JOINT RELEASE: House, Senate Unveil Child Mental Health Resources Program

DENVER, CO – The House introduced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota (D-Denver) and Senator Tammy Story (D-Evergreen) to expand evidence-based behavioral health programs for young children experiencing chronic stress or trauma.

Co-sponsored by Representative Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells) and Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Logan), this bill invests $2 million of one-time pandemic relief funding to improve behavioral health outcomes for our youngest Coloradans.

"Stressful and traumatic conditions take a major toll on young children and can negatively impact long-term behavioral health and brain functioning,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “With this once-in-a-generation funding, we’re improving our kids' behavioral health outcomes by investing in early intervention and home-based prevention tailored towards young children and their families experiencing chronic stress or trauma."

“Over the past several years, the pandemic has added new and increased stress to Coloradans’ lives, including young children,” said Sen. Tammy Story, D-Evergreen. “It’s essential that we provide robust behavioral health opportunities for Colorado’s kids. By investing in the mental health and well-being of our youngest Coloradans today, we’re supporting their brighter tomorrows.”

HB22-1369 is one in a series of bills to invest millions in our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $2 million in pandemic relief funding to provide evidence-based behavioral health programs for children under the age of six-years-old experiencing chronic stress or trauma at home.

Neurobiological research confirms that stressful experiences early in life can have destructive impacts on the brain, while nurturing relationships between children and caregivers provide a protective buffer from stress. The impacts of the pandemic exacerbated long-standing behavioral health challenges and made everyday life more difficult for Coloradans. This bill invests in a home-based prevention and early intervention mental health program for children and their families to address the psychological damage caused by chronically stressful experiences.

The new Department of Early Childhood will work with non-profit behavioral health care organizations to implement this program.

Gov. Polis, State Legislators & Community Members Highlight Legislation to Address Housing Affordability in Colorado

Polis Administration partners with legislators, communities to meet the demands of rising housing costs and create jobs

DENVER, CO — Today, Governor Jared Polis was joined by Senator Jeff Bridges, Representative David Ortiz, and community leaders to announce efforts to tackle Colorado’s housing costs, leveraging a once-in-a-generation opportunity provided by $400 million for housing relief in American Recovery Plan Act funds. Developed from recommendations made by the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force, proposed legislation takes an all-hands-on-deck approach, including grant, revolving loans, and incentive programs to engage community partners representing a broad range of needs  — from innovative housing businesses to local governments and community developers. These programs are designed to better provide affordable housing solutions that hardworking Coloradans deserve.  

“Houses cost too much in Colorado, and we need to be bold and do even more to make Colorado more liveable. This package will help bring about a future with more housing that people can actually afford to buy or rent, reduce the cost of first-time homeownership and help Coloradans save money with shorter commute to work or school,” said Gov. Polis “More housing near where jobs are will help lower costs, reduce traffic and pollution, improve access to housing for hardworking people, teachers, parents and individuals while helping our entire economy.”

Earlier today, Gov. Polis visited Valor on the Fax, an affordable housing facility in Denver. Last week, the Governor visited Miller Ranch in Eagle County, an affordable workforce housing development in Eagle County, and signed into law the bipartisan HB22-1117 Use of Local Lodging Tax Revenue to help local governments address housing, childcare, and other needs in communities and promote tourism. This new bipartisan law was sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts, Rep. Marc Catlin, Sen. Kerry Donovan and Sen. Don Coram.

“Conceived and developed by Brothers Redevelopment and the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, Valor on the Fax is a first-of-its kind supportive housing community that will support individuals with acquired brain injury and related disability—many of whom have been struggling with housing instability and homelessness.  Designed with trauma informed design principles to address one of the state’s most pressing housing challenges, the project was only made possible with substantial public investment from the City and County of Denver, the Colorado Division of Housing and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.  Valor shows the gains that can be made to meet the need for significant, and ongoing, funding from the federal, state and local government,” said Jeff Martinez, President, Brothers Redevelopment.

State lawmakers discussed their transformational legislation today to help make housing more affordable today at the State Capitol. 

“Families are feeling squeezed as housing prices continue to skyrocket across our state, leaving far too many without housing options they can afford,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “This package of bills represents an historic investment to cut costs and make Colorado a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. By developing more housing that families can afford, we can ensure that more Coloradans have a safe place to call home.”

“To solve Colorado’s crisis in affordable housing, we must encourage developers and the construction industry to expand our inventory,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “The task force made the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program a top priority because of the regenerative nature of the funds attached. The availability of affordable housing allows us to make progress on the solution of myriad other problems in Colorado, and it’s imperative that we act now.”

“Mobile home parks are Colorado’s closest thing to ‘naturally-occurring’ affordable housing,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. “But just like the rest of us, mobile home park residents are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing housing costs. SB 160 will allow Coloradans to invest in their own communities, own their own homes, and drive down the cost of housing across the state.”

“To support our growing economy, we need more middle-income workforce housing so Coloradans can live in the same communities where they work,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “The Middle Income Access Program has successfully bridged the housing affordability gap for many middle-income Coloradans, and this bill invests $25 million to further the program efforts. Together, we’re saving Coloradans money on housing by building more affordable workforce housing throughout the state.” 

“We’re working toward innovative solutions to address Colorado’s affordable housing crisis,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. “Legislation I’m sponsoring will boost construction of homes that can be built efficiently while meeting our state’s ever-increasing demand for affordable housing. These modular and manufactured homes are innovative, affordable and will save hardworking Coloradans money on housing while boosting homeownership in our state.” 

“We’re making one of the largest investments in Colorado history to make housing more affordable across our state,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “This bill will invest $150 million to build more affordable, quality housing units and preserve existing affordable homes. Leveraging private and local dollars, our investment in the revolving loan fund will stretch further and help fulfill the homeownership dream for more Coloradans while saving them money in the process.”

Community leaders representing a range of housing needs in communities from across the state voiced their support for the legislation highlighted today.  

“The lack of affordable housing across Colorado has reached crisis levels.  The recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force, and the resulting legislation and funding will create new partnerships and collaboration between the State and Counties.  The new housing developments which are built as a result will have a truly transformative impact in the lives of Coloradans,” said Tamara Pogue, Summit County Commissioner who spoke at today’s press conference.  

“Workforce and affordable housing has long been an issue in Eagle County and across the mountain region. Addressing our affordable housing issue is essential to the continued success and livability of our community. Vail Valley Partnership applauds everyone involved in helping develop the workforce housing bills at the state legislature and Governor’s Office and we applaud and appreciate the commitment to the future of our state as demonstrated by this financial investment,” said Chris Romer, President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership. 

"The affordable housing crisis has hit people with disabilities, the poorest demographic in Colorado, particularly hard.  We welcome any opportunity to address this systemic problem. Housing is the key to stability,” said Julie Raskin, Executive Director, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition. 

“Smartpads would like to add our support to this legislation. We look forward to working with the state in an effort to build affordable housing options in the State of Colorado,” said Kristara Mielke, CO, SmartPads Prefab Construction Solutions. 

“We applaud Gov. Polis and the Colorado General Assembly for initiating this historic investment in our state’s housing future. We are especially excited about The Innovative Housing Incentive Program which addresses both the supply and demand sides of affordable housing in our state, and is exactly the type of forward-thinking investment we need to ensure a future where every Coloradan has access to stable and affordable homes in vibrant and diverse communities. Like our counterparts in the affordable housing arena, Maiker Housing Partners looks forward to utilizing the funding and access provided by this historic legislation to drive the creation of affordable housing options in Adams County for generations to come,” said Peter LiFari, Executive Director of Maiker Housing Partners. 

“As the Chair and Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Subpanel, it is exciting to see the ideas that we offered to the General Assembly come together in the form of legislative initiatives. We are honored to be negotiating to make sure that each of these bills addresses the unique needs of communities across the state and makes transformational change for Colorado families,” said Cathy Alderman, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless & Brian Rossbert, Housing Colorado - Chair and Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Subpanel. 

“Finding dignified affordable housing is particularly challenging for older Coloradans.  Many are on reduced or fixed incomes.  Increases in property taxes, utility payments and the cost of prescription drugs too often force older adults to choose between paying for food, life-saving medications or a roof over their heads.   AARP Colorado appreciates Legislative and Executive Branch efforts to address this statewide crisis,” Bob Murphy, State Director, AARP Colorado. 

“The affordable housing crisis in our state is severe, when the prices of a single family home year over year have jumped astronomically raising more than $90,000 from last year, these prices make Colorado one of the most expensive markets in the country compared to actual wages. That’s why we’re proud to see our state supporting critically important measures such as HB 1282, SB 159, and HB 1304 that bring innovative prefabricated, modular and manufactured space housing business to Colorado and prioritize adding supply of new affordable housing with significant and transformative housing dollars to work hand in hand with local governments to answer the passionate voices of civil servants and working families all across our state who want to keep living in the vibrant communities that make a Colorado great place to live, work and play,” said Liz Peets, Vice President of Government Affairs, Colorado Association of Realtors. 

“These bills represent an unprecedented investment in addressing Colorado’s affordable housing crisis. As a member of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force SubPanel, I am grateful to be continuing the collaborative work of ensuring communities, individuals, and families hurt most by the pandemic meaningfully benefit from these much-needed programs,” said Kinsey Hasstedt, State and Local Policy Director, Enterprise Community Partners.

“Denver Housing Authority is grateful for the work of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force’s work to re-envision affordable housing opportunities in our state. The only way out of the housing crisis is to reimagine what affordable housing looks like and how it is implemented. We are in full support of this legislation and the opportunities it provides to make housing more affordable in Colorado alongside saving Colorado residents money on housing costs,” said David Nisivoccia, Executive Director, Denver Housing Authority. 

“As a coalition of 20 mission-based housing organizations, the Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NDC) is ecstatic about the introduction of these bills. Together, they represent a tenfold increase in Colorado’s efforts to address the housing crisis, and will significantly bolster the ability of housing providers across the state to increase housing stability and housing opportunity,” said Jonathan Cappelli, Executive Director, Neighborhood Development Collaborative.  

“I applaud Colorado’s willingness to pursue innovative ways to address our housing needs,” said Tawney Peyton, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Home Association and Utah Housing Alliance. 

Bill to Implement Universal Preschool in Colorado Passes Key Preliminary Vote on Senate Floor

Legislation will provide high-quality preschool options to all Colorado kids

DENVER, CO – The Senate today gave initial approval to President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora)’s landmark bill to implement universal preschool and provide high quality early childhood education and support to every Colorado kid.

HB22-1295 implements recommendations for the Department of Early Childhood to elevate early childhood education and ensures that early childhood care is easy to navigate for all Colorado families. The legislation builds off of last year’s HB21-1304, which established the Department of Early Childhood and charged the agency with implementing universal preschool, improving education outcomes, and supporting families in expanding access to enriching early childhood experiences.

“Establishing universal preschool in Colorado is one of the most impactful things we are doing this session,” Fenberg said. “Quality early childhood education is critical to a child’s future success, and streamlining the process to increase availability and affordability is just as beneficial to the parents of young children. The new department is going to make transformational changes for Colorado kids and their families.”

“Access to child care not only supports critical early development and future educational outcomes, but also the very well-being of families across our state,” said Buckner. “As we work to move Colorado forward, this bill will directly benefit families across our state, saving people money and setting our future leaders up for success. I am so proud of the work that we’ve done to get to this point, and am excited to see how the new Department of Early Childhood will benefit Colorado’s youth for generations to come.”

The program will provide 10 hours per week of free, high-quality preschool to every child the year before entering kindergarten starting in the 2023 school year, saving families thousands of dollars per year. The legislation supports mixed delivery preschool options, prioritizing quality and respecting parental choice for where to send their child to school, while strengthening and supporting local infrastructure to best serve each community’s individual needs.

The Senate will give final approval to HB22-1295 tomorrow, April 13, 2022. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Fenberg's Bipartisan Bill to Support Victims of Destructive Wildfires Clears Committee

Legislation would expedite insurance claim settlements and improve the pace of rebuilding and recovery after a declared wildfire disaster

DENVER, CO - The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee today unanimously advanced Senate President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder)’s bipartisan legislation to protect Coloradans with wildfire insurance by updating standards to ensure consumers’ claims are paid in a timely manner.

Co-sponsored by Senator Bob Rankin (R-Carbondale), HB22-1111 would ensure homeowners displaced by wildfires receive a fair and comprehensive payout for lost property after natural disasters that result in total destruction.

“Destructive wildfires and other natural disasters are unfortunately an increasingly threatening reality for Coloradans,” said Fenberg. “As we work to build more resilient communities in anticipation of future disasters, we must update our insurance policies to make these systems easier to navigate. By eliminating barriers to insurance claims and extending the time to rebuild, we are providing Coloradans affected by wildfires with the support they deserve.”

HB22-1111 would require insurers to pay disaster victims 65 percent of the value of the contents of their home up front without requiring the victim to do a comprehensive inventory of their personal property. Current law only guarantees 30 percent upfront, creating a burdensome process for many people to claim what they are owed after a deeply traumatizing event. The bill also puts in place several provisions that would streamline the insurance claims process for disaster victims.

The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

$10 Million Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Rural Health Care, Create a Healthier Colorado Introduced

SB22-200 will help support rural hospitals, improve accessibility and affordability of lifesaving services

DENVER, CO - General Assembly Democrats introduced bipartisan legislation to support rural hospitals and improve access to quality, affordable health care throughout rural Colorado.

Sponsored by Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins), Sen. Bob Rankin (R- Carbondale), Rep. Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon), and Rep. Matt Soper (R-Delta), the legislation will create a $10 million Rural Provider Access and Affordability Stimulus Grant Program to provide grants to rural hospitals aimed at increasing access to, and improving the affordability of, the lifesaving care rural Coloradans depend upon.

“Every Coloradan deserves quality and affordable health care, but that care is too often hard to come by, especially in the rural and underserved parts of our state,” Ginal said. “That’s why I’m proud to support this bill to better support Colorado’s rural hospitals and give them the tools and resources they need to reach even more patients. By increasing access and driving down costs, we can get more Coloradans the lifesaving care they need to thrive.”

“This legislation will save Coloradans money on health care in rural areas by expanding access and reducing the cost of care,” McCluskie said.  “By investing $10 million of our economic recovery and relief funds to bolster our rural health care infrastructure, we will save people money on health care, lower costs, improve the sustainability of rural hospitals and clinics, and increase access to critically needed health care services, including behavioral health.”

“This is an incredibly important opportunity that will provide much-needed funds to our rural hospitals to ensure that all Coloradans have access to reliable medical coverage,” said Rankin. “I’m proud to be working to make sure that rural hospitals are treated as equal partners in our recovery.”

SB22-200 will provide millions to improve affordability by expanding access to telehealth services, supporting coordination and referral mechanisms between providers, and enabling coordinated and shared care management between rural providers. 

The bill also provides millions to improve access through extended hours for primary care and behavioral health settings, dual track emergency department management, telemedicine, and the replacement of unused inpatient hospital beds with in-demand inpatient services such as long-term care, skilled nursing facility recovery days, and mental health and substance use care.  

According to the Colorado Rural Health Information Hub, many rural Coloradans lack access to primary care and other critical health care services such as basic surgeries, chemotherapy, and advanced imaging services which results in poorer health outcomes, higher costs and, higher acuity conditions at time of treatment.

SB22-200 will be heard by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

SIGNED! Donovan's Bill to Establish Annual Native American Tribal Address Becomes Law

New law aims to build stronger partnership between Colorado Tribes and the state

DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) into law that will require the General Assembly to invite state Tribes to make an annual address during a joint session between the Senate and the House.

“Colorado will be the first state in the country to invite our Tribal leaders to the capitol to address the needs of their communities,” said Donovan. “Tribes are our partners, and they shouldn’t be left standing on the sidelines when policy is being developed and implemented. This bill provides the perfect foundation to start building that relationship.”

SB22-105 seeks to improve communication between Tribal governments and the state legislature. The Senate President and the Speaker of the House will be required to extend an invitation to representatives of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to deliver an annual address to a joint session of the General Assembly.

This new law will provide an opportunity to elevate the Tribe's needs and accomplishments on a yearly basis, and is part of Senator Donovan’s commitment to building a stronger partnership between Colorado’s federally recognized Tribes and the state of Colorado.

Winter’s Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Services for Crime Victims Clears Committee

SB22-183 would invest $41 million to fund essential services for child and adult victims of crime

DENVER, CO - Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) to ensure Colorado victims of human trafficking, stalking, domestic violence, child abuse, and rape can continue to receive essential services. 

Co-sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs), SB22-183 would fill a revenue gap in the Federal Crime Victims Fund to continue providing life-saving services for child and adult victims of crime through a one-time investment of pandemic relief funding. 

“During the pandemic we saw an alarming rise in cases of domestic violence,” said Winter. “With this investment of American Rescue Plan funding, we can better support victims of domestic violence and ensure Coloradans in need never see an interruption in the essential care and services they rely on. I’m proud to support this effort and I know it will go a long way in providing victims of crime and domestic violence with the services they need.”

“Our Commitment to prioritizing public safety requires that we deter crime and offer support and comfort to victims in the hour of their greatest need,” Gardner said. “Unfortunately, due to the stresses of the pandemic, we saw a rise in domestic violence, and without these vital funds many of the support services and programs for victims will not be continued. Throughout my time in the legislature, I have always been committed to supporting the victims of crime, particularly victims of domestic assault, and I am very happy to see this bill progress. I am proud to be a sponsor of Senate Bill 183.”

SB22-183 is one in a series of bills to invest millions into the state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $35 million in pandemic relief funding to the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund to ensure essential victim services can continue for the next four years. SB22-183 also invests an additional $6 million to services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as recommended by the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force.

SB22-183 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Governor Signs Bills to Prevent Crime, Improve Missing Persons Investigations

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will prevent crime and improve missing persons investigations.

“The legislation signed today will make our communities safer by ensuring that law enforcement has the tools they need to charge suspects in possession of a weapon who were already convicted for a prior offense,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “This bipartisan law, drafted based on recommendations by the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, will ensure consequences for people illegally possessing firearms - a commonsense way to prevent gun violence.”

“I am proud of the broad, bipartisan stakeholder work that went into crafting last year's effort to reform misdemeanor sentencing laws, and today, we continue to build on that success by enacting additional bipartisan legislation which clarifies and strengthens provisions of last year’s reform,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Today’s bills signed into law will ensure that individuals who threaten public safety while committing the felony act of possession of a weapon by a previous offender will, upon conviction, face mandatory prison time. Our efforts will lead to safer communities by ensuring clarity in our sentencing statutes, and I am grateful that Governor Polis signed them both into law today.”

HB22-1257, sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Matt Soper and Senators Julie Gonzales and Bob Gardner, was developed from recommendations of the bipartisan Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), which includes representation from law enforcement and district attorneys .The commission approved the recommendations with no opposition. The law would update SB21-271, which passed the Senate unanimously last year. SB21-271, which was also developed from CCJJ recommendations, realigned the misdemeanor sentencing grid to better match sentencing guidelines to specific crimes.

HB22-1257 will make communities safer by expanding the types of prior offenses that would lead to someone being charged with the crime of “possession of a weapon by person with a prior offense” (POWPO). Republicans in the House largely opposed adding additional prior offenses to the list on the grounds that it would restrict the rights of felons to possess a firearm.

“The first hours after someone goes missing are the most crucial, but too often those precious hours are squandered, and that needs to change,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “This bill will address those inadequacies and ensure that missing persons reports are taken seriously and responded to promptly. Streamlining our state investigation practices improves the chances of finding missing people, especially missing Indigenous women and women of color, and reuniting them with their families.”

“SB22-095 will strengthen our state’s response to missing persons reports and ensure that Colorado promptly initiates investigations and responds when someone is reported missing,” said Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver. “Investigations into missing Indigenous women and women of color must be initiated promptly every time, regardless of where in Colorado the person went missing or was last seen. I’m proud the governor has signed this important legislation into law.”

"Every single missing person report filed in Colorado needs to be acted on quickly, and investigated with care," said Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. "Unfortunately, far too many missing persons cases have been stymied by a broken set of rules that pick and choose which reports receive the level of care everyone deserves. Senate Bill 95 eliminates those barriers and increases the chances of reuniting missing people with their loved ones."

“This law will make Colorado’s law enforcement departments more effective by better coordinating missing persons reports, no matter where they are filed or where in Colorado the person went missing,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Too many missing women, especially woman of color, and their loved ones are still seeking justice because their cases are underreported and under investigated. This law will streamline the process to initiate an investigation to ensure departments are communicating with each other and the Colorado Bureau of Investigations to locate missing persons.”

SB22-095, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields and Dominic Moreno and Representatives Gonzales-Gutierrez and Bacon, would improve missing persons investigations by clarifying when Colorado law enforcement departments must accept a missing persons report. Under current law, departments are required to accept a report submitted in person if the missing person resides in the agency’s jurisdiction or was last believed to be in the agency’s jurisdiction. The bill expands this requirement to include missing persons who are Colorado residents or were last believed to be in Colorado. It also requires reports to be accepted if they are submitted over the phone or electronically. If the missing person is an adult, the agency must notify the Colorado Bureau of Investigation within eight hours (down from 24 hours), and if the missing person is a child, the agency must notify CBI within 2 hours.

Committee Clears Bipartisan Bill to Allow Sex Workers to Report Crimes Without Facing Prosecution

Legislation aims to provide critical protections for victims of serious and violent crimes

DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday unanimously approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) that would provide sex workers immunity from prostitution charges when reporting serious, violent crimes to law enforcement. The bill, HB22-1288, would allow safe reporting for sex workers if they witnessed or were a victim of a violent crime.  

“Right now, sex workers across Colorado experience serious crimes, but they often don’t feel comfortable reporting for fear of prosecution,” Fields said. “As we work to make our communities safer, we’re taking action to protect sex workers from violent crime and bring perpetrators to justice. When sex workers courageously report these crimes or seek out emergency services, they will be granted immunity for prostitution charges, which will help create a safer Colorado for all.”

The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Jim Smallwood (R-Parker), would grant a victim or witness immunity from certain prostitution-related charges if the evidence for the charges was obtained as a result of the victim seeking assistance from a law enforcement officer or emergency services. Under the bill, victims would receive immunity from prosecution when reporting to law enforcement the crimes of human trafficking, stalking, kidnapping, assault, and murder.  

The bill now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Legislation to Address Health Care Workforce Shortage Becomes Law

SB22-003 will create better pathways for students to enter the medical field, save students thousands in tuition and fees

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation that would create better pathways for students to enter the medical field and help address the health care workforce shortage throughout Colorado.

SB22-003, sponsored by Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora) and Senate President Pro Tem Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) as well as Representatives Kyle Mullica (D-Federal Heights) and Tony Exum (D-Colorado Springs), would allow community colleges to offer full bachelor’s degrees to a greater range of nursing students to address the state’s health care provider shortage and connect students with in-demand jobs.

“We are facing a critical shortage of qualified, well-trained healthcare professionals, and the pandemic has only made things worse,” said Buckner. “This bill will help more students pursue their dream and land a good-paying job in nursing while giving Colorado hospitals a larger and better-trained pool of employees to hire from. By expanding these opportunities for students, we will strengthen our workforce and improve health care outcomes for all Coloradans.”

“This law will boost Colorado’s health care workforce and build a healthier Colorado in the process,” said Mullica. “Getting more nurses from the classroom to the operating room will help ease some of the stress our health care workers have been facing. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to streamline the process for Coloradans to earn their BSN so we can get more talented, qualified nurses in the field.”

“Both rural and urban areas have felt the effects of our state’s shortage of nurses in hospitals,” said Donovan. “This bill will be a step towards providing hospitals with the staffing they need while saving people money on their education.”

“Boosting our health care workforce is a top priority and this law paves the way,” said Exum. “Community colleges have always been leaders in preparing Colorado’s students for success and now they’ll be able to prepare the next generation of nurses with a BSN program. This is a great step towards addressing Colorado’s health care workforce shortage head on by saving Coloradans money on earning their nursing degree and getting more qualified nurses in hospitals.”

SB22-003 would allow more students to enroll in BSN nursing programs, which will enable employers to grow internal talent who are familiar with their workplace’s culture and needs and allow students to earn a bachelor's in nursing at a faster pace than in a traditional program, saving thousands in tuition and fees and addressing the nursing shortage head-on.

Improving access to BSN nursing programs will also increase diversity in the state’s nursing pool, and decrease equity gaps in the delivery of health care across Colorado.

JOINT RELEASE: Transformative Bill to Increase Behavioral Health Access, Divert Coloradans in Need Away from Criminal Justice System Introduced

Legislation invests over $50 million to help folks get treatment for mental health and substance use support 

DENVER, CO - Legislation sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and Pete Lee (D-Colorado Springs) to make major investments in behavioral health services for individuals in - or at risk of becoming involved in - the criminal justice system was introduced in the Senate this week.

Also sponsored by Representatives Jennifer Bacon (D-Denver) and Adrienne Benavidez (D-Denver), SB22-196 would invest $51.5 million for the Early Intervention, Deflection, and Redirection from the Criminal Justice System Grant Program to help communities prevent people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders from becoming involved with the criminal justice system. The funding would also be used to redirect individuals with behavioral health needs away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment.

“For far too long, Colorado has tried to arrest and jail our way out of the behavioral health crisis, and it simply hasn’t worked,” said Gonzales. “Criminalizing people with behavioral health needs is the most expensive and least effective way to provide mental health care services to the folks who need it most. I am proud of the approaches we take in SB22-196 to intentionally intervene, deflect, and divert people out of the criminal justice system in order to get them the behavioral health resources they need.” 

“We’re working hard to address the root causes of crime in our communities, and it’s clear that a lack of access to behavioral health care paired with the devastation of the pandemic has led to increased crimes of desperation that we can prevent,” said Bacon. “This bill treats behavioral health and substance use disorder as a public health crisis and seeks to prevent people from becoming involved with the criminal justice system by intervening early with the support they need to thrive.”

“Far too many Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders are struggling in jail cells without proper care and treatment to get them back on their feet, and that is simply unacceptable,” said Lee. “Jailing folks with behavioral health needs will only exacerbate their condition and lead to more recidivism, so we’re proposing measures today to ensure these individuals get the treatment they need before they enter the criminal justice system in the first place.” 

“The pandemic and the economic conditions that followed have put enormous strain on our communities as instability, often from a lack of housing, access to behavioral health or job opportunities, has resulted in rising crime throughout the nation,” said Benavidez. “The legislation we unveiled this week will increase access to critical behavioral health care and substance use treatment to address the root causes of crime in our communities and help Coloradans get the care they need before and while they are in our criminal justice system.”

The bill also includes investments to help the Department of Corrections, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing support the continuity of care and treatment for individuals in the criminal justice system with opioid use disorders and mental health disorders, as well as investments in the Judicial Department to support pretrial diversion programs designed to keep individuals with behavioral health conditions out of jail.

The bill will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Passes Legislation to Provide Parental Leave for Lawmakers

SB22-184 would guarantee up to twelve weeks of parental leave for members of the legislature

DENVER, CO - The Senate today gave final approval to President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood)’s bill to offer parental leave to members of the legislature.

Currently, members of the General Assembly who have been absent for parental leave have had their absences excused under an existing long-term illness exception. SB22-184 would codify existing law and allow a member of the General Assembly to take up to twelve weeks of parental leave.

“As the legislature becomes more diverse, we must adapt and ensure we’re removing barriers that may prevent people from running for office," said Fenberg. “By updating our parental leave policies, we’re charting a path towards an even more representative legislature that is reflective of our state’s population.”

“I was stunned to find out two years ago that the legislature did not have a parental leave policy in place when I was preparing to be gone to take care of my newborn son, Davis. Not only that, I was the first person in our state’s history that had taken parental leave during session, so it was a situation we had never dealt with before,” Pettersen said. “This is an incredibly important change that we need to make to ensure the opportunity to serve in the legislature is available to new parents who bring a critical lens and life experience that is far too often unrepresented.”

SB22-184 would also allow for an additional four weeks for a serious health condition related to pregnancy or childbirth complications without a loss of compensation.

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Passes State Budget to Invest in Colorado Families, Set Students Up for Success, and Save People Money

$36 billion budget includes resources to improve public safety and create a healthier Colorado

DENVER, CO - The Colorado Senate today gave final approval to the FY 2022-2023 Long Appropriations Bill to make historic investments in K-12 education and set students up for success, save families and businesses money, improve public safety, and create a healthier Colorado.

“This budget strikes an important balance between meeting the urgent needs of our state and prudently setting the state up for financial security for years to come,” said Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Vice Chair Senator Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “We’re making critical investments to prepare Colorado’s students for success, clean up our air and create a healthier environment, and improve public safety - all while keeping us on solid financial footing this year and into the future. We’ve worked hard to create a balanced, thoughtful budget that will help ensure every Coloradan has what they need to thrive.”

“One of our top responsibilities as a legislature is to balance the state’s budget in the most reasonable and meticulous manner,” said JBC member Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This budget hits the mark. We’re delivering for Colorado families by making investments in K-12 education, reducing fees for businesses and professionals to save people money, and investing in health care for children and pregnant women. This budget will help support our families, provide for our communities, and move Colorado forward.”

Setting Students Up for Success 

The budget makes record investments in K-12 education to increase funding for public schools and puts more resources directly into Colorado classrooms. Schools will receive, on average, a $569 increase per student to reduce classroom sizes, provide individualized support to help students learn, and ensure that every student has what they need to thrive.

The budget also eliminates $250 million of the budget stabilization factor this year - bringing us closer than ever before to fulfilling our funding obligations to education - and sets aside $300 million to further invest in public schools. It also invests $6.5 million to fund the new Department of Early Childhood and putting Colorado on track to implement universal preschool in 2023.

Saving People Money

Amid rising prices, and in order to save Coloradans money, the budget sets aside millions to reduce fees for small businesses, and prioritizes licensing fee relief for frontline workers, including nurses and mental health professionals.

It further provides targeted support for rural communities by leveraging federal dollars to support rural economic development, and includes $200 million to provide property tax relief for Coloradans.

Creating a Healthier Colorado

The budget provides $29.8 million to improve health care for children and pregnant women enrolled in the Child Health Plan Plus, and increases funding for behavioral health community programs by $54 million. 

It also includes funding for Medicaid fee-for-service payments for a limited set of behavioral health services to treat mental health conditions and diagnoses that are not currently covered, such as autism spectrum disorders.

Further, the budget includes millions to improve Colorado’s air quality by increasing air quality monitoring, establishing an electric lawn equipment rebate program for public entities, and replacing old monitoring equipment.

Building Safer Communities

The budget boosts the capabilities of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to help local law enforcement solve and prevent crimes. It also sets aside funding for legislation to support crime prevention and intervention strategies and reduce recidivism, including resources to support local law enforcement initiatives to recruit, train and retain a high-quality, diverse law enforcement workforce.

Finally, the budget includes $7 million for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, and includes funding to help 9-1-1 dispatchers retain and recruit the staff they need, ensuring communities have the resources necessary to respond to emergencies. 

Improving Colorado’s Transportation Infrastructure

The budget directs nearly $50 million in funding generated through SB21-260, signed into law last year, to get critical road maintenance projects under way to reduce traffic and invest in multimodal and clean energy transportation options to modernize our state’s transportation system. 

The Long Bill will now move to conference committee before the JBC. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Gives Initial Sign Off on State Budget to Invest in Colorado Families, Set Students Up for Success, and Save People Money

$36 billion budget includes resources to improve public safety and create a healthier Colorado

DENVER, CO - The Colorado Senate today gave initial approval to the FY 2022-2023 Long Appropriations Bill to make historic investments in K-12 education and set students up for success, save families and businesses money, improve public safety, and create a healthier Colorado.

“This budget strikes an important balance between meeting the urgent needs of our state and prudently setting the state up for financial security for years to come,” said Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Vice Chair Senator Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “We’re making critical investments to prepare Colorado’s students for success, clean up our air and create a healthier environment, and improve public safety - all while keeping us on solid financial footing this year and into the future. We’ve worked hard to create a balanced, thoughtful budget that will help ensure every Coloradan has what they need to thrive.”

“One of our top responsibilities as a legislature is to balance the state’s budget in the most reasonable and meticulous manner,” said JBC member Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This budget hits the mark. We’re delivering for Colorado families by making investments in K-12 education, reducing fees for businesses and professionals to save people money, and investing in health care for children and pregnant women. This budget will help support our families, provide for our communities, and move Colorado forward.”

Setting Students Up for Success

The budget makes record investments in K-12 education to increase funding for public schools and puts more resources directly into Colorado classrooms. Schools will receive, on average, a $569 increase per student to reduce classroom sizes, provide individualized support to help students learn, and ensure that every student has what they need to thrive.

The budget also eliminates $250 million of the budget stabilization factor this year - bringing us closer than ever before to fulfilling our funding obligations to education - and sets aside $300 million to further invest in public schools. It also invests $6.5 million to fund the new Department of Early Childhood, bringing Colorado one step closer to implementing universal preschool in 2023.

Saving People Money

Amid rising prices, and in order to save Coloradans money, the budget sets aside millions to reduce fees for small businesses, and prioritizes licensing fee relief for frontline workers, including nurses and mental health professionals.

It further provides targeted support for rural communities by leveraging federal dollars to support rural economic development, and includes $200 million to provide property tax relief for Coloradans.

Creating a Healthier Colorado

The budget provides $29.8 million to improve health care for children and pregnant women enrolled in the Child Health Plan Plus, and increases funding for behavioral health community programs by $54 million.

The budget also includes funding for Medicaid fee-for-service payments for a limited set of behavioral health services to treat mental health conditions and diagnoses that are not currently covered, such as autism spectrum disorders.

Further, it includes millions to improve Colorado’s air quality by increasing air quality monitoring, establishing an electric lawn equipment rebate program for public entities, and replacing old monitoring equipment.

Building Safer Communities

The budget boosts the capabilities of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to help local law enforcement solve and prevent crimes. It also sets aside funding for legislation to support crime prevention and intervention strategies and reduce recidivism, including resources to support local law enforcement initiatives to recruit, train and retain a high-quality, diverse law enforcement workforce.

Finally, the budget includes $7 million for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, and includes funding to help 9-1-1 dispatchers retain and recruit the staff they need, ensuring communities have the resources necessary to respond to emergencies.

Improving Colorado’s Transportation Infrastructure

The budget directs nearly $50 million in funding generated through SB21-260, signed into law last year, to get critical road maintenance projects under way to reduce traffic and invest in multimodal and clean energy transportation options to modernize our state’s transportation system.

The Senate will give final approval to the FY 2022-2023 Long Appropriations Bill tomorrow, April 7, 2022. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Members of Black Democratic Legislative Caucus Statement on Passing of Former Sen. Gloria Tanner

DENVER, CO – Senate members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, including Senators Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora), Janet Buckner (D-Aurora), and James Coleman (D-Denver), today released the following joint statement on the passing of former State Senator Gloria Tanner, the first Black woman elected to the Colorado Senate:

“We are heartbroken over the passing of Senator Gloria Tanner and mourn her loss as we recall the profound achievements she made here in Colorado and throughout her lifetime. Senator Tanner motivated and inspired a generation of leaders to follow in her footsteps, and we could not be more grateful for the impact she has had on our state and our country. We talk often about the importance of electing people who truly represent the communities they serve. Senator Tanner did just that for her community, and encouraged all of us to do the same. Because of her leadership and her drive to run for office, so many individuals in the Black community have had the courage to run for office and serve in leadership positions. Senator Tanner proved to the state of Colorado that Black women can and should run for office, and we know her story will continue to inspire people for generations to come.”

JOINT RELEASE: Aurora Delegation Statement on Firing of Police Chief Wilson

DENVER, CO – The Aurora Delegation in the Colorado General Assembly today released the following statement on the firing of Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson:

“The firing of Aurora’s police chief will set back the critical and long overdue efforts currently underway in Aurora to ensure accountability and integrity in our police department. In 2020, we provided the Attorney General with the authority to investigate the department, which led to the finding that Aurora Police engaged in a longstanding pattern and practice of racist policing. Chief Wilson has been working hard to build a police force that reflects the diversity of our community and hold officers accountable for racially biased actions. Her firing in the middle of these efforts sends a terrible message to the police force and to the community about Aurora's commitment to reforming these practices.

“We commend Chief Wilson for her steadfast commitment to making our communities safer and rebuilding our community’s trust in our city’s police department. She held officers who engaged in misconduct accountable, and refused to tolerate the status quo that the Attorney General’s investigation found consistently endangered the lives of Black and Brown people in Aurora. We will not go back. Aurora needs a police chief who will continue these critical reforms to eradicate the department’s clearly documented pattern of racist policing and targeting of people of color.”

The members of the Aurora Delegation are Representatives Iman Jodeh, Naquetta Ricks, Mandy Lindsay, Mike Weissman, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Senators Rhonda Fields and Janet Buckner.

Transformative Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Clear Committee

Legislation would provide better support for mobile home residents & develop more housing that families can afford

DENVER, CO – The Senate Local Government Committee today approved two bills aimed at saving people money on housing and making Colorado a more affordable place to live. 

SB22-160, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo), will invest $35 million into the newly created Mobile Home Park Resident Empowerment Loan and Grant Program Fund. The Fund will provide financing to eligible mobile home homeowners so they can purchase the land under their homes and convert into a resident-owned community.

“Mobile home parks are Colorado’s closest thing to ‘naturally-occurring’ affordable housing,” said Gonzales, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. “But just like the rest of us, mobile home park residents are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing housing costs. This bill will allow Coloradans to invest in their own communities, own their own homes, and drive down the cost of housing across the state.”

“Every Coloradan deserves a safe, comfortable place to call home, which is why we are working to ensure that mobile homes stay affordable across our state,” said Hinrichsen. “This legislation will provide critical protections for mobile home owners by putting an end to extreme rent hikes, and give mobile home residents the tools and help they need to buy the land their homes sit on.”

The committee also approved SB22-159, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). This bill will invest $150 million to create the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program to develop and integrate housing-related infrastructure, provide gap financing for housing development projects, and preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable housing. 

“Families are feeling squeezed as housing prices continue to skyrocket across our state, leaving far too many without housing options they can afford,” said Bridges. “With this bill, we’re going to make a historic investment to cut costs and make Colorado a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. By developing more housing that is affordable for families, we can ensure that more Coloradans have a safe place to call home.” 

“To solve Colorado’s crisis in affordable housing, we must encourage developers and the construction industry to expand our inventory,” said Zenzinger. “The task force made this bill a top priority because of the regenerative nature of the funds attached. The availability of affordable housing allows us to make progress on the solution of myriad other problems in Colorado, and it’s imperative that we act now.”

SB22-160 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration, while SB22-159 will be heard before the Senate Finance Committee. 

Landmark Air Quality Improvement Legislation Advances

Legislation includes record investments to reduce air pollution and clean up Colorado's air

DENVER, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today passed President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Julie Gonzales’ (D-Denver) bill to invest more than $124 million to build a healthier Colorado through air quality improvements.

SB22-193 would provide funding for several different programs in the transportation and industrial sectors, as well as the Department of Public Health and Environment, to reduce emissions and improve Colorado’s air quality. The bill includes record investments in clean transportation initiatives and air quality monitoring, regulation, and incentives.

“Cleaning up our air and building a healthier Colorado requires all hands on deck,” said Fenberg. “That’s why we’re taking a comprehensive approach to ensure every Coloradan, particularly in communities who have historically borne the brunt of air pollution, can breathe clean air. With transformative investments to reduce industrial emissions, initiatives to clean up our transportation system, and plans to improve air monitoring, we’re putting Colorado on the path to a cleaner future.”

“Every Coloradan deserves safe and healthy air to breathe, but too often we are exposed to dangerous emissions and high ozone levels that threaten our health and hit disadvantaged communities the hardest,” Gonzales said. “This legislation represents an important step toward reducing those harmful emissions and achieving true environmental justice for all.”

SB22-193 includes:

• $25 million for the Clean Air Grant Program to help private entities, local governments, and public-private partnerships fund projects to reduce emissions of air pollutants from industrial and manufacturing operations.

• $65 million for the Electrifying School Buses Grant Program to help school districts and charter schools convert and replace fossil-fuel reliant school buses with electric-powered school buses.

• $15 million for the Diesel Truck Emissions Reduction Grant Program to provide grants to private and public entities for decommissioning and replacing diesel trucks.

• $12 million for the Community Access to Electric Bicycles Grant Program to create bike share and ownership programs to provide Coloradans with ebikes.

• $7 million for increased and expanded aerial surveying of pollutants.

The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Legislation to Provide Parental Leave for Lawmakers Clears Committee

SB22-184 would guarantee up to twelve weeks of parental leave for members of the legislature

DENVER, CO - The State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today passed President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood)’s bill to offer parental leave to members of the legislature.

Currently, members of the General Assembly who have been absent for parental leave have had their absences excused under an existing long-term illness exception. SB22-184 would codify existing law and allow a member of the General Assembly to take up to twelve weeks of parental leave.

“As the legislature becomes more diverse, we must adapt and ensure we’re removing barriers that may prevent people from running for office," said Fenberg. “By updating our parental leave policies, we’re charting a path towards an even more representative legislature that is reflective of our state’s population.”

“I was stunned to find out two years ago that the legislature did not have a parental leave policy in place when I was preparing to be gone to take care of my newborn son, Davis. Not only that, I was the first person in our state’s history that had taken parental leave during session, so it was a situation we had never dealt with before,” Pettersen said. “This is an incredibly important change that we need to make to ensure the opportunity to serve in the legislature is available to new parents who bring a critical lens and life experience that is far too often unrepresented.”

SB22-184 would also allow for an additional four weeks for a serious health condition related to pregnancy or childbirth complications without a loss of compensation.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Clears Bipartisan Zenzinger Bill to Set Students Up for Success

Legislation will allow higher education institutions to better support students with disabilities

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that will help set Colorado students up for success.

HB22-1255, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R-Weld County), will help higher education institutions provide better support for students with disabilities.

“Every Colorado student deserves a quality, public education, and this bill will help make that dream a reality by making higher education more accessible and accommodating for students with disabilities,” Zenzinger said. “This important measure will allow us to begin addressing the issues that prevent students from reaching their goals and give every student, regardless of their ability, the support and opportunity they need to thrive.”

HB22-1255 would create an advisory committee that will advise higher education institutions on best practices and make recommendations to the legislature on improving outcomes for students with disabilities attending state institutions. 

The goal of this report is to develop a blueprint for making real and meaningful changes to better prepare students with disabilities for success, both in the classroom and after graduation.

A 2019 study from the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 19.4 percent of undergraduate students have a disability. This bill aims to level the playing field to make it easier for students with disabilities to succeed.

HB22-1255 now heads to the Governor’s desk for final consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.