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JOINT RELEASE: Bill to Implement Voter-Approved Protections for Abortion Care & Pregnancy-Related Services Introduced in Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation to implement voter-approved protections for abortion care and pregnancy-related services was introduced in the Senate yesterday.

In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care.

Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, SB25-183 would implement the will of the voters by updating Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage.

“Colorado voters have once again reaffirmed their support for freedom to make decisions about their bodies and their futures,” said Rodriguez. “Our state has a long history of standing up for reproductive health care freedoms, and this represents another chapter in that story. I am honored to sponsor this legislation that implements the will of the voters and ensures reproductive health care is protected in both our state law and our constitution.”

“Colorado Democrats believe you should decide what’s right for your body and your future, and voters agree, abortion must remain legal and protected in Colorado,”
said McCluskie. “Given the uncertain future of abortion access in our nation, Colorado Democrats stepped up in recent years to protect reproductive health care in our state. Now, we’re building upon those efforts by upholding the will of the voters to protect your fundamental right to access abortion care.” 
 
“Coloradans deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions and choices about when to start a family – full stop,”
said Daugherty. “Amidst a dangerous national landscape, we have worked hard to ensure that Colorado is a beacon for access to safe and affordable reproductive health care. Last November, Coloradans resoundingly voted to build on that work and permanently protect the fundamental right to abortion care in our state’s constitution.”

“It’s clear – Coloradans believe it is your constitutional right to access the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion,”
said Garcia. “Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion care and access, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. This bill upholds the will of the voters by ensuring your fundamental right to access reproductive health care is never ripped away.” 

Beginning on January 1, 2026, the bill would ensure that state employee health insurance plans cover abortion care and require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to authorize reimbursements for abortion care under publicly funded insurance, including community members with coverage through Health First Colorado, and the Reproductive Health Care Program.

SB25-183 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be scheduled for its first committee hearing in the coming weeks. Track its progress HERE.

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Bill to Improve Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities Passes Senate

HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure building codes incorporate accessibility standards in new and renovated buildings

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve accessibility standards for Coloradans with disabilities sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, passed the Senate today. 

“Coloradans with disabilities deserve the opportunity to move about freely and fully participate in society,” said Cutter. “They deserve equal access to public buildings and services. This bill moves us closer to making these things a reality, and to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law nearly 35 years ago.”

“The heart of this bill is about letting all our neighbors live with dignity and respect. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed 35 years ago, yet many buildings are inaccessible to many,” said Winter. “One step forward to ensure that we're increasing accessibility is to have local governments update their building codes. Everyone should be able to fully participate in all aspects of society and not be limited by access to a building.”

Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure that new or substantially amended building codes meet or exceed international accessibility standards. It would also require the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to ensure building codes for public school and health facilities meet these standards. 

For hotels, motels and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code, the State Housing Board would be responsible for meeting or exceeding these standards. 

This bill is another in a series of steps Colorado Democrats have taken in recent years to support Colorado’s disability community, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to serve as an official resource for implementing a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration.

HB25-1030 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Senate Approves Legislation to Increase Access, Save Coloradans Money on Mental Health Care

HB25-1002 would prevent health insurance providers from denying medically necessary mental health care

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to reduce mental health care costs for Colorado families passed the Senate today. 

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB25-1002 would reduce health care costs by standardizing insurance coverage determinations to ensure that mental health care coverage is based on clinical evidence, not profit margins. 

“Access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment is crucial to the health and wellbeing of Colorado families,” said Amabile. “Far too often, insurance companies deny medically necessary mental health claims with little to no justification, and Coloradans who are already struggling end up with huge costs or no care at all. This bill would help Coloradans get the care they need at a price they can afford.” 

HB25-1002 would ensure that insurance companies use transparent, evidence-based criteria when deciding whether mental health care should be covered under an insurance plan. It would prevent providers from denying coverage for medically necessary mental and behavioral health and substance use services. 

The bill would also codify federal mental health parity rules into state law, requiring mental health services to be covered at an equal level to physical health services, and implement clinical standards from select national organizations to ensure parity. 

HB25-1002 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Bill to Improve Statewide Emergency Alert Systems Passes Senate Committee

SB25-031 would develop a single point of contact to improve statewide emergency alert coverage

DENVER, CO – Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bill to expand access to emergency alert systems was approved by the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee yesterday. 

SB25-031 would require the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop a single point of contact to improve statewide access to critical emergency alert information, recommend improvements for local governments who administer alert systems to address language and accessibility needs, provide technical assistance to local communities, and offer recommendations to improve emergency alert systems. 

“In the event of an emergency, every Coloradan deserves access to alerts, no matter where they live. It could literally be the difference between life and death,” said Roberts. “This bill will upgrade several aspects of our emergency communications infrastructure to improve public safety and standardize access for all.”

In addition to improving emergency communications in DPS, SB25-031 would expand the scope of Colorado’s Broadband Office in the Office of Information Technology to include promoting access to wireless service. 

SB25-031 is one of three bills to advance out of the bipartisan Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee, tasked with identifying gaps in cell phone coverage and connectivity in Colorado. 

SB25-031 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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Bill to Support Families with Newborns in the NICU Passes Committee

SB25-144 would extend the paid family and medical leave insurance program up to an additional 12 weeks for parents of children in neonatal intensive care

DENVER, CO – Today, legislation sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D- Broomfield, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, to extend the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program passed the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee. 

SB25-144 would allow parents of children who are receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive paid family and medical insurance benefits for up to an additional twelve weeks. 

“I know firsthand how terrifying and consuming it can be for a parent of a newborn in intensive care,” said Bridges. “It is so important for a child's development to be with their parents in those first few months of life. We need to make it easier for parents with kids in the NICU to have access to that quality time, which is why we’re expanding FAMLI in a way that doesn’t raise premiums for employees or employers.”  

“We know that children are more likely to come home faster from the NICU if their parents can be with them,”
said Winter. “Because of the good work and the existing resources of the FAMLI program, expanding benefits for additional time allows the state to provide additional help to families going through incredibly taxing times.”  

The bill would also modify the premiums for the FAMLI program to extend the current rate of 0.09 percent of wages per employee through the end of the year and change the premium-setting process to reflect the solvency of the program and create more stability for businesses. 

SB25-144 will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Senate Approves Bill to Enhance Support for Military-Connected Children with Disabilities

SB25-073 would guarantee equal rights to enrollment and access to appropriate services for children with disabilities of active-duty military members

DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to support children with disabilities of active duty military members passed the Senate today. 

Cosponsored by Senator Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, SB25-073 would clarify that Colorado students with disabilities who are children of active duty military members are entitled to the same rights to open enrollment and guaranteed matriculation as any student who lives in the public school district. It would also require school districts and charter schools to ensure those students receive the appropriate services. 

“Changing schools and hopping from one military base to the next is difficult enough, and a lack of timely access to disability services exacerbates those difficulties tenfold,”said Marchman. “No child should be deprived of access to the educational pathways they need because of their background or ability. This bill would give them the support they need to seize every opportunity available to them and ensure every student has the potential to succeed.”

In addition to ensuring equal right to enrollment and access to necessary services, the bill clarifies guidelines for providing special education services to students who transfer to a Colorado school from another district or from out-of-state as a result of an active duty military member’s order to change stations. It would also require school districts and charter schools to notify incoming military families of the rights of their children to receive special education services.

SB25-073 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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Bill to Strengthen Support for Youth in the Criminal Justice System Passes Committee

SB25-043 would promote use of community support programs for youth in the criminal justice system

DENVER, CO – A bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to bolster support and promote deflection programs for youth caught up in the criminal justice system passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. 

“Juvenile records can be devastating for a child’s chances at graduating high school, going to college, securing housing, joining the military, and finding employment, all of which contributes to higher recidivism,” said Michaelson Jenet. “Keeping at-risk and underserved youth out of the criminal justice system is the best way to support and uplift them on a path to living healthy and productive lives.”

“Intervening early in the cases of low-level offenses allows judges, prosecutors and law enforcement to spend their resources on youth with more demanding needs,” said Amabile. “This bill is about addressing the underlying causes of juvenile crime and treating them effectively for the good of young people, their families, and our state.”  

SB25-043 would make several changes to the process for determining whether or not a juvenile is competent to stand trial in an adult court and would require courts to drop charges for low-level offenses if a juvenile is found incompetent to proceed. The bill also clarifies and provides a framework for how courts and families of these youth proceed with case management plans, including what information can and cannot be included in the plan and how the court may proceed if a juvenile or their family does not engage with the plan. 

Additionally, the bill would create the Deflection and Community Investment Grant Program in the Colorado Department of Public Safety to implement trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth beginning in 2026. The grant program follows a framework proven by other states; a similar program in California found that after year three, around 70 percent of youth participants had no further contact with the juvenile justice system.

SB25-043 was recommended by the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee

SB25-043 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Bill to Strengthen Shield Protections for Reproductive Health Care Passes Senate

SB25-129 would protect patients and providers from hostile out-of-state attacks on reproductive health care

DENVER, CO – A bill to protect Coloradans’ rights and freedoms by strengthening legal protections for reproductive health care passed the Senate today.  

SB25-129, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, would strengthen Colorado’s shield laws to protect patients and providers from out-of-state and federal attacks on reproductive health care. 

“We have worked hard in Colorado to protect the freedom to decide what to do with our futures and our bodies, and we won’t allow anyone to put these freedoms in danger,” said Cutter. “As attacks on reproductive rights continue across the country, we are working to implement strong and responsive laws in Colorado to shield health care patients and providers from hostile out-of-state action.”

“Colorado is a beacon for reproductive freedom and access to abortion in our region,” said Winter. “Strengthening our shield law would expand protections for patients, providers, and helpers against interstate criminal and civil threats. These measures, like prescription label privacy, telehealth protections, and robust legal safeguards, will ensure that Colorado remains a national leader for reproductive health care and freedom.” 

The bill would protect providers by allowing their name to be excluded from a medication abortion label and requiring subpoena requests to include an affirmation that they do not pertain to legally protected health care. The bill would also prohibit attorneys, local governments, and state entities like hospitals, clinics, businesses and insurers from complying with hostile out-of-state investigations and would strengthen enforcement and compliance mechanisms. 

Finally, the bill would update Colorado’s 2024 telehealth law to clarify that out-of-state health care providers offering telehealth services to Colorado patients are protected under the state’s shield law. 

In 2023, Colorado Democrats passed legislation to establish shield laws to protect health care providers and people who travel to Colorado for abortion or gender-affirming care from out-of-state lawsuits and criminal prosecution. 
 
The bill now moves to the House for further consideration. Track SB25-129’s progress HERE.

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Legislation to Increase Access, Save Coloradans Money on Mental Health Care Passes Committee Unanimously

HB25-1002 would prevent health insurance providers from denying medically necessary mental health care

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to reduce mental health care costs for Colorado families passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today with unanimous support. 

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB25-1002 would reduce health care costs by standardizing insurance coverage determinations to ensure that mental health care coverage is based on clinical evidence, not profit margins. 

“Access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment is crucial to the health and wellbeing of Colorado families,” said Amabile. “Far too often, insurance companies deny medically necessary mental health claims with little to no justification, and Coloradans who are already struggling end up with huge costs or no care at all. This bill would help Coloradans get the care they need at a price they can afford.” 

HB25-1002 would ensure that insurance companies use transparent, evidence-based criteria when deciding whether mental health care should be covered under an insurance plan. It would prevent providers from denying coverage for medically necessary mental and behavioral health and substance use services. 

The bill would also codify federal mental health parity rules into state law, requiring mental health services to be covered at an equal level to physical health services, and implement clinical standards from select national organizations to ensure parity. 

HB25-1002 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Bill to Improve Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities Clears Senate Committee

HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure building codes incorporate accessibility standards in new and renovated buildings

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve accessibility standards for Coloradans with disabilities sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, passed the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee today. 

“Coloradans with disabilities deserve the opportunity to move about freely and fully participate in society,” said Cutter. “They deserve equal access to public buildings and services. This bill moves us closer to making these things a reality, and to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law nearly 35 years ago.”

“The heart of this bill is about letting all our neighbors live with dignity and respect. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed 35 years ago, yet many buildings are inaccessible to many,” said Winter. “One step forward to ensure that we're increasing accessibility is to have local governments update their building codes. Everyone should be able to fully participate in all aspects of society and not be limited by access to a building.”

Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure that new or substantially amended building codes meet or exceed international accessibility standards. It would also require the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to ensure building codes for public school and health facilities meet these standards. 

For hotels, motels and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code, the State Housing Board would be responsible for meeting or exceeding these standards. 

This bill is another in a series of steps Colorado Democrats have taken in recent years to support Colorado’s disability community, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to serve as an official resource for implementing a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration.

HB25-1030 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Senate Passes Bill to Address High Cost of Child Care

SB25-004 would create transparency with application and waitlist fees for private child care centers

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, to address the high cost of child care passed the Senate today.

SB25-004 would require private child care centers to provide a transparent fee schedule upon registration, when joining a waitlist, or at the request of a family. The bill would also require application or waitlist fees to be refundable after six months if a child is not admitted and remains on the waitlist. 

"The rising cost of child care is a significant hurdle for countless families across Colorado," said Marchman. "By establishing clear guidelines for application and wait list fees as well as deposits, we can provide tangible relief to working families. With application fees often exceeding $175 per child, these costs add up quickly and put unnecessary pressure on household budgets. This bill ensures child care becomes more affordable and accessible, empowering more families to find the care they need without financial hardship."

"The lack of transparency on child care fees burdens families with unexpected expenses," 
said Winter. "I hear from so many parents in my community that they are struggling to find child care. Limiting waitlist fees and adding transparency to application fees on child care center websites and forms reduces financial uncertainty and helps parents make informed decisions about what’s best for them."

These requirements would apply to private child care programs outside the Universal Preschool Program, Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, and Head Start. A center may charge a deposit, but if admitted, the deposit must go towards tuition of child care. 

SB25-004 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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Marchman Bill to Analyze a Statewide Single-Payer Health Care System Advances

DENVER, CO – Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bill to analyze model legislation for a statewide universal single-payer health care system passed the Senate today.

SB25-045 would require the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to create a report on the model legislation and would establish the Statewide Health Care Analysis Collaborative in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to assist the school in developing its report.

“Colorado faces significant health care affordability issues, especially in rural areas,” said Marchman. “Senate Bill 45 is a fact-finding and data-driven approach to analyze the potential for a single-payer, publicly financed health-care payment system in Colorado. This important bill will ensure we get the facts straight with a thorough, independent review of costs, funding sources, and feasibility of such a system before we take legislative action on major health care reform.”

By December 31, 2026, the school would be required to acquire model legislation developed by a nonprofit to enact a universal single-payer health care system and submit a report on the legislation that analyzes costs and connections to federal law, identifies possible revenue sources to cover costs, and evaluates the feasibility of other models.

Under the bill, funding for the study is dependent on receipt of sufficient gifts, grants, or donations.

SB25-045 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

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Pair of Bills to Improve Wildfire Response Pass Committee

SB25-007 and SB25-015 would update existing wildfire resiliency and emergency response measures

DENVER, CO – Two bills sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, that would improve Colorado’s prevention of and response to wildfires passed the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee today. 

“Because of the real impacts of climate change, we are living with an unpredictable and increasing threat of devastating wildfire,” said Cutter. “As a longtime member and current chair of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, I am committed to championing solutions that address all facets of this issue. Prescribed burning and easily accessible information on all facets of wildfire are important tools in the toolbox to help protect Coloradans and our forests.”

“We’ve learned so many lessons from the catastrophic wildfires of recent years, and among the most important of those is to be prepared,” said Marchman. “It is imperative that we strengthen our use of proactive, science-backed approaches like prescribed burns to address dangerous conditions and keep our forests healthy before we find ourselves in a disastrous situation.”

SB25-007 would encourage the use of prescribed burns as a wildfire resilience tool by creating the Prescribed Fire Claims Cash Fund within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to pay compensation for claims from damage caused by prescribed burns. Unintended damage is rare, but a lack of liability coverage is often a barrier to conducting beneficial prescribed burns. The bill would also create a new avenue for individuals to obtain a ‘certified burner’ designation from the Department of Public Safety, allowing them to conduct prescribed burns on private lands if they are certified in another state.

SB25-015 would scale up Colorado’s existing Wildfire Information and Resource Center website to improve emergency response by requiring the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to post updated information like wildfire statuses, burning restrictions, and prescribed burn activities. 

Both bills were recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Interim Committee, a bipartisan group of lawmakers tasked with developing legislation to bolster the forestry workforce and improve wildfire mitigation strategies. 

SB25-007 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee and SB25-015 moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. 

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Bill to Enhance Support for Military-Connected Children with Disabilities Passes Committee

SB25-073 would guarantee equal rights to enrollment and access to appropriate services for children with disabilities of active-duty military members

DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to support children with disabilities of active duty military members passed the Senate Education Committee today with unanimous support. 

Cosponsored by Senator Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, SB25-073 would clarify that Colorado students with disabilities who are children of active duty military members are entitled to the same rights to open enrollment and guaranteed matriculation as any student who lives in the public school district. It would also require school districts and charter schools to ensure those students receive the appropriate services. 

“Changing schools and hopping from one military base to the next is difficult enough, and a lack of timely access to disability services exacerbates those difficulties tenfold,”said Marchman. “No child should be deprived of access to the educational pathways they need because of their background or ability. This bill would give them the support they need to seize every opportunity available to them and ensure every student has  the potential to succeed.”

In addition to ensuring equal right to enrollment and access to necessary services, the bill clarifies guidelines for providing special education services to students who transfer to a Colorado school from another district or from out-of-state as a result of an active duty military member’s order to change stations. It would also require school districts and charter schools to notify incoming military families of the rights of their children to receive special education services.

SB25-073 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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Freedom to Read Legislation Passes Senate

SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries

DENVER, CO – Legislation to create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a written policy on the acquisition, use, and removal of library resources passed the Senate today.

SB25-063, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, would require local school boards and the Charter School Institute (CSI) to establish a policy to ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair, and consistent process. Without a policy in place, a local school board or the CSI could not remove a library resource from its collection. 

“Free societies don’t ban books,” said Cutter. “This bill will ensure that the next generation of Coloradans has the opportunity to access a broad spectrum of literature, including works that might challenge preconceived notions or present uncomfortable truths. By doing so, we empower Colorado's children to become well-informed, open-minded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to our democracy. As diverse identities are being erased and marginalized throughout the country, it has never been more important to protect the freedom to read.”

“As an author and owner of a publishing company, I am committed to telling stories that would not otherwise be told,” said Michaelson Jenet. “These are the stories that end up on banned book lists. While other states enact laws to criminalize educators and restrict access to books, this bill sends a strong message that Colorado values our students’ freedom to access diverse voices and opinions.”

SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation. 

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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ICYMI: Bill to Safeguard Voting Rights in Colorado Law Passes Committee

The Colorado Voting Rights Act would strengthen voter protections and access amidst federal uncertainty

DENVER, CO – In anticipation of efforts to dismantle the national Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits discriminatory election practices, the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee approved legislation to protect and strengthen the right to vote in Colorado yesterday. 

SB25-001, sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, would codify stronger voter protections, expand access to voting information for historically excluded communities, and prohibit discriminatory election practices, even if federal protections are rolled back.

“The right to vote is under attack by a federal administration testing the limits of its power,” said Gonzales. “Generations of brave activists, women, and people of color have fought for the right to vote – and now, it’s our turn. This bill would ensure that in Colorado, no matter your gender, race, or the language you speak, your sacred right to vote is protected.”

The bill would expand access to multilingual ballots in local elections, protect access for eligible voters confined in local jails, require residential facilities that house people with disabilities to provide nonpartisan voter information, and empower the Attorney General to enforce voting rights. The bill would also prohibit impairing an individual’s right to vote based on their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, and would create a publicly available, statewide database of election information, without compromising any personal voter data.

SB25-001 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Senate Approves Bill to Fully Implement and Enforce Colorado’s High-Capacity Magazine Prohibition

DENVER, CO – Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, legislation to fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition passed the Colorado Senate today.

In 2013, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Currently, those intent on evading existing law are able to cross state lines to legally buy magazines in neighboring states and attach them to high-powered, military-style firearms.

SB25-003 would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing law by prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. The bill would also prohibit the purchase and sale of after-market accessories that increase the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm, like binary triggers. 

“High-capacity magazines are what put the ‘mass’ into mass shootings, which is why over a decade ago Colorado Democrats passed legislation to prohibit magazines that hold over 15 rounds of ammunition,” said Sullivan. “This legislation is another in the list of policies I have worked on to develop evidence-based solutions and reduce gun violence of all types. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

“Gun violence continues to have devastating effects on Colorado communities, and we must do more to protect lives,” said Gonzales. “The firearm industry’s profits come, time and again, at the expense of public safety and something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account, ending the industry’s profit motivation, and enforcing the law we have had on the books for more than a decade. I’m honored to join Senator Sullivan on this legislation and in his work to reduce gun violence in Colorado.”

An amendment was added to allow a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing thorough vetting by a local sheriff and completing a firearm certification course that includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies, range time, and more. Certification would last five years. If after those five years, an individual seeks to purchase a semiautomatic firearm, they would again be required to be vetted by a local sheriff and take a refresher course. 

Additional amendments expand the definition of heir to include individuals beyond the next of kin to whomever one may designate in their will, and ensure a gunsmith instructor at a private or public school regulated by the state may purchase a semiautomatic firearm.

Additionally, SB25-003 would prohibit the sale of gas-operated semiautomatic handguns. The sale of recoil-operated handguns, which make up over 90 percent of the pistol market, would not be impacted by the bill. The bill would not impact possession of currently-owned firearms.

SB25-003 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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Senate Approves Worker Protection Act

Legislation would update the 80-year old Colorado Labor Peace Act

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Senate today approved Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Jessie Danielson’s, D-Wheat Ridge, legislation to update Colorado’s labor law on a preliminary vote.

SB25-005, the “Worker Protection Act,” would update the Colorado Labor Peace Act by eliminating the requirement for employees to conduct a second election to negotiate a union security agreement clause in the collective bargaining process.

“Colorado is the only state that requires a second election to achieve union security, putting up an additional obstacle for workers who want the freedom to negotiate to put more money in the pockets of working families, decrease the wealth gap and increase worker safety,” said Rodriguez. “Aligning Colorado’s labor laws with most other states requiring only one election will empower workers to stand up to level the playing field with corporate employers.”

“We have an obligation to do right by hardworking Coloradans who are demanding we pass the Worker Protection Act,” said Danielson. “It is time we change the 80-year-old law that makes it hard for workers to unionize. Let’s make it easier for workers to get better pay, better benefits, and more safety on the job, and pass the Worker Protection Act.”

Currently, Colorado labor law requires two elections for workers seeking to form a union and collect dues: one that meets the federal standard set by the ​​National Labor Relations Act and a second election which must be won by a supermajority approval of at least 75 percent of those who vote, or 50 percent plus one of all employees eligible to vote, whichever is greater. The proposed legislation would modernize the Colorado Labor Peace Act by repealing the requirement for the second election.

SB25-005 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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Senate Approves Bill to Improve Colorado’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response

SB25-042 would address gaps in crisis response resources so that Coloradans experiencing a behavioral health crisis get the care they need

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve and better integrate behavioral health crisis response resources passed the Senate today.

SB25-042, sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, would help people with serious mental illness access care by extending inpatient mental health care coverage, compiling resources on effective crisis response programs, and collecting and reporting data on existing gaps. 

“We’ve made significant progress over the past several years in expanding access to behavioral health care and lowering costs of mental health treatment,” said Cutter. “However, Colorado still has serious gaps when it comes to emergency crisis response. This bill puts together several life-saving improvements so that Coloradans can access the treatment they need during a behavioral health crisis.”

“The fight to improve mental health care is personal for me, and a top priority in my work as a legislator,” said Amabile. “Coloradans with serious mental illnesses cycle through emergency rooms, jail, and even homelessness because of gaps in our crisis response resources. This bill will help Coloradans access the care they need to get better.”

The bill would increase the number of covered days for inpatient mental health care from 15 to 60 and ensure that no one is prematurely discharged from an emergency mental health hold until they no longer meet the criteria for the hold. The bill would also convene a group to compile and publish resources on existing crisis response programs including alternative, mobile, and co-responder programs. Lastly, the bill would require the Behavioral Health Administration to report on shortages and gaps within the continuum of care and funding opportunities. 

SB25-042 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE

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Bill to Fully Implement and Enforce Colorado’s High-Capacity Magazine Prohibition Earns Initial Senate Approval

DENVER, CO – Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, legislation to fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition earned initial approval by the Colorado Senate today.

In 2013, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Currently, those intent on evading existing law are able to cross state lines to legally buy magazines in neighboring states and attach them to high-powered, military-style firearms.

SB25-003 would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing law by prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. The bill would also prohibit the purchase and sale of after-market accessories that increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm, like binary triggers. 

“High-capacity magazines are what put the ‘mass’ into mass shootings, which is why over a decade ago Colorado Democrats passed legislation to prohibit magazines that hold over 15 rounds of ammunition,” said Sullivan. “This legislation is another in the list of policies I have worked on to develop evidence-based solutions and reduce gun violence of all types. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

“Gun violence continues to have devastating effects on Colorado communities, and we must do more to protect lives,”
said Gonzales. “The firearm industry’s profits come, time and again, at the expense of public safety and something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account, ending the industry’s profit motivation, and enforcing the law we have had on the books for more than a decade. I’m honored to join Senator Sullivan on this legislation and in his work to reduce gun violence in Colorado.”

An amendment was added to allow a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing thorough vetting by a local sheriff and completing a thorough firearm certification course that includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, deescalation and crisis intervention strategies, range time, and more. Certification would last five years. If after those five years an individual seeks to purchase a semiautomatic firearm, they would again be required to be vetted by a local sheriff and take a refresher course. 

Additional amendments expand the definition of heir to include individuals beyond the next of kin to whomever one may designate in their will, and ensure a gunsmith instructor at a private or public school regulated by the state may purchase a semiautomatic firearm.

Additionally, SB25-003 would prohibit the sale of gas-operated semiautomatic handguns. The sale of recoil-operated handguns, which make up over 90 percent of the pistol market, would not be impacted by the bill. The bill would not impact possession of currently-owned firearms.

SB25-003 will be heard on third reading in the Senate before moving to further consideration by the House. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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