JOINT RELEASE: General Assembly Democrats Welcome Tribes for Annual Address

Colorado’s federally recognized tribes joined the state legislature for second annual address

DENVER, CO – Today, the Colorado General Assembly was joined by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe for their annual State of the Tribes.

Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Chairman Melvin J. Baker of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe detailed their top priorities, and how the legislature can support their tribes. SB22-105, sponsored by former Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, and Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, created the annual Tribal Governments address to the General Assembly.

“Today marks the second historic address from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “Having an open line of communication is essential to our democratic process as we craft legislation that impacts all Coloradans, including our tribes. As we continue our work to move Colorado forward, today’s remarks are a welcome call for us to reflect on the nature of Colorado’s relationship with our Tribal partners, and a chance to reaffirm our dedication to sincere collaboration in the weeks and months ahead.”

"It was a privilege to welcome back leaders of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and learn more about issues facing their communities," said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "We know when everyone has a seat at the table better policies are formed, and the second annual address by our Tribal partners reaffirms our government-to-government relationship. I'd like to thank Chairman Manuel Heart and Chairman Melvin J. Baker for joining us today and look forward to ongoing collaboration to uplift our Native American communities." 

“We are honored to welcome back Colorado’s federally recognized tribes after the success of last year’s historic address,” Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, said. “Their moving speeches and celebrations serve as an important reminder that it’s essential we support our Native American communities in the legislature. I look forward to continued dialogue and partnership as we uplift the priorities and concerns of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes.”

“It is always an honor to hear from the leaders of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and today the General Assembly listened with an open ear as they outlined the priorities of their communities,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “The native Ute people were here long before Colorado was a state, and they deserve to have their voices heard and their needs addressed. This annual address helps us forge a path forward together to ensure we’re fostering a strong inter-governmental relationship.”

Danielson Bill to Bolster Colorado’s Workforce by Connecting Apprenticeships with Education System Clears Senate

SB24-104 aligns currently siloed education and workforce systems to increase apprenticeships

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed Senator Jessie Danielson’s, D-Wheat Ridge, bill to seamlessly connect apprenticeship programs with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and high school and technical education (CTE) programs. 

SB24-104 would require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the CCCS to align high school CTE programs with registered apprenticeships, which includes things like working with apprenticeship sponsors on including credit for CTE programs completed. There are currently over 300,000 high school and community college students enrolled in CTE programs, and this would help more of these students progress into paid apprenticeships with concrete career pathways. Programs and occupations would focus on areas of workforce shortages, such as infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, education, or health care.

“Currently, there is a gap between technical education and apprentice programs across the state,” said Danielson. “This bill bridges that gap by connecting students with quality apprenticeships that will give them the opportunity to earn as they learn.”

While Colorado has made progress in advancing registered apprenticeships over the last several years, according to CDLE, apprenticeships make up only 0.1 percent of the state’s workforce. Reports show that students benefit from experiential learning opportunities, leading to higher grades, greater engagement, and stronger career-readiness. 

The bill now moves to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Secure Death Benefits for Surviving Spouses of State Employees

Bill supports spouses of deceased high-risk state employees

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed Senator Tony Exum’s, D-Colorado Springs, bipartisan bill to ensure that surviving spouses of deceased state employees will receive lifetime death benefits.

Currently, a surviving spouse may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation death benefits for the rest of their life, but if they remarry, they forfeit the right to these benefits. HB24-1139, cosponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, would ensure lifetime workers’ death benefits for surviving spouses of state employees with high-risk jobs, even if they remarry.

“Having served for over 35 years as a firefighter, I know the difficulties spouses of lost employees go through in the wake of their passing – and death benefits are critical for them during their times of need,” said Exum. “The current remarriage penalty forces a surviving spouse to relive the trauma of their loss and prevents them from moving forward with their lives. With this bill, widows can choose to remarry without sacrificing financial security.” 

The bill defines a job with high-risk classification as state troopers, Colorado Bureau of Investigations officers, corrections officers, community parole officers, state firefighters, port of entry officers, parks and wildlife officers, campus safety officers, and CDOT safety and maintenance workers.

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Committee Passes Gonzales, Exum Bill to House More Coloradans, Remove Unnecessary Occupancy Limits

Legislation aims to increase housing options & affordability

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee approved legislation to prohibit local governments from implementing or enforcing residential occupancy limits except for health and safety reasons.

HB24-1007, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, would prohibit local governments from limiting the number of people who can live together with two exceptions. Limits would be permitted based on affordable housing program guidelines or demonstrated health and safety standards, such as fire code regulations, wastewater and water quality standards, or international building code standards.

“Ending discriminatory occupancy limits is a great way to break down housing barriers and create a more equitable market,” said Gonzales. “These limits disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities that may have diverse family structures. It’s time we lift outdated occupancy limits and give Coloradans a wider range of housing options.”

“Strict occupancy limits can reduce housing options and push folks out of their communities,” said Exum. “Prohibiting occupancy limits would give residents the freedom to choose their living situations and who they live with. With this bill, we can allow families to live in a structure that’s best for them – without the interference of occupancy limits.”

Occupancy limits often cap the number of people that can live in a residence based on family status, even if the residence has more bedrooms than the occupancy limit. In 2023, over 14,000 Coloradans experienced homelessness. More than 50 percent of renters in the Denver Metro Area, as well as counties like Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, Pueblo, Summit, Eagle, and Mesa, are cost burdened.

In 2021, Denver City Council passed a measure to increase their occupancy limit standards from two to five unrelated people, and last year, Boulder City Council voted to increase their occupancy limit to five unrelated people.

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

Hansen Bill to Get More Teachers in Colorado Schools Clears Committee

Hansen: “Allowing more retirees to return to the classroom without jeopardizing their hard-earned PERA benefits will get more qualified teachers and staff into our schools and help more students receive the quality education they deserve.”

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, that would better support students by getting more teachers into Colorado’s schools cleared the Senate Finance Committee today.

HB24-1044 would expand the number of service retirees that school districts may hire while still being eligible for PERA benefits. Specifically, school districts would be able to hire up to 10 retirees if they identify a “need” for additional instructors, and would be able to exceed the current 10 retiree cap by one retiree for every 1,000 students above 10,000 students. Under current law, school districts may only hire up to 10 retirees when a “critical shortage of qualified instructors” is established. 

“Colorado schools are facing a critical shortage of teachers, which results in larger class sizes and fewer students getting the individualized attention they need,” Hansen said. “Allowing more retirees to return to the classroom without jeopardizing their hard-earned PERA benefits will get more qualified teachers and staff into our schools and help more students get the quality education they deserve.”

For the 2022-2023 school year, of 8,294 teaching positions Colorado schools needed to hire, 722 (nine percent) remained unfilled for the school year and 1,486 (18 percent) were filled through a shortage mechanism. The number of unfilled teaching positions increased from 440 in the previous school year to 722, a 64 percent increase.

HB24-1044 will now move to consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Committee Approves Gonzales, Buckner Bill to Bar the Use of “Excited Delirium”

“Excited delirium” would be prohibited from being used in law enforcement training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Janet Buckner’s, D-Aurora, bill to bar use of the term “excited delirium.”

HB24-1103 would prohibit the term “excited delirium” from being used in law enforcement and other first responder training or incident reports, or listed as a cause of death on a death certificate. The bill would also bar the terms “excited delirium syndrome,” “hyperactive delirium,” “agitated delirium,” and “exhaustive mania.”

“Coloradans in crisis need a measured response focused on de-escalation, not an outdated and discredited ‘excited delirium’ diagnosis that ratchets up tension and increases the risk of dangerous repercussions,” said Gonzales. “I was glad to see the Colorado’s Peace Officers Standards and Training Board unanimously ban excited delirium training last fall. With this bill, we’re building on that progress by banning this dangerous term from all use by law enforcement, whether in training processes or on death certificates.”

“The term ‘excited delirium’ has historically been misused to justify excessive force from law enforcement and first responders, too often against Black Coloradans and people of color,” Buckner said. “Banning the use of this controversial term is a small step that will have a much larger ripple effect of helping change the culture around dangerous first response practices.”

Last year, a 9NEWS investigation tied more than 225 deaths across the U.S. to the use of the term, including the death of Elijah McClain in Colorado. His death in 2019 gained national attention when paramedics injected him with a lethal amount of ketamine after believing he exhibited “excited delirium.” The paramedics and a police officer involved in the incident have since been convicted of criminally negligent homicide.

HB24-1103 will now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Safe Housing for Residential Tenants Bill

Legislation aims to improve accountability under current law

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation that would update existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. 

Colorado’s current “warranty of habitability” law requires landlords to maintain a minimum standard of housing – however, in practice most renters suffering from unsafe living conditions don’t receive the repairs they need due to easily-exploited loopholes in the law. 

“We have a Warranty of Habitability standard in Colorado to make sure our communities are living in safe housing, but unfortunately the law is not working as intended,” said Gonzales. “I hear from constituents suffering from unsafe conditions who are not able to get the issue fixed and don’t have access to any other relief - everything from infestations, no heating or cooling for extended periods of time, and fear and intimidation tactics that prevent tenants from taking action. It is beyond time for us to update and clarify the statute, and I’m thankful to my colleagues for moving this forward today.”

“Loopholes in existing law are keeping Coloradans in unsafe living conditions, such as homes with mold, sewage leaks, or rodent infestations,” Exum said. “It’s time for Colorado to update these standards so tenants can have secure housing that is better suited to live, work, or raise a family.”

SB24-094, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, would modify existing warranty of habitability laws by:

• Closing the timeframe loophole by setting deadlines for a landlord to complete necessary repairs: 14 days for many issues and seven days for more serious conditions that deal with life, safety, or health.

• Ensuring that notice of health or safety issues can be given to the landlord in many forms and clarifying that if a lease allows verbal notice, landlords are legally responsible for taking appropriate action once the verbal notice is given.

• Clarifying the process for arranging alternative lodging pending the completion of a necessary repair.

• Updating policies that allow for appropriate cooling in extreme heat, like ensuring landlords fix cooling units when they break, and allowing tenants to install their own cooling devices.

• Clarifying the current process by which a tenant may pursue a court order demanding compliance with the law or otherwise seek monetary damages.

Additional changes include updating the civil process initiated by landlords or tenants regarding breaches, prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants, and provisions focused on children, older adults, and those with disabilities.

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Gonzales, Hinrichsen Bill to Protect Renters, Keep People Housed Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – ‘For Cause’ eviction legislation that would better protect Colorado renters and keep people housed cleared the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee today.

HB24-1098, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, would require a landlord to have cause before evicting or non-renewing a tenant. Under the bill, the reasons a landlord could lawfully evict a tenant include failure to pay rent in a timely manner, destruction of property, interfering with the right to quiet enjoyment, or a substantial violation of the rental agreement.

“Too many families know firsthand the fear and uncertainty that comes with being evicted from your home, as well as all the difficult consequences that arise because of it,” Gonzales said. “Currently, our laws don’t do enough to protect vulnerable renters from being evicted without reason. Implementing ‘for cause’ eviction laws will improve housing stability, prevent displacement, and keep more of our neighbors in their homes.”

“Evictions are skyrocketing to all-time highs all across our state, and it’s resulting in far too many families experiencing homelessness or other negative impacts,” Hinrichsen said. “This legislation will strengthen critical protections for renters and prevent them from being unnecessarily evicted by giving landlords clear, reasonable standards to follow. I am excited to champion this important legislation that will give renters the security and stability they deserve.”

The bill also allows a landlord to non-renew a tenant if they take the unit off the rental market for personal or business reasons, including substantial repairs or renovations, conversion or demolition of the unit, selling the property, or if they or a family member move into the unit. 

Exemptions to the ‘For Cause Eviction’ bill include rentals within or adjacent to the landlord’s primary residence, short-term rentals, mobile homeowners, and for employers who provide housing to employees. In addition, the provisions would not apply during the first year of a tenant’s residency.

Evictions threaten the health and safety of Coloradans, with research showing that individuals who experience an eviction are more likely to report poorer physical or mental health outcomes. In 2023, Denver set a new record of annual evictions, reaching nearly 13,000 filings.

HB24-1098 will now move to further consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bipartisan Winter Bill to Help Ensure Ballot Access for Candidates With Disabilities

Winter: “This bill will eliminate those barriers and help ensure that every Coloradan who wants to is able to participate in our democracy and make their voice heard.”

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, that would help ensure ballot access for candidates with disabilities earned Senate approval today.

Also sponsored by Senator Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, HB24-1067 would improve representation in government by addressing barriers candidates with disabilities face when trying to access the ballot, including a lack of remote participation options.

“Representation in government matters, but far too often folks are barred from participating in our political process due to barriers that prevent them from doing things like attending caucuses or party assemblies,” Winter said. “This bill will eliminate those barriers and help ensure that every Coloradan who wants to is able to participate in our democracy and make their voice heard.”

The legislation would require that the caucus or similar process remain an option to make it more accessible for people with disabilities to run for office. The bill would also require a precinct caucus or party assembly to offer a video conferencing participation option, unless they do not have access to broadband, in which case a telephone conferencing option would be required.

HB24-1067 will now move back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Bill to Secure Death Benefits for Surviving Spouses of State Employees

Bill supports spouses of deceased high-risk state employees

DENVER, CO – The Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee passed Senator Tony Exum’s, D-Colorado Springs, bipartisan bill to ensure that surviving spouses of deceased state employees will receive lifetime death benefits.

Currently, a surviving spouse may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation death benefits for the rest of their life, but if they remarry, they forfeit the right to these benefits. HB24-1139, cosponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, would ensure lifetime workers’ death benefits for surviving spouses of state employees with high-risk jobs, even if they remarry.

“Having served for over 35 years as a firefighter, I know the difficulties spouses of lost employees go through in the wake of their passing – and death benefits are critical for them during their times of need,” said Exum. “The current remarriage penalty forces a surviving spouse to relive the trauma of their loss and prevents them from moving forward with their lives. With this bill, widows can choose to remarry without sacrificing financial security.” 

The bill defines a job with high-risk classification as state troopers, Colorado Bureau of Investigations officers, corrections officers, community parole officers, state firefighters, port of entry officers, parks and wildlife officers, and CDOT safety and maintenance workers.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Improve Safety, Keep Traffic Flowing on Mountain Highways Earns Committee Approval

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that would improve safety and keep traffic flowing on Colorado’s mountain highways earned approval before the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee today.

SB24-100, also sponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, would improve safety by allowing the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to establish a zone with double speeding fines for commercial drivers in Glenwood Canyon. The bill would also ban commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) from driving in the left lane on I-70 when there are three lanes in that direction, except to pass vehicles going under the speed limit in four key stretches where crashes are frequent and disruptive.

“The last few winters on our mountain highways have been particularly challenging with way too many avoidable closures as the result of unprepared CMV drivers,” Roberts said. “We can’t control the weather, but avoidable crashes, spin-outs, and other accidents have unnecessarily closed our highways and hurt our economy by delaying the delivery of goods, negatively impacting tourism and the businesses in the mountains that rely on visitors, and causing lost time and frustration for the constituents I represent and every Coloradan that travels to the Western Slope. We can do better and this bipartisan bill will help immensely.”

According to CDOT, CMVs represent about 7 percent of traffic, but account for more than 52 percent of traffic incidents. Wrecks involving CMVs take nearly twice as long to clear as passenger incidents. 

SB24-100 would further expand locations where CDOT may require traction equipment from parts of I-70 to other U.S. highways west of Morrison, and it would give port of entry officers the powers of a peace officer when enforcing highway closures while directing CDOT to study additional locations for chain-up stations.

SB24-100 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bill to Protect Students, Prevent Discrimination and Harassment in Schools Clears Committee

Bill would place Colorado in compliance with state Title IX

DENVER, CO - Today, the Senate Education Committee passed Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Faith Winter’s, D-Broomfield, legislation that would better protect students by developing best practices for public schools to effectively respond to reports of harassment or discrimination.

SB24-162 would require the Department of Education to partner with an organization to develop best practices and training related to discrimination and harassment in public schools, including protocols relating to notifying students and parents about school policies and procedures, processing reports, and implementing trauma-informed responses. Additionally, the organization would provide harassment and discrimination training program materials for schools.

"As a teacher, I know how important it is that each and every child feels safe and included in their school, which is why we championed legislation last year to bolster Title IX,” said Marchman. “This bill will bring Colorado in compliance with the requirement that districts implement specific policies around harassment and discrimination by July of this year. Having an unsafe and unhealthy learning environment can impact students mentally and emotionally, as well as negatively affecting their learning outcomes. With this bill, we can give schools the resources they need to prevent and remedy harassment in a trauma-informed way through a free training provided free of charge for all schools in Colorado.”

“SB-162 is a proactive and comprehensive approach to combating discrimination and harassment in our schools,” Winter said. “Last year we progressed on making our schools a more welcoming, inclusive place for students, and this bill ensures the success of the legislation we previously passed.”

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

Committee Passes Marchman Bill to Provide Oral Health Screenings in Schools

Dental pain is the number one reason kids miss school

DENVER, CO - Today, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee passed Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bipartisan legislation to provide oral health screenings in public schools. 

SB24-142, cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, seeks to address oral health problems for kids while introducing them and their families to oral health care services. The bill would create a pilot program to conduct oral screenings for kindergarteners or third graders at schools that opt in. Additionally, the bill would create an accompanying study to help understand and address the need, value and costs associated with creating a statewide oral health screening program in schools.

“Untreated dental disease can be painful and can negatively affect a child’s physical, emotional and social development,” said Marchman. “SB-142’s pilot program would prioritize communities that would benefit most from dental health screenings – whether due to geographic location or economic ability. Through these screenings, we can interrupt the cycle of dental decay and improve health and learning outcomes for kids while saving families money.”

Data shows that 40 percent of children in kindergarten have a history of dental decay, and jumps to 55 percent of third graders. The program would be voluntary, and participating schools would be required to notify parents of their ability to opt children out of receiving a screening.

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

Hinrichsen Bill to Support Working Puebloans Clears Committee

Hinrichsen: “With so many Puebloans employed by the state, we need this bill so they have an open field of future job prospects, and can file compensation claims without fear of retaliation.”

DENVER, CO — Today, the Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee passed Senator Nick Hinrichsen’s, D-Pueblo, bill that would protect working Puebloans who are injured on the job with bipartisan support. 

The bill addresses a growing trend in which an injured state worker is asked or required to resign or refrain from seeking future state work as a condition of a workers’ compensation settlement. SB24-149 would prohibit the State from suggesting or imposing these terms, and invalidate previous settlements that have imposed these requirements. The bill also requires the State to test the market for insurance annually to determine whether an outside provider could offer a better deal than the current practice of self insurance. 

“Workers shouldn’t be punished for getting injured on the job,” said Hinrichsen. “There have been instances in Colorado when a worker was required to resign from their job and prohibited from working for the State again as a part of their work comp claim settlement. With so many Puebloans employed by the State, we need this bill so they have an open field of future job prospects, and can file compensation claims without fear of retaliation.”

Over 20,000 Coloradans have workplace accidents every year, and roughly 17 percent of Puebla’s are employed by the State of Colorado. With these changes, workers will no longer be locked out of other State jobs that may still be a good fit for them, despite an injury that made them unable to perform a previous job. This may also help the State, which has suffered from high vacancy rates across many agencies, with a wider candidate pool for hard-to-fill jobs. 

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

Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to License Funeral Industry Workers, Prevent More Tragedy

In an effort to protect Colorado families, a bipartisan bill would license those who work in the funeral industry and ensure proper oversight 

DENVER, CO – Following numerous tragedies occurring at funeral homes and crematories across Colorado, Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, today unveiled bipartisan legislation to establish licensure of funeral professionals.

SB24-173 would align Colorado with the 49 other states that already require education, certification and licensure of those who work as funeral directors, mortuary scientists, cremationists, and embalmers. As of right now, Colorado is the only state in the nation without licensure for directors and employees of the funeral industry, and this lack of oversight and training has resulted in numerous tragic cases of funeral home mismanagement, mistreatment of human remains, and hundreds of impacted family members. 

“Colorado families continue to be victimized by our state’s lack of oversight of the funeral industry,” Roberts said. “This is a service that every family needs at some point and everyone should be able to trust that those who are caring for their loved ones’ remains have proper training, oversight, and accountability, just like many other professions and businesses. Enough is enough. We must pass this bill to bring our state in line with the rest of the nation, restore faith in this valuable industry, and to protect Coloradans.” 

“Our goal with licensing funeral home practitioners is to ensure we never hear horrific stories like Sunset Mesa, Return to Nature, or Apollo again,” said Soper. “By creating standards, an education and practicum requirement, and continuing education around ethics and healthy business practices, we will ensure restored integrity in Colorado’s funeral home industry.”

“Families deserve to have the dignity of their deceased loved one be honored, but because Colorado lacks proper regulation, bad actors have the ability to take advantage of our citizens at a vulnerable moment in their lives,” Titone said. “We've seen the sacred trust of families violated and laws are broken which is why we're running this bill.”

"Colorado is the only state that does not require licensure for funeral homes. This bill creates the necessary standards for those who work in funeral homes and mortuaries to ensure the negligent, even criminal misconduct that has occurred recently does not happen in the future. I am pleased to be a part of this bipartisan effort to protect Colorado families," Gardner said. 

"This legislation takes a balanced approach to ensure competency in the funeral industry while providing an appropriate pathway for licensure for those already working in the industry,” said Patty Salazar, Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. 

SB24-173 would require an individual to obtain a license to practice as a funeral director, a mortuary science practitioner, an embalmer, a cremationist, or a natural reductionist starting January 1, 2026. To be eligible for a license, a person must have graduated from an accredited educational institution for that profession, passed the national board examination, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check. Prior to that date, those currently working in the industry could obtain a provisional license by showing they have worked at least 6,500 hours in the field, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check. 

SB24-173 is the result of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies recommendation in December that the state establish a licensure program.

SB24-173 has been assigned to the Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee and will have its first committee hearing in the coming weeks. Track the bill’s progress HERE, and learn more about the bill HERE.

Pair of Bills to Expand Voting & Ballot Access for Coloradans Clear Committee

DENVER, CO – A pair of bills that would make it easier for eligible confined Coloradans to vote and expand access to the ballot for candidates with disabilities cleared the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today.

SB24-072, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, would require county clerks and county sheriffs to create and implement a plan to facilitate in-person voting for eligible voters in county jails and detention centers. Under current law, U.S. citizens over the age of 18 who are not currently serving time for a felony conviction are eligible to vote.

“Every eligible citizen should be afforded the opportunity to participate in our democracy, full stop,” Gonzales said. “But thousands of people in county jails face numerous barriers to exercising their right to vote. This bill will require eligible confined voters to be given that opportunity, and will help ensure more Coloradans are able to cast a ballot and make their voices heard.”

While Colorado has a robust vote by mail program, voters in jails and detention centers face incredible difficulty accessing the ballot. In the 2020 general election, out of an estimated eligible population of 5,205 confined voters, only 557 individuals (6.97 percent) received a ballot. In the 2022 general election, there was an estimated eligible population of 4,876 confined voters, but only 231 individuals (4.73 percent) received ballots. SB24-072 would mandate at least one day of in-person voting at each facility, alleviating the pressure on these voters to navigate the complexities of voting eligibility, which can change day-to-day, and helping ensure every eligible citizen is provided the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

HB24-1067, sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Westminster, would improve representation in government by addressing barriers candidates with disabilities face when trying to access the ballot, including a lack of remote participation options.

“Representation in government matters, but far too often folks are barred from participating in our political process due to barriers that prevent them from doing things like attending caucuses or party assemblies,” Winter said. “This bill will eliminate those barriers and help ensure that every Coloradan who wants to is able to participate in our democracy and make their voice heard.”

The legislation would require that the caucus or similar process remain an option to make it more accessible for people with disabilities to run for office. The bill would also require a precinct caucus or party assembly to offer a video conferencing participation option, unless they do not have access to broadband, in which case a telephone conferencing option would be required.

SB24-072 will now move to consideration before the Senate Appropriations Committee, and HB24-1067 will move to the Senate floor. Track SB24-072 HERE, and HB24-1067 HERE.

Cutter Bill to Better Protect Patients at Eating Disorder Treatment Facilities Clears Committee

SB24-117 would increase oversight of eating disorder treatment and recovery programs and establish new rules to protect patients’ rights

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to better protect patients in eating disorder treatment and recovery programs cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today.

Eating disorder treatment facilities currently operate under a variety of health care licenses issued by multiple state agencies. SB24-117 would require all eating disorder treatment and recovery centers to hold a designation from the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) by July 1, 2025, giving BHA improved oversight of treatment facilities in the state.  

“Young people – especially women and LGBTQ+ youth – face an increased risk of contracting an eating disorder based on unrealistic expectations of appearance and body image,” said Cutter. “Colorado’s youth are looking for treatment and support that respects them and their lived experience. Last year, we passed legislation to improve eating disorder treatment facilities to ensure we’re providing care that is respectful to each individual and on par with the latest research. This year, we’re building on that work by protecting patients’ rights to guarantee privacy and respect, ultimately helping to improve health outcomes for those struggling with eating disorders.”

SB24-117 would also require the State Board of Human Services within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) to promulgate rules regarding patients’ rights at eating disorder treatment and recovery facilities. 

The bill would require facilities to:

• Allow a patient to request that medical examinations be private;

• Prohibit the facility from requiring patients to remove all clothes during weigh-ins or perform physical exercise during weigh-ins;

• Place requirements on bathroom policies to respect privacy;

• And require facilities to have policies that respect a patient's sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. 

Additionally, CDHS would be required to adopt rules related to involuntary feeding tubes.

Research shows that nearly one in ten Americans will contract an eating disorder in their lifetime. From 2018 to 2022, eating disorder insurance claims increased 65 percent nationally, with the two largest increases seen in individuals aged 14-18 and 19-24. 

SB24-117 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Safe Housing for Residential Tenants Bill Clears Committee

Legislation aims to improve accountability under current law

DENVER, CO – The Senate Local Government & Housing Committee today passed legislation that would update existing law to ensure tenants have access to safe housing and timely repairs when unsafe conditions arise. 

Colorado’s current “warranty of habitability” law requires landlords to maintain a minimum standard of housing – however, in practice most renters suffering from unsafe living conditions don’t receive the repairs they need due to easily-exploited loopholes in the law. 

“We have a 'Warranty of Habitability' standard in Colorado to make sure our communities are living in safe housing, but unfortunately the law is not working as intended,” said Gonzales. “I hear from constituents suffering from unsafe conditions who are not able to get the issue fixed and don’t have access to any other relief – everything from infestations, no heating or cooling for extended periods of time, and fear and intimidation tactics that prevent tenants from taking action. It is beyond time for us to update and clarify the statute, and I’m thankful to my colleagues for moving this forward today.”

“Loopholes in existing law are keeping Coloradans in unsafe living conditions, such as homes with mold, sewage leaks, or rodent infestations,”

Exum said.“It’s time for Colorado to update these standards so tenants can have secure housing that is better suited to live, work, or raise a family.”

SB24-094, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, would modify existing warranty of habitability laws by:

• Ensuring that notice of health or safety issues can be given to the landlord in many forms and clarifying that landlords are responsible for taking appropriate action once the notice is given.
   

• Closing the timeframe loophole by setting deadlines for a landlord to complete necessary repairs: 14 days for many issues and seven days for more serious conditions that deal with life, safety, or health.
   

• Clarifying the process for arranging alternative lodging pending the completion of a necessary repair.
   

• Updating policies that allow for appropriate cooling in extreme heat, like ensuring landlords fix cooling units when they break, and allowing tenants to install their own cooling devices.
   

• Clarifying the current process by which a tenant may withhold rent, pursue a court order demanding compliance with the law, or otherwise seek monetary damages.

Additional changes include updating the civil process initiated by landlords or tenants regarding breaches, prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants, and provisions focused on children, older adults, and those with disabilities.

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

Kolker, Hansen Bill to Save Older Coloradans Money, Make Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption Portable Advances

SB24-111 would help more Coloradans age in place

DENVER, CO – Legislation aimed at saving older Coloradans money on their property taxes by making the senior homestead property tax exemption portable cleared the Senate Finance Committee today.

Sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Chris Hansen, D-Denver, SB24-111 would create a new subclass of property called "qualified-senior primary residence real property" for an individual that has previously qualified for a senior homestead exemption but has moved to a new home.

“Spiking housing prices are hitting Coloradans hard - and it’s particularly tough for seniors on fixed incomes,” Kolker said. “Our state is number one in the nation for housing instability among people over the age of 65. Allowing seniors to carry this important benefit with them when they move will save older Coloradans thousands of dollars on their property taxes and help them age in place with the dignity they deserve.”

“Too many older Coloradans who would like to downsize or move are reluctant because they would lose their exemption under the current rules,” Hansen said. “Making the senior homestead exemption portable gives seniors the freedom to downsize or sell their home without facing a higher tax bill and will help older Coloradans stay independent.”

For this new subclass of property—qualified-senior primary residence real property—the bill sets the assessed value of the property as the actual value minus 50 percent of the first $200,000 of that actual value, which is consistent with the exemption under the senior homestead exemption.

SB24-111 will now move to further consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bill to Help Mitigate Wildfire Destruction

HB24-1091 would allow residents living in HOAs to opt for fire-hardened building materials

DENVER, CO – Legislation aimed at mitigating damage from wildfires by allowing Coloradans living in homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to use fire-hardened building materials cleared the Senate today.

HB24-1091, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, would prevent HOAs from restricting the installation, use, or maintenance of fire-hardened building materials such as metal, certain types of stucco, and fiber cement siding in residential property.

“As the effects of climate change continue to impact our state, the threat of destructive wildfires continues to grow, and we must do everything in our power to be prepared,” Cutter said. “Folks in my district live under constant threat from wildfires, and need to be able to defend their property. It endangers homes and entire communities when HOAs prevent homeowners from using fire hardened materials. This bill will help make it easier for Coloradans to keep their homes secure and their communities safe.”

“Defending our homes and property against the increasingly severe threat of wildfires is one of my top priorities,” said Jaquez Lewis. “Combating wildfires starts with mitigation, and this bill will allow homeowners to take the proper precautions and build safer, more fire-resistant homes.”

HOAs would still be allowed to develop reasonable standards regarding the design, dimensions, placement or external appearance of fire-hardened building materials used for fencing within the community. The fire-hardened building materials outlined in HB24-1091 would meet the standards set forth by the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

HB24-1091 will now move to the Governor's desk. Track the bill’s progress HERE.