurance companies and tax credits for electric lawn equipment, take effect at a later date. SB23-178 , sponsored by Sen. Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Reps. McCormick and Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, reduces barriers for Colorado homeowners in homeowners associations (HOAs) who wish to replace their lawns with water-wise landscaping. Also sponsored by Sen. Perry Will, R-New Castle, SB23-178 promotes water-wise landscaping, emphasizing native plants that better sustain Colorado’s local ecosystems while requiring little or no irrigation. Many homeowners in HOAs want to replace their lawn and save water, but are deterred by obscure HOA approval processes. The bill streamlines this by requiring HOAs to select and pre-approve water-wise landscape designs for homeowners to choose from, as an alternative to getting HOA permission for their own design. “As extreme weather events like wildfires and droughts become more frequent because of climate change, it’s important that we do everything we can to make private, commercial, and industrial properties more resilient,” said Jaquez Lewis, sponsor of HB23-1005 and SB23-178. “HB23-1005 expands and streamlines the successful C-PACE program, so more properties in Colorado can prepare for natural disasters while reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, SB23-178 makes it easier for Colorado homeowners to replace their water-guzzling lawns with water-wise landscapes, allowing us to drastically cut down on overall water usage while maintaining beautiful, unique yards natural to Colorado's climate.” “Until now, many Coloradans living in HOAs were not allowed to replace their water-intensive lawns with native drought-tolerant landscaping,” said Lindsay. “Under this new law, HOAs must allow for drought-tolerant landscaping options in their homeowner requirements – which is a win-win for water conservation and saving Coloradans money.” HB23-1005 , sponsored by Sens. Jaquez Lewis, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Reps. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, helps protect Colorado's environment and conserve water resources by expanding project eligibility and streamlining the financing process so more commercial properties in Colorado can take advantage of the Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program for eco-friendly property upgrades and investments. “This new law modernizes the successful C-PACE program so more businesses and builders can access financing to improve the resilience and efficiency of their commercial properties,” said Titone. “By expanding this favorable financing tool, more businesses can make eco-friendly infrastructure upgrades, such as high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems.” “We know many commercial building owners and developers want to make water and energy efficiency upgrades, and our bill makes the process easier so businesses can begin their energy efficiency improvements sooner,” said Marchman. “I’m proud to support measures that invest in eco-friendly infrastructure and improve Colorado’s sustainability for years to come.” “It will soon be easier for commercial property owners in Colorado to improve the efficiency of their buildings,” said Willford. “Our law enhances and expands the widely-used, successful C-PACE program that’s catalyzed hundreds of millions of dollars of commercial property upgrades to reduce their energy usage. As we push to meet our statewide climate goals, it is important our businesses have the tools they need to invest in eco-friendly, cost-saving infrastructure.” HB23-1060 , sponsored by Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer, invests $5 million in Colorado’s forestry and wildfire mitigation workforce and tree nursery to more effectively mitigate and recover from wildfire destruction. “For the past several years we’ve experienced the devastating impacts of wildfires in our state, affecting our lives, homes, health, watersheds and economy,” said Cutter. “The increase in frequency and intensity of these events is a direct result of escalating climate change. Over the past several years, we've worked hard to provide resources for mitigation and suppression, but have lacked the workforce to properly deploy these resources. This legislation builds on that progress to provide a more robust forestry workforce.” “Healthy, robust forests help us mitigate the devastation caused by wildfires,” Story said. “This new law will fund critical upgrades at the State Forest Service’s tree nursery to update the facilities and increase the number of seedlings to repair and replant forests devastated by wildfires. This will help stabilize watersheds and preserve critical natural ecosystems across our state.” Previous Next

< Back April 26, 2023 House Boosts Tax Credits and Refunds for Hardworking Coloradans by $150 Million DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by expanding the state Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. “This legislation will increase the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits and put $150 million back into the pockets of hardworking people,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Coloradans deserve a tax code that boosts their incomes and helps them build a better future for themselves and their families, and that’s exactly what this legislation does. These tax credits are essential and have lifted Coloradans across the state out of poverty. This bill continues our work to save people money and ensure our tax code works for all Coloradans.” HB23-1112 would expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and return nearly $150 million more to hardworking families. For tax year 2024, the Colorado EITC would increase from 25 percent to 40 percent of the federal EITC, a four fold increase from where it stood in 2020. A refundable tax credit available to certain families with children under the age of 6, the Colorado CTC would increase by 10 percent starting in tax year 2024, with the tax credit ranging from 20 to 70 percent of the federal CTC depending on marital status, number of qualifying children, and federal adjusted gross income. The federal Child Tax Credit has lifted over 57,000 Colorado kids out of poverty and helped over 630,000 families across the state, while the federal Earned Income Tax Credit has helped cut the national poverty rate in half . The bill builds on legislation passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. The General Assembly passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which at the time doubled the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and funded the Child Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. This session, Colorado Democrats passed HB23-1006 to require employers to provide information about federal and state earned income tax credits and child tax credits to their employees, spreading awareness to Colorado families that qualify for these tax credits to save them thousands of dollars. Previous Next

< Back May 1, 2024 Lawmakers Introduce New TABOR Refund Mechanism, Advance Tax Credits for Working Families DENVER, CO – Lawmakers yesterday introduced legislation that will restructure the refund mechanisms for state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. The bipartisan bill will temporarily lower income tax rates and create a new formula to determine future refund amounts through the six-tier refund mechanism and income rate reductions, and sales and use tax reductions in years with higher surpluses. These steps ensure Colorado will meet its commitment to fund critical services and schools during a recession while furthering efforts to reduce child poverty and boost the incomes of hardworking people through the new Family Affordability Tax Credit and expanded Earned Income Tax Credit . “Colorado is facing a choice; we can continue with our tax code that doesn’t benefit the majority of Coloradans, or we can boost the incomes of hardworking people, create a pro-family tax code, and cut child poverty in half,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This legislation, when combined with our Family Affordability Tax Credit and expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, will make our tax code more fair, boost the incomes of hardworking families and families with children, and cut child poverty in half in Colorado. I’m excited that we have found a way forward with Governor Polis to responsibly create new tax credits that benefit the majority of Coloradans and the people in our state that are feeling the brunt of our affordability crisis.” "Making sure Colorado's tax code works for all Coloradans is one of my top priorities, which is why this bill, combined with our work to bolster critical tax credits that benefit working families, is so important,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. "Taken together, these measures will put more money into the pockets of working Colorado families, cut child poverty in half, and make it easier to make ends meet." “I appreciate the work of so many organizations, lawmakers, and the governor who came together to create new tax credits that will cut child poverty, boost incomes for lower and middle-income people, and update our tax code so that it works for the majority of Coloradans, not just those at the top,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Colorado’s working families and children are counting on us to deliver meaningful tax relief, and I’m proud that we are going to deliver on this promise. The bill introduced today alongside our package of tax credits will make Colorado more affordable, put money back into the pockets of hardworking people, and help us forge a brighter future for millions of people who call our state home.” “Looking out for Colorado families means making sure they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent or affording other necessities,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield. “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’re going to see this session. I am extremely pleased to be a part of making this package of tax credits possible, because it will cut child poverty in half while benefiting the majority of Coloradans and making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.” “Working Coloradans need our support, and I am pleased to say that we have an opportunity to make a real, transformative difference for kids and families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver. “This package will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give every Colorado family the resources they need to thrive.” SB24-228 , sponsored by Mullica and Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, and Speaker Pro Tempore deGruy Kennedy and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, will create a new refund mechanism and formula to distribute state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. The legislation is part of an effort from House and Senate Democrats to boost tax credits for hardworking people and families with children. Under these proposals, hundreds of millions in tax credits will go to middle and lower income families and will cut the child poverty rate in half. These proven-anti poverty measures will boost the incomes of the majority of Coloradans. For tax year 2024, income tax rates will be temporarily reduced from 4.40 percent to 4.25 percent. For years 2025 through 2035, the income tax rate cut is activated and will fluctuate based on the amount of state revenues expected to exceed the TABOR cap after accounting for reimbursements to counties for the senior homestead exemption. If the surplus exceeds $1.5 billion after the temporary rate reduction and reimbursements to counties, then a fourth refund mechanism will be activated that will reduce sales and use tax rates by 0.13 percent. Whether the refund mechanisms are triggered and which ones will be triggered will depend on the amount of state revenues in excess of the TABOR cap. If remaining excess state revenues are less than or equal to $300 million, TABOR refunds are distributed only through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism; If remaining excess state revenues are greater than $300 million but less than or equal to $1.5 billion, TABOR refunds are distributed first through the income tax rate reduction and then through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism; And if remaining excess state revenues are greater than $1.5 billion, TABOR refunds are distributed first through the income tax rate reduction, next through the sales and use tax rate reduction, and finally through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism. Previous Next

< Back April 28, 2022 TRANSFORMATIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BILLS ADVANCE HOUSE Legislation would fund the responsible gaming program and water preservation efforts DENVER, CO – The House Finance Committee passed Speaker Alec Garnett’s bill today to promote responsible gaming and support Colorado’s watersheds. HB22-1402 would allocate more than $3 million to create a grant program to provide services to Coloradans experiencing problem gaming and boost funding for the Colorado Water Plan. “In the last two years, Colorado’s gaming industry has experienced significant growth and the excitement of sports betting has raised limits and boosted state revenue,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “As Colorado’s gaming industry adapts, it is our responsibility to make sure Coloradans have the recovery and treatment resources they need to combat a gaming problem – this bill does that and more. It takes us one step closer to the original goal of legalizing sports betting in Colorado which is to provide proper funding to the Colorado Water Plan; and thanks to the increase in revenue, we can direct millions toward preserving Colorado’s watersheds and building a safer, healthier Colorado for everyone.” Responsible Gaming Grant Program: HB22-1402 , sponsored by Speaker Alec Garnett, passed committee by a vote of 9-2. The introduction of sports betting in Colorado in 2020 has led to major growth in the gaming industry, partly due to higher limits and additional games. This bill provides more funding for the responsible gaming grant program in the Department of Revenue (DOR) to promote responsible gaming and address problem gaming. The grant program will distribute funding to help Coloradans struggling with gaming problems with prevention, recovery and treatment resources. The grant funding can also be used for research purposes to aid the DOR in providing better support for Coloradans recovering from a gaming problem. The bill also allocates more funding for the Colorado Water Plan by limiting the number of free bets that Sports Betting Operators can offer tax-free. Under the bill with fewer tax-free bets, the additional money raised from taxes on gaming will be allocated toward improving Colorado’s watersheds and environment. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Mabrey & Sen. Cutter: Opinion: Increasing railway safety rules in Colorado is up to state lawmakers Jan 2, 2024 See more This op-ed was published in the Colorado Sun on Jan 2, 2024 Over the past few years, there have been a number of high profile train derailments, most notably the one in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. For several months this summer, we’ve worked alongside our colleagues on the Transportation Legislation Review Committee to craft Colorado legislation that will reduce the risk of railway accidents. When a train derailed onto Interstate 25 near Pueblo this fall and killed one man, it was clear our legislation was timely and important. The October derailment exemplifies the complex and far-reaching reasons we need to improve our rail system in Colorado. A single train accident can exert short- and long-term effects on our economy, environment, health and, tragically, can result in loss of life. In the Pueblo accident, 30 cars of a 124-car coal train derailed, spilling tons of coal onto I-25. The derailment caused a bridge to collapse, closed lanes for nine miles in both directions for days and killed a truck driver. Although the initial findings of the federal investigation show the derailment was likely due to a broken rail, what we know with certainty is this: There is an urgent need to address rail transportation safety in a way that ensures economic needs are met while prioritizing the safety of our communities and transportation workers. The threats of railway accidents aren’t isolated to the Front Range. Western Slope leaders and advocacy organizations have been fighting back against the proposed Uinta Basin Railway (UBR) for years. Although we are encouraged that the project is currently facing challenges in federal courts , if it were to move forward, it would result in a significant increase in hazardous materials transported through Colorado from Utah oil fields — alongside the Colorado River and through heavily forested areas. The UBR would service up to five, two-mile trains per day carrying billions of gallons of waxy crude oil every year. Compared to today’s operations, that would quintuple the volume of oil being transported. To put it in perspective, the volume of oil transported through Colorado from the UBR would be more than all oil transported in rail cars throughout the entire U.S. in 2022. Part of the route runs alongside the Colorado River for more than 100 miles through sometimes winding, narrow and difficult terrain. Over 40 million people rely on the Colorado River, including seven states and 30 tribal nations. Contamination of this critical waterway would be catastrophic, environmentally and economically. The Colorado River generates millions from our tourism economy every year. According to the Colorado River Outfitters Association, commercial river activity provided nearly a quarter-billion dollars in economic impact for Colorado in 2022. What’s more, wildfires are an increasing problem in Colorado, and the possibility of sparks causing dangerous wildfires in densely forested and hard-to-reach areas is deeply concerning. Improper railway safety puts our water quality, first responders, communities, tourism economies and wildlife at risk. To allow the UBR to move forward is not only risky, it’s dangerous. Regardless of whether this sweeping proposal advances, railroads transporting hazardous materials through our state should be required to take extra precautions to prevent derailments. If passed, the bill we are proposing will dramatically improve railway safety in the face of current and future threats and protect Colorado’s communities, ecosystems and economy. After months of discussions with experts, advocacy groups and concerned Coloradans, we’ve developed legislation that would take the following steps to improve safety: Limit the length of trains to 8,500 feet. Many trains run miles in length with only one operator. Shorter trains that are well maintained are less susceptible to derailments. Require the use of proven technologies, like wayside detectors and dragging equipment, to alert crews of defects that can lead to accidents. Proactive detection tools would promote the safe and efficient movement of goods across Colorado, and help stop accidents before they happen. Assist communities in preparing for inevitable accidents. Under our bill, railroads will have to provide training and safety drills on hazardous materials to local first responders, who are often the first ones on site after a wreck. Empower union members to report certain safety violations. It’s imperative that we establish an environment within Colorado’s rail industry where workers feel secure in coming forward to ensure their safety and the well-being of others. Ensure railroads have the insurance necessary to cover the costs of catastrophic accidents. If a railroad is carrying hazardous materials, then they should meet a minimum insurance requirement in case of incidents. Increased pressure to put profits over safety has put workers, our environment and communities at risk. The failure of the U.S. Senate to move forward with federal rail safety legislation — despite widespread bipartisan support — means it’s up to us to raise rail safety standards for Colorado. Sen. Lisa Cutter was elected to the Colorado Senate in 2022 to represent District 20 and serves as a member of the Transportation and Energy Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee. Rep. Javier Mabrey was elected to the Colorado House in 2022 to represent District 1 and serves on the Business Affairs and Labor and Judiciary Committees and the Committee on Legal Services. Previous Next

< Back February 27, 2023 House Passes Bill to Lift Statewide Ban on Rent Stabilization DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation to repeal Colorado’s statewide prohibition on rent stabilization, allowing local governments to use additional tools to address housing affordability in their communities. The bill passed by a vote of 40-24. “Skyrocketing rents are making it harder and harder for Coloradans to afford to live here while limiting their ability to save for homeownership,” Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver . “As an eviction defense and housing attorney, I’ve had clients kicked out of their homes because they can’t afford their rapidly increasing rent, despite working two full-time jobs. Giving local governments the ability to use rent stabilization measures will save Coloradans money on housing, reduce displacement, and help address our state’s housing crisis.” “Rural communities like mine are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of living, with educators, first responders, and hospitality workers being priced out of their homes, impeding their ability to serve their community,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “Solving our statewide housing crisis looks different on the Western Slope than it does on the Front Range. This bill would lift the statewide ban on rent stabilization, giving our rural areas the power to choose which tools work best for their community.” In 1981, the Colorado legislature passed a statewide rent stabilization ban, prohibiting local governments from enacting measures that would address how much rents could increase year to year. HB23-1115 would repeal the statewide ban, allowing local governments to have the choice to implement rent stabilization measures to make housing more affordable and reduce the tide of Coloradans being displaced from their communities. Data from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the US Census Bureau show that counties with rent stabilization policies in place do not see lower housing development rates than counties without them. For example, Hudson County, New Jersey, which has rent stabilization, saw 51 permits per 1,000 residents between 2010-2018. In comparison, Pueblo, Jefferson, Boulder, and Arapahoe counties had fewer permits per 1,000 residents during the same time period. Previous Next

< Back February 11, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES VALDEZ BILL TO IMPLEMENT SAFE PRODUCE SAFETY STANDARDS (Feb. 11) — A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, that would provide the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) the authority to monitor the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption passed the House Rural Affairs and Agriculture Committee today. “This bill is so important for our farmers, our ranchers, and our next generation of producers,” said Rep. Valdez. “It is vital that we continue knowing where our food comes from.” Currently, food is inspected by the federal government under the Food Safety Modernization Act. HB19-1114 will bring the food inspection to the CDA Produce Safety Program once the federal program expires in two years. CDA wants to take over food inspections because they will have a better understanding of Colorado and the needs of Colorado farmers and consumers. After hearing testimony in support from farmers the bill will directly impact, HB19-1114 unanimously passed the committee 11-0 and now heads to House floor. Previous Next