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Committee Unanimously Approves Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Identify State and Local Housing Needs, Plan for Growth
Zenzinger: “This important bill would allow us to take bold steps in partnership with local governments to make Colorado a more affordable place to live”
DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee unanimously approved Senator Rachel Zenzinger’s, D-Arvada, bipartisan bill to identify state housing needs and strategically plan for future growth in Colorado.
Cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, SB24-174 would require the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to conduct a statewide housing needs assessment and provide grants and technical assistance to local governments to conduct their own or regional housing needs assessments, followed by housing action plans to address the identified needs.
“This important bill would allow us to take bold steps in partnership with local governments to make Colorado a more affordable place to live, and I am happy to see the bill progressing to the next stage of approval,” said Zenzinger. “The conditions of this new law would push local governments to identify their unique housing needs and plan for growth in a strategic and inclusive way. Local governments will then have access to significant state support while preserving much-needed flexibility to implement solutions to the housing issues that have plagued us statewide for years.”
Under the bill, local governments with a population of at least 1,000 residents would be required to either conduct and publish a local housing needs assessment by December 31, 2026 or participate in a regional housing needs assessment. By November 30, 2027, DOLA would be required to conduct an analysis and publish a report analyzing existing and future statewide housing needs. The bill would require new housing assessments to be published every six years.
SB24-174 would also require most local governments with a population of at least 1,000 to create a housing action plan that details their commitment to address their specific housing needs by January 1, 2028, and to update the plan every six years thereafter.
Additionally, the bill would:
Require local governments who submit a Housing Action Plan to DOLA to submit a progress report to DOLA three years after publication.
Require DOLA to publish a statewide strategic growth report which will analyze land use scenarios and their impacts, including housing, infrastructure, and environmental effects; and assess state policies on development and sprawl.
Require county and municipal master plans to include new water supply and strategic growth elements which compare the long-term costs of infill and greenfield development.
Prioritize state agency grant funding for housing or land use programs for local governments who have complied with the requirements in SB24-174.
SB24-174 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Senate Approves Buckner’s Bipartisan Student Bill of Rights
Legislation aims to improve consumer information, enhance transfer pathways, and fortify accountability in education systems
DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, to improve transparency requirements for higher education institutions and increase the rights of higher education students.
A major challenge transfer students face is the transferability of postsecondary credits. On average, transfer students lose a full semester of credits, which translates to time and money lost. Recognizing these challenges, SB24-164, cosponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, would make it easier to transfer college credits, improve transparency in higher education reporting, and add rights for students enrolled in postsecondary institutions, including:
Transparency of the cost of postsecondary education;
Seamless transfer of general education and transfer pathway courses;
Transparency regarding if credits are accepted or rejected from an institution; and
The ability to appeal an institution’s decision not to accept transfer credits.
“Through my time as an educator and Chair of the Senate Education Committee, it’s clear that bolstering the ways students can transfer hard-earned credits is essential to improving student outcomes,” said Buckner. “This bill is a pivotal step towards creating a more inclusive, transparent, and student-centric higher education system in Colorado. By prioritizing the needs of students, we can pave the way for greater educational outcomes and economic mobility for students and families.”
Methods currently exist within Colorado’s higher education framework to ease transitions between higher education institutions such as transferable lower division courses, common course numbering, and guaranteed transfer pathways, and SB24-164 would build onto that work.
SB24-164 now moves to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.
Roberts’ Bill to Incentivize Economic Development in NW Colorado & Advance Mountain Passenger Rail Clears Committee
SB24-190 would facilitate the success of mountain passenger rail by incentivizing businesses that use rail to move freight to locate in coal transition communities in Northwest Colorado
DENVER, CO – Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, legislation to support both the realization of mountain passenger rail and economic diversification efforts in transitioning coal communities in Northwest Colorado passed the Senate Finance Committee today.
SB24-190 would make the design and use of mountain passenger rail more sustainable by incentivizing the transportation of freight from companies that establish operations in coal transition communities along proposed rail lines, particularly in Craig and Hayden. The bill would allocate up to $10 million in incentives per year for Hayden and Craig, and Grand, Moffat, and Routt Counties to attract and retain large-scale businesses.
“This bill is a transformative win-win for Northwest Colorado,” said Roberts. “As the region’s State Senator, prioritizing economic opportunity and resources for transitioning communities is a top priority. Further, representing all the communities that would be served by mountain passenger rail from Craig to Winter Park, I’m excited to do whatever I can to make that happen – and this bill does both. The financial incentives created by this bill could attract large employers to Craig, Hayden, and Grand County, create dozens, if not hundreds, of new jobs, give Northwest Colorado even more targeted economic support, and will be a crucial part in making passenger rail from Craig all the way to Denver a reality by the end of the decade.”
The bill would create an income tax credit through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) for businesses that choose to locate in a coal transition community and use rail to transport their freight. It would also make more of the region eligible for economic support from OEDIT, creating opportunities for economic diversification in the region and offering needed support for mountain rail development. Potential mountain rail would also facilitate increased tourism in the region, create additional economic growth, and allow locals to commute safely to and from Winter Park to Craig, with stops in between.
SB24-190 coincides with legislation advancing this year that would create dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail for Colorado.
SB24-190 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Legislation to Protect More Coloradans from Bias-Motivated Crimes Passes Senate
SB24-189 would add gender identity and gender expression to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws
DENVER, CO – Legislation that would protect more Coloradans from bias-motivated crimes cleared the Senate today.
SB24-189, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Chris Hansen, D-Denver, would improve protections for Coloradans by adding gender identity and gender expression to the classes included in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws.
“Every Coloradan deserves to feel secure in their community, but far too many folks have been targeted because of who they are or how they identify,” Fields said. “As trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks face increasing threats across the country, we will continue fighting to make our state safer for all Coloradans and provide better protections against bias-motivated crime and harassment.”
“Colorado has been a national leader when it comes to advancing equality and protections for our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” Hansen said. “This bill will help protect Coloradans from violence or harassment based on their gender identity or gender expression, and will help ensure perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes are held accountable for their actions. I’m pleased to champion this legislation that will help more Coloradans feel secure and keep people in our communities safe.”
The bill also redefines "sexual orientation" as used in our bias-motivated crimes and harassment statutes.
SB24-189 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Hansen’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Road Safety, Keep Coloradans Mobile Clears Committee
DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee approved Senator Chris Hansen’s, D-Denver, bipartisan legislation to create safer roads.
HB24-1250, cosponsored by Senator Jim Smallwood, R-Parker, would allow an individual convicted of a driving infraction to attend a driving improvement course to waive license suspension points. Driver’s improvement courses teach the most up-to-date rules of the road and how to drive more safely. The Department of Revenue approved courses are four to six hours and can be completed online or in person.
“Having a driver’s license is essential to many hardworking Coloradans so they can get to work, attend appointments, and take care of their families,” said Hansen. “This bill is a great way to allow drivers to keep their licenses and avoid driving illegally. Instead of paying a one time fee, drivers would have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, ultimately making our roads safer while saving folks money.”
Sixteen other states have implemented similar programs that cover topics such as highway safety, defensive driving, state traffic laws, and driving emergencies. These programs are shown to lower insurance premiums, which saves drivers hundreds of dollars annually.
The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow its progress HERE.
Senate Approves FY 24-25 Budget to Support K-12 Schools, Hardworking Families
FY 2024-2025 Budget makes investments to fully fund K-12 education, boost behavioral health care services, support Colorado’s state parks, and deliver for hardworking families
DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved the FY 2024-2025 state budget, which makes balanced investments to fully fund K-12 education, boost behavioral health care services, support Colorado’s state parks, and deliver for hardworking families.
“Of all the budgets that I have proudly helped to craft over the years, this one will stand out in my memory years from now,” said Joint Budget Committee Vice Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “I am pleased to see that we have reached this milestone in the process. Every budget-making process has its challenges, and this one certainly has been no exception. But the hard work has been worthwhile: we eliminated the budget stabilization factor that we inflicted upon our schools a decade ago; and now K-12 is fully funded. What a joy to make that statement.”
“This year’s bipartisan budget is a reflection of our Colorado values of opportunity and responsibility,” Joint Budget Committee member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said.“The investments included in this budget will address our workforce shortages, expand access to behavioral health resources, support public schools, and make our communities safer. With this balanced budget, we’re delivering the support hardworking Coloradans need right now, while setting our state up for success in the years to come.”
The state’s $40.6 billion budget is a 3.7 percent increase over last year’s budget. This year’s budget, HB24-1430, includes a total of $58.6 million to support hardworking families and boost education and workforce efforts. The budget now heads to a conference committee for consideration of amendments made in the Senate and House.
Preparing Students for Success
Fully Funding Colorado’s K-12 Schools: After years of responsible budgeting and planning, this year’s budget eliminates the Budget Stabilization Factor, which has restricted funding for Colorado's K-12 public education funding for more than a decade.
As outlined in the budget, the total funding for public schools will increase by more than $500 million, including an average increase in per-pupil funding of $736 per student, bringing the total per-pupil amount to $11,406 – the largest in state history. Final action on per-pupil funding, and total program funding, is included in this year’s School Finance Act, which passed the Senate today.
Fully Funding Special Education for the First Time: To make it easier for every learner to succeed, the budget increases special education funding for students with disabilities by 10.2 percent, or $34.7 million, bringing the state’s total investment in special education funding for students with disabilities to $375.5 million.
Supporting English Language Learners and New Arrival Students: The budget outlines an increase in funding of 10.6 percent, or $3.3 million, to help students become proficient in the English language. Additionally, to help Colorado school districts across the state support and meet the needs of the influx of new students, the budget includes an appropriation of $24 million from the State Education Fund to be distributed directly to schools as quickly as possible.
Providing Mental Health Resources for Students: To help our learners succeed and access the mental and behavioral health services they need, this budget creates the School-Based Mental Health Support Program. This $2.5 million program will help students enhance their social, emotional or behavioral well-being and support students going through adjustment periods.
Supporting At-Risk Students: To create pathways for each and every student to succeed in school, the budget allocates $1.16 million more for at-risk students to better support those with a higher probability of not graduating K-12 schooling.
Capping Tuition Hikes, Boosting Funding for Higher Education, Supporting College Students: The budget caps tuition hikes at 3 percent for in-state students and 4 percent for non-resident students. The budget also boosts funding by $114.3 million to help higher education institutions streamline services and operational support. Additionally, the budget sets aside $26.6 million in the General Fund for aligned financial aid support and $1.67 million to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness during high school. Students could use this funding to assist with housing, tuition, fees and textbooks.
Support for Early Childhood and Families
Supporting Universal Preschool: Universal preschool (UPK) has saved families thousands of dollars and helped prepare our youngest learners for success. This year’s budget includes an increase of $65.5 million to the UPK program, specifically for provider payments, quality improvement initiatives, and improvements to the online application process.
Increasing Funding for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program: To help families find childcare options they can afford, the budget includes a $21.1 million increase to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, which connects low-income families to child care options.
Boosting Pay for Early Childhood Professionals: The budget includes a 2 percent increase, or $4.9 million, to community providers including early childhood mental health service providers, social workers, family resource centers staff and early childhood educators.
New, In-Home Support for New Mothers: To provide all-around services to our state’s new mothers, the budget includes a $2.8 million increase to support a universal home visiting pilot program, which will offer comprehensive in-home evaluations and supportive follow-up visits to new mothers and infants. Funding will support births at certain hospitals in ten counties including Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Eagle, Garfield, Jefferson, Pitkin, Summit, Weld, and Mesa counties.
Streamlining the Child Lead Testing Program: Everyone deserves clean water to drink. To help combat and prevent childhood lead poisoning across the state, the budget invests $1.2 million for testing and outreach to alert families to specific hazards.
Creating Healthier, Stronger Communities
Boosting Pay for Health Care Providers: This year’s budget outlines a 2 percent across-the-board community provider rate increase and $198 million for targeted provider rate increases following recommendations from the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee. This applies to Medicaid providers, preschool and childcare providers, social services providers, independent living centers, local public health agencies, services in the Department of Corrections, and other private and nonprofit organizations that provide various services.
Improving Colorado’s Competency Process: To help improve Colorado’s competency process, the budget allocates $68.2 million to maintain and increase existing resources for inpatient competency restoration services. Funding will be used to address staffing needs and provide additional support.
Increasing Funding for Nutrition Assistance: The budget includes a $16.9 million investment to meet the increased demand for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), so Coloradans can access healthy foods. The budget invests an additional $3 million in food banks and local food pantries to reduce food insecurity.
Funding Healthy School Meals for All: The budget adds $56.1 million to the voter-approved Healthy School Meals for All program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students.
Maintaining Strong Public Health Infrastructure: To help maintain the strong state public health operations Colorado developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget includes an $11 million investment in Local Public Health Agencies, and a $5.6 million investment to maintain the strong state operations in the Division of Disease Control and Public Health to combat existing and new public health threats.
Supporting People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD): To reduce the growing waitlist for services and ensure Coloradans with IDDs can receive the support and services they need when they need it, the budget increases IDD support by $5.6 million. Funding will be directed to an additional 129 treatment placements for residential Adult Comprehensive Services.
Boosting Grant Resources for Coloradans with a Disability: To ensure Coloradans with a disability have the support they need, the budget outlines a $5.1 million increase to help fund grants operated by the Laura Hershey Disability Support Act, which provides education, direct assistance, and advocacy for people with disabilities.
Protecting Critical Health Care Services:
Funding for Popular I Matter Program: The successful I Matter program provides free therapy sessions to our youth under 18-years and younger. The budget includes $6 million to make the program permanent.
Medicaid Support: To ensure that those who need Medicaid coverage can receive it, the budget includes $21.7 million to support and provide additional flexibility in eligibility determinations associated with the end of the Medicaid continuous coverage requirements during the federal public health emergency.
Support for Children and Youth in the Foster Care System: The budget includes $15.3 million to help youth in the foster care system with complex behavioral health care needs get the treatment and services they need to succeed.
Health Centers for Uninsured Coloradans: This year’s budget includes $13 million to support Federally Qualified Health Centers and other primary care providers where at least 50 percent of the patients served are uninsured or medically indigent.
Develop the Office of the Children’s Behavioral Health Statewide System of Care: To create a continuum of care for our youth, the budget sets aside $2.1 million to create a new program within the Behavioral Health Administration to develop and implement a comprehensive children’s behavioral health care system.
Increasing Veteran Support: To support those who have served our nation, the budget includes a $500,000 increase to the Veterans Assistance Grant Program which improves social, health and community services to Colorado’s veteran population.
Safer Communities
Boosting Staffing for Public Defenders: To help Colorado’s public defenders meet the needs of our criminal justice system and reduce caseloads, the budget outlines $11.5 million and a 9 percent increase year-over-year to hire 50 new attorneys, 42 support staff, and 11 social workers.
Combatting Auto Theft and Other Crime Prevention: To help keep communities safe, the budget outlines an $8 million increase for grants to reduce and prevent auto theft. The budget also includes $1.1 million for state forensic resources vital to auto theft cases and $3 million for local crime prevention grants under the Multidisciplinary Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention program.
Crime Victim Services Funding: Those involved in domestic violence situations or other life-altering crimes often need support. The budget invests $4 million in the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund to support victims of crime, their families and children.
Improving Emergency Response: To help first responders reach those in need, the budget includes a $1.2 million investment to improve the Colorado Team Awareness Kit. This mobile app allows first responders to track and map their locations and improve the coordination of emergency response.
Enhancing Security at Nonprofits: Nonprofits, such as synagogues and mosques, are facing an increase in threats. The budget includes an increase of more than $906,000 to the Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help them ramp up physical security at their buildings.
Investments for Parks, Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation, Water Resources and Environment
Strengthening Underfunded Parks & Wildlife Operations: To protect, maintain and make Colorado’s public parks more accessible, the budget includes a $5.7 million investment to fund 45 new staff positions to strengthen several Division of Parks and Wildlife operations, including wildlife management, species conservation, fish hatchery operations, counter-poaching efforts, and the maintenance, management, and services necessary to serve the growing number of visitors to Colorado state parks.
Spearheading Environmental Justice for Impacted Communities: To improve health outcomes for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution, the budget allocates $2.8 million in funding to create the Office of Health Equity and Environmental Justice.
Protecting Water Rights & Resources: To protect our valuable freshwater resources, the budget includes more than $237,000 to monitor and address national or regional developments that may affect our water supply.
2024 School Finance Act to Pay Off B.S. Factor, Fully Fund Colorado Public Schools Clears Senate
School Finance Act will increase per-pupil funding by $420
DENVER, CO – The 2024 School Finance Act, which sets funding levels for Colorado’s public school districts, earned approval before the Senate today.
Sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, SB24-188 would raise the base level of per-pupil funding by $420 to $8,496, and completely buy down the Budget Stabilization Factor, a longstanding goal that will ensure Colorado students get the quality education they deserve.
"Fully funding our schools is one of the main reasons I ran for the state senate, and I am absolutely thrilled to finally pass the School Finance Act that will make it happen,” Zenzinger said. “All our students deserve a quality education that meets their needs and prepares them for success. While we have much more to do to truly fully fund our schools, this bill represents a great start, and will help reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide a world class education for our children and youth."
“As Chair of the Senate Education Committee and a former educator, ensuring our schools and students have the resources they need is personal to me, and this year’s School Finance Act will do just that,” said Buckner. “By eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor and fully funding K-12 education, we’re opening the door to so many more opportunities to improve our schools, support our teachers, and make Colorado the best state in the nation to learn and grow.”
SB24-188 will now move to further consideration before the House. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Senate Gives Initial Approval to FY 24-25 Budget to Support K-12 Schools, Hardworking Families
FY 2024-2025 Budget makes investments to fully fund K-12 education, boost behavioral health care services, support Colorado’s state parks, and deliver for hardworking families
DENVER, CO – Today the Senate gave initial sign-off to the FY 2024-2025 state budget, which makes balanced investments to fully fund K-12 education, boost behavioral health care services, support Colorado’s state parks, and deliver for hardworking families.
“Of all the budgets that I have proudly helped to craft over the years, this one will stand out in my memory years from now,” said Joint Budget Committee Vice Chair Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “I am pleased to see that we have reached this milestone in the process. Every budget-making process has its challenges, and this one certainly has been no exception. But the hard work has been worthwhile: We eliminated the budget stabilization factor that we inflicted upon our schools a decade ago; and now K-12 is fully funded. What a joy to make that statement.”
“This year’s bipartisan budget is a reflection of our Colorado values of opportunity and responsibility,” Joint Budget Committee member Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, said. “The investments included in this budget will address our workforce shortages, expand access to behavioral health resources, support public schools, and make our communities safer. With this balanced budget, we’re delivering the support hardworking Coloradans need right now, while setting our state up for success in the years to come.”
The state’s $40.6 billion budget is a 3.7 percent increase over last year’s budget. This year’s budget, HB24-1430, includes a total of $58.6 million to support hardworking families and boost education and workforce efforts.
Preparing Students for Success
Fully Funding Colorado’s K-12 Schools: After years of responsible budgeting and planning, this year’s budget eliminates the Budget Stabilization Factor (BSF), which has restricted funding for Colorado's K-12 public education funding for more than a decade.
As outlined in the budget, the total funding for public schools will increase by more than $500 million, including an increase in per-pupil funding by $736 per student, bringing the total per-pupil amount to $11,406 – the largest in state history. Final action on per-pupil funding, and total program funding, is included in this year’s School Finance Act, which advanced on an initial vote by the Senate today.
Fully Funding Special Education for the First Time: To make it easier for every learner to succeed, the budget increases special education funding for students with disabilities by 10.2 percent, or $34.7 million, bringing the state’s total investment in special education funding for students with disabilities to $375.5 million.
Supporting English Language Learners and New Arrival Students: The budget outlines an increase in funding of 10.6 percent, or $3.3 million, to help students become proficient in the English language. Additionally, to help Colorado school districts across the state support and meet the needs of the influx of new students, the budget includes an appropriation of $24 million from the State Education Fund to be distributed directly to schools as quickly as possible.
Providing Mental Health Resources for Students: To help our learners succeed and access the mental and behavioral health services they need, this budget creates the School-Based Mental Health Support Program. This $2.5 million program will help students enhance their social, emotional or behavioral well-being and support students going through adjustment periods.
Supporting At-Risk Students: To create pathways for each and every student to succeed in school, the budget allocates $1.16 million more for at-risk students to better support those with a higher probability of not graduating K-12 schooling.
Capping Tuition Hikes, Boosting Funding for Higher Education, Supporting College Students: The budget caps tuition hikes at 3 percent for in-state students and 4 percent for non-resident students. The budget also boosts funding by $114.3 million to help higher education institutions streamline services and operational support. Additionally, the budget sets aside $26.6 million in the General Fund for aligned financial aid support and $1.67 million to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness during high school. Students could use this funding to assist with housing, tuition, fees and textbooks.
Support for Early Childhood and Families
Supporting Universal Preschool: Universal preschool (UPK) has saved families thousands of dollars and helped prepare our youngest learners for success. This year’s budget includes an increase of $65.5 million to the UPK program, specifically for provider payments, quality improvement initiatives, and improvements to the online application process.
Increasing Funding for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program: To help families find childcare options they can afford, the budget includes a $21.1 million increase to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, which connects low-income families to child care options.
Boosting Pay for Early Childhood Professionals: The budget includes a 2 percent increase, or $4.9 million, to community providers including early childhood mental health service providers, social workers, family resource centers staff and early childhood educators.
New, In-Home Support for New Mothers: To provide all-around services to our state’s new mothers, the budget includes a $2.8 million increase to support a universal home visiting pilot program, which will offer comprehensive in-home evaluations and supportive follow-up visits to new mothers and infants. Funding will support births at certain hospitals in ten counties including Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Eagle, Garfield, Jefferson, Pitkin, Summit, Weld, and Mesa counties.
Streamlining the Child Lead Testing Program: Everyone deserves clean water to drink. To help combat and prevent childhood lead poisoning across the state, the budget invests $1.2 million for testing and outreach to alert families to specific hazards.
Creating Healthier, Stronger Communities
Boosting Pay for Health Care Providers: This year’s budget outlines a 2 percent across-the-board community provider rate increase and $198 million for targeted provider rate increases following recommendations from the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee. This applies to Medicaid providers, preschool and childcare providers, social services providers, independent living centers, local public health agencies, services in the Department of Corrections, and other private and nonprofit organizations that provide various services.
Improving Colorado’s Competency Process: To help improve Colorado’s competency process, the budget allocates $68.2 million to maintain and increase existing resources for inpatient competency restoration services. Funding will be used to address staffing needs and provide additional support.
Increasing Funding for Nutrition Assistance: The budget includes a $16.9 million investment to meet the increased demand for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), so Coloradans can access healthy foods. The budget invests an additional $3 million in food banks and local food pantries to reduce food insecurity.
Funding Healthy School Meals for All: The budget adds $56.1 million to the voter-approved Healthy School Meals for All program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students.
Maintaining Strong Public Health Infrastructure: To help maintain the strong state public health operations Colorado developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget includes an $11 million investment in Local Public Health Agencies, and a $5.6 million investment to maintain the strong state operations in the Division of Disease Control and Public Health to combat existing and new public health threats.
Supporting People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD): To reduce the growing waitlist for services and ensure Coloradans with IDDs can receive the support and services they need when they need it, the budget increases IDD support by $5.6 million. Funding will be directed to an additional 129 treatment placements for residential Adult Comprehensive Services.
Boosting Grant Resources for Coloradans with a Disability: To ensure Coloradans with a disability have the support they need, the budget outlines a $5.1 million increase to help fund grants operated by the Laura Hershey Disability Support Act, which provides education, direct assistance, and advocacy for people with disabilities.
Protecting Critical Health Care Services:
Funding for Popular I Matter Program: The successful I Matter program provides free therapy sessions to our youth under 18-years and younger. The budget includes $6 million to make the program permanent.
Medicaid Support: To ensure that those who need Medicaid coverage can receive it, the budget includes $21.7 million to support and provide additional flexibility in eligibility determinations associated with the end of the Medicaid continuous coverage requirements during the federal public health emergency.
Support for Children and Youth in the Foster Care System: The budget includes $15.3 million to help youth in the foster care system with complex behavioral health care needs get the treatment and services they need to succeed.
Health Centers for Uninsured Coloradans: This year’s budget includes $13 million to support Federally Qualified Health Centers and other primary care providers where at least 50 percent of the patients served are uninsured or medically indigent.
Develop the Office of the Children’s Behavioral Health Statewide System of Care: To create a continuum of care for our youth, the budget sets aside $2.1 million to create a new program within the Behavioral Health Administration to develop and implement a comprehensive children’s behavioral health care system.
Enhancing Security at Nonprofits:Nonprofits, such as synagogues and mosques, are facing an increase in threats. The budget includes an increase of more than $906,000 to the Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help them ramp up physical security at their buildings.
Investments for Parks, Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation, Water Resources and Environment
Strengthening Underfunded Parks & Wildlife Operations:To protect, maintain and make Colorado’s public parks more accessible, the budget includes a $5.7 million investment to fund 45 new staff positions to strengthen several Division of Parks and Wildlife operations, including wildlife management, species conservation, fish hatchery operations, counter-poaching efforts, and the maintenance, management, and services necessary to serve the growing number of visitors to Colorado state parks.
Spearheading Environmental Justice for Impacted Communities:To improve health outcomes for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution, the budget allocates $2.8 million in funding to create the Office of Health Equity and Environmental Justice.
Protecting Water Rights & Resources:To protect our valuable freshwater resources, the budget includes more than $237,000 to monitor and address national or regional developments that may affect our water supply.
Zenzinger, Michaelson Jenet’s Bill of Rights for Foster Youth Passes Senate
HB24-1017 would establish critical statutory rights for foster youth, including freedom from discrimination, harassment and access to basic care
DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, to establish a Bill of Rights for Foster Youth cleared the Senate today.
HB24-1017 outlines critical rights to empower and protect foster youth, including freedom from discrimination and harassment, access to basic care and freedom of gender, cultural and religious expression.
“Children and youth who are placed in the foster care system face a number of significant challenges, which is why we must ensure their rights and freedoms are protected,” Zenzinger said. “This bill will guarantee Colorado’s youth have access to basic care and education so that they can live safely and securely while temporarily separated from their parents or families. What’s more, enshrining these rights in law will help ensure that foster youth in Colorado will not only be supported during a difficult time, but can continue to grow and thrive in a manner similar to their peers who are not in the child welfare system.”
“Our foster youth are extraordinarily vulnerable and we must do more to ensure they fully understand and take advantage of the rights provided to them,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will empower foster youth, ensure they can access critical services and care, and help them live safer, more secure lives.”
HB24-1017 establishes critical statutory rights for youth living in foster care, requires county human service departments to provide written notice to foster youth about their rights, and clarifies the enforcement of these rights. The rights of foster care youth include:
Access to education, basic essentials, and health care;
The right to confidentiality and privacy;
Freedom from discrimination or harassment;
Freedom of thought, cultural and ethnic practice, and religion;
Freedom to express gender identity;
Freedom from threats, punishment, retaliation for asking questions, stating concerns, or making complaints about violations of their rights;
Access to services, placements, and programs they are eligible for and notification of the benefits they are eligible for;
The ability to request information on how payments are used by individuals who accepted payments for the youth;
The right to receive appropriate placement and care, including being placed in a safe environment that is free of abuse, having their preferences regarding placement considered, and having providers who are aware of their history;
The right to timely court proceedings and effective case management;
The right to a timely notification to the Social Security Administration to initiate the transfer of benefits from providers to youth who are leaving the custody of the department;
The right to access and communicate privately with caseworkers, legal representatives, advocates, probation officers, and other professionals;
The ability to participate in legal proceedings and case planning; and
Access to certain necessities and support that will allow them to be self-sufficient in their transition to adulthood.
Under the bill, the rights listed above would apply to foster youth including those who are ages 18 to 21 and participating in the Foster Youth in Transition Program. HB24-1071 also requires that foster youth five years old and older receive written notice about their rights at their initial placement in foster care and that the written notice of rights in the youth’s primary language is updated at least annually, including if there is a new placement change.
HB24-1017 now heads to the Governor for his signature. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Fenberg Bill to Prevent Forced Mineral Development Clears Committee
Fenberg: “This bill creates guardrails that will allow local governments to decide for themselves whether their mineral holdings will be developed or not.”
DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, that would bolster the rights of mineral owners, especially local governments, by putting protections around “forced pooling” orders cleared the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee today. Forced pooling is the mandatory consolidation of leased and unleased minerals to access one common underground mineral reserve.
SB24-185 would ensure publicly-owned minerals aren’t developed against the will of local governments, and promote transparency around the process for proving that oil and gas operators own or control 45 percent of the mineral rights within a drilling unit in order to force pool the remaining minerals in the unit.
“Many local governments in Colorado own minerals that have been purchased with public funds, and because of our ‘forced pooling’ law our communities have been forced to develop those minerals against their will and without their consent,” Fenberg said. “This bill creates guardrails that will allow local governments to decide for themselves whether their mineral holdings will be developed or not.”
Current law requires oil and gas operators to own or control 45 percent of the mineral rights within a drilling unit in order to force pool others’ minerals, but it does not require operators to submit sufficient evidence of their proportion of ownership or control. SB24-185 also requires operators to provide a list of the public leases that make up the 45 percent threshold.
The bill also prevents drilling from starting until a force pooling order has been issued, which would ensure that the 45 percent mineral right threshold has been met before extraction begins.
SB24-185 will now move to consideration before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Senate Approves Michaelson Jenet & Priola’s Bill to Increase Gender-Affirming Care for People Convicted of Felonies
DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate voted to approve Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Kevin Priola’s, D-Henderson, bill to allow people convicted of a felony to change their name to conform with their gender identity.
Under current law, a person convicted of a felony who wishes to change their name must demonstrate “good cause” to do so. HB24-1071 would expand the definition of “good cause” to include gender-affirming care, or a name change that conforms with a person’s gender identity.
“This legislation is an important part of our commitment to stand up for transgender rights,” Michaelson Jenet said. “We know that access to gender-affirming care, including the ability to change one’s name to align with gender identity, results in more positive mental health outcomes. I am proud to sponsor this legislation to make it easier for folks to identify as their true self.”
“I’m always proud to support policies that ensure Coloradans have the support they need to thrive, and this policy is no different,” said Priola. “What may seem like a small change to some is of great importance to the people this legislation will impact, and I know it will help more people live their most authentic life.”
HB24-1071 now heads to the Governor for his signature. You can follow its progress HERE.
Jaquez Lewis, Kolker Bill to Protect Coloradans, Prohibit Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Passes Senate
Legislation would apply to key locations consistent with SCOTUS rulings
DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate approved Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Chris Kolker’s, D-Centennial, bill to protect communities from gun violence and create safer public spaces by prohibiting the carrying of firearms in certain locations.
SB24-131 would restrict the presence of firearms in certain locations where children and families may be present. The bill would prohibit carrying a firearm - openly or concealed - in the following locations and their parking areas: government buildings where legislative meetings and offices are located; courthouses; preschools, K-12 schools, and colleges; and polling locations. The bill includes exemptions for peace officers, members of the US Armed Forces performing official duties, working student resource officers, and more.
“Gun violence has taken far too many lives in communities all across Colorado, which is why we’re working to create safe places free from gun violence,” said Jaquez Lewis. “This bill would restrict firearms in locations where emotions can run high or where children are largely present, such as schools, including college campuses, government buildings or polling places on Election Day. I’m proud to see this piece of commonsense gun violence prevention legislation move forward.”
“Addressing the gun violence epidemic is one of my top priorities, and is incredibly important to the communities I represent,” Kolker said. “Too many Coloradans’ lives have been permanently altered – or taken – by gun violence. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues as we fight to deliver concrete solutions to save lives, like our bill to prohibit firearms in sensitive spaces.”
Many states protect sensitive places from gun violence. Arizona, Florida, Texas, Georgia and Louisiana prohibit open and concealed carry at voting locations. The locations protected under this bill have been deemed sensitive spaces in recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.
Hinrichsen Bill to Defend Colorado’s Elections, Prevent ‘Fake Elector’ Schemes Clears Senate
DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, that would protect Colorado’s elections by punishing future attempts at “fake elector” schemes cleared the Senate today.
HB24-1150 would make it a crime of perjury or forgery to create, serve in, or conspire to create or serve in a false slate of presidential electors, punishable by up to a $10,000 fine. A person who is convicted of perjury or persuading someone to commit perjury would also be disqualified from serving in the Colorado General Assembly or other public offices.
“When I served in the Army I took an oath to defend our freedom and our democracy,” Hinrichsen said. “‘Fake elector’ schemes and other attempts to overturn our free and fair elections aim to undermine our democracy, and are an insult to that oath and the millions of brave men and women like me who have fought on behalf of our country. This legislation will ensure that future efforts to create false slates of electors in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election will be punished, creating critical guardrails and protecting the integrity of Colorado’s votes.”
After the 2020 election, former President Trump and his Republican allies attempted to recruit fake electors in key swing states including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Mexico, in an attempt to overturn President Biden’s victory.
John Eastman, an attorney and advisor to Trump, was one of 18 people indicted with the former president for their alleged effort to overturn Georgia’s election results in 2020. He is accused of attempting to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to either delay Congress’ certification of electoral votes on January 6, 2021 or reject some states’ slate of electors to allow alternate electors who would support Trump.
HB24-1150 will now move to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Bill to Reduce Overdose Deaths, Improve Public Health Passes Senate
Legislation would support harm reduction efforts by local public health agencies and expand good faith protections for Coloradans
DENVER, CO – Senator Kevin Priola’s, D-Henderson, bill to reduce overdose deaths and improve public health in Colorado passed the Senate today.
HB24-1037 would support efforts by local public health agencies to prevent the spread of disease by offering clean equipment and would expand protections for Coloradans acting in good faith to administer an opioid antagonist, such as Narcan, to prevent a fatal overdose.
“We know that harm reduction saves lives,” said Priola. “This legislation supports the good work that local health agencies already do to provide care for those in crisis. For years, I have worked hard to pass policies that provide holistic support to those battling substance use disorders and ensure our neighbors have the resources they need to thrive, and I’m thrilled to see this bill move forward.”
HB24-1037 would also remove the requirement that health care providers call law enforcement if a patient in their care possesses drugs or paraphernalia. Finally, the legislation broadens existing drug testing grant programs to get ahead of the next black market substances hitting Colorado, like xylazine or “tranq.”
The bill was created through the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee, which met during the 2023 interim and developed policies aimed at bolstering prevention efforts, improving treatment programs, promoting harm reduction strategies, and supporting Coloradans in recovery to prevent overdose deaths and save lives.
HB24-1037 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. You can follow its progress HERE.
Finance Committee Advances Fenberg, Marchman Bill Aimed at Establishing Passenger Rail for Colorado
Legislation creates dedicated funding to leverage historic federal investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for reliable, safe, and convenient transit and passenger rail for Colorado
DENVER, CO – Legislation aimed at leveraging millions in federal infrastructure funding to bring passenger rail service to Colorado and expanding public transportation options across the state cleared the Senate Finance Committee today.
SB24-184, sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, would implement a congestion reduction fee that would be used to offset climate impacts and mitigate the congestion, and wear and tear on Colorado’s roads caused by rental vehicles. Revenue generated from the fee would create a sustainable funding source to be used as a matching source for federal investment opportunities for statewide transit and rail, as well as other forms of public transportation.
“For years Coloradans have been waiting for the promise of a fast, efficient passenger rail system that makes it easy, safe, and affordable to travel all across our great state,” Fenberg said. “Now, with the availability of critical federal funds through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver on that promise. I am excited to champion this effort that will secure more efficient transit options while cutting emissions, reducing traffic, and connecting communities across Colorado.”
“Expanding our transit system and making it easier for folks in my district to travel across our great state is a key priority of mine at the Capitol,” said Marchman. “Expanding passenger rail service will connect communities like mine with the rest of the state and save people both time and money on their commutes, all while emitting less pollution and reducing traffic. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to expand our transit options so that more Coloradans can get where they need to go safely and efficiently."
The bill would encourage RTD, Front Range Passenger Rail, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to coordinate efforts to secure the funding needed to establish passenger rail service from Denver to Fort Collins.
It would also direct the Colorado Transportation Investment Office to use three studies in the near term to fund regionally important transit and rail projects originating from the Front Range Passenger Rail Service Development Plan, the Mountain Corridor Service Development Plan, and the Statewide Connectivity study that aims to build a more comprehensive statewide bus system, building on the successes of Bustang, Snowstang and Pegasus.
Finally, the bill encourages CDOT to consider public-private partnerships and other innovative funding structures throughout the state to fund a full suite of multimodal infrastructure projects, including bus and passenger rail, and would require a new, multimodal strategic capital plan that aligns with CDOT’s ten-year plan, statewide transit plans, greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals, and other greenhouse gas reduction priorities and pollution reduction planning standards.
SB24-184 is supported by local officials and organizations across Colorado, including:
Conservation Colorado
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
National Resource Defense Council (NRDC)
GreenLatinos
CoPIRG
Healthier Colorado
Sierra Club
Greater Denver Transit
YIMBY Denver
Jefferson County
Chambers of Commerce
Colorado AARP
SB24-184 will now move to consideration before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Bipartisan Michaelson Jenet Bill to Prevent Youth Overdose Deaths Clears Senate
Michaelson Jenet: “This important legislation, which came to us from students who have been impacted firsthand by this terrible epidemic, gives schools more tools to combat this crisis and will ultimately save lives.”
DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, that would prevent youth overdose deaths and save lives cleared the Senate today.
Cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, HB24-1003 would make opiate antagonists like Narcan and drug testing strips widely available on school buses and in school buildings.
“Our young people have not escaped being harmed by the opioid crisis that is impacting every corner of our state, and we must do more to protect them,” Michaelson Jenet said. “This important legislation, which came to us from students who have been impacted directly by this terrible epidemic, gives schools more badly-needed tools to combat this crisis and will ultimately save lives.”
Right now, specific educators who receive training are permitted to administer opiate antagonists to students. HB24-1003 would extend those protections to bus drivers, and would also allow school boards to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses and testing strips in schools.
The bill would also allow for trained students to possess and administer opiate antagonists on school grounds, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event.
HB24-1003 will now move to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.
Legislation to Protect More Coloradans from Bias-Motivated Crimes Clears Committee
SB24-189 would add gender identity and gender expression to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws
DENVER, CO – Legislation that would protect more Coloradans from bias-motivated crimes cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee today.
SB24-189, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Chris Hansen, D-Denver, would improve protections for Coloradans by adding gender identity and gender expression to the classes included in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws.
“Every Coloradan deserves to feel secure in their community, but far too many folks have been targeted because of who they are or how they identify,” Fields said. “As trans, nonbinary, and gender-expressive folks face increasing threats across the country, we will continue fighting to make our state safer for all Coloradans and provide better protections against bias-motivated crime and harassment.”
“Colorado has been a national leader when it comes to advancing equality and protections for our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” Hansen said. “This bill will help protect Coloradans from violence or harassment based on their gender identity or gender expression, and will help ensure perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes are held accountable for their actions. I’m pleased to champion this legislation that will help more Coloradans feel secure and keep people in our communities safe.”
The bill also redefines "sexual orientation" as used in Colorado's bias-motivated crimes and harassment statutes.
SB24-189 will now move to further consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Senate Approves Winter & Marchman’s Bill to Protect LGBTQIA+ Youth
HB24-1039 would require public schools to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns
DENVER, CO – The Senate today voted to approve Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland bill to protect LGBTQIA+ youth in Colorado schools.
HB24-1039 would clarify the responsibility of school districts to adhere to non-discrimination laws, including addressing students by their self-identified preferred names independent of a court-ordered legal name change.
“Kids learn best when they feel safe and when they feel like themselves,” Winter said. “Tragically, trans kids are 77 percent more likely to try and commit suicide than their peers. Although many schools across Colorado already honor students’ chosen names and pronouns, not all do. This policy change will save lives by ensuring that every Colorado school respects a student’s right to go by a name of their choosing and that schools are safe spaces for all students.”
“We want to ensure Colorado schools are safe and welcoming learning environments for all students,” said Marchman. “Names matter, and addressing students by their chosen name can have a huge effect on a student’s mental health and comfort level in the classroom. This legislation supports healthy learning environments and helps set students up for successful educational careers, and I’m excited to see it advance.”
Public schools and institute charter schools would need to use a student's preferred name upon request and implement a written policy outlining how a school would honor the request. The bill defines a chosen name as any nomenclature an individual formally requests, reflective of their gender identity and differentiated from their legal name.
HB24-1039 will now return to the House for consideration of amendments. You can follow its progress HERE.
Zenzinger, Michaelson Jenet’s Bill of Rights for Foster Youth Clears Committee
HB24-1017 would establish critical statutory rights for foster youth, including freedom from discrimination, harassment and access to basic care
DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, to establish a Bill of Rights for Foster Youth cleared the Senate Health & Human Services Committee yesterday.
HB24-1017 outlines critical rights to empower and protect foster youth, including freedom from discrimination and harassment, access to basic care and freedom of gender, cultural and religious expression.
“Children and youth who are placed in the foster care system face a number of significant challenges, which is why we must ensure their rights and freedoms are protected,” Zenzinger said. “This bill will guarantee Colorado’s youth have access to basic care and education so that they can live safely and securely while temporarily separated from their parents or families. What’s more, enshrining these rights in law will help ensure that foster youth in Colorado will not only be supported during a difficult time, but can continue to grow and thrive in a manner similar to their peers who are not in the child welfare system.”
“Our foster youth are extraordinarily vulnerable and we must do more to ensure they fully understand and take advantage of the rights provided to them,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will empower foster youth, ensure they can access critical services and care, and help them live safer, more secure lives.”
HB24-1017 establishes critical statutory rights for youth living in foster care, requires county human service departments to provide written notice to foster youth about their rights, and clarifies the enforcement of these rights. The rights of foster care youth include:
Access to education, basic essentials, and health care;
The right to confidentiality and privacy;
Freedom from discrimination or harassment;
Freedom of thought, cultural and ethnic practice, and religion;
Freedom to express gender identity;
Freedom from threats, punishment, retaliation for asking questions, stating concerns, or making complaints about violations of their rights;
Access to services, placements, and programs they are eligible for and notification of the benefits they are eligible for;
The ability to request information on how payments are used by individuals who accepted payments for the youth;
The right to receive appropriate placement and care, including being placed in a safe environment that is free of abuse, having their preferences regarding placement considered, and having providers who are aware of their history;
The right to timely court proceedings and effective case management;
The right to a timely notification to the Social Security Administration to initiate the transfer of benefits from providers to youth who are leaving the custody of the department;
The right to access and communicate privately with caseworkers, legal representatives, advocates, probation officers, and other professionals;
The ability to participate in legal proceedings and case planning; and
Access to certain necessities and support that will allow them to be self-sufficient in their transition to adulthood.
Under the bill, the rights listed above would apply to foster youth including those who are ages 18 to 21 and participating in the Foster Youth in Transition Program. HB24-1017 also requires that foster youth five years old and older receive written notice about their rights at their initial placement in foster care and that the written notice of rights in the youth’s primary language is updated at least annually, including if there is a new placement change.
HB24-1017 will now move to further consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.
Fields, Buckner Bill to Improve Black Maternal Health Care Coverage Earns Committee Approval
More than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable
DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today passed legislation that aims to improve perinatal health outcomes, especially in Black and historically marginalized communities.
SB24-175, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, would require large employer health benefit plans to cover doula services in alignment with Medicaid. The bill would also instruct hospitals that provide labor and delivery or neonatal care services to participate in at least one maternal or infant health quality improvement initiative.
Additionally, the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) would contract with a Colorado perinatal care quality program to provide maternal and infant health equity improvement initiatives to hospitals; track disparity and health outcome data; and address disparate outcomes particularly among American Indian, Native Alaskan, and Black birthing populations.
“The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any rich country and significant disparities in outcomes – and the crisis will continue to worsen unless we act,” said Fields. “This legislation is incredibly important as it addresses gaps in coverage and holds hospitals accountable for ensuring equitable care for all people, and I’m proud to see it move forward.”
“No Black woman should lose their life, or come close to losing their life, in an attempt to birth their child,” Buckner said. “While maternal mortality rates around the world fell 44 percent, maternal mortality rates in the United States increased by 16.7 percent during that same period of time. It's unacceptable. Working to solve our maternal health crisis – especially for Black and historically marginalized communities – will lead to better economic, health, and social outcomes while saving lives.”
Under this bill, CDPHE would create a program that provides financial support to hospitals in rural areas, hospitals serving a higher percentage of Medicaid and uninsured patients, or hospitals with lower-acuity maternal and neonatal care. Lastly, the bill requires coverage of over-the-counter and prescribed choline supplements for pregnant people.
Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. According to the CDC, multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in quality health care, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. SB24-175 intends to address systemic racism in health care and develop better care for historically marginalized communities.
The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow its progress HERE.