Senate 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 – The Colorado Senate today approved 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“Coloradans in crisis need a measured response focused on de-escalation, not an outdated and discredited ‘excited delirium’ diagnosis that ratchets up tension and increases the risk of dangerous repercussions,” said Gonzales.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 Governor Polis’ desk for his signature. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Forecast Shows Strong Economy, Constrained State Budget

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 March quarterly economic forecasts:

“Colorado’s growth is an indicator of a strong economy, yet we are cautiously optimistic as we place the final touches on the budget,” said JBC Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “I’m excited that we are in a position to fulfill our promise to students and educators by eliminating the budget stabilization factor. This will put more money into Colorado classrooms further increasing teacher pay, reducing class sizes, and ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed. We will soon finalize a fiscally responsible and balanced budget that represents our values, sustains our economic growth, uplifts families and invests in critical services.”

“The March economic forecast represents the final set of data before we finalize this year’s budget,” JBC Vice Chair Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, said. “Today’s cautiously optimistic outlook reaffirms our budget work thus far: to be bold in supporting critical services by fully funding schools and health care provider rates, but to be responsible and constrain spending so we remain well-prepared for the future. I’m pleased that despite a challenging fiscal landscape, we’re well-positioned to fulfill our obligations to schools and families, close gaps in workforce shortages, and fund critical behavioral and mental health services – all without overextending state resources.”

“This economic forecast shows steady economic growth and lays the foundation for us as we craft a budget that invests in Colorado’s families and workers," said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Even with our strong economy, Colorado’s unique fiscal constraints make it challenging to fund new investments. Our goal this year is to prioritize funding for our public schools and early childhood education, working families and the critical community-based services Coloradans rely upon to keep us safe, protect our health, and thrive.”

“Today’s economic forecast tells two stories,” Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. “The first story is that Colorado’s economy is strong. Unemployment rates remain low while the number of jobs and income levels are growing. However, the second story tells us that because of TABOR, our state resources remain tight and we must be cautious with this year’s fiscal commitments. I look forward to integrating today’s forecast into the final days of budget drafting to ensure we deliver for hardworking Coloradans and set our state up for success.”

Colorado’s economy continues to grow, with an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent and total employment growth clocking in at around 2.5 percent in 2023, adding, in aggregate, 57,600 jobs over the past year. Year-over-year wage gains of 6.2 percent outpaced the average rate of inflation which grew by 3.9 percent.

The Legislative Council Staff (LCS) forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $17.6 billion in FY 2023-2024 and $18.7 billion in FY 2024-2025, a 5.9 percent increase year-over-year. For FY 2024-25, the TABOR surplus is expected to be $1.91 billion; however, budget limitations will continue to constrain investments in state services.

The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) revised its General Fund revenue expectations up relative to the December forecast to $17.9 billion in FY 2023-24, while FY 2024-25 revenue was revised down to $18.1 billion. OSPB anticipates General Fund revenue will grow 5.8 percent to $19.1 billion in FY 2025-26, due to stable income and sales revenue growth.

The March forecast projects that the economy will realize a soft landing, with no recession anticipated in 2024, and Colorado is expected to modestly outperform the U.S. economy. However, the economy is still susceptible to a downturn if confronted with major shocks.

Stronger than expected wage gains could boost sales and income tax collections above the amounts projected in this forecast, which anticipates a continued, slowing economic expansion. Some risk factors that could improve the forecast include a faster resolution to inflationary pressures and more accommodative monetary policy. Some risk factors that could negatively impact the forecast include potential tightening of household finances that could hurt consumption and high borrowing costs that could discourage investment.

SIGNED! Roberts & McCluskie’s Bipartisan Bill to Spur Affordable Workforce Housing

SB24-002 will create property tax credits and rebates aimed at incentivizing more affordable rentals 

DENVER, CO –  Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, that grants local governments the authority to create property tax rebate programs to address areas of specific local concern including affordable housing development was signed into law today.

SB24-002 will 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, a municipality will 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," Roberts said. "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 to see this important bipartisan bill get signed into law and am excited to see how local governments can help their residents save money.”

“There has been a significant rise in the cost of housing, especially on the Western Slope, forcing Coloradans to spend more of their money on housing and less on other necessary costs, like health care and groceries,” said McCluskie. "With our bipartisan legislation becoming law, local governments can address the unique challenges that their communities face, like shortages in workforce housing, childcare, mental health care services, and much more.”

SB24-002 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.

SIGNED! Bipartisan Water Conservation in Landscaping Bill Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Reps. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango that will more efficiently conserve water by prohibiting the use of water intensive 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 pesticides and gas-powered lawn equipment, while opening up space for native plants that naturally thrive in Colorado’s climate and support our local birds and bees.

“With this law, we're cutting back on unnecessary water usage on nonfunctional turf used in medians, greenways and parking lots,” said McCormick. “Water-wise landscaping conserves our precious water resources and encourages communities to embrace Colorado's natural landscapes. Our law sets us on a path forward to more effectively manage and preserve the water we all rely on.”

“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 new law will reduce unnecessary landscape water usage and further position Colorado as a leader in effective water management.”

“Cutting back on the amount of water we use on nonfunctional turf will help us conserve our precious water resources across the state,” said McLachlan. “This law helps us effectively and efficiently manage our water resources by encouraging water-wise landscaping on little-used areas like parking lots and medians. We're stepping up to conserve water while embracing the native plants and species that thrive in Colorado."

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.

JOINT RELEASE: Lawmakers Urge Congress to Fund Water Infrastructure Improvements for Tribes

As recommended by the Colorado River Drought Task Force, lawmakers call on Congress to fund overdue water infrastructure improvements depended upon by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe

DENVER, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie, Representative Barbara McLachlan, and Senators Dylan Roberts and Cleave Simpson today sponsored a joint resolution (SJM24-002) to urge Congress to fully fund the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which would provide $35 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects across the country, including the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project (PRIIP). The PRIIP carries freshwater to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal land and is in desperate need of repair.

“The Pine River Indian Irrigation Project is a vital resource for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and surrounding communities, and its deteriorated condition makes it nearly impossible for users to rely on it for fresh water,” said Speaker Julie McCluksie, D-Dillon. “Recent federal legislation authorized $35 million each year to update, maintain and repair critical projects, including the Pine River Indian Irrigation project. However, Congress has never appropriated this full amount, and the PRIIP has only received $135,000. We’re calling on Congress to appropriate the full $35 million to ensure this vital water project can be preserved and maintained.”

“When the bipartisan Colorado Drought River Task Force, and specifically the Tribal Sub-Task Force, presented their recommendations, it was clear that the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project is in dire need of federal funds to modernize their system,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco.  “We’re calling on Congress to fully fund the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act in Colorado, so the Tribes that rely on this precious resource can have safe, reliable water for their communities and agricultural economy.”

“The deterioration of the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project means the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and those living in remote communities in Southwestern Colorado have unreliable freshwater resources for both drinking and agricultural needs,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “This resolution is a call on Congress to fully fund commitments to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and make it possible for the PRIIP to serve communities as intended. The Colorado Drought River Task Force recommendations are clear, repairing this irrigation project is an urgent matter because the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has been living with unpredictable, unreliable water resources for far too long.”

“The Ute nation especially knows that water is the lifeblood of our state,” said Senator Cleve Simpson, R-Alamosa. “This joint memorial is meant to highlight the federal government’s inaction in addressing water infrastructure, and my hope is to see the federal government step up, and live up to its commitments to the sovereign Ute Nation.”

The PRIIP was constructed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs during the late 1800s and early 1900s and the continued deterioration of the water system means that only an estimated 15 percent of the 175 miles of canals is considered to be in good condition. This water system services the Southern Ute Indian Tribal lands and parts of Ignacio, Colorado for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Since the WIIN Act was enacted in 2016, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Ute Agency which maintains the PRIIP, has only received $135,000 for repairs. The WIIN Act, if fully funded, authorizes an annual $35 million allocation split amongst many Tribal needs across the country, including the PRIIP. However, Congress has never fully appropriated the $35 million. In 2023, the Bureau of Indian Affairs completed a modernization plan for the PRIIP system which estimates a cost of $60.7 million, while other cost estimates for modernization range as high as $109 million.
 
Last year, the Colorado River Drought Task Force deemed the deterioration of the PRIIP an urgent matter for Colorado to ensure Tribal communities have access to drinking water, maintain their traditional water use, and enjoy a thriving agricultural industry. Additionally, Governor Polis sent a letter to Congress urging them to fulfill their promise.

Senate Approves Michaelson Jenet, Cutter Bill to Make I Matter Youth Mental Health Program Permanent

Youth mental health services program is set to expire in June

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, that would make permanent the first-of-its-kind I Matter youth mental health program cleared the Senate with bipartisan support today.

I Matter connects K-12 students with a therapist for up to six free virtual counseling sessions, but the program is currently set to repeal on June 30th, 2024. SB24-001 makes that program permanent, ensuring Colorado students can continue receiving quality mental health care at no cost to them or their families.

“The success of I Matter has been huge for Colorado students, and for the first time in a decade, youth suicide rates have declined - but we must do more to address the mental health crisis gripping our kids,” said Michaelson Jenet. “That is why making the I Matter program permanent is so important. This critical tool is a game changer, and I am excited to get this bill passed and ensure Colorado students can access the free mental health care they need to thrive.”

“Far too many Colorado kids struggle with their mental health, and I Matter has been hugely beneficial in helping support them,” Cutter said. “By making I Matter permanent, we are doubling down on our commitment to addressing those needs, and ensuring that all of our kids get the mental health care they deserve, at no cost to them or their families.”

Launched after the pandemic by Michaelson Jenet, I Matter has served 7,933 young people since 2021, and 5,024 have received three or more sessions. According to the Colorado 2023 Kids Count report, youth suicide in 2023 decreased 30 percent from the year before.

SB24-001 will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Hansen Bill to Prepare Future Workforce for Climate Change

Legislation connects high school students with hands-on experience

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate 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 local apprenticeships and trades 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 House for further review. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Sullivan’s Bill to Improve Investigations of Illegal Firearm Activity Passes Senate

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

DENVER, CO – Senator Tom Sullivan’s, D-Centennial, bill to improve investigations of illegal firearm activity passed the Senate today.

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 House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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.