Senate Passes Landmark COVID-19 Response Legislation Package

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate passed several important bills from the Democratic package of CARES relief legislation. These bills include proposals to address mental health, provide financial relief for low-income Coloradans, establish a small business recovery loan fund, and prevent consumers from falling prey to price gouging.

In May, the General Assembly received $70 million of federal CARES Act funding to be utilized for critical COVID-19 response efforts. Democratic leaders committed to focusing these funds on providing economic relief for struggling residents and businesses, as well as supporting the health and safety of all Coloradans.

HB20-1411 COVID-19 Relief Funds for Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment, (Sens. Pettersen, Fields): The need for behavioral health services is compounded by COVID-19 and the challenges Colorado’s communities are facing because of it. HB-1411 allocates $15 million to critical mental health programs and substance abuse treatment within the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health and Environment.

“It’s critical for us to recognize that our state’s mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are contending with two concurrent public health crises: opioid addiction and COVID,” said Sen. Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “As these issues continue to compound, we must allocate funds to these services to address increased costs, and meet critical and growing community needs.”

“Our state was already struggling with a growing mental health crisis, and COVID has just compounded these pressing needs,” said Asst. Majority Leader Fields (D-Aurora). We have to protect and prioritize funding for Colorado’s mental health resources, and this legislation helps us achieve that.”

HB20-1412 Coronavirus Relief Funds for Utilities, (Sens. Story, Zenzinger): While most utilities have implemented moratoriums on utility disconnections, these don’t address the hardship that families will face once they’re lifted. To provide direct financial assistance to families, the bill allocates almost $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, which helps low-income Coloradans at risk of service shutoffs. 

“Many unemployed Coloradans will face hefty bills and fines once utility suspension shut-offs begin again,” said Sen. Story (D-Golden). “Without direct relief, vulnerable communities are facing significant stress and uncertainty due to COVID-19. Allocating these dollars to utility assistance helps build economic security so our state can begin to rebuild.”

HB20-1413 Small Business Recovery Loan Prog Premium Tax Credits, (Sens. Rachel Zenzinger and Kerry Donovan): The bill establishes a small business recovery loan fund that consists of $250 million of state and private dollars for first loss capital on loans to small businesses over the next two fiscal years. The establishment of this fund will help stimulate loans to Colorado small businesses and support the state’s economic recovery and resiliency.   

“Colorado’s small businesses are integral to our state’s economy, but right now too many are struggling to meet their payroll obligations or to pay their bills,” said Sen. Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This bill will support small businesses on the road to recovery by granting them additional access to the capital they need to keep their doors open.”

“Mountain communities have been particularly devastated by COVID-19,” said Sen. Donovan (D-Vail). “Small businesses that are the heart of our communities are struggling to stay open. This bill uses an innovative funding mechanism to raise money to reinvest in our small businesses making the state a good partner in our economic recovery.

SB20-222 Coronavirus Relief Funds for Small Business Grants, (Sens. Faith Winter and Jeff Bridges): This bill will direct $20 million dollars to the Energize Colorado Fund that OEDIT has created to provide assistance to small businesses who have suffered hardship as a result of COVID19. This fund will be providing grants to businesses with less than 25 employees, with a preference given to those that did not qualify for, or have access to, SBA PPP loans. Preference will also be given to businesses owned by veterans, women, and minorities. Additionally, $5 million will be set aside for the tourism sector – one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. 

“Small businesses that make up the backbone of our state, are struggling to stay afloat. We need to throw them a much-needed life raft by making sure they have the resources to survive these uncertain times,” said Sen. Winter (D-Westminster).

“Mass closures of small businesses would have a disastrous impact on our state’s economy. From unemployment to decreased competition and consumer choice, a lack of these businesses, that provide so much to our state, would have ripple effects for years to come,” said Sen Bridges (D-Greenwood Village). “We need to prioritize these community pillars and provide the relief they need to get through this downturn.”

HB20-1414 Price Gouge Amid Disaster Deceptive Trade Practice,(Sens. Brittany Pettersen and Mike Foote): This bill establishes if a person or business increases the cost of certain necessary goods or services by an excessive amount, they are acting unconscionably and empowers the Attorney General or local District Attorneys to enforce these consumer protections.

“We, unfortunately, see price gouging during public emergencies and our current one is no exemption,” said Sen. Foote (D-Lafayette). “Price fluctuations are normal market reactions to changes in supply and demand, however, taking advantage of a crisis for profit is unacceptable. We need to hold bad actors accountable and defend Coloradans from being exploited in their time of need.”