JOINT RELEASE: Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Raise Minimum Age to Purchase a Firearm to 21

Legislation will help prevent young people from committing gun violence, save lives in Colorado

DENVER, CO – The Senate today introduced legislation sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, that would raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to 21.

Currently, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun, but only 18 years old to purchase long guns. SB23-169, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, would raise the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21.

“Gun deaths in Colorado climb higher every year, and a disproportionate number of them are committed by younger Coloradans,” Mullica said. “As an ER nurse I’ve seen firsthand the devastating ways gun violence impacts our communities, which is why I am proud to champion this bill that will reduce gun violence and save lives all across our state.”

“We lose over 600 Coloradans a year to suicide by firearm, many of whom are children, young adults, and rural Coloradans,” said Duran. “Although 18-20 year olds make up only four percent of the nation’s population, they account for 17 percent of homicide offenders. Increasing the legal firearm purchasing age to 21 will help us prevent tragic deaths and reduce gun violence in our communities.”

“Young people aged 12-24 make up one-fifth of the population, but commit just under half of all gun murders,” Danielson said. “There is an urgent need to do more to prevent gun violence in Colorado, and I am proud to champion this legislation that will do just that. Raising the age to purchase a firearm will keep more deadly weapons away from our youth, reduce youth suicide rates, and make our communities safer.”

“As a teacher, I’ve experienced countless lockdown drills and active shooter events, and I know firsthand how essential this bill is to address our gun violence issue and keep Coloradans safe,” said Hamrick. “Developing brains are not fully ready to evaluate risks, regulate emotion or implement self-control, leading to young people disproportionately engaging in violent acts involving firearms. By increasing the purchasing age, we can keep more people alive and reduce younger Coloradans’ access to deadly weapons.”

SB23-169 includes exceptions for 18-21 year olds who are peace officers and members of the military, antique weapons collectors, and those who have completed a hunter’s safety education course and hold a hunting license. The bill also allows individuals 18-21 to possess a firearm while under the direct supervision of an immediate family member.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. 

18 to 20-year-olds commit gun murders at triple the rate of adults 21 years and older, and peer-reviewed research shows that adolescent and post-adolescents have less capacity for mature judgment and self-control, which often leads to risky behavior and aggressive impulses.

JOINT RELEASE: Democrats Introduce Legislation to Remove Overly Broad Gun Industry Immunity in Colorado

Legislation will allow survivors of gun violence to better pursue justice and accountability through the courts

DENVER, CO – Senate Democrats Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, alongside House Reps. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, today introduced landmark legislation aimed at holding the gun industry accountable and improving gun violence survivors’ access to justice.

Right now gun sellers and manufacturers enjoy broad protections under federal law from most types of civil lawsuits - and Colorado law goes even further by including a punitive provision that makes victims of gun violence who sue the gun industry pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. SB23-168 would remove Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for gun sellers and manufacturers and allow legitimate lawsuits against the gun industry to move forward.

“Colorado is home to one of the most punitive laws against gun violence survivors in the country. Colorado law gives a set of protections to the firearms industry that few other businesses have. These laws shield them from accountability and must be changed,” Jaquez Lewis said. “This legislation will level the playing field by removing those extra protections and allowing legitimate lawsuits to move forward, ensuring the gun industry is no longer given special treatment and improving gun violence survivors’ ability to seek the justice they deserve.”

“This legislation would make it easier for victims of gun violence to seek the justice they deserve while making it clear to the gun industry that they have a role to play in keeping their products away from people who shouldn't have them,” said Mabrey. “There’s no reason gun manufacturers should have legal protections that are rarely afforded to any other industry. This legislation will encourage the firearms industry to responsibly sell their products and follow all existing laws that protect our communities.”

“Currently, Colorado gun sellers and manufacturers are provided legal protections far beyond those for most other businesses in the state and that bar victims of gun violence from seeking justice,” Kolker said. “Removing Colorado’s overly broad gun industry immunity law will provide another avenue for survivors to pursue justice if they are harmed by irresponsible business practices.”

"For too long, the state has shielded manufacturers and dealers from liability when they fail to take appropriate action to responsibly sell their products for too long," said Parenti. "The public deserves the right to seek justice through the courts when any industry engages in irresponsible or even dangerous business practices.  I'm proud to co-sponsor this legislation that will remove these barriers for the victims of gun violence in our state."

Civil liability plays an important role in promoting community and consumer safety, and lawsuits can help incentivize industries to take reasonable steps to prevent their products or business practices from causing foreseeable risks to human life and wellbeing. 

After their daughter was killed in the Aurora theater shooting, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips sued four online retailers that irresponsibly sold magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition and body armor to the murderer. Under Colorado’s immunity law, they were forced to pay about $200,000 in legal fees to bulk ammunition sellers. They ended up selling their house and declaring bankruptcy.

Removing Colorado’s gun industry shield will allow survivors like the Phillips’ and countless others to seek appropriate justice and fair remedies via civil actions, and will give survivors and the public the opportunity to hold gun sellers and manufacturers accountable for their actions. 

Cutter, Jaquez Lewis Bill to Protect Consumers from Harmful Medical Billing Practices Earns Committee Approval

SB23-093 will cap interest rates on medical debt and provide critical protections for Coloradans 

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, that would provide Coloradans with additional consumer protections from high interest rates for medical debt and confusing debt collection practices that lead to long-lasting debt and financial instability, earned approval before the Senate Health & Human Services Committee today.

Debt incurred from medical costs can be financially devastating for patients. When combined with high interest rates and complicated collections practices, consumers may never be able to pay off their medical debt. According to a 2022 report from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Coloradans overall held more than $1.3 billion in medical debt and over 12 percent of Coloradans have medical debt in collections. 

“Medical debt is crushing hardworking Colorado families and limiting their ability to live the American Dream,” Cutter said. “Folks dealing with illnesses or injuries should be focused on getting better instead of worrying about how their treatment will affect their credit score. I am proud to champion this bill that will create critical new consumer protections that will put a cap on interest rates, improve accountability for providers and debt collectors, and prevent thousands of Coloradans from falling into a tangled web of medical debt.” 

“Every day, Coloradans are forced to choose between paying for necessities like food, heat, or rent and life-saving medical care,” said Jaquez Lewis. “Increasing transparency, capping interest rates, and cracking down on deceptive trade practices will be a game changer for patients seeking life-saving health care. I’m pleased that Senate Bill 93 is moving forward and I look forward to fighting on behalf of the people of Colorado to bring down health care costs and ease the burden for those facing medically-incurred debt.”

SB23-093 establishes new protections for Colorado consumers burdened with medical debt by:

• Capping the medical debt interest rate at 3 percent to keep debt from spiraling to levels where a patient is unable to pay it off.  

• Pausing collections on medical debt as patients appeal their coverage and prohibiting reporting the debt to a consumer reporting agency until a certain amount of time after an individual fails to fulfill the terms of a payment plan.  

• Requiring medical debt creditors or debt collectors to verify total debt owed upon request by a patient and to provide a copy of a payment plan, thereby helping consumers know just how much to properly budget for debt payments. 

• Requiring a health care provider or health care facility to provide, upon request, an estimate of the total cost of medical services to a person who intends to self-pay for the service, helping these consumers better understand the cost of services. 

• Reinstating the attorney general’s authority to protect consumers from deceptive trade practices related to billing practices and surprise billing.

SB23-093 will now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. You can track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Democrats Unveil Bill to Establish Waiting Periods for Firearm Purchases

DENVER, CO - The House today introduced legislation sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Judy Amabile and Senators Tom Sullivan and Chris Hansen to establish a three-day waiting period to purchase a firearm.

“The research is clear–this legislation will reduce suicide deaths and homicides,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “By delaying access to a firearm, waiting periods create opportunities to intervene and prevent impulsive acts of gun violence. We are committed to advancing commonsense proposals like this bill that will improve public safety and reduce gun violence in our communities.”

“Right now, if you want to get your hands on a gun, you can do so with near immediacy,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial. “Whether you intend to harm yourself or others, waiting periods on firearm purchases delay immediate access to weapons and cut down on impulsive acts of violence. I’m proud to champion this legislation that will save lives and create safer communities for all Coloradans.”

“When someone is in crisis, readily accessible firearms make it easier for them to attempt self-harm or engage in other violent acts,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Waiting periods limit options to obtain a firearm for someone who may be contemplating suicide or making a quick decision to engage in violence. No single piece of legislation will stop every gun death, but simple and broadly supported solutions, like three-day waiting periods, will save lives, improve public safety, and make a real difference in reducing firearm-related deaths in Colorado.”

“A cooling off period could be the difference between life and death for a person in the midst of a mental health crisis,” Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, said. “This legislation is backed by research and will reduce gun deaths by suicide and homicide. I’m incredibly proud of Colorado’s leadership on this issue and am eager to continue to take meaningful steps forward, like implementing a three day waiting period, to reduce the epidemic of gun violence.”

Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a 7 to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in 2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, accounting for more than half of all suicides in the state. From 2014 to 2019, the number of firearm deaths in Colorado was greater than deaths from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. Among firearm deaths, more than 75 percent were caused by intentional self-harm or suicide.

HB23-1219 establishes a three-day waiting period to purchase a firearm. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Current law mandates that a state and federal background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred. Background checks can typically take far less than three days to complete. In the case they take longer, the firearm cannot be transferred until the background check is complete.

Transferring a firearm prior to the expiration of the waiting period would be a civil infraction punishable by a $500 fine for the first offense, and a $500 to $5,000 fine for a second or any subsequent offenses.

The bill would not apply to antique firearms or to sales taking place between an active duty military servicemember who is set to deploy overseas and their family.

JOINT RELEASE: Legislative Democrats Unveil Historic Package of Bills to Create Safer Communities and Prevent Gun Violence in Colorado

Laws will strengthen protections & accountability, save lives in Colorado

DENVER, CO – Democratic lawmakers today unveiled a historic package of bills aimed at combating gun violence in Colorado and creating safer communities across our state.

Democrats introduced legislation that will expand and strengthen Colorado’s “Red Flag” law, raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21 years old, establish waiting periods, and remove Colorado’s overly-broad firearms industry immunity protections so survivors of gun violence can better seek accountability and justice through the courts.

“Far too many Colorado families have suffered through the unimaginable pain of having someone they love killed by a gun, which is why Democrats are committed to ending the scourge of gun violence in our state,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. “These bills will help address this public health crisis and give communities more tools with which to protect themselves. These are common sense policies that will respect the rights of law-abiding gun owners while protecting our communities, improving public safety, and saving lives across Colorado.”

“Improving public safety and reducing gun violence is one of our top priorities this session,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats are delivering on our promise to take bold action that will prevent Coloradans from dying of gun violence. As a responsible gun owner, I know these proposals respect our rights and are broadly supported across the state. These common sense solutions will save lives, protect our communities, and keep firearms away from dangerous individuals and those who are contemplating self-harm.”

Gun violence prevention bills introduced Thursday include:

Improving and Expanding Colorado’s Red Flag Law
President Fenberg & Sen. Sullivan // Assistant Majority Leader Bacon & Rep. Weissman

The legislation will expand who is eligible to file for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), which will allow more qualified individuals to intervene before gun violence has a chance to occur. Currently a petition for removal can only be filed by a family member or a law enforcement officer. This bill will expand the list of individuals eligible to file an ERPO to include District Attorneys and other law enforcement officials, licensed health care providers, mental health professionals, and educators.

Raising the Age to Purchase all Firearms to 21 
Sen. Danielson & Sen. Mullica // Majority Leader Duran and Rep. Hamrick 

Currently, individuals must be 21 to purchase a handgun but only 18 to purchase long guns. The bill would increase the age to purchase a firearm to 21 for all firearm purchases and includes exceptions for peace officers and members of the military, antique weapons collectors, and those who have completed a hunter’s safety education course and hold a hunting license. The bill also allows individuals 18-21 to possess a firearm while under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. Research indicates that 18 to 20-year-olds commit gun murders at triple the rate of adults 21 years and older, and peer-reviewed research shows that adolescent and post-adolescents have less capacity for mature judgment and self-control, which often leads to risky behavior and aggressive impulses.

Establishing a Three Day Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases
Rep. Froelich & Rep. Amabile // Sen. Sullivan & Sen. Hansen

This legislation establishes a three-day waiting period to purchase a firearm. Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a seven to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in 2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, more than half of all suicides in the state.

Advancing Justice for Victims of Gun Violence and Removing Gun Industry Immunity in Colorado
Sen. Jaquez Lewis & Sen. Kolker // Rep. Mabrey & Rep. Parenti

Right now, gun sellers and manufacturers enjoy broad protections under federal law from most types of civil lawsuits, and Colorado law goes even further by including a punitive provision that makes victims of gun violence who sue the gun industry pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. This bill would remove Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for gun sellers and manufacturers and allow legitimate lawsuits against the gun industry to move forward.

Senate Advances Fenberg’s Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Life-Saving Medications

HB23-1071 would allow psychologists who hold a prescription certificate to prescribe certain mental health medications

DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg’s, D-Boulder, bill to grant mental health professionals the ability to safely prescribe life-saving mental health medication cleared the Senate today.

Cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, HB23-1071 would establish rigorous standards and education requirements to give specially trained psychologists prescriptive authority, addressing burdensome wait times and delays. 

“Across the state, we are seeing a prolonged mental health crisis, particularly among our youth,” said Fenberg. “Every day, Coloradans battling mental health struggles face prohibitively long wait times to receive help and a lack of providers who can prescribe them with medication they need, only worsening our crisis. Expanding prescriptive authority to specially trained psychologists will help Coloradans access the life-saving medications that they need on a timeline that makes sense.”

The bill would allow psychologists who have obtained a Ph.D in psychology or Psy.D, completed a master of science program in clinical psychopharmacology, passed the psychopharmacology examination, undergone an independent peer review process, and completed hundreds of hours in diverse clinical settings to prescribe mental health medications, not including narcotic drugs. 

Psychologists seeking prescriptive authority would also be required to complete an additional, individual prescriptive license application. Once licensed, psychologists must maintain an ongoing, collaborative relationship with their patients’ primary care doctor and complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.

HB23-1071 now heads back to the House for concurrence of amendments. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate & House Democrats Announce Appointments to Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates

DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, announced the Democratic members who will serve on the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates:

From the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate: 

• President Stephen Fenberg, D-Boulder

• Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County

From the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 

• Representative Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood

• Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista

President Fenberg will serve as Chair of the Committee and Representative deGruy Kennedy will serve as the Vice Chair. 

“The recent spikes in energy prices have sent Coloradans’ utility bills through the roof, and it’s costing too many working Colorado families an arm and a leg just to heat their homes,” Fenberg said. “Democrats are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, and our work on this critical committee will help us uncover the root cause behind high prices. I look forward to teaming up with my colleagues to find solutions that will better protect consumers, improve stability, and save people money on their energy bills.”

“We owe it to Coloradans to get to the bottom of what is causing skyrocketing utility costs, and I’m honored to be appointed to a Joint Select Committee that is committed to making our state more affordable for everyone,” said deGruy Kennedy “We know many Coloradans are stuck paying higher-than-normal energy bills this year, and our role in this Joint Select Committee is to better understand pricing inconsistency, uncover other factors that lead to high prices and hopefully help prevent future price hikes.” 

“Coloradans are struggling to make ends meet and skyrocketing utility bills are only making matters worse,” Cutter said. “Before us is a unique opportunity to hear from utility companies, regulators, advocates, and every day Coloradans about what role the state can, and should, play in protecting consumers and ensuring Colorado remains an affordable place to live. I’m honored to serve on the Joint Select Committee and I’m committed to working diligently to get Coloradans the answers they deserve.”

“Many Coloradans were prepared for snow and ice this winter season, but many weren’t prepared for the inconsistent and expensive energy bills they received,” said Martinez. “I’m ready to get to work as a member of the bipartisan Joint Select Committee that’s dedicated to uncovering what is leading to higher energy costs for hardworking families across Colorado. Our goal is to look at multiple factors that could be causing the rise in utility prices and explore ways to save Coloradans money on their energy bills.”

Fenberg and McCluskie convened the Joint Select Committee to investigate the causes of Coloradans’ rising utility rates and explore potential actions to prevent future price hikes, saving Colorado’s working families money on their energy bills.

The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates will seek expert testimony from utility companies, relevant agency staff, regulators, consumer advocates, and policy experts in order to better understand issues such as the impact of volatility in natural gas markets, the frequency and justification for rate increases sought by utilities, and other relevant factors. 

Jaquez Lewis and Marchman’s Bill to Bolster Water Efficiency and Resiliency Earns Committee Approval

HB23-1005 would protect Colorado's environment and preserve water resources by expanding project eligibility for the C-PACE program and streamlining its approval process

DENVER, CO – Today, Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, legislation to help commercial property owners better finance water and energy efficiency improvements and increase property resilience passed the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee.  

HB23-1005 would expand the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) to include resiliency and water efficiency improvements, such as addressing structural integrity, indoor air quality, and storm water control. This bill would help more commercial properties in Colorado take advantage of C-PACE’s financing program for eco-friendly property upgrades and investments.

“Just over a year ago, the Marshall Fire damaged more than 30 commercial buildings in my home county of Boulder. As these kinds of extreme weather events become more frequent because of climate change, it’s important that  we do everything we can to make commercial and industrial properties more resilient,” Jaquez Lewis said. “This bill expands and streamlines the successful C-PACE program, so more properties in Colorado can prepare for natural disasters while reducing their carbon footprint.”

“We know many commercial building owners and developers want to make water and energy efficiency upgrades, and our bill makes the process easier so businesses can begin their energy efficiency improvements sooner,” said Marchman. “I’m proud to support measures that invest in eco-friendly infrastructure and improve Colorado’s sustainability for years to come.”

The C-PACE program allows certain commercial and industrial buildings to finance energy improvement projects through a voluntary property tax assessment with repayment terms up to 25-years. Since 2016, the program has helped finance 116 different projects across the state, totaling almost $250 million in investments.

HB23-1005 now heads to the Senate floor. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Cutter’s Bipartisan Bill to Cut Red Tape, Support Veterans with Disabilities Passes Senate

SB23-036 streamlines the property tax exemption application process for veterans with disabilities

DENVER, CO – Today, Senator Lisa Cutter’s, D-Jefferson County, bipartisan bill to streamline the property tax exemption application process for veterans with disabilities passed the Senate.

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, SB23-036 will cut red tape and make it easier for veterans with disabilities to receive the benefits they’ve earned.

Currently, veterans with disabilities must first submit their application for property tax exemption to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (DVA) before applying to their county assessor, who is responsible for approving the application. This bill removes that first step, reducing the burden on veterans and helping them receive their benefits faster.

“We have worked hard to ease the burdens that veterans with disabilities face when returning to life at home, but there is always more we can do,” said Cutter. “Eliminating the first step of the property tax exemption application process will simplify and accelerate those requests, ensuring veterans with disabilities are able to receive the benefits they’ve earned in a timely manner.”

The bill also changes the term “disabled veteran” to “veteran with a disability” to comply with statutory requirements that “people first language” be used, and was developed in collaboration with the DVA.

SB23-036 now heads to the House for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Moreno’s Bill to Add Student Representation During Creation of K-12 Education Standards Clears Senate

SB23-008 was developed in partnership with the Colorado Youth Advisory Council

DENVER, CO – Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno’s, D-Commerce City, bill to uplift student voices during the development of K-12 education standards cleared the Senate today, earning bipartisan support.

SB23-008, developed based on recommendations made by the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC), adds student representation to decision-making processes regarding K-12 education standards, regional educator meetings, and local review of education standards.

“When the state's education standards are up for review, Colorado students deserve to have a say in what their education looks like,” Moreno said. "SB8 amplifies the voices of Colorado's students by creating several opportunities for young people to be involved in the existing review processes. I am excited to sponsor SB8 to involve students more in the process, and am proud to see this bill pass the Senate.”

“Students can offer unique, firsthand experience when it comes to deciding what’s being taught in the classroom,” said Siddharth Nareddy, COYAC representative for Senate District 24. “As someone on the receiving end of education standards, there is so much value in having students provide their input and perspective on what gets covered. I’m grateful to Majority Leader Moreno’s ongoing work to support COYAC and our goal of bringing youth voices to the table, and I’m excited to see this bill continue to move forward in the legislative process.”

In 2008, lawmakers established COYAC to give Colorado’s youth a voice in the lawmaking process. Since its creation, COYAC members have worked to develop policy recommendations on issues of youth concern and promote civic engagement amongst Colorado’s youth.

SB23-008 now heads to the House for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Gonzales’ Bipartisan Bill to Expand Post-Conviction DNA Testing Clears Senate, Heads to Governor’s Desk

Developed in partnership with the Korey Wise Innocence Project, legislation would help end wrongful convictions by expanding the use of post-conviction DNA testing

DENVER, CO – Senator Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, bipartisan bill to expand the eligibility for incarcerated people to access DNA testing after being convicted of a felony today cleared the Senate.

Currently, an incarcerated person can motion the court for post-conviction DNA testing to prove the person's innocence only if DNA testing was not available at the time of the person's prosecution. HB23-1034, cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, expands the population to include those on felony parole, registered sex offenders, those charged with a felony but not convicted by reason of insanity and those who have completed their felony prison sentence.

"Wrongful convictions are a problem in Colorado, just as they are across this country," said Gonzales. "By improving our statute and bringing it in line with other statutes around the country, we can enable petitioners to access post-conviction DNA testing to prove their innocence, identify the actual perpetrators of the offenses, and reclaim their freedom."

The bill was developed in partnership with the Korey Wise Innocence Project, a law clinic at the University of Colorado Law School that provides free investigative and legal services to people serving time in Colorado prisons for crimes they did not commit.

Post-conviction DNA testing in Colorado was established in state statute in 2003 and has not been updated since. In the 20 years following its creation, only three people in Colorado have been exonerated for DNA-related reasons.

HB23-1034 now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Fenberg’s Bipartisan Bill to Save Small Businesses Money Clears Committee

SB23-143 would exempt small businesses from paying retail delivery fees and allow businesses to pay delivery fees on behalf of consumers 

DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg’s, D-Boulder, bill to save small businesses money by exempting them from paying retail delivery fees (RDF) cleared the Senate Finance committee today with unanimous support.

Cosponsored by Senator Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, SB23-143 would exempt small businesses making $500,000 or less in retail sales during the prior year from collecting RDFs. The exemption applies retroactively to July 1, 2022, when RDFs were initially implemented.

Established by SB21-260, a RDF is a $.27 fee that a business must collect from a customer for an item that was delivered to the customer.

“Small businesses bring valuable goods and services to our communities, create good jobs across the state, and contribute to Colorado's strong economy,” said Fenberg. “Senate Bill 143 is a win-win for small businesses and consumers alike. It helps Colorado’s small businesses continue to thrive, simplifies the delivery fee collection processes, and eases the fee burden on consumers.”

The bill also allows businesses, regardless of sales revenue, to pay RDFs on behalf of the consumer, creating a more streamlined, cost-efficient model for businesses and consumers.

SB23-143 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

President Fenberg, Speaker McCluskie Convene Joint Select Committee to Investigate Rising Utility Rates

DENVER, CO - Senate President Steve Fenberg and House Speaker Julie McCluskie announced today that they are forming a Joint Select Committee to investigate the causes of Coloradans’ rising utility rates and explore potential actions to prevent future price hikes, saving Colorado’s working families money on their energy bills.

The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates will seek expert testimony from utility companies, relevant agency staff, regulators, consumer advocates, and policy experts in order to better understand issues such as the impact of volatility in natural gas markets, the frequency and justification for rate increases sought by utilities, and other relevant factors. 

“The recent spikes in energy prices have sent Coloradans’ utility bills through the roof, and it’s costing too many working Colorado families an arm and a leg just to heat their homes,” Fenberg said. “Democrats are committed to making Colorado a more affordable place to live, which is why we’re convening this critical committee so we can uncover the root cause behind high prices and hopefully find solutions that will better protect consumers, improve stability, and save people money on their energy bills.”

"Shockingly high utility bills have left Coloradans from Denver to Dillon struggling to heat their homes during the coldest time of the year," said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon. "We need to get to the bottom of what's sticking hardworking families with unpredictable and far too expensive utility bills. We’re creating a bipartisan committee to dig into utility bill increases and target solutions that make our state more affordable."

The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates will meet at least three times, and will include lawmakers from both chambers and both sides of the aisle. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Committee may suggest legislative avenues for the General Assembly to consider. 

Hinrichsen’s Bipartisan Bill to Protect Employee Leave for Colorado National Guard Service Wins Committee Approval

HB23-1045 clarifies that members of the Colorado National Guard are entitled to the equivalent of three weeks leave for military training or active service

DENVER, CO – Today, Senator Nick Hinrichsen’s, D-Pueblo, bipartisan bill to guarantee the equivalent of three weeks of leave for National Guard service or training passed the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee with unanimous support.

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB23-1045 modifies existing laws surrounding leave for Colorado National Guard service from 15 days to the equivalent of three weeks to better accommodate individuals who work non-traditional schedules. Affected individuals will be allowed to use paid time off or to receive leave without pay for their obligations.

“Members of the Colorado National Guard make great sacrifices to protect our country and keep us safe, and they deserve to be accommodated for their service to our state,” said Hinrichsen. “I am proud to have worked with members of both parties to create a system of leave that works for all employee schedules so that members of Colorado’s military community are adequately compensated for their service.”

HB23-1045 will now move to consideration on the Senate floor. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Marchman and Jaquez Lewis’ Bill to Expand Access to Mental Health Professionals in Schools Passes Senate

SB23-004 would aid the youth mental health crisis by allowing licensed mental health professionals to work in schools

DENVER, CO – Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis’, D-Longmont, bill to increase mental health professionals in schools passed the Senate today.

Under current law, a mental health professional must be licensed by the Department of Education in order to work in a school – a process that has proven time-consuming and complex. SB23-004 would allow school districts to employ mental health professionals who hold a Colorado license but don’t have a license from the Department of Education, streamlining the hiring process and expanding access to mental health resources in schools.

“Schools are an essential part of supporting the health and well-being of our students,” said Marchman. “By allowing qualified school-based therapists to work alongside our mental health special service providers in schools, we can improve access to mental health resources and ensure that students in crisis can get the help they need.”

“The youth mental health crisis was prevalent before the pandemic, and has only grown in recent years,” Jaquez Lewis said. “In order to best help our students, we need to expand access to mental health professionals in schools. This bill will make it easier for kids to seek care in a place they feel comfortable and safe.”

In 2021, Children’s Hospital Colorado declared a youth mental health emergency, and the following year stated that conditions had worsened. Furthermore, in 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a survey showing that 44 percent of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless during the past year. 

SB23-004 now heads to the House of Representatives. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Fenberg’s Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Life-Saving Medications Clears Committee

HB23-1071 would allow psychologists who hold a prescription certificate to prescribe certain mental health medications

DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg’s, D-Boulder, bill to grant mental health professionals the ability to safely prescribe life-saving mental health medication cleared the Senate Health and Human Services committee today with unanimous support.

Cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, HB23-1071 would establish rigorous standards and education requirements to give specially trained psychologists prescriptive authority, addressing burdensome wait times and delays. 

“Across the state, we are seeing a prolonged mental health crisis, particularly among our youth,” said Fenberg. “Every day, Coloradans battling mental health struggles face prohibitively long wait times to receive help and a lack of providers who can prescribe them with medication they need, only worsening our crisis. Expanding prescriptive authority to specially trained psychologists will help Coloradans access the life-saving medications that they need on a timeline that makes sense.”

The bill would allow psychologists who have obtained a Ph.D in psychology or Psy.D, completed a master of science program in clinical psychopharmacology, passed the psychopharmacology examination, undergone an independent peer review process, and completed hundreds of hours in diverse clinical settings to prescribe mental health medications, not including narcotic drugs. 

Psychologists seeking prescriptive authority would also be required to complete an additional, individual prescriptive license application. Once licensed, psychologists must maintain an ongoing, collaborative relationship with their patients’ primary care doctor and complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.

HB23-1071 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Gonzales’ Bipartisan Bill to Expand Post-Conviction DNA Testing Clears Committee

Developed in partnership with the Korey Wise Innocence Project, legislation would help end wrongful convictions by expanding the use of post-conviction DNA testing

DENVER, CO – Today, Senator Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, bipartisan bill to expand the eligibility for incarcerated people to access DNA testing after being convicted of a felony cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee with unanimous support.

Currently, an incarcerated person can motion the court for post-conviction DNA testing to prove the person's innocence only if DNA testing was not available at the time of the person's prosecution. HB23-1034, cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, expands the population to include those on felony parole, registered sex offenders, those charged with a felony but not convicted by reason of insanity and those who have completed their felony prison sentence.

"Wrongful convictions are a problem in Colorado, just as they are across this country," said Gonzales. "By improving our statute and bringing it in line with other statutes around the country, we can enable petitioners to access post-conviction DNA testing to prove their innocence, identify the actual perpetrators of the offenses, and reclaim their freedom."

The bill was developed in partnership with the Korey Wise Innocence Project, a law clinic at the University of Colorado Law School, Boulder that provides free investigative and legal services to people serving time in Colorado prisons for crimes they did not commit.

Post-conviction DNA testing in Colorado was established in state statute in 2003 and has not been updated since. In the 20 years following its creation, only three people in Colorado have been exonerated for DNA-related reasons.

HB23-1034 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Hinrichsen’s Bill to Protect Coloradans from Predatory Contracts, Bad Actors Earns Committee Approval

SB23-077 responds to an emerging type of predatory real estate contract targeted at vulnerable Coloradans

DENVER, CO – Senator Nick Hinrichsen’s, D-Pueblo, bill to prohibit predatory practices in real estate contracts cleared the Local Government Committee yestersday.

SB23-077 would prohibit certain terms in residential real estate contracts that unknowingly lock in buyers long-term and amount to predatory loans. The bill establishes that these contracts cannot be bound to future owners, and cannot create a lien against the home – a practice that has resulted in Coloradans paying companies thousands of dollars to lift the lien. The bill aims to protect Colorado homeowners and buyers from exploitative real estate practices.

“It’s indefensible that bad actors are operating in Colorado and deceiving vulnerable folks into contracts they don’t understand and can’t get out of,” Hinrichsen said. “I’m proud to champion this bill that protects Coloradans from this scheme and stops predatory companies from doing business in our state.” 

The bill responds to an emerging type of predatory real estate contract that targets seniors and financially vulnerable homeowners. The bad actors deceptively lock homeowners into right-to-sell contracts and mortgage liens as long as 40 years, often without the victims’ knowledge.

The contracts, which are tied to the land, are passed on to the heir of the property in the event that the owner passes away before the home is sold. Victims are trapped, and forced to pay thousands of dollars to exit the contract. Attorneys General in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania recently took legal action against these companies for their predatory business models.

SB23-077 now heads to the Senate floor. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.
 

Marchman and Gonzales’ Bill to Support Adjunct Faculty Clears Senate

SB23-084 would help adjunct professors qualify for federal loan forgiveness

DENVER, CO – The Senate today advanced Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, bill to improve support for adjunct faculty by increasing access to federal student loan debt relief programs.

SB23-084 implements a multiplier on adjunct faculty members’ instruction hours to more accurately reflect their full-time work, allowing them to qualify for the federal Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Adjuncts, who make up 37 percent of Colorado higher education faculty, are currently considered part-time employees because they are only paid for the time they spend inside the classroom. The bill requires that every hour of direct instruction is multiplied by 4.35.

“Even though adjunct faculty members perform largely the same work as their full-time peers – grading, planning lessons, and meeting with students – right now they are only paid for the time they spend inside the classroom,” Marchman said. “Senate Bill 84 makes a simple change to make sure all of the hard work done by adjunct faculty members is accurately accounted for. I’m proud to champion this legislation to ease the burden on adjunct faculty and ensure they can qualify for the benefits they have earned.”

“I am proud to represent the three higher education institutions that make up the Auraria Campus, and I’ve seen firsthand how hard adjunct faculty members work, both inside and outside of the classroom to support their students,” said Gonzales. “By implementing a multiplier on their instruction hours, we’re ensuring adjuncts are able to access well-earned federal student loan forgiveness, just like other hardworking public employees.”

PSLF is a federal program that qualifies full-time public and nonprofit employees for federal loan forgiveness after ten years of making payments. To qualify, public workers need to work at least 30 hours per week for eight months out of the year or be full-time. 

The bill would also require higher education institutions to give employees enrolled in the PSLF program an annual notice of renewal and a copy of the employment certification form required by the Department of Education.

SB23-084 now heads to the House for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Cutter, Jaquez Lewis Join Attorney General Weiser, Consumer Advocates to Announce Legislation to Protect Consumers from Harmful Medical Billing Practices

SB23-093 will cap interest rate on medical debt and provide critical protections for Coloradans

DENVER, CO – Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, today joined Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and consumer health advocates to announce their legislation that would provide Coloradans with additional consumer protections from high interest rates for medical debt and confusing debt collection practices that lead to long-lasting debt and financial instability.

Debt incurred from medical costs can be financially devastating for patients. When combined with high interest rates and complicated collections practices, consumers may never be able to pay off their medical debt. According to a 2022 report from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Coloradans overall held more than $1.3 billion in medical debt and over 12 percent of Coloradans have medical debt in collections. 

“Medical debt is crushing hardworking Colorado families and limiting their ability to live the American Dream,” Cutter said. “Folks dealing with illnesses or injuries should be focused on getting better instead of worrying about how their treatment will affect their credit score. Our new legislation creates critical new consumer protections that will put a cap on interest rates, improve accountability for providers and debt collectors, and prevent thousands of Coloradans from falling into a tangled web of medical debt.” 

“Every day, Coloradans are forced to choose between paying for necessities like food, heat, or rent and life-saving medical care,” said Jaquez Lewis. “Increasing transparency, capping interest rates, and cracking down on deceptive trade practices will be a game changer for patients seeking life-saving health care. I’m so proud to sponsor Senate Bill 93 and fight on behalf of the people of Colorado to bring down health care costs and ease the burden for those facing medically-incurred debt.”

“Consumers are often surprised by the costs of health care services and incur medical debt as a result,” Weiser said. “It’s important we create protections and ensure that health care providers and debt collectors operate fairly and responsibly. The negative impact on consumers is felt for years, creating trauma, and often leading to a painful cycle of debt. We will remain focused on this issue and continue to stand up for and protect consumers.”

SB23-093 establishes new protections for Colorado consumers burdened with medical debt by:

• Capping the medical debt interest rate at three percent to keep debt from spiraling to levels where a patient is unable to pay it off.  

• Pausing collections on medical debt as patients appeal their coverage and prohibiting reporting the debt to a consumer reporting agency until a certain amount of time after an individual fails to fulfill the terms of a payment plan.  

• Requiring medical debt creditors or debt collectors to verify total debt owed upon request by a patient and to provide a copy of a payment plan, thereby helping consumers know just how much to properly budget for debt payments. 

• Requiring a health care provider or health care facility to provide, upon request, an estimate of the total cost of medical services to a person who intends to self-pay for the service, helping these consumers better understand the cost of services. 

• Reinstating the attorney general’s authority to protect consumers from deceptive trade practices related to billing practices and surprise billing.

SB23-093 will be heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. You can track the bill’s progress HERE.