Interim Committees Pass Legislation to Address Educator Shortage, Simplify Small Business Tax Collection

DENVER, CO – Two interim committees passed legislation to address Colorado’s educator shortage and encourage uniform tax collections yesterday. 

Bill 1 from the Pension Review Commission would allow more Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) retirees to re-enter the teaching profession without being penalized with a reduction in state retirement benefits. Bill 1 from the the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force would standardize tax collection, easing filings and remittances for small business owners.

“From public K-12 schools to universities and colleges, Coloradans are counting on us to address our state’s dire educator shortage,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of Bill 1. “This legislation encourages retired educators to re-enter the classroom by ensuring their PERA retirement benefits go untouched. Retired educators can be a wealth of knowledge for Colorado’s learners, and this bill makes it easier for them to continue supporting our students and still receive the retirement benefits they earned over their careers.” 

"Colorado has faced a teacher shortage for years, but for too long, qualified and willing educators have been left on the sidelines for fear of impacting their PERA retirement benefits," said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of Bill 1. "This bill gives more flexibility to districts to engage retired educators so they can put their years of teaching experience to good use and help prepare our kids for the future."

Bill 1, from the Pension Review Commission, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, and Senator Hansen, helps encourage retired educators to re-enter the career field without a reduction in their Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) retirement benefits. This bill aims to update current law, which limits the number of service retirees that a state college, university or public school can hire without a reduction in the retirees' benefits. Under Bill 1, school districts could hire more retirees more easily and streamline the process of getting them back in classrooms. 

Bill 1 from the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force, sponsored by Representatives Cathy Kipp and Rick Taggart, and Senators Jeff Bridges and Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, would standardize sales and use tax collection for Colorado’s small businesses, saving them time on filings and easing the collection and remittance process through the electronic sales and use tax simplification system (SUTS). Under this bill, all local taxing jurisdictions would be required to use SUTS by July 1, 2025. Additionally, Bill 1 would raise the dollar threshold for monthly filing from $300 to $600 allowing more small businesses to make returns and pay taxes at quarterly intervals instead, saving them time and money. 

“Standardizing Colorado’s sales tax filing and collection system is huge for the average small business owner because it simplifies the process and cuts red tape,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, Vice Chair of the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of Bill 1. “Allowing more businesses to file quarterly or annually rather than monthly will save small businesses time and money. Reducing the frequency of tax collection, as appropriate, is a step in the right direction as we work to make it easier to operate a small business in our great state.”

“Nobody wants to spend more time than necessary filing their taxes, especially the small business owners that form the backbone of our communities,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of Bill 1. “Our legislation will standardize and streamline that process, and will save small business owners both time and money. I’m excited to champion this bill that will help folks spend less time on their sales and use taxes and more time focusing on their businesses.”
 

Fields, Buckner Host Summit on Strengthening Maternal Health in Colorado

Senators convened stakeholders, experts, and community members to seek information and discuss strategies to improve care and reduce pregnancy-related deaths

DENVER, CO – Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, convened a summit of stakeholders, national and local experts, and community members to discuss a recent Maternal Mortality Review Committee report on on maternal mortality in Colorado and to seek solutions to reduce and prevent pregnancy-related deaths.

Attendees engaged with one another on materials presented and contributed their own expertise to identify best-practices and evidence-based strategies that will lead to policy considerations for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in the state.

“Tragically, pregnancy-related deaths are on the rise across Colorado, and it’s hitting communities of color especially hard, which is why we convened this group to take a hard look at how we can tackle this challenge,” Fields said. “I am grateful to everyone who participated in today’s summit, and I look forward to turning what we learned into legislative action that will improve outcomes and keep more people safe while giving birth.”

“In Colorado, Black women are nearly two times as likely to die as a result of pregnancy, and for Native American women that rate it even higher. That is unacceptable, and we must do more to keep these folks safe,” Buckner said. “As someone who has championed maternal health legislation in Colorado, I know how challenging but important these issues are, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and hit the ground running this session so we can turn the tide on inequity in birth outcomes and make Colorado a great place to start a family for all.”

Summit participants included maternal health care experts and advocates including Tahra Johnson, Health Director at the National Conference of State Legislatures; Meagan Robinson Maynor, Senior Program Manager for Epidemiology, Evaluation Metrics at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; Carrie Cortiglio, Director, CDPHE; and Mandy Bakulski, Prevention Services Division, Maternal and Infant Wellness, CDPHE.

According to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which studied maternal mortality outcomes in Colorado from 2016-2020, there were 174 pregnancy-associated deaths in Colorado, with the leading causes of deaths including suicide, unintentional overdose, and obstetric complications. Approximately 90 percent of those deaths were preventable. The Maternal Mortality Review Committee further found that Black and Native American Coloradans disproportionately experience pregnancy-related mortality, with Black people dying at 1.9 times the rate of the general population and Native American people dying at 2.9 times the rate of their peers while experiencing pregnancy.

Last session, Fields and Buckner sponsored SB23-288, which seeks to expand coverage and increase access to doula services, and in 2021 Fields sponsored SB21-101 which supports midwives, while Buckner sponsored SB21-194, which improved state support for maternal health care providers.

Colorado Youth Advisory Committee Recommends Bills to Improve Dignity for Students, Get More Mental Health Professionals Into Schools

DENVER, CO - The Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee (COYAC) yesterday voted to advance three bills that would require public schools to address a student by their preferred name in school, study the existing barriers to gender-affirming care, and create a loan repayment program for school mental health professionals.

Bill 1 would require public schools to address a student by their preferred name in school and in school-related publications without requiring the student to obtain a court-ordered name or gender change. The bill also establishes the Non-Legal Name Changes in Schools Task Force under the Department of Education to help examine existing school policies regarding non-legal name changes, and provide policy recommendations for school districts. 

“Prioritizing the health and well-being of all Colorado youth makes our families and communities more resilient. All kids should feel safe and accepted in order to grow, learn, and thrive,” said COYAC Chair Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of all three bills. “We need to strengthen these protective factors, particularly for families of LGBTQ youth who have been met with hostility for raising their children in an accepting and affirming environment, and for youth who lack resources for mental health support. I'm proud of our student participants' hard work on these policies, and look forward to advancing what we've accomplished together. Our bills will provide clarity to schools when addressing students by their preferred names, increase mental health support with loan repayments to school mental health professionals, and map out access to gender-affirming care across our great state. By implementing these improvements and sharing essential resources, we will better support Colorado kids so that all can thrive.”

“Every year, legislators on the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee join bright, engaged students to collaborate on legislation that supports their future success,” said COYAC Vice Chair Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, sponsor of all three bills. “This year, the bills we are advancing prioritize the mental health and well-being of students and address much needed staffing shortages for mental health professionals who work in schools. Students deserve to feel safe, confident and supported at school, and these bills mark meaningful steps towards making that a reality for every Colorado kid.“

“Every Colorado child deserves to live and learn with dignity, but right now too many kids have to deal with stigma and harassment. Tragically, 82 percent of trans youth have contemplated suicide at some point in their lives,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, sponsor of all three bills. “By letting kids go by their preferred name in class and increasing access to gender-affirming care, Bills 1 and 6 will give students and young people the support and security to be themselves in the classroom and throughout their lives. Bill 5 meanwhile will help school mental health professionals save money, and make it easier and more appealing to enter this critical profession. These bills are commonsense steps that will help students across the state feel more comfortable and confident while they learn and grow.”

Bill 5 is a bipartisan bill, also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, that would create the Licensed School Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program in the Department of Higher Education, and require the Commission on Higher Education to adopt program policies, review applications for loan repayment, and report annually on the program. Applicants must be licensed and have a masters or doctoral degree in a program that qualifies the applicant to be a mental health professional and must agree to work as a school mental health professional in Colorado for at least three consecutive academic years to qualify. 

Bill 6 directs the Department of Public Health and Environment to study the disparities and inadequacies in Colorado’s gender-affirming health care sector. The study will investigate the number of gender-affirming health care providers and facilities throughout the state, the availability of resources for these providers, the number of patients seeking this type of care, the prevalence and impact of non-prescribed treatments, and the availability of insurance coverage. 

The three bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills.

JOINT RELEASE: Interim Committee Passes Bipartisan Bills to Support Children and Youth in Foster Care

Legislation includes designated support for youth with complex behavioral health care needs, system accountability tools and improved access to services for non-english speakers

DENVER, CO – Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee yesterday passed five bipartisan bills to support children and youth in foster care or at risk of out-of-home placement.

“We need to improve access to care to ensure our children and youth with complex behavioral health needs are receiving the treatment they deserve,” said Chair of Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee, Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of Bill 5. “This bill would create a system of care, including training for residential child care providers, specifically designed to support children and youth with complex behavioral health needs. Our goal is to make sure our youth can get access to the care they need, when they need it, from high-quality professionals to improve their overall health care outcomes.”

“Caring for your behavioral health is just as important as physical health - but behavioral health care needs are often complex, and caring for them can be difficult, especially for young people in foster care,” said Vice Chair of Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of Bill 5. “Our bill will require the state to expand and improve treatment options and services for those individuals, and will help more children and youth in foster care get the critical treatment they deserve.”

Bill 5, sponsored by Representatives Young and Brandi Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, Senator Fields and Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, outlines a new system of care designed for youth and children in foster care, or at risk of out-of-home placement with complex behavioral health needs. Specifically, Bill 5 would require state agencies to create a care plan that includes the implementation of a standardized assessment tool, intensive-care coordination, expanded supportive services and expanded access to alternatives to residential treatment. Bill 5 aims to make it easier for youth with complex behavioral health needs to receive the care they need, when they need it. In order to meet the needs of foster youth, the bill would create a training academy and help create a talent pipeline of high-quality residential child care providers.

“When it comes to accessibility, Colorado needs to do a better job to support our children and families involved in dependency and neglect court cases,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bill 6. “This important piece of legislation will improve our state’s language standards, so that all families and guardians have the court-ordered information they need in a format they can readily understand. Certain accommodations, including language standards, are necessary to support Coloradans as they navigate our judicial and welfare system, and this bill will help in closing this widening gap.”

“Neglect and abuse cases are already stressful and challenging for children and families, which is why we must do more to support these families and break down language barriers,” said Senator Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, sponsor of Bill 6. “Bill 6’s accommodations are a no-brainer. Every Coloradan – regardless of their primary language – deserves access to translation services that will help them better navigate the family judicial system and care for children involved.”

To improve accessibility for children, families and guardians involved in abuse and neglect legal cases, Bill 6, sponsored by Representatives Joseph and Bradley, and Senators Michaelson Jenet and Kirkmeyer, would require the Colorado Department of Human Services to translate court-ordered documents, including treatment plans, into the primary language used by the family. The services would include language translation and interpretation services.

“Domestic violence deaths are on the rise, we need to do everything in our power to protect survivors and their innocent children,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of Bill 7. “My son and I survived domestic violence, but others across our state are not as fortunate. This important bill works to add another layer of protection for children living in homes with domestic abuse by requiring mandatory reporters to report suspected and known DV situations. This bill, combined with other legislative efforts, will help keep our communities safer while supporting our survivors.”

“It’s past time we take a close look at how we’re tracking instances of child abuse and domestic violence,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, sponsor of Bill 7. “Our new bill requires a comprehensive audit of the state’s current reporting and tracking tools to ensure we’re getting a complete picture of the problem at hand and so that we can better determine best practices going forward. This is a critical step we can take to ensure we’re doing everything we can to accurately track child abuse and, ultimately, keep our kids safe.”

To support children in suspected domestic violence situations, Bill 7 would require mandatory reporters, including teachers, medical professionals, and law enforcement, to report any evidence of known or suspected domestic violence in a child's home including evidence from previous cases. Bill 7, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran and Representative Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton, and Senators Kolker and Kirkmeyer, also outlines the framework for the Colorado State Department of Human Services to develop and implement a screening process for counties to follow when responding to a hotline report, including questions regarding domestic violence and a disclaimer that calls are recorded. Additionally, the bill requires an audit on the current tools used to report and track child abuse to ensure best practices and increase child safety.

The committee also passed two additional pieces of legislation, including Bill 1 and Bill 2. Bill 1, sponsored by Senators Zenzigner and Kirkmeyer and Representatives Young and Pugliese, aims to improve measures for kinship foster care homes, including establishing a process for kinship foster care homes to become certified and securing assistance for providing a child’s basic care.

Bill 2, sponsored by Senators Michaelson Jenet and Kirkmeyer and Majority Leader Duran and Representative Pugliese would lay down the groundwork toward creating a more streamlined and expansive system of care with focus on prevention so that behavioral health needs can be addressed earlier in the process.

Interim Committee Advances Bills to Reduce Recidivism and Improve Public Safety

DENVER, CO - The Recidivism Interim Study Committee today unanimously advanced three bills to improve our understanding of criminal activity by creating a uniform definition of “recidivism”, exploring alternative methods of measuring public safety and desistance from crime, and studying how defendants move through the criminal justice system.

“In order to effectively understand and utilize data on recidivism, we have to start on the same page,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, sponsor of all three bills. “The legislation we’re advancing today will ensure agencies operate with the same definition and understanding of ‘recidivism’, and that the legislature has a comprehensive knowledge of the way Coloradans move through our criminal justice system. With these updates to help us better understand our criminal justice system, we’ll be able to develop more effective legislation that results in just outcomes for Coloradans and safer communities for all.”

“Agencies throughout Colorado use varying definitions for ‘recidivism’, making it more difficult to use as a data point when drafting legislation to address public safety concerns,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of Bill 1 and 3. “We’re streamlining the definition across Colorado agencies to make ‘recidivism’ a useful tool in policy-making and continued evaluation of our justice system to create a safer Colorado.”

Currently, the definition of “recidivism” fluctuates greatly between the Division of Youth Services, Department of Corrections, community corrections, and other agencies. Bill 1, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Senator Julie Gonzales, and Representatives Judy Amabile and Matthew Martinez, would require the Division of Criminal Justice to create a working group with the purpose of establishing a definition of “recidivism” that can be used by all state entities, making it easier to use data to understand the efficacy of current procedures and legislative or policy changes.

“Understanding recidivism rates is a useful tool in measuring successful strategies to decrease future criminal activity, and with this legislation, we are considering additional metrics to create meaningful and effective policy,” said Vice Chair Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bill 1 and 2. “Factors like housing status, education, mental health, and social considerations can contribute to the likelihood of someone committing a crime. By expanding our scope and using a consistent definition of ‘recidivism’, we can identify what factors have a positive influence on individuals so we can reduce crime and slow the revolving door of people in and out of prison.”

“Time and time again, data has shown us that the most successful strategies to decrease crime are comprehensive approaches,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of all three bills. “Our new legislation will bring in diverse voices and provide the necessary resources to take a close look at the efficiency of Colorado’s criminal justice system and, going forward, will help us determine more holistic methods to decrease crime and help Coloradans successfully reintegrate into their communities.”

Bill 2, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Senator Julie Gonzales, and Representative Judy Amabile, would create the Alternative Metrics to Measure Criminal Justice System Performance Working Group to study metrics and methods other than recidivism. These alternative metrics and methods, used in addition to recidivism data, would measure risk-reduction outcomes and life factors that influence successful outcomes, and more effectively determine the efficiency of the criminal justice system.

The working group would be required to submit a report to the House Health and Insurance, House Judiciary, Senate Health and Human Services, and Senate Judiciary committees by July 1, 2025 with a summary of their work and any recommendations.

The committee also voted to advance Bill 3, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Senator Julie Gonzales, and Representative Matthew Martinez, requiring the Division of Criminal Justice (division) to conduct a study to examine how individuals proceed through the stages of criminal and juvenile justice proceedings, including sentences and alternative sentencing programs, and make recommendations for creating a more efficient system. The division must submit a report of its findings by June 30, 2025.

The three bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills.

LGBTQ+ Caucus: Private Schools Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Use Taxpayer Funds to Discriminate

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus released the following statement regarding a federal judge’s preliminary injunction to block Colorado from preventing preschool providers in the taxpayer-funded universal preschool (UPK) program from discriminating against LGBTQ+ families and educators:

“Institutions that receive public funds should not be able to use those taxpayer resources to discriminate against LGBTQ+ families. All children should have access to high-quality early childhood education that sets them up for success. This decision is in direct conflict with the majority of Coloradans who overwhelmingly support LGBTQ+ rights, oppose discrimination, and support free, high quality preschool for all early learners in Colorado.

“The Department of Early Childhood’s non-discrimination requirements for UPK providers are crucial to ensure that taxpayer resources aren’t used to perpetuate bigotry toward LGBTQ+ families. However, under this ruling, taxpayers will now be forced to subsidize religious education institutions who want to use public funding for programs that exclude LGBTQ+ families. Taxpayer dollars should be spent on preschools that are willing to serve all Coloradans, no matter the sexual orientation of parents, or the gender identity of students or staff.”

The current members of the Colorado Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus are:
Rep. Brianna Titone, Chair
Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, Co-Chair
Rep. Jennifer Lea Parenti
Rep. Elizabeth Velasco
Rep. Stephanie Vigil
Rep. Lorena Garcia
Rep. Ruby Dickson
Rep. Elisabeth Epps
Rep. Leslie Herod
Rep. Alex Valdez
Rep. David Ortiz
Sen. Joann Ginal

Interim Committee Bills to Improve Mental Health and Substance Use Resources Advance

Colorado Democrats Advance Bills to Boost Community-Based Treatment and Resources to Prevent Crime and Reduce Recidivism

DENVER, CO - The Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems interim committee today advanced five bills to improve access to court diversion programs, increase funding for Colorado’s 911 Resource Center, dispatch community-based mental health professionals to youth and families experiencing a behavioral health crisis, clarify the process for defendants who are found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial, and ensure that individuals are not held in jails if they haven’t committed a crime.

Bill 2, sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Regina English and Senator Rhonda Fields, would remove jails as an option for substance use disorder commitments when no crime has been committed. Under the bill, local law enforcement agencies would submit a quarterly report to the Behavioral Health Administration regarding how many people have been taken into protective custody, how long they were in treatment, where they were treated, and other data.

“Correctional facilities shouldn’t be the largest provider of mental health treatment in our state,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of Bills 2, 3, and 5. “Our bills will remove jails as treatment providers when no crime has been committed, boost funding and resources for judicial districts to alleviate pressure on our jail systems, and keep individuals in their community while they work through a behavioral or mental health treatment plan created by a licensed mental health professional. These changes will help drive down recidivism, get people the treatment services they need, and more quickly bring justice to victims of crimes.”

“Coloradans seeking help deserve to be met with well-resourced, comprehensive services and reliable responses,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of all five bills. “The legislation I am bringing forward next session will boost resources across a variety of services to ensure that crisis responders and judicial employees are operating efficiently and that Coloradans can continue to rely on these essential community services. I look forward to carrying these bills to guarantee that Coloradans can receive help whenever, wherever, and however they need it.”

Bill 3, sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Mary Bradfield and Senator Rhonda Fields, would help address our competency backlog by allowing us to get defendants who are not able to be restored to competency into appropriate treatment more quickly.

“Increasing treatment services for substance abuse disorders in our criminal justice system will reduce recidivism rates and offer the tools people need to successfully reenter society,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of Bills 2, 4, and 6. “By offering these services, we can address the root causes of crime and give Coloradans a better chance at a thriving future. We’re also allocating money to help Colorado’s 911 Resource Center properly staff their workplaces and give workers the information and training they need to respond to calls more effectively.”

Colorado’s 911 Resource Center supports first responders across the state. Public safety answering points, commonly known as call centers, play an important role by gathering important information for law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS during a call and providing critical de-escalation services before first responders show up on the scene. Bill 4, sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields and Representative Regina English, would fund the Colorado 911 Resource Center so it can continue to provide services and training to public safety answering points.

Bill 5, sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Mary Bradfield and Senators Rhonda Fields and Rod Pelton, would codify and expand the Crisis Resolution Team program to provide mobile crisis responses for youth and their families, using community-based services to de-escalate and stabilize Colorado youth during a behavioral health crisis. Additional services would include counseling or therapy, case management to help meet treatment plans, peer support or family skills coaching, medication management, and care coordination.

The committee also advanced Bill 6, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and Senator Rhonda Fields and Representatives Regina English and Mary Bradfield. Currently, district attorneys can use an assessment tool to identify individuals who are eligible to be diverted away from the juvenile or criminal justice system and into appropriate services. This bill expands eligible individuals to include juveniles and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with behavioral health issues, and adds behavioral health services and services for adults and juveniles with developmental disabilities to the list of available diversion services.

“Young people and adults who struggle with developmental disabilities or behavioral health issues too often become involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system,” Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, sponsor of Bill 6 said. “This bill will require DAs to consider a young person's mental or behavioral health status when determining if they are eligible for diversion services.”

The five bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills.

Senators’ Statement on Pueblo Train Derailment

DENVER, CO – Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, released a statement following a train derailment in Pueblo County:

“As Senators who have placed a heightened focus on transportation issues in both the legislature and our private careers, we are disappointed, but not surprised by today’s derailment in northern Pueblo County. At this time, we do not know the cause or the extent of economic and infrastructure damage. More importantly, we are desperately hoping for news of the safety of all transportation workers involved in this incident. Sadly, this event is not surprising.

We are aware of numerous safety issues with our rail system in Colorado, which is why earlier this month, the Transportation Legislative Review Committee voted to approve legislation for the upcoming session of the General Assembly to address those concerns including limiting train length, increasing safety inspections, and including detectors to identify train defects in real time. Efforts on this legislation began in the immediate aftermath of the disastrous hazardous material train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February of this year. Through the aftermath and investigation of that derailment, it became clear that our commercial rail transportation network has been subjected to ever increasing risk of accidents, with ever increasing severity when they do occur. We are committed to seeing this legislation’s passage as quickly as feasible, so that we may immediately work to reduce the risk of accidents like the ones in East Palestine and Pueblo.

As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state. We are committed to ensuring that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities or our transportation professionals.”

Marchman to Champion Legislation that Improves Outdoor Nature Based Preschools

Marchman: "By allowing ONBs to operate full-day programs, we will create job opportunities, make ONBs more accessible to working families, and ensure kids get the quality education they deserve”

DENVER CO – Today, Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, visited the Nature School Cooperative as she prepares her upcoming legislation that would allow licensure for outdoor nature based schools (ONBs) and increase their operations. 

ONBs have the same child development goals that traditional schools have, but meet those goals through experiences in and with nature. These schools are growing in popularity due to their unique format and support for students with diverse learning needs. However, ONBs currently have no way to obtain licensure. Despite currently operating via waivers and exemption statuses, roadblocks remain in place for ONBs, such as their inability to support full-day preschool. Marchman has toured multiple ONBs and met with parents and program directors to prepare her upcoming legislation that will aid the licensure and transition process.

“I had a great time today connecting with faculty, staff, and students at the outdoor preschool,” Marchman said. “Colorado is in the midst of an early-childhood education crisis, which is why it’s imperative that we develop a formal licensure process for ONBs and expand childcare options. By allowing ONBs to operate full-day programs, we will create job opportunities, make ONBs more accessible to working families, and ensure kids get the quality education they deserve.”

Eighty-two percent of Coloradans work full-time. Full-day licensure for ONBs would break down barriers for working families and add an estimated 340 additional spots for children. Additionally, full-day operations would support these small businesses by creating jobs in local communities.

Marchman, a teacher and Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, also toured the Thorne Nature Experience as a part of her preparation. Last session, Marchman sponsored numerous bills to support Colorado’s students, including legislation to increase mental health workers in schools, broaden loan forgiveness for higher education faculty, and expand the teacher workforce.

Interim Committee Tours Front Range & Western Slope Transportation Projects

Members met with transit officials, inspected projects aimed at improving safety and reducing emissions on Colorado’s roads

DENVER, CO – Members of the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) recently toured sites across the Front Range and Western Slope to learn more about multiple projects underway to improve safety and reduce emissions on Colorado’s roads.

“Strengthening our transportation infrastructure will make it quicker, safer, and cheaper for Coloradans to get to the places they want to go,” said Chair Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “From travel to the Denver airport to bussing around our mountain resort towns, we’re spending a couple days exploring all of the transportation options that Colorado has to offer to mark our progress and discuss future improvements that can save Coloradans money on transportation.”

“Coloradans depend on a robust and functioning transportation system to get where they need to go, and the TLRC has been hard at work this interim on legislation to improve those systems,” TLRC member Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “It’s critical for us to see the impacts of our work to improve Colorado’s roads up close and in-person, and I look forward to using what we learned these past two days to craft future initiatives to help Colorado’s transportation system reach its full potential.”

"All Coloradans deserve to move around the state safely and conveniently, and we can accomplish that by making more transportation choices,” said TLRC member Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “Public transit is not only a great way to reduce carbon emissions, but it also creates more opportunities for every budget and every lifestyle. Our tour around Colorado is helping us improve our transportation infrastructure to make it easier and cheaper for people to get around.”

On Thursday TLRC members embarked on the tour aboard a bus from the state’s new “Bustang” fleet, Colorado’s intercity public transportation system which is growing quickly with an infusion of state funds from SB22-180, sponsored by TLRC Vice Chair Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield  The tour began with an inspection of Denver International Airport facilities, including a tour of DIA’s ‘green fleet’. DIA is a recipient of Clean Fleet Enterprise grants, funded by SB21-260, also sponsored by Winter, to support the adoption of electric vehicles.

Following that, the committee went on an e-bike tour of Boulder, hosted by Bicycle Colorado. Recognizing that e-bikes are an important emerging mode of nonpolluting transportation, last session the state funded a long-term $500 state-wide tax credit for e-bike purchases through HB23-1272 which comes online April, 2024. 

Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, who rode an e-bike for the first time on the tour, said “These things are fast and smooth, I can see why they’re replacing car trips for so many people — now we just need to make our streets safer to ride them on.”

Following the e-bike tour, members visited Via Mobility to see how Via’s accessible transportation services help Coloradans get around outside the home. Finally, members visited Idaho Springs to inspect multiple projects along the I-70 corridor.

Today, members continued their tour with a visit to Colorado Department of Transportation improvements on Berthoud Pass and other improvements underway on U.S. Highway 40. The committee met with leaders in Winter Park and learned about the growing bus system and multimodal plans underway including a free public gondola and opportunities for expanding passenger rail connections to the front range.

Finally, members concluded their trip with a tour of the Frisco Transit Center and Summit County Transit operations center, a tour of the Idaho Springs Mobility Hub, and by inspecting projects along I-70, including Floyd Hill construction, peak shoulder lanes, and mountain express lanes. 

Earlier this week, the TLRC advanced five interim bills to improve infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, improve child passenger safety, crack down on predatory towing carriers, create a statewide transit pass and provide free transit for Colorado youth, and strengthen railroad safety standards.

Legislation to Improve Public Transit, Create Safer Streets Advances from Interim Committee

DENVER, CO - Yesterday, five bills to improve infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, improve child passenger safety, crack down on predatory towing carriers, create a statewide transit pass and provide free transit for Colorado youth, and strengthen railroad safety standards advanced from the Transportation Legislation Review Committee.

“Tragically, we’ve seen a disproportionate increase in cyclist and pedestrian casualties due to unprotected bike routes, inaccessible or non-existent sidewalks, and other weaknesses in Colorado’s transportation infrastructure,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of Bill 1. “Coloradans should be able to commute and recreate safely, regardless of their mode of transportation. This bill will help make our roads safer for every type of travel, while also improving our air quality and reducing climate impacts and traffic.”

“Colorado’s roads are far too dangerous, especially for folks who are using them without a car or kids riding as passengers,” said Vice Chair Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, sponsor of Bills 1 and 4. “Our first bill will provide meaningful resources to improve our infrastructure and make it safer for folks to get where they need to go. The other bill that I’ll be sponsoring next session will help Coloradans access resources like appropriate car seats that will help kids survive crashes and make sure more families stay safe on the road.”

“Many cyclists and pedestrians have felt the impacts of deteriorating safety on our streets due to the lack of safety measures that protect them from dangerous car traffic,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, sponsor of Bill 1. “With this new bill, we will use data-driven safety strategies to reduce traffic collisions and save more Colorado lives.”

“Deaths of vulnerable road users have increased dramatically. Pedestrians, cyclists and people using mobility devices are at risk. Our bill will support safety projects proven to reduce traffic deaths, and when our roads are safer, we believe people will feel more comfortable using alternative modes of transportation,” said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of Bills 1, 5 and 7. “Our rail safety bill will ensure that our communities, forests, watersheds and rail workers are protected from hazardous materials being transported through our state by rail. Additionally, we’ve explored new ways to prevent predatory towing practices and ensure companies aren’t taking advantage of Coloradans or skirting the law. We’ve worked hard to develop bills that will deliver safer streets and railways and fairer systems for Coloradans, and I'm excited to help shepard them through the process."

Bill 1 would deliver road safety improvements that are proven to reduce dangerous traffic collisions, like controlled crossings and separated bike lanes. Between 2010 and 2021, pedestrian deaths from collisions with motorized vehicles increased 77 percent while all other traffic-related deaths increased by 25 percent. The likelihood that a collision with a motor vehicle will result in serious injury to a pedestrian is 50 percent if the vehicle is traveling 31 miles per hour and 99 percent if the vehicle is traveling at 46 miles per hour. The fatality risk to a cyclist or pedestrian increases between 40 and 50 percent with each thousand pound increase in weight of the motor vehicle.

“During my time in elected office, Colorado has taken leaps and bounds forward when it comes to smart, successful transportation policy,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, sponsor of Bills 4, 7 and 9. “Ahead of my final legislative session in the General Assembly, I’m proud to sponsor a suite of bills that will improve upon our past work while continuing to innovate. The bills from the Transportation Legislation Review Committee I’m sponsoring will help families access resources to keep kids safe while driving, streamline a statewide transit system to increase usage and save people money, and improve consumer protections to crack down on predatory towing companies and level the playing field for Coloradans.”

“It is estimated that up to 84% of Colorado children are improperly restrained while riding in a vehicle, which has led to devastating fatal car accidents,” said Chair Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of Bill 4. “Kids that live in rural parts of the state and children of color are more at-risk, because families may not have access to life-saving child restraints. Our goal with this new bill is to spread awareness and make it easier for every family across the state to protect their children in their vehicles.”

Bill 4, also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would create the Child Passenger Safety Education and Distribution Grant Program to increase awareness of child passenger safety laws, connect families with child restraint products like car seats, and fund the certification of child passenger safety technicians. The bill would also update car seat and child restraint requirements to reflect the latest available science and better protect children under the age of 13.

“Predatory towing companies have been picking the pockets of hardworking Coloradans for too long,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of Bill 7. “It is much too common for people to have to jump through hoops and pay hundreds of dollars to get their car back after it was towed despite the protections we’ve passed in recent years. Our new bill would disincentivize bad actors from exploiting car owners and reinforce best practices in the towing industry to better protect Colorado consumers.”

“Everyday Coloradans can’t afford to cover the costs of towing companies mistakenly taking away their car,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, sponsor of Bill 7. “Most Coloradans rely on car travel to get to their job, drop their kids off at school, and other necessary errands. I’m proud to carry this bill so we can greatly reduce unnecessary towing incidents that take money from hardworking Coloradans.”

Bill 7 would crack down on predatory towing by granting more enforcement and permitting authority over towing carriers to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The bill further protects consumers by restricting towers from patrolling parking areas on behalf of a property owner, and ensuring all financial information is reported to the PUC and the General Assembly to increase transparency of towing operations.

“Coloradans deserve ways to get around that are easy, cheap, and efficient,” said Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Centennial, sponsor of Bill 9. “High-quality transit can ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and save travel time. Our new bill will reduce the cost of transit passes, including making fares free for people under 20. It also explores a single statewide transit pass to save Coloradans money, time, and headaches!"

“The EveryWhere Pass will give Coloradans the convenience and access to go all over our beautiful state year round while doing their part to reduce air pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, sponsor of Bill 9. “Colorado youth can ride for free to help lower the cost for working families, and the tax credit will help Colorado businesses offer their employees reliable and discounted transportation. The EveryWhere Pass has something for everyone.”

“Public transit is a great way for youth to get to school, work, and extracurricular activities without needing a driver's license and a car,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of Bill 9. “Our new bill would cut transportation costs for families traveling together, and give teens in Colorado a boost in opportunity, by making transit zero fare for youth."

Bill 9 would support the use of transit in multiple complementary ways. First, it would create a tax credit for purchasing a transit pass; something that exists now for employers but not individuals. It would also create the Statewide Transit Pass Exploratory Committee to come up with a plan to implement a statewide transit pass by January 1, 2028.

The bill would also create a program to provide free year-round transit services to kids across the state who are 19 years old or younger. The bill also would extend the successful Ozone Season Transit Grant Program.

The committee also passed Bill 5, which would strengthen railroad safety standards and create the Front Range Passenger Rail District Maintenance and Safety Fund to improve railroad safety for passenger travel.

The five bills will now go to the Legislative Council for approval before being introduced next session. Once introduced in the 2024 session, interim bills will follow the legislative process in the same manner as all other bills.

JOINT RELEASE: Bipartisan Laws to Reduce Recidivism and Expand Post-Conviction DNA Testing Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Two bipartisan laws to allow Coloradans who are incarcerated to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education and to expand access to DNA testing after being convicted of a felony are now in effect.

“Education is a proven tool to reduce recidivism and improve public safety because it creates strong, post-sentence pathways for formerly incarcerated Coloradans to thrive after completing their sentence,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB23-1037. “It is exciting to see higher education institutions from across the state sign on to work with the Department of Corrections to offer courses to Coloradans who are incarcerated. This bipartisan legislation will help Coloradans have the skills and higher education credits they need to secure a good-paying job after their time is served.”

“Colorado owes incarcerated people more, which is why I am proud to have championed these bills that will help folks in prison prove their innocence and better prepare them for life outside prison,” Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Sponsor of HB23-1037 and HB23-1034 said. “Enabling petitioners to access post-conviction DNA testing will help folks prove their innocence and allow them to reclaim their freedom, while expanding educational opportunities will reduce recidivism rates and better prepare Coloradans to find good-paying careers once they’ve left prison. I am happy to see these important new laws go into effect, and I look forward to the transformational changes they will bring to incarcerated Coloradans.”

“Wrongful convictions ruin the lives of innocent people across our nation and can lead to cycles of poverty and incarceration that devastate families and perpetuate injustice,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB23-1034. “When someone is wrongly convicted, that means the real perpetrator is likely still on the street. This important law makes it easier for those convicted of certain crimes to access post-conviction DNA testing, which can help prove their innocence and identify the actual perpetrator. This law will lead to safer communities and a more just and trusted legal system for Coloradans.”

HB23-1037, sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs and Senator Julie Gonzales, allows people who are incarcerated and sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to reduce their sentence by completing an accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited higher education institution while the person is incarcerated in the Department of Corrections.

Specifically, people who are incarcerated can receive 6 months of earned time for an earned credential or a 30 credit hour certificate, one year of earned time for a bachelor's or associate's degree, 18 months of earned time for a master’s degree, and two years for a doctoral degree.

Five Colorado Universities will offer select courses and certificate programs to people who are incarcerated including Adams State University, Trinidad State University, Pueblo Community College, Colorado State University Pueblo and Regis University.

HB23-1034, sponsored by Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Senators Julie Gonzales and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, aims to help end wrongful convictions by expanding the use of post-conviction DNA testing.

Specifically, this law expands the eligibility for people to access DNA testing after being convicted of a felony to include those on parole or probation, registered sex offenders, those charged with a felony but not convicted by reason of insanity and those who have completed their felony prison sentence.

JOINT RELEASE: Gun Violence Prevention Laws Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Two laws to prevent gun violence and save lives go into effect on October 1. HB23-1219 establishes a minimum three day waiting period to purchase a firearm, and SB23-168 creates new avenues for victims of gun violence to pursue justice.

“We know waiting periods are a successful tool proven to prevent suicide and firearm deaths,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB23-1219. “Establishing a three day waiting period creates breathing room and time to intervene before an act of violence is committed. Widely supported by gun owners, waiting periods can help us address gun violence and create safer Colorado communities.”

“Previously, if you wanted to get your hands on a gun, you could do so with near immediacy,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1219. “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 new law that will save lives and create safer communities for all Coloradans.”

“I have experienced firsthand how a ‘cooling off’ period can save someone's life when they are in crisis and trying to purchase a firearm,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB23-1219. “My son is still with us today because his background check was delayed when he went to a local gun store, and I am forever grateful he did not have instant access to a firearm that day. This new law will help save lives from senseless and preventable gun violence and improve public safety by preventing someone in crisis from immediately acquiring a deadly weapon.”

“A cooling off period could be the difference between life and death for a person in the midst of a mental health crisis,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1219. “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 proud to take this meaningful step 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.

Current law mandates that a background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred, which often takes less than three days. HB23-1219 requires a gun seller to wait for an approved background check or three days from the initiation of the background check, whichever is later, before delivering a gun to the purchaser. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Mandatory waiting periods are supported by 72 percent of gun owners.

The law does not apply to antique firearms. It also exempts the transfer of a firearm between an active duty military service member, who is set to deploy overseas, and their family.

“With this law, we are ending the excessive legal protections enjoyed by the firearm industry and ensuring they can be held accountable when their actions cause harm to others,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, sponsor of SB23-168. “This law re-establishes pathways for victims of gun violence, and their families, to seek justice through the courts. It ensures the firearm industry can be held to the same standard as any other business that operates in our state and hopefully encourage them to be stronger partners in our efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities and create safer neighborhoods for everyone."

“Colorado used to be home to one of the most punitive laws against gun violence survivors in the country, laws that shielded them from accountability and needed to be changed,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB23-168. “This new law 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.”

“Previously, Colorado gun sellers and manufacturers were provided legal protections far beyond those for most other businesses in the state and that prevented victims of gun violence from seeking justice,” Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, sponsor of SB23-168 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.”

“When it comes to seeking justice through the courts, victims of gun violence in Colorado have faced an uphill battle,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23-168. “Prior to this law, the firearm industry had extreme and unjust legal protections that prevented families and victims from seeking accountability. Through this legislation, we’re removing these completely unwarranted legal protections and creating a new avenue for victims to seek the justice they deserve.”

Prior to SB23-168, firearm industry members enjoyed broad protections under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act from most types of civil lawsuits. Colorado law goes even further by including a punitive provision that forces victims of gun violence who sue the firearm industry to pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. SB23-168 removes Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for firearm industry members and allows legitimate lawsuits against the firearm industry to move forward.

After their daughter was killed in the Aurora movie 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 around $200,000 in legal fees to bulk ammunition sellers. As a result, they ended up selling their house and declared bankruptcy. SB23-168 is named the “Jessi Redfield Ghawi’s Act for Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice and Firearms Industry Accountability” in honor of Sandy and Lonnie Phillips’ daughter.

Removing Colorado’s firearm industry shielded liability will allow survivors, like the Phillips and countless others, to seek appropriate justice via civil actions and will give survivors the legal opportunity to hold firearm industry members accountable for their actions.

Exum Applauds Groundbreaking of New Affordable Housing Project in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Today Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a new affordable housing development for low-income seniors in Colorado Springs.

"I was honored to join local leaders to celebrate Silver Key Senior Services’ groundbreaking on the Silver Key Apartments affordable housing project,” said Exum. “Colorado Springs is no stranger to our statewide housing crisis. The Silver Key Apartments will provide dozens of affordable housing units and will be life-changing for a number of our community’s low-income seniors and veterans. During my time in elected office, I have been proud to support the Colorado Housing Finance Authority’s work to distribute affordable housing tax credits, ensuring projects like the Silver Key Apartments have the necessary resources to become reality.”

The Silver Key Apartments project is a 50-unit affordable housing complex for low-income older adults, with an allocation of 13 units specifically designated for older adult veterans. The apartments are located adjacent to Silver Key Senior Services’ headquarters at 1625 S. Murray Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In 2022, Silver Key Senior Services received an award of 9 percent tax credits from Colorado Housing Finance Authority for the development of the Silver Key Apartments project. As a result of legislation passed in 2019, the Colorado Affordable Housing Tax Credit allocates $10 million in state credit annually from 2020 to 2024. Last year the Colorado General Assembly passed legislation to extend the program through 2031, maintaining the credit amount at $10 million per year while removing the aggregate cap for credits for developments in counties impacted by a federally declared natural disaster, allowing developments to leverage state and federal natural disaster funds for recovery efforts.

JOINT RELEASE: Colorado Economy Continues to Grow

DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts.

“Colorado’s economy continues to grow with new jobs being created every day, our unemployment rate well below the national average, and continued wage growth outpacing inflation,” said JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Colorado is making strides to bring down the cost of living and make our state more affordable as housing costs and nationally high gas prices continue to impact Coloradans’ quality of life. I’m excited to get to work crafting a balanced budget that keeps our state’s economy strong, invests in education, improves public safety, and responds to the needs of Colorado’s families while continuing our state’s responsible growth into the future.”

“Today’s forecast shows us that, despite some turbulence, Colorado’s economic outlook remains positive,” said JBC Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “As we begin the process of drafting next year's budget, we remain focused on supporting Colorado’s families by investing in priorities like housing, health care, and education, and ensuring that Colorado remains on a sound and sensible economic path now and into the future."

“These forecasts will guide our work as we begin to develop next year’s budget and prioritize our limited state resources toward the issues that matter most to Coloradans – increasing funding for public schools, protecting our air and water, and building an equitable economy that delivers for Colorado’s working people,” said JBC Member Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “I’m committed to continuing our work to provide high quality, free universal preschool, improve our air quality, and invest in the critical services our communities need to thrive.”

“My top takeaway from this forecast is something that everyone already knows: housing is far too expensive in Colorado, and we have to do more to address it so that more families can afford to live here,” JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. "This forecast will help guide our discussions as we roll up our sleeves and get to work crafting a budget that will lower the cost of housing while meeting the needs of families and communities across our state. I am proud of the work we’ve done to support Coloradans during this volatile economic period, and I look forward to continuing our work to set Colorado on a path to further economic success.”

Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, which is lower than before the pandemic and below the national average of 3.8 percent, with total employment growth clocking in at around 1.4 percent. Workers in the mountain region, which includes Colorado, saw 7.2 percent wage growth– the highest among US regions, and business activity remains near historic highs.

The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18 billion in FY 2022-2023 and $17.44 billion in FY 2023-2024 – a $306 million increase for FY 2022-2023 and a $324 million decrease for FY 2023-2024 as compared with the earlier June revenue forecast. The LCS forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $18.49 billion for FY 2024-2025, an $82.3 million decrease from the June forecast.

The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $18 billion for FY 2022-2023, a $223 million increase over the June forecast. For FY 2023-2024, OSPB revised up its projected General Fund revenue by $793 million to $17.3 billion. For FY 2024-2025, OSPB estimates that General Fund revenue will be $18.3 billion, an increase of $137.8 million as compared with the June forecast.

The forecast anticipates continued growth as Colorado stands well positioned to fare better in the case of a downturn and that the risk of a near-term recession has dissipated. Factors that could improve the forecast include slowing inflation, an expanded labor force, and a rebound in real wages boosting consumer spending, and more accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Risks that could negatively impact the forecast include persistent inflation leading to further restrictive monetary policies, deteriorating household finances limiting consumption and continued geopolitical and trade uncertainty.

Michaelson Jenet Sworn Into Colorado Senate

DENVER, CO – Newly appointed Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, was sworn into the Colorado State Senate today, following her Senate District 21 vacancy committee selection. 

“Serving the people of Adams County at the Capitol has been the honor of my life, and I am excited to continue working on their behalf in the Senate,” said Michaelson Jenet. “From improving Coloradans’ access to mental and behavioral health care to lowering the cost of living and creating more housing our families can afford, I will keep working every day in the Senate to make real, bold changes in Colorado and to make sure everyone who lives here can succeed.”

“I am pleased to welcome Senator Michaelson Jenet, a leader who has fought her entire legislative career to move her community and our state forward, to the Colorado Senate,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said. “Adams County voters can rest easy knowing they’ll continue being well represented by a strong voice in the Senate, and I look forward to working with Senator Michaelson Jenet to build a stronger, safer and healthier Colorado for us all.”

Michaelson Jenet’s selection was necessitated by the departure of former Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, who resigned his seat to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy in Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration.

Michaelson Jenet holds an MBA from the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. She and her husband Michael have three children: Eytan and Gavriella Michaelson and Ryan Jenet.

Senate Democratic Behavioral Health Champions Meet with Students in Recovery

DENVER, CO – Today, Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, met with students at 5280 High School, the nation's largest recovery high school and grant recipient of the Community Gap Grant Program established by HB22-1281. 

The Community Gap Grant Program provided $90 million dollars to help local governments and nonprofit organizations implement community-based programs and services filling regional gaps in the continuum of care across the state so Colorado families can find behavioral health care closer to their homes.

“In 2022, we had a unique opportunity to invest American Rescue Plan Act dollars in our communities to move Colorado forward and address the root causes of our behavioral health crisis,” said Winter. “The work 5280 High School is doing speaks to that vision. When students participate in recovery programs like this one they have better odds when it comes to entering the workforce, breaking family cycles of addiction and preventing future substance use.” 

“Today we listened to students’ inspiring journeys to recovery and what I heard was that the success of this program is based on the help of the recovery community, the professional staff, and shared experiences of each student establishing a peer network of support. They are able to learn, grow, and graduate with the focus on their personal mental and physical health to recover from trauma and substance abuse,” Kolker said. “5280 High School’s recovery program is making a profound impact on Colorado’s youth, and is an example of exactly the kinds of community-based programs we hoped would benefit from the Community Gap Grant Program.”

“The ways in which we support people in the most difficult battles of their lives has been one of my main priorities in my time in the legislature,” said Priola. “Today I was able to hear from students like Emma who shared about their experience with substance use. She and others explained how they fell into addiction and how a safe connecting place like 5280 High School is helping with their recovery. I was reaffirmed in the work we are doing to invest in these kinds of programs throughout our state.” 

Winter, Kolker, and Priola all served on the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force which invested $450 million in federal pandemic relief funds to help transform our behavioral health system so it better meets the needs of folks with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Kolker also successfully passed SB22-147, a bipartisan bill which invested over $11 million to allow pediatricians to better identify and treat behavioral health conditions and provide school-based support for kids and their families.

Senate Democrats Announce New Caucus Leadership

DENVER, CO – Following today’s caucus elections, the Colorado Senate Democrats announced their updated leadership team for the upcoming session of the General Assembly. The election was necessitated by the departure of former Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, who resigned his seat to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy in Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration.

The Senate elected Senator Robert Rodruguez, D-Denver, to serve as Majority Leader, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, to serve as Assistant Majority Leader.

The updated Senate leadership team includes:

President Steve Fenberg D-Boulder

President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver

Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver

Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield

Majority Whip Julie Gonzales, D-Denver

Majority Caucus Chair Janet Buckner, D-Aurora

JBC Member Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada

JBC Member Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village

“I am honored and humbled by the faith and trust the caucus has placed in me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our state in this new position where I look forward to helping our caucus reach its full potential and delivering big wins for our state,” said Majority Leader Rodriguez. “Colorado is counting on us, and I am looking forward to delivering real results this session that position our state well for the future and build a stronger, safer and healthier Colorado for us all.”

“Serving the people of Colorado is the honor of my life, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue serving them in this new capacity,” said Assistant Majority Leader Winter. “We work best when we work as a team, and I am excited to help lead our caucus forward and take on the hard work so we can improve the lives of families all across Colorado and keep our state on the right track for generations to come.”

“I am pleased to offer my congratulations to our new Senate Majority Leader, Robert Rodriguez, and our new Assistant Majority Leader, Faith Winter,” said President Fenberg. “The Colorado Senate Democrats stand ready to continue tackling the challenges that matter most to Coloradans like making housing more affordable, creating safer and more resilient communities, and better preparing our students for success. Democrats have delivered on the issues that matter most to Coloradans, and our new leadership team is well-equipped to build on the progress we’ve made together and continue creating lasting results for the people of Colorado."

Wildfire Matters Review Committee Tours Wildfire Fighting Facilities, Meets with Impacted Coloradans

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO – This week, bipartisan members of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee (WMRC) participated in a series of site visits throughout the Western Slope to learn more about Colorado’s wildfire response and prevention resources and hear directly from Coloradans impacted by recent destructive wildfires.

"I am proud to host the Wildfire Matters Interim Committee in my beautiful district," said Chair of WMRC, Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. "On the Western Slope, we have experienced catastrophic fires which are only worsening as a result of climate change. We no longer have fire seasons, but fire years. We must be proactive in the face of a changing climate. There are many lessons learned and we have made progress in fire resiliency and emergency response, however there is more work to do."

"Because of climate change, extreme wildfires are occurring more frequently, so we must continue working to protect our homes and businesses and create more resilient communities,” said Vice Chair of WMRC, Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “A fire anywhere in Colorado affects the water we all drink, the air we all breathe, and the economy and recreational opportunities that enrich our lives. It's critical for us to hear from experts and community members who work and live in areas most likely to be directly impacted. I look forward to taking what we’ve learned back to the Capitol, where it will help shape our wildfire policy.”

On Wednesday, WMRC committee members toured the Colorado Department of Transportation’s ​​Hanging Lake Tunnel, a traffic command center equipped with a complete fire department for rapid response to fires in Glenwood Canyon. Following the tour of the command center, the committee visited El Jebel Mobile Home Park, a community threatened during the 2018 Lake Christine Fire, to learn about effective wildfire mitigation efforts. Finally, the committee met with members of the Glenwood Springs community to discuss recent wildfire fighting responses and identify gaps in resources and services.

Today, the committee continued their tour with an EcoFlight tour of burn scars from the Grizzly Creek, Lake Christine, and Coal Seam wildfires. The two-day trip concluded with a tour of the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting, a center established by SB14-164 and charged with driving technological advancements that improve firefighting practices and ensuring the successful implementation of Colorado's aerial firefighting fleet.

This year, members of WMRC sponsored legislation to establish a statewide wildfire resiliency code board to help communities living in the wildland-urban interface defend homes and property from catastrophic wildfires, create a fire investigation fund to help investigate the causes and origins of fires and wildfires, and improve Colorado’s forestry workforce by directing the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on career opportunities in the industry and create a workforce development program in the State Forest Service.

President Fenberg Welcomes Michaelson Jenet to Senate

DENVER, CO – Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, welcomed Senator-elect Dafna Michaelson Jenet to the Senate following her Senate District 21 vacancy committee selection to fill the seat of former Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City:

“I am thrilled to congratulate and welcome Senator-elect Michaelson Jenet, a leader in the House who has fought her entire legislative career to move her community and our state forward, to the Colorado Senate,” Fenberg said. “Adams County voters can rest easy knowing they’ll continue being well represented by a strong voice in the Senate, and I look forward to working with Senator-elect Michaelson Jenet to build a stronger, safer and healthier Colorado for us all.”

Michaelson Jenet has represented Colorado’s House District 32 for the past seven years, where she served as chair of the House Public Health & Human Services Committee and on the Education and Legislative Audit Committees.

Michaelson Jenet holds an MBA from the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. She and her husband Michael have three children: Eytan and Gavriella Michaelson and Ryan Jenet.