Mullica’s Bill Allowing Counties to Prohibit Nicotine Products Clears Committee

The bill would ensure counties have the same power as municipalities to regulate nicotine sales

DENVER, CO – Senator Kyle Mullica’s, D-Thornton, bill to give counties more local control over tobacco and nicotine sales cleared the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee today.

SB24-022 would explicitly allow counties to prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco, or nicotine products. This includes the power to prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes, flavored tobacco or flavored nicotine products.

“Colorado is facing an epidemic of vaping and tobacco use that is having harmful effects on our kids and our communities,” Mullica said. “We have evidence from towns across Colorado that these types of policies work, and can lead to improved outcomes across the board. This bill is about ensuring both cities and counties can regulate tobacco in the fight for the health of our communities.” 

Colorado municipalities already have the power to prohibit flavored tobacco and nicotine products and several have done so, including Aspen, Boulder, Carbondale, Edgewater, Glenwood Springs, Golden, and Snowmass Village.

Youth and young adults are more likely than adults to use flavored nicotine products. In 2021, 22.6 percent of high school students in Colorado who have ever used a vape reported they used the products because they were flavored. Flavored and menthol nicotine products have also been shown to disproportionately impact the health of many marginalized groups - including Black Americans, Latino Americans, the LGBTQ community, women, and people living with mental illness. 

SB24-022 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Follow the bill's progress HERE.

Sullivan Bill to Establish Merchant Codes for Firearms, Combat Gun Violence Earns Committee Approval

Legislation would make it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns

DENVER, CO – Legislation that would combat gun violence by establishing a new code to categorize gun sales and help law enforcement recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns cleared the Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee today.

Sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, SB24-066 would require payment card networks like Visa or Mastercard to provide a specific code, known as a merchant code, for businesses that sell firearms and ammunition. Merchant codes would allow banks and credit card companies to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns – like a domestic extremist building up an arsenal – and report them to law enforcement.

“In the weeks before my son Alex was killed in the Aurora Theater shooting, his killer purchased multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition - and nobody batted an eye,” Sullivan said. “Credit cards have been repeatedly used to finance mass shootings, and merchant codes would have allowed the credit card companies to recognize his alarming pattern of behavior and refer it to law enforcement. This bill will give us more tools to protect people, and make it easier to stop illegal firearms-related activity like straw purchases before disaster strikes.”

SB24-066 would be enforced by the Attorney General, and will now head to further consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Danielson & Fields Measure to Protect Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Clears Committee

Resolution would refer measure to give voters opportunity to protect children from sexual abuse and hold perpetrators accountable

DENVER, CO – A measure sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, that, if passed, would ask voters to amend the Colorado state constitution to protect children from sexual abuse by holding perpetrators accountable cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

SCR24-001 would refer a measure to voters on the November 2024 ballot that, if approved, would amend the state constitution and create a narrow exception to the constitution’s ban on laws that apply to past conduct for child sexual abuse civil claims. The amendment would pave the way for the General Assembly to take action and allow survivors of child sexual abuse to pursue legal action against their abusers and any institution complicit in the abuse.

“For too long, Colorado law has failed victims of childhood sexual abuse,” Danielson said. “We are asking the people of Colorado to stand with survivors who were abused as children, and to hold not only the predators accountable, but institutions and organizations who swept it under the rug as well.”

“The current statute of limitations for victims to pursue child sexual abuse claims denies them the chance to seek justice after undergoing years of trauma and possible recovery,” said Fields. “Statutes of limitations are the tool most often used to deny and defeat claims of sexual abuse, but healing from trauma has no timeline. That is why the civil statute of limitations needs to be eliminated. Survivors in Colorado deserve the ability to access the civil legal system on their own schedule.”

In 2021, Colorado passed the bipartisan Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act, joining 29 other states and territories in giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse an opportunity to pursue civil claims against those responsible for their abuse, regardless of when it happened. Last summer the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the lookback window was unconstitutional because it violated the state constitution’s ban on “retrospective” laws. SCR24-001 would update the state constitution to allow for such a law to pass in the future.

To successfully refer SCR24-001 to Colorado voters as a constitutional amendment, it will require at least two-thirds support in both chambers, and would need to garner at least 55 percent of the vote in November. 

SCR24-001 will now move to the full Senate for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Committee Passes Sullivan’s Bill to Prevent Suicide In Rural Colorado

Legislation would create a suicide prevention program for agricultural and rural communities

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance Senator Tom Sullivan’s, D-Centennial, bill focused on suicide prevention in rural and agricultural communities in Colorado.

SB24-057 would establish the Agricultural Workforce Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program. The bill would create a free, confidential crisis hotline specific to the needs of agricultural workers, and promote suicide awareness and prevention within rural communities. 

“Suicide is a serious concern in rural Colorado, where the suicide rate for farmers, ranchers, and other ag workers continues to rise,” said Sullivan. “When people reach out for help, they need to know that the person on the other end of the phone understands the unique challenges they’re dealing with - from the isolation that can come with living in rural areas to how the weather impacts their crops. This bill helps rural Coloradans have crisis support options that are relevant to them.”

Rural and agricultural communities in Colorado are often underserved in terms of behavioral health resources. Between 2017 and 2022, rural communities experienced the highest rates of suicide in Colorado, with individuals employed in construction, mining, gas, and agriculture experiencing rates higher than average. 

SB24-057 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Follow the bill's progress HERE.

Mullica’s Bill to Improve Eviction Data Collection and Reporting Clears Committee

Legislation would require courts to collect and report an expanded set of eviction case data

DENVER, CO – Senator Kyle Mullica’s, D-Thornton, bill to improve eviction data collection and reporting cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

SB24-064 would require courts to electronically collect data for eviction cases in every county, beginning July 1, 2024. By January 1, 2025, the Judicial Department would be required to publish data on all residential evictions, including final orders issued by Colorado District Courts, online in a searchable format, free of charge and on a monthly basis. The public data would not include personally identifiable information about a landlord or tenant.

“The cost of housing in Colorado continues to push people out of the communities they call home,” Mullica said. “As part of our larger effort to address Colorado’s housing crisis, we need to make sure we have a thorough understanding of how often and why people are being evicted. My hope is that through improved eviction data collection and reporting, we can better recognize trends from county to county and in the future, develop policies that will keep more Coloradans housed.”

SB24-064 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Marchman’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Mental Health in Rural Colorado Passes Committee

Legislation would create a behavioral health program for agricultural and rural communities

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bipartisan bill focused on supporting mental health promotion in rural and agricultural communities in Colorado.

SB24-055, co-sponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, would improve access to behavioral health care in rural Colorado by creating a new Agricultural and Rural Community Behavioral Health Program to better connect farmers, ranchers, and their families with behavioral health care. The program would partner with the Department of Agriculture, health providers, and directly with agriculture communities throughout Colorado.

“Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and their families are struggling to get the behavioral health care they urgently need, and the results have been disastrous,” Marchman said. “Everyone deserves to have behavioral health care created by and for their own communities. This bill will bolster our ongoing efforts to close the rural mental health gap, and ultimately help save lives across our state.” 

Marchman’s bill would also establish a working group and centralize existing grant programs within the Department of Agriculture to address the root causes of behavioral health issues in rural and agricultural communities. 

SB24-055 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Sullivan’s Bill to Improve Investigations of Illegal Firearm Activity Clears Committee

Legislation would increase the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s ability to investigate illegal transfers, ghost guns, and investigations on tip line requests

DENVER, CO – Today Senator Tom Sullivan’s, D-Centennial, bill to improve investigations of illegal firearm activity cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB24-003 would give the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the ability to investigate illegal activity involving firearms. The bill would appropriate $1.7 million to the Department of Public Safety to create a team that investigates individuals convicted of felonies who are attempting to illegally purchase a firearm, and other illegal firearm crimes such as possession of a ghost gun. 

“Though our background check system, InstaCheck, is working as intended, follow-up investigations are rarely conducted at the local or federal level due to resource limitations,” Sullivan said. “By giving CBI statutory authority, they will be able to more effectively investigate illegal firearms transfers and components, violations, ghost guns and information obtained through tip lines, such as suspected straw purchases – all while improving safety in communities across Colorado.”

Creating a framework within the CBI to address illegal transfers, ghost guns, and investigations based on tip line requests would help to improve safety across the state, especially in rural and underserved areas.

SB24-003 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Cutter and Winter’s Bill to Fund Bike and Pedestrian Safety Infrastructure Wins Committee Approval

Legislation would fund infrastructure projects like bicycle lanes and improved sidewalks and lighting at dangerous intersections

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee approved Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter’s, D-Broomfield, bill to provide dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Deaths and serious injuries on Colorado’s roads are on the rise, felt most acutely by vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Bicycle and pedestrian deaths reached a new all-time high in 2023 with 153 deaths, topping the previous high set just one year ago. 

SB24-036 would establish a dedicated funding source to pay for proven small infrastructure projects that improve safety for vulnerable road users, such as bicycle lanes, pedestrian refuge islands in crossings, and improved sidewalks and lighting at dangerous intersections.

“Bicyclists and pedestrian deaths have spiked at an alarming rate,” said Cutter. “Our bill will support safety projects that are proven to reduce traffic deaths. When our streets are safer and friendlier, people will feel more comfortable traveling outside of a car.”

“Preventing avoidable deaths and serious injuries is a moral imperative in its own right,” Winter said. “Making these street improvements will give people safe, dignified, and low-cost alternatives to driving, which will reduce traffic, improve air quality, reduce climate pollution, and make our streets more vibrant community places.”

Revenue would be generated from a vehicle registration fee calculated based on weight and configuration. Vehicles under 3,500 pounds would be exempt, while larger and heavier vehicles would typically pay between $5 and $10 per year. The fee would only apply in the state’s twelve largest counties, with an exemption for commercial and farm vehicles.

Part of the increase in road danger is due to vehicles getting bigger and heavier. Vehicles with hood heights of 40 inches or more are on average 50 percent more likely to cause a fatality when hitting a pedestrian compared to a vehicle with hood height of 30 inches or less. Meanwhile, hood heights of passenger trucks have increased about 11 percent and their weight has increased about 25 percent since the year 2000.

SB24-036 will now move to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Education Committee Passes Legislation that Improves Access to Outdoor Nature Based Preschools

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

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Education Committee passed Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Kevin Priola’s, D-Henderson, legislation that would allow licensure for outdoor nature based schools (ONBs) and increase their operations. 

SB24-078 would define ONBs as child care centers for licensing purposes, and require the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to provide training to licensing and ONB program staff. 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.

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

“I’m glad to see Senate Bill 78 move forward, as it would ensure universal safety standards at outdoor nature based schools and break down barriers for working families who want to access this type of education,” said Priola. “With this bill, we can get outdoor nature preschools licensed as child care centers, and increase access to unique early childhood education options for Coloradans.” 

ONBs are growing in popularity due to their unique format and support for students with diverse learning needs. 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.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow its progress HERE.

Bill to Increase Use of Transit Clears Committee

Legislation would extend the popular Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program, create a tax credit for purchasing a transit pass, and establish a free transit program for youth

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, to increase the use of transit cleared the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee today.

SB24-032 would create the Youth Fare Free Transit Grant Program to provide grants to transit agencies around the state for fare free year-round transit services for Coloradans ages 19 and younger. The bill would also extend the successful Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program that funds Colorado’s free transit rides during peak ozone season, which is set to expire without further legislative action.

“During my time in elected office, Colorado has taken leaps and bounds forward when it comes to smart, successful transportation policy,” said Priola. “Now in my final legislative session in the General Assembly, I’m proud to sponsor new legislation that will improve upon our past work while continuing to innovate. Senate Bill 32 will streamline a statewide transit system to increase usage and save people money.”

“This important bill from the Transportation Legislation Review Committee will make it even easier for Coloradans to opt for a bus or train instead of a car, helping reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” Jaquez Lewis said. “The Ozone Season Grant Program and the Youth Fare Free Transit Grant Program will help lower costs for working families, while the tax credit will help Colorado businesses offer their employees reliable and discounted transportation.”

Finally, the bill would create a statewide transit pass exploratory committee within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to produce a proposal for implementing a statewide transit pass. The committee would be created by October 1, 2024, and offer a proposal by July 1, 2026. The committee members would be appointed by the executive director of CDOT and must include representatives of transit agencies from throughout the state.

SB24-032 will now move to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Spur Affordable Workforce Housing

Property tax credits and rebates aim to incentivize more affordable rentals 

DENVER, CO – Today, the Colorado Senate passed Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bipartisan legislation to grant local governments the authority to create property tax rebate programs to address areas of specific local concern including affordable housing development.

SB24-002 would allow local governments to establish property tax incentive programs to address critical issues related to housing, childcare, behavioral health, economic development and other areas of local concern. For example, under the bill, a municipality would be able to authorize tax credits or rebates that incentivize property owners to convert rental properties from short-term to long-term, boosting the availability of workforce and more permanent housing.

“Local governments are desperate for solutions to our state’s housing crisis and affordability issues, which is why this legislation is so important," said Roberts. "It will create valuable financial incentives for more long-term affordable rental housing for local workers instead of short-term rentals, more options for childcare, greater support for small businesses, and more. I'm thrilled this bill is moving forward with bipartisan support.”

The bill allows a local government to renew a tax rebate or incentive program for up to one year if they find that it has been effective in addressing the area of specific local concern.

SB24-002 now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Coleman’s Bill to Examine Impacts of Systemic Racial Inequities Earns Committee Support

Coleman: “This is an important opportunity for our state, and I am looking forward to continuing this conversation so we can begin to repair the damage and create a better and more equitable future for all Black Coloradans.”

DENVER, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem James Coleman, D-Denver, that would create a study to examine racial disparities and the impact of systemic racism on Black Coloradans.

SB24-053 would establish a commission to oversee the study with History Colorado conducting historical research across areas like economic mobility, housing, education, health care and the criminal justice system. 

“Black Coloradans have been living with the impacts of systemic and historic racism – and the structural inequities that have resulted from it – for decades,” Coleman said. “Studying that painful legacy is the first step towards addressing it, and would give us a deeper understanding of the impacts of past and current racial discrimination and policies on our community. This is an important opportunity for our state, and I am looking forward to continuing this conversation so we can begin to repair the damage and create a better and more equitable future for all Black Coloradans.”

The study would also include an economic impact analysis of the racial discrimination determined by the study. 

SB24-053 will now move to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Zenzinger Bill to Improve Care for Foster Children Passes Committee

SB24-008 would support kinship placement and care for foster children

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously voted to advance Senator Rachel Zenzinger’s, D-Arvada, bipartisan bill to improve kinship care options for foster children in Colorado.

SB24-008, co-sponsored by Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, would provide additional resources to families and kin who are willing to care for a child involved in the child welfare system. The bill would extend foster care certification to kinship placements, allowing families to access training, resources, and financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of children in their care. 

“We know that relatives are often the best placement option for children involved in the child welfare system,” Zenzinger said. “This bill will help close the kinship gap by giving families and kin access to similar resources as other foster placements. Ultimately, this bill is about providing the support and stability that our children and youth in care deserve.”

Kinship placements maintain family connections and provide normalcy for children who have been removed from their homes. Kinship care can promote safer and faster reunification with parents, and prevent further long-term involvement in the child welfare system. The bill is a result of recommendations from the 2023 Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee Report.

SB24-008 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Water Conservation in Landscaping Bill

SB24-005 moved forward with bipartisan support

DENVER, CO – Today, the Colorado Senate passed Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bipartisan bill to more efficiently conserve water by prohibiting the use of water guzzling non-native turf grass on seldom used areas. 

SB24-005, co-sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, and state property. It also applies to other little-used areas like parking lots and medians. This would help the environment not only by saving water, but by reducing reliance on pesticide and gas powered lawn equipment, while opening up space for native plants that naturally survive in Colorado’s climate and support our local birds and bees.

“Protecting our limited and threatened water supply is one of the biggest priorities for the communities I represent on the Western Slope,” said Roberts. “As we work to conserve our water resources, it’s essential that we make smart decisions now to prevent overuse in the future. This bill would reduce unnecessary landscape water usage and further position Colorado as a leader in effective water management.”

Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water. Much of this is used to grow non-native turf grass, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. While some turf is used for parks, sports fields, and yards, much of it serves no community purpose, such as highway frontages and strips alongside industrial properties. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this bill focuses on limiting its installation in the first place. 

By transitioning away from non-native turf grass, the bill encourages developers, city planners, and managers to choose plants that thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, as opposed to non-native, water-intensive plants such as Kentucky bluegrass or invasive species. 

SB24-005 will now head to the House of Representatives for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Veterans Services Clears Senate

The bill aims to improve veterans services that are currently impacted by delays 

DENVER, CO – Today, the Colorado Senate unanimously approved Senator Rhonda Fields’, D-Aurora, bipartisan bill to decrease delays at veterans centers and improve veterans services.

SB24-004, co-sponsored by Senator Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of County Veterans Service Offices, which provide free assistance to veterans and their families. Currently, some counties receive state funding for veterans service officers (VSOs) even if the VSO is not accredited with the federal government, and therefore unable to help veterans file claims. 

“Veterans and their families make big sacrifices to serve our country and defend our freedom, and it’s critical that we support them when they return to civilian life,” said Fields. “Right now, too many veterans are waiting for weeks on end to get assistance, or they live in a county without someone who can actually help them file a claim. It's time we fix these discrepancies so our nation’s heroes can get the support and resources they’ve earned no matter where they live.”

This bill would tie funding for VSOs to the number of federally accredited VSOs in a given county and their hours worked, incentivizing them to get the training they need to meet the needs of veterans throughout Colorado. The bill would also direct counties to provide faster service to veterans.

SB24-004 now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Follow the bill's progress HERE.

State Legislators Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Save Coloradans Money on Housing

Legislation would increase housing options Coloradans can afford to help meet demand

DENVER, CO - State legislators today unveiled bipartisan legislation to create more housing options Coloradans can afford by allowing homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

“We need an all-hands approach to tackle Colorado’s housing crisis, and that includes allowing homeowners to have Accessory Dwelling Units on their properties,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “ADUs are typically a more affordable option for renters, and they give homeowners the freedom to use their property to house a family member or earn some extra income. By allowing ADUs to be built and offering financing to lower- and middle-income Coloradans, we can make it easier for Coloradans to afford to stay in the communities where they live and work.”

“Colorado families and communities are begging for solutions to help address the housing crisis and build more homes for working Coloradans,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “Our bill will give more Coloradans the freedom and support they need to build ADUs on their property, allow more older Coloradans to age in place, and create more affordable housing options in our communities.”

"The people of the state, as well as local governments, have been pleading with the legislature to address and provide solutions to the housing affordability crisis," said Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. "I am strongly of the belief that this bill, while not being the complete solution, will provide relief to the citizens of Colorado and justify why we have been chosen to legislate."

“Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live, but too many families are struggling to afford the cost of housing in our state,” said Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. “By giving folks the flexibility to build ADUs on their property, as well as providing grant funding to help cover construction costs, we can bring down housing prices and keep more Coloradans in the communities they call home.”

HB24-1152 would allow homeowners in high-density areas to build an ADU and creates a new state grant program to help local governments implement policies to promote the construction of ADU’s.

The bill would provide eligible local governments with access to grants that support lower and middle-income Coloradans building an ADU, property owners renting their ADU at an affordable rate or ADUs intended to serve demonstrated housing needs in the community. The bill also provides grants to increase housing accessibility and availability for Coloradans with disabilities.

Finally, the bill includes funding through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority to directly help homeowners with down payment assistance or to buy down interest rates on loans connected with ADUs.

Recent polling found that 78 percent of Colorado voters support a law that allows ADUs to be built on single family home properties.

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Spur Affordable Workforce Housing Clears Committee

Property tax credits and rebates aim to incentivize more affordable rentals 

DENVER, CO – Today the Local Government & Housing Committee passed Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bipartisan legislation to grant local governments the authority to create property tax rebate programs to address areas of specific local concern including affordable housing development.

SB24-002, co-sponsored by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, would allow local governments to establish property tax incentive programs to address critical issues related to housing, childcare, behavioral health, economic development and other areas of local concern. For example, under the bill, a municipality would be able to authorize tax credits or rebates that incentivize  property owners to convert rental properties from short-term to long-term, boosting the availability of workforce and more permanent housing.

“Local governments are desperate for solutions to our state’s housing crisis and affordability issues, which is why this legislation is so important," said Roberts. "It will create valuable financial incentives for more long-term affordable rental housing for local workers instead of short-term rentals, more options for childcare, greater support for small businesses, and more.  I'm thrilled this bill is moving forward with bipartisan, unanimous support.”

The bill allows a local government to renew a tax rebate or incentive program for up to one year if they find that it has been effective in addressing the area of specific local concern.

SB24-002 now heads to the Senate floor. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Kolker, Marchman Bill to Increase Access to School-Based Health Care Clears Committee

Legislation would expand the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, that would increase access to school-based health care cleared the Senate Education Committee today.

School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Currently, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. SB24-034 would expand the grant program to school-linked health care services including telehealth services and mobile health units.

“For years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has been instrumental in providing quality health care to students who need it most,” Kolker said. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will help ensure every student seeking care can receive it in a timely, convenient manner. I’m thrilled to see us take another step forward to ensure every Colorado kid has the support they need to thrive.”

“School-based health centers deliver critical care where and when students need it,” said Marchman. “However we still see gaps in care, especially in rural school districts. This new legislation would allow medical entities, in partnership with school districts, to use grant funding to support telehealth, mobile services and referrals for nearby services. This reduces barriers to care by bringing primary medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care directly to school communities.”

SB24-034 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Education Committee Approves Bill to Prepare Future Workforce for Climate Change

Hansen bill connects high school students with hands-on experience

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Education Committee passed Senator Chris Hansen’s, D-Denver, bill to establish a Seal of Climate Literacy diploma endorsement.

SB24-014 would prepare high school students to lead in addressing economic and social impacts of climate change while gaining real-world experience. The seal is granted to students who gained skills and knowledge on the impacts of climate change by taking two climate literacy courses and completing an experimental learning project (ELP). For the ELP, schools could connect students with apprenticeships and trades in communities to expand professional opportunities in the green workforce.

“Today’s youth have seen and lived through the effects of climate change firsthand,” said Hansen. “The Seal of Climate Literacy would provide students with tools and education to address climate change in their communities. With this bill, students can get hands-on experience that will prepare them for their future and learn skills that can help support the transition to a low-carbon economy.” 

According to a Working Nation report, green jobs are expected to grow by 10.3 percent over the next five years in Colorado. Additionally, studies show climate education is an effective way to reduce emissions and prepare youth for a warming environment.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Agriculture & Natural Resource Committee Signs Off on Bipartisan Water Conservation in Landscaping Bill

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee passed Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bipartisan bill to more efficiently conserve water by prohibiting the use of water guzzling non-native turf grass on seldom used areas. 

SB24-005, co-sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would promote water-wise landscaping by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, and state property. It also applies to other little-used areas like parking lots and medians. This would help the environment not only by saving water, but by reducing reliance on pesticide and gas powered lawn equipment, while opening up space for native plants that naturally survive in Colorado’s climate and support our local birds and bees.

“Protecting our limited and threatened water supply is one of the biggest priorities for the communities I represent on the Western Slope," said Roberts. "As we work to conserve our water resources, it’s essential that we make smart decisions now to prevent overuse in the future. This bill would reduce unnecessary landscape water usage and further position Colorado as a leader in effective water management.”

Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water. Much of this is used to grow non-native turf grass, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. While some turf is used for parks, sports fields, and yards, much of it serves no community purpose, such as highway frontages and strips alongside industrial properties. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this bill focuses on limiting its installation in the first place. 

By transitioning away from non-native turf grass, the bill encourages developers, city planners, and managers to choose plants that thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, as opposed to non-native, water-intensive plants such as Kentucky bluegrass or invasive species. 

SB24-005 will now head to the Senate floor. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.