Senate Approves Hansen’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Road Safety, Keep Coloradans Mobile

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate 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 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. 

HB24-1250 now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Follow its progress HERE.

Senate Passes Marchman Bill to Provide Oral Health Screenings in Schools

Dental pain is the number one reason kids miss school

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

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

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

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

SB24-142 now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Support Local Restaurants, Sustainable Agriculture Practices Clears Senate

SB24-152 would incentive local restaurants and bars to buy from Colorado-based agricultural producers practicing regenerative agriculture

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that would support local regenerative agriculture producers cleared the Senate today.

SB24-152, cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would create a refundable state income tax credit for food and beverage retailers who purchase agricultural commodities from Colorado-based farms using regenerative agriculture practices.

“Regenerative agriculture practices are emerging as an innovative and sustainable way for farmers to adapt to our changing environment,” Roberts said. “This bipartisan bill supports a partnership between the food and beverage industry, agriculture community, and conservation interests. These tax credits will drive business to both local entrepreneurs and local farmers and ranchers, helping them thrive in Colorado’s economy.”

Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems focused on: topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, increasing resilience to climate change and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil.

For tax years 2024 through 2028, the bill would create an income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the total amount paid for all purchases from a qualifying producer in the tax year. A qualifying retailer would be allowed to receive one tax credit certificate per income tax year.

SB24-152 will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Committee Advances Bipartisan Rodriguez Bill to Improve Privacy, Protect Children Online

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, that would improve online privacy protections for children cleared the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee today.

Cosponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, SB24-041 would update Colorado’s Consumer Protection Act to require any entity that controls a minor’s personal data to use reasonable care to avoid risks caused by the product, and to regularly review, assess, and update its data protection practices when it comes to children.

“Kids in Colorado are going online earlier and earlier, but we aren’t doing nearly enough to keep them safe,” Rodriguez said. “This bill would put up important guardrails that will protect kids online by keeping their privacy and data secure, making it safer for Colorado kids to access the internet.”

The bill would further stipulate that data controlling entities may not sell children’s data, or use their data for targeted advertising or any other purpose than what is disclosed at the time the data is collected. Data controllers would also be prohibited from using a design feature to significantly extend a minor's use of the service, or from collecting precise geolocation data except under specific circumstances.

SB24-041 will now move to consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Michaelson Jenet Bill to Increase Consumer Protections Clears Committee

SB24-192 would expand the Colorado Lemon Law

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee advanced Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s, D-Commerce City, bill to expand the Colorado Lemon Law and increase consumer protections.

SB24-192 would better protect consumers from “lemons,” or new vehicles that turn out to have manufacturing issues affecting their safety, value or utility.

“When you buy a car, you expect it to be reliable, safe, and function well for years to come,” Michaelson Jenet said. “Vehicle defects that turn up after purchase jeopardize Coloradans’ ability to move around our beautiful state and get to and from work or school. I know firsthand how a bad car buying experience can derail plans and become a costly burden. This bill guarantees increased consumer protections for ‘lemons,’ giving Coloradans greater peace of mind that their vehicle purchase is a worthwhile investment.”

Legislation would expand the Lemon Law to:

• Change the length of time that a dealer must buy back or replace a “lemon” from one year or the vehicle’s warranty, to two years or 24,000 miles;

• Lower the threshold to invoke the law from 30 days out-of-service to 24, and the required repair attempts from four to three;

• Add a 10-day time limit for a manufacturer to cure a defect;

• Add a right to inspect returned vehicles; and

• Add disclosure requirements for returned vehicles including that defects be noted on the title and reported to the state.

SB24-192 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bill to Prevent Price Gouging on Rent After a Disaster

Legislation aims to address alarming rent hikes after a disaster declaration, such as the Marshall Fire

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a bill that would protect Coloradans who live in an area affected by a disaster from excessive rent increases.

HB24-1259 would prohibit rental price gouging for one year after a disaster declaration issued by the Governor or the U.S. President, where the declaration specifically declares a material decrease in housing. Rent increases would be capped at the percentage of the rent increase for the prior year or 10 percent compared to the unit’s rent immediately before the disaster, whichever is greater.

“After the Marshall Fire, affected Coloradans saw their rents skyrocket, and those who lost their everything were thrown into a priced-gouged market that strained them even more,” said Cutter. “As our planet continues to warm, we know that wildfire season is a year-round threat and natural disasters like this one will become more frequent. This bill will protect Coloradans from rental price gouging in the wake of disasters, and ease the burden of housing during already-difficult times.”

The bill would make it an unfair and unconscionable act or practice to price gouge when providing rental housing during the one-year period, allowing the Attorney General or a district attorney to pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties, under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Affected tenants would also be able to pursue civil action for violations.

While homeowners insurance policies cover up to two years of rent for people whose homes are uninhabitable, people who were renting prior to a natural disaster don’t have this support. In the year after the devastating Marshall Fire, a report showed many impacted residents saw their rents increase 30 to 50 percent.

The bill now heads to the House for concurrence of amendments. Follow its progress HERE. 

Bill to Improve Colorado Privacy Act, Protect Colorado Consumers Clears Committee

Legislation would amend the Colorado Privacy Act to include protections for biometric data

DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to advance Senator Chris Hansen’s, D-Denver, bipartisan bill to amend the Colorado Privacy Act to include protections for biometric data.

Biometric data is highly unique to an individual and includes fingerprints, facial recognition used to unlock smartphones, and iris scanning. Cosponsored by Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, HB24-1130 would require biometric data to be destroyed within two years of collection or when the data is no longer needed, whichever is earliest, and to be stored at a higher level of security.

“Coloradans have the right to know which companies have their biometric data and what specific data they have,” said Hansen. “Biometric data is increasingly being used for security purposes, like using a fingerprint or faceprint as a password, which means companies are in possession of highly sensitive data. This important policy will improve transparency, reduce the risk of exploitation, and bolster consumer protections.”

In 2021, legislators passed SB21-190 to enact the Colorado Privacy Act and make it a deceptive trade practice for entities who control the personal data of at least 25,000 people to process sensitive data without consent.

HB24-1130 will now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. You can follow its progress HERE.

Bill to Improve Access to Rental Housing for Coloradans With Disabilities Clears Senate

Danielson: “This bill ensures tenants can make modifications to rental properties that allow them to safely enjoy their homes”

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved Senator Jessie Danielson’s, D-Wheat Ridge, legislation to improve access to rental housing for Coloradans with disabilities.

“Coloradans with disabilities face unnecessary barriers in many areas of day-to-day life, including finding accessible housing,” said Danielson. “This bill ensures tenants can make modifications to rental properties that allow them to safely enjoy their homes, and will increase the number of accessible housing units available across the state.”

Under Colorado law, it is illegal to discriminate against a renter because they have a disability, including refusing to make or allow reasonable modifications to a unit to accommodate a disability. However, currently landlords are able to contingently allow a tenant to make modifications to a property on the condition that the tenant restores the property to its previous state at the end of their lease.

HB24-1318 would repeal a landlord’s ability to conditionally allow reasonable modifications, instead requiring landlords to permit accommodations that would ensure full enjoyment of the premises, without placing the burden on the tenant of restoring a property to its former state.

Examples of reasonable modifications may include: installing grab bars or handrails, installing an eyehole in a door for a resident with a hearing disability, and installing a ramp outside a property that would otherwise be inaccessible for a renter with a mobility disability.

HB24-1318 now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Follow its progress HERE.

Ginal Bill Requiring Pet Facilities to Notify Owners During Infectious Outbreaks Clears Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, that would better protect Coloradans’ pets cleared the Senate today.

HB24-1354 would require licensed pet care facilities to attempt to notify certain customers within 24 hours after receiving notification from a veterinarian or a pet owner of an infectious disease outbreak at the facility. 

“Our pets are a part of our family, and it’s critical we do everything we can to keep them safe, especially given the recent outbreaks of canine influenza, a respiratory illness that impacted animals and facilities across the country,” Ginal said. “This bill will help protect pets and owners by requiring that pet facilities notify customers when there is an infectious disease outbreak at the facility. These notifications will help pet owners make informed decisions that will help prevent the spread of disease among our pets.”

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “the outbreak of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) that grabbed the nation’s attention late last year appears to be receding.” However, this bill will provide protections in the event of future illnesses. 

HB24-1354 will now return to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Roberts’ Bipartisan Bill to License Funeral Industry Workers, Prevent More Tragedy Clears Senate

Legislation would license those who work in the funeral industry, ensure proper oversight

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, that would establish licensure of funeral professionals in Colorado cleared the Senate today.

Introduced following numerous tragedies at funeral homes and crematories across Colorado, SB24-173 would align Colorado with the 49 other states that already require education, certification and licensure of those who work as funeral directors, mortuary scientists, cremationists, and embalmers. 

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

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

Colorado is the only state in the nation without licensure for directors and employees of the funeral industry, and this lack of oversight and training has resulted in numerous tragic cases of funeral home mismanagement, mistreatment of human remains, and hundreds of impacted family members. 

SB24-173 would require an individual to obtain a license to practice as a funeral director, a mortuary science practitioner, an embalmer, a cremationist, or a natural reductionist starting January 1, 2026. To be eligible for a license, a person must have graduated from an accredited educational institution for that profession, passed the national board examination, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check. 

Those currently working in the industry can obtain a provisional license by showing they have worked at least 4,000 hours in the field, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check, and after two years will qualify for full licensure. 

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

SB24-173 will now move to further consideration before the House. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bipartisan Marchman Bill to Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado. 

HB24-1002, cosponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, would create new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. This bill would create the "Social Work Licensure Compact,” which would be an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed social workers can obtain and easily transfer a license to another member state.

“The need for social workers in Colorado is clear, so we are working to break down barriers and allow more skilled professionals to join our workforce,” said Marchman. “Supporting the behavioral health care needs of Coloradans is a win-win for the safety of our communities and our economy.”

This legislation aims to reduce barriers for social workers by easing the state-to-state licensure process and increasing behavioral health care access in Colorado. The “Social Work Licensure Compact" would be particularly helpful for active military and military spouses who often relocate from state-to-state.

The bill now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Follow its progress HERE.

Pair of Bills to Promote Gun Safety Clear Committee

Legislation aims to reduce gun thefts from vehicles, strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted to advance two bills to reduce gun thefts from vehicles and strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits.

HB24-1348, sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, would require firearms in unattended vehicles to be stored in locked containers to reduce firearm thefts. The bill would also require vehicle safe storage information to be published on the Office of Suicide Prevention’s website and displayed at gun stores.

“Safe storage of firearms in vehicles or at home is an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people and create safer communities,” said Jaquez Lewis. “Last year, there were 1,221 guns reported stolen in Denver. This bill represents one of this year’s many efforts to reduce gun violence in Colorado and I’m proud to see it move forward today.”

“We have seen alarming rates of firearms being stolen from vehicles in Colorado, including one instance here at the Capitol,” said Fields. “It’s on gun owners to responsibly and safely store their firearms – whether that’s in their home or their vehicle. This important bill promotes a commonsense gun safety practice that will help reduce theft and make our communities safer.”

The bill requires handguns to be stored in a hard-sided container and other firearms to be stored in a hard or soft-sided container. A person who violates this civil infraction can receive up to a $500 fine. The bill includes exemptions for antique firearms, non-handgun storage on a farm or ranch vehicle on private property, peace officers, military service members, and certain individuals engaged in hunting.

The committee also advanced HB24-1174, sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, to require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on:

• Safe handling of firearms and ammunition;

• Safe storage of firearms and child safety;

• Safe firearm shooting fundamentals;

• Federal and state firearm laws;

• State laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense;

• Interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies; and

• Techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force.

“Responsible gun ownership takes work,” Mullica said. “Creating minimum training requirements for safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals and more ensures we’re treating concealed carry permits with the seriousness they deserve. Too often, careless gun owners create dangerous situations that needlessly put many others in harm's way. I’m proud to champion this important legislation that advances gun safety measures and helps prevent senseless gun violence.”

Under the bill, the handgun training class would include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam with a minimum passing score. The bill would also require a concealed handgun refresher class to be completed in order to renew a concealed carry permit. The refresher class must be at least two hours, including a passing score on both the live-fire exercise and written exam, and must also include instruction on changes to federal or state firearm laws within the last five years.

Additionally, HB24-1174 would prohibit a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill would also make it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by a county sheriff.

Both bills now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track HB24-1348 HERE and HB24-1174 HERE.

Hinrichsen, Bridges’ Right to Repair for Electronic Equipment Bill Passes Committee

Legislation expands on previous historic right to repair laws in Colorado

DENVER, CO – The Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee today passed legislation to establish the right to repair for electronic devices. 

HB24-1121, sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, would extend current right to repair laws to certain electronic equipment, including cell phones, gaming systems, computers and televisions and would require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Amazon, Apple, and Google to comply with existing consumer right to repair laws. OEMs would need to provide software and physical tools to consumers and independent repair providers upon request.

“Manufacturer-imposed repair restrictions affect a wide variety of products from tractors to cell phones, resulting in surging costs, monopolistic business practices, and thousands of electronic devices thrown out every day,” said Hinrichsen. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you can’t repair something that’s yours, do you really own it? I would argue no, which is why this legislation is so important. Right to repair laws are essential for empowering consumers and ensuring a fair market.”

“Accidents happen, people drop their phones and break their screens every day, but because of ‘parts pairing’ and repair restrictions, owners aren’t allowed to fix their devices,” Bridges said. “Colorado has led the nation in expanding right to repair laws, from agricultural equipment to wheelchairs to now electronics. This legislation is good for consumers, small businesses, and our economy.”

Under this bill, OEMs could charge a fee for physical tools but software tools must be made available free of charge for the consumer. This bill aims to save electronic consumers money on necessary equipment repairs while speeding up the repair process. HB24-1121 also would prohibit “parts pairing” – a technology used by manufacturers to program certain parts together, which restricts the consumer's ability to independently repair their devices and allows OEMs to monopolize replacement parts.

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

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Address Drought, Protect Colorado’s Water Supply Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that would improve Colorado’s water supply by implementing several recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force cleared the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee today.

“Water is Colorado’s most precious natural resource and as we face an uncertain future with ongoing drought and more demands, we must continue to act to secure our state’s water future. That is why we created the Colorado River Drought Task Force last year and the recommendations they made are an important step toward securing our state’s water supply,” Roberts said. “I am proud to be advancing this legislation that will implement those recommendations and address the challenges facing our water supply head-on, help our agricultural and coal-transitioning communities, and ensure that we are protecting the Colorado River and all of Colorado’s water resources.”

Cosponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, SB24-197 would implement recommendations including:

• Expanding the Environmental Instream Flow Temporary Loan Program to allow the owner of a decreed storage water right to loan water to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to preserve or improve the natural environment.

• Expansion of Colorado’s Agricultural Water Rights Protection Program which creates opportunities for agricultural water rights holders to make water temporarily available for other uses while maintaining water in agriculture.

• Protection of Industrial Water Rights for Hayden & Craig’s Power Generation Systems through 2050, which will allow the electric utilities or another entity to look into the viability of future energy generation technologies that could advance Colorado’s clean energy and greenhouse gas emission goals while keeping energy-producing jobs in the region.

• Increased Access to Water Plan Implementation Grants for Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nations which would allow the CWCB to waive or reduce matching fund requirements for grants to Tribal Nations and enterprises.

Since 2000, the Colorado River Basin, including the Colorado River and its tributaries in Colorado, has experienced unprecedented drought conditions -exacerbated by climate change - that have contributed to decreased water supplies. In response, lawmakers passed SB23-295, which created the Colorado River Drought Task Force and charged it with developing water policy recommendations for the General Assembly to consider.

SB24-197 will now move to consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Address Drought, Protect Colorado’s Water Supply Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that would improve Colorado’s water supply by implementing several recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force cleared the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee today.

“Water is Colorado’s most precious natural resource and as we face an uncertain future with ongoing drought and more demands, we must continue to act to secure our state’s water future. That is why we created the Colorado River Drought Task Force last year and the recommendations they made are an important step toward securing our state’s water supply,” Roberts said. “I am proud to be advancing this legislation that will implement those recommendations and address the challenges facing our water supply head-on, help our agricultural and coal-transitioning communities, and ensure that we are protecting the Colorado River and all of Colorado’s water resources.”

Cosponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, SB24-197 would implement recommendations including:

• Expanding the Environmental Instream Flow Temporary Loan Program to allow the owner of a decreed storage water right to loan water to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to preserve or improve the natural environment.

• Expansion of Colorado’s Agricultural Water Rights Protection Program which creates opportunities for agricultural water rights holders to make water temporarily available for other uses while maintaining water in agriculture.

• Protection of Industrial Water Rights for Hayden & Craig’s Power Generation Systems through 2050, which will allow the electric utilities or another entity to look into the viability of future energy generation technologies that could advance Colorado’s clean energy and greenhouse gas emission goals while keeping energy-producing jobs in the region.

• Increased Access to Water Plan Implementation Grants for Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nations which would allow the CWCB to waive or reduce matching fund requirements for grants to Tribal Nations and enterprises.

Since 2000, the Colorado River Basin, including the Colorado River and its tributaries in Colorado, has experienced unprecedented drought conditions -exacerbated by climate change - that have contributed to decreased water supplies. In response, lawmakers passed SB23-295, which created the Colorado River Drought Task Force and charged it with developing water policy recommendations for the General Assembly to consider.

SB24-197 will now move to consideration before the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Rodriguez’s Bill to Expand Access to Affordable Medication Clears Committee

Legislation would create a drug repository program to facilitate the safe donation and redistribution of unused medications

DENVER, CO – Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez’s, D-Denver, bill to create a drug repository program to facilitate the safe donation and redistribution of unused medications was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today.

SB24-061 would create the Colorado Drug Donation Program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to allow for the donation and redistribution of certain medicines to indigent, uninsured, underinsured, or eligible patients.

“No one should have to choose between paying for life-saving medicine or putting food on the table,” Rodriguez said. “This important bill would allow Coloradans to donate their unopened, unexpired medications to a program that would then donate the drugs to low-income patients who otherwise may not be able to afford critical medication. Creation of the Colorado Drug Donation Program has been years in the making and I’m proud to see it advance today.”

The bill would allow third party providers, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, health care providers, or prescriber offices to donate unused medications to the program. SB24-061 also outlines record-keeping requirements for donated medicines and the types of medicines that may be donated, which include both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Billions of dollars of unused medication ends up in the trash every year. Research shows medication worth over $3 billion is thrown out by hospitals every year, and an additional $2 billion worth is discarded in long-term care facilities.

SB24-061 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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.