ICYMI: Senate Passes Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Higher Ed Tuition

HB22-1155 would help more Coloradans earn post-secondary degrees

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, that will save Coloradans money on higher education tuition by expanding in-state tuition to more students and families.

Under current law, students must reside in Colorado for at least three years before they are eligible for in-state tuition. HB22-1155 changes the requirement to allow any student who graduates from a Colorado high school and has resided in the state for one year to receive in-state tuition.

"The cost of higher education shouldn't deter Colorado's students from pursuing a post-secondary degree at one of the excellent colleges and universities in the state," said Moreno. "By expanding the pool of students who qualify for in-state tuition, we lower the cost of education and  empower students to make decisions for their future based on their goals rather than the price tag."

“We know that access to higher education can be transformational for a young person’s life, but during the pandemic we saw a significant decrease in enrollment,” said Gonzales. “Immigrant Colorado high school graduates should be able to access our public higher education institutions in the same manner as their U.S. citizen friends and neighbors. This is a common sense, bipartisan measure, and it also has the benefit of being good for our economy, particularly in corners of the state that are desperate for young, educated workers. I am honored to work alongside a broad coalition of business groups, higher education institutions, and immigrant rights organizations to bring forward this bill.”

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

ICYMI: Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Health Care Workforce Clears Committee

Legislation would support the education, training, recruitment and retention of nurses and health care workers

DENVER, CO - The Senate Health and Human Services Committee yesterday unanimously voted to advance Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis’, D-Boulder County, bipartisan bill to bolster Colorado’s health care workforce through a $61 million investment in the education, training, recruitment and retention of nurses and health care workers.

Co-sponsored by Senator Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, SB22-226 would address the shortage of health care workers by assisting with tuition and fees to help people get into high-demand health care fields. These programs require clinical hours at health facilities, currently a major limiting factor in how many students schools can accept. To address this, the bill would also provide funding for health care facilities to increase training slots to build long-term capacity to train new and existing employees.

“It’s no secret - the past two plus years have been tough. We’ve gone through some incredibly challenging times, weathered difficult storms, and held strong in the face of real adversity,” said Jaquez Lewis. “As we move forward together, we must invest in Colorado’s health care workforce and better prepare and equip our health care heroes. This will not only result in better quality of care for Coloradans, it will give workers advanced skill sets that help them grow and move forward in their careers.”

Additionally, the bill would create the Health Care Workforce Resilience and Retention Program in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to develop employee well-being programs and support the retention of health care workers.

SB22-226 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Bill to Expand Collective Bargaining Rights to More Than 37,000 Public Service Workers Advances

Building upon the 2020 state workers bill, SB22-230 would more than double the number of public workers with recognized collective bargaining rights

DENVER, CO - The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee today advanced landmark legislation sponsored by President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, to support workers by extending collective bargaining rights to more than 37,000 county public service employees, a historic step forward in Colorado’s labor and workers rights movement.

SB22-230 builds upon the state workers bill from 2020 to extend similar collective bargaining rights to county workers. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would give public service workers who choose to form a union a seat at the table to collectively bargain on issues like working conditions, job safety, pay and benefits, and to collaborate with management to address shared challenges like staff shortages, retention issues, and improving public services.

“County workers kept Colorado running through some extremely difficult years of pandemic disruptions and health and safety hazards,” said Fenberg. “These tens of thousands of unsung heroes have more than earned what nearly every private sector and state worker already enjoy — the right to organize and negotiate for fair and safe workplaces. It’s time for county public service workers to be given the choice to form a union.”

“Across Colorado, tens of thousands of county workers perform hazardous jobs and provide the critical services that keep communities running safely and smoothly,” Moreno said. “These public servants deserve to have a seat at the table to negotiate their employment, just like private sector and state employees currently do. By granting Colorado’s 37,000 county workers the right to choose to form a union, this bill will help Colorado take the next step on the path to ensuring collective bargaining rights for every Coloradan.”

Right now, only four out of Colorado’s 64 counties recognize public service workers’ right to collectively bargain. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would guarantee Colorado statutory county workers the ability to organize and form a union to advocate for safer workplaces and better public services, if they so choose.

Additionally, the Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would extend protections to workers who are currently vulnerable to retaliation, discrimination, and coercion for exercising basic union rights.

SB22-230 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

HHS Committee Clears Bills to Streamline and Improve Colorado’s Behavioral Health System

Legislation would help improve access to services for folks with behavioral health needs, expand treatment options

DENVER, CO – The Health & Human Services Committee today approved three bipartisan bills to streamline and improve Colorado’s behavioral health system. 

HB22-1278, sponsored by Senator Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will help increase and streamline access to behavioral health services for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).

“Coloradans deserve easy access to the behavioral health care they need to maintain their health and well-being, but far too many folks are left with limited or no options for help,” Lee said. “Accessing our behavioral health system can be complex and difficult, which is why we’re pushing for the creation of a Behavioral Health Administration to help streamline services for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. With this bill, we will be able to ensure accessible, equitable and high quality care for all.” 

The legislation would establish a comprehensive, accountable behavioral health safety net system available in every region of Colorado. This includes 15 different critical behavioral health services including substance use, crisis services, criminal justice diversion, trauma informed care, youth services and more.

The BHA will reduce bureaucracy by consolidating fragmented behavioral health networks into one behavioral health administrative services organization per region. The push for this legislation stems from patient frustration surrounding disjointed behavioral health care services. With this bill, patients would be able to more easily access behavioral health services in their community.

By July 1, 2024, the bill requires the BHA to establish:

• Universal standards for accessibility and quality of care;

• A behavioral health performance monitoring system;

• A comprehensive behavioral health safety net system;

• Regionally-based behavioral health administrative service organizations to ensure every region in Colorado has accessible and high quality services; and

• A statewide behavioral health grievance system.

HB22-1303, sponsored by Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Senator Jim Smallwood, R-Parker, invests $65 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment options for adults in our state. Currently, Colorado lacks the residential treatment beds needed to treat individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occuring conditions.

This bill supports the addition of 16 beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan and a further 125 residential treatment beds across the state for adults with urgent behavioral health needs who need long-term services and support. The facilities will provide integrated care to flexibly serve all populations, including individuals awaiting competency restoration services.

“Far too many of our neighbors are struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders. We must increase our capacity to support folks in need of urgent, immediate care,” said Winter. “This legislation will provide additional inpatient and residential treatment beds for folks in need, which will make a world of difference and allow more Coloradans to access the care they desperately need.”

HB22-1283, sponsored by Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Senator Kevin Priola, R-Brighton, will make it easier for families and youth to access residential and outpatient care in Colorado. Right now, Colorado does not have adequate capacity to serve children and youth with complex behavioral health needs. As a result, too many children are sent out-of-state for treatment, far away from their families and support network. This bill will invest $54 million to support intensive youth and family residential and outpatient care, ensuring that children, youth, and families can access behavioral health treatment and services they need right here in Colorado.

“Colorado families are struggling to get the behavioral care their children need, and too often must send their kids out-of-state to get that care,” Buckner said. “This important legislation will invest $54 million to increase access to intensive youth and family residential and outpatient care, helping families access the critical care their kids need, much closer to home.”

These bills were developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force.

The bills now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of HB22-1278 HERE, HB22-1303 HERE, and HB22-1283 HERE.

Lawmakers Announce Bipartisan Bill to Save Businesses Money, Improve Unemployment Insurance for Colorado Workers

Legislation will invest $600 million to improve and expand unemployment benefits, create a more resilient future economy

DENVER, CO - Members of the House and Senate today announced bipartisan legislation to save businesses money and improve unemployment insurance for Colorado workers.

Sponsored by Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, the bill would infuse the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund (UITF) with pandemic relief funds while expanding eligibility and improving benefits to help support Colorado’s working families.

“When the pandemic hit and thousands of Coloradans lost their jobs, the state’s unemployment insurance program was there to help families pay rent and keep food on the table,” Hansen said. “Now we’re doubling down to protect this critical safety net for working families and our economy by investing hundreds of millions into unemployment insurance to protect future solvency while improving and expanding the benefits it offers. This bill will better prepare us to weather any future economic downturns, and help make sure unemployment insurance continues to benefit working Colorado families for years to come.”

“The bipartisan legislation we introduced today has the support of the business community, workers and lawmakers in both parties because we all agree – this is a responsible path forward to reduce costs for businesses, improve protections for workers, and save everyone money,” Snyder said. “The pandemic made it very clear - Colorado workers need an unemployment insurance system that works for them and delivers the assistance they need, when they need it. We’ve crafted a bill that will help ensure the stability of the fund and make common sense improvements to ensure the system meets the needs of the moment.”

“This bill reforms our unemployment insurance program to better deliver assistance to workers and save people and businesses money,” Ortiz said. “At the start of the pandemic, changes to the system worked well to help get people back to work, and I’m excited to make them permanent. Not only does this bill stave off steep cost increases on businesses, it will ensure more workers get the assistance they need to get back on their feet.”

“Colorado businesses have endured one of the most challenging economic environments in our state’s history,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman, who was instrumental in the bill negotiations. “Through no fault of their own, many were forced to close and lay off valued employees, which has put them on the hook for the depletion of the UITF. After months of negotiations, this bill is an important first step in providing real relief to Colorado businesses. While we are still in need of a long-term solution, these funds will prevent significant unemployment premium increases, which will in turn help Colorado workers and local communities across the state.”

The legislation announced today invests $600 million to shore up the solvency of the UITF and protect against potential future economic downturns. This will save businesses money on premiums and provide certainty to workers who depend on unemployment benefits to continue paying for essentials like food, rent, and transportation while they search for new work.

The bill makes further improvements to ensure the unemployment system works better for Colorado families. It raises the benefit amount part-time workers can receive from 25 percent to 50 percent of the weekly benefit amount, in order to remove disincentives for workers who are laid off to find part-time employment while seeking a full-time job. It also creates a Benefit Recovery Fund to ensure that workers in Colorado who lack work authorization can access the benefits they contribute to and their employers pay premiums into.

The bill also eliminates the one-week waiting period to help workers access their benefits as quickly as possible once the Fund reaches a sustainable level, clarifies what constitutes an overpayment, and requires employers to inform their workers of their unemployment benefit eligibility upon separation.

Senate Approves Rodriguez’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Rural Access to Essential Health Care Services

SB22-173 would expand telepharmacy services, improving access to life-saving prescription drugs for rural Coloradans

DENVER, CO - The Senate today passed Senator Robert Rodriguez’s, D-Denver, bipartisan bill to expand access to health care services for rural Coloradans by increasing the availability of telepharmacy services.

Co-sponsored by Senator Jim Smallwood, R-Parker, SB22-173 would remove the current restriction requiring telepharmacy outlets to be located more than twenty miles from the nearest prescription drug outlet or other telepharmacy outlet. It would also require the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy to take into consideration areas of need when determining locations for new remote pharmacy sites.

“During the pandemic, we saw a need for greater flexibility in accessing health care services in every corner of the state, and telepharmacy emerged as a way to bring high quality services directly to underserved areas," Rodriguez said. “By increasing the availability of telepharmacy outlets, we can ensure all Coloradans, particularly in rural and remote areas, have access to the essential health care services they need to thrive.”

Telepharmacy is the delivery of pharmaceutical care via telecommunications to patients in locations where they may not have direct contact with a pharmacist. SB22-173 would also require the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to specify additional criteria for telepharmacy outlets.

SB22-173 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Passes Pair of Bipartisan Bills to Improve Community Safety

SB22-145 & SB22-005 will establish critical crime prevention programs, expand mental health support for law enforcement

DENVER, CO – The Senate today gave final approval to a pair of bipartisan bills to improve public safety across Colorado. 

SB22-145, sponsored by Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Senator John Cooke, R-Greeley, aims to address recruitment, retention, and training concerns in law enforcement agencies across the state through three innovative grant programs.

“Every Coloradan deserves to feel safe in their community, but like the rest of the country, crime has been on the rise here in Colorado, which is why we’re taking action,” Buckner said. “This bipartisan bill will provide critical resources to help communities cut down on crime, address law enforcement workforce shortages, and get folks in crisis the help they need to prevent crime from occurring in the first place. I am proud to champion this common sense legislation, and I look forward to reducing crime and creating a safer Colorado for us all.”

Research shows that crime prevention strategies that include collaboration between communities and local law enforcement are most effective. The Community Safety Investment Act will create three grant programs within the Department of Public Safety: 

• The first grant program will provide $15 million over two years to community-based organizations and local law enforcement agencies to implement collaborative, data-driven intervention strategies such as co-responder programs, violence interrupter programs, early intervention teams, and restorative justice services in identified high-crime areas. 

• The second grant program will provide law enforcement agencies with $7.5 million over two years to help recruit and retain staff, as well as improve training curriculums, including mental health training. 

• The third grant program - the State’s Mission for Assistance in Recruitment and Training (SMART) policing grant - will provide $7.5 million over two years to help local law enforcement agencies recruit and train officers that better represent the communities they serve. 

The Community Safety Investment Act also establishes a front-end stakeholder crime prevention forum, and provides funding for oversight and administration within the Colorado Department of Public Safety which will administer the grant programs. 

The Senate also approved SB22-005, sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and Senator Cooke, which would make a one-time $5 million investment to the existing Peace Officers Behavioral Health Support and Community Partnership Fund to expand mental health support for law enforcement. The bill adds to the program services that support peace officers involved in job-related traumatic situations.

“The mental health crisis in Colorado reaches every community in unique ways,” Bridges said. “For members of law enforcement, serving on the frontlines of traumatic situations can have devastating effects on their mental health. By investing in behavioral health services specifically supporting law enforcement, we’ll ensure they are well equipped to continue to show up for our communities whenever and wherever needed.”

Both bills now head to the House for further consideration. Track SB22-145’s progress HERE, and SB22-005’s progress HERE.

Saving People Money & Moving Colorado Forward: Governor Polis Signs Free Universal Preschool Into Law

Colorado families on average will see historic savings up to $4,300 per year with free universal preschool program starting in the 2023-24 school year 

Early Childhood Department creates one-stop shop for early childhood programs, committed to breaking down barriers to accessing education, making early childhood system easier to navigate, bolsters highly skilled workforce

DENVER, CO — Today, Governor Jared Polis joined state officials, bill sponsors, and parents and students to sign legislation creating the voter-approved universal preschool program in Colorado, and implementing the new, unified Department of Early Childhood, helping Colorado families save on average up to $4,300 every year. Last year, the legislature and Polis administration finalized plans for the Early Childhood Department to streamline the early childhood system, prepare our students for success, build a highly-skilled early childcare and education workforce, and give families economic freedom.

“Today, we’re taking another bold step forward in ensuring Colorado kids have access to free universal preschool. There’s no better investment than education which leads to a stronger, healthier and competitive workforce. Thanks to Speaker Garnett, President Fenberg, Senator Buckner and Rep. Sirota - dedicated early childhood education champions - families are going to save up $4,300 per year and our youngest students will be prepared for the success they deserve from the start,” said Governor Polis. 

The bipartisan 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 bipartisan legislation builds on HB21-1304, signed into law in 2021, 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.

“Free universal preschool is a historic accomplishment that will help parents get back to work, save families money, and prepare our youngest learners for success,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “As a dad of three young children, I know how important this is to families and how expensive child care has become for parents. Governor Polis, Representative Sirota, and so many others have made expanding and lowering the cost of early childhood education a top priority because we know it gives children the leg up they need to thrive, while at the same time, it boosts our economy, creates jobs and helps working families save money.”

 “Universal preschool is officially coming to Colorado,” said Sen. President Steve Fenberg. “Quality early childhood education is critical to a child’s future success, and streamlining the process to increase availability and affordability will be just as beneficial to the parents of young children. This new law will make transformational changes for Colorado kids and their families well into the future. I’m so proud to see it across the finish line.”

“Decades of research has shown us that greater access to early childhood education leads to better outcomes for children all the way into adulthood,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Parents across our state spend too many hours trying to find a preschool option for their child. The Department of Early Childhood will be a one-stop shop where every family can go to easily access high quality early childhood education for their kids.”

“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 Sen. Janet Buckner. “As we work to move Colorado forward, this new law 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."

 This legislation is the result of years of work and more than 130 meetings with leaders in the early childhood space, and implements the will of Colorado voters through Prop EE. The recommendations of the Transition Working Group are reflected in the legislation after receiving unanimous support from the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, establishing the Department of Early Childhood’s scope, mission, and framework to ensure smooth delivery of critical programs and services to Colorado children and families.

“We are moving forward today to make sure every child has access to early childhood education. After over 47 years, it’s amazing what we can accomplish and help teach each other when we work together. After all of these years, it was democracy in action — people from every facet of this diverse arena — saying we can do this, we are doing this, for the greater good. Today, we make Colorado a model for the rest of the country to follow,” said Anna Jo Haynes.

Pair of Bipartisan Bills to Save Parents Money on Child Care, Support Rural Colorado Win Committee Approval

Legislation will use Economic Recovery and Relief Cash Funds to bolster Colorado’s economy

DENVER, CO - A pair of bipartisan bills to save Coloradans money on child care and increase access to lifesaving health care in rural Colorado were both approved by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee yesterday.

SB22-213, sponsored by Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, will boost Colorado’s economy and make it easier for families to access child care by increasing capacity across the state and better developing workforce to help Coloradans get the training they need to provide that care.

“The pandemic exposed glaring gaps in our state’s child care system, and it’s hurting Colorado’s families and our economy,” Fields said. “That’s why I am proud to sponsor this bipartisan bill that will increase our state’s child care capacity and help more folks train for and land jobs in the child care field. This bill will help us provide critical support for working families across Colorado who have been doing their best to make sure their children have a safe place to learn and grow during the workday.”

The $50 million bill will help boost child care capacity by providing $16 million in grant funding to open a new child care center or expand capacity at an existing licensed childcare facility. It will also invest $10 million to support the employer-based child care facility grant program, which will help business owners and other employers provide convenient, high-quality child care on-site while parents are at work.

SB22-213 also adds $15 million to a successful workforce recruitment and retention grant program, and provides $7.5 million to support and train license-exempt informal caregivers working with young children in their communities.

SB22-200, sponsored by Sen. Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, Sen. Bob Rankin, R- Carbondale, 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.”

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 behavioral healthcare.

Both bills will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track SB22-200's progress HERE, and SB22-213's progress HERE.

Bipartisan Bills to Better Connect Coloradans with Behavioral Health Support Clear Committee

Legislation would make it easier & more efficient for people to navigate the state’s complex behavioral health system

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health & Human Services Committee today approved bipartisan legislation that seeks to better connect Coloradans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders with the appropriate care they need to maintain their health and well-being.  

SB22-177, sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, appropriates $12.2 million to improve Colorado’s statewide care coordination infrastructure to better serve Coloradans seeking behavioral health care. 

“While there will always be more work to do to expand and improve our behavioral health care system, we need to make sure Coloradans can fully utilize already existing behavioral health services,” said Pettersen. “With this new infusion of funds, we can more quickly and efficiently connect Coloradans with the care they need. Behavioral health care navigators will be well equipped to help Coloradans navigate these complex systems to deliver quality, accessible services to those that need the most support."

The legislation requires the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to better train new and existing behavioral health care navigators on available behavioral health safety net system services and delivery, and on ways to better connect individuals seeking care with the support they need.

The bill also seeks to cut red tape associated with provider enrollment and credentialing for navigators and care coordination providers, so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping Coloradans in need.

The committee also approved HB22-1302, sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, and Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, which invests $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. 

“Anyone who has tried to access behavioral health care in Colorado knows how hard it is to navigate the system as it is today,” said Jaquez Lewis. “That’s why we’re working to fix this broken system so that it meets people where they are before a crisis occurs. This bill will ensure that our primary care physicians are better equipped to connect patients with the appropriate behavioral health services they need.”

The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. This transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care.

Both bills were developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force. 

The legislation now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the SB22-177 HERE and HB22-1302 HERE.

Introduced! Landmark Bill to Expand Collective Bargaining Rights to Over 37,000 Public Service Workers

Building upon the 2020 state workers bill, SB22-230 would more than double the number of public workers with recognized collective bargaining rights

DENVER, CO - Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today introduced landmark legislation to support workers by extending collective bargaining rights to more than 37,000 county public service employees, marking a historic step in Colorado’s labor and workers rights movement.

SB22-230 builds upon the state workers bill from 2020 to extend similar collective bargaining rights to county workers. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would give public service workers who choose to form a union a seat at the table to collectively bargain on issues like working conditions, job safety, pay and benefits, and to collaborate with management to address shared challenges like staff shortages, retention issues, and improving public services.

“County workers kept Colorado running through some extremely difficult years of pandemic disruptions and health and safety hazards,” said Fenberg. “These tens of thousands of unsung heroes have more than earned what nearly every private sector and state worker already enjoy — the right to organize and negotiate for fair and safe workplaces. It’s time for county public service workers to be given the choice to form a union.”

“County workers have been on the frontlines during the pandemic and often work dangerous jobs to protect our communities and deliver the services Coloradans rely on,” Esgar said. “We depend on these tens of thousands of workers, and now is the time to have their backs. This bill will give county public service workers the right to form a union to negotiate for fair and safe workplaces and to improve the delivery and efficiency of critical services. County workers who fix our roads, staff our public health departments and protect our communities deserve the right to negotiate for a better future for themselves and their families.”

“Across Colorado, tens of thousands of county workers perform hazardous jobs and provide the critical services that keep communities running safely and smoothly,” said Moreno. “These public servants deserve to have a seat at the table to negotiate their employment, just like private sector and state employees currently do. By granting Colorado’s 37,000 county workers the right to choose to form a union, this bill will help Colorado take the next step on the path to ensuring collective bargaining rights for every Coloradan.”

Right now, only four out of Colorado’s 64 counties recognize public service workers’ right to collectively bargain. The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would guarantee Colorado statutory county workers have the ability to organize and form a union to advocate for safer workplaces and better public services, if they so choose.

Additionally, the Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act would extend protections to workers who are currently vulnerable to retaliation, discrimination, and coercion for exercising basic union rights.

SB22-230 will be heard in the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

$45 Million Bill to Reduce Homelessness, Connect Coloradans with Supportive Services Clears Committee

Legislation would help develop recovery community to provide vital health services, behavioral health care & housing access resources 

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today approved a bill sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, that aims to help people experiencing homelessness access the supportive services they need to care for their health and well-being. 

SB22-211 would invest $45 million to repurpose an unused, state-owned facility into a recovery oriented community to help those experiencing homelessness access services for mental health and substance use disorder services.

“Addressing homelessness is so much more than creating more housing options. It’s about connecting people without stable housing to services, care and housing they need to move forward and thrive,” said Fields. “With this bill, we will be able to better connect Coloradans experiencing homelessness with the care they need to support their health and stability, like access to recovery services as well as primary, dental and mental health care.” 

“If we want to help folks experiencing homelessness get back on their feet, we need to expand access to critical health services and housing resources to do it,” said Hinrichsen. “By expanding access to resources that will help folks access supportive housing and care for their health, we can set them  up for success and help them thrive in the future.” 

This legislation will help Coloradans with behavioral health needs on their recovery journey, provide resources for housing access so folks can more easily transition to supportive housing, and create a Federally Qualified Health Center or other primary care clinic that will offer primary care, dental and outpatient mental health care. 

SB22-211 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Hears Testimony on Bipartisan Bill to Address Fentanyl Crisis, Save Lives in Colorado

HB22-1326 strengthens criminal penalties for fentanyl dealers and increases access to harm reduction tools & treatment to prevent overdose deaths

DENVER, CO - Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a bill that addresses the fentanyl crisis in Colorado and aims to save lives.

Sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Senator John Cooke, R-Greeley, HB22-1326 represents a comprehensive approach to address this crisis that includes both proven harm reduction strategies to save lives and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers to keep fentanyl off Colorado streets. 

“We are in the third wave of the opioid epidemic and in the worst overdose crisis in the history of this country. Fentanyl is the drug of choice for the cartels because it’s potent, cheap and easy to traffic," Pettersen said. "We need to go after the dealers who are poisoning our communities and provide training and resources to better equip law enforcement to investigate fentanyl poisonings while increasing access to desperately needed treatment and life-saving harm reduction tools. This bill is about saving lives with a comprehensive public health and public safety approach, and will complement the work we’re doing to fix our broken behavioral health system throughout Colorado.”

The bill will strengthen criminal penalties on any individual distributing fentanyl, and integrate mandatory substance use disorder (SUD) assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing process to ensure people can access treatment and recovery services. 

HB22-1326 focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs or substances. The legislation provides law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers, while providing treatment options to individuals with a SUD. 

Under the bill, individuals dealing or importing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl that leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties.

Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in the Colorado Department of Human Services. Individuals assessed as having a substance use disorder will be ordered to complete a treatment program.

HB22-1326 would make it a felony to knowingly possess more than one gram of fentanyl compound/mixture while creating legal guardrails for individuals who didn’t know they were in possession of fentanyl. Additionally, once Colorado’s labs have the ability to test for the percentage of fentanyl within a compound, this bill adopts a “no tolerance” policy for the possession of pure fentanyl. 

The new felony, which is not prison eligible, would be repealed on June 30, 2025 and includes a “wobbler” provision to allow individuals that complete treatment to have the felony moved down to a misdemeanor on their record. The legislation creates a grant fund for law enforcement agencies to pursue investigations of fentanyl poisonings, and provides additional funding to crisis stabilization centers and detoxification centers.

This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will reduce harm, expand access to treatment, and prevent overdose deaths. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves. 

The legislation directs $29 million in federal pandemic relief funds to implement recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force to expand access to proven harm reduction tools like the life-saving opioid antagonist Narcan as well as fentanyl test strips. It will also expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) treatment within the criminal justice system to help folks get the care they need and ultimately help reduce recidivism.

Finally, HB22-1326 directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to develop, implement and maintain a three-year statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that even small amounts of fentanyl can be deadly. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. 

The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider amendments and vote on HB22-1326 on Thursday, April 28. 

Gov. Polis, Joined by Joint Budget Committee, Signs Bipartisan Budget to Save Coloradans Money, Improve Public Safety, Fiscal Prudence with Record Level Reserves to Ensure All Coloradans Can Thrive

Budget reflects Polis Administration and legislature’s commitment to put money back in the pockets of hardworking Coloradans, bring more good-paying jobs, and provide high-quality, accessible education to Colorado kids, Signs additional bills into law

DENVER, CO - Today, Governor Jared Polis signed the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Long Appropriations Bill, HB22-1329, into law while joined by bill Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Chair Julie McCluskie, Senator Chris Hansen, Joint Budget Committee Vice Chair, and members of the Joint Budget Committee Rep. Leslie Herod, Senator Rachel Zenzinger, and Senator Bob Rankin. The bipartisan budget reflects the Polis administration and the legislature’s shared commitment since day one to save Coloradans money, protect public safety and keep Coloradans safe, and ensure every Colorado kid has access to high-quality education.

“Colorado’s thriving economy is the reason we were able to put away record reserves for a rainy day, and make record investments in education to reduce class size and improve teacher pay.  We are bringing real relief to Coloradans with this bipartisan balanced budget, and ensuring we have a cleaner, healthier and safer Colorado for years to come,” said Governor Polis. 

“Our bipartisan state budget puts thousands of dollars more into classrooms to improve K-12 public schools and set up our students to thrive and increases funding for public safety to prevent and reduce crime,” said JBC Chair Representative Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m proud that we are boosting funding for our public colleges and universities, which will save students money on higher education. With our economy growing and unemployment levels at the lowest they’ve been since the start of the pandemic, this budget directs significant savings to businesses, families, and hardworking Coloradans, improves our air quality and invests in our kids’ future to move Colorado forward.”

“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 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.”

“This year’s budget responds to urgent needs in Colorado and responsibly invests our precious state resources to boost our economy, save people money, improve our air quality, and prepare our students for success,” said JBC Member Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “I’m especially proud of our efforts to close health equity gaps, improve education outcomes for at-risk students and fund critical investments in higher education campuses in communities all across our state.”

“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.”

The bipartisan budget signed into law today funds the State’s operations for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, which begins on July 1, 2022. The budget balances record reserves with robust investments in saving Coloradans money, putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by reducing drivers license and vehicle registration fees, making it free to start a business.

Colorado’s budget includes bold investments in education to ensure Colorado kids can thrive with high-quality, accessible education. With an increase in per pupil funding by $511 and an additional $12,000-$13,000 per classroom, schools and districts will be empowered to increase teacher pay, create smaller class sizes, revitalize after school programs, or provide additional staff support for mental health or extracurriculars. 

The Polis Administration, in partnership with the legislature, continues to activate every tool possible to make Colorado one of the safest states in the nation. The bipartisan budget includes robust investments in proven strategies to prevent crime before it happens and reduce the likelihood someone will reoffend. The budget boosts local law enforcement initiatives to recruit, train and retain a high quality, diverse law enforcement workforce and supports community organizations working in crime prevention, and proven programs like the co-responder model.  

Governor Polis also signed the following bills today, including legislation to support Colorado’s direct care workers:

• HB22-1247 Additional Requirements Nursing Facility Funding  - Representatives L. Herod | J. McCluskie,  Senators C. Hansen | B. Rankin

• HB22-1165 Rule Review Bill - Representatives M. Snyder | M. Soper, Senators P. Lee | B. Gardner

• HB22-1208 Jail Data Collection Clean-up - Representatives M. Weissman | H. McKean, Senator P. Lee

• HB22-1264 Change Food And Drug Administration To FDA - Representatives D. Valdez | S. Woodrow, Senators D. Moreno | R. Woodward

• HB22-1276 Sunset Second Chance Scholarship Program - Representatives C. Kipp | T. Exum, Senator D. Moreno

• HB22-1331 Supplemental Funding For Facility Schools - Representatives L. Herod | K. Ransom, Senators R. Zenzinger | B. Rankin

• HB22-1332 Office of Economic Development and International Trade American Rescue Plan Act Funds For Rural Colorado - Representatives J. McCluskie | L. Herod, Senators C. Hansen | B. Rankin

• HB22-1333 Increase Minimum Wage For Nursing Home Workers - Representatives L. Herod | J. McCluskie, Senators R. Zenzinger | B. Rankin

• HB22-1334 Food Distribution Program Administrative Fee - Representative L. Herod, Senator R. Zenzinger

• HB22-1335 Transfer To The Judicial Department Information Technology Cash Fund - Representatives J. McCluskie | K. Ransom, Senators C. Hansen | B. Rankin

• HB22-1336 Streamline Processing Of Judicial Department Collections - Representatives J. McCluskie | K. Ransom, Senators C. Hansen | R. Zenzinger

• HB22-1337 State Personnel Director's Compensation Report - Representatives L. Herod | K. Ransom, Senators C. Hansen | B. Rankin

• HB22-1338 Modification Department Of Revenue Motor Vehicle-related Functions Funding - Representative L. Herod, Senator C. Hansen

• HB22-1339 Merge Department Of Revenue Division Of Motor Vehicles Cash Funds - Representatives L. Herod | J. McCluskie, Senators R. Zenzinger | B. Rankin

• HB22-1340 Capital-related Transfers Of Money - Representatives L. Herod | J. McCluskie, Senators C. Hansen | R. Zenzinger

• HB22-1341 Marijuana Tax Cash Fund - Representatives L. Herod | J. McCluskie, Senators R. Zenzinger | B. Rankin

• HB22-1342 State Emergency Reserve Cash Fund - Representatives L. Herod | K. Ransom, Senators C. Hansen | B. Rankin

• HB22-1343 General Fund Exempt Account And Excess State Revenues - Representatives J. McCluskie | K. Ransom, Senators C. Hansen | B. Rankin

Bipartisan Incentive Program to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Clears Committee

HB22-1282 invests $40 million to boost affordable housing supply, increasing affordability and homeownership rates

DENVER, CO - The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee today unanimously voted to advance a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, to increase housing affordability, improve home ownership rates, and create jobs through innovative housing solutions.

Co-sponsored by Senator Rob Woodward, R-Loveland, HB22-1282 would create and allocate $40 million to the Innovative Housing Incentive Program Cash Fund to support the construction of innovative forms of affordable housing to be built across Colorado, such as modular housing, 3-D printed housing, kit homes, tiny homes, and other forms of prefabricated housing. This will boost the affordable housing supply and increase the rate of homeownership in communities that have traditionally lacked access to affordable housing.

“Hard working Colorado families deserve to have a home they can afford,” said Bridges. “But too many Coloradans are getting priced out of the neighborhoods where they work and live. This bill will create good-paying jobs while quickly increasing our housing stock with quality, affordable homes that will help drive down housing costs and get roofs over heads as quickly as possible. I am proud to sponsor this critical bipartisan legislation as we continue fighting to make sure every Colorado family has a place they can afford to call home.”

HB22-1282, part of a package of bills developed from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force recommendations, will also create jobs by incentivizing new innovative housing companies to manufacture and place their homes in Colorado.

HB22-1282 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Passes Bills to Save People Money, Bolster Behavioral Health Workforce, and Set Students Up for Success

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a slate of bipartisan legislation that will save Colorado families money, bolster our behavioral health workforce, and set students up for success.

The Senate passed SB22-182, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, that will save Coloradans money through tax filings by providing $4 million to extend the successful Economic Mobility Program, which provides tax filing assistance for eligible Coloradans. Among other things, this program helps people claim federal tax credits they may not know they are eligible for, which can be significant amounts of money.

This legislation is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans, and is co-sponsored by Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose.

“Colorado families have been hit hard by rising inflation, which is why we’re doing everything we can to make our state more affordable,” Hansen said. “This legislation will help families better understand and file for the tax credits they are eligible for, allowing them to keep even more of their hard-earned paycheck and get some money back on their tax returns.”

The Senate also passed SB22-181, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, that would direct the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to develop and implement a workforce plan to invest $72 million to bolster, diversify, and stabilize the state’s behavioral health care workforce. The legislation was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force, and is co-sponsored by Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa.

“If we want to achieve our goal of transforming Colorado’s behavioral health system, then we need a robust workforce to help us do it,” said Bridges. “With this bill, we’re going to make a significant investment to expand our behavioral health workforce so we can address our workforce shortage, better meet the needs of patients, and improve patient outcomes.”

Finally, the Senate passed SB22-192, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, which will expand stackable credential pathways to help Coloradans seeking to further their education or switch careers get the training and credentials they need to land jobs in high-demand industries. This legislation was developed based on recommendations by the state’s Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Task Force, and is cosponsored by Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa. 

“Expanding stackable credential pathways will set Colorado’s students up for success and help workers upskill and reskill to land the high-paying jobs they are seeking,” Zenzinger said. “Colorado students – adults and youth alike – need efficient and effective pathways to gain the experience and training they need to earn a degree and, ultimately, a good-paying job. This bill will accelerate our economic recovery and help businesses fill the critical gaps in our state’s workforce.”

All three bills now move to the House for further consideration.

Senate Passes Transformative $150 Million Housing Bill to Save Money on Housing, Build More Homes Families Can Afford

Legislation will save Coloradans money & help transform our state’s housing infrastructure 

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a bill to help Colorado address the ongoing housing crisis, save people money, and build more homes families can afford. 

SB22-159, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, 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,” Bridges said. “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 to 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,” Zenzinger said. “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 a myriad other problems in Colorado, and it’s imperative that we act now.”

The legislation is based on recommendations from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force.

SB22-159 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Colorado Cashback: Governor Polis, Legislative Leaders Announce New $400 Colorado Dividend for Every Hardworking Colorado Taxpayer

Over 3 million Coloradans to Receive Immediate Tax Relief 

DENVER -  Today, Governor Jared Polis, House and Senate Legislative Leadership announced that Coloradans will receive $400 cash back this summer.

“People are paying more for everyday items like gas, groceries, and rent through no fault of their own. Instead of the government sitting on money that Coloradans earned, we want to give everyone cash back as quickly and easily as possible to provide immediate relief and empower people to do what they want to with their money,” said Governor Polis. 

“Coloradans are up against high rates of inflation and a rising cost of living – and they’re feeling the pinch,” said President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “This year, we’re able to extend much needed support to families and individuals in the form of direct relief to taxpayers. We’re helping Coloradans make ends meet during this challenging time by putting money directly back into their wallets.”

“At a time where so many Coloradans are rebuilding what the pandemic has broken, inflation is stretching their paychecks thinner and thinner,” said Dominick Moreno D-Commerce City. “Sending a $400 or $800 refund to every taxpayer in the state relieves the financial pressure Coloradans are burdened with at the time where they need it the most.”

All eligible Colorado income tax filers will receive their rebate directly in the mail in August or September. This rebate is available for all full time residents who have filed their 2021 tax returns by May 31st, 2022 which is about 3.1 million people.

“On the opening day of this legislative session, I said saving Coloradans money and making our state more affordable would be our top priority. We are delivering on that promise by saving people money on health care, universal preschool, and now, by sending every Colorado taxpayer an early refund of $400 that they can spend on food, gas, housing or everyday items,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “These checks will provide immediate relief to Colorado families, who despite the rapid economic growth in our state and low unemployment rate, are feeling the pain of pandemic-induced inflation and rising costs.”

“Refunding $400 or $800 now to every taxpayer in our state will immediately help workers and middle class families who are feeling the rising costs of everyday items,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “People are working harder and harder to earn enough money to pay for what they need. We recognize this, and we are taking action by making our tax code more fair. Putting your money back in your pocket will help all areas of the state, including rural Colorado, and those communities who are still struggling to recover.”

The impacts of inflation and the cost of living are creating challenges for many Colorado families so the legislature, in partnership with Gov. Polis, is acting now to provide immediate tax relief for all Coloradans. The Colorado Cashback will provide a flat amount of $400 for a single filer or $800 for a joint filer.  The proposal being introduced at the legislature will give immediate relief to Coloradans, providing tax refunds by September 15 of this year, instead of the Spring of 2023.  

Colorado is experiencing the 5th fastest economic rebound in the country, with a more than 100% recovery rate of jobs lost during the pandemic and a 3.7% unemployment rate - the lowest since the pandemic began. The strong economic performance has led to a record state surplus that is being returned to taxpayers via a reduction in the rate of the income tax,  the senior homestead exemption, the Colorado dividend announced today, and a six-tiered sales tax rebate next year. 

The Colorado Cashback will add to the savings from the comprehensive tax reform legislation passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Polis last year that is putting money back into the pockets of Coloradans this year.  By repealing tax loopholes for large corporations and millionaires, the Governor and Democratic lawmakers secured hundreds of millions of dollars in tax relief for hard working Coloradans, seniors and small businesses.

Governor Polis in partnership with the state legislature has continued fighting to save people money. Free full day kindergarten is saving Colorado families roughly $500 per month and universal preschool will soon save families an average of $4300 per year. Governor Polis has cut taxes for small businesses and property taxes for homeowners, ended state taxes on social security, proposed relief on drivers license fees and vehicle registration fees, and is proposing to make it free for Coloradans to start their own businesses. 

Gov. Polis signed a bill sponsored by President Fenberg that lowered state parks passes by $50, the Governor also signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts, to cap the cost of insulin, eliminated out-of-network billing through a bill led by House Majority Leader. Daneya Esgar and Sen. Pettersen, and is working to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

On Earth Day, Senate Passes Hansen Bill to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Build a Healthier Colorado

Legislation would help Colorado reach climate goals, improve air quality 

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across several high-emitting sectors of the economy. 

SB22-138, co-sponsored by Senator Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, would help Colorado meet its climate goals, update emissions reduction goals to reflect the growing urgency of the climate crisis, and increase public health and safety by improving air quality.

“On Earth Day each year, we are reminded of the very real impact global warming has on our world, and recommit ourselves to passing good policies to protect our environment and build a sustainable future,” said Hansen. “Today, we’re acting on that commitment by passing a bill that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and bring our state closer toward meeting our climate goals so we can build a cleaner, healthier Colorado for all.”

The bill would reduce ozone pollution and the “brown cloud” over the Front Range by incentivizing the electrification of lawn and garden equipment through a 30 percent rebate on the purchase price of the equipment. Lawn equipment is responsible for about 20 percent of local ozone pollution. It would also promote investments in, and expand the use of agrivoltaics, which both promotes more efficient land use and reduces greenhouse gas emissions of energy production by co-locating solar power generation with agricultural production.

The legislation would also provide funds for the Department of Agriculture to study carbon reduction and sequestration options, establish intermediate goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and require climate risk assessments for life insurance and pension companies’ and the Public Employees Retirement Association’s investment portfolios. 

Finally, the bill would add a statewide goal of 75 percent emission reduction by 2040 to address the urgency of the climate crisis. 

SB22-138 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Higher Ed Tuition Clears Committee

HB22-1155 would help more Coloradans earn post-secondary degrees

DENVER, CO – The Senate Education Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, that will save Coloradans money on higher education tuition by expanding in-state tuition to more Colorado students and families.

Under current law, students must reside in Colorado for at least three years before they are eligible for in-state tuition. HB22-1155 changes the requirement to allow any student who graduates from a Colorado high school and has resided in the state for one year to receive in-state tuition.

"The cost of higher education shouldn't deter Colorado's students from pursuing a post-secondary degree at one of the excellent colleges and universities in the state," said Moreno. "By expanding the pool of students who qualify for in-state tuition, we lower the cost of education and  empower students to make decisions for their future based on their goals rather than the price tag."

“We know that access to higher education can be transformational for a young person’s life, but during the pandemic we saw a significant decrease in enrollment,” said Gonzales. “Immigrant Colorado high school graduates should be able to access our public higher education institutions in the same manner as their U.S.-citizen friends and neighbors. This is a common sense, bipartisan measure, and it also has the benefit of being good for our economy, particularly in corners of the state that are desperate for young, educated workers. I am honored to work alongside a broad coalition of business groups, higher education institutions, and immigrant rights organizations to bring forward this bill.”

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