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Senator Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Increase Protections for Human Trafficking Victims Passes Committee
April 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to pass SB19-185, Protections for Minor Human Trafficking, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to increase protections for minors who are victims of human trafficking. The bill now heads to the Committee of Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
“This bill is about protecting some of our most vulnerable Coloradans – our children. I am proud to have bipartisan support on this important issue,” said Senator Fields. “While we need to do more to prevent human trafficking from taking place altogether, this bill provides training for law enforcement and creates a safe haven for victims so they can receive the treatment, care, and support they need.
SB19-185 would clarify the definition in the “Colorado Children’s Code” concerning victims of human traffick of a minor for involuntary servitude and for sexual servitude. It would also create immunity for a violation of a prostitution-related offense if probable cause exists to believe that a minor was a victim of either human trafficking of a minor for involuntary servitude or for sexual servitude.
“This bill goes a long way to achieving the beginning of a cultural shift in caring for the wellbeing of juvenile victims and survivors of human trafficking,” said Senator Paul Lundeen (R-Monument), a Senator co-sponsor.
The bill also requires a minor who engages in prostitution-related conduct to be referred to the county department of human or social services or child abuse. If a law enforcement officer encounters such a minor, and there is probable cause to believe that minor was a victim of human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, the officer shall report the suspected violation to the county department of human or social services or the child abuse hotline.
For more information on SB19-185, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-185.
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Senator Danielson’s Bill to Increase Voting Rights for Coloradans with Disabilities Unanimously Passes Senate Committee
April 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to pass SB19-202, Voting Rights for Voters With Disabilities, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Jefferson County) to increase ballot access for voters with disabilities. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“The right to vote is essential to our democracy – and no disability should prevent any Coloradan from exercising this right,” said Senator Danielson. “Although Colorado has the most inclusive and reliable voting system in the country, there are still improvements to make. This is an important step forward in extending voting rights to all Colorado citizens.”
The bill requires the Secretary of State to establish procedures to enable voters with disabilities to independently mark a paper ballot using non-visual or low-vision access technology. This would include voting at polling locations and for mail-in ballots.
“This measure is particularly important to blind and low-vision voters so that they have equal access to the polls and can vote a private ballot,” said Scott LaBarre with the National Federation of the Blind.
“Our democracy works best when everyone participates, and we need to do more to make voting more accessible to every Coloradan,” added Senator Danielson.
For more information on SB19-202, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-202.
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Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Passes Bill to Expand Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products to Women in Custody
April 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously voted to advance HB19-1224, Free Menstrual Hygiene Products in Custody, a bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) to provide free menstrual hygiene products to women in custody. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
“Women in custody should not be forced to barter for hygiene products or have to go without,” said Senator Winter. “This bill is about restoring dignity to women in Colorado, and making sure that women are treated with the respect they deserve.”
Currently, state prisons are already required to provide menstrual hygiene products. While some county jails provide limited menstrual hygiene products to people in custody, many still do not. This bill would require local jails, multijurisdictional jails, and municipal jails to provide such products to people in custody at no expense to the people in custody.
HB19-1224 passed the House of Representatives unanimously. For more information about the bill, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1224.
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Senator Bridges’ Bipartisan Electric Vehicle Bill Clears Senate
April 1, 2019
| Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 20-to-15 to pass HB19-1198, Electric Vehicle Grant Fund, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) to modify uses of the electric vehicle grant fund in order to encourage electric vehicle usage in Colorado. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. “Electric vehicles will play an important part in our efforts to combat climate change and protect our Colorado way of life,” said Senator Bridges. “By making our state friendlier to electric vehicles, more Coloradans will invest in them, helping to protect Colorado’s land, water, and air for generations to come.” HB19-1198 would allow the electric vehicle grant fund to be used to administer grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations as well as to offset station operating costs. It would allow the fund to prioritize grants based on criteria set by the Colorado energy office and would also require the fund’s money to be continuously appropriated to that office. The Colorado House of Representatives voted 39-23 to pass HB19-1198 on March 8, 2019. To learn more about HB19-1198, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1198. |
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Senator Winter’s Prescription Drug Transparency Bill Passes Senate
March 29, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate voted today 22-to-13 to pass HB19-1131, Prescription Drug Cost Education, a bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D- Westminster) to increase transparency on wholesale drug prices. The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.
“Drug prices continue to rise in Colorado, while patients have no idea or explanation from big pharmaceutical companies as to why they can no longer afford their medicine,” said Senator Winter. “We are working to create more transparency for Coloradans when it comes to the high price of lifesaving medications that too many are struggling to afford.”
HB19-1131 would require drug manufacturers and wholesalers to provide the wholesale acquisition cost of a prescription drug in writing to anyone who is receiving information about the drug. By doing so, this bill aims to inform everyone of the astounding difference in price between wholesale drugs and the costs paid by Colorado patients.
“We are working hard to offer more clarity and lower costs for Coloradans who rely on prescription drugs,” added Senator Winter. “This bill is a step toward better and more affordable healthcare in our state.”
To learn more about HB19-1131, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1131.
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Senator Rodriguez’s Bill to Reduce Exposure to Surgical Smoke Signed Into Law
March 29, 2019
Denver, CO – Governor Polis recently signed into law HB19-1041, Require Surgical Smoke Protection Policies, a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) to prevent human exposure to surgical smoke through the use of a surgical smoke evacuation system during any planned surgical procedure that is likely to generate surgical smoke.
“Surgical medical devices can emit harmful toxic gas, and enacting surgical smoke protection policies like this one will prevent these emissions in hospitals,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This bill will help keep patients and healthcare workers safe from harmful emissions from surgical equipment."
HB19-1041 will implement a surgical smoke evacuation system during any surgical procedure that is likely to generate surgical smoke. Surgical smoke contains toxic gases as well as microscopic particles that can elude surgical masks. These emissions have been shown to cause respiratory problems for those who inhale them.
“I’m pleased to be able to work with Representative Buckner on this bill to decrease the occupational hazards for surgical nurses and physicians,” added Senator Rodriguez. “I’d especially like to credit the nurses who brought this need to our attention during the last legislative session.”
HB19-1041, sponsored by Representative Janet Buckner (D-Arapahoe), passed the Colorado House of Representatives by a vote of 53-11 on January 28, 2019. It passed the Colorado State Senate by a vote of 34-1 on March 14, 2019.
To learn more about HB19-1041, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1041.
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Colorado State Senate Passes Lifesaving Extreme Risk Protection Order Bill
March 28, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 18-to-17 to pass HB19-1177, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, a bill sponsored by Senators Lois Court (D-Denver) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that will save lives by allowing family members and law enforcement to request a court order to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is deemed a danger to themselves or to others. The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.
“After years of working to pass similar legislation, I am proud that the Senate has finally voted to advance a commonsense gun safety bill that will ultimately save the lives of Coloradans and law enforcement officers,” said Senator Court. “Thoughts and prayers don’t save lives, but extreme risk protection orders will, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
“This bill is supported by an overwhelming majority of Coloradans, and outside of this building, it is not controversial,” said Senator Pettersen. “We passed this bill and did what is right for our law enforcement, domestic violence survivors, our kids who just want to feel safe when they go to school, and the countless family members who have lost someone to unnecessary gun violence.”
HB19-1177 is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III who was killed on duty in 2017 by an individual whose mental health concerns were well-known to others around him. This legislation would give law enforcement and family members the opportunity to seek a temporary order for someone who appears at risk of dangerous behavior.
To successfully block firearm access, a petitioner would have to demonstrate a preponderance of evidence that the individual poses a significant threat to themselves or others by possessing a firearm. After a petition is filed, a court would place a temporary order for up to two weeks until a hearing determines whether a full protection order is appropriate. A full protection order could then be approved for up to 364 days.
In addition to hours of debate in committee and on the Senate floor, this bill also went through an extensive stakeholder process with feedback from law enforcement, mental health and gun violence prevention advocates, and legislators. It passed the Colorado House of Representatives on third reading 38-to-25. If passed and signed into law, Colorado would be the 15th state to enact ERPO legislation.
For more information on HB19-1177, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1177.
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Senate Votes to Advance FY 2019-2020 Budget
March 28, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate voted today 29-6 to pass the FY 2019-2020 Long Bill on third reading. The budget will now head to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“A budget is a reflection of our state’s values, and I believe we can confidently say to any Coloradan, in every corner of the state, that this budget has victories for everyone,” said President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I am so grateful to the members of the Joint Budget Committee who worked tirelessly for months on this budget and had to make some very difficult decisions to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and in the best interests of all Coloradans.”
“Shortly after November’s election, the Joint Budget Committee went to work – dedicating months to figuring out what in the budget works, what does not, and what we need to prioritize in order to get to where we are today,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “While there is still more work to do, I’m proud that we were able to open up the budget process to the public, incorporate bipartisan amendments, and stand up for our priorities. I am confident that when the process is over, this budget will help our state thrive.”
“Writing the budget was very difficult, but it is the best piece of legislation that I have ever had the honor of working on,” said JBC Member Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This budget, which passed with bipartisan support, represents a process of negotiation, accommodation, and collaboration. It not only sets a prudent foundation for Colorado’s prosperity, but it tells the story of how Colorado at her best gets the job done. We fiercely stand for our independent values while constructively standing together for our shared future.”
“I want to thank our members of the Joint Budget Committee who work on the budget every single day. We still have work to do, but I am extremely proud of this budget and the priorities we will deliver to the people of Colorado” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder).
The version of the bill passed by the Senate contains eight amendments, including J.072, a compromise between Democrats and Republicans to increase transportation funding. The other amendments that passed include J.054, J.061, J.046, J.053, J.038, J.044, and J.062. To learn more about the long bill and the amendments that were adopted, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-207.
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JBC Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger's Remarks Ahead of Passage of the Budget
March 28, 2019
Denver, CO – Joint Budget Committee Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Aravada) today delivered the following remarks ahead of the passage of the state's budget:
As you know, this is my first year on the Joint Budget Committee. When I was selected for the job, everyone told me what power I was going to have. “The all powerful JBC” kind of like the Wizard of Oz, or the captain of the ship of state. What they don’t know, is that the power of the captain is nothing compared to the power of the sea. The reality of the budget is a vast and treacherous ocean. It has its own life and the Captain does not choose where the rocks and reefs will be. Our job is to watch for storms ahead and chart the best possible course we can through the waves. And of course they never really give you the keys to the ship. They give you this tiny dingy running out ahead, and I share it with five other captains.
But it’s been an incredible experience and has shown me the best of what a deliberative body can aspire to be. This budget is a statement of priorities and principles, and it does not reflect a dictum, but a dialog. This budget contains the reasoned and shared values of many distinct viewpoints. It is not the exact plan any of one of us would have arrived at on our own, because it is not a plan for being alone—our budget necessarily speaks to what we can do together. This is Colorado saying who we are and what we want to be, and what we are willing to invest to achieve it.
I am grateful for the work of my colleagues on the panel, and for the dedication of the departments. I am endlessly amazed by the talent of our nonpartisan JBC staff who truly give their lives to this work, and I am so proud that this year for the first time we opened the doors of the committee chamber and let in the voices of the public to share their stories and their authentic will for the stewardship of their tax dollars. Getting here took the effort, both of our members from my side of the aisle (South of 14th Avenue), and here on the other side of the aisle (North of 14th Avenue).
Working between the buildings, between the chambers, and between the floors, we have created the space for full day kindergarten while paying down the negative factor. We increased higher education funding and greatly improved transportation funding. We have added judges and state troopers. We helped veterans and seniors, our families and our children, our sick and our troubled, our farms and our cities alike, and we honored the Constitution by balancing our budget within the resources we have.
There was no magic to getting it done. I know we were creative. I think at times we were clever. But I don’t think we were ever geniuses. We got there through hard and sometimes painful ways. We cut in places deeper than we would have wanted to. We deferred projects we would have rather see done. There were moments when I looked at priorities I have fought for and realized I was going to be the one to tell myself no. We all let go of pieces that would just not fit the puzzle, but in the end 32.2 Billion pieces came together.
56 Capital maintenance projects were approved. There was a 3% raise for State employees. We increased provider rates by at least 1%. We provided $1 Million for family planning.
The budget you have before you represents a process of negotiation, accommodation, and collaboration. It not only sets a prudent foundation for Colorado’s prosperity, but it tells the story of how Colorado at her best gets the job done. We fiercely stand for our independent values while constructively standing together for our shared future.
On this, the hardest, best piece of legislation it has ever been my honor to work upon, I ask for an aye vote on Senate Bill 207.
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Senate Advances Bipartisan Budget Deal on Second Reading
March 27, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today agreed upon a deal to advance SB19-207, also known as the FY 2019-2020 Long Bill (and more simply, the budget), on second reading. The bill will now be heard on third reading in the Senate.
“This is exactly how the Senate is supposed to function,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I applaud legislators on both sides of the aisle for working to find common ground as we determine how to appropriate the money in Colorado’s budget. “
“This was a big moment for the Joint Budget Committee and the Senate,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “While there is still a great deal of work to be done to balance the budget considering the amendments that were adopted, we are open to discussing ways to do so that incorporate some of the different priorities that we heard this afternoon.”
“After many months of hard work on this budget, I am proud that we were able to bring everyone together to have important conversations about how to make our legislative priorities a reality,” said JBC Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This just goes to show that when we stick to the process and work hard, we can pass a budget that’s good for our state in both the short and long term.”
“I’m proud that we advanced our state’s budget today and avoided the Republican obstructionist tactics that we’ve been subjected to over the past few weeks,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg.
The adopted bill contains eight amendments, including J.072, a compromise between Democrats and Republicans to increase transportation funding. The other amendments that passed include J.054, J.061, J.046, J.053, J.038, J.044, and J.062. To learn more about the long bill and the amendments that were adopted, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-207.
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Committee Moves Senator Bridges’ Bipartisan Electric Vehicle Bill Forward
March 26, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today voted 4-to-1 to pass HB19-1198, Electric Vehicle Grant Fund, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Arapahoe County) to modify uses of the electric vehicle grant fund in order to encourage electric vehicle usage in Colorado. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
“We need to protect our Colorado land, water, and air,” said Senator Bridges. “That means making critical investments in electric vehicles. Increasing the number of electric vehicles on our roads will cut down on pollution and help to protect our Colorado way of life for generations to come.”
HB19-1198 would allow the electric vehicle grant fund to be used to administer grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations as well as to offset station operating costs. It would allow the fund to prioritize grants based on criteria set by the Colorado energy office and would also require the fund’s money to be continuously appropriated to that office.
The Colorado House of Representatives voted 39-to-23 to pass HB19-1198 on March 8, 2019.To learn more about HB19-1198, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1198.
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Senate Passes Warranty of Habitability Legislation
March 26, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-13 (1 excused) to advance HB19-1170, Residential Tenants Health and Safety Act, a bill sponsored by Senators Angela Williams (D-Denver) and Jeff Bridges (D-Arapahoe County) to protect renters whose landlords are slow to fix vital repairs, putting the health and safety of their tenants at risk. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.
“It is clear that our current warranty of habitability statutes are not sufficient when it comes to protecting tenants from retaliation or protecting the health and safety of Colorado renters,” said Senator Williams. “Colorado increasingly has more renters than homeowners, and this bill will help hold landlords accountable while reducing the burden on tenants.”
“The need for this legislation was never clearer than when I had to go door-to-door this past October because the heat went out in an apartment complex in my district during one of the coldest weekends of the year,” said Senator Bridges. “This legislation is about making sure tenants who are spending money on rent are actually getting the basic necessities that they are paying for.”
HB19-1170 would give renters greater control when facing problems like insect infestations and maintenance issues. The legislation would require landlords to house tenants in a comparable unit or pay to have them moved while repairs are underway. It would also allow tenants to more easily withhold rent if repairs are not made, while giving landlords a time limit on making such repairs.
To learn more about HB19-1170, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1170.
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Bill to Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs for Coloradans Passes Senate
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate recently voted 20-to-14 (with 1 excused) to pass 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. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
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 shouldn't have to skip meals, decrease dosages, or cut pills in half to be able to afford the medication they need,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Many Americans are already importing prescription drugs illegally from Canada because they are so much cheaper. This legislation will set up a program that makes sure people have access to safe, affordable prescription medications.”
“Voters made it clear that lowering the cost of healthcare should be a top priority, and I am proud to sponsor such important legislation that will ultimately save Coloradans money on the medicines they need,” said Senator Ginal. “Importing prescription drugs from Canada is an innovative, safe way to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.”
SB19-005 will require the department of health care policy and financing 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.
“This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue as we’ve seen other states - both red and blue - carry similar legislation. This is about making medications more available to the people who need them,” added Senator Ginal.
For more information on SB19-005, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-005.
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Donovan talks Red Flag bill
This article ran in The Mountain Mail on March 25, 2019. You can find the article here.
Photo 1: State Sen. Kerry Donovan speaks to a large crowd Saturday at Soulcraft Brewing. Donovan discussed several bills the Colorado Legislature is working on at the town hall meeting. Photo 2: It was a standing-room-only crowd Saturday at Soulcraft Brewing. Donovan began the meeting by apologizing for misrepresenting a letter from Chaffee County’s commissioners and Sheriff John Spezze about the state’s Extreme Risk Protection Order, also known as the “Red Flag” gun bill (Photo by Cody Olivas).
A crowd that could barely fit into Soulcraft Brewing showed up Saturday for state Sen. Kerry Donovan’s town hall meeting.
Donovan (D-Vail) represents Senate District 5, which includes Chaffee County.
Many of the audience members wanted to discuss the Extreme Risk Protection Order, also known as the “Red Flag” gun bill, which Donovan said she voted for on Friday.
The legislation would allow a Colorado judge to order the firearms of a person deemed a risk to themselves or others to be temporarily seized if a family member or law enforcement agent petitioned the court.
Donovan began the discussion by apologizing for mischaracterizing a letter sent to her from Chaffee County’s commissioners and Sheriff John Spezze the day before when the legislation was being discussed, saying erroneously that the county supported it.
She said the letter flagged several concerns but didn’t state a clear position.
Spezze said he’s opposed to the bill and would provide Donovan with a new position letter.
Commissioner Greg Felt apologized for not being clearer when he wrote the letter, saying he took a “nuanced” approach to an issue with a lot of nuance in it. He added that he opposes the bill since they found 14 flaws in it and asked if there was a way to slow it down.
Donovan said she expected the bill to pass and said the next move would be to approach Gov. Jared Polis and persuade him to veto it.
Donovan also discussed some of the other bills she’s working on.
She said she’s working on two broadband bills. One would require entities receiving money from the state to be net neutral, and the second bill would look for ways to build up redundancy, including using infrastructure already in place. She said she expects the net neutrality bill to pass while work is still being done on the other broadband bill.
Two other bills she said she’s working on deal with health care.
One bill would use reinsurance, which is basically insurance for insurance companies, which she said could drop rates by 23 percent. The second health care bill would create a state-backed public option, addressing the lack of competition in the exchange, but is likely two or three years away, she said.
She also said she’s writing a “fun bill” that would create a permanent display for the state constitution in the Capitol. The state constitution is currently at the Colorado History Museum.
She also said she’s looking into the changing job market and how to help people working at jobs that don’t have retirement plans.
Climate change has also been discussed a lot this session, Donovan said, and one bill just passed out of the first committee would have the Air Quality Control Commission use authority it already has to measure gases on a regular basis. Then, every five years, the commission would provide a forecast, helping the state increase its data on the issue.
Donovan also said she’s in favor of a national popular vote because Colorado is becoming less of a swing state in presidential elections, noting that President Trump hasn’t visited Colorado to try to win votes here. “I feel like individual votes would count more,” she said.
An audience member asked her about Senate Bill 19-181, which concerns energy development.
Donovan said she supported the bill and noted that there isn’t a lot of oil and gas development in Senate District No. 5, and the oil and gas industry had added five amendments to the bill.
Senate Unanimously Clears Senator Zenzinger’s Bill to Support Motorcyclists
March 25, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 34-0 (with 1 excused) to advance SB19-144, Motorcyclists and Malfunctioning Traffic Signals, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to give greater flexibility to motorcyclists on Colorado roads. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“Motorcyclists are some of our most vulnerable drivers on the road, and I have heard from many constituents about how this problem affects them,” said Senator Zenzinger. “My bill passed with bipartisan support because it’s a commonsense measure that will clarify the rules of the road for motorcyclists and keep Colorado’s roads safer.”
Some traffic signals, in particular “inductive loop” signals, fail to detect the presence of a motorcycle. SB19-144 would allow motorcycle drivers to treat the signal in the same manner as a stop sign when the signal fails to recognize them.To learn more about SB19-144, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-144.
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Senate Passes Senator Fields’ Bill to Provide More Mental Health Professionals in Schools
March 25, 2019
Denver, CO– The Colorado State Senate recently voted 22-to-8 (5 absent) to pass SB19-010, Professional Behavioral Health Services For Schools, a bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) that would put more mental health professionals in schools to support the needs of students across Colorado. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“Our children are suffering, so much so that some decide to take their own life, and the lack of support in our schools is unacceptable,” said Senator Fields. “Our children can thrive if we make mental health resources more robust and accessible, and this bill is an important step towards ensuring we support children’s mental health needs.”
This bill will put more mental health professionals in schools to support the needs of students across Colorado by building on the success of an existing program that allows schools to use grant funding to contract with providers. Those funds would be used to provide students a range of mental and behavioral health treatments including counseling, therapy, and trainings for staff. Schools would be prioritized based on demonstrated need for mental and behavioral health professionals.
SB19-010 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on January 17, 2019 by a vote of 4-1. It later passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 19, 2019 by a vote of 7-3.
For more information on SB19-010, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-010.
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Statement of Senators Court and Pettersen on Second Reading Passage of Life-Saving Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Legislation
March 22, 2019
Denver, CO -- After nearly 12 hours of debate, the Colorado State Senate today voted to advance HB19-1177, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, a bill sponsored by Senators Lois Court (D-Denver) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that will protect Coloradans and save lives by creating a way to act before warning signs escalate into tragedies, to a third and final reading in the Senate. In response, Senators Court and Pettersen released the following statements:
“Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) will save lives by keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are at risk of harming themselves and others,” said Senator Court. “Despite obstructionist tactics deployed by Republicans to slow down the process after hours of debate, we were able to move this life-saving legislation forward. The goal for Republicans has never been to develop good policy, it has been to obstruct the legislative process. But Democrats are here to do the work, and I am confident this valuable legislation will become law.”
“While we were debating this life-saving legislation, I was devastated to find out that a Parkland survivor recently took her own life. It is unacceptable to continue to do nothing,” said Senator Petterson. “I grew up in Colorado, I was at Chatfield High School when the Columbine shooting happened, my brother took his own life, and I am sick of seeing gun-related tragedy after gun-related tragedy. This legislation will save lives and I am proud that we are one step closer to it become law.”
For more information about HB19-1177, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1177.
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Senate Passes Bill to Protect and Provide Relief to Coloradans with Student Loan Debt
March 25, 2019
Denver, CO –The Colorado State Senate recently voted 21-to-9 (5 absent) to pass SB19-002, Regulate Student Education Loan Servicers, a priority bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) to protect student loan borrowers in Colorado by regulating companies that service student loans and creating a student loan ombudsman to investigate complaints and provide assistance and education to borrowers. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Student loan companies often take advantage of borrowers by charging excessive fees and not disclosing important information about their loans. The result? There are more than 765,000 student loan borrowers in Colorado who have an outstanding debt of over $26 billion.
“The state regulates and licenses about every other form of debt, but not student loan debt,” said Senator Winter. “We believe that Coloradans with student loan debt should have the same protections that other consumers with debt have. While that has not been the case, we believe that this legislation is a commonsense solution that will make sure that people with student loan debt get treated fairly.”
“Student loans have become a serious burden on hundreds of thousands of Coloradans, stifling our state’s economic growth and limiting a generation’s ability to have children and buy homes,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “It is time for us to protect student loan borrowers and allow them to focus on their education and careers, rather than worrying about being taken advantage of.”
This bill would regulate companies that service student loans and create a student loan ombudsman to investigate complaints and provide assistance and education to borrowers.
For more information on SB19-002, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-002.
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Senator Zenzinger Passes Several Priority Bills This Week
Denver, CO – Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) had an incredibly busy and productive week at the Colorado State Capitol, passing several major bills either in committee or on the Senate floor. Those bills include:
SB19-102, Innovation School Operating As A Community School, a bill that would allow a public school to include operation as a community school in its innovation plan, making it eligible for billions of dollars in federal funding. The bill passed the Senate on March 19th and heads to Governor Polis for signature. Read more here.
SB19-003, Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, passed on second reading on March 21st with bipartisan support, is a creative solution to address our educator shortage in Colorado. The bill will offer educators that agree to teach in a shortage area and/or content area up to $5,000 in student loan forgiveness. This is a creative solution that districts with shortages can use to help recruit educators to these critical shortage areas. Read more here.
HB19-1007, Contribution Limits For County Offices, which passed on second reading on March 21st, will require campaign contribution limits for county candidates. This bill will help level the playing field for candidates for county office. Contribution limits are important for preserving the integrity of our electoral process, they keep candidates accountable, and they help prevent the appearance of impropriety. Read more here.
HB19-1166, Name-based Criminal History Record Checks, a bill that will add require a person to submit a name-based criminal history record check when the fingerprint-based check reveals a record of arrest but does not show a disposition in the case. The bill passed on Second Reading and is scheduled for a Third Reading in the coming days. Read more here.
SB19-144, Motorcyclists And Malfunctioning Traffic Signals, a bill that would allow motorcycles to proceed through a red light if a sensor isn’t working or if the light is malfunctioning. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee on March 19th and now heads to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Read more here.
SB19-194, National Guard Tuition Assistance Colorado State University Global, a bill that would add 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. Read more here.
The Joint Budget Committee recently completed negotiations on the budget recently and approved the “Long Bill” package for introduction. Read morehere.
The Senate Appropriations Committee, which Senator Zenzinger chairs, also recently passed several priority bills for the Colorado Senate Democrats. Read more here.
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Senator Donovan’s Bill to Deregulate Farm Stands and Support Agricultural Operations Unanimously Passes the Senate, Heads to Governor
March 21, 2019
Denver CO -- The Colorado State Senate recently voted unanimously to pass HB19-1191, Allow Farm Stands On Any Size Principal Use Site, a bill sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) that would support the agricultural industry and small businesses by deregulating where farm stands can operate. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.
“I am a proud rancher, but too much unnecessary regulation prohibits many farms and ranches from selling what they produce,” said Senator Donovan. “This legislation will support those small businesses and let locals buy directly from the farm or ranch.”
In many jurisdictions across the state, a farm stand is not permitted to operate if located on a principal use site that is smaller than a certain acreage size. This bill would removes unnecessary regulation and allow local farmers and ranchers more freedom to sell what they produce.
“The men and women of Colorado’s agricultural industry are some of the hardest working individuals in the state, and we need to do more to ensure their businesses and families can thrive,” added Senator Donovan.
For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1191.
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