JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! Bill to Prepare At-Risk Students for Success

DENVER, CO– Governor Jared Polis signed legislation into law today that will create a new method for identifying and serving at-risk students. HB22-1202, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Julie McCluskie and Senators Rachel Zenzinger and James Coleman, will more accurately count at-risk students and direct additional resources to school districts that serve at-risk students.

“Modernizing the way we identify at-risk students will direct proper funding toward schools and prepare all Colorado students for success,”said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Under this law, the state will create a new well-rounded method for pinpointing at-risk students that goes beyond those eligible for free and reduced-price lunches to include data from Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus program. But every child lives a different home life, so the data collection will also consider important socioeconomic factors that can affect academic success such as parent incarceration, unhoused status and English as a Second Language. This law will get school districts the funding they need to meet the needs of their at-risk students so their students can grow, thrive and achieve.”

“As we introduce more precise factors into the school funding formula, we can increase the likelihood that our resources will be used in the most equitable manner, to the greatest degree of success,”said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “The at-risk measure is one of those factors in need of greater precision and definition; and thanks to HB22-1202, we will eventually be able to support the children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in a true at-risk condition.”

“I am proud Colorado is taking steps to identify, serve and support each and every student,”said Rep. Julie McCluskie D-Dillion“Research has shown to better serve at-risk students, we need to look at the bigger picture and consider more than just a couple of socioeconomic factors that might hinder academic success–and this law does just that. This law creates a new definition in the formula so Colorado can more accurately identify at-risk students and provide their school districts with more funding to meet their needs.”

“We know that, right now, we don’t do enough to support our at-risk students, and that needs to change,”said Sen. James Coleman, D-Denver. “More accurately identifying our at-risk students will allow us to do a better job allocating the critical resources school districts need to serve them. This bill will help us better prepare all of Colorado’s students for success.”

HB22-1202 will create a new method in the school finance formula to identify students who are at risk of below-average academic outcomes due to socio-economic disadvantages or poverty. The new formula aims to better pinpoint at-risk students by considering multiple socio-economic factors that affect them.

Based on the new formula, school districts would be eligible for more state funding beginning in the 2023-24 school year to better prepare their at-risk students. A recent statewide poll revealed that 83% of respondents consider it important to provide resources and support to students who are falling behind so teachers can make sure every student has an opportunity to get back on track.

ICYMI: Senate Passes Measure to Improve Safety, Support Behavioral Health in Schools

HB22-1243 invests $14 million to help keep students safe

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed HB22-1243, sponsored by Senator Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, which invests $14 million to improve security and support behavioral health in public schools.

The bill provides an additional $2 million in federal pandemic relief funding for the behavioral health care professional matching grant program, and extends and provides an additional $6 million for the popular “I Matter” program beyond its scheduled repeal in June 2022, paving the way to serve youth with free counseling sessions for another two years.

“Too many kids don’t know where to turn when they’re in a mental health crisis,” Kolker said. “We’re working hard to break down barriers that prevent people experiencing a crisis from getting support, and making sure every Colorado kid can get the lifesaving care they need. Together, we can work to end the stigma surrounding mental health, expand access to care, and save lives.”

“As we work to build a safer and healthier Colorado for all, we need to ensure that our schools are better equipped to keep students safe and connect them to the appropriate behavioral health care they need,” said Hinrichsen. “Our students have faced tremendous challenges over the last few years, and this bill will help them feel safer in the classroom while ensuring they have increased access to resources that will help them care for their mental health and well-being.” 

The bill also allocates $6 million to the School Security Disbursement Program over two years.

HB22-1243 now moves to the House for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

ICYMI: Bipartisan Story Bill to Improve Youth Behavioral Health Clears Committee

Legislation will invest $2 million of federal pandemic relief funds toward improving youth behavioral health outcomes for kids 

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee yesterday approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Tammy Story, D-Conifer, that will help build a healthier Colorado by improving behavioral health access for youth. 

HB22-1369, co-sponsored by Senator Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, would invest $2 million in pandemic relief funding to provide evidence-based behavioral health programs for children six years old and younger experiencing chronic stress or trauma at home.

“Stress and trauma can have negative effects on our youngest Coloradans, but far too often families have nowhere to turn to care for their kids’ mental health,” said Story. “This investment will support early intervention and home-based prevention programs to help families provide the critical behavioral health services their children need to address stress and trauma. With these funds, we can take a step toward creating a healthier Colorado for all.”

This bill invests in a home-based prevention and early intervention mental health program for children and their families to address the psychological damage caused by chronically stressful experiences.

HB22-1369 is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans.

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

Senate Passes Bills to Combat Wage Theft, Improve Safety on Colorado Highways

Legislation would ensure workers are able to recover legally earned wages, enhance safety for motorists and wildlife

DENVER, CO – The Senate today gave final approval to legislation that will ensure workers are able to recover legally earned wages, as well as reduce wildlife collisions on Colorado highways. 

SB22-161, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, would modernize Colorado’s wage enforcement procedures and ensure workers are able to recover their legally earned pay.

“Wage theft is far too prevalent in Colorado,” said Danielson. “It’s essential that we support the folks who work hard to keep Colorado’s economy running. This bill will ensure workers receive the full wages they have earned.”

“Right now, many workers are victims of wage theft without even realizing it,” Jaquez Lewis said. “With this bill, we’re empowering the Attorney General and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to collaborate and combat cases of wage theft. We must make sure workers receive the wages they are rightfully owed, and that violators are held accountable.”

The legislation empowers the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to facilitate the collection of unpaid wages in wage theft cases by expanding investigatory authority to locate violators and streamlining enforcement of CDLE determinations in court. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to partner with CDLE to investigate cases of wage theft and worker misclassification.

The Senate also passed SB22-151, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Tammy Story, D-Confier, that would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve safety for wildlife and motorists on Colorado highways.

“Wildlife corridors are common sense ways to protect motorists, keep wildlife safe, and ensure habitats stay intact,” said Danielson. “This bill will help ecosystems thrive and help make sure our wild places continue to power Colorado’s economy for future generations.”

“Colorado is home to an abundance of wildlife that we need to protect,” said Story. “By investing in wildlife corridors along our highways, we will keep our wildlife safe and prevent dangerous collisions for our motorists.”

The bill would create a “Colorado Wildlife Safe Passages Mitigation Fund” for wildlife crossing projects on stretches of roads and highways with high rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) or where the ability of wildlife to move across the landscape has been hampered by high traffic volumes.

Both bills now move to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of SB22-161 HERE and SB22-151 HERE.

Fenberg's Bill to Improve Resiliency, Better Prepare Colorado for Future Climate Emergencies Clears Senate

Legislation would establish the Office of Climate Preparedness and create new programs to facilitate recovery and rebuilding efforts following disaster emergencies

DENVER, CO - The Senate today voted to advance Senate President Steve Fenberg’s, D-Boulder, bill to support individuals, businesses, and governments rebuilding after disaster emergencies, and create the Office of Climate Preparedness to better prepare for and respond to future disasters.

SB22-206 would establish two programs to help communities recover and rebuild following disasters. $15 million would go to the Disaster Resilience Rebuilding Program to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments rebuilding after a disaster emergency. The bill also allocates $20 million to the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Program to provide loans and grants to homeowners, businesses, and local governments to cover costs related to rebuilding more resilient and energy efficient homes and structures.

“Our climate is changing whether we like it or not, and we know we're going to see more frequent and more destructive natural disasters as a result,” said Fenberg. “It’s essential that we act now to prepare for and mitigate future climate-induced disasters, and improve our response to the destruction left in their wake. These new programs, alongside the new Office of Climate Preparedness, will help us better coordinate our response and ensure we’re as prepared as possible when the next disaster strikes.”

The bill also transfers $15 million to the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps Fund to lease wildfire fighting aviation resources and to establish and maintain a statewide dispatch center to ensure rapid response of fire mitigation resources.

Finally, the bill creates the Office of Climate Preparedness in the Governor’s office, tasked with coordinating disaster recovery efforts to better respond to natural disaster emergencies and developing a climate preparedness roadmap to ensure Colorado is better prepared for future climate-induced disasters.

SB22-206 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Approves Legislation to Provide Coloradans Expedited Tax Relief

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

DENVER, CO - The Senate today gave final approval to legislation that will 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 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 House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Jaquez Lewis Bill to Bolster Health Care Workforce

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

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder County, that would bolster Colorado’s health care workforce through a $61 million investment in education, training, recruitment and retention of nurses and health care workers.

SB22-226, co-sponsored by Senator Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, 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 to develop employee well-being programs and support the retention of health care workers.

SB22-226 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

JOINT STATEMENT: RHEA Sponsors Condemn Draft SCOTUS Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade

DENVER, CO – Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, Representative Meg Froelich and Senator Julie Gonzales today released the following joint statement on the draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade:

We are devastated, but not surprised. This Supreme Court decision, if issued as drafted, will imperil the lives of those seeking an abortion and threaten the health, safety, and reproductive freedom of millions of Americans. States across the country will continue to pass restrictive anti-abortion legislation or outright bans, making abortion nearly impossible for some and sending doctors to prison for providing abortion care.

We are grateful for the Democratic lawmakers who joined with us to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act to protect the right to abortion care in Colorado, and who understand that politicians shouldn’t interfere with patients’ private medical decisions. Colorado will not go back to a time when patients were forced to seek out unsafe abortions, putting their health and lives at risk. We will continue fighting to keep abortion legal for all Coloradans and the countless individuals who will be forced to travel to our state for care, or ​carry unsafe pregnancies to term.

Sponsored by Representative Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, the Reproductive Health Equity Act updates Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights and establish a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion.

At least 519 laws to restrict abortion care have been introduced in 41 states so far this year according to the National Women’s Law Center.

Colorado remains committed to ensuring abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible. Recently, House Democrats defeated three Republican-led bills that would have jeopardized that right, including:

HB22-1079, which would have placed an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal court rulings and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. In addition, it would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too.

HB22-1047, which would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected abortion providers to imprisonment.

HB22-1075, which would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It also would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers.

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.