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Governor Polis Signs Ginal-Moreno Bill to Make Primary Care More Affordable into Law
May 16, 2019
Denver, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law HB19-1233, Investments in Primary Care to Reduce Health Costs, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) that will invest in making primary care more affordable for Coloradans.“If we’re going to address the high cost of healthcare and effectively meet the needs of patients, we need to make sure primary care is being utilized and properly resourced,” said Senator Ginal. “This bill will bring down primary healthcare costs and I am proud that it was signed into law today.”“This is just one of many ways in which we worked this session to make healthcare more affordable for Colorado families,” said Senator Moreno. “Sacrificing quality primary care because premiums are too expensive is a dangerous move when it comes to Coloradans’ health and to our economy in the long run.”HB19-1233 would create a primary care payment reform collaborate and require the insurance commissioner to establish affordability standards for premiums. It would also require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, as well as carriers who offer plans to state employees, to set specific investment targets for primary care.The bill passed the Colorado House of Representatives on April 16, 2019 by a vote of 45-19 and passed the Senate on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 21-13. The House concurred with Senate amendments and repassed the House by a vote of 46-19 on April 30, 2019.For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1233.
Governor Polis Signs Senator Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Curb Youth Suicide and Support Behavioral Health into Law
May 16, 2019
Aurora, CO -- Governor Jared Polis today signed into law SB19-195, Child & Youth Behavioral Health System Enhancements, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to curb youth suicide in Colorado by making it easier for families to find and access the behavioral healthcare they need.Nearly 9 out of every 100,000 teenagers in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19 die by suicide. In Colorado, that number is nearly twice the national average at 17.6 out of every 100,000 teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“This bill will provide a comprehensive system of care to youth struggling with mental or behavioral health issues and empower families to get them the help they need,” said Senator Fields. “This legislation is going to save lives and I am proud that it was signed into law today.”SB19-195 would create the Office of Children and Youth Behavioral Health Policy Coordination in the Office of the Governor, a central agency to coordinate mental and behavioral health resources statewide. Additionally, it would create a commission to study and recommend how to best coordinate and provide such services. The bill would also standardize the screening and assessments that doctors use to identify potential behavioral concerns.The bill passed the Colorado House of Representatives on May 1, 2019 by a vote of 52-13 and passed the Senate unanimously on April 24, 2019.For more information on SB19-195, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-195.
Governor Polis Signs Bill to Protect Employees from Wage Theft into Law
May 16, 2019
Longmont, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law HB19-1267, Penalties For Failure To Pay Wages, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) to increase the punishment for employers who withhold or steal wages from employees.“Hardworking Coloradans deserve to be paid fairly and what they rightly earned,” said Senator Danielson. “We need to hold bad actors accountable for wage theft and give workers a way to take action, and that is exactly what this bill does.”“Why should Coloradans be shortchanged by bad actors for their hard work? I am proud to see this bill, which will hold employers accountable and protect employees from being taken advantage of, signed into law,” said Senator Rodriguez.HB19-1267 defines wage theft as theft, changing the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony if the wages owed are greater than $2,000. Further, if an employer intentionally pays a worker below the minimum wage, they are guilty of a felony when the lack of proper wage paid amounts to $2,000. Employers who are unable to pay wages due to bankruptcy or court action will no longer be exempt from criminal penalties.This bill passed the Senate on April 24, 2019 by a vote of 33-2 and passed the Colorado House of Representatives by a vote of 64-0 on April 10, 2019.For more information on HB19-1267, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1267.
Governor Polis Signs Rodriguez-Ginal Bill to Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs for Coloradans into Law
May 16, 2019
Fort Collins, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed into law SB19-005, Import Prescription Drugs From Canada, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Robert Rodriguez (D- Denver) to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Coloradans by importing them from Canada.Americans often pay far more for the exact same prescription drug as consumers in other countries, For example, Proventil inhalers for asthma cost $73 dollars in the United States, but only $21 in Canada. Americans pay more than $200 per month for Crestor, a popular cholesterol drug, while Canadian patients can pay less than $50 dollars per month for the same drug.“Coloradans are doing extreme things to be able to afford the medication they need,” said Senator Rodriguez. “I am proud that Governor Polis signed this bill into law which will establish a program that will make sure every Coloradan has access to safe, affordable prescription medications.”“Lowering the cost of prescription drugs isn’t a partisan issue, it is about helping save Coloradans money on the medicines they need,” said Senator Ginal. “This legislation will make medications more available to the people who need then, and I am proud that Governor Polis signed it into law today.”SB19-005 will require the department of health care policy and financing department to design a program to import pharmaceutical drugs from Canada for sale to Colorado consumers. The program will ensure safety and cost savings so that Coloradans can afford their prescription medications.For more information on SB19-005, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-005.
Pettersen Bills to Support Access to Affordable Healthcare and Childcare Become Law
May 14, 2019
Pueblo, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) into law that will support hardworking Coloradans by lowering healthcare costs, helping those struggling with a substance use disorder, and increasing tax credits to help make childcare more affordable.HB19-1174, Out-of-Network Health Care Services, a bill that will help rein in exorbitant healthcare costs by ending the practice of surprise billing from out-of-network healthcare providers.“Surprise billing puts Coloradans at financial risk and contributes to rising healthcare costs across our state,” said Senator Pettersen. “We took action to protect Coloradans from financial hardship and to bring down healthcare costs for Colorado families by putting an end to surprise medical billing.”HB19-1287, Treatment for Opioid And Substance Use Disorders, a bipartisan bill that will combat Colorado’s opioid crisis by increasing access to treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders.“While I am proud of the work we have done at the state level to address the opioid epidemic, we are far from where we need to be. The number of people who die every year from a substance use disorder continues to climb,” said Senator Pettersen. “This bill is part of a package of legislation to help people who have been ravaged by the opioid epidemic to ensure they have access to the treatment they need.”HB19-1013, Child Care Expenses Tax Credit Low-income Families, a bill that will help hardworking Coloradans achieve greater financial security and provide for their children.“This critical piece of legislation gives hardworking Colorado families that still struggle to make ends meet the help they need to afford childcare,” said Senator Pettersen.
President Garcia’s Bills Supporting Colorado’s First Responders and Service Members Signed into Law
May 14, 2019
Pueblo, CO - Two of Senate President Leroy Garcia’s bills to support first responders and the families of service members were signed into law by Governor Jared Polis today.SB19-65, Peer Assistance Emergency Medical Service ProviderSenate Bill 65 will give EMS providers the support and resources they need to face the challenges and traumas of their everyday work.“I have personally seen the toll that such a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding career can have, both over the years and following particularly dark incidents. In the past, EMS providers have lacked the support systems that could help them face such challenges. But that changes today with the signing of this new law,” said President Garcia.84 percent of first responders – including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, and nurses – had experienced a traumatic event on the job, according to a 2017 study by the University of Phoenix. The peer assistance program will give EMS providers critical education, support, and counseling when they face chemical dependency, mental illness, or anything else as a result of their work.For more information on SB19-065, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-065.SB19-174, Dependent Tuition Assistance Program EligibilitySenate Bill 174 would make it easier for dependents of certain service members and first responders (including deceased or disabled National Guardsman, prisoners of war, those missing in action, police officers, firefighters, and sheriffs) to be eligible to receive state tuition benefits before receiving federal benefits.“Both of these bills give back to the people who put their lives on the line to protect us all,” said President Garcia. “Today we have made it easier for dependents who have lost a parent protecting our nation to receive tuition assistance, and this is one of the biggest ways we can support them.”For more information on SB19-174, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-174.
President Garcia’s Bill to Expand Opioid Treatment Signed into Law
May 14, 2019
Pueblo CO - Senate President Leroy Garcia’s bipartisan opioid treatment bill, SB19-001, Expand Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program, was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis this morning at the Crossroads Treatment Clinic in Pueblo.“The opioid crisis has devastated families and communities across southern Colorado, and I am proud to be here today to expand a program we know can help people successfully overcome addiction and lead better lives,” said President Garcia.In Pueblo County, MAT services increased from 99 clients treated at both agencies in 2017 to 691 clients in 2018. Routt County, which had no services for MAT clients in 2017, provided MAT services to 60 clients in 2018. SB19-001 allocates $5 million in funding through marijuana tax dollars over two years to expand the program to 10 additional high-need counties.“Senate Bill 1 passed unanimously because this issue is bigger than politics,” added President Garcia. “Now that this bill is the law of the land, we can help those struggling get the treatment they need and work to end the opioid crisis in Colorado.”SB19-001 also shifts the responsibility to administer the MAT program from the college of nursing to the center for research into substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support strategiesFor more information on the legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-001.
Senate Approves Bipartisan Moreno Bill to Improve Affordable Housing in Colorado
May 3, 2019
Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today voted 23-to-12 to pass HB19-1322, Expand Supply Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to increase affordable housing options in the state. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.
“Colorado’s affordable housing crisis has gotten out of hand,” said Senator Moreno. “This bill will help provide much-needed funding to expand affordable housing options across Colorado, ensuring that Colorado families aren’t priced out of the communities they call home.”
HB19-1322 will transfer $30 million over the next three years to the housing development grant fund in order to improve funding for affordable housing options across the state. The transfer will also encourage employment, as the division of housing in the department of local affairs may use a portion of transferred funds to hire and pay new employees.
For more information on HB19-1322, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1322.
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Majority Leader Fenberg’s Bill to Improve Youth Mental Health Passes Senate
May 2, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-14 to pass HB19-1120, Youth Mental Health Education and Suicide Prevention, a bill sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) to make mental health treatment and counseling more accessible to young Coloradans. The bill now heads back to the House for concurrence and then on to the Governor.
“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Colorado youth,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “We have a mental health crisis on our hands, and we must do more to help young people who are struggling with mental illness get the support they need.”
Colorado ranks as the nation’s 6th highest in suicides, according to the Colorado Health Institute. HB19-1120 will help lower the state’s suicide rate by allowing minors 12 years or older seek mental health services with or without the consent of their parents.This bill is modeled after one enacted in NY state which has proven to be effective in decreasing suicides. The psychotherapy would be confidential unless the minor gives their mental health professional permission to consult their parents, or if the professional does not believe the minor can manage their care themselves or are having suicidal thoughts.
“This bill is an effort to make it easier and more comfortable for young people to address mental health issues before they feel like they are out of options. Fostering a healthy discussion on mental health from a young age will help remove the stigma of mental illness and offer support to children who suffer from suicidal thoughts,” added Majority Leader Fenberg.
The bill also requires the Department of Education to create a mental health education literacy resource bank that is available to the public for free. The board of education will be required to adopt standards related to mental health, including suicide prevention, to improve mental health awareness in Colorado schools.
For more information on HB19-1120, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1120.
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Senate Passes Bridges Bill to Help Students Afford College
May 2, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 21-to-14 to pass HB19-1187, Increase Student Aid Application Completion Rates, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that will help more students afford college by increasing student aid application rates across the state. The bill now heads to Governor Polis for his signature.
During the 2015-16 academic year, approximately $50 million worth of federal dollars were unclaimed because Colorado students did not complete or submit the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Colorado currently has the lowest FAFSA completion rate in the nation. This bill will make it easier to complete those applications, ultimately helping many Coloradans afford a college degree.
“No other bill this year will have a greater return on investment than this one. We’re leaving federal dollars on the table that could help Coloradans graduate without a mountain of debt,” said Senator Bridges. “This bill is good for our economy and our Colorado kids.”
This bill requires the General Assembly to provide funding to the state board of education who will allocate the funds to education providers in order to help low-income students and families complete and submit applications for federal or state student aid.
For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1187.
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Senate Passes Danielson-Moreno Bill to Give Local Control of Minimum Wage
May 2, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 19-to-16 to pass HB19-1210, Local Government Minimum Wage, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to give local governments the ability to raise the minimum wage if they choose. The bill now moves back to the House for concurrence of amendments.
“As more Colorado families face rising costs of living, we need to find more ways to help them make ends meet,” said Senator Danielson. “Today’s vote to give local governments the chance to raise the minimum wage will help more Coloradans achieve financial security.”
Studies of local minimum wage laws have shown they can increase earnings for workers without negatively affecting employment. This bill will allow local governments to set their own minimum wage laws whenever they determine it is in the best interest of their community.
“I am proud that the Senate voted to give local governments the opportunity to lift up Colorado families by raising the minimum wage,” said Senator Moreno. “Hardworking Coloradans deserve a livable wage that can provide the financial security they need to support their families.”
HB19-1210 passed the Colorado House of Representatives on March 11, 2019 by a vote of 40-24-1. To learn more about this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1210.
Senate Unanimously Passes Joint Rule Change to the Capitol’s Workplace Harassment Policy that Protects Anonymity of Victims
May 2, 2019
Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate voted unanimously to pass SJR19-010, Joint Rule Changes For Workplace Policies, a Senate and House joint rule change that updates the Capitol’s workplace harassment policy to better protect victims. It now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
“We have an obligation to raise the standard of our workplace harassment policies in the Capitol so the culture is both respectful and inclusive,” said President Leroy Garcia. “Those of us on both sides of the aisle have spent a significant amount of time having robust conversations about what the best approach looks like, and I believe that we have passed a policy that the Senate can be proud of.”
“Filing a harassment complaint is an incredibly intimidating process, and the number one reason why people don’t file one is because of fear of retaliation,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “That is why we insisted on the inclusion of an amendment that depoliticized the process and prioritized the confidentiality of complainants.”
According to the joint rule, the Office of Legislative Workplace Relations in the Office of Legislative Legal Services will develop a workplace harassment policy applicable to all legislators, legislative employees, and third parties - including lobbyists. The policy must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council. A full list of the requirements of the workplace harassment policy can be found here.
The joint rule includes amendment L.001, an amendment introduced by Senator Winter that would protect the identity of those who file workplace harassment complaints in the Capitol.
“I am grateful to everyone who participated in the creation of this new policy and believe that the changes we’ve passed will make a powerful difference to those who have experienced harassment,” added Senator Winter.
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Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Clears Final Vote, Heads to Governor for Signature
May 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate voted 23-to-12 to concur with House Amendments to SB19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that would prevent gender-based pay disparities and give every Coloradan a fair shot at economic security. The bill then repassed the Senate by a vote of 21-to-14.
“Coloradans demanded we pass the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and after years of hard work, we have finally done it,” said Senator Danielson. “Equal pay will help more Coloradans achieve financial security by leveling the playing field and making sure every Coloradan is paid the same for the same work.”
“We know that women across Colorado have been negatively affected by the wage gap and that federal law has done very little to close it,” said Senator Pettersen. “That is why we worked hard to pass this Colorado solution to make sure everyone gets equal pay for equal work.”
On average, white women in Colorado earn 86 cents for every dollar men make for doing the same job. For women of color, the disparities are even more pronounced. According to the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Black and Latina women respectively earn 63.1 and 53.5 cents for every dollar men earn for the same job.
The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act sets proactive measures to reduce the gender pay gap by requiring companies to notify all qualified employees about job advancement opportunities, as well as the salary range. Employers would also be forbidden to ask for the previous salary history of a prospective employee. This will give women leverage to advocate for themselves and ensure that they are not held back by previous wage discrimination.
The bill will also hold bad actors accountable, allowing anyone to take legal action if they believe their wage differential is based on sex. To be exempt, an employer would need to demonstrate a pay gap is based on seniority, merit, or a difference in quantity or quality of work.
The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act passed the Colorado House of Representatives on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 40-to-21. For more information about the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085.
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Senate Clears Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Support School Principals
May 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 27-to-7 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1002, Leadership Professional Development for School Principals, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that would create the school leadership pilot program to provide professional development for school principals. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.
“Dissatisfaction with school leadership is the number one reason Colorado teachers leave their current schools, and it remains a contributing factor to the educator shortage facing our state,” said Senator Zenzinger. “This program will help principals foster great learning environments and positive school cultures, increasing teacher retention rates, improving student learning outcomes, and reducing Colorado’s educator shortage.”
HB19-1002 would provide professional development to school principals across the state through the creation of a three-year school leadership pilot program, ensuring they have the training they need to improve work environments and properly support teachers. The professional development program would focus on distributive and collaborative leadership skills with the goal of improving educator retention, school climate and culture, and student outcomes.
For more information about HB19-1002, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1002.
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Senate Passes Zenzinger Bill to Support Low-income Seniors and Coloradans with Disabilities
May 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 29-to-6 to pass HB19-1085, Grants For Property Tax Rent And Heat, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to help low-income seniors and Coloradans with disabilities stay in their homes. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments.
“Seniors in Colorado who are on fixed or low incomes and those who struggle with a disability are some of our state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Senator Zenzinger. “It’s critically important that we do more to help them meet their daily needs and stay in their homes, and I’m proud that this bill will provide Coloradans in need with additional support.”
A low-income senior or individual with a disability is currently eligible for two types of annual state assistance grants. The bill expands the property tax and rent assistance grant by 5 percent to account for rising inflation costs, helping vulnerable Coloradans afford the rising costs of living.
For more information on this bill please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1085.
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Senate Passes Bipartisan Winter Bill to Promote Development of Affordable Housing
May 1, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 32-to-3 to pass HB19-1319, Incentives Developers Facilitate Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) to incentivize the construction of affordable housing. It now moves to Governor Polis for his signature.
“There are children in my district who worry more about where they will sleep at night than about the homework in their backpack,” said Senator Winter. “We have an affordable housing crisis in Colorado, and this bill is one way we can start to solve this problem.”
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Colorado now has the 11th most expensive housing prices in the country. HB19-1319 would help identify state-owned undeveloped lands that could be used to build housing for low- and moderate-income households. It would also remove regulatory hurdles and incentivize developers to create more affordable housing units.
The House passed HB19-1319 by a vote of 63-to-1. For more information on this bill please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1319.
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Senate Unanimously Passes Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Dental Care for Low-income Seniors
May 1, 2019
Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1326, Rates For Senior Low-income Dental Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to improve dental care for Colorado seniors. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.
“Dental health is an important part of overall health, particularly as we get older, and all Coloradans deserve access to quality dental care regardless of age,” said Senator Zenzinger. “I am proud that this bill will help low-income, Colorado seniors pay for the dental care they need.”
HB19-1326 will increase the maximum reimbursement rate for the Colorado dental health care program for low-income seniors to greater than the rate previously chosen by the state board of health. The bill will also forbid the dental advisory committee from recommending a maximum reimbursement rather that is lower than the Medicaid fee-for-service rate.
For more information on HB19-1326, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1326.
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Senate Passes Fenberg Bill to Create College Kickstarter Account for Every Coloradan
April 30, 2019
Denver, CO — The Colorado State Senate yesterday voted 27-to-8 to pass HB19-1280, Child College Savings Accounts, a bill sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) that would help Coloradans save for college. The bill now heads to Governor Polis’ desk.
“Higher education costs have skyrocketed over the past decade, and as a result, Coloradans are taking on tens of thousands of dollars in student loans,” said Majority Leader Fenberg. “Our goal is to encourage families to start investing in their children’s future as soon as possible to alleviate future financial burden.”
Research has shown that children with college savings accounts at birth tend to do better academically, have more savings as adults, and are twice as likely to to go to college than children who don’t have college savings accounts. This bill would incentivize more parents to start saving for college earlier and give every kid a shot at success.
“Children with college savings accounts are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. If we are going to make sure that every child has a strong start and a fair shot at economic security later on in life, we need to help them save for the future,” added Majority Leader Fenberg.
Beginning in 2020, $100 of seed money will be set aside in a College Kickstarter Account administered by CollegeInvest, the State’s steward of various 529 College Savings Plans. The state will provide a college savings account to every child in Colorado born between January 1st, 2020 and January 1st, 2040.
For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1280.
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Senate Passes Zenzinger Bill to Address Affordable Housing Shortage
April 30, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate recently voted 32-to-2 with 1 excused to pass HB19-1228, Increase Tax Credit Allocation Affordable Housing, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to increase the amount of affordable housing for Colorado families. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.
“People all across Colorado are struggling with the high cost of housing, and too many hardworking Colorado families are making tough choices to keep a roof over their heads,” said Senator Zenzinger. “We need to pass effective solutions to address our affordable housing crisis, and by doubling tax credits for affordable housing developers we can help Coloradans find an affordable, comfortable place to call home.”
Under current law, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) can allocate up to $5 million each year under the affordable housing tax credit. HB19-1228 will increase that annual amount to $10 million from 2020 to 2024, incentivizing developers to increase the number of affordable housing options in Colorado.
For more information about HB19-1228, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1228.
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Bridges-Winter Bill to Address Transportation Innovations Clears Senate
April 27, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 22-to-12 to pass SB19-239, Address Impacts of Transportation Changes, a bill sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that would study changes in transportation technologies and identify how those changes might impact transportation funding. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
“The way we get around is changing, but the way we fund our state’s transportation infrastructure has not,” said Senator Winter. “By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the future of transportation and how those changes might impact transportation funding, we can make sure we are making meaningful investments that will improve the lives of Coloradans around the state.”
“There are incredible innovations in transportation technology, and we want to make sure that Colorado continues to be a leader in that space,” said Senator Bridges. “To do that, we need to understand how these changes are impacting people and communities across Colorado. Then, we can make necessary changes that will foster innovation, invest in our transportation infrastructure, and make sure everyone benefits. ”
SB19-239 would require the Department of Transportation (CDOT) to convene and consult with a stakeholder group to examine how changes in transportation technology and business models might impact how Colorado funds transportation. The stakeholder group would be required to present its findings and recommendations regarding the impacts and means of addressing them to CDOT by November 1, 2019. In addition to required status updates, CDOT must present a final written report regarding the stakeholder group, rule-making processes, and rules promulgated to the transportation legislation review committee.
For more information on SB19-239, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-239.
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