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< Back March 8, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES REP. VALDEZ’S BILL TO ADDRESS ANIMAL CRUELTY (Mar 7) – The House Judiciary committee 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 through the committee with unanimous bipartisan vote and now heads to the House floor. ATTACHED: Headshot of Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver Previous Next

< Back May 22, 2019 GOV SIGNS LANDMARK EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT For years, bills to ensure pay equity were blocked at legislature (May 22) – Gov. Polis signed Rep. Janet Buckner and Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to help close the wage gap in Colorado. “Pay discrimination is a persistent issue that short changes women and their families. As an African-American woman, this new law is personal because black women make 63 cents on the dollar compared to white men.,” Rep. Buckner, D-Aurora, said. “With this law, we are taking a bold step to help close the gender wage gap by addressing the root cause of pay disparity.” Women are the sole breadwinners in a growing number of hardworking families in Colorado. “We are fighting for women to be treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve. This new law is a Colorado solution that strikes a balance between workers and employers. Now is the time for our state to take the lead in achieving equal pay for equal work,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “To solve the pay gap, Colorado must address unintentional wage disparity. This new law implements common sense prevention and transparency measures to fight the pay gap.” Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood and Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Evergreen and former member of the state legislature Polly Baca and many others were on hand for the signing ceremony at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado in Denver. Colorado women are paid 86 cents for every dollar paid to men for doing the same job and African-American women earn 63 cents for every dollar paid to men for doing the same job. The law, SB19-085, provides an avenue by which Coloradans can, through mediation via the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment and through the court system, seek relief if they have been discriminated against in their compensation based on their sex. The law puts proactive measures to reduce the gender pay gap and prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on sex. The House approved the bill on a vote of 40-21 with every House Republican voting to maintain the status quo. Click here to view the full live stream. Attached are photos from the signing ceremony. Previous Next

< Back January 31, 2024 Lieder’s Bipartisan Bill to Boost Public Safety, Recognize 911 Operators as First Responders Passes Committee DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to recognize emergency communications specialists, also known as 911 operators, as first responders. HB24-1016, sponsored by Representative Sheila Lieder, passed committee unanimously. “911 professionals are a lifeline in the public safety system and work to provide critical resources to those in crisis,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton. “This important legislation would reclassify 911 operators as first responders to recognize their dedication and service to Coloradans. 911 operators are the first ones to connect with a person in crisis, and this bill recognizes their above-and-beyond efforts to streamline public safety in communities across the state.” HB24-1016 , also sponsored by Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would define emergency communications specialists as first responders. Specifically, this would include emergency communications specialists who receive, triage, process, transmit or dispatch emergency and non-emergency 911 calls for public safety services. This also includes those emergency communications specialists who provide resources to field responders or emergency medical dispatch. Previous Next

< Back May 18, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: BILLS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT SIGNED INTO LAW Legislation–part of the legislature’s behavioral health package–invests $125 million in pandemic relief funds to expand access to services and save Coloradans money on health care DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will increase access to behavioral health care. HB22-1281 creates a $90 million grant program to fund critical services, and HB22-1302 extends resources to providers to help them offer both primary and mental health care. Community Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Gap Grants: HB22-1281 , sponsored by Representatives Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Naquetta Ricks and Senators Faith Winter and Bob Rankin, will ensure Coloradans across the state — including children, youth and families — have access to the behavioral health care they need. “Colorado’s behavioral health crisis is being felt in every part of our state, but each community’s needs are different,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “The legislation the governor signed today will invest $90 million in federal funds to expand access to care by providing resources to nonprofits and providers to meet the needs in their communities. The bill also dedicates at least $15 million of this funding to go towards substance use disorder treatment providers to increase our state’s capacity to provide the care people need.” “Accessing behavioral health care in our state can be complex and difficult, making it challenging for Coloradans to get the care they need to maintain their health and well-being,” said Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster. “We recognize that different parts of the state have different needs when it comes to addressing mental health and substance use disorders, which is why this critical investment will address these inequities as we continue working toward building a healthier Colorado for all.” “The legislation Governor Polis signed today will provide communities with resources to fill critical gaps in care so that more Coloradans can access the services they need to thrive,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This legislation will increase access to care in communities all across the state and save people money on behavioral health care. Under the legislation, nonprofits and providers can seek funding to treat more patients and offer additional services that aren’t available in their communities.” The law invests $90 million in federal funds for local governments and nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, community-based programs with the goal of filling regional gaps across the entire spectrum of behavioral health services and transforming behavioral health outcomes for families, children and youth living in Colorado. The law sets aside at least $15 million of the total $90 million grant funding to prioritize substance use disorder treatment and services. Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1302 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will and Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, invests $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. “One of the easier ways we can increase access to behavioral health care and save Coloradans money is by bringing together primary care and mental health care under the same facility or practice,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “I’m proud the governor signed my legislation to invest $35 million in federal funds to help providers integrate physical and behavioral health care. This will especially help in rural areas where people have to drive long distances to get care. The advancement of alternative payment models in House Bill 1325, which the governor also signed today, will help sustain these investments over the long run.” “Anyone who has tried to access behavioral health care in Colorado knows how hard it is to navigate the system as it is today,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County. “That’s why we’re working to streamline how we deliver care and meet people where they are before a crisis occurs. This new law will ensure that primary care physicians are better equipped to connect patients with the appropriate behavioral health services they need.” The law will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. Previous Next

< Back July 30, 2024 First-in-the-World Neural Data Protections Law Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO - On August 7, first-in-the-world legislation goes into effect to add biological and neural protections to the Colorado Privacy Act. “Big technology companies are making remarkable progress with technology that uses biological and neural data, but without proper privacy protections in our state law, this data can be used and sold without consent,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Neurotechnology outside the medical setting has made significant advancements, especially for people with disabilities, and the advances in this field are coming quickly. Wearable technology purchased by consumers today increasingly has the ability to read thoughts. The next frontier in this field is influencing people’s thoughts and behavior. Our first in the nation law protects Coloradans’ from these invasions of privacy while continuing to encourage technological advancements.” “Neurotechnology is no longer confined to medical or research settings, it’s in devices we use every day,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson. “Outside of these settings, neurotechnologies can currently operate without regulation, data protection standards, or equivalent ethical constraints. While neurotechnology has made significant progress in recent years, it’s important we protect users so that their sensitive information isn’t being collected without their control.” HB24-1058 , also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, expands the definition of “sensitive data” in the Colorado Privacy Act to include all biological data, including neural data. Neurotechnology has become increasingly popular in recent years. Scientists and tech companies like Apple, Meta and Neuralink have used neurotechnology to recreate songs from users’ brain waves and translate thoughts using artificial intelligence. It also has the potential to alter someone’s thoughts and behaviors. In 2021, Chile was the first country in the world to address this issue by amending their constitution to protect brain rights so their personal neural data could not be sold, trafficked or manipulated. With HB24-1058 going into effect, Colorado is the first state in the US to protect their residents’ biological and neural data and the first in the world to pass a law on this issue. Previous Next

< Back September 1, 2021 MAJORITY LEADER ESGAR STATEMENT ON TEXAS ABORTION BAN DENVER, CO — Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following statement after the US Supreme Court declined to block a Texas law that will ban abortions as soon as six weeks–before many women know they are pregnant. “I am outraged by SB8, the Texas law that almost entirely bans abortions before most women even know they are pregnant and which gives complete strangers the right to sue someone over their private medical decisions. The Supreme Court’s failure to block this full on assault on patients and health care providers imperils the health of Texans at a time when states’ attacks on abortion rights are at an all-time high. What we are seeing is an unprecedented erosion of our constitutional rights that threatens abortion access across the country, making abortion access in states like Colorado critical to protect. We will continue to defend our Colorado values and fiercely protect abortion rights in our state from dangerous Republican proposals that seek to criminalize and ban abortion or create a state abortion registry.” Previous Next

< Back June 5, 2024 SIGNED! New Law Will Improve Black Maternal Health Care Coverage More than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed legislation that aims to improve perinatal health outcomes, especially in Black and historically marginalized communities. SB24-175 , sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Representatives Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, requires large employer health benefit plans to cover doula services in alignment with Medicaid. The law also instructs hospitals that provide labor and delivery or neonatal care services to participate in at least one maternal or infant health quality improvement initiative. Additionally, the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will contract with a Colorado perinatal care quality collaborative to provide maternal and infant health equity improvement initiatives to hospitals; track disparity and health outcome data; and address disparate outcomes particularly among American Indian, Native Alaskan, and Black birthing populations. “The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any rich country and significant disparities in outcomes – and the crisis will continue to worsen unless we act,” said Fields. “This law is incredibly important as it addresses gaps in coverage and holds hospitals accountable for ensuring equitable care for all people, and I’m proud to see it signed today.” “Addressing the access gap in health care coverage is the first step we can take to reduce our country’s maternal mortality rate, which is far too high and disproportionately high for Black, American Indian and rural mothers,” said McLachlan. “To improve health outcomes for expecting mothers, including those in rural and remote areas, we need to ensure they have access to a range of perinatal care and that it’s covered by their insurance. I’m proud to have sponsored this law to keep expecting mothers and their newborns safe.” “No Black woman should lose their life, or come close to losing their life, in an attempt to birth their child,” Buckner said. “While maternal mortality rates around the world fell 44 percent, maternal mortality rates in the United States increased by 16.7 percent during that same period of time. It's unacceptable. Working to solve our maternal health crisis – especially for Black and historically marginalized communities – will lead to better economic, health, and social outcomes while saving lives.” “As a new mother myself, I want the best possible outcomes for all expecting mothers. Yet, our country’s maternal mortality rate reflects a different reality, especially for Black mothers,” said Jodeh. “This law works to combat the maternal mortality rate by encouraging hospitals to focus on improving their maternal or infant health outcomes, expanding insurance coverage for doula services and improving health equity training for birthing health care providers.” Under this law, CDPHE will create a program that provides financial support to hospitals in rural areas, hospitals serving a higher percentage of Medicaid and uninsured patients, or hospitals with lower-acuity maternal and neonatal care. Lastly, it requires coverage of over-the-counter and prescribed choline supplements for pregnant people. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. According to the CDC, multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. SB24-175 intends to address systemic racism in health care and develop better and more culturally informed care for historically marginalized communities. Previous Next

< Back April 7, 2021 DEMS ADVANCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO REDUCE RX DRUG COSTS DENVER, CO– The House Health and Insurance Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Mike Lynch, which would reduce the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Colorado to expand the state’s prescription drug import program. The vote was 8-5. “Reducing the cost of prescription drugs is one of our top priorities–Coloradans are suffering under the high cost of drugs and can’t wait any longer for relief,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “This bill will ensure that Colorado is ready to act if and when the federal government expands safe and affordable drug imports.” Recent analysis of Colorado’s All Payer Claims Database found that Colorado spent $4 billion in 2018 on prescription drugs, which is 13 percent of all health care spending in the state and an increase of over $300 million since 2016. Nearly 11 percent of Coloradans did not fill a prescription due to cost in 2019, a figure that’s even higher in some parts of the state, such as Pueblo, where it was 18.3 percent. HCPF estimates after looking at 50 drugs that drugs imported from Canada are on average 63 percent cheaper compared to prices in Colorado. SB21-123 would authorize the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to expand its current drug importation program to include countries in addition to Canada, if federal policy allows such an expansion. The legislation positions Colorado to continue lowering drug costs by expanding the drug importation program. Drugs imported through the program would meet federal supply chain laws and labeling requirements and be the same as the current FDA-approved versions, which are produced across the world for the US market. They would also be tested for authenticity and degradation. Previous Next

< Back March 15, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: House Committee Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Overhaul Judicial Discipline, Improve Transparency DENVER, CO – The House Judiciary Committee today passed two bipartisan bills and a resolution sponsored by Representative Mike Weissman, Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Minority Leader Mike Lynch to improve judicial discipline and transparency in Colorado. The legislative package, which includes a resolution to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot, is the outcome of the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline. “After leading months of investigations and deliberative work with the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline, we’ve developed legislation and a constitutional amendment that will improve judicial discipline, protect those engaging with the courts, and increase transparency,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, D-Aurora. “Independent oversight will hold the judicial branch accountable when misconduct occurs. Our bipartisan measures will modernize judicial discipline in our state and create a simpler process for filing judicial complaints. These measures set in motion a much-needed overhaul of the state’s judicial discipline process to ensure Coloradans can seek justice when inappropriate conduct occurs, increase the transparency of disciplinary actions, and restore trust in our courts.” “Misconduct in the judicial system is a serious concern, and the public must have assurance the procedures are just, fair, and above board. Our ultimate goal as legislators will be to continue to focus both the sunlight and transparency into our state’s too often mysterious judiciary,” said Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “These bills are the result of many months of bipartisan work to find the best solution for more transparent, efficient, and accountable procedures for our judicial disciplinary process. I want to thank my colleague across the aisle for working with me to serve the best interests of the people of Colorado.” “Improving oversight of Colorado’s judicial discipline process will help us turn the page on a troublesome chapter for our courts and build trust that judges will always conduct themselves with the utmost integrity and respect,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, D-Denver. “Our bill creates an ombudsman office for judicial department employees, so they can anonymously and securely report complaints against judges. This bipartisan plan to modernize our state’s judicial discipline system will improve the department's transparency with the public and protect those who come before the court.” In 2022, the Colorado Legislature passed SB22-201 , which created the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline to review and modernize judicial oversight in Colorado. Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed three measures to overhaul the state’s judicial discipline process, which to date has been largely conducted out of the public eye, with less information available to the public about discipline proceedings than is available in other states, and without mechanisms to provide timely updates to complainants themselves. HCR23-1001 , sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman and Minority Leader Mike Lynch, passed unanimously. If passed by voters in the November 2024 general election, this constitutional amendment would restore balance to Colorado’s judicial system by limiting the Supreme Court’s current power over discipline proceedings. Under this bipartisan constitutional amendment, complaints against judges would be addressed by the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline and a newly created Independent Judicial Discipline Adjudicative Board. The commission would handle initial proceedings and later, formal proceedings would be handled by the board, which will be comprised evenly of judge, attorney, and civilian members. HB23-1019 , sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman and Minority Leader Mike Lynch, passed unanimously. In an effort to increase judicial discipline transparency, this bill would require the Commission on Judicial Discipline to report and publicize aggregated information on the complaints it receives and investigations it conducts regarding judges and the type of discipline imposed or recommended. HB23-1019 allows Coloradans to submit a request for evaluation to the commission online and requires the commission to provide updates to complainants about the status of investigations into their complaints. HB23-1205 , sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Minority Leader Mike Lynch, passed unanimously. This bill would create an external, independent Office of the Judicial Discipline Ombudsman so judicial department employees can seek guidance about workplace issues and possible situations of judicial or staff misconduct. Under this bill, the ombudsman office would create and maintain an anonymous reporting system for employees, investigate claims, and report grievance trends to the Commission on Judicial Discipline, the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, law enforcement, and the judicial department. This legislation aims to create a safe, clear path outside of the judicial department for judicial employees to report misconduct, without fear of retaliation or their claims not being taken seriously. Previous Next

< Back May 21, 2024 Polis Signs Bills to Reduce Emissions, Spur Renewable Energy Denver, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will reduce emissions, spur renewable energy development and create jobs. “New technologies can help Colorado meet our climate goals, improve our air quality, save money on energy, and create jobs,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, sponsor of HB24-1346 and SB24-212. “The new laws signed today will advance geologic storage to reduce carbon in our atmosphere and make it easier for local communities to approve new renewable energy projects that lower costs for consumers. Together, these laws will deploy new technologies to boost our economy and protect our Colorado way of life.” “Colorado is blazing our own trail to become a national leader on climate policy,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1346 and SB24-212. “From providing support to local renewable energy projects to embracing new technologies, these bills are part of a comprehensive climate strategy that will benefit all Coloradans environmentally and financially.” HB24-1346 , sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and Karen McCormick and Senators Chris Hansen and Kevin Priola, will reduce emissions by establishing a clear regulatory framework for the geologic storage of carbon. It also improves the Energy and Carbon Management Commission’s enforcement procedures. “Carbon sequestration has the potential to create jobs and use our natural resources to reduce carbon pollution that is warming our planet and leading to more devastating climate consequences,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1346. “As a geologist, I know that there are lots of opportunities for this new technology to help us meet our climate goals and support a Just Transition for our workforce. I’m excited Colorado will be at the forefront of developing the safe and responsible use of geologic storage to help address carbon pollution.” SB24-212 , sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen and President Steve Fenberg and Representatives Karen McCormick and Kyle Brown, will spur the development of renewable energy projects. The new law will make it easier for new projects to be approved by helping local governments develop codes and procedures for approving and reviewing new renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and the supporting energy transmission. “Colorado needs to massively scale up our renewable energy capacity over the next 15 years if we’re serious about meeting our ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction goals,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB24-212, said. “Development of renewable energy resources will benefit all Coloradans by generating cost savings on electricity bills, providing more stable energy prices, reducing harmful air pollution, and increasing our energy security.”. “Renewable energy creates jobs, reduces costs for consumers and improves our air quality, which is why we are making it easier for these critical projects to get off the ground,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of SB24-212. “With this new law, local governments will have more tools to support renewable energy projects in Colorado, which will lead to lower energy costs, less reliance on fossil fuels and good paying jobs across our state.” Previous Next

< Back January 1, 2023 Garnett: Serving in the House Has Been the Honor of a Lifetime DENVER, CO – Speaker Alec Garnett today formally submitted his letter of resignation from the House, effective January 1, 2023. He will begin serving as Governor Jared Polis’ chief of staff on Monday. Majority Leader Daneya Esgar will assume the role of Speaker and serve in that position until January 9, 2023. “Serving in the House and as Speaker has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “The most important lesson I learned is that government works and Colorado is well served by the amazing women and men in the legislature. I will always hold close to my heart the memories and relationships I’ve built while serving, and I wish all current and future legislators the best of luck as they tackle the challenges of the day. “I want to thank the nonpartisan staff who work equally hard to carry out the essential functions of government. Colorado owes you a debt of gratitude. To my family, thank you for letting me carry out my duties and for always supporting me and standing by my side. I hope I made you proud.” Speaker Garnett has served in the House since 2015, representing House District 2 in Denver. He has sponsored historic legislation to fix Colorado’s transportation infrastructure, create universal preschool and the Department of Early Childhood, curb youth access to high-potency marijuana, and reform Colorado’s construction defects law. In 2019, he led efforts in the legislature to pass Colorado’s Red Flag Law which has saved lives and reduced gun violence. In 2022, he sponsored comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to combat Colorado’s deadly fentanyl crisis and reduce fentanyl overdose deaths. Garnett served in leadership roles for six of the eight years he was in the chamber. He was elected Assisted Majority Leader, Majority Leader and Speaker of the House, always running unopposed. He led the chamber with a focus on lifting up and protecting the institution. He was the first Speaker in recent memory to appoint a member of the opposing party to be Vice Chair of a Committee of Reference. Previous Next

< Back December 18, 2023 Leadership Statements on Resignation of Rep. Sharbini DENVER, CO – House Democratic Leadership today released the following statements on Representative Said Sharbini’s resignation: Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: “It’s been a joy to serve alongside Representative Sharbini, and I will miss his deep dedication to the people of Colorado and his critical voice at the Capitol. He has been a champion for his district and always stayed true to his values. I know he will continue working to improve the lives of people in our state with his enduring commitment to public service.” Statement from Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge: “I wish Representative Sharbini and his family the best as he pursues the next chapter in his life, and I am sincerely grateful for the kindness of character he brought to the legislature. As a member of the Latino caucus, his devotion to serving others and to protecting the rights of all Coloradans helped us pass better policies. Representative Sharbini understood how tough our work could be, and his good humor made many days better - I’ll miss his presence very much.” Previous Next