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Senate Unanimously Approves Bipartisan Garcia Bill to Partially Reopen Centennial South in Cañon City for Emergencies
April 27, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass SB19-259, Use CSP II To House Inmates In An Emergency, a bipartisan bill that would authorize limited use of the Colorado State Penitentiary II (CSP II) facility in Cañon City to address prison population management issues. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
“My colleagues in both chambers have worked hard this session to enact a series of much-needed criminal justice reforms that will address overcrowding and high recidivism rates as well as lower our prison population,” said President Garcia. “I am excited this bill will be part of that package of reforms and provide an emergency backstop for the Department of Corrections.”
The CSP II facility in Cañon City was originally built to hold individuals in solitary confinement. In 2012, the legislature passed HB12-1337, which ended solitary confinement and closed the facility. Since then, CSPII has remained closed and unused.
SB19-259 would allow the Centennial South campus of CSPII to be used on a temporary basis if the state’s male vacant bed rate falls below one percent for two consecutive months. President Garcia worked closely with stakeholders and the Department of Corrections to create guardrails around the use of the prison that would ensure the health and safety of inmates housed there including:
- Capping the facility’s capacity to no more than 126 inmates at one time;
- Transferring inmates to other facilities within 30 days of the vacant rate surpassing one percent;
- Reporting to the Judiciary and Joint Budget Committees within five days of use and continuation every 30 days; and
- Repealing the use of the facility in 2021.
For more information on SB19-259, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-259.
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Senate Unanimously Passes President Garcia’s Bill to Support Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders
April 27, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1193, Behavioral Health Supports for High-Risk Families, a bill sponsored by President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to increase access to treatment for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.
“As a paramedic, I have seen just how much addiction is impacting people in communities all across Colorado, and unfortunately some of those impacted are pregnant women and newborns,” said President Garcia. “We need to proactively address challenges like addiction head on because there are negative consequences for families and communities if we do not act.”
Cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome increased among women enrolled in Colorado Medicaid by 120 percent between 2011 and 2016. To combat this concerning trend, HB19-1193 would provide access to treatment and create child care pilot programs for pregnant women and women one-year postpartum engaged in substance use disorder treatment. It would help identify women in need of such services and allow state funds to provide for treatment.
“This bill will address addiction by providing pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders the treatment and services they need,” added President Garcia.
This bill would create the high-risk families cash fund to provide services to high-risk parents, including pregnant and parenting women, and for services for high-risk children and youth with behavioral health disorders. It would also create the child care services and substance use disorder treatment pilot program and award a variety of pilot program grants to serve pregnant and parenting women in need.
The cost of addiction is not just a danger to the health of newborns and mothers, but it is also extremely costly. Hospital stays are 3.5 times longer than those born without addiction and cost three times as much, according to a study by the Society for the Study of Addiction.
For more information on HB19-1193, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1193.
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Senate Advances Ginal-Moreno Bill to Make Primary Care More Affordable
April 27, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-13 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1233, Investments in Primary Care to Reduce Health Costs, sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). This legislation would invest in making primary care more affordable for Coloradans and now moves back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.
“Primary care is on the front lines of healthcare delivery, but is underutilized and under resourced to meet the needs of patients. Too many families in Colorado are struggling with high costs of living in Colorado, and rising primary care costs are not making it any easier,” said Senator Ginal. “Bringing down primary healthcare costs will make an incredible difference for people in my district and across our state.”
“This is just one of many ways in which we are working 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.
For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1233.
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Williams’ Bill to Increase Coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings Passes Senate
April 27, 2019
| Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 30-to-4 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1301, Health Insurance For Breast Imaging, a bill sponsored by Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver) to expand healthcare coverage to cover breast cancer screening studies and breast imaging at no additional cost to patients. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and approximately one in seven Colorado women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This bill will not only save lives, but also save patients money on the treatments and service they need. “We know that early detection of breast cancer can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment,” said Senator Williams. “We owe it to all Colorado women at risk of breast cancer to make it easier and more affordable to get the screenings and treatments that will help them detect and fight against this disease.” Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance providers must cover preventive health for women, including one cancer screening per year – but they are not required to cover the cost of any additional treatment or analysis. HB19-1301 would expand this requirement for insurers to include coverage of follow-up diagnostic procedures at no cost to women with increased risk factors for breast cancer.HB19-1301 passed the House of Representatives 59-to-4 on April 14, 2019. For more information on this bill, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1301. |
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Bridges-Fields Bill to Fund Full-Day Kindergarten Unanimously Passes Senate
April 26, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1262, State Funding for Full-Day Kindergarten, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to fund full-day kindergarten for families across the state. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments before heading to Governor Polis for his signature.
Roughly 20 percent of Colorado kindergarteners are not enrolled in a full-day program, according to the Colorado Department of Education. The other 80 percent of students who attend full-day kindergarten do so through paying tuition, scholarships, and local taxes. For those schools that do offer full-day kindergarten free of change, many do so at the expense of other critical programming.
“Every kid in Colorado deserves a fair shot at success no matter where they come from,” said Senator Bridges. “The differences kids show up with in first grade stay with them the rest of their educational careers. Fully funded full-day kindergarten gives every kid across the state a strong start, helps level the playing field, and ensures all our kids have the opportunity to earn a good life.”
“Full-day kindergarten programs better accommodate both students and working families, but we do Colorado students a disservice by requiring families to fund full-day kindergarten themselves,” said Senator Fields. “It’s time we invest in every child to ensure they have a strong head start.”
HB19-1262 would make it possible for every kindergartener to attend a full-day program without Colorado families having to pay out of pocket by increasing the per-pupil funding of kindergarteners to match students in older grades. The bill will not only fund full-day kindergarten, but it will also free up more than 5,000 Early Childhood At-Risk Enhancement (ECARE) slots in the Colorado Preschool Program to offer kids a strong start at an early age.
For more information on HB19-1262, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1262.
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Senate Clears Danielson-Moreno Bill to Improve Wages for Home Care Workers
April 26, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate this morning voted 20-to-15 to advance SB19-238, Improve Wages and Accountability Home Care Workers, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to increase wages for home care workers and improve health outcomes for the profession. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.
“Home healthcare workers provide critical support to the most beloved members of our community. I’ve heard from many who care deeply about their work, but the low wages and lack of benefits make it difficult to make ends meet,” said Senator Danielson. “This bill reaffirms the importance of home healthcare workers and will help ensure they are properly compensated, benefitting both workers and patients alike.”
“Many families across Colorado rely on home care workers to look after their loved ones, and these workers should be paid appropriately for the hard work they do each and every day,” said Senator Moreno. “With this bill, we are working to ensure that home care workers can receive proper compensation.”
For more information on SB19-238, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-238.
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Senate Committees Pass Bill to Help Students Afford College
April 26, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee recently voted 3-to-2 and the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning voted 7-to-3 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 the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
During the 2015-16 academic year, approximately fifty million dollars worth of federal Pell Grants were unclaimed because Colorado students did not complete or submit the free application for federal student aid. This bill will make it easier to complete those applications, ultimately helping many Coloradans afford a college degree.
“If we are serious about giving every student in Colorado a fair shot at success, we need to make sure they can graduate college without tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt,” said Senator Bridges. “We can decrease the financial burden of college by simply helping students complete student aid applications. It’s a fiscally responsible win for our students and our state’s budget.”
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 Unanimously Passes Senator Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Curb Youth Suicide and Support Behavioral Health
April 25, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate recently voted unanimously to pass 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. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
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.
“We can improve outcomes for kids who experience depression or behavioral health issues despite family income or zip code,” said Senator Rhonda Fields. “This bill will help youth who struggle with mental health issues by providing a comprehensive system of care and empowering families through access. We need to step up and help our fellow Coloradans — this legislation is going to save lives.”
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.
For more information on SB19-195, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-195.
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FAMLI Implementation Plan Passes the Senate on Third Reading
April 25, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 19-to-16 today to pass SB19-188, Family and Medical Leave Act, on third reading. This legislation, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Angela Williams (D-Denver), lays a clear pathway to provide a strong, robust paid family leave policy for Coloradans to care for themselves and their families in 2024.
Eighty eight percent of working Coloradans do not have access to paid family leave, and even unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is inaccessible for 64 percent of working people. The policy is incredibly popular among both employees and employers. In fact, 68 percent of Coloradans and nearly two-thirds of small businesses support establishing a paid family leave policy in the state, according to a survey of likely 2020 voters and a poll conducted by Chesapeake Beach Consulting.
“We know businesses and Coloradans want employees to be able to care for a sick parent, recover from an injury, or welcome the birth of child, and we are one step closer to making that a reality for hardworking Coloradans,” said Senator Winter. “We’re going to continue to work to make sure we create the right program for Colorado that is good for both employees and employers. We have a clear path forward and are going to get a strong, robust paid family leave policy for the people of Colorado.”
“Serious consequences can arise when Colorado workers can’t take paid time off to care for their families – both for the businesses and for the employees,” said Senator Williams. “I am proud of the hard work we have put into this bill, and today is an important step forward in making paid family leave a norm for all Coloradans, not just a few. We’re going to get this done for Coloradans.”
The implementation plan is comprised of a number of analyses that will ensure the FAMLI program is administered efficiently, effectively, and fiscally responsibly, including:
- A family and medical leave implementation task force, which will be appointed by July 1, 2019;
- A report prepared for the taskforce with results from a third-party study and recommendations from experts in the field by October 1, 2019;
- An independent actuarial analysis completed by December 1, 2019;
The implementation plan also requires an analysis of the feasibility of contracting with a third-party to administer parts of the program as an alternative to administration by the state.
The plan does not change the timeline for when Coloradans can start receiving benefits from the program. These analyses will assist in the preparation of legislation in the 2020 legislative session establishing paid family leave in Colorado. Following the establishment of the program, education and outreach will begin on January 1, 2022, the funding stream will be established on January 1, 2023, and benefits will be provided beginning on January 1, 2024.
For more information about the bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-188.
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Bill to Increase Public School Financing Unanimously Passes Senate Floor
Colorado State Senate Makes Historic Investment in Special Education Funding
April 24, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass SB19-246, Public School Finance, a bill sponsored by Senator Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) to increase statewide funding for public school students. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis’ desk for signing.
“A quality education is the cornerstone of a child’s growth and success,” said Senator Todd, a former educator. “Increasing financing for Colorado’s public schools is an investment in our state’s future and will allow us to improve education for kids in every corner of Colorado.”
SB19-246 would increase the statewide base per pupil funding for the 2019-2020 budget year by $182.76. The bill also improves funding for rural school districts, appropriates money for English language learner programs, and allocates resources to address behavioral health issues in schools.
One of the most important investments made by the School Finance Bill was a result of Amendment 23, an amendment introduced by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that will increase the percentage of special education funding from 31.4 percent to 47.5 percent.
“Special education funding is a top concern for educators across Colorado, and this critical funding will provide school districts, particularly rural districts, much-needed relief,” said Senator Zenzinger. “This is a critical step toward ensuring that every child gets a great education, regardless of where they live or if they are disabled.”
The historic increase of more than $22 million dollars is a permanent increase that will grow with inflation and help schools provide supports to students with the most significant needs. This amendment will provide much-needed relief to rural districts where special education funding is particularly difficult for rural districts because they do not have the economies of scale to accommodate and meet the needs of some of their more severely disabled students.
For more information on SB19-246 and Amendment 23, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-246.
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Senate Committee Unanimously Passes President Garcia’s Bill to Support Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders
April 24, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to advance HB19-1193, Behavioral Health Supports for High-Risk Families, a bill sponsored by President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to increase access to treatment for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“Coloradans all across this state are struggling with addiction, and unfortunately that struggle can impact pregnant women and newborns,” said President Garcia. “As a paramedic, I understand the importance of proactively addressing challenges like this. When we do not act, healthcare costs increase and there are significant social impacts on families and communities.”
Cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome increased among women enrolled in Colorado Medicaid by 120 percent between 2011 and 2016. To combat this concerning trend, HB19-1193 would provide access to treatment and create child care pilot programs for pregnant women and women one-year postpartum engaged in substance use disorder treatment. It would help identify women in need of such services and allow state funds to provide for treatment.
“This bill is an opportunity to provide critical support to pregnant and postpartum women who are experiencing substance use disorders, and get them access to the treatment and services they need,” added President Garcia.
This bill would create the high-risk families cash fund to provide services to high-risk parents, including pregnant and parenting women, and for services for high-risk children and youth with behavioral health disorders. It would also create the child care services and substance use disorder treatment pilot program and award a variety of pilot program grants to serve pregnant and parenting women in need.
The cost of addiction is not just a danger to the health of newborns and mothers, but it is also extremely financially costly. Hospital stays are 3.5 times longer than those born without addiction and cost three times as much, according to a study by the Society for the Study of Addiction.
For more information on HB19-1193, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1193.
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Senate Advances Public Utilities Commission Sunset Legislation
April 24, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-14 to pass SB19-236, Sunset Public Utilities Commission (PUC), a bill to renew the PUC for the next seven years, take meaningful steps to address climate change, and hold utility companies more accountable to ratepayers. The legislation is sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“I am proud that the Senate voted to pass a version of this sunset legislation that will hold the Public Utilities Commission accountable to ratepayers, not investor-owned utility companies,” said President Garcia. “By requiring the PUC to put the interests of the public first, we can ensure the PUC lives up to its mission to protect ratepayers from high costs and save them money on their utility bills.”
“Today, we took meaningful steps to address the climate crisis,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “By modernizing the Commission’s regulatory framework and requiring the PUC to better account for the rapidly evolving energy market, we can ensure Colorado’s energy grid is as clean and efficient as possible.
The PUC is responsible for providing oversight of Colorado’s utilities and protecting Coloradans from high utility costs. In seeking to address climate change, SB19-236 will direct the PUC to make sure that the costs of pollution are given full consideration as part of utility planning. The bill also directs the PUC to implement rules requiring regulated utilities to file distribution system plans to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable services that satisfy customers’ changing expectations, plan for the future, and take advantage of technological advancements that benefit customers.
“Southern Coloradans face some of the highest electrical costs along the Front Range because the Public Utilities Commission has not always lived up to its mission to put the interests of ratepayers first,” said President Garcia. “That is why I felt it was so important that a southern Coloradan had a seat at the table. I believe the changes we’ve made fundamentally alter the PUC and will make a big difference for Coloradans across the state.”
Given southern Colorado’s history with investor-owned utility companies and how they impact employment, this legislation would also require such companies to file a workforce transition plan when retiring a particular power plant facility in order to support job transitions for Colorado workers. The Senate also voted to pass an amendment offered by President Garcia to require the PUC to hold a public hearing to solicit public commentary, investigate rates in regions that are higher than the state average, and identify ways to reduce them.
For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-236.
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President Garcia’s EMS Licensing Bill Unanimously Passes Senate
April 24, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to advance SB19-242, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Providers Licensing, a bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia that would authorize a certified emergency medical services provider to apply for licensure. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“As a nationally registered paramedic, I know firsthand how our profession is becoming more innovative, particularly when it comes to the training and experience required of providers. Those changes to the field, however, aren’t always reflected in the laws governing it,” said President Garcia. “This bill will not only acknowledge the hard work and continuing education EMS providers have put into their profession, but also improve outcomes and help more Coloradans get the care they need - especially in rural areas of our state.”
Currently, regulation of EMS providers, including paramedics, involves certification – not licensure. SB19-242 would authorize a certified EMS provider to apply for licensure from the Department of Public Health and Environment based on a demonstration that the EMS provider has completed a four-year bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university. Additionally, the bill will make amendments to Colorado statutes that currently apply to certified EMS providers, and makes conforming amendments to harmonize the bill with HB19-1172, the Title 12 recodification bill.For more information on SB19-242, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-242.
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Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Todd’s Special Education Grant Bill
April 24, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass SB19-066, High-Cost Special Education Trust Fund Grants, a bill sponsored by Senator Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) to give high-cost special education trust fund grants to public schools that provide special education services to students with disabilities. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“Every child in Colorado deserves a great education regardless of their abilities or circumstances,” said Senator Todd. “This bill will help Colorado’s public schools provide critical special education services to students in need. I am proud that the Senate voted to support all students today.”
The bill creates the high-cost special education trust fund to be used for high-cost special education trust fund grants to public school special education administrative units that have made significant expenditures in providing special education services to a child with a disability.To learn more about SB19-066, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-066.
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Bill to Protect Employees from Wage Theft Passes Senate
April 24, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 33-2 to Pass 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. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.
“We need to make sure that workers are protected from bad actors who try to refuse hardworking Coloradans wages that were fairly earned,” said Senator Danielson. “This bill is about cracking down on wage theft, and giving workers a way to take action so that they don’t lose out on the money they deserve.”
“There is no reason why hardworking Coloradans should be shortchanged for their work,” said Senator Rodriguez. “That’s why we’re working to hold employers accountable and protect Colorado employees from being taken advantage of.”
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.
For more information on HB19-1267, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1267.
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Senate Passes Bridges-Fields Bill to Protect Workers’ Wages
April 22, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-13 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1189, Wage Garnishment Reform, a bill sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) that would protect Coloradans from the unfair practice of wage garnishment. It now heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.
Wage garnishment happens when a court orders that an employer withhold an amount of an employee’s paycheck and give it directly to a creditor or person to whom the employee owes money. It is a practice that disproportionately impacts low-income individuals, according to a 2017 national study.
“Too many Coloradans feel like no matter how hard they work, they just can’t get ahead,” said Senator Bridges. “This bill clarifies a confusing practice used by debt collectors to pick the pockets of low and middle-income individuals, giving hardworking Colorado families some much-needed relief.”
“Wage garnishment is an unfair practice of picking Coloradans’ pockets, and it disproportionately impacts low-income communities,” said Senator Fields. “Wage garnishment is confusing for many hardworking Coloradans who are just trying to do their best, and I am proud that the Senate stood up for them today.”
HB19-1189 would make wage garnishment intentions more clear, reduce the disposable earning subject to garnishments, and create a general hardship exemption. The exemption would permit individuals to prove in court that the amount of their pay subject to garnishment should be further reduced or eliminated all together.
For more information on HB19-1189, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1189.
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Senate Passes Bill to Help Colorado Workers Save for Retirement
April 22, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 18-to-16 with 1 excused to pass SB19-173, Colorado Secure Savings Plan Board, a bill sponsored by Senators Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) to help find ways to increase Colorado’s private sector workers’ retirement savings. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“People are working several jobs in my district to make ends meet, but many of them don’t have traditional retirement benefits offered through their employers. We need to figure out how to help those people save for the future,” said Senator Donovan. “The way people work is changing and this bill will help us figure out how to help those without employer-based retirement benefits save so they can retire in the place they call home.”
“We have a retirement crisis on our hands, in which more and more Coloradans are unable to save for the future,” said Senator Pettersen. “After a lifetime of hard work, every Coloradan deserves to retire with dignity, and an improved savings plan would help Colorado’s private sector workers achieve a more secure financial future.”
The board would conduct assessments to determine approaches to increasing retirement savings for private sector employees in low-cost and self-sustaining ways, and then it would recommend a plan to the Governor and General Assembly.
More than 75 percent of Coloradans believe it is only going to get harder to prepare for retirement, according to the Bell Policy Center. SB19-173 would establish the Colorado Secure Savings Plan Board to study ways to help Colorado’s private sector workers save for retirement.
To learn more about SB19-173, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-173.
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Bridges-Fields Bill on Full-Day Kindergarten Unanimously Passes Senate Education Committee with Bipartisan Support
April 17, 2019
Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1262, State Funding For Full-day Kindergarten, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to fund full-day kindergarten across the state. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
“We know that the differences kids show up with in first grade stay with them for the rest of their time in school,” said Senator Bridges. “That’s why this bill is a top priority for our state’s families and communities. It will give every kid in Colorado a strong start and a fair shot at success, no matter what part of the state they live in. Long-term, this is an investment in our future workforce and the continued strength of our Colorado economy.”
There are roughly 14,000 kindergarteners in Colorado who are not enrolled in a full-day program, according to the Colorado Children’s Campaign. To provide full-day kindergarten offerings, many families must pay tuition to enroll their children in full-day programs either at private or public schools. For some public schools, the decision to offer full-day programing means making other cuts to programs and offerings.
“Full-day kindergarten is a game-changer for many families, particularly those in rural and low-income communities who can’t afford tuition or whose schools can’t afford to offer it,” said Senator Fields. “This is an investment in the future of our children and the future of our state that I have no doubt will have an incredible return on our investment.”
The funding of full-day kindergarten will not only provide more kids across the state a strong start, but also free up more than 5,000 Early Childhood At-Risk Enhancement (ECARE) slots in the Colorado Preschool Program.
For more information on HB19-1262, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1262.
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Senate Unanimously Approves Bill to Prepare Colorado’s Future Teachers
April 17, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously with 1 excused 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 Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
“If we’re going to give Colorado’s next generation the best education possible, we need to make sure our teachers are prepared. The Growing Great Teachers Act will help give teachers the real-world preparation and tools they need to teach in our schools,” said Senator Todd, a former educator. “I know firsthand how important it can be to have hands-on training before getting up in front of a classroom, and this bill will help us prepare our educators to lead Colorado forward.”
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.
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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Senate Passes Senator Moreno’s Tuition Assistance Bill
April 17, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-13 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1196, Financial Aid for Students with In-state Tuition, a bill sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to make it easier for students in Colorado to afford higher education. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis’ desk to be signed into law.
“I know from firsthand experience how important scholarship programs are in making higher education affordable for Colorado families,” said Senator Moreno. “That’s why I’m proud we took this step to expand them to undocumented students in our state. This access to education will help make sure that everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, has the opportunity to learn and succeed.”
Currently, students without lawful immigration status can already be eligible for in-state tuition at Colorado institutions of higher education if they meet specific requirements. This bill will make these students eligible for certain financial assistance programs that are offered by the Department of Higher Education.For more information about HB19-1196, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1196.
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