Committee Passes Two Bills to Bolster Colorado’s Workforce

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Finance Committee passed two pieces of legislation to address workforce shortages in in-demand areas.

HB24-1312, sponsored by Majority Leader Rodriguez, D-Denver, would create a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to address workforce shortages. Taxpayers must have an income of $75,000 or less for single filers or $100,000 or less for joint filers to be eligible for this state income tax credit.

For tax years 2025 through 2028, the bill would create a refundable state income tax credit of $1,200 for:

• Home health care workers who provided at least 1,200 hours of home health care or worked in a licensing nursing facility in the relevant tax year;

• Child care workers who are employed or licensed by an early childhood education program or a licensed family child care home and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year; or

• Informal family, friend, or neighbor child care workers who provided at least 720 hours of care to children 5 and under, and are registered with the Department of Early Childhood’s Professional Development Information System.

“Robust access to care work increases work force participation, creates better care for those receiving it, and supports the emotional and physical health of family members who are providing unpaid care work,” said Rodriguez. “Care workers are essential but aren’t treated that way. Our bill is an important first step to valuing care work appropriately in Colorado.”

The committee also passed HB24-1439, sponsored by Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, that would create a refundable state income tax credit and two grant programs to boost registered apprenticeship opportunities. This income tax credit is available to businesses operating in a new and emerging industry with a registered apprenticeship program. 

“I’m committed to paving the way for equitable access to opportunity, so that all Coloradans have the chance to get ahead – and a key way we can do that is by investing in our workforce,” Coleman said. “We’re bringing forward resources that will expand existing programs and increase the adoption of registered apprenticeships. These investments can create more than 8,000 new apprenticeships, and give Coloradans the opportunities they need to succeed.”

The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Sedalia, would also create the Scale-Up Grant Program to start new or expand existing registered apprenticeship programs and the Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grant Program to connect employers or apprenticeship program participants to registered apprenticeship programs.

The bills now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow HB24-1312’s progress HERE, and HB24-1439’s progress HERE.