Debt Protections, Unemployment Insurance Bills Pass Committee

Today the Senate Finance committee advanced legislation to protect Colorado's working families with the passage of SB20-207 and SB20-211.

“These bills seek to implement essential protections for working Coloradans and their families — so they can get the support and protection they need, without worrying about unsafe conditions, paying their bills, or putting food on the table,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster.)

SB20-207: Unemployment Insurance (Sens. Hansen, Winter)
During times of unprecedented unemployment, this bill works to expand those who qualify for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and increase the benefits workers can receive. Some of these increased benefits include the amount a worker can earn while remaining eligible for UI, as well as an expanded definition of “good cause” for a worker to quit and still receive the benefit.  From a lack of childcare resulting in school closures to employers not protecting the health of their workers, Coloradans need additional protections if they are laid off or forced to leave their jobs. 

"Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans have lost their jobs or are worried about unsafe working conditions. We need to refortify our Unemployment Insurance Program so that it can protect Colorado's most vulnerable populations who have undoubtedly been hit the hardest by COVID-19 and our subsequent economic downturn," said Senator Hansen (D-Denver).  

SB20-207 will now be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

SB20-211: Strengthening Debt Protections (Sens. Winter, Gonzales)

During a disaster emergency such as COVID-19 where so many people are experiencing economic hardship, this bill expands the ability of the Attorney General to provide oversight of extraordinary debt collection actions, like garnishment. The Attorney General also has the ability to freeze new extraordinary debt collection actions, establish a minimum grace period for payments to resume, and require that monthly payment amounts consider a consumer’s ability to repay.

“Families need financial flexibility and relief, now more than ever," said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). "The commonsense regulations we’re pushing for in this legislation will help protect working Coloradans from egregious debt collection practices."

SB20-211 now heads to the Committee of the Whole.