Bipartisan Ginal Bill to Expand Bilingual Early Childhood Programs Clears Senate

DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, that would make early childhood education in Colorado more inclusive and accessible cleared the Senate today.

HB24-1009, also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, would expand bilingual early childhood programs and facilities with a new bilingual licensing unit in the Department of Early Childhood.

“Every Colorado family deserves access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education, but those resources aren’t available to every family who needs them,” Ginal said. “This bill will help improve bilingual outreach to help Spanish-speaking providers get licensed, which will make our early childhood system more accessible and inclusive. Bilingual early childhood programs will help children grow and learn, and give more families access to the early childhood services they deserve.”

The bill would expand licensed child care options across the state by improving outreach and helping Spanish-speaking providers get licensed, while providing more linguistically relevant child care options for children and families. 

HB24-1009 will now move to the Governor’s desk. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Passes Bill to Protect Colorado Libraries From Book Bans

Colorado saw a 143 percent increase in book ban attempts in 2023, according to the American Library Association

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed legislation to address the rise in attempts to ban certain books from Colorado libraries.

SB24-216, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, would establish policies for the acquisition, retention, and display of library sources, as well as their removal upon the request of a patron. Libraries would not be allowed to remove content based on the demographics of the author or based on partisan disapproval of the topic. 

“Librarians work hard to provide their patrons with an inclusive array of materials, but culture war extremists are attacking them trying to deny other library goers materials and programming they don’t agree with,” said Cutter. “As more states move to ban books and limit citizens’ freedoms, we have to protect free speech and ensure access to information in Colorado. This bill protects librarians and ensures libraries remain welcoming and enriching spaces for all.”

“The freedom to read is one of our most precious rights, providing us with knowledge and skills to think critically and be informed citizens,” Michaelson Jenet said. “Most books challenged have been written by or about a historically marginalized group. This political tactic has dire consequences, especially for children, whom research shows benefit from culturally and racially responsive representation. Our communities deserve to be represented in public spaces like libraries, and codifying those legal standards demonstrates our commitment to protecting all Coloradans.”

Under this bill, libraries may only remove materials based on the policies their board adopts, and librarians would be protected from retaliation, discrimination, or termination for any resource that is not removed in accordance with the board’s policy. 

Finally, a person who requests that material may be removed must live within the service area of the library, and their requests would be public under the Colorado Open Records Act. For example, if a person requests a book be removed from a Jefferson County Public Library, they must reside within Jefferson County.

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

Senate Approves Bill to Improve Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve protections for victims of domestic violence and child abuse engaged in court proceedings cleared the Senate today.

HB24-1350, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, would make changes to the regulation of child and family investigators and evaluators. The bill would:

• Increase the hours of training required for investigators and evaluators;

• Require investigators and evaluators to provide options to the court that serve the best interest of the child;

• Require investigators and evaluators to provide written disclosure about their duties to each party involved in a court proceeding; 

• Require investigators and evaluators to include all information concerning domestic violence and child abuse acquired during the case, regardless of how they learn this information; and

• Require court personnel to be trained on coercive control, or a pattern of behavior an abuser uses to gain control and power over their victim.

“Too often, when domestic violence or child abuse is reported in custody cases, not only is custody ultimately awarded to the abuser, but survivors’ experiences are not taken seriously or are disregarded altogether,” said Winter. “In recent years, we have passed important legislation to increase awareness around these issues, but there’s more we can do. The protections included in this bill will ensure investigators have the necessary tools to reduce victim blaming bias and ensure safety for all of Colorado’s youth.”

“Victims of domestic violence and child abuse are often retraumatized during court proceedings by custody decisions that put them in further danger,” Michaelson Jenet said. “We must do everything we can to ensure child and family investigators are well-trained and equipped to act in the best interest of victims, which is why this bill is so important. With this bill, we’re helping ensure victims’ well-being and safety, while also improving accountability in our court system.”

HB24-1350 would also require a court to consider the health and safety needs of a child when allocating parenting time. If a court orders unsupervised parenting time for a parent accused of domestic violence or child abuse, the court must make a statement on why that decision is in the best interest of the child. 

Finally, the bill charges the State Court Administrator (SCA) with accepting complaints against family investigators and evaluators, and requires the SCA to annually report those complaints to the legislature.

HB24-1350 will now return to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Marchman’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Mental Health in Rural Colorado Clears Senate

Legislation would create a behavioral health liaison position for agricultural and rural communities

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bipartisan bill to promote and support mental health care in rural and agricultural communities.

SB24-055, cosponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, would improve access to behavioral health care in rural Colorado by creating a new Agricultural and Rural Community Behavioral Health program that would work to better connect farmers, ranchers, and their families with behavioral health care. The program would partner with the Department of Agriculture, health providers, and directly with agriculture communities throughout Colorado.

“Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and their families are struggling to get the behavioral health care they urgently need, and the results have been disastrous,” Marchman said.  “Everyone deserves to have behavioral health care created by and for their own communities. This bill will bolster our ongoing efforts to close the rural mental health gap, and ultimately help save lives across our state.” 

The bill would also establish a working group and centralize existing grant programs within the Department of Agriculture to better address the root causes of behavioral health issues in rural and agricultural communities. 

SB24-055 now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

ICYMI: Bill to Increase Protections for Gig Workers Clears Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve protections for gig workers by increasing wage and task transparency cleared the Senate yesterday.

Delivery Network Companies (DNCs) are entities that operate online apps or platforms that allow users to order goods for delivery, such as UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub. Sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, HB24-1129 aims to improve wage and task transparency for DNC drivers by requiring disclosures with specific information and providing workers with the ability to make informed decisions about which tasks to accept.

“For delivery drivers working for companies like UberEats or GrubHub, details about fares and earnings are shrouded in mystery,” said Hinrichsen. “This creates uncertainty about their take home wages and can make it difficult to budget for their family. This important bill will increase protections for delivery drivers and hold DNCs accountable to fair wages and employment practices, just like every other industry.”

“This year, we’re taking major strides to guarantee delivery drivers transparency around their wages and work,” Priola said. “Providing clear information about how much a company is making and how much a driver is taking home will create a better understanding of delivery processes for drivers and consumers alike. I’m proud to champion this bill and Senate Bill 75, both of which ensure all app-based drivers receive the essential details about their work that they deserve.”

Before a driver accepts a delivery task, DNCs would be required to disclose:

• An estimated or actual amount the driver will earn for the task;

• The number of transactions involved in the task;

• The address(es) where the food, beverages, or other goods must be picked up from;

• The direction from where the driver is required to pick up the goods and the location where goods must be delivered;

• The estimated or actual time it will take for the driver to complete the task; and

• The estimated or actual distance the driver will travel for the task.

Under the bill, when a consumer is prompted to leave a tip for a delivery driver who is paid based on a per-delivery-task or per-transaction basis, DNCs would be required to disclose the amount of money that the consumer paid or will pay for the transaction. It would also require the DNC to pay the entire tip to the driver.

Finally, the bill would require a DNC to develop and maintain an account deactivation policy that clearly establishes procedures for deactivating a driver from the platform, allows a driver to request a reconsideration and ensures a driver is not penalized for failing to respond to a delivery task offer.

HB24-1129 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Buckner, Coleman Legislation to Expand CROWN Act Protections Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, and Caucus Chair Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, that would better protect Coloradans against hairstyle discrimination cleared the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today.

HB24-1451 would expand hairstyle discrimination protections already established under the CROWN Act of 2020 to include hair length.

“We passed the CROWN Act to make sure every Coloradan is able to express their identity and culture without fear, and this legislation will add to those protections to make it illegal to discriminate based on hair length,” Coleman said. “I am proud to champion this bill that will ensure all Coloradans are able to express who they are.”

"Hair length has been used to discriminate for far too long,” Buckner said. “This bill builds upon the success we’ve seen in addressing this type of discrimination, and will add further protections so that every Coloradan can wear a hairstyle that is rooted in their culture and reflects who they are.”

Colorado’s 2020 CROWN Act explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture, hair type, and protects hairstyles like dreadlocks, twists, tight coils or curls, cornrows, bantu knots, afros and headwraps. HB24-1451 would add hair length to Colorado’s CROWN Act.
 
HB24-1451 now moves to the full Senate. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Boost Rural Health Care Workforce Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bipartisan legislation to improve funding for rural health care. 

“Folks who live in rural communities like those I represent on the Western Slope face unique challenges with the cost of and lack of access to health care,” said Roberts. “In the legislature, I’ve worked to boost our rural health care workforce, and this bill will expand that successful program and support our rural hospitals with much needed supplemental funding so that they can keep their doors open and continue to serve their communities."

SB24-221, cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, builds upon previous legislation that established the Colorado Rural Health Care Workforce Initiative to expand the number of health care professionals practicing in rural areas. This bill would designate additional funding for institutions of higher education to expand or establish an existing rural health care track program, as well as over $1.7 million for rural hospitals.

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

Polis Signs Bill to Create Northern Colorado Medical School and Boost Health Care Training

Law would stand up health care programs at higher education institutions in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver and Trinidad

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed legislation today to help create a new medical college at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), and other construction and renovation projects at various higher education institutions across the state to better support both health care and veterinary care education. HB24-1231, sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Lindsey Daugherty and Senator Kyle Mullica will help address health care workforce shortages in Colorado.

“This critical law will help create a new college of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado, which will serve as a strong economic driver for Greeley and the surrounding communities and meet the physician workforce needs of our rural and underserved neighborhoods,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “We’ve taken historic steps to increase access to health care Coloradans can afford and this law builds on those efforts to save people money on health care and address our workforce shortages. From CSU Fort Collins and MSU Denver to Trinidad State College, this law supports new higher education health care projects and programs that will serve generations to come.”

“Right now, Colorado faces a significant health care provider shortage causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. “As the only working nurse at the Colorado State Capitol, I know how critical it is to build the health care workforce our state needs. I’m proud to have championed this new law that will invest in four institutions committed to addressing the state's health care challenges, and I look forward to continuing my work to ensure every Coloradan has access to the care they need to thrive.”

“Across the state, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of critical health care and veterinary providers, which is why we are standing up new medical and veterinary programs to train the next generation of professionals in these fields,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada. “With this law, Colorado will be better positioned to train and educate future osteopathic doctors, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, nurses, and other critical allied health care providers. I’m proud of our work to lower barriers for Coloradans who want to enter these professions and better serve our communities.”  

HB24-1231, also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, will stand up four projects related to health sciences education programs for medical professions. Specifically, the law will fund the:  

• Construction of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC)

• Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)

• Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University (CSU)

• Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College
  

  This law will jumpstart a second-of-its-kind medical program at UNC, which will streamline 150 new osteopathic doctors into the workforce each year and help address primary health care needs of Coloradans. The UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine is expected to generate $1.4 billion over the next 20 years in economic impact, with an estimated $500 million to remain in Weld County. The law will also provide funding to help higher education institutions train more nurses, veterinarians and other mid-level health care and veterinary care professionals.
  
  Colorado is facing a significant health care provider shortage that is causing lapses in care, longer wait times, and limited critical-care services in both rural and urban communities. HB24-1231 is the state’s largest higher education investment aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce so Coloradans can receive the health care they need, when they need it.

SIGNED! Bill to Establish Merchant Codes for Firearms, Combat Gun Violence

Senate Bill 66 makes it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns

DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed legislation to combat gun violence by establishing a new code to categorize gun sales and help law enforcement recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns.

Sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, SB24-066 requires payment card networks like Visa or Mastercard to provide a specific code, known as a merchant code, for businesses that sell firearms and ammunition. Merchant codes allow banks and credit card companies to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns – like a domestic extremist building up an arsenal – and report them to law enforcement.

“In the weeks before my son Alex was killed in the Aurora Theater shooting, his killer purchased multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition - and nobody batted an eye,” Sullivan said. “Credit cards have been repeatedly used to finance mass shootings, and merchant codes would have allowed the credit card companies to recognize his alarming pattern of behavior and refer it to law enforcement. This law will give us more tools to protect people, and make it easier to stop illegal firearms-related activity like straw purchases before disaster strikes.”

“Prior to the tragic Aurora movie theater shooting, the shooter had purchased over $11,000 worth of firearms, ammunition, and military gear in the weeks leading up to the shooting, ultimately killing 12 innocent Coloradans,” Froelich said. “Credit card merchant codes are an effective tool already used by law enforcement to combat human trafficking and money laundering crimes, and our law will expand this tool to help us stop gun violence before it impacts our communities. Our new law is crucial in giving law enforcement a head start in preventing gun violence so we can save Colorado lives."

“Credit cards have been used to finance many of the major mass shootings in recent years, and identifying suspicious weapon and ammunition stockpiling before a tragedy can take place will save lives," Mabrey said. "Almost every other product has a merchant code and this law creates a specific one for firearms. This information could be provided to law enforcement, and it could have a life-saving impact in our communities.”

A report found that this policy could have prevented many mass shootings, including the Aurora movie theater shooting and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The Aurora movie theater shooter used a MasterCard to buy $11,000 worth of weapons and military gear at multiple stores in the six weeks before the shooting.

Senate Committee Passes Bill to Increase Federal Funds for Nutrition and Housing Support

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed bipartisan legislation today to help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid. 

HB24-1322, sponsored by Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, would lay the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. This legislation aims to create a path to redirect Medicaid funding for services that address health-related social needs of Coloradans who already rely on the federal Medicaid program.

“With HB-1322 we have an opportunity to leverage federal funds and design Medicaid programs to help more Coloradans get the resources they need,” said Rodriguez. “Families I represent in Denver are struggling to pay rent, afford groceries, and make ends meet. Redirecting federal Medicaid funds to address more health-related social needs makes sense, and I’m glad to see it move forward.”

The bill would direct the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing to conduct a feasibility study and pursue a 1115 Waiver so Medicaid can fund housing and nutrition services. The feasibility study would determine how Medicaid can pay for specific nutrition-based services such as medically tailored meals and pantry stocking, as well as helping with temporary housing, rent, utility assistance, and eviction prevention and tenant support. 

Utilizing dollars already spent on housing and nutrition support services through a 1115 Medicaid Waiver would provide Colorado with a federal match and the flexibility to design and improve Medicaid programs to fit the needs of Coloradans. It would also help the state conserve local and state financial resources.

This cost-neutral model for redirecting Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition support is successfully used in more than 15 states across the nation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and North Carolina.  

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

Committee Approves Bill to Increase Prescription Label Accessibility for Visually Impaired Coloradans

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Denver, to make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print disabled Coloradans.

HB24-1115 would require a pharmacy to provide Coloradans who are blind or are otherwise unable to read printed prescription labels with access to prescription drug label information. The bill would require pharmacies to, upon request, provide patients or caretakers with:

• An electronic label, like a QR code, on the container that can transmit the label information and instructions to the person’s accessibility device;

• A no-cost prescription drug reader that provides the label information in an audio format;

• Prescription drug label information in braille or large print; or

• Any other method recommended by the US Access Board.

“All patients deserve to have access to accommodations that meet their unique needs so that they can consistently receive critical information about their medications,” said Fenberg. “Prescription medications are critical to maintaining one’s health, and a lack of access to information about prescription medications can have serious, life-threatening consequences, such as accidentally taking an incorrect medication or dosage. This important bill will help blind, visually impaired, and print disabled Coloradans stay healthy and safe while maintaining their independence.”

Pharmacies would have a 28 day grace period to provide a method of access if they have not been asked to provide that method of access before. The bill would also create the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program to provide grants to pharmacies for the purchase of equipment used to create accessible prescription labels.

HB24-1115 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

President Fenberg’s Legislation to Make Colorado’s Elections More Democratic and Inclusive Passes Senate

Each year, Fenberg champions legislation to clean up Colorado’s elections and ensure they remain the gold-standard

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved Senate President Steve Fenberg’s, D-Boulder, bill to improve Colorado’s elections system, including strengthening financial disclosures of candidates and elected officials and improving the vacancy elections process.

Under current state law, if a state senate or house district comprises more than one county, elected precinct committee persons are not part of the vacancy committee. On the other hand, if a state senate or house district consists of one county, elected precinct committee persons are part of the vacancy committee. This difference leaves single county districts with hundreds of voters in the case of a vacancy, where multi-county districts have single digits to tens of votes. 

SB24-210 would address this discrepancy by requiring all state central committees to include their elected precinct committee persons, as well as the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and secretary of the several party county central committees who reside within the district. Expanding the number of voices on a vacancy committee increases the representation of those in the impacted districts and makes the process more democratic.

“Colorado’s elections are the envy of the country - but there are always adjustments and improvements we can implement to make our election system even better,” Fenberg said. “This bill will allow more Coloradans to have their voice heard in the case of vacancies and improve access for young voters, in addition to strengthening our financial disclosure laws. In Colorado, we are continuing to build confidence in our democratic process and ensuring we remain at the forefront when it comes to holding free and fair elections.”

This legislation would increase transparency and ethics in financial disclosure laws by ensuring the public has access to information about public officials’ finances and their potential conflicts of interests. If a citizen feels that someone isn’t complying with the law, there will now be a clear process for how to file complaints. 

Additionally, the bill would make Colorado’s election process more accessible to young voters by requiring counties to establish a ballot drop box on each higher education campus that has 1,000 or more enrolled students.

SB24-210 now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Fields & Michaelson Jenet’s Bill to Promote Behavioral Health First Aid Clears Senate

SB24-007 would create a behavioral health first aid training program in the Office of Suicide Prevention

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate voted to advance Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s, D-Commerce City, bill to promote adult, teen, youth behavioral and mental health by creating a behavioral health first aid training program.

SB24-007 would create the Behavioral Health First Aid Training program in the Office of Suicide Prevention. The program would train educators, employees of youth-based nonprofits, faith leaders, law enforcement, first responders, and active duty or retired military personnel to recognize and respond to symptoms of mental illness or substance use challenges in both young people and adults and provide tools to help those in crisis.  

“This program will help trusted adults know how to identify and help teens in crisis,” Fields said. “This bill is a step towards a Colorado where youth know they can both ask for help and actually receive it from the adults they already know and trust.” 

“Behavioral health first aid training makes sure that more Coloradans have the tools to support themselves and others,” said Michaelson Jenet. “This bill will empower more people to be able to recognize warning signs and know how to help. It’s about making sure Colorado is a place where we help our neighbors.”

Trainings would include guidance on how to respond to an individual experiencing mental health challenges, including crisis intervention strategies, warning sign recognition training, and resources to help folks in crisis ask for help.

Nearly 100,000 people have received evidence-based behavioral health first aid training in Colorado so far. The new bill will help expand the reach, especially into the more rural areas of the state.

SB24-007 will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the bill's progress HERE.

Senate Approves Danielson, Ginal Bill to Bolster Support for Older Coloradans

Legislation would improve access to resources, help aging Coloradans stay in their homes

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, to improve state support for older Coloradans.

SB24-040 would require the General Assembly to adjust the General Fund appropriation for senior services for inflation, so that older Coloradans can continue receiving the critical support they need to live healthy and independent lives. Services that would be improved include in-home care, legal services, and elder abuse prevention programs.

“Every Coloradan deserves to be supported, but too often older Coloradans are treated like an afterthought,” Danielson said. “This bill will begin to address that and help folks access things they need, like transportation services and home meal delivery. I’m committed to making sure every Coloradan can age with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

“Colorado hasn’t done enough to support older Coloradans, and it’s time we change that,” said Ginal. “This bill will strengthen services for our aging population to help access the care and resources they need to remain in their homes, allowing folks to stay independent and lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.”

The bill would also require the Department of Human Services, the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and Area Agencies on Aging to review the adequacy of the appropriation for state funding for senior services and report the findings to the General Assembly every three years.

SB24-040 will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Roberts Bill to Boost Water Conservation Funding Passes Senate

Roberts: “This bill will give Colorado voters an opportunity to join in the fight and allow sports betting revenue to fund critical water projects that will benefit communities across our state.”

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that would refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow the state to keep and spend additional sports betting tax revenue on water conservation projects cleared the Senate today.

“Water is Colorado’s most precious natural resource, because it powers everything we do, from agriculture to our outdoor recreation economy, which is why I am fighting tooth and nail to secure our state’s water future,” Roberts said. “This bill will give Colorado voters an opportunity to join in the fight and allow sports betting revenue to fund critical water projects that will benefit communities across our state. I am proud to be working on this bipartisan legislation that will help protect our precious water resources and our Colorado way of life.”

HB24-1436, cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would refer a ballot measure to Colorado voters to allow revenue above the $29 million cap on sports betting revenue established in 2019 by Proposition DD to be transferred to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. This cash fund supports water projects across the state, including water storage and supply, agricultural projects, and watershed health and recreation projects.

The bill will now move back to the House for concurrence of amendments. Track its progress HERE.

Senate Approves Fenberg, Hansen Bill to Modernize Colorado’s Electric Grid, Position State to Meet Climate Goals

Legislation aims to speed up distribution system upgrades, meet Colorado’s long-term electrification goals, and support a robust workforce

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to modernize Colorado’s energy distribution systems. 

In order to accomplish Colorado’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meet state and federal decarbonization targets, Colorado’s electric grid needs updating. Coloradans have faced delays when installing electric vehicle chargers or rooftop solar, and delays in meeting our larger transportation and building electrification goals will persist if the distribution system isn’t updated. 

SB24-218 includes a suite of policy changes to modernize and prepare the electric grid for the future. Improving the distribution system would help communities and utility consumers electrify heating and cooling in buildings, accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and solar energy, and reduce air pollution. 

“Colorado has ambitious goals of rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity generation, building heating and cooling, water heating, and industrial fuel uses,” said Fenberg. “To reliably and affordably reduce emissions to meet our decarbonization targets, Colorado needs to shift its reliance from fossil fuels to a cleaner electric grid. From requiring investments in undergrounding to maintaining rate stability, this comprehensive bill will improve our distribution infrastructure and help us meet our climate goals.”

“After the major power outages at the beginning of April, it was clear that utilities need to do more to guarantee energy resiliency during extreme weather or natural disasters,” said Hansen. “We need a strong electricity system to make sure we can reduce emissions, lower consumer costs, and improve reliability. After months of work, this bill strikes the right balance between making much-needed investments in our distribution system while protecting ratepayers, and I’m proud to see it move forward.”

The bill directs investor-owned utilities with more than 500,000 customers (qualified utility) to modernize the electric grid to the benefit of customers and to achieve state energy goals by:

• Improving distribution system planning to ensure investments meet transportation and building electrification goals, support distributed energy resources, and prepare for a changing energy marketplace;
   

• Addressing the cost allocation for infrastructure upgrades to avoid one customer paying for the cost of a system upgrade that would support state electrification goals and benefit other customers;
   

• Providing a long-term structure for how utilities will recover costs for distribution system upgrades while maintaining rate stability;
   

• Making workforce investments to provide the skilled workforce required to achieve these infrastructure upgrades;
   

• Clarifying the process and timeline for accommodating beneficial electrification loads and connecting customer-sited distributed energy resources to the qualified utility electrical grid;
   

• Establishing a Virtual Power Plant program that can help save customers money by taking advantage of distributed energy resources; and 
   

• Expanding the undergrounding of powerlines and other community benefit investments to avoid the risks of wildfires and power outages during severe weather events

SB24-218 now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE. 

Lawmakers Introduce New TABOR Refund Mechanism, Advance Tax Credits for Working Families

DENVER, CO – Lawmakers yesterday introduced legislation that will restructure the refund mechanisms for state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. 

The bipartisan bill will temporarily lower income tax rates and create a new formula to determine future refund amounts through the six-tier refund mechanism and income rate reductions, and sales and use tax reductions in years with higher surpluses. These steps ensure Colorado will meet its commitment to fund critical services and schools during a recession while furthering efforts to reduce child poverty and boost the incomes of hardworking people through the new Family Affordability Tax Credit and expanded Earned Income Tax Credit.

“Colorado is facing a choice; we can continue with our tax code that doesn’t benefit the majority of Coloradans, or we can boost the incomes of hardworking people, create a pro-family tax code, and cut child poverty in half,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This legislation, when combined with our Family Affordability Tax Credit and expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, will make our tax code more fair, boost the incomes of hardworking families and families with children, and cut child poverty in half in Colorado. I’m excited that we have found a way forward with Governor Polis to responsibly create new tax credits that benefit the majority of Coloradans and the people in our state that are feeling the brunt of our affordability crisis.”

"Making sure Colorado's tax code works for all Coloradans is one of my top priorities, which is why this bill, combined with our work to bolster critical tax credits that benefit working families, is so important,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, said. "Taken together, these measures will put more money into the pockets of working Colorado families, cut child poverty in half, and make it easier to make ends meet."

“I appreciate the work of so many organizations, lawmakers, and the governor who came together to create new tax credits that will cut child poverty, boost incomes for lower and middle-income people, and update our tax code so that it works for the majority of Coloradans, not just those at the top,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Colorado’s working families and children are counting on us to deliver meaningful tax relief, and I’m proud that we are going to deliver on this promise. The bill introduced today alongside our package of tax credits will make Colorado more affordable, put money back into the pockets of hardworking people, and help us forge a brighter future for millions of people who call our state home.”

“Looking out for Colorado families means making sure they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent or affording other necessities,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield. “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’re going to see this session. I am extremely pleased to be a part of making this package of tax credits possible, because it will cut child poverty in half while benefiting the majority of Coloradans and making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.”

“Working Coloradans need our support, and I am pleased to say that we have an opportunity to make a real, transformative difference for kids and families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver. “This package will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give every Colorado family the resources they need to thrive.”

SB24-228, sponsored by Mullica and Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, and Speaker Pro Tempore deGruy Kennedy and Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, will create a new refund mechanism and formula to distribute state revenue collected above the TABOR cap. 

The legislation is part of an effort from House and Senate Democrats to boost tax credits for hardworking people and families with children. Under these proposals, hundreds of millions in tax credits will go to middle and lower income families and will cut the child poverty rate in half. These proven-anti poverty measures will boost the incomes of the majority of Coloradans. 

For tax year 2024, income tax rates will be temporarily reduced from 4.40 percent to 4.25 percent. For years 2025 through 2035, the income tax rate cut is activated and will fluctuate based on the amount of state revenues expected to exceed the TABOR cap after accounting for reimbursements to counties for the senior homestead exemption. If the surplus exceeds $1.5 billion after the temporary rate reduction and reimbursements to counties, then a fourth refund mechanism will be activated that will reduce sales and use tax rates by 0.13 percent. 

Whether the refund mechanisms are triggered and which ones will be triggered will depend on the amount of state revenues in excess of the TABOR cap. 

• If remaining excess state revenues are less than or equal to $300 million, TABOR refunds are distributed only through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism; 

• If remaining excess state revenues are greater than $300 million but less than or equal to $1.5 billion, TABOR refunds are distributed first through the income tax rate reduction and then through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism; 

• And if remaining excess state revenues are greater than $1.5 billion, TABOR refunds are distributed first through the income tax rate reduction, next through the sales and use tax rate reduction, and finally through the tiered or flat sales tax refund mechanism.

Wage Theft Prevention Bill Passes Committee

DENVER, CO – The Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee today advanced legislation to combat wage theft and boost the economic security of Colorado’s workers.

HB24-1008, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, would improve wage theft accountability by requiring general contractors to cover lost wages if a subcontractor commits wage theft and increases transparency to improve compliance. It would also impose a $2,000 fine on a subcontractor if they do not forward a written demand for payment to the general contractor.

“Wage theft is wrong, and it impacts people all across the state. Coloradans should know we’re working hard to combat this problem,” Danielson said. “With this bill, we will strengthen protections for workers and ensure they are paid their fair share.”

“Colorado’s dedicated workers lose nearly $728 million in stolen wages annually,” said Kolker. “Theft is theft, and it keeps hardworking families from being able to make ends meet. Our legislation targets the increased use of subcontracts and other labor market intermediaries to ensure all workers are paid for the work they do and no one falls through the cracks.”

Wage theft can include not paying workers minimum wage, non-payment of wages, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime and taking tips that were meant for the employees.

A 2022 report by the Colorado Fiscal Institute found that nearly 440,000 low-wage Colorado workers experience $728 million in wage theft annually. Workers of color and women are most likely to be victims of wage theft, and the most common industries for wage theft are retail, construction, and food service. Construction workers are particularly at risk for wage theft due to the high rates of subcontracting and other labor market intermediaries.

HB24-1008 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Follow its progress HERE.

Bill to Save Older Coloradans Money on Housing Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Finance Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, to reinstate a refundable tax credit to save older Coloradans money on housing.

HB24-1052 would reinstate a refundable income tax credit for Coloradans aged 65 or older with incomes under $75,000 (or $125,000 if filing jointly) who have not claimed a homestead property tax exemption for the 2024 property tax year. The income tax credit was initially created by HB22-1205.

“Amidst our statewide housing crisis, seniors on fixed incomes need additional relief to afford their rent and stay in their homes,” said Hansen. “While we’ve worked hard to extend housing support through property tax relief and a portable homestead property tax exemption, we must do more to help seniors who rent. This refundable tax credit will help even more lower and fixed income seniors remain in the homes and communities they love.”

“We’ve been working hard to support Colorado seniors, and especially those living on a low fixed income while renting, or who are not eligible for the senior homestead exemption, which is why I am so proud to champion this important legislation,” Kolker said. “This measure would save older Coloradans millions of dollars on housing, make our state a more affordable place to live, and ensure seniors can remain in the communities they have called home for years to come.”

The amount of the credit depends on income and taxpayer filing status. Single and joint filers with an income of $25,000 or less would receive the maximum credit amount of $800. For taxpayers who could file jointly but choose to file separately, the maximum credit amount would be $400. For every $500 of income above the threshold, the amount of the credit is reduced by $8 for single filers and by $4 for married taxpayers filing jointly or separately.

Under the bill, taxpayers who qualify for a property tax and rent assistance grant or heat assistance grant may receive the maximum credit amount regardless of income level.

HB24-1052 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Encourage More Housing Near Transit and Jobs Clears Committee

DENVER, CO – Legislation aimed at increasing housing options and providing financial support to cities, counties, and municipalities that meet their housing goals cleared the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee today.

HB24-1313, sponsored by Senators Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, would encourage more housing near public transit, cycling and walking corridors, places of employment, and other centers of community, while helping prevent Coloradans from being displaced from their communities.

“The housing challenges plaguing our state are reaching a fever pitch, which is why Democrats are laser focused on providing solutions,” Hansen said. “One of those solutions is to incentivize smart, strategic growth near jobs and transit. This bill will do just that, while also reducing congestion on our roads, cutting air pollution, and increasing affordability, so that more Colorado families can find a place to call home that works for them.”

“Coloradans are begging for more housing, and there is no better place to build housing and increase density than near transit,” Winter said. “This bill is important in multiple ways - it will increase housing options, reduce costs, and help our state reach its climate goals, all while protecting vulnerable communities from displacement. I am proud to champion this legislation, and I look forward to the benefits it will bring to our state.”

The bill empowers local governments to address Colorado’s housing needs and incentivizes them to build more housing by providing financial assistance to help meet their housing goals. It also aims to conserve Colorado’s natural resources and improve air quality to protect vulnerable communities from pollution-related health issues. Of the 31 jurisdictions that would qualify under this bill, most are along the I-25 corridor.

Communities that meet their Housing Opportunity Goals would benefit from the new Transit-Oriented Communities Infrastructure Fund to support their work to improve infrastructure within transit centers or neighborhood centers.

A recent poll found that 95 percent of Coloradans say the cost of renting or buying a home is a problem, with 70 percent saying that local governments aren’t doing enough to address this issue. Nearly 70 percent of Colorado voters also support a state law, like HB24-1313, to require cities and counties to allow more housing to be built near public transit and businesses and shopping areas while providing financial assistance for these projects.

HB24-1313 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.