Senator Zenzinger Named “Legislator of the Year” by Alliance, Colorado Communities United for People with Developmental Disabilities

June 13, 2019

Breckenridge, CO - Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) today received the “2019 Legislator of the Year” award from the Alliance, Colorado Communities United for People with Developmental Disabilities. The “2019 Legislator of the Year” award is exclusively given by the Alliance to legislators who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to Coloradans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community agencies that support them.“We not only have an obligation to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens, but to support the home and personal care workers who provide them critical health services,” said Senator Zenzinger. “I am honored to receive this award and incredibly proud of my efforts in the legislature to fight for both people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who provide them care.”“We are extremely grateful for your advocacy on the Joint Budget Committee to present a budget that not only protected, but even expanded, services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Without your dogged persistence, the additional 150 families finally accessing the comprehensive supports they need would likely still be waiting,” said Josh Rael, Executive Director, and Cheryl Wicks, President, in a letter informing Senator Zenzinger of her recognition.Senator Zenzinger was also critical in securing a one percent provider rate increase in the FY 2019-20 state budget, a .25 percent increase over the Governor's budget proposal. She also was a sponsor for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Day Tribute; worked to secure an additional $22 million dollars for special education in Colorado’s schools; and was a sponsor of SB19-202, Voting Rights for People with Disabilities.“We so appreciate everything you’ve done to be a powerful ally… Clearly, in your work at the General Assembly, you are committed to going above and beyond for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities… On behalf of all Alliance members, we thank you for your dedication to Coloradans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the community providers who are honored to serve them,” added Rael and Wicks in the letter.For more information about the award, please visit https://www.alliancecolorado.org/.

Governor Polis Signs Garcia-Zenziger Bill to Make Higher Education More Affordable for Coloradans into Law

May 20, 2019

Denver, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law SB19-194, National Guard Tuition Assistance Colorado State University Global, a bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) and Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). The bill will help make college more affordable by adding Colorado State University - Global Campus to the list of designated institutions of higher education for purposes of tuition assistance for members of the National Guard.“As a veteran myself, I am determined to do everything I can to support our service members. This bill is an important step forward as we work to help all Coloradans, particularly those in uniform, achieve a quality education,” said President Garcia.“These Coloradans bravely served our nation, and I am proud that the General Assembly came together to pass this legislation so that members of the National Guard are able to get an affordable, quality education,” said Senator Zenzinger.SB19-194 unanimously passed both the Senate and House of Representatives on March 26, 2019 and April 18, 2019, respectively.For more information on about SB19-194, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-194.

Donovan Bills to Lower Healthcare Costs and Support Rural Communities Signed into Law

May 17, 2019

Vail, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed into law several bills sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) that will support hardworking Coloradans in rural communities across the state by lowering healthcare costs and growing local economies.Healthcare: “Too many Coloradans have to make tough decisions when it comes to healthcare, but we’ve worked to provide them much needed relief, especially those who live in rural communities with few options, little competition, and high prices,” said Senator Donovan. “Healthcare was a top issues for people all across the High Country, and I am proud to see these innovative, Colorado solutions that will give Coloradans affordable options signed into law.”SB19-004 - a bill that addresses the high cost of healthcare by allowing cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections and empower consumers to negotiate lower rates on a collective basis directly with providers.HB19-1004 - a bill that works to create a state option for more affordable healthcare coverage that increases competition, particularly in communities with few insurance options.HB19-1168 - a bill to lower the cost of premiums for many people in Colorado by helping cover the most high risk individuals through a reinsurance program. The High Country may see a 20 percent decrease in individual plans.SD-5 Specific Bills: “We need to support communities, businesses, and locals who call the High Country home, and these bills will do that by protecting our native species, ensuring our roads and ski lifts are safe, and giving cities and counties a greater say in what their businesses with outdoor areas can serve,” said Senator Donovan.HB19-1207 - a bill that will update requirements for passenger motor vehicles to meet traction-control standards in winter conditions.SB19-141 - a bill that expands what entities can have an entertainment district.SB19-159 - a bill that reauthorizes the tramway safety board to continue to ensure the safety of ski lifts.HB19-1259 - a bill that will protect native species that are listed as threatened or endangered by state or federal law.

Governor Polis Signs Donovan-Bridges Net Neutrality Bill into Law

May 17, 2019

Silverthorne, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed into law SB19-078, Open Internet Customer Protections in Colorado, a bill sponsored by Senators Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) and Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) to make sure that broadband infrastructure funded by the citizens of Colorado will adhere to fair and open internet practices.“Coloradans rely on the internet everyday and should get the same level of access to it regardless of where they live,” said Senator Donovan. “This bill will make sure that everyone has equal access to the internet by preventing private companies that use state money to expand their broadband networks from deciding who gets fast internet and who doesn’t.”"The passage of net neutrality ensures that every Coloradan, no matter where you live, gets a fair shot,” said Senator Bridges. “This legislation will benefit Coloradans who rely on the internet for everyday tasks to small businesses who need it to innovate and grow our Colorado economy.”SB19-078 will protect net neutrality in Colorado by disqualifying internet service providers (ISPs) that interfere with the open internet from receiving financial support from the state.The bill passed the Senate on March 6, 2019 by a vote of 19-15 and passed the Colorado House of Representatives by a vote of 41-22 on April 4, 2019.To learn more about SB19-078, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-078.

Governor Polis Signs Zenzinger Bill to Address Affordable Housing Shortage into Law

May 17, 2019

Westminster, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law HB19-1228, Increase Tax Credit Allocation Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to increase the amount of affordable housing for Colorado families.“The rising cost of living continues to impede Coloradans who are struggling to find an affordable place to live or even just to maintain the living quarters they have,” said Senator Zenzinger. “This bill is an effective tool that will encourage all those developers who have been so eager to partner with us in these community-wide housing efforts.”Under current law, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) can allocate up to $5 million each year under the affordable housing tax credit. HB19-1228 will increase that annual amount to $10 million from 2020 to 2024, incentivizing developers to increase the number of affordable housing options in Colorado.HB19-1228 passed the Senate on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 32-2 and passed the Colorado House of Representatives on April 16, 2019 by a vote of 43-20.For more information about HB19-1228, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1228.

Senator Zenzinger Named “Legislator of the Year” by Home Health Care Association of Colorado

May 17, 2019

Beaver Creek, CO - Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) yesterday received the “2019 Legislator of the Year” award from the Home Care Association of Colorado.Senator Zenzinger was selected by the Home Care Association of Colorado to receive the “2019 Legislator of the Year” award because of her work advocating for higher rate increases for personal care and home health workers and her thoughtful consideration of other issues facing Medicaid providers.“We not only have an obligation to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens, but to support the home and personal care workers who provide them critical health services,” said Senator Zenzinger. “I am honored to receive this award and incredibly proud of my efforts in the legislature to fight for both people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who provide them care.”"The Home Care industry would have been significantly reduced in Colorado if it wasn't for the leadership of Senator Zenzinger. She preserved services for vulnerable clients and saved jobs across the state. We are so appreciative of her thoughtful approach,” said Linda Bagby, President of the Home Care Association of Colorado.Senator Zenzinger received the award on Thursday, May 16th at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Conference, an annual conference organized by the Home Care Association of Colorado and the Hospice & Palliative Care Association of the Rockies.For more information about the award and the event, visit http://www.homecarehospice.civicaconferences.com/conference-home/.

Governor Polis Signs Ginal-Moreno Bill to Make Primary Care More Affordable into Law

May 16, 2019

Denver, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law HB19-1233, Investments in Primary Care to Reduce Health Costs, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) that will invest in making primary care more affordable for Coloradans.“If we’re going to address the high cost of healthcare and effectively meet the needs of patients, we need to make sure primary care is being utilized and properly resourced,” said Senator Ginal. “This bill will bring down primary healthcare costs and I am proud that it was signed into law today.”“This is just one of many ways in which we worked this session to make healthcare more affordable for Colorado families,” said Senator Moreno. “Sacrificing quality primary care because premiums are too expensive is a dangerous move when it comes to Coloradans’ health and to our economy in the long run.”HB19-1233 would create a primary care payment reform collaborate and require the insurance commissioner to establish affordability standards for premiums. It would also require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, as well as carriers who offer plans to state employees, to set specific investment targets for primary care.The bill passed the Colorado House of Representatives on April 16, 2019 by a vote of 45-19 and passed the Senate on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 21-13. The House concurred with Senate amendments and repassed the House by a vote of 46-19 on April 30, 2019.For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1233.

Governor Polis Signs Senator Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Curb Youth Suicide and Support Behavioral Health into Law

May 16, 2019

Aurora, CO -- Governor Jared Polis today signed into law SB19-195, Child & Youth Behavioral Health System Enhancements, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to curb youth suicide in Colorado by making it easier for families to find and access the behavioral healthcare they need.Nearly 9 out of every 100,000 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19 die by suicide. In Colorado, that number is nearly twice the national average at 17.6 out of every 100,000 teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“This bill will provide a comprehensive system of care to youth struggling with mental or behavioral health issues and empower families to get them the help they need,” said Senator  Fields. “This legislation is going to save lives and I am proud that it was signed into law today.”SB19-195 would create the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor, a central agency to coordinate mental and behavioral health resources statewide. Additionally, it would create a commission to study and recommend how to best coordinate and provide such services. The bill would also standardize the screening and assessments that doctors use to identify potential behavioral concerns.The bill passed the Colorado House of Representatives on May 1, 2019 by a vote of 52-13 and passed the Senate unanimously on April 24, 2019.For more information on SB19-195, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-195.

Governor Polis Signs Bill to Protect Employees from Wage Theft into Law

May 16, 2019

Longmont, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law HB19-1267, Penalties For Failure To Pay Wages, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) to increase the punishment for employers who withhold or steal wages from employees.“Hardworking Coloradans deserve to be paid fairly and what they rightly earned,” said Senator Danielson. “We need to hold bad actors accountable for wage theft and give workers a way to take action, and that is exactly what this bill does.”“Why should Coloradans be shortchanged by bad actors for their hard work? I am proud to see this bill, which will hold employers accountable and protect employees from being taken advantage of, signed into law,” said Senator Rodriguez.HB19-1267 defines wage theft as theft, changing the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony if the wages owed are greater than $2,000. Further, if an employer intentionally pays a worker below the minimum wage, they are guilty of a felony when the lack of proper wage paid amounts to $2,000. Employers who are unable to pay wages due to bankruptcy or court action will no longer be exempt from criminal penalties.This bill passed the Senate on April 24, 2019 by a vote of 33-2 and passed the Colorado House of Representatives by a vote of 64-0 on April 10, 2019.For more information on HB19-1267, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1267.

Governor Polis Signs Rodriguez-Ginal Bill to Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs for Coloradans into Law

May 16, 2019

Fort Collins, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed into law SB19-005, Import Prescription Drugs From Canada, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Robert Rodriguez (D- Denver) to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Coloradans by importing them from Canada.Americans often pay far more for the exact same prescription drug as consumers in other countries, For example, Proventil inhalers for asthma cost $73 dollars in the United States, but only $21 in Canada. Americans pay more than $200 per month for Crestor, a popular cholesterol drug, while Canadian patients can pay less than $50 dollars per month for the same drug.“Coloradans are doing extreme things to be able to afford the medication they need,” said Senator Rodriguez. “I am proud that Governor Polis signed this bill into law which will establish a program that will make sure every Coloradan has access to safe, affordable prescription medications.”“Lowering the cost of prescription drugs isn’t a partisan issue, it is about helping save Coloradans money on the medicines they need,” said Senator Ginal. “This legislation will make medications more available to the people who need then, and I am proud that Governor Polis signed it into law today.”SB19-005 will require the department of health care policy and financing department to design a program to import pharmaceutical drugs from Canada for sale to Colorado consumers. The program will ensure safety and cost savings so that Coloradans can afford their prescription medications.For more information on SB19-005, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-005.

Pettersen Bills to Support Access to Affordable Healthcare and Childcare Become Law

May 14, 2019

Pueblo, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) into law that will support hardworking Coloradans by lowering healthcare costs, helping those struggling with a substance use disorder, and increasing tax credits to help make childcare more affordable.HB19-1174, Out-of-Network Health Care Services, a bill that will help rein in exorbitant healthcare costs by ending the practice of surprise billing from out-of-network healthcare providers.“Surprise billing puts Coloradans at financial risk and contributes to rising healthcare costs across our state,” said Senator Pettersen. “We took action to protect Coloradans from financial hardship and to bring down healthcare costs for Colorado families by putting an end to surprise medical billing.”HB19-1287, Treatment for Opioid And Substance Use Disorders, a bipartisan bill that will combat Colorado’s opioid crisis by increasing access to treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders.“While I am proud of the work we have done at the state level to address the opioid epidemic, we are far from where we need to be. The number of people who die every year from a substance use disorder continues to climb,” said Senator Pettersen. “This bill is part of a package of legislation to help people who have been ravaged by the opioid epidemic to ensure they have access to the treatment they need.”HB19-1013, Child Care Expenses Tax Credit Low-income Families, a bill that will help hardworking Coloradans achieve greater financial security and provide for their children.“This critical piece of legislation gives hardworking Colorado families that still struggle to make ends meet the help they need to afford childcare,” said Senator Pettersen.

President Garcia’s Bills Supporting Colorado’s First Responders and Service Members Signed into Law

May 14, 2019

Pueblo, CO - Two of Senate President Leroy Garcia’s bills to support first responders and the families of service members were signed into law by Governor Jared Polis today.SB19-65, Peer Assistance Emergency Medical Service ProviderSenate Bill 65 will give EMS providers the support and resources they need to face the challenges and traumas of their everyday work.“I have personally seen the toll that such a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding career can have, both over the years and following particularly dark incidents. In the past, EMS providers have lacked the support systems that could help them face such challenges. But that changes today with the signing of this new law,” said President Garcia.84 percent of first responders – including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, and nurses – had experienced a traumatic event on the job, according to a 2017 study by the University of Phoenix. The peer assistance program will give EMS providers critical education, support, and counseling when they face chemical dependency, mental illness, or anything else as a result of their work.For more information on SB19-065, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-065.SB19-174, Dependent Tuition Assistance Program EligibilitySenate Bill 174 would make it easier for dependents of certain service members and first responders (including deceased or disabled National Guardsman, prisoners of war, those missing in action, police officers, firefighters, and sheriffs) to be eligible to receive state tuition benefits before receiving federal benefits.“Both of these bills give back to the people who put their lives on the line to protect us all,” said President Garcia. “Today we have made it easier for dependents who have lost a parent protecting our nation to receive tuition assistance, and this is one of the biggest ways we can support them.”For more information on SB19-174, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-174.

President Garcia’s Bill to Expand Opioid Treatment Signed into Law

May 14, 2019 

Pueblo CO - Senate President Leroy Garcia’s bipartisan opioid treatment bill, SB19-001, Expand Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program, was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis this morning at the Crossroads Treatment Clinic in Pueblo.“The opioid crisis has devastated families and communities across southern Colorado, and I am proud to be here today to expand a program we know can help people successfully overcome addiction and lead better lives,” said President Garcia.In Pueblo County, MAT services increased from 99 clients treated at both agencies in 2017 to 691 clients in 2018. Routt County, which had no services for MAT clients in 2017, provided MAT services to 60 clients in 2018. SB19-001 allocates $5 million in funding through marijuana tax dollars over two years to expand the program to 10 additional high-need counties.“Senate Bill 1 passed unanimously because this issue is bigger than politics,” added President Garcia. “Now that this bill is the law of the land, we can help those struggling get the treatment they need and work to end the opioid crisis in Colorado.”SB19-001 also shifts the responsibility to administer the MAT program from the college of nursing to the center for research into substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support strategiesFor more information on the legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-001.

Senate Approves Bipartisan Moreno Bill to Improve Affordable Housing in Colorado

May 3, 2019

Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today voted 23-to-12 to pass HB19-1322, Expand Supply Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to increase affordable housing options in the state. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.

“Colorado’s affordable housing crisis has gotten out of hand,” said Senator Moreno. “This bill will help provide much-needed funding to expand affordable housing options across Colorado, ensuring that Colorado families aren’t priced out of the communities they call home.”

HB19-1322 will transfer $30 million over the next three years to the housing development grant fund in order to improve funding for affordable housing options across the state. The transfer will also encourage employment, as the division of housing in the department of local affairs may use a portion of transferred funds to hire and pay new employees.

For more information on HB19-1322, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1322.

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Majority Leader Fenberg’s Bill to Improve Youth Mental Health Passes Senate

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-14 to pass HB19-1120, Youth Mental Health Education and Suicide Prevention, a bill sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) to make mental health treatment and counseling more accessible to young Coloradans. The bill now heads back to the House for concurrence and then on to the Governor.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Colorado youth,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “We have a mental health crisis on our hands, and we must do more to help young people who are struggling with mental illness get the support they need.”

Colorado ranks as the nation’s 6th highest in suicides, according to the Colorado Health Institute. HB19-1120 will help lower the state’s suicide rate by allowing minors 12 years or older seek mental health services with or without the consent of their parents.This bill is modeled after one enacted in NY state which has proven to be effective in decreasing suicides. The psychotherapy would be confidential unless the minor gives their mental health professional permission to consult their parents, or if the professional does not believe the minor can manage their care themselves or are having suicidal thoughts.

“This bill is an effort to make it easier and more comfortable for young people to address mental health issues before they feel like they are out of options. Fostering a healthy discussion on mental health from a young age will help remove the stigma of mental illness and offer support to children who suffer from suicidal thoughts,” added Majority Leader Fenberg.

The bill also requires the Department of Education to create a mental health education literacy resource bank that is available to the public for free. The board of education will be required to adopt standards related to mental health, including suicide prevention, to improve mental health awareness in Colorado schools.

For more information on HB19-1120, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1120.

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Senate Passes Bridges Bill to Help Students Afford College

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-14 to pass HB19-1187, Increase Student Aid Application Completion Rates, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that will help more students afford college by increasing student aid application rates across the state. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.

During the 2015-16 academic year, approximately $50 million worth of federal dollars were unclaimed because Colorado students did not complete or submit the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Colorado currently has the lowest FAFSA completion rate in the nation. This bill will make it easier to complete those applications, ultimately helping many Coloradans afford a college degree.

“No other bill this year will have a greater return on investment than this one. We’re leaving federal dollars on the table that could help Coloradans graduate without a mountain of debt,” said Senator Bridges. “This bill is good for our economy and our Colorado kids.”

This bill requires the General Assembly to provide funding to the state board of education who will allocate the funds to education providers in order to help low-income students and families complete and submit applications for federal or state student aid. 

For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1187.

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Senate Passes Danielson-Moreno Bill to Give Local Control of Minimum Wage

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 19-to-16 to pass HB19-1210, Local Government Minimum Wage, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to give local governments the ability to raise the minimum wage if they choose. The bill now moves back to the House for concurrence of amendments.

“As more Colorado families face rising costs of living, we need to find more ways to help them make ends meet,” said Senator Danielson. “Today’s vote to give local governments the chance to raise the minimum wage will help more Coloradans achieve financial security.”

Studies of local minimum wage laws have shown they can increase earnings for workers without negatively affecting employment. This bill will allow local governments to set their own minimum wage laws whenever they determine it is in the best interest of their community.

“I am proud that the Senate voted to give local governments the opportunity to lift up Colorado families by raising the minimum wage,” said Senator Moreno. “Hardworking Coloradans deserve a livable wage that can provide the financial security they need to support their families.”

HB19-1210 passed the Colorado House of Representatives on March 11, 2019 by a vote of 40-24-1. To learn more about this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1210.

Senate Unanimously Passes Joint Rule Change to the Capitol’s Workplace Harassment Policy that Protects Anonymity of Victims

May 2, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate voted unanimously to pass SJR19-010, Joint Rule Changes For Workplace Policies, a Senate and House joint rule change that updates the Capitol’s workplace harassment policy to better protect victims. It now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“We have an obligation to raise the standard of our workplace harassment policies in the Capitol so the culture is both respectful and inclusive,” said President Leroy Garcia. “Those of us on both sides of the aisle have spent a significant amount of time having robust conversations about what the best approach looks like, and I believe that we have passed a policy that the Senate can be proud of.”

“Filing a harassment complaint is an incredibly intimidating process, and the number one reason why people don’t file one is because of fear of retaliation,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “That is why we insisted on the inclusion of an amendment that depoliticized the process and prioritized the confidentiality of complainants.”

According to the joint rule, the Office of Legislative Workplace Relations in the Office of Legislative Legal Services will develop a workplace harassment policy applicable to all legislators, legislative employees, and third parties - including lobbyists. The policy must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council. A full list of the requirements of the workplace harassment policy can be found here.

The joint rule includes amendment L.001, an amendment introduced by Senator Winter that would protect the identity of those who file workplace harassment complaints in the Capitol.

“I am grateful to everyone who participated in the creation of this new policy and believe that the changes we’ve passed will make a powerful difference to those who have experienced harassment,” added Senator Winter.   

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Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Clears Final Vote, Heads to Governor for Signature

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate voted 23-to-12 to concur with House Amendments to SB19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that would prevent gender-based pay disparities and give every Coloradan a fair shot at economic security. The bill then repassed the Senate by a vote of 21-to-14.

“Coloradans demanded we pass the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and after years of hard work, we have finally done it,” said Senator Danielson. “Equal pay will help more Coloradans achieve financial security by leveling the playing field and making sure every Coloradan is paid the same for the same work.”

“We know that women across Colorado have been negatively affected by the wage gap and that federal law has done very little to close it,” said Senator Pettersen. “That is why we worked hard to pass this Colorado solution to make sure everyone gets equal pay for equal work.”

On average, white women in Colorado earn 86 cents for every dollar men make for doing the same job. For women of color, the disparities are even more pronounced. According to the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Black and Latina women respectively earn 63.1 and 53.5 cents for every dollar men earn for the same job.

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act sets proactive measures to reduce the gender pay gap by requiring companies to notify all qualified employees about job advancement opportunities, as well as the salary range. Employers would also be forbidden to ask for the previous salary history of a prospective employee. This will give women leverage to advocate for themselves and ensure that they are not held back by previous wage discrimination.

The bill will also hold bad actors accountable, allowing anyone to take legal action if they believe their wage differential is based on sex. To be exempt, an employer would need to demonstrate a pay gap is based on seniority, merit, or a difference in quantity or quality of work.

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act passed the Colorado House of Representatives on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 40-to-21. For more information about the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085.

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Senate Clears Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Support School Principals

May 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 27-to-7 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1002, Leadership Professional Development for School Principals, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that would create the school leadership pilot program to provide professional development for school principals. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.

“Dissatisfaction with school leadership is the number one reason Colorado teachers leave their current schools, and it remains a contributing factor to the educator shortage facing our state,” said Senator Zenzinger. “This program will help principals foster great learning environments and positive school cultures, increasing teacher retention rates, improving student learning outcomes, and reducing Colorado’s educator shortage.”

HB19-1002 would provide professional development to school principals across the state through the creation of a three-year school leadership pilot program, ensuring they have the training they need to improve work environments and properly support teachers. The professional development program would focus on distributive and collaborative leadership skills with the goal of improving educator retention, school climate and culture, and student outcomes.  

For more information about HB19-1002, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1002. 

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