JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Bill to Make Juneteenth a Colorado State Holiday Becomes Law

New state holiday would commemorate the day Union soldiers arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and declare that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed landmark legislation championed by members of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado to make Juneteenth a Colorado State Holiday. The bill, SB22-139, is sponsored by Senators James Coleman, D-Denver, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, as well as Representative Leslie Herod, D-Denver.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Soldiers, led by Major General Gordan Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and declare that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free.

“Juneteenth is more than just a federal holiday we recognize in historical Black communities like Five Points where we march, eat good food and listen to good music,” said Coleman. “Making Juneteenth a state holiday means Colorado would not only recognize that Black people are free, but that all people are free. It is a recognition that we not only desire for some Coloradans to prosper, but for all to prosper, and for all Coloradans, regardless of race or background, to earn a living wage, have an affordable place to call home, and get the equitable access to health care and education people need to move forward and thrive.”

“Juneteenth has been celebrated by the Black community for generations, and beginning today, this statewide holiday will receive all formal recognition, celebration and reflection it deserves,” said Herod, Chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado. “This Emancipation Day reminds us of the atrocities our ancestors endured and how we must never give up hope in uncertain times. Juneteenth uplifts the voices of the Black community and showcases the perseverance of past and present generations–I’m proud to call it Colorado's 11th state holiday.”

“It’s long past time to make Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery and honors freedom for all of us, a Colorado state holiday,” said Buckner. “I am proud to champion this important legislation which will help educate all Coloradans about the horrors of slavery, make space to celebrate the Black community, and lift up our ongoing work to make sure we don’t forget our past.”

"Today, as we celebrate Colorado's newest state holiday, we reflect on the fearless attitudes and leadership of our Black ancestors," said Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. "Juneteenth educates Coloradans on the past and reserves space for Black voices. This important Emancipation Day has been celebrated by the Black community for decades and now it will receive the statewide recognition it deserves."

Today’s ceremony was held at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance facility in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver in coordination with the Juneteenth Music Festival (JMF Corporation), where members of the dance company along with Tony Exum Jr. performed to celebrate the historic bill signing.

JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Governor Signs Bipartisan Bill to Help Coloradans With Behavioral Health Needs Get Treatment, Not Punishment

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed bipartisan legislation into law today that would expand a pretrial diversion program to help more Coloradans with behavioral health conditions get the treatment they need. The bill is sponsored by Senators Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, as well as Representatives Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, and Judy Amabile, D-Boulder.

SB22-010 will empower District Attorneys to divert eligible individuals away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate community treatment programs, reducing recidivism and preventing further criminal behavior.

“A jail cell is no place for someone with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. Diverting folks away from the criminal justice system and into community programs will ensure individuals in crisis are met with treatment, not punishment,” said Lee. “Expanding our existing pretrial diversion program to include individuals with behavioral health disorders means we’ll soon be able to extend critical aid to even more folks in need."

"Coloradans with serious mental health conditions or substance use disorders need treatment, not jail time," said Benavidez. "I am thankful Governor Polis signed our bill into law that will help break the recidivism cycle so Coloradans can receive care instead of waiting behind bars. We need to intervene early to address Colorado's escalating behavioral health crisis and this bill expands our pretrial diversion program to connect Coloradans with the lifesaving care they need."

"Coloradans can spend years in jail awaiting critical care, and during that time, their behavioral health deteriorates," said Amabile. "This law expands our state's pretrial diversion program so Coloradans with mental illness or substance use disorders can receive the lifesaving treatment they need. Community treatment programs are some of the best tools we have to improve behavioral health outcomes, and our law directs Coloradans toward treatment instead of jail."

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

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

DENVER, CO – The Senate 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 treatment. 

“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 House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Governor Polis & State Legislators Announce Additional Money Saving Measures for Coloradans: Property Tax Relief

Bipartisan legislation to provide real relief to Colorado homeowners and businesses builds upon bold work saving Coloradans money on universal preschool, putting $400 back in Coloradans’ pockets

DENVER, CO — Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis joined Senator Chris Hansen, Senator Bob Rankin, Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, and community leaders to announce another major money saving measure: bipartisan property tax relief to save Colorado homeowners and businesses money. Colorado currently has among the lowest residential property tax rates in the country, and today’s announcement builds upon the Polis Administration’s work since day one to provide property tax relief to Coloradans and put money back in the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. 

“I want to make sure we leave no stone unturned to ensure Coloradans can hold on to more of their hard-earned money.  This property tax relief builds on our work to save people money including healthcare savings, free preschool, and sending out $400 rebates as quickly as possible,” said Gov. Polis. “We are acting now to provide immediate relief to homeowners and business owners, help people stay in their homes, and save you money.”

The property tax relief package will provide $700 million in property tax relief over two years for homeowners and businesses. These savings will help families stay in their homes and remain in the neighborhoods they’ve lived in for decades, and will reduce costs for businesses statewide. 

“The cost of housing is at an all-time high here in Colorado and people are feeling the pain, which is why we’re working to provide immediate property tax relief that will help families all across the state save money,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “This property tax relief package delivers help to homeowners and businesses as property values continue to rise, and will help more families to stay in their homes, all without cutting education funding or the critical services Coloradans depend on to thrive.” 

“With nearly every part of our state seeing rising home values, we are taking action quickly to save people money on their property taxes and housing costs,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Many small business owners won’t see their property taxes go up at all, even as their properties rise in value. This legislation will also improve the assessment process to make it more fair to taxpayers and builds on our work last year to provide property tax relief to Coloradans and make our state more affordable.”

“We’re doing everything we can to put money back into people’s pockets,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Families are going to save thousands from our efforts to make housing more affordable, lower health care costs, reduce property taxes, make our tax code fairer for hardworking Coloradans, implement free universal preschool and send $400 and $800 refund checks early this September. With Colorado seeing one of the fastest job recoveries in the nation, we’re delivering on our promise to help people afford the rising cost of living by saving them money wherever we can.”

Property tax relief is a part of the Polis Administration and legislature’s commitment to save Coloradans money, including  saving people money on healthcare, making early childhood education and child care affordable, implementing universal preschool to help save families $4300 per year, reducing vehicle registration fees, cutting the cost of a state parks pass to $29,  reducing payroll taxes, delaying any new fees on gas, and more. 

In a rapidly increasing real estate market, this property tax relief package, combined with the property tax reductions passed last year, will reduce property taxes for homeowners by an average of $274 in 2023 on a $500,000 home and will provide significant savings for every business in the state. 

Landmark Bill to Expand Collective Bargaining Rights to Over 37,000 Public Service Workers Clears Senate

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 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,” 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 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 House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Passes Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Hygiene Products

“Don’t tax dignity” bill would end sales tax on menstrual products, diapers and incontinence products

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, that would eliminate the state sales tax on essential hygiene products like menstrual products, diapers, and incontinence products.

“Every Coloradan deserves to live with dignity, but for far too many, their inability to pay for basic human needs like period products and diapers means they can’t,” said Winter. “With this bill, we’re removing the tax on dignity while ensuring that Coloradans can save money on essential items. This is a commonsense step in the right direction that will help countless families afford these products so they can maintain their own health and care for their loved ones.” 

"Right now, things like food and medicine are tax exempt, but other essential hygiene products are not. This inequity impacts low-income folks and communities of color the most,” said  Jaquez Lewis. “This critical bill is about dignity. The more we can make these products affordable, the more access folks will have to these essential products."

Far too many Coloradans have difficulty affording basic human needs like menstrual products, diapers or incontinence products. Under the bill, specific hygiene products would join other tax exempt essentials like food and medicine. The current sales and use tax on essential products falls disproportionately on communities of color and older Coloradans with fixed incomes.

HB22-1055 would help more than 200,000 children under the age of 3 and their families who spend about $80 per child per month on diapers, 1.6 million Coloradans between the ages of 12 and 55 and their families who spend $15 a month per individual who menstruates, and some of the 850,000 older adults who can spend as much as $240 a month on incontinence products. 

HB22-1055 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Approves Gonzales, Lee Bill to Increase Behavioral Health Access, Divert Coloradans in Need Away from Criminal Justice System

Legislation invests over $60 million to help folks get treatment for mental health and substance use support

DENVER, CO - The Senate today approved 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. The legislation is based on recommendations from the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force.

SB22-196 would invest $50.7 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,” Gonzales said. “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.” 

“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 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 now move to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Bill to Provide Coloradans Expedited Tax Relief Advances

SB22-233 will provide relief to more than 3 million Coloradans

DENVER, CO - The Senate Finance Committee today approved legislation to provide working Coloradans with expedited tax refunds. Under the proposed Colorado Cashback plan, individual tax filers will receive a flat amount of $400, and joint filers will receive $800, pushing refunds up to provide relief to Coloradans as soon as possible.

SB22-233, sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Senator Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, speeds up the timeline for refund checks to help families afford basic necessities like gas and groceries. All full-time residents of Colorado who filed their 2021 income tax returns by June 30th, 2022 will receive a check under the bill as currently drafted.

“Coloradans are feeling the pain of inflation, and they need our help,” Hinrichsen said. “That’s why we’re taking action to provide immediate support to families and individuals in the form of direct relief to taxpayers. This relief will put money directly back into Coloradans’ wallets, making it easier for folks to afford everyday necessities like rent and groceries and helping families make ends meet during this challenging time.”

“We’ve worked hard this session to save working Colorado families money, and this legislation will do even more to ease the pain we’re all feeling due to rising inflation,” Rodriguez said. “As we continue building back from the pandemic, this relief will help ease the financial burden folks across our state are struggling with when they need it most.”

Colorado Democrats' state stimulus plan, fair tax reform, and responsible governance combined has led to a robust economic recovery and a record state surplus that is being returned to taxpayers via this tax rebate, in addition to existing refund mechanisms including the senior homestead exemption and a temporary reduction in the rate of the income tax.

The expedited tax relief provided by SB22-233 will add to the savings from the comprehensive tax reform legislation and property tax relief passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Polis last year that is already putting money back into Coloradans’ pockets. By repealing tax loopholes for large corporations and millionaires and reducing property tax assessment rates, Democrats have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in economic assistance and tax relief for hard working Coloradans, seniors, and small businesses.

SB22-233 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

ICYMI: Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Health Care, Build a Healthier Colorado Clear Committee

DENVER, CO – The Health & Human Services Committee this week approved two bipartisan bills that would increase hospital transparency and save Coloradans money on health care by improving surprise medical billing protections in Colorado.

HB22-1285, sponsored by Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and Senator John Cooke, R-Greeley, would save Coloradans money on health care by increasing hospital transparency and prohibiting hospitals that are out of compliance with federal price transparency laws from referring medical debt to collections.

"According to federal law, hospitals are required to be transparent about the price of services they provide their patients,” said Moreno. “By preventing Colorado's hospitals from sending medical debt to collections if they are out of compliance with these requirements, this bill protects patients and empowers Coloradans to make the right healthcare decisions for themselves and their families."

In July 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop detailed rules to increase hospital billing transparency.

Hospitals must now publicly post their “standard charges,” which are the gross charges, discounted cash prizes, payer-specific negotiated charges, and de-identified minimum and maximum negotiated charges so that consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for health care services.

Under the bill, hospitals that are not in compliance with federal hospital price transparency regulations will be prohibited from referring, assigning or selling medical debt to collectors, and they will be prohibited from using the courts to obtain a judgment for an outstanding medical debt. The legislation would award damages to patients if the courts find that the hospital has violated the provisions of the bill.

HB22-1284, sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, would improve Colorado’s surprise medical billing protections by aligning them with recently passed federal legislation.

“We need to do everything we can to protect Coloradans from malicious surprise billing practices, and instead help them access the care they need while saving them money,” said Pettersen. “With this bill, we will be able to improve protections for patients, lower the cost of health care for Coloradans, and improve patient outcomes as we work to build a healthier Colorado for all.”

The bill provides clarity to consumers, providers and insurance carriers about how to move forward with surprise billing protections. It adds balance billing protections for post-stabilization services to ensure that patients are protected from surprise bills until they can consent and be safely transferred to an in-network facility.

The legislation mirrors the federal law’s notice and consent requirements to ensure that out-of-network providers and facilities provide notice to a consumer before a scheduled service, including an estimate of the total charges the consumer will be responsible for.

Finally, it updates Colorado laws to allow for a 90-day period of continued coverage at in-network rates for transitional care.

HB22-1285 now heads to the Senate floor, and HB22-1284 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. 

Bipartisan Bill to Save Businesses Money, Improve Unemployment Insurance for Colorado Workers Wins Committee Approval

SB22-234 will invest $600 million to improve and expand unemployment benefits, create a more resilient future economy

DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill to save businesses money and improve unemployment insurance for Colorado workers cleared the Senate Finance Committee today on a unanimous vote.

Sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Senator Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, SB22-234 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.”

SB22-234 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.

SB22-234 will now move to consideration before the Appropriations Committee. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Incentive Program to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Clears Senate

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

DENVER, CO – The Senate today gave final approval to Senator Jeff Bridges’, D-Greenwood Village, bill 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 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 heads to the Governor for signature. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Pettersen Bill to Better Connect Coloradans with Behavioral Health Support

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

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed 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. 

Sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, and Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, SB22-177 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 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 legislation was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force.

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

ICYMI: Pair of Bills to Provide Fee Relief for Health Care Workers, Build a Healthier Colorado Clear Committee

Legislation will save essential workers money

DENVER, CO – The Senate Finance Committee this week unanimously approved two bills that would save health care workers money on professional licensure and certification. HB22-1298, sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, would provide fee relief to nurses and psychiatric technicians. HB22-1299, sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, would reduce license fees for mental health professionals. 

“Our health care heroes have faced immeasurable challenges over the last two years, but regardless of these challenges, they have stepped up to the plate every day to care for Coloradans,” said Hinrichsen. “That’s why I’m proud to sponsor this bill which will help alleviate the pressure our essential workers have faced through much deserved fee relief for professional licensing and certification. This bill will save Coloradans money and provide the support these workers deserve to move forward.”

Fee Relief for Nurses: HB22-1298, sponsored by Hinrichsen, would provide licensure and certification fee relief for nurses, nurse aides and psychiatric technicians. Colorado’s health care workforce is experiencing a major shortage of qualified health care professionals. In addition, above-capacity patient levels and frequent exposure to COVID-19 have only added to the stress for health care professionals working at hospitals, assisted living residences and mental health facilities. This bill will save health care workers $11.7 million on their professional licensing and certification.

“The pandemic has not only exacerbated stress for Coloradans, it has significantly increased the workload for our mental health workers,” said Fields. “To help them out, we’re going to make it easier and cheaper for mental health workers to apply or renew their licenses so our psychologists, counselors, therapists, and social workers can focus on providing critical services to patients, not on paperwork and fees. ” 

Fee Relief For Mental Health Professionals: HB22-1299, sponsored by Fields, would reduce license fees for two years for mental health professionals regulated by state boards. Collectively, mental health professionals seeking licenses will save nearly $3.7 million next year. Pandemic pressures have contributed to an increase of Colorado adults seeking mental health services for symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Both bills now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. 

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Bipartisan Bill to Address Fentanyl Crisis, Save Lives in Colorado

H22-1326 strengthens criminal penalties for fentanyl dealers and increases access to harm reduction tools & treatment to prevent overdose deaths

DENVER, CO - The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved 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 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.

HB22-1326 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Follow the bill's progress HERE.

Bipartisan School Finance Act to Make Historic Investment in School Funding Clears Committee

Legislation would increase K-12 public school funding by an average of $545 per student, or $13,600 for a classroom of 25 students

DENVER, CO - The Senate Education Committee today voted unanimously to advance the bipartisan 2022 Public School Finance Act, which sets funding levels of Colorado’s public school districts.

Sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Senator Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, HB22-1390 increases state funding for public schools by $431 million to $8.4 billion and reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by more than $180 million.

“Thanks to the hard work we have done on this year’s School Finance Act, the Budget Stabilization Factor will fall to the lowest level since its inception," said Zenzinger. "I’m proud of the responsible way that we have managed this issue, and I’m proud of the increases we will see to Colorado school districts’ per pupil funding. This year’s School Finance Act makes resources available to teachers and students that they need and deserve.”

The increases in funding for K-12 public schools will result in an increase of $545 per student, or approximately $13,600 for a classroom of 25 students. This funding can be used to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide individualized support to help students learn.

The bill makes additional changes to support students and school districts, such as extending the K-5 Social and Emotional Health Pilot Program and the Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Program. It also strengthens the successful Educator Recruitment and Retention grant program by encouraging recipients to teach for three years in areas where there are educator shortages.

Additionally, the School Finance Act incorporates the text of HB22-1002, which lifts the current cap on the number of students who can participate in the ASCENT concurrent enrollment program and makes it available to more postsecondary students. This program saves Coloradans money as they pursue their higher education degrees.

HB22-1390 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Jaquez Lewis Bill to Boost Colorado’s Emergency Stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment Clears Committee

HB22-1352 will better prepare state, health care workers for future health emergencies

DENVER, CO – The State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Affairs Committee passed a bill, sponsored by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, that would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE).

HB22-1352 would help the State of Colorado prepare for future emergencies by maintaining a stockpile of essential materials and PPE to be available for distribution after the governor has declared a disaster emergency.

“The last few years have been challenging, but we’ve learned a lot and we’re in a much better position than we were two years ago,” Jaquez Lewis said. “It’s now time to apply those lessons as we begin to live alongside this disease and balance returning to normal with keeping ourselves, our families, and our communities safe. This legislation will boost our emergency stockpile of PPE so that our health care providers have the critical tools and resources they need, and ensure they are better prepared to respond and keep us safe the next time a public health emergency strikes.”

Face masks, medical gloves, eye protection and other PPE worn by health care professionals are necessary for treating patients and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. This bill will invest nearly $2 million to stockpile medical-grade PPE in Colorado so hospitals, vaccine clinics and other medical sites can have access to the protective equipment to keep them safe. Schools, community centers and other organizations can also receive stockpiled PPE.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Safety was charged with maintaining the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE and associated warehouses. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has since maintained a 60-day stockpile of five key PPE product categories to dispatch to state agencies as needed. This bill ensures Colorado has adequate PPE supplies for the next pandemic or declared national disaster.

HB22-1352 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Get More Teachers in Classrooms Clears Committee

Legislation would reduce financial barriers to entering the educator workforce

DENVER, CO - The Senate Education Committee today voted to advance Senator Rachel Zenzinger’s, D-Arvada, bipartisan legislation that would invest more than $52 million in federal funding to attract new educators to the workforce by reducing financial barriers to entry.

Co-sponsored by Senator Don Coram, R-Montrose, HB22-1220 would create two educator preparation stipend programs and a temporary educator loan forgiveness program in the Department of Higher Education to reduce financial barriers to entering the workforce and help teachers pay off their student loans. 

“I know from personal experience how nearly impossible it is for student teachers to meet their prep obligations while supporting themselves financially via a second or third job,” said Zenzinger. “This bill establishes several programs that will help reduce students’ stress and make the pathway toward a career in education far more appealing. It’s way past time to implement this kind of legislation.”

Currently, the Colorado Department of Education can issue a temporary educator eligibility authorization to students in an educator preparation program for special education who have not yet met all the requirements for initial licensure. The bill expands the temporary authorization to students in both regular and alternative teacher preparation programs.

HB22-1220 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Approves Pair of Bills to Improve Public Safety

Legislation will reduce crime, create safer communities across Colorado

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved a pair of bills aimed at reducing crime and improving public safety across Colorado.

HB22-1003, sponsored by Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, and Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, would establish the Delinquency Prevention and Young Offender Intervention Pilot Grant Program to help keep kids out of the juvenile justice system.

The program would award two-year grants to local governments, Native American Tribes, and nonprofit organizations to fund projects that reduce crime, violence and delinquency among youth. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate a community-based response involving collaboration with multiple agencies to reduce crime.

“Part of preventing crime and creating safer communities means investing in effective intervention and prevention programs to help stop criminal activity from happening in the first place,” Coleman said. “By investing in our communities, we can keep more youth out of the juvenile justice system and build a safer Colorado for all.”

“As we continue to move Pueblo and Colorado forward, we’re committed to making investments that reduce crime and improve public safety,” Hinrichsen said. “This bill will help local governments support our youth and reduce recidivism rates in our communities, which will ultimately give young people the support and resources they need and create safer communities across the board.” 

The Senate also passed HB22-1234, sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, which creates a grant program to prevent identity-based violence. The grants will help build strong communities and prevent acts of violence that target a specific population of people, and build awareness to prevent these types of crime from happening in the first place. 

The bill allows law enforcement to develop strategies needed to solve serious crimes that have widespread ramifications on a community’s sense of safety, including projects to strengthen local collaboration and capabilities to prevent and intervene in identity-based violence.

"We’ve seen a growing number of threats and violence targeted at specific communities across our state, and it must come to an end,” Rodriguez said. “This bill will give communities, nonprofits, and law enforcement the tools they need to prevent these types of crimes, and help ensure that everyone feels safe and secure in their community.”

Both HB22-1234 and HB22-1003 will now move to the Governor for final consideration. Track HB22-1234’s progress HERE, and HB22-1003’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: General Assembly Democrats Introduce Legislation to Provide Coloradans Expedited Tax Relief

SB22-233 will provide relief to more than 3 million Coloradans

DENVER, CO - Democrats in the legislature yesterday introduced legislation to provide working Coloradans with expedited tax refunds. Under the proposed Colorado Cashback plan, individual tax filers will receive a flat amount of $400, and joint filers will receive $800, pushing refunds up to provide relief to Coloradans as soon as possible.

SB22-233, sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, Senator Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, Representative Tony Exum Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representative Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, speeds up the timeline for refund checks to help families afford basic necessities like gas and groceries. All full-time residents of Colorado who filed their 2021 income tax returns by May 31st, 2022 will receive a check under the bill as currently drafted.

“Coloradans are feeling the pain of inflation, and they need our help,” Hinrichsen said. “That’s why we’re taking action to provide immediate support to families and individuals in the form of direct relief to taxpayers. This relief will put money directly back into Coloradans’ wallets, making it easier for folks to afford everyday necessities like rent and groceries and helping families make ends meet during this challenging time.”

“With Coloradans facing rising costs from pandemic-induced inflation, supply chain challenges and global unrest, pushing for earlier refund checks will provide relief to Coloradans who are hurting now,” said Exum. “We’re accelerating the timeline so Coloradans can receive their $400 or $800 refund checks when they need it the most, putting money back into people’s pockets to help families pay for rent, groceries and other essentials.” 

“We’ve worked hard this session to save working Colorado families money, and this legislation will do even more to ease the pain we’re all feeling due to rising inflation,” Rodriguez said. “As we continue building back from the pandemic, this relief will help ease the financial burden folks across our state are struggling with when they need it most.”

“With everyday essentials costing more, we’re providing Coloradans with financial relief now,” said Daugherty. “Colorado taxpayers will get $400 refund checks this September, which will add some much needed breathing room to their budgets. We know Coloradans are feeling the pinch at the pump and the grocery store, so we’re fast tracking refunds to put money back in people’s pockets as soon as possible.”

Colorado Democrats' state stimulus plan, fair tax reform, and responsible governance combined has led to a robust economic recovery and a record state surplus that is being returned to taxpayers via this tax rebate, in addition to existing refund mechanisms including the senior homestead exemption and a temporary reduction in the rate of the income tax.

The expedited tax relief provided by SB22-233 will add to the savings from the comprehensive tax reform legislation and property tax relief passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Polis last year that is already putting money back into Coloradans’ pockets. By repealing tax loopholes for large corporations and millionaires and reducing property tax assessment rates, Democrats have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in economic assistance and tax relief for hard working Coloradans, seniors, and small businesses.

SB22-233 will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Historic Investment to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Clears Committee

HB22-1304 invests $178 million to facilitate affordable housing development

DENVER, CO - The Senate Local Government Committee today signed off on legislation to invest $178 million to build and sustain affordable housing across Colorado - the largest investment in state history in affordable housing.

HB22-1304, sponsored by Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, and Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, invests $178 million in federal pandemic relief funding to provide direct, flexible, and timely grant funding to nonprofits and local governments all across the state that have or are pursuing measures to facilitate affordable housing development, including purchasing land.

“Our state is growing, and we must make sure communities have the resources they need to keep pace,” said Gonzales, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “This bill will help local governments and nonprofits access the space and funding that communities need to equitably accommodate that growth. By helping communities increase their housing supply we can make sure every Coloradan has access to a home they can afford.”

“As Colorado’s population continues to grow, we have to make sure communities have the land and resources required to develop affordable housing now and in the future,” Coleman said. “Local governments and nonprofits are the experts when it comes to pinpointing their communities’ unique needs. That’s why this bill is targeted at uplifting their work and providing the necessary tools to achieve their housing development goals.”

HB22-1304 also provides for the development of supportive, rental, and for-sale housing targeted at populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The bill also makes a substantial investment for local communities to create strategic development patterns, including funding for infrastructure projects and updating land and use codes.

This legislation was developed based on recommendations from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force.

HB22-1304 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.