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Senate Committee Advances Senator Williams’ Bill to Protect Colorado Renters
April 9, 2019
Denver, CO – Yesterday, the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee voted 4-to-1 to advance HB19-1118, Time Period to Cure Lease Violations, a bill sponsored by Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver) that would increase the amount of time a tenant has to cure a lease violation before their landlord terminates the lease. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
“The cost of living continues to climb and more hardworking Colorado families are struggling to make ends meet. No one should have to choose between paying for a prescription, putting food on the table, or making rent,” said Senator Williams. “This bill will protect renters by extending the grace period for minimal lease violations, giving tenants a longer period of time to resolve any issues before a landlord seeks eviction.”
Landlords are currently required to provide a tenant three days to cure a violation for unpaid rent or any other condition of a lease agreement, other than a substantial violation, before the landlord can initiate eviction proceedings. Existing law also requires three days' notice prior to a tenancy being terminated for a subsequent violation of a condition or covenant of a lease agreement.
HB19-1118 would increase the amount of time required to cure a violation for unpaid rent from three to 10 days before the landlord can terminate the lease and initiate eviction proceedings. The increase would also impact that amount of time to cure a first violation of any other condition or covenant of a lease agreement, other than a substantial violation.
For more information on HB19-1118, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1118.
Dependent Care Expenses Bill Passes Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee
April 8, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted 3-to-2 to pass SB19-229, Campaign Contributions Dependent Care Expenses, a bill sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Mike Foote (D-Lafayette) to reimburse candidates for dependent care costs shouldered during their campaigns. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
“We know that our democracy works best when we have a diversity of views and backgrounds at the table,” said Senator Winter. “I have spent 14 years recruiting women to run for office, and oftentimes the first question asked is 'Can I have a family and do this?' This bill makes it easier for parents to run for office.”
“Colorado is better off when those who are suited for office can run regardless of circumstance,” said Senator Foote. “By mitigating the burden of dependent care expenses on the campaign trail, we can encourage more parents to run for office. Parents understand the issues facing families and can help find solutions to improve the lives of Coloradans across this state.”
SB19-229 would allow a candidate committee to spend money received during the campaign to reimburse a candidate who spent necessary funds caring for their children while on the campaign trail. The funds being reimbursed must have been directly connected to campaign activities. Campaign expenses linked to dependent care must be disclosed by a candidate committee along with their other expenditures.
“As parents, we understand the difficulty of raising young children and running for office, and we know this bill will make a real difference,” said the Senate sponsors.For more information on SB19-229, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-229.
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Senator Moreno’s Bill to Support Refugee Services Program Passes Senate Committee
April 8, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today voted 3-to-2 to advance SB19-230, Colorado Refugee Services Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to codify the Colorado refugee services program. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
“Our state has a proud history of supporting refugee resettlement. Families come to us from across the world to escape persecution and tragedy, bringing with them a unique perspective and different backgrounds that make Colorado stronger,” said Senator Moreno. “The Colorado Refugee Services Program is an important part of this process, and I’m proud we are taking steps to update and codify it for the future. This is how we will continue to support refugees and help them find safety and comfort as they integrate into Colorado.”
This bill establishes the Colorado Refugee Services Program in the Department of Human Services and designates it as the agency responsible for the development, review, and administration of the state plan. The program must be include certain services and assistance for refugees, and may provide additional services and assistance to support refugee resettlement and integration. The General Assembly can appropriate money to the department for the administration of the program.
For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-230.
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Senator Rodriguez’s Bipartisan Bill to Ban the Box on College Applications Unanimously Passes Colorado State Senate
April 8, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to advance SB19-170, Inquiry Into College Applicant Criminal History, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) that would prohibit colleges and universities from asking applicants about their criminal or disciplinary histories. The bill now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
“A college degree is important in today’s world, and we want to make sure that every Coloradan who applies to college is judged on their merits, not their past mistakes,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Banning the box on college applications will allow colleges and universities to fairly examine each application and increase opportunity for everyone, particularly children of color, LGBTQ youth, and students living in poverty.”
Nearly 90 percent of colleges rely on information about applicants’ disciplinary pasts, including K-12 suspensions and expulsions, to make their admissions decisions. SB19-170 would end that practice and help institutions of higher education get a full picture of each student rather than immediately disqualifying someone with a childhood record.SB19-170 would include an exception for convictions or disciplinary actions related to stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence. For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-170.
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Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Lee’s Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Monetary Bail
April 8, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1225, No Monetary Bail For Certain Low-level Offenses. This bill, sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D-El Paso County), would end the requirement for cash bail in Colorado for certain low-level offenses. The bill is now headed to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.
“Our bail system is unfair to many offenders who are not a danger to our communities, but who have to remain in jail because they can’t afford even minimal cash bail,” said Senator Lee. “This change is a crucial part of making our criminal justice system more equitable for all Coloradans.”
HB19-1225 would remove the monetary bond requirement for petty offenses, unclassified offenses, and Class 3 misdemeanors, with several specific exceptions. Defendants would still be allowed to choose to post monetary bail for pretrial release as long as they are aware they would be released regardless if willing to wait for a bond hearing.
“Not every low-level offender or traffic violator has the means to pay their way out of jail. This bill will help reduce incarceration among Coloradans who have not yet been found guilty of anything,” added Senator Lee.To learn more about the details of this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1225.
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General Assembly Approves President Garcia’s Study to Investigate Investor-Owned Utilities Energy Choices
Denver, CO -- The Legislative Council Committee recently approved a request by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to convene the “Investor-Owned Utility Review Interim Study Committee” to investigate rates, reliability, and energy choice during the interim between the 2019 and 2020 legislative sessions. The interim study committee will then present three bills to address the issues it studies.
“Many Coloradans, particularly those in southern Colorado, pay far too much for energy and we do not fully understand why rates are so high,” said President Garcia. “I have worked all session on legislation to put the interests of ratepayers, not investor-owned utilities first, and I am confident that this interim study committee will be able to find solutions to the high cost of electricity and bring much needed relief to ratepayers across the state.”
The interim study committee would meet two times to investigate the programs and practices of electric investor-owned utilities (IOU) in Colorado with a particular focus on issues involving consumer choice and affordability in electric supply including:
- The IOU’s administration of energy assistance programs and the sufficiency of those programs based on best practices;
- The IOU’s administration of time-of-day or time-of-use metering programs, including pilot programs;
- Whether an audit of any IOU consumer program is warranted and, if so, to formulate the document to request the audit;
- What new or augmented reports an IOU should be required to provide the commission or the General Assembly; and
- The role of the community aggregated choice in the consumer price of energy.
The committee will consist of six members of the General Assembly and eight non-legislative members. The legislative members will include three Senators, two selected by the Senate President and one selected by the Senate Minority Leader, and three Representatives, two selected by the House Speaker and one selected by the House Minority Leader.
The interim study committee will leverage the expertise of eight non-voting individuals with experience in the space. These eight non-legislative members will be appointed by the Senate President by June 30, 2019, as follows:
- A representative of investor-owned utilities;
- A member of the legal staff of the Public Utilities Commission or the Colorado Attorney General’s Office;
- A member of the City Council of a city served by an IOU;
- A County Commissioner of a county served by an IOU;
- A representative from the Office of Consumer Counsel; and
- Three geographically diverse citizens.
Senate Passes Senator Fields’ Bill to Protect Minors from Human Trafficking
April 5, 2019
Denver CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 33-0 with 2 excused to pass SB19-185, Protections for Minor Human Trafficking, a bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to increase protections for minors who are victims of human trafficking and increase penalties for human traffickers. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“My heart breaks for victims of human trafficking, but today I am proud of our bipartisan effort to help them. This bill went through an extensive stakeholder process because it’s so important to get the policy right here, and I’m confident that we did,” said Senator Fields. “By coming together in the Senate to pass this bill, Colorado is taking this critical step forward in our attempt to combat this atrocious practice and protect young children.”
SB19-185 would clarify the definition in the “Colorado Children’s Code” concerning victims of human trafficking 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 is an issue that I've been working on every year of the five years I have served in the General Assembly. The tremendous support for this bill proves that this is not a Republican or Democratic issue – this is a human rights issue,” said Senate co-sponsor Paul Laundeen (R-Monument). "We need to do our best to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, and passing this bill is a step in that direction."
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 this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-185.
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Automatic Voter Registration Bill Introduced in Senate
April 5, 2019
Denver CO – The Colorado State Senate yesterday introduced SB19-235, Automatic Voter Registration, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) to automatically register voters in Colorado. It will first be heard in the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee.
"The right to vote and participate in our democracy is fundamental to this country's success," said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. "By expanding our Automatic Voter Registration program, we can increase the accessibility of our elections to thousands of Coloradans across the state and ensure their voices are heard throughout the political process."
“Colorado has the best election laws in the country, but we can still do more to protect and expand voting rights for all Coloradans,” said Senator Danielson. “Automatic voter registration is the next commonsense step we can take to make our electoral processes more inclusive.”
To automatically register voters, the Department of Revenue would transfer the electronic record of all eligible residents who apply for or seek renewals or corrections of their Colorado driver’s license or identification card. The records would be reviewed and the resident would receive a notice of voter registration. They could then decline or choose to affiliate with a party, but if they do not decline within 20 days they would be automatically registered to vote. A similar process would be conducted by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for Medicaid application records.
This legislation is one of many this session that are aimed at improving Colorado’s electoral process. In addition to SB19-235, Senator Danielson is also sponsoring SB19-202, Voting Rights for Voters with Disabilities, which would increase ballot access for Coloradans with disabilities.
To learn more about SB19-235, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-235.
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Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Give Women in Custody Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products
April 5, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate 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 Governor Jared Polis’ desk for his signature.
“Allowing women in custody to access menstrual hygiene products is a basic and necessary human right,” said Senator Winter. “I am pleased that the Senate could come together and take this step to prevent negative health outcomes while treating women with dignity and respect.”
Colorado state prisons are already required to provide menstrual hygiene products, but while some county jails provide limited menstrual hygiene products to people in custody, many still do not. This bill will 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 and represents a bipartisan effort to provide better support to women in custody.For more information about the bill, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1224.
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Senate Education Committee Advances Bill to Prepare Colorado’s Future Teachers
April 5, 2019
Denver, CO - The Senate Education Committee yesterday voted 4-to-0 to pass SB19-190, Teacher Preparation Program Support, a bill sponsored by Senator Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) to create the “Growing Great Teachers Act” to prepare more Coloradans for the experience of teaching in our public schools. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“As a former teacher myself, I know how critical hands-on training can be, and I am proud of our bipartisan effort to prepare Colorado’s next generation of educators,” said Senator Todd. “We need to make sure that every teacher is adequately prepared to provide the best possible education to our children, and this bill will help prepare the future teachers of our state to teach in the real world by training in a real-world setting.”
SB19-190 would allow institutions of higher education to offer approved educator preparation programs or alternative teacher programs through a contract with the Department of Higher Education. These programs must include strong partnerships with local school districts and offer a full year of financially supported student teaching with a credentialed veteran educator. The bill also creates the Classroom Residency Design Grant Program.
“The Growing Great Teachers Act will innovate our current education programs and equip our future educators with all the tools they need to become excellent teachers after they graduate,” added Senator Todd.
Under this legislation, the veteran instructor must hold a master’s certificate from the Department of Education and will be offered a stipend of at least $2,000 during the year of mentorship. The Department of Education will collaborate with the Department of Higher Education to endorse potential mentor teachers overseeing teacher candidates.
For more on SB19-190, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-190.
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President Garcia’s Bill to Benefit Disabled First Responders Passes Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
April 4, 2019
Denver, CO — The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted today unanimously to pass HB19-1080, Benefits for First Responders With A Disability, a bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to offer disabled first responders free access to certain outdoor activities. The bill will now head to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
“Our first responders make sacrifices every day to keep Coloradans safe and we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who have suffered a permanent disability on the job,” said President Garcia. “The least we can do for Colorado’s first responders is make it easier for them enjoy Colorado’s outdoor spaces.”
HB19-1080 is a bipartisan bill that would grant first responders with a permanent occupational disability free lifetime small game hunting and fishing licenses. The bill would also give eligible responders a free columbine annual pass for entrance into state parks and the option to participate in a property tax work-off program.
“As a veteran and a nationally registered paramedic, I am incredibly grateful to first responders who have suffered a permanent occupational disability in the line of duty,” added President Garcia. “This is just a small way for us to show them we are thankful for their service.”To learn more about HB19-1080, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1080.
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Colorado Senate Passes Equal Pay for Equal Work Act
April 4, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 20-to-14 to pass 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 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“This monumental day is long overdue. After working on equal pay legislation for years, I am so proud to see this bill pass the Senate and move closer to becoming law in Colorado,” said Senator Danielson. “Every day, I look at my daughter Isabelle and think about what her life will look like when she enters the workforce. Without action, the gender wage gap won’t close until she’s in her forties. This legislation will even the playing field and make sure Isabelle and all women across Colorado are paid the same as men for the same work.”
“Women are more likely to be paid less from the get-go, and you would be hard-pressed to find a woman in Colorado who hasn’t been affected by the wage gap,” said Senator Pettersen. “This bill is about creating economic fairness by changing the conversation and process to ensure we finally close the pay gap in Colorado. We know that the federal law is inadequate and we must act at the state level. I am proud to see the equal pay act pass the Senate.”
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 would set 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. These provisions of the bill will give women leverage to advocate for themselves and ensure that they are not held back by previous wage discrimination.
The bill would 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.
For more information about the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085.
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Senator Bridges’ Bipartisan Bills to Support Students Pursuing Postsecondary Degrees and Course Credit Passes Committee
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Senate Education Committee today voted to advance two bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that would provide academic supports and greater opportunity for students pursuing advanced education: SB19-176, Expanding Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities, and HB19-1206, Higher Education Supplemental Academic Instruction.
SB19-176 would expand opportunities for students to earn postsecondary course credit while enrolled in high school. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“This bill will help reduce student debt by making sure that every kid in Colorado can earn college credit in high school. It either helps them get to a degree faster, which means less money, or it ensures they are ready to take on a good paying job right out of high school,” said Senator Bridges.
HB19-1206 would address equity gaps in higher education by ensuring more students have access to supplemental academic instruction. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously and now heads to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
“You shouldn’t have to pay for college classes that don’t count towards a college degree. Both bills make sure that students save time and money earning and ensure that every student, no matter where they come from, has a fair shot at success," added Senator Bridges.
For more information on these bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-176 and https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1206.
Bill to Protect At-Risk Seniors Passes Senate Health and Human Services Committee
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today voted 5-0 to pass SB19-172, Protect from Unlawful Abandonment and Confinement, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Senator Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) to protect at-risk adults from abuse and neglect. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“It is heartbreaking to see some of the most vulnerable Coloradans suffering, and this measure will protect seniors and people with disabilities from some really horrific treatment,” said Senator Danielson. “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools to crack down on abuse and neglect.”
“Abandonment and confinement are inhumane and no one, especially not seniors and people with disabilities, should ever be subject to either of these crimes,” said Senator Ginal. “Every person should be treated with dignity, and we need to ensure that law enforcement are aware of the signs and have the means to take action against these heinous crimes.”
Currently, law enforcement cannot prosecute the types of abuse that the bill covers - abandonment and confinement - because they are not yet defined as crimes. The act properly defines these crimes in order to protect senior citizens, disabled adults, and other at-risk Coloradans from abuse.
The bill defines unlawful abandonment as purposeful desertion of an at-risk person. Unlawful confinement is defined as tying, locking up, caging, chaining, or otherwise unreasonably restricting an at-risk person’s movement.
For more information on SB19-172, please visithttps://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-172.
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Senator Lee’s Bill Creating a Mental Health Pilot Program Passes Senate Committee
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted 4-to-0 to pass HB19-1160, Mental Health Facility Pilot Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D- El Paso County). HB19-1160 would create a pilot program to provide mental health services to Coloradans. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“It is clear that our current mental health treatment model is not successfully nor comprehensively treating people with physical and mental health needs,” said Senator Lee. “We need to examine new ways to provide people the care they need. This bill will do that by creating a three year pilot program to offer Coloradans treatment that meets their physical and mental healths needs and by doing this we will increase their quality of life.”
The three year pilot program established under HB19-1160 would to provide long term residential care, treatment, and services to Coloradans with both a mental and physical health diagnoses. The program would provide individuals with dual diagnoses a variety of services for a lower cost than current mental health services, effectively closing the existing gap in care and significantly improving the quality of life for those in treatment.
For more information on HB19-1160, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1160.
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Senator Rodriguez’s Bill to Ban the Box on College Applications Unanimously Passes Senate Education Committee
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee today unanimously voted to advance SB19-170, Inquiry Into College Applicant Criminal History. The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver), would prohibit colleges and universities from asking applicants about their criminal or disciplinary histories. The bill now moves to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
“Every Coloradan deserves a fair shot at success, and many times that means access to an advanced education. But too many Coloradans don’t get that shot at a bright future because of past mistakes that resulted in disciplinary action,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Banning the box on college applications will help many hardworking students clear a hurdle that many face through no fault of their own.”
Currently, 89 percent of colleges use information about applicants’ disciplinary history, which includes K-12 suspensions and expulsions, to make their admissions decision. SB19-170 would put an end to this practice in Colorado, helping institutions of higher education get a full picture of each student rather than immediately disqualifying someone with a childhood record.
“We know that when colleges ask to see criminal or disciplinary records, it has a disproportionate impact on children of color, LGBTQ youth, and students living in poverty,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This bill has bipartisan sponsorship, and I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate will come together to support it on the floor.”
SB19-170 would include an exception for convictions or disciplinary actions related to stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence.
For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-170.
Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee voted today X-to-X to advance SB19-170, Inquiry Into College Applicant Criminal History. The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver), would prohibit colleges and universities from asking applicants about their criminal or disciplinary histories. The bill now moves to X for consideration.
“Every Coloradan deserves a fair shot at success, and many times that means access to an advanced education. But too many Coloradans don’t get that shot at a bright future because of past mistakes that resulted in disciplinary action,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Banning the box on college applications will help many hardworking students clear a hurdle that many face through no fault of their own.”
Currently, 89 percent of colleges use information about applicants’ disciplinary history, which includes K-12 suspensions and expulsions, to make their admissions decision. SB19-170 would put an end to this practice in Colorado, helping institutions of higher education get a full picture of each student rather than immediately disqualifying someone with a childhood record.
“We know that when colleges ask to see criminal or disciplinary records, it has a disproportionate impact on children of color, LGBTQ youth, and students living in poverty,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This bill has bipartisan sponsorship, and I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate will come together to support it on the floor.”
SB19-170 would include an exception for convictions or disciplinary actions related to stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence.
For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-170.
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Senate Passes Bill to Provide Dental Healthcare Services to Pregnant Women
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1038, Dental Services For Pregnant Women On Children's Basic Health Plan Plus, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Tammy Story (D-Conifer) to increase access to dental care for children and pregnant women. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for signature.
“I come from a family that was very aware of the importance of dental healthcare. I know that diet and hormonal changes in pregnant women make them at risk for a number of serious dental health issues,” said Senator Ginal. “This bill will improve a woman’s overall health and pregnancy outcomes, as well as the health of newborns.”
“The number one reason cited by pregnant women for why they don’t go to the dentist is a lack of affordable insurance options. That’s a serious issue because poor oral hygiene can have lasting impacts on the health of unborn babies,” said Senator Story. “We have an opportunity to provide dental health coverage to those Coloradans who need it the most, and I am proud that this is well on its way to becoming law.”
Hundreds of pregnant women who are insured through the Child Health Plan Plus – a state public low-cost health insurance program – do not have access to dental healthcare. HB19-1038 will expand access to dental care to allenrollees, including children and pregnant women.
The Colorado House of Representatives voted 62-1-1 to pass HB19-1038 on February 25, 2019. For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1038.
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Bill to Prioritize Health and Safety of Coloradans, Empower Local Communities Passes Final Vote in the Senate
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously in favor of concurring with the House Amendments to SB19-181, Protect Public Welfare Oil and Gas Operations. The Senate then voted to repass SB19-181, as amended, by a vote of 19-16. The bill originally passed the Senate chamber in mid-March, but needed a second approval due to additional amendments added during debate in the House of Representatives. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.
Reforming the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to prioritize public health and safety is a top priority for Democrats this session. In addition to a robust stakeholder process with all sides, the legislation was debated for more than 55 hours over six public committee hearings and floor debates in both the Senate and House chambers. The sponsors, Speaker KC Becker and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, amended the bill 25 times throughout the committee and debate process, accepting feedback from all stakeholders in order to make the bill better.
“Meaningful reforms to our oil and gas laws are long overdue,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “This bill will ensure that public health and safety are the top priority in regulating oil and gas development in Colorado, and will empower local governments with the tools they need to address the concerns of their individual communities. I’m extremely proud of all the progress we made in both chambers to craft the best possible policy for Coloradans, and I look forward to Governor Polis signing this bill into law.”
The bill is the most significant and meaningful reform to oil and gas regulations in over 60 years. The bill seeks to provide peace of mind for Coloradans by clarifying that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s mission is to regulate, not foster, the industry. It will empower local governments to take control over what is happening in their backyards and equip them with the tools they need to stand up for their community’s best interests.
To learn more about SB19-181 and the bill’s amendments, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-181.
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Colorado State Senate Votes Nearly Unanimously to Pass Senator Donovan’s Bill to Address the High Cost of Healthcare
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 34-to-1 to pass SB19-004, Address High-cost Health Insurance, a bill sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) to address the high costs of healthcare in Colorado. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
Describing previous legislation to address the high cost of healthcare on the Senate floor, Senator Donovan said, “year after year, different solutions were presented and different ideas were illuminated… and often those bills met their fate in committee. The problem only got worse as we battled and presented a new idea, with a new angle, from a different approach… what we also saw was that it crept out of the boundaries of Senate District 5 and the High Country and is now touching every single one of our districts.”
“This solution will have the power to take our vote and our support of policy, and turn that into the ability of individuals across this state to join in a shared voice and go to their local healthcare provider and say ‘you must address the cost we are paying. We are speaking as one voice because we’ve been empowered by our General Assembly to do so,’” added Senator Donovan.
SB19-004 will strengthen our laws to allow healthcare cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections like coverage for preexisting conditions. The legislation will help lower healthcare costs by encouraging consumers to negotiate rates on a collective basis directly with providers.
In support of SB19-004, Senator Jim Smallwood (R-Parker) said on the floor: “I am voting yes… This is now a bill that, in my opinion, tries to modernize the rules around these healthcare cooperatives as well as, according to county commissioners in those areas, gets the state government out of the way in allowing the formation of these co-ops... I appreciate all the work the sponsor and stakeholders have done in making this a very good bill.”
Not only did SB-004 earn broad support from the State Senate, 29 Senators - both Democrats and Republicans - from across Colorado also signed on to the bill as co-sponsors including Jeff Bridges, Don Coram, Lois Court, Larry Crowder, Jessie Danielson, Steve Fenberg, Mike Foote, Joann Ginal, Julie Gonzales, Dennis Hisey, Chris Holbert, Pete Lee, Vickie Marble, Dominick Moreno, Brittany Pettersen, Kevin Priola, Bob Rankin, Robert Rodriguez, Ray Scott, Jim Smallwood, Jerry Sonnenberg, Tammy Story, Jack Tate, Angela Williams, Faith Winter, Rachel Zenzinger, and Leroy Garcia.
Senator Donovan is also the sponsor, along with Representative Dylan Roberts (D-Avon), of HB19-1004, a bill that would study how to leverage existing state infrastructure to create a publicly supported health insurance option.These bills, combined with her legislation to create a reinsurance program to help pay high-cost insurance claims (HB19-1168), will result in lower prices across the individual market and make health insurance more affordable for hardworking Coloradans across the state.
“Too many families are forced to make tough choices when it comes to healthcare, and we need to empower people to come together and take action if we’re going to succeed in lowering healthcare costs for Coloradans, particularly those in rural communities,” said Senator Donovan. “There is power in numbers, and by elevating the local voice we can provide much needed relief to those who live in areas with few options, high prices, and little competition.”
Senator Danielson’s Bill to Honor Firefighters Passes the Colorado State Senate
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 32-to-3 to pass SB19-167, Honor Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) to create a Colorado professional fire fighters license plate. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
“This bill will help honor the professional firefighters who work day and night to keep us safe,” said Senator Danielson. “We must have their backs whenever we can, and SB19-167 will help us honor the sacrifices our professional firefighters make on behalf of our communities.”
To be issued the plate, applicants would have to pay two $25 fees as well as make a donation to a nonprofit organization selected by the Department of Revenue.
For more information on SB19-167, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-167.